KOROROIT CREEK FISHERMEN'S RETREAT

GREY RESERVE ROAD AND ALTONA ROAD WILLIAMSTOWN, HOBSONS BAY CITY

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Koroit Creek Fishers Retreat Williamstown March 2003 closeup

Statement of Significance

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  • History

    KOROROIT CREEK FISHERMEN'S RETREAT - History

    Lying at the end of Maddox Road along a 350m stretch of the banks of Kororoit Creek, is situated the headquarters of the Kororoit Creek Anglers Club and the Deaf Anglers Club. Together they form a unique fisher's haven settled within the confines of suburbia.

    The land around the site was first granted to William Knight in 1864, who acquired 13 acres. Arthur Knowles bought the property in 1907, but after he mortgaged the property, it later changed hands to Lancelot Cleveland in 1911, and again to John Pennell in 1911. Pennell leased the land to James Quinn in 1912, and after Pennell died in 1917, his land was vested to George Jones (Melbourne Solicitor) and Hugh Jones (a Presbyterian clergyman). John Knowles took over the new property in 1928, which was now 63 acres, and after several mortgages occurred in 1936, 1947 and 1949, parts of the land were sold to the Vacuum Oil Company, and the site of the Kororoit Creek Fishing Village was sold to the Williamstown City Council in 1948.

    Several small structures were evident on a 1945 aerial photograph which shows a group of buildings similar to those now located on site. Two houses are shown with accompanying gardens, along with several shacks and adjoining jetties and slipways.
    A Council plan from around the same date shows 27 lots with an average of 20ft frontages. The Council added reticulation to the site in 1966, and raised the site rentals for 15 occupants who took up use of the utility. The Council limited further development of the site in the same year, as it considered the existing huts would be detrimental to the amenity of the adjoining reserve. By 1978, the council had plans to incorporate all the fishing clubrooms into a single facility, and to remove the existing huts within 10 years, but this did not eventuate. Many of the sites after 1980 were occupied by the Brunswick Anglers Club, The Kororoit Creek Anglers Club and several private recreational fishers, who used the shacks for weekend recreational use.

    Interpretation of Site

    KOROROIT CREEK FISHERMEN'S RETREAT - Interpretation of Site

    The fishing shacks and piers together they form a unique anglers' haven settled within the confines of suburbia. The area houses many old fibro fishing shacks, informal piers and wharves, boat wrecks, and a boat ramp made from a sunken pontoon. The area represents a haven close to metropolitan Melbourne, where anglers can escape for a few days. Leek (pers comms) has indicated the haven has been there for some time, and is of social significance to the local community. The current buildings date from the 1920-1950s. This site is reminiscent of many other fishing havens found around Australia used for both family holiday and 'boys' fishing weekends. Knowles (1997: 55-59,73-81) has demonstrated that similar types of fishing facilities in both the coastal and highland regions of Tasmania played key roles in male social bonding. It appears that the Kororoit Creek Haven may have been an attempt to recreate this same type of isolated wilderness retreat, but is unique due to its proximity to a major capital city.

    Heritage Inventory Description

    KOROROIT CREEK FISHERMEN'S RETREAT - Heritage Inventory Description

    The area has a large number of old fishing shacks, informal piers and wharves, boat wrecks and a boat ramp made from a sunken pontoon.

    Fishing retreat, haven, piers, wharves, landing, wrecks, shacks, clubrooms and boat ramp.

    Archeological Potential: Excellent

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