Having purchased the land (within The Hatcher Trust) of 120 acres in 1996, it was obvious that I had fantastic soil and anything would grow. The wine industry is slowly creeping toward our Skillogalee Valley at an alarming rate that made me think that it was not a great idea to enter into such a huge undertaking. The bubble must burst at some stage and I didn't wish to be part of it when it did.

I had absolutely no infrastructure, just a cottage that was nowhere near habitable and a de-roofed, no floor walls of The Chapel. When it rained, water poured off the slope at the back of the cottage making a lake right out the back door. The Chapel seemed to escape this and I am in awe at the ability of those in the 19th Century to create buildings such as this knowing that drainage would be a problem.

Many decisions needed to be made and with my experience in the Hospitality Industry and common sense, I just started at the beginning and slowly, as the bank balance permitted, did what was needed to gain information as to just what I could accomplish with this land. For a fee, the South Australian Department of Mines and Energy came, The State Department of Environment and Natural Resources, The Waite Institute and District Council of Saddleworth & Auburn (Now the Gilbert Valley & Clare Council). All gave advise on water, tree removal, dam possibilities, Heritage Act, road upgrading, and soil analysis.

During this time I began to upgrade the cottage so that some income could be gained by renting it out for a spell whilst decisions were made. Tenancy began and the income plus caretaker role was welcome.

By the end of 1996 tests were completed and Government Departments approvals were gained. Drilling for water was a priority. It was eventually found nowhere near the initial testing location. But as it's close to the Chapel, it is easy to access when the electricity gets cut off (which happens frequently!)

Architects came and appraised the Chapel. Architects are expensive - they love to dream a little so at the end of the day, I obtained a draftsman to do my bidding.

Following lengthy approvals, the rebuilding of the Chapel complex began in 1999. The Adelaide construction Company of Colloray's won the tender and I praise them for their efforts. (They won a prize with the end result at a National Builders Convention). By Christmas 1999 I was open for business as a destination.

Upper Skilly Chapel
Mr Malachi Brain had cattle roaming through the Skillogolee Hills as early as 1843. His home was Bromley Park, now a shell amid these Skilly Hills. Malachi Brain was a progressive Bible Christian layman and he donated the land on section 490 for a Bible Christian Chapel back in 1855. This was a strategic spot close to the Gulf Road traffic through the Skilly Hills at the time of his donation.

It was not until 1862 however, well after the closure of the Gulf Road that the sturdy stone Chapel with ZION AD 1862 carved into the stone above the front door was opened. The Chapel overlooking the wooded hills and valleys of Skillogolee was opened on Nov. 2 when Rev. Thomas Hillman preached in the morning and Mr Parkin from Riverton in the evening.

The first Upper Skilly services were held under a large red gum tree which still stands today in the valley directly in front of the Chapel and a little to the left.

A small open fireplace was built into the Chapel that also served as a school. The stone residence alongside the Chapel provided accommodation for the schoolteacher. The school operated from 1868 until 1878. Sara Townsend was the teacher in 1868 and Isaac Prior from 1870 to its closure. Both the Chapel and residence have recently been renovated by Frances Gerard as a Function Centre and Manager's residence.

Although few people live in the vicinity today, there was enough interest in the land at the time for 10 building blocks to be auctioned around the church. The average size of farms throughout the district at the time was 80 acres.

Lime for the building was burnt in the adjoining paddock owned by Mr Seabry, Section 331. The limestone came from Section 331 and Section 35o. Sandstone came from Section 380 and sand was delivered from the Skilly creek by future members of the congregation.

The Chapel was originally roofed with stringy bark shingles, although these were later covered over with galvanized iron. The roof principals and ceiling joists were of straight native pine; probably from Hoyles Plains (Hoyleton) they're being plenty of good quality pines in that country at that time. Some pines grew along the Skilly but not in large numbers. The floor joists were also of native pine and trimmed with an adze to perfection. Imported Baltic tongue and groove was used for the floor.

The Chapel was built by Mr Peacock in a gothic design with two windows down each side and an outside measurement of 30 feet by 20 feet. The walls were 20 inches thick. The estimated cost of the building was £230 and at the opening £160 had already been paid.

In August 1894, 16 years after the school was closed and the house vacated, Mr George Morcombe reported that the council property was being destroyed by vandals. It was sold at auction to Mr F H Barkla, who salvaged the materials. The Zion Chapel was closed in 1902 as an organised place of worship. Since then the services have been held in the Auburn Circuit Methodist Church.

The Chapel records along with adjacent cemetery records, were left in the safe keeping of the Auburn Council. A fire in 1927 in that office destroyed them.

The Chapel has been home to the Boy Scout movement, a chaff and fruit store, and implement store and midnight gatherings in what was its shell by 1940. Vandals slowly raped the building, from as early as 1920's. The Parker family purchased the property and building original blocks in the 40's.

The cemetery property was vested in the Council on June 27 1903. To this day it is still a public cemetery. The earliest marked headstone in the cemetery is that of Malachi Brian, the donator of the land.