DARLEY MILITARY CAMP SITE

48 CAMERONS ROAD LERDERDERG AND 222 LERDERDERG GORGE DARLEY, MOORABOOL SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • History

    DARLEY MILITARY CAMP SITE - History

    SiteCard data copied on 06/02/2025:Detailed information on the Darley Military Camp is available in the existing Bacchus Marsh Heritage Study (Peterson and Catrice 1995), and the supporting information found in the Darley Military Camp site card (Willis 2019). The properties on which the Darley Military Camp was situated were leased to the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in July 1940 under r.54 of the National Security General Regulations (Peterson and Catrice 1995; Willis 2019, p. 16). There were 357 galvanised iron and timber huts built on the site within thirty days, which housed approximately 4,000 members of the 4th Infantry Training Brigade by September 1940 (Peterson and Catrice 1995). The permanent camp housed up to 4,200 personnel between 1940 and 1946. During this period, it was home to a variety of military units including the Militia, Training Battalions, the Australian Women' s Army Service, the Australian Army Medical Women's Service, the Australian Army Nursing Service, Australian Women's Army Service schools, Land Headquarters, the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, U.S. Marines, and colonial troops from the Dutch East Indies (Peterson and Catrice 1995; Willis 2019, p. 16). The camp comprised a group of 15 hutments. According to the Melton Express (14 September 1940, p. 1), each building within the hutments was built with galvanised iron walls, lined with tar paper (purportedly for insulation against the summer heat), and the officers’ huts were partitioned with plywood. The huts (which had roofs of corrugated ‘durabestos’ sheeting) were not fully finished, and required the installation of locks, lighting and clothing hooks. Additionally, the plumbing network, along with the cooking and storehouse facilities, were incomplete at this time. Each hutment comprised a cookhouse/kitchen, a meat house, a shower room, a laundry, a drying room, and a gaol. In 1940, each kitchen had a big island range, 10’6” by 5’ (3.2m by 1.5m) in size, each range being set on a firebrick base, but did not have walls to allow for the serving of large groups of people; but the cookhouses were later furnished with corrugated iron walls on at least one side. The gaol comprised two rooms, one 40’ by 22’ (12.1 m by 6.7 m) room adjacent to an 18’ by 22’ (5.5m by 6.7m) cell. The news article also noted that the camp post office was situated ‘on the northwest side’ of Camerons Road, and a large canteen was to the south of the post office for the Australian Army Canteen Service. Water was pumped to the storage tank, which held 165,000 gallons, by a 65-horsepower electric motor. According to the Melton Express (31 August 1940, p. 3), new barracks would comprise ‘luxury’ accommodations, with rooms divided into cubicles which housed four sets of bunks. Photographs show that the barrack huts were built on stumps, and were raised above the ground, and that a number of them had small areas set aside for gardens, outlined by rocks laid in semi-circles or ovals. Additionally, the latrine and shower buildings were set apart from the main body of barracks, often by means of a pathway or road. According to Willis (2019), the kitchens had Wylies steam cookers, catering for up to 300 people, and larger sheds were prefabricated off site before being construction at the camp, Other buildings included a barbers’ shop, ordinance workshops, boot repairs, a farriers’ workshop, religious huts, hospital buildings, and a library. The hospital was opposite the post office, and also fronted Camerons Road. Electricity to the camp was provided by the State Electricity Commission (Willis 2019, pp. 16-20). The camp also had a ‘wet canteen’, which served alcohol such as beer to the troops. After 1945, repatriated prisoners of war were treated at the Darley Camp Hospital. While there was debate as to the reuse of the camp as a tuberculosis hospital or sanitorium, the camp was eventually disbanded late in 1946 (Willis 2019, p. 22). After the camp was dismantled at the end of World War II, many of the camp huts were re-erected elsewhere