MYERS CREEK 19-H1
4067 PYRAMID- YARRABERB ROAD SEBASTIAN, GREATER BENDIGO CITY
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Statement of Significance
The site is of local research significance as it has the potential to yield information that cannot be identified within the historical records. Investigation of the site may provide an indication of when and why the area was developed and for what purpose - gold prospecting or pastoral/agricultural.
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MYERS CREEK 19-H1 - History
Early Settlement
Prior to the discovery of gold in central Victoria, places such as Bendigo and the surrounding regions were settled by squatters seeking to occupy land for pastoral and agricultural purposes. A review of Ham's squatting map of Victoria (1851), and the Squatters Directory of the Port Phillip Bay District (1849), identified a number of squatters residing in the Western Port Region, which covers a large portion of central Victoria, including Myers Creek-19-H1 (Figure 3).
A review historical mapping identified the subject site is located within the boundaries of Weddikar run, adjacent to Myers Creek. Nicholson and Myers were identified as the occupants of Weddikar run in 1845. The run is characterised by iron bark ranges covered with dense scrub and open forest country and is dissected by The Sandy Creek - later renamed Myers Creek (Figure 4). With no other major creek line evident on the run or nearby, Myers Creek would have provided the main source of water for settlers and remained a focus for pastoral, agricultural and residential purposes.
Gold Mining
Following the discovery of gold in Bendigo in 1851, prospectors expanded their search throughout the region, employing alluvial and shaft mining to reach the gold-bearing quartz reefs up to one kilometre below the surface. Over 5,000 shaft mines were sunk during the gold mining era, some of which were placed along Myers Creek, approximately two kilometres south east of Myers Creek-19-H1 (City of Greater Bendigo, 2019) (Figure 5). After mining commenced adjacent to Myers Creek, a small cluster of houses was established as the town of Sebastian and, by the late 1800s, supported several hotels, stores, butchers, blacksmiths, brick-makers, dairymen, a portable police station, churches and a school (The Australian Handbook, 1903; Victorian Places,
MYERS CREEK 19-H1 - Archaeological Significance
Documentary evidence suggests the site contained part of a small pastoral property. The area is associated with some form of metal working, most likely blacksmithing, with some potential for the processing of gold bearing quartz. Myers Creek-19-H1 is located on the edge of a ploughed paddock, west of Myers Creek, within the property boundary. A fence bisects the site. Historical artefacts identified include nineteenth century glass, ceramic, slag, bricks and quartz. The site has the potential to contain archaeological features, depositsand artefacts that could provide insights into the early pastoral and potential mining use of the place.
MYERS CREEK 19-H1 - Historical Significance
Myers Creek 19-H1 is assessed as being of local historical significance for its association with pastoral and potential mining uses in this area of Victoria. The site presents an opportunity to contribute to our understanding of the potential transition from mining to pastoral use at Myers Creek.
Heritage Inventory Description
MYERS CREEK 19-H1 - Heritage Inventory Description
Myers Creek-19-H1 is located on the edge of a ploughed paddock, west of Myers Creek, within the property boundary of Lot 14~B/PP3961 (Figure 1). From the tree line, the site extends 100 metres west into the ploughed paddock. A fence bisects the site. Historical artefacts occur across the site, but there are two clear concentrations. One is to the south east (Area A) and the other to the southwest (Area B).
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NORTH MELBOURNE POTTERYVictorian Heritage Inventory
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STONY CREEK SLIPWAYVictorian Heritage Inventory
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SEASONING WORKS SITE AND TERRACOTTA LUMBERWALLVictorian Heritage Inventory
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