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Gilbertsons Meat Processing Complex (Former)
65-75 Kyle Road ALTONA NORTH, Hobsons Bay City

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Gilbertsons Meat Processing Complex (Former), Hobsons Bay Heritage Study 2006
Gilbertsons Meat Processing Complex (Former), Hobsons Bay Heritage Study 2006
Gilbertsons Meat Processing Complex (Former), Hobsons Bay Heritage Study 2006
Gilbertsons Meat Processing Complex (Former), Hobsons Bay Heritage Study 2006
Gilbertsons Meat Processing Complex (Former), Hobsons Bay Heritage Study 2006
Gilbertsons Meat Processing Complex (Former), Hobsons Bay Heritage Study 2006
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Statement of Significance

What is Significant?

The Gilbertsons Meat Processing complex, which comprises the four large skin sheds with elevators, stock yards in the north east corner with former rail siding, open-sided low-pitched king-post truss roofed sheds to the north, shed with bow truss roof and curved ridge ventilator, former quarry; the office/amenities building facing Kyle Road, two storey process range of buildings behind the office/amenities building, the Don retail outlet on Blackshaws Road and associated land and contributory infrastructure with emphasis on fabric from the 1951 and 1969-70 development phases, at 65-75 Kyle Road, Altona North.

How is it Significant?

The Gilbertsons Meat Processing complex (former) at 65-75 Kyle Road, Altona North is of local historic and social significance to the City of Hobsons Bay.

Why is it Significant?

Historically, Gilbertsons meat processing complex is significant for its strong associations with one of the major smallgoods manufacturers in Australia whose products became household names during the postwar period. It is also significant as one of the few remaining relatively intact meat processing plants in the metropolitan area complete with all elements that illustrate the process such as the stockyards, skin drying sheds and processing plant. This type of industry was once prolific in the area and made a major contribution to the local economy but was later shunned by local government. (AHC criteria A4, B2, D2 and H1)

Socially, it has strong associations with the local community as a place that was once a major employer and is remembered by many in the community as a working place for unskilled labour, particularly immigrants. (AHC criterion G1)

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    • Physical Description 1

      Gilbertsons Meat Processing Complex (Former) - Physical Description 1

      The Gilbertsons Meat Processing complex (former) occupies a large site with frontages to both Blackshaws Road and Kyle Road. The Kyle Road complex comprises a three-storey postwar office and amenities building facing Kyle Road with steel hopper sash windows cream face brick walls in stretcher bond and contrasting manganese brick details to windows and string courses (Refer cover image) A two storey range of process buildings behind the office and amenities building is constructed in a complementary style, although in a simpler and more utilitarian form.

      Behind the above buildings lies the factory complex itself, which includes:

      - Four large skin sheds, horizontal timber slatted to top parts of walls, low pitched corrugated cement sheet clad roofs with prominent curved ridge vents, elevators. Once prolific among the meatworks, tanneries, hide curers and other noxious industries established in the western region, these examples are now believed to be the last of their kind in the metropolitan area.

      - Stock yards in the north east of the site, with former rail siding from near Watson Street.

      - The open-sided, low-pitched king-post truss roofed sheds to the north.

      - One shed with bow truss roof and curved ridge ventilator.

      - East of the works is a former quarry, which is overgrown with boxthorn, however, the working face remains visible.

      The Blackshaws Road complex contains:

      - The 1969-70 factory complex. This is large brick warehouse style building.

      - The former Pacific Oxygen building, now used for storage. This is a large three storey corrugated iron clad building with steel framed windows.

      - The brick and concrete modernist former Don retail outlet, situated on the frontage in the southwest corner of the site.

      Note: A detailed inspection of the site is required.

      Integrity

      Gilbertsons Meat Processing Complex (Former) - Integrity

      External Condition

      Varies, generally good, partially disturbed but well preserved.

      External Integrity

      Varies - substantially intact, some intrusions.

      Physical Description 2

      Gilbertsons Meat Processing Complex (Former) - Physical Description 2

      Context

      The complex is situated within an industrial area on flat land bounded by main roads and railway routes. It faces housing on the opposite sides of both Blackshaws Road and Kyle Road.

      Historical Australian Themes

      Gilbertsons Meat Processing Complex (Former) - Historical Australian Themes

      Feeding people

      Physical Description 3

      Gilbertsons Meat Processing Complex (Former) - Physical Description 3

      Associations

      RJ Gilbertsons Pty Ltd, Lyons Continental Smallgoods, Pacific Oxygen Company

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Hobsons Bay - Hobsons Bay Heritage Study

      Author: Hobsons Bay City Council
      Year: 2006
      Grading:

Public contributions

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