in the region for private use, including at locations in Bacchus Marsh, Ocean Grove, Warrnambool and Gippsland (Peterson and Catrice 1995; Willis 2019, p. 22). After the removal of the military camp buildings, the Preston Motorcycle Club identified the location as a potential venue for racing, due to the remaining roadways. Club members undertook working bees at the site to remove junk, and fill in the trenches left by cabling, and to resurface the roadways for racing motorbikes. By late 1947, the track was in a suitable condition to allow for the next club meeting on 29 February 1948. This was a joint meeting with the Hartwell and Kew Motorcycle Clubs (Primotipo 2019). Open meetings soon followed; this was not a motorbike only meet, as members of the 250cc and 500cc car clubs were also invited. The club operated there until the final meet, the Wiltshire Trophy, took place there in 1962. The Preston Motorcycle Club organised to hold the 1963 Wiltshire Trophy at Darley, but the owner of the property withdrew permission for use of the circuit at the last minute, saying that continual heavy rain in the area had flooded the pit and spectator areas and damaged sections of the track. The meeting location was rearranged to be held at Calder. Afterwards, no further motorcycle or motorcar racing was held on the Darley circuit (Old Bike Australasia 2018; Primotipo 2019). By the 1970s, few features of the camp remained, in comparison to the original ~430 huts and other buildings which were once present, beyond the roadways and dams, and open areas that had been cleared for buildings (Willis 2019, p. 22). In 1995, the site comprised a “farmlet subdivision” with two domestic brick chimney ruins to the east of Camerons Road, and ‘ruins only of plinth height’, along with tracings of a former road entrance, to the west of Camerons Road. The historic roadside plaque and boulder was extant within a metal fence (Peterson and Catrice 1995). Some of the structural remains, including concrete slabs, have subsequently been found. In 2019, two properties which comprise the VHI H7722-0080 heritage boundary were surveyed, and were found to comprise a number of concrete pads and footings, along with drainage features and access tracks. This area has also been subject to ground disturbance from construction of a residence and associated infrastructure such as storage sheds, landscape features, roads as well as a large dam cut. Despite this, an irrigation channel constructed c.1905 -1940 was still evident. Additionally, some of the extant roadways are the remains of the motorbike racing circuit. History of land within the project area The land to the north of the existing VHI extent of the Darley Military Camp (VHI H7722-0080) site is shown to have been subdivided by the 1850s (Victoria Division of Survey and Mapping 1850s), but land within the site had not yet been taken up. By the late 1800s, parish mapping shows land being owned by: JB Perry (allotment 1), Joseph Anderson (allotments 2A and 10), J Hayes (allotment 2), and H Hayes (allotment 2B) within the Parish of Merrimu (Noone 1878); and T Anderson (allotments 1A, 1A1 and 2B) and R Elam (allotment 2A1) in the Parish of Coimadai (Victorian Shire Map Company 1892). No further subdivisions had taken place within the Parish of Merrimu by 1907, and the allotments retained their original dimensions in the 1978 parish mapping (Division of Survey and Mapping 1978; McGauran 1907). By 1910, the Parish of Coimadai shows that some subdivision has occurred: TA Anderson is shown as the original owner of allotments 1, 1B, 1A2, 1A, and 2B, while R Ealam is still shown as the original owner of allotment 2A1 (McGauran 1910). The 1967 parish mapping shows that no further subdivision had taken place (Department of Lands and Survey 1967; McGauran 1910). As with the area within the current VHI boundary of Darley Military Camp (VHI H7722-0080), this suggests that the entire site follows the same three similar broad periods: early land sales and subdivision (1840s and 1850s); early pastoral occupation (1850s to 1880s); continued pastoral occupation and agricultural development (1880s to c.1940); and the Darley Military Camp period (c.1940 to 1946). There was also an additional period: the motorcycle racing period (1947-1963).

