The Newstead homestead has even earlier beginnings than the shearing shed. It was built as a plain but sound slab building in the late 1840s. A succession of additions and refurbishments have left many layers of evidence.
     The McNeall Pastoral Company took the care of the house seriously, even though it was empty and not needed for accommodation. Again, John Jenkins made repairs that I recommended.
     Shortly before the Tom Roberts Festival, the property (including the homestead and shearing shed) was sold to the Danthonia Bruderhof Christian community.
 

Mark O'Connell and other Bruderhof members came on the tour. Mark said that they wanted to know more about the history and importance of the homestead and shearing shed, and that they meant to look after the place and protect it.
    Hazel Hawke (Chair of the NSW Heritage Council) offered support. Ros Strong (Director of the Heritage Office) said her officers were ready to help too.
     Jack Mundey (Chair of the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales), and Peter Watts (Historic Houses Trust Director), offered technical assistance.
     Tony Dale and Camilla McRae (convenors of the Tom Roberts Festival) facilitated this exchange of promises. We all got back on the bus with a feeling that Newstead had good prospects of surviving for a long time yet.