SHEPHERD'S HUT (ORGAN PIPES NATIONAL PARK)

980 CALDER HIGHWAY KEILOR NORTH, BRIMBANK CITY

All information on this page is maintained by Heritage Victoria. Click below for their website and contact details.

Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • History

    SHEPHERD'S HUT (ORGAN PIPES NATIONAL PARK) - History

    The land on which the site is located was originally taken up by James Robertson in 1842. A plan dated 8 March 1849, surveyed by Lindsay Clarke, shows the location of a shepherds hut on Section XXVII in the Parish of Maribyrnong.

    In July 1849, a shepherd who worked for Robertson disappeared under suspicious circumstances and it was supposed that he had been murdered and his body burnt in a bonfire outside the hut. His wife and a young man living on the station owned by Yuille at Rockbank were identified as the chief suspects but, although parts of a human skull, a jawbone and teeth were apparently found in the ashes of the fire, no-one was charged with the murder (Laskowski 2003).

    The case was followed closely by the newspapers of the day and the site was identified in 2003 on the basis of information derived from a number of testimonies made during the investigation.

    Reports included a reference to a 'bedroom' which may indicate that the hut had at least two rooms. Other statements suggest that the site may have been occupied for at least 5 years prior to the incident.

    Archaeological Significance

    SHEPHERD'S HUT (ORGAN PIPES NATIONAL PARK) - Archaeological Significance

    Site photographs taken when the site was first surveyed show the area to have been recently mowed. At the time of the recent survey, the site was under long grass. However, the putative rock footings identied in 2003 appear to survive in the same state.

    Two loose formations of rocks could be discerned. The northernmost, measuring 5m by 5m takes the form of a rough rectangle and can be interpreted as the foundation of a hut. To the south west of this lies a less regular but still sub-rectangular grouping which could represent a separate structure of 6m by 4m. The suggestion is of two single room structures, rather than one building of two rooms.

    Archaeological investigation would be required to determine whether in fact these rock formations do represent the footings of one or more huts. It is likely that artefactual deposits will remain in the vicinity.

    Historical Significance

    SHEPHERD'S HUT (ORGAN PIPES NATIONAL PARK) - Historical Significance

    The site is significant as a pastoral station relating to one of the earliest estates in the area.

    Heritage Inventory Description

    SHEPHERD'S HUT (ORGAN PIPES NATIONAL PARK) - Heritage Inventory Description

    Potential blustone footings on the south bank of Jacksons Creek, representing the site of a mid 19th century sheperd's hut.

• Location map
• Explore related places
  • Show:
    -- select -- Nearby Places

  • CALDER RACEWAY SWAMP

    

    Victorian Heritage Inventory
  • 
    MILLBROOK HOMESTEAD RUIN

    

    Victorian Heritage Inventory
  • 
    GALLOWAY ARMS, ORGAN PIPES NATIONAL PARK

    

    Victorian Heritage Inventory
• Public contributions