DOBIE HOUSE RUINS
WESTERN HIGHWAY DOBIE, ARARAT RURAL CITY
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Statement of Significance
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DOBIE HOUSE RUINS - History
The township of Dobie is located at the Great Western Highway's crossing of the Hopkins River, some eight kilometres south east of Ararat. The township is occasionally referred to as Dobies Bridge, and this Bridge over the Hopkins River would have formed an early focus for settlement in the town. It appears the bridge and town were named after J. S. (Jack) Dobie who was the manager of the Langi Ghiran station in the area around 1857' and who is mentioned active in the area's agriculture in 1858 (Argus 20 December 1858). Telegraph services from Melbourne reached Jack Dobie's station by August 1858, and were anticipated to reach Ararat by December the same year (Argus 12 August 1858). From early settlement of the area, the Bridge functioned as a tollgate on the Ararat - Ballarat road (Argus 6 December 1860). A contract for the construction of the tollhouse was awarded in 1860 (Argus 19 July 1860), and it was leased to private operators on annual or biannual terms, in 1862 for 4 Guineas, 8 shillings (Argus 29 March 1862). Given its position on the Ararat - Ballarat postal route, Dobies Bridge had postal service 6 times weekly from as early as 1860 (Argus 22 March 1861), and had a dedicated railway station from 1885-1890 on' It is likely that the predominant livelihoods in Dobie were similar to those of the immediate surrounds
DOBIE HOUSE RUINS - Interpretation of Site
Site likely represents a residence, possibly associated with the railway line in the (former) township of Dobie. No site specific background history is presently available for the ruins. Almost no artefactual material was present on the surface however a significant amount of debris is present in the cistern . Additional research including archaeological testing is recommended in order to further interpret the site.
DOBIE HOUSE RUINS - Archaeological Significance
Dobie House Ruins are low archaeological significance based on a lack of obvious evidence of intact archaeological deposits an artifactual material. The site has moderate archaeological potential to contain further archaeological features and deposits. There is little evidence of disturbance at the site and it is likely that elongated mounds at the eastern end of the site will contain further red brick and stone wall foundations
Heritage Inventory Description
DOBIE HOUSE RUINS - Heritage Inventory Description
Site comprises a series of low stone and redbrick walls, concrete pits , slabs, a concrete and red brick cistern set within an area of exotic vegetation including fruit trees located north of the Westem Highway, south of the railway line and west of the Gorrin Cattle Yard Road. Walls are in situ with low, elongated mounds likely representing additional wall remnants. A series of fence posts mark the likely edge of the original house area.
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FORMER DOBIE HALL/SCHOOLVictorian Heritage Inventory
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DOBIE HOUSE RUINSVictorian Heritage Inventory
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FORMER DOBIE RAILWAY STATIONVictorian Heritage Inventory
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