YACKANDANDAH POLICE COMMISSIONERS CAMP

21 ISAACS AVENUE YACKANDANDAH, INDIGO SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • History

    YACKANDANDAH POLICE COMMISSIONERS CAMP - History

    The Yackandandah Police camp was established prominently on the hill in 1853 near the junction of two creeks; Yackandandah and Commissioners Creeks. Surrounding this site were a Lock-up, Police Station and a Court House. The Commissioners Camp is indicated in the 1856 township survey plan but the court house was not constructed until 1864 with an estimated cost of ₤1,200. The 1900 image of the Court House and Police Station shows that the camp was located out of this image to right of the station. The camp comprised a police paddock, and a residence for the Office -in Charge. Prior to the residence the camp contained tents used for accommodation. The old lockup has been demolished and the present police buildings are apparently also in different locations.

    Interpretation of Site

    YACKANDANDAH POLICE COMMISSIONERS CAMP - Interpretation of Site

    The site represents the remnants of the 19^th century Police Lock Up, Police Station, Police residence that surrounded the 1860s Yackandandah Court House; which is still standing.  Surface artefacts include slate tiles found throughout the allotment surrounding the court house that were probably from the original buildings. As such they are likely to represent both civic and domestic refuse. As there is little evidence of subsequent reuse, the vegetation was probably grown since the time the paddocks were actively by the police.  It is also not clear how much of the foundations of each of the buildings remain. It is apparent however, that much of the artefact scatter on the lower slope has been impacted on by recent works to the courthouse, and the construction of underground utilities within surrounding areas.  This is not likely to have removed

    Archaeological Significance

    YACKANDANDAH POLICE COMMISSIONERS CAMP - Archaeological Significance

    The location of the Commissioner's Camp is highly significant regionally and perhaps on a state level as having a potential to reveal , through additional survey and excavation, a complex of archaeological structures that relate to a long term police complex dating to the gold rush. The site is relatively well preserved, an further excavation and assessment may reveal the full range of structures and artefact assemblages, from which to address questions regarding the plan, chronology and more broadly, life within the police force in the 19th century.

    The site also has the potential to reveal the remains of the earliest police camp site, something which is incredibly rare in the context of the history of Victoria's gold rush.

    Historical Significance

    YACKANDANDAH POLICE COMMISSIONERS CAMP - Historical Significance

    The location of the Commissioner's Camp is a complex of archaeological remains associated with the 19th century settlement in Yackandandah and the process of law within the town.

    Heritage Inventory Description

    YACKANDANDAH POLICE COMMISSIONERS CAMP - Heritage Inventory Description

    Piece of ground adjoining the Court House and Police Station comprising a granite outcrop with a plaque commemoration Sergeant Vallance. The site is on high ground, overlooking the town. Location confirmed w/b 22 Feb 2010. Exotic trees, scatter of artefacts. According to Reynolds 1988:8 'a few paces from this outcrop are still to be found traces of the first residence built for the Officer in Charge'.
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