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RUSSELL `LITTLE MILL' (NUMBER 2)
Ash Landing Road TONIMBUK, Cardinia Shire

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Cardinia Shire

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Statement of Significance
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Statement of Significance

The lack of easy access has meant that the mill remains have been left relatively undisturbed.

However the short period of time and the era the mill operated detract from its importance.

Countering this is the relationship the operation had with another prominent Shire industry, the fruit industry, the close proximity to the Big Mill and the importance of the Russell family in the region's sawmilling industry.

In particular the combination of the Little Mill, the Big Mill and the interconnecting tramway with its interesting bridge remains add to the heritage value of this site. As a combined site it is considered to be of regional significance.

Russell `Little Mill' (number 2) is of importance to the Cardinia Shire because it provides evidence of the development of extractive timber industry in the district. This mill site is also significant for its comparative age, the potential to interpret the site historically (documentary evidence via Forestry files, oral evidence from the family) and its rarity as a type.

Regional Significance

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- Physical Description 1
  
  RUSSELL `LITTLE MILL' (NUMBER 2) - Physical Description 1
  
  The mill was located on a tributary of Russell's Creek. It is reached by following the tramway formation west of Ash Landing Road.
  
  Remains The principal relics which have survived relate to the machinery and major processes undertaken within a sawmill.
  
  Adjacent to the log tramway formation, which entered the mill precinct from the west, can be found the remains of the log ramp where logs from the bush were off-loaded. The substantial foundations of the logging winch have survived as well as a coil of the steel cable used for hauling.
  
  The sawdust trench, of substantial proportions, has survived reasonable well with some of the saw bench structure and support timber still evident, having collapsed into the trench.
  
  The foundation timbers for the mill boiler with some piping evident could be found. The sawdust heap is readily locatable but is very small as would be expected for a mill which operated for only a short period of time.
  
  Some hut sites could be found along with broken crockery and glass.
  
  Historical Australian Themes
  
  RUSSELL `LITTLE MILL' (NUMBER 2) - Historical Australian Themes
  
  Historical Themes
  
  4.1Timber(includes splitting, milling, charcoal burning, wattle bark stripping)
  
  11.0 Evidence of: Life style, housing and landscape choice of notable figures residing in the district
  
  Physical Description 2
  
  RUSSELL `LITTLE MILL' (NUMBER 2) - Physical Description 2
  
  Associations - Russell, Bill
  
  Heritage Study and Grading
  
  Heritage Study and Grading
  
  Cardinia - Cardinia Shire Heritage Study 1996
  
  Author: Graeme Butler & Associates
  Year: 1996
  Grading: Local
- Show:
- CHARCOAL BURNING KILN
  
  Cardinia Shire
- RUSSELL `LITTLE MILL' (NUMBER 2)
  
  Cardinia Shire
- 1 Jackson Street
  
  Yarra City
- 1 Lightfoot Street
  
  Yarra City
- 1 Longfield Street
  
  Yarra City