* Rural

AS a boy, former Australian prime minister Ben Chifley used to live and play on Black Rock, a fine wool-grazing property 36km north of Bathurst.

Between the ages of six and 13 Ben Chifley attended the local school for half the week while helping his grandfather bag potatoes for the other half.

The ruins of his grandfather’s house are still on the property. No doubt he would be amazed at the present asking price for the property — $1.6 million. Black Rock is named after a large granite feature on the property stained black from thousands of years of water running over it.

The oldest title on the property dates back to 1868, although its history is believed to go back to the 1840s.

The property was bought by Granville and Yvonne Taylor in 1999 from the Proud family of jewellery fame as part of the couple’s retirement plans.

Mr Taylor is a stockbroker and director with Sydney firm Lodge Partners. Health problems have forced the couple to sell, reluctantly.

“It’s a very hard decision for us,” said Mr Taylor. “We will be extremely sorry to leave.

“For the views and the ambience, it’s one of the best places in NSW. It’s a scenic property, as well as being productive. We picked one of the best spots in thestate for our long-term future and we’ve had to change our plans.”

The property is set up to run 5000 merino sheep, but the Taylors, who say making money out of the property was not their first priority, have been running about 1000 Angora goats instead. Some of the Angoras will stay with the property.

One of the main features of the property is the massive 100 square, seven-bedroom main house, built in 1985 from bricks culled from old buildings in Bathurst and with 360-degree views.

The house alone is insured for $800,000.

“It has a great historical feel while having all the mod-cons,” Mr Taylor said. The property is securely watered, with creeks, dams and springs. It features elevated grazing country and timbered hills overlooking picturesque valleys and lucerne flats.

There is also a shearing shed, sheep and cattle yards, shearers quarters, a machinery shed, stables and an additional two-bedroom house.

Rural property specialist David Nolan said the level of inquiry about the property was as strong as he had ever seen.