HO61 - Bluestone Cottage & Ruinous Timber Dwelling
2-88 Mt Cottrell Road PLUMPTON, MELTON SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
The bluestone cottage, ruinous timber cottage, and the associated dry stone walls at 2-88 Mt Cottrell Road, Melton, are significant as a rare surviving example of late nineteenth century farm life. The bluestone building, and dry stone walls were constructed in the late 1860s; the ruinous timber dwelling appears to have been built in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century.
The bluestone cottage, ruinous timber cottage, and the associated dry stone walls at 2-88 Mt Cottrell Road, Melton, are architecturally significant at a LOCAL level (AHC D2, E1). Although the windows are missing, the building still demonstrates original design qualities of a Victorian vernacular style. These qualities include the simple steeply pitched hipped roof form clad in unpainted galvanised corrugated steel, bluestone wall construction, very narrow eaves, timber framed doorway with timber boarded door, timber framed window openings and the brick chimney. The internal white washed wall finish and rendered brick fireplace also contribute to the significance of the place. The timber cottage further contributes to the significance of the place but given its ruinous condition, it is not expected to be retained. The highly intact dry stone walls demonstrate the skilled craftsmanship of the stone-wallers trade. Adjacent peppercorn and red gum trees, and the view over the nearby Kororoit Creek also contribute significant aesthetic value to the setting of the place.
The bluestone cottage, ruinous timber cottage, and the associated dry stone walls at 2-88 Mt Cottrell Road, Melton, are historically significant at a LOCAL level (AHC A4). The bluestone building is a scarce surviving example of a substantially intact nineteenth century stone cottage in the Shire of Melton. It is also a rare and, historically, highly intact, expression of a 'Selection Act' property in the Shire. In addition, it was probably an example of 'dummying', a widespread abuse of the selection process in Australia by pre-existing landholders. Its ability to be interpreted is greatly enhanced by the existence of a map of the property showing the bluestone cottage and dry stone walls at the time that they were erected. It is also significant for its association with the Moylan family, and its eventual incorporation in the adjacent Mount Kororoit Farm estate. The Moylan family were noteworthy participants in local sporting, social, religious, and political life. They were known widely for their hospitality, and active in the local Catholic Church; John senior and Michael junior were Councillors of the Shire of Melton. The property's paddocks were said to have been a favourite hunting ground in Victoria, and also hosted events by the Melton Coursing Club as well as early aviation enthusiasts. The dry stone walls on the property are highly intact and rare examples of high and long all-stone walls in the Shire of Melton. They are significant parts of a broader Mount Kororoit Farm dry stone wall precinct that is of State significance.
The bluestone cottage, ruinous timber cottage, and the associated dry stone walls at 2-88 Mt Cottrell Road, Melton, are socially significant at a LOCAL level (AHC G1). It was identified as a place of heritage significance to the local community in a community forum held as part of this heritage study.
Overall, the bluestone cottage, ruinous timber cottage, and the associated dry stone walls at 2-88 Mt Cottrell Road, Melton, are of LOCAL heritage significance.
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HO61 - Bluestone Cottage & Ruinous Timber Dwelling - Physical Description 1
Physical Description -
The bluestone and ruinous timber cottages, and the associated dry stone walls, at 2-88 Mt Cottrell Road, Melton, have a rural setting and are surrounded by extensive and highly intact dry stone walls. Nearby the dwellings are a mature peppercorn and red gum trees. The buildings overlook the intact and large all-stone dry stone wall, and mature redgum trees on the Kororoit Creek. In the background, beyond more dry stone walls, is Mount Kororoit, the source of the volcanic stone.
The single storey, modestly scaled, bluestone Victorian vernacular styled dwelling is characterised by a simple steeply pitched hipped roof form clad in unpainted galvanised corrugated steel. There are very narrow eaves. Other early features include the timber framed doorway with timber boarded door and the timber framed window openings (both average sized and narrow on one side). The framing is intact for one of the windows, but both openings are missing glazing. Remnant hinges, perhaps from a shutter, are evident on the narrow window. There is also a brick chimney that appears to have been rendered and/or altered. Internally is an early rendered brick wood stove and white washed walls.
Nearby the bluestone dwelling is a ruinous timber Victorian styled cottage. It has an elongated hipped roof form clad in galvanised steel. The horizontal timber weatherboard wall cladding is rotted and several boards are missing (as is the entire wall on one end), exposing vast parts of the timber stud frame. There are very narrow eaves. The timber framed door opening with highlight opening above is early. None of the windows are intact and are missing glazing. The door is also missing. Another early feature of the design is the polychrome brick chimney and the fireplace internally.
There is cobbled paving between the buildings. There is a scatter of Darley (Bacchus Marsh) firebricks suggests that the chimneys were either built (the timber house) or repaired sometime after the very early twentieth century.
The 1860s all-stone walls, especially that in front of the buildings, overlooking Kororoit Creek, are substantial, particularly in relation to the vast majority of composite stone-post & wire fences in the rest of the Shire. However this wall is being severely undermined by rabbits, which will soon destroy it if not attended to promptly.
HO61 - Bluestone Cottage & Ruinous Timber Dwelling - Integrity
Integrity -
Bluestone Dwelling: Predominantly intact.
Timber Dwelling: Moderately intact & partly altered as a consequence of ruinous condition
HO61 - Bluestone Cottage & Ruinous Timber Dwelling - Physical Conditions
Physical Condition -
Bluestone Dwelling: Fair.
Timber Dwelling: Ruinous
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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