'The Gap' WWII Charcoal Pits
Stuart Mill - Rostron Road KANYA, NORTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
The remains of the charcoal pits constructed during World war II are of historical and scientific significance to the Kanya district. The site is of importance for its potential to provide information that contributes to a greater understanding of the history of charcoal burning and local conditions during World war II and has a strong presumption of archaeological research potential. Further historical research and archaeological investigation is recommended.
RECOMMENDED LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE: Conservation Desirable
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'The Gap' WWII Charcoal Pits - Physical Description 1
Several comparatively well preserved charcoal pits, some with brick lining, are located here. The remains include three pits 5 metres by 2 metres by 1 metre, with post holes around the edge of each pit and small charcoal mounds.
Veterans Description for Public
'The Gap' WWII Charcoal Pits - Veterans Description for Public
'The Gap' Charcoal Pits are located in the Mount Bolangum Flora and Fauna Reserve, on Stuart Mill- Rostron Road, Kanya. This was the site of a 1940s medium scale charcoal production operation for motor vehicle fuel, associated with Second World War petrol shortages. Several comparatively well preserved charcoal pits, some with brick lining, are located here. The remains include three pits 5 metres by 2 metres by 1 metre, with post holes around the edge of each pit and small charcoal mounds.
A local from the area Joan Preece, remembers the significance of the site: "During the Second World War building materials became very scarce and there was very little doing in the [family business] building line. Some of the younger men in our employ went off to the war but the older men were still with us. Dad [Albert Preece] was very worried about what to do, for he didn't want to sack them - they had been with us for years. He hit on the idea of burning charcoal for a living, and as some of you will remember, petrol was rationed and many people had charcoal burners installed in their vehicles. Also charcoal was used a lot in industry. I remember selling it to a big biscuit factory in Ballarat. So out to the wilds of the Kanya Forest went our men. A large shed was built and this was divided into sections - one end for sleeping quarters, the middle for eating quarters and the other end for the cooking. My father who had never cooked in his life became the camp cook. He got mum to show him how to cook various things and out he went...In the middle of the week and at the weekend Mum would cook a large piece of corned beef or similar and make a huge quantity of rock cakes to be used for morning and afternoon teas. Dad mastered the art of scone making and many other things and we were very grateful that it gave employment to our staff."
Heritage Study and Grading
Northern Grampians - Shire of Northern Grampians - Stage 2 Heritage Study
Author: Wendy Jacobs, Vicki Johnson, David Rowe, Phil Taylor
Year: 2004
Grading:
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'The Gap' Charcoal Pits, Mount Bolangum Flora and Fauna Reserve, Stuart Mill - Rostron Road, KANYANorthern Grampians Shire
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'The Gap' WWII Charcoal PitsVic. War Heritage Inventory
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