Back to search results
BULLARTO BALT CAMP
CAMP ROAD, WOMBAT STATE FOREST
BULLARTO BALT CAMP
CAMP ROAD, WOMBAT STATE FOREST
All information on this page is maintained by Heritage Victoria.
Click below for their website and contact details.
Victorian Heritage Inventory
-
Add to tour
You must log in to do that.
-
Share
-
Shortlist place
You must log in to do that.
- Download report
On this page:
Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The remnant features of a Balt camp
How is it significant?
Due to its integrity and condition
Why is it significant?
The site is historically significant as a place that is associated with Australia’s post Second World War immigration policy and developments in Victoria's forest management. The place provided European immigrants with their initial contact with Australian culture and environment. Many of the men married local women and became part of the community and history of the district.
Show more
Show less
-
-
BULLARTO BALT CAMP - History
At the end of the Second World War, the Commonwealth Government began to accept large numbers of immigrants (known as displaced persons) from Europe. One of the conditions of entry was that each immigrant would work for two years in a government-directed job. A relatively small number of these immigrants was directed to work for the Forests Commission and was employed in firewood cutting, thinning operations, road making, and fire protection. The immigrants were accommodated in better conditions than earlier workers had been, with timber huts replacing the former standard issue of canvas and bush poles. As many of the immigrants came from the Balkans, their camps were locally referred to as ‘Balt’ Camps. By June 1949, 180 European immigrants were engaged in work, and by the end of the next year the number had grown to 361, with eleven camps in operation. These were at Broadford (84 men), Beaufort (3 camps?48 men), Castlemaine (19 men), Cohuna (30 men), Daylesford (45 men), Brisbane Ranges (42 men), Graytown (31 men), Scarsdale (20 men), and Bullengarook (42 men). An additional camp was also planned during the year for Holcombe. Wherever possible, existing buildings and ex-Army buildings were used. In all camps of a permanent nature, amenities such as electric lighting, hot water services, and septic tank systems were installed. The large immigrant labour force at work in 1950 resulted in a dramatic increase in firewood production: 156,369 tons were cut, compared to the 66,568 tons the previous year. To assist in maintaining a reasonable distribution of wood from the Commission's metropolitan depots, local men were employed as road hauliers, transporting the firewood direct from production centres in the forests. New camps to accommodate from 25 to 50 men were established at Bullarto, Bullengarook, Brisbane Ranges, Snake Valley, and Mirboo East. Some of the existing camps were extended and improved. By 1952, the scheme was winding down, as ‘New Australians’ left the Forests Commission after completing their two years' contracts.BULLARTO BALT CAMP - Interpretation of Site
Remains of Balt camp
Heritage Inventory Description
BULLARTO BALT CAMP - Heritage Inventory Description
The site lies both sides of Camp Road, with the bulk of the visible foundations on the west side of the road. The site has no standing buildings. There are seven main features:- Feature 1: Kitchen *Large concrete slab (11 x 7 metre) with fireplaces at both ends. The slab is placed on stone and brick footings. The fire places (2.4 x 1, 5 metre high) are constructed of local stone set in a concrete mortar. The hearths are lined with red bricks. The fireplaces have recently been restored. Feature 2: Large concrete slab *The slab (10 x 6.5 metre) is quite visible and has no distinguishable features to indicate its possible function. Feature 3: Stone retained platform for small building. Feature 4: Incinerator * below Feature 3 (large concrete slab) is the remnants of a small incinerator. Two of the stone walls of the incinerator have been demolished, the surviving walls still retain sections of brick lining. The base of the incinerator consists of a iron grate. Features 5 & 6: Ablution Block *Narrow 15-metre long rectangular concrete slab containing the bases for six toilet pans. Below the toilet area is an open concrete-lined cesspit. (Photos 7 to 11) Feature 7: Hut platform and traces of hut floors *On the opposite side if the road to the kitchen are traces of concrete slabs. According to local information these are the remnants of a line of men’s huts. The area has been graded.
-
-
-
-
-
NORTH MELBOURNE POTTERYVictorian Heritage Inventory
-
STONY CREEK SLIPWAYVictorian Heritage Inventory
-
SEASONING WORKS SITE AND TERRACOTTA LUMBERWALLVictorian Heritage Inventory
-
-