A particularly feisty cook is one of Byramine Homestead’s more popular ghost stories, as she loves to tell people to get out of her kitchen.
If the walls of Byramine Homestead could talk, they might have quite a few stories to tell.
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Then again, according to some who have stepped inside the historic homestead near Yarrawonga, perhaps they already do.
Built in 1842 by explorer Hamilton Hume for his sister-in-law Elizabeth Hume and her children, Byramine has survived bushrangers, generations of families and more than 180 years of history.
But as Halloween approaches, it’s another side of Byramine’s past that continues to fascinate visitors - unexplained voices, strange sensations, rattling crockery and encounters some believe are with the long-departed.
Nicole McPherson operated the Byramine business for 15 years before selling last year.
Nicole McPherson operated the Byramine business for 15 years and had a simple rule for dealing with the former residents who never left.
Despite countless hours inside the old homestead, and hearing stories from regular visitors, Nicole chose not to become too interested in its paranormal residents and instead adopted a simple ritual.
“I always said, ‘Good morning, Elizabeth,’ as I walked into the homestead and ‘Good evening, Elizabeth,’ when we left,” Nicole said.
“At least once a week there would be people saying, ‘Oh my gosh, I just talked to the old cook in the cook’s kitchen who told me to get out because she was sick of everyone annoying her.”
Some became so shaken they needed to sit down afterwards, and occasionally staff refused to clean the homestead alone.
Three rooms continue to attract the stories - the cook’s kitchen, the cellar and the children’s room, and even Nicole found the children’s room unsettling.
Some associate the room with the tragic story of Elizabeth Hume’s daughter Isabella and the family governess, who drowned in a nearby lagoon.
“It was very cold and icy, and you knew you wanted to get out of that room,” Nicole said.
The family’s nanny drowned along with young Isabella and now the children’s room is said to be haunted with their spirits.
Beneath Byramine, the story becomes even more intriguing.
In addition to the large cellar, there are brick-lined rooms under the homestead, accessible through openings beneath the floorboards.
Staff member Aydan Beswick considered himself a sceptic, until just two weeks ago.
Aydan had heard the story about people touching Byramine’s piano and feeling something touch the back of their head, but he had cleaned it dozens of times without incident.
Then something changed.
“I was playing the piano, trying to clean it and wiping it down, and I felt as though something touched me on the back of my neck,” Aydan said.
“It was really strange, like a spider web had brushed up against me, but when I turned around there was nothing there.”
Paranormal investigator, Dolly Adamson of Kyneton Paranormal, has conducted several investigations at Byramine and believes spirits may visit the property rather than being trapped there.
“I wouldn’t say it’s haunted; the spirits are quite happy to come and visit,” Dolly said.
During investigations, Dolly and her groups have used a spirit box, equipment paranormal investigators believe can facilitate communication.
Among those they believed they encountered were Hamilton Hume, a servant and one particularly feisty cook.
Paranormal investigator, Dolly Adamson says the spirits may visit the property rather than being trapped there.
During one investigation, Dolly said the cook warned that a candle was too close to a curtain.
On another, communication through the spirit box suggested the cook wanted to put Dolly’s small dog “in the pot”.
But one of her favourite encounters was considerably more hospitable.
As investigators sat silently in the front lounge, sensors began lighting up and they heard what sounded like crockery rattling.
Then came words through the spirit box – “coffee, coffee, tea, coffee”.
Dolly believed a former servant had popped in to offer refreshments.
So, is Byramine really haunted?
After more than 180 years, perhaps everyone must decide that for themselves.
But if you find yourself inside the homestead, Nicole’s approach might be worth remembering.
Say, “Good morning, Elizabeth”, and whatever you do, don’t forget to say goodnight.
Byramine Homestead is at 1436 Murray Valley Highway, Yarrawonga and open Wednesday to Sunday.
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