GAZETTE WOOLSHED AND QUARTERS
2126 MACARTHUR-PENSHURST ROAD AND 72 GAZETTE-WOOLSHED ROAD GAZETTE, SOUTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
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GAZETTE WOOLSHED AND QUARTERS - History
The site is part of land originally part of Gazette Run occupied by William Hutton from 1844. In 1871 Gazette was acquired by Robertson & Sons. Eliza Robertson married Dr William Cross and inherited part of Gazette and much of the remainder was purchased by them. Their son, John Robertson Cross, held the property until his death in 1960. Gazette was bequeathed to his nephew, Anthony Wilson, which was subsequently sold to the current owner in 2005.
Although the woolshed is used today, various components are no longer used (eg race, chimney & boiler, cistern). The boiler was used to heat water to clean wool on the 'sheep's back' in the 19th century, but this process is no longer required and therefore no longer used. Originally a stone wall (possibly also comprising post & wire) ran from the bluestone chimney eastward to enclose this area. It is no longer used and the current post and wire fence runs along another alignment. The change in sheep shearing work practices may also be reflected in the blocking up of entrances into the shed.
Detailed historical research (Blake 2011: Section 2.1) was unable to identified the specific period they were constructed, but construction most likely occurred after Gazette was acquired by Robertson & Sons in 1871, although it may have been earlier when Hutton owned Gazette. A new bluestone woolshed with a spout sheep wash is mentioned in the sale documentation. The woolshed likely predates the construction of the homestead built after 1895.
Additional details of place history is found in Blake (2011).
GAZETTE WOOLSHED AND QUARTERS - Archaeological Significance
The place has been assessed having moderate scientific (archaeological) significance because the place is a rare example of a woolshed complex that has material evidence of changing technological requirements, the place is in good condition, and has moderate potential to contribute additional information. There is potential for additional archaeological remains and portable relics to be present within and surrounding the structures. Archaeological remains may be associated with subfloor deposits, while additional evidence of demolished structures and portable relics may be found under the current heavy grass cover surrounding the currently upstanding structures and within the abandoned cistern. These may relate to the different periods of use and occupation at the place. The different periods of use and abandonment of elements of the place was unable to be demonstrated with certainty from the historical research, therefore any archaeological remains may contribute to a better understanding of the place.
GAZETTE WOOLSHED AND QUARTERS - Interpretation of Site
The place represents various periods of the pastoral industry (in particular sheep) in the local region from the mid-19th century onwards with various additions and deletions according to industry and local requirements. This is typified with the original race, cistern and boiler no longer in use from the mid- 19th century; workers cottages and outbuildings no longer appear to be used but it is not known when they were built or no longer used. The woolshed is still in use.
The function of the site appears to have been sheep shearing; seasonal worker living quarters. Activities represented inlcuded sheep shearing; day-to-day work and living.GAZETTE WOOLSHED AND QUARTERS - Historical Significance
Overall, the place has been assessed having moderate historical significance because it represents various period of the development of primary production and working on the land in the study area, in particular, with sheep shearing.
Heritage Inventory Description
GAZETTE WOOLSHED AND QUARTERS - Heritage Inventory Description
Topography consists of a deeply weathered volcanic plain and land has been worked and improved for sheep and dairy pasture. The areas original vegetation has been removed. The extent of the place is defined as the boundary of standing structures with a 10m buffer. Standing structures inlcude abluestone woolshed, workers quarters & outbuildings, fences & boiler. The woolshed is 110m x 110m and the workers quarters and outbuildings 100m x 40m. Visible surface features and/ or artefacts: woolshed; stockyards; boiler; race; cistern; stonewall basal course; post & wire fences; wooden buildings & outhouses. The buildings are generally in good condition with some damage from neglect.
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GAZETTE WOOLSHED AND QUARTERSVictorian Heritage Inventory
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