PETER FRANCIS POINTS ARBORETUM
Top Hilgay Road COLERAINE, Southern Grampians Shire
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Statement of Significance
What is Significant?
The Peter Francis Points Arboretum is a modern botanical collection of Australian native plants, particularly representative of Eucalyptus and Banksia species. The Arboretum is located in a sixteen hectare reserve known as "The Points", on a hill to the immediate south of the Coleraine Township. The reserve is unique for its deposits of a variety of different soil types deposited by Glacial movement. The Points Arboretum was started in 1966 by Mr. Joe Wright, Shire Engineer, Mrs. Mary Hope and Mr. Peter Francis, and is recognised as the official genus Eucalyptus and genus Banksia collection for Australia. There are 2 200 different species of native plants within the Arboretum, including 500 different species of Eucalyptus and 63 rare and endangered species. The name 'Peter Francis Points Arboretum' was given to the Arboretum in recognition of the contribution of Peter Francis, a founding member who continued his work until his death on 12 July 1989.
How is it Significant?
Peter Francis Points Arboretum is of botanical and scientific significance to the State of Victoria.
Why is it significant?
The Peter Francis Points Arboretum is of botanical significance to Australia as the largest and most diverse collection of Eucalyptus and Banksia species in Australia. It has been officially recognised as a rare and unique collection of Australian Native plants, unusual because the species and provenance of the plants range from all over Australia. The Peter Francis Points Arboretum is of scientific significance to the State of Victoria for its unusual and rare deposits of a variety of different soil types within a relatively small area (16 hectares) allowing for such a diverse range of genus and species to exist in the same reserve.
To a lesser extent, the Peter Francis Points Arboretum is of social significance to the township of Coleraine and the Southern Grampians Shire its associations with Peter Francis, and as a physical representation of community and volunteer achievement.
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PETER FRANCIS POINTS ARBORETUM - Physical Conditions
The condition of the main collection is excellent. The condition of the structural elements such as the manager's office and shade house is fair. The condition of the walking tracks and vehicle access is good.
PETER FRANCIS POINTS ARBORETUM - Physical Description 1
The Peter Francis Points Arboretum is a modern botanical collection of Australian native plants. There are 2 200 different species of Australian natives, including different species of Eucalyptus, Banksia, Grevillia, Hakea, Melaleuca, Prosthanthera, Correa, Calistemon, Acacia, Persoonia, Brachysema, Eremophila, Lambertia, Leptospermum, Beaufortia, Tristania, Casurina, Lagunaria, Angophora as well as a range of native wildflowers, grasses, sedges and other native plants. The collection is best known as Australia's official collection of the Genus' Eucalyptus and Banksia.
The reserve on which the Peter Francis Points Arboretum is located is known as "The Points", and encompasses an area of 16.2 hectares on the hillside to the immediate south of the township of Coleraine. "The Points" refers to two granite 'points' located within the reserve, one of which today forms the scenic lookout. The site is considered to be unusual in that it contains several different soil types, drainage patterns and nutrient levels within the one area. These rare qualities have been attributed to Glacial movement, the geological development of the area and its former use as a quarry. The unique geological and geomorphologic history of the site has allowed the diverse collection to exist within the same location.
The botanical collection is mainly located to the southern portion of the reserve, the lower areas toward the north and west of the site are still undergoing planting and development. A small artificial water body is also located in the northern part of the reserve. The Arboretum has several simple buildings including a shade house constructed with treated pine and shade mesh, manager's office and plant nursery. Gravel tracks for pedestrians and vehicles follow the contours of the reserve, allowing access to the majority of the collection.
PETER FRANCIS POINTS ARBORETUM - Historical Australian Themes
Theme 8. Developing Australia's Cultural life
8.1.3 Developing public parks and gardens
8.1.4 Enjoying the natural environment
PETER FRANCIS POINTS ARBORETUM - Usage/Former Usage
Used as a public parklands, a botanical collection, tourist attraction and community meeting place.
PETER FRANCIS POINTS ARBORETUM - Intactness
The Eucalyptus and Banksia Collections are extremely intact. The site retains its integrity and reflects its original purpose of a flora reserve of the proportions originally laid out in 1966.
PETER FRANCIS POINTS ARBORETUM - Physical Description 2
Peter Francis
Mary Hope
Joe Wright
PETER FRANCIS POINTS ARBORETUM - Physical Description 3
Permanent Water Reserve
Heritage Study and Grading
Southern Grampians - Southern Grampians Shire Heritage Study
Author: Timothy Hubbard P/L, Annabel Neylon
Year: 2002
Grading:
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PETER FRANCIS POINTS ARBORETUMSouthern Grampians Shire
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Abruzzo ClubMerri-bek City
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Albanian MosqueYarra City
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BAKER HOUSEVictorian Heritage Register H2118
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