Coal Creek Heritage Park
12 SILKSTONE ROAD, KORUMBURRA, SOUTH GIPPSLAND SHIRE
South Gippsland Shire
Statement of Significance
What is significant?
Coal Creek Community Park and Museum at 12 Silkstone Road, Korumburra was officially opened by R.J. Hamer, then Victorian Premier in 1974, although buildings had begun to be relocated there from 1971, a practice that continued until the late 1990s. It now houses a collection of original and newly constructed buildings that illustrate various aspects of the historic development of the South Gippsland region since settlement by Europeans in the mid-nineteenth century. The following buildings contribute to the significance of Coal Creek and are also of individual local significance to South Gippsland Shire:
- Cream Room
- Jeetho State School No. 2690
- Korumburra Lands office
- Kilcunda Road State School No. 3337**
- Korumburra Court house**
- Krowera Presbyterian Church
- Leongatha Bowling Club Members Pavilion
- Leongatha Lands Office
- Miners Cottage, Silkstone
- Stony Creek Stationmaster's Cottage (Caretaker's cottage)
- Western's Cottage
- Wattle and Daub cottage**
- Woodleigh Vale Railway Station Building, goods shed & portables
**Refer to the Statement of Significance in the individual citation.
The following buildings within Coal Creek are of Contributory significance:
- Kardella South Mechanics' Institute
- Kardella State School No. 3196,
- Kardella Public Hall
- Radovick Street shop
- Poowong National Bank of Australasia
How is it significant?
Coal Creek Heritage Village is of local historical significance to South Gippsland Shire.
Why is it significant?
Coal Creek Heritage Village is of local historical significance as an illustration of a well intentioned, if no longer appropriate approach to heritage conservation during the early 1970s. It is probable that many of the buildings relocated to Coal Creek would not have survived on their original site, and although their significance has been diminished by removal it has at least ensured that they can still illustrate aspects of the history of the Shire that may have otherwise been lost. (AHC Criteria A.4 and D.2)
Cream Room
The Cream Room, formerly situated on the Blogg property south of Bena, is of local historic significance as a very rare example of an early farm building, which is notable for its construction technique and materials. (AHC Criteria A.4, B.2, D.2 and F.1)
Jeetho State School No. 2690
The Jeetho State School is of local historical significance as a representative example of a one room school. It's significance is enhanced by the early school furniture, which contributes to the interpretation of the place. (AHC criteria A.4 and D.2)
Kilcunda Road State School No. 3337
Refer to the Statement of Significance in the individual citation in this Study.
Korumburra Lands Office
The former Korumburra Lands Office is of local historical significance as a representative example of an early public building that played an important role in the settlement and development of the study area. Along with the Leongatha office, also held at Coal Creek, it is one of two such examples. (AHC Criteria A.4, B.2 and D.2)
Korumburra Court house
Refer to the Statement of Significance in the individual citation in this Study.
Krowera Presbyterian Church
The Krowera Presbyterian Church is of local historical significance as a representative example of an early church that illustrates the important role of these buildings as community meeting places. It is one of the only early twentieth century public buildings from Krowera to survive. (AHC criteria A.4, and D.2)
Leongatha Bowling Club Members Pavilion
Although alterations have diminished its integrity, the former Leongatha Bowling Club Members Pavilion, constructed in 1908, is of local historical significance as a representative example of an early sporting building that illustrates the development of recreational associations within the Shire. It is thought to be the oldest extant sporting building in the Shire. (AHC Criteria A.4, B.2 and D.2)
Leongatha Lands Office
The former Leongatha Lands Office is of local historical significance as a representative example of an early public building that played an important role in the settlement and development of the study area. Along with the Korumburra office, also held at Coal Creek, it is one of two such examples. (AHC Criteria A.4, B.2 and D.2)
Miners Cottage, Silkstone
This cottage, constructed c.1900, is of local historical significance as a representative example of an early miner's cottage. (AHC Criteria A.4, B.2 and D.2)
Stony Creek Stationmaster's Cottage (Caretaker's cottage)
The Stony Creek Stationmaster's Cottage is of local historical significance as a representative example of an early twentieth century railway employees house. Its intactness and siting within the park near to related railway buildings enhances its interpretation and significance. (AHC Criteria A.4, and D.2)
Wattle and Daub cottage
Refer to the Statement of Significance in the individual citation in this Study.
Western's Cottage
This cottage, constructed c.1880 for the Western family on their property 'Devonscot', is of local historical significance as a now rare representative example of an early farming house that illustrates the early settlement and development in the selection era. (AHC Criteria A.4, B.2 and D.2)
Woodleigh Vale Railway Station Building, goods shed & portables.
The Woodleigh Vale Railway Station building, constructed in 1910, is of local historical significance as a representative example of a small weatherboard railway station. The station is complemented by the Goods shed and portable buildings, which also date from the early twentieth century and demonstrate an early station layout and function. (AHC Criteria A.4, and D.2)
