HO95 - Former Robinsons House Tank
122-142 the Bullock Track MELTON WEST, Melton Shire
-
Add to tour
You must log in to do that.
-
Share
-
Shortlist place
You must log in to do that.
- Download report
Statement of Significance
The underground tank at 122-142 The Bullock Track, Melton West is significant as a rare surviving relic of the pockets of small farms that established in Melton West from the time of Crown land sales in the 1850s, as a vestige of the domestic water management that was particularly important on the dry Melton Plains, and for its association with the Robinson family.
The underground tank at 122-142 The Bullock Track, Melton West is historically significant at a LOCAL level (AHC A4, B2, H1). It and another similar underground tank nearby constitute the only substantial physical evidence of the pockets of farming that established in the West Melton area from the mid nineteenth century. It demonstrates the early provision of domestic water supply, a water storage practice no longer in use, and the critical importance of water management in the dry Melton Plains district. Its final destruction by bushfire is also indicative of a major theme in the Shire's history.
It is also historically significant for its association with three generations of the Robinson family, which was prominent in the history of the Shire of Melton, and after whom a major road is named. The family is credited with developing commercial hay farming on the Melton Plains, previously thought too dry for such, in the late nineteenth century. The family thus pioneered a major twentieth century Melton rural industry, and paved the way for Melton's nationally famous chaff production. The Robinson Brothers also played a leading role in the local chaff milling industry through their ownership of chaff mills at Diggers Rest and Melton South. The family has also been prominent in civic affairs, a member of the family being a Shire Councillor for most of the twentieth century. GE Robinson's family donated the President's Seat - the carved chair used by Melton Shire Presidents since 1966.
The underground tank at 122-142 The Bullock Track , Melton West is scientifically significant at a LOCAL level (AHC C2). It has the potential, with other tanks, to contribute to an understanding of the evolution of tank construction, water management, and domestic lifestyles in the dry Melton Plains area.
Overall, the underground tank at 122-142 The Bullock Track, Melton West is of LOCAL significance.
-
-
HO95 - Former Robinsons House Tank - Historical Australian Themes
Melton Historical Themes: 'Farming', 'Water', 'Community'
HO95 - Former Robinsons House Tank - Physical Description 1
Physical Description -
The underground tank is situated at 122-142 The Bullock Track , on the north side. It is situated where the road bends slightly south, meaning that the tank is directly in front of vehicles travelling west along The Bullock Track, and is thus one of the most prominent underground tank in the Shire.Although commonly called 'wells', such structures are almost always underground tanks, or cisterns, used to store water run off from the roofs of a nearby house or farm outbuildings. The water in this tank came from the original stone and brick building that was situated just to its north. The place comprises a concrete dome with concrete lid, over a brick tank, with a concrete render. This is a typical type of underground tank in the Shire, probably dating from the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. Unusually, it had no hand or powered pump: the cold water was pulled up in a bucket tied to a rope. Currently it is overgrown with a flowering prostrate plant, and wild grass. A cast horses head placed on top of the tank gives it a certain prominence, but detracts a little from its integrity. Its segmental dome is consistent with it having been constructed in the late nineteenth century.
HO95 - Former Robinsons House Tank - Integrity
Integrity - Substantially Intact.
HO95 - Former Robinsons House Tank - Physical Conditions
Physical Condition - Appears Fair from the road.
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:
-
-
-
-
-
BRIDGE OVER DJERRIWARRH CREEKVictorian Heritage Register H1658
-
HO94 - John Campbell Miles FarmhouseMelton City
-
"1890"Yarra City
-
"AMF Officers" ShedMoorabool Shire
-
"AQUA PROFONDA" SIGN, FITZROY POOLVictorian Heritage Register H1687
-
'Lawn House' (Former)Hobsons Bay City
-
1 Fairchild StreetYarra City
-
10 Richardson StreetYarra City
-
-