OSBORNES FLAT
OSBORNES FLAT ROAD OSBORNES FLAT, INDIGO SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
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OSBORNES FLAT - History
According to http://www.uniqueyackandandah.com.au/index.php?page_id=3:
European settlement followed the trails of Hume and Hovel from 1824. James Osborne settled in Osborne's Flat in 1844, and there followed a succession of squatters in the area, who established or took over pastoral runs.
The discovery of gold late in 1852 began the rush of alluvial miners. They were a multinational mixture, who lived in small communities along the Yackandandah Creek - from Staghorn, Allan's, Osborne's and Rowdy Flats, along through present Yackandandah up to the Junction and through to Hillsborough.
Schools, churches, medical facilities, hotels and shops were set up by early arrivals to service the miners and the families on many of the mining sites. The resultant small communities were busy, if not permanent. Many of them persisted well into the 20th century.
Yackandandah, however, became the main focus. A survey of the town was made in 1856 and land sales there began in early 1857. Substantial buildings were erected, serving the variety of needs.
Furthermore according to http://www.uniqueyackandandah.com.au/index.php?page_id=23:
...Osbornes Flat, named after James Osborne, the first white settler in the area, is located just outside of Yackandandah. It was established as a gold town in the 1850's and had five hotels, several stores, a school, several trades' people and a lodging house.
Noted in the Victorian Gazetteer 1865: 2 hotels and other businesses. Other buildings are noted by Michael O'Loughlin in 1919, but John Hodgson recalled that most of the flat had been dredged around 1900. According to the RootsWeb website archives (http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/AUS-VIC-HIGH-COUNTRY/2005-12/1135571131), the Ovens and Murray Advertiser refers to the Harp of Erin hotel and a Grand Stand being present:
...Mr. O'Loughlin of the Harp of Erin Osborne's Flat as the purchaser of the Grand Stand and all booths.
Nobblers and Lushington's lists at least 7 hotels in the area in the 19th century, including the Harp of Erin and Advance Australia Hotel (Patterson 2009: 284-5). The former is still likely to be standing, with a recent advertisement for the sale of this home noting (http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-beechworth-106034539):
Originally built in 1856 as the Harp of Erin Hotel and frequented by Ned Kelly. Over the years the building was a private hotel... Property Type:House Bedrooms:3 Bathrooms:1...
A range of commercial buildings were also recorded in the area in 1919 (Patterson 2009: 284-5); including Bigalow's store, Carkeek's Store, Brown's butcher's shop, a third hotel, Clune's boot shop, a blacksmith, a public school, library and residences.OSBORNES FLAT - Interpretation of Site
The site comprises the location of recognised modern heritage (HO783 Osborne's Flat Community Hall) as well as some earlier remnants (HO784 St Mary's Roman Catholic Church and HO785 Osbornes Flat Tail Race). Despite prior dredging, the survival of extant features such as the Harp of Erin Hotel suggests that is a continuing potential for archaeological remains of settlements associated with 19th century mining.
OSBORNES FLAT - Archaeological Significance
Osborne's Flat is archaeologically significant as the location of one of several mining era settlements around Yackandandah that remain relatively undeveloped in parts and unsurveyed; and thereby continue to be sensitive for the remnants of 19th century mining settlements.
OSBORNES FLAT - Historical Significance
Osborne's Flat is significant as the location of one of several 19th century mining settlements associated with Yackandandah.
Heritage Inventory Description
OSBORNES FLAT - Heritage Inventory Description
One a number of rural residential areas surrounding Yackandandah. It comprises small farming/residential allotments, a quarry, creeks, roads and tracks that collectively represent the former location of a short-lived mid 19th century mining settlement. Inspected largely from Osborne's Flat Road, today the flat continues to contain some visible remnants of this settlement, including tailings and mullocks, and the occasional historical building. For example, the Advance Australia Hotel and Harp of Erin Hotel (dating to c. 1865) are said to be still standing (see history), but was not located during the inspection as it is on private land and due to lack of information about its provenance. Equally, while the exact location of a range of commercial buildings recorded in 1919 (Patterson 2009: 284-5) requires further study, the flat is relatively undeveloped and the potential for archaeological remains is high. There are some supposedly extant buildings but it is unlikely they are related to the early settlement of this area.
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OSBORNES FLATVictorian Heritage Inventory
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Osbornes Flat State School Honour Roll (First World War)Vic. War Heritage Inventory
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