HO65 - Rocklands Dam
131-199 Townsings Rd DIGGERS REST, Melton Shire
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Statement of Significance
The former Rocklands dam at 131-199 Townsings Rd, Diggers Restis significant as an example of a type of dams that was constructed in nineteenth century Melton by small pastoralists and established farmers in an attempt to counteract the extremely dry local climate. Its dry-stone construction with roughly worked bluestone is also aesthetically pleasing, and an excellent example of one type of dam structure in the area.
The former Rocklands dam at 131-199 Townsings Rd, Diggers Restis aesthetically and structurally significant at the LOCAL level (AHC D2). It is a neatly constructed and highly intact dry-stone structure which uses partly shaped local bluestone and fieldstone. It is a fully functional and moderately sized dam of the area.
The former Rocklands dam at 131-199 Townsings Rd, Diggers Restis historically significant at the LOCAL level (AHC B2). It is a more moderately sized example of at least four other similar, very well built, dam structures in the Shire, three of which were built on the Clarke Rockbank pastoral estate. These dams express the importance of water in the extremely dry local climate. They may also have been related to the difficulty of excavating large 'tanks' (paddock dams) in the area, much of which has high bluestone bedrock. It is believed to have been built by William Beaty, of the pioneering Diggers Rest family that has been prominent in local affairs.
Overall, the Rocklands dam is of LOCAL significance.
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HO65 - Rocklands Dam - Historical Australian Themes
Melton Historical Themes: 'Water', 'Pastoralism'
HO65 - Rocklands Dam - Integrity
Integrity - Substantially Intact
HO65 - Rocklands Dam - Physical Conditions
Physical Condition - Good
HO65 - Rocklands Dam - Physical Description 1
Physical Description -
The dam wall is approximately 50 metres long. It holds water so, it is difficult to estimate its depth, but it is probably a maximum of around two metres. Its drystone wall is of roughly squared bluestone, crudely coursed, with large capping stones similar to nearby Clarke dams. Its earth embankment wall has been extended in more recent years.
Its context is a rural residential property. To the south the landscape remains largely undeveloped pastoral property.
Heritage Study and Grading
Melton - Shire of Melton Heritage Study phase 2
Author: David Maloney, David Rowe, Pamela Jellie, Sera Jane Peters
Year: 2007
Grading:
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CLARKE'S DAMVictorian Heritage Inventory
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HO65 - Rocklands DamMelton City
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