 Hepburn held under Government licence about 20,000 acres (80 km²) for his sheep and cattle run which he drove overland from Sydney.He built Smeaton House in 1849 with the assistance of British colonial migrants.Smeaton House itself, remains a large and grand reminder of the power and wealth of the few members of the then ruling squattocracy of colonial pre-gold rush Victoria with its grand servants wings and family accommodation and remains in private hands.