    Archaeological Significance

    DARLEY MILITARY CAMP SITE - Archaeological Significance

    Documentary evidence suggests that the site at 48 Camerons Rd, contained part of the Darley Military Camp which occupied the site from 1940-1946. Historical background research also indicated that a small structure likely related to pastoral activity was present in this area in 1917. The remains of camp structures are visibly present at the site comprising; concrete pads, footings, drainage features and access tracks. This area has been subject to ground disturbance from construction of a residence and associated infrastructure such as storage sheds, landscape features, roads as well as a large dam cut. Additional features located in the southern portion of the site within the 222 Lerderderg Gorge Rd property include an irrigation channel constructed c.1905 -1940. The site has the potential to contain archaeological features, deposits and artefacts that could provide insights into the military and early pastoral use of the place.

    Historical Significance

    DARLEY MILITARY CAMP SITE - Historical Significance

    Darley military camp is assessed as being of local historical significance for its association with military history and pastoral uses in this area of Victoria. The site presents an opportunity to reveal further information of the early settlement of Darley, and twentieth century military use.

    Interpretation of Site

    DARLEY MILITARY CAMP SITE - Interpretation of Site

    Due to restricted property access, Hutment Areas 2, 5, 8, 9, and 15 were not inspected. The Hutment Areas (11, 12, 13, and 14) within Darley Military Camp (VHI H7722-0080) were not reinspected, as this site was situated outside the project area. As such, a predictive statement for these Hutment Areas, based on aerial imagery, research material, and the patterns of use and occupation discovered elsewhere at the site, is presented below. The results of the site inspection for Hutment Areas 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 10 are outlined in Section 6. The features identified comprise the remains of structures, including chimneys, sumps and gully traps as well as several concrete slabs indicative of former building locations, manholes providing access to underground services, mounds, channels, a garden bed, and pathways and roadways. The buildings primarily appear to have been sanitary-related structures, the most identifiable of which were shower blocks, found along the pipelines identified in the 1942 plans. No post holes or timber stumps were identified in relation to the barracks buildings. As such, the majority of features identified comprise water-related infrastructure and buildings. Demolition across the surveyed area appears to have been patchy, with concrete footings, sumps, gully traps and some chimneys being left fully, or partially, in place. There is no sign of the barracks buildings, suggesting that these were likely easier to remove. While rubble piles, likely related to the dismantling of the military camp, were also identified, no evidence of rubbish dumps were noted. However, as much of the camp site once comprised barracks, it is possible that artefacts related to daily life at the camp may be identified in a subsurface context. Concrete features appear only to have been fully removed where individual farmers have completely cleared the paddocks in which the remaining structures and features were later situated. As such, the archaeology found within Hutment Areas 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 10 are likely to be present within the site. Archaeological evidence of Australia’s military response to World War II, particularly the construction, layout, and occupation of the camp and associated subsurface services, as well as buried artefacts related to daily life at the camp (particularly near the former barracks), between c.1940-1946. Hutment Area 2 Hutment Area 2 originally comprised a discrete area containing 14 huts, two mess huts, a kitchen, two latrine buildings, a shower building and an ablution building, a drying shed, a sergeants' showers and ablutions building, and an officers’ showers and ablutions building. Two further huts, along with an officers’ mess and sergeants' mess, were situated to the west of the pathway around the Hutment Area. The mapped huts without labels on the 1942 plan comprised the barracks. The 14 huts were divided in two, comprising two groups of six huts with another adjacent to each group. The two mess huts, with a kitchen between them, were centred between the hut groupings. The shower, ablution and drying shed buildings were aligned to the east of the huts, along a water pipeline. Although Hutment Area 2 was shaped differently, this layout echoes that of Hutment Area 6. Recent aerial imagery (MetroMap 2022) shows that Hutment Area 2 is situated within a tree-covered section of the landscape, similar in nature to the adjacent Hutment Areas 3 (to the south) and 6 (to the north). The pathway running between Hutment Area 6 and Hutment Area 2 is still visible adjacent to the east of the tree line. The pathway around the Hutment Area is also visible in various sections between the trees. The footings of what appears to either be one of the mess huts or the adjacent kitchen is visible in the aerial imagery, within a clearing that comprised the former Hutment Area, along with the remains of what is likely the officers’ shower and ablution building (now within a small pond) and latrine within the southeast of the Hutment Area. One small concrete feature, which is not marked on the 1942 plan, is visible to the southwest of the mess hut or kitchen, in an area which would have been between two huts. As such, the archaeology found within Hutment Area 6 is likely to be similar to that found within Hutment Area 2. Aerial imagery shows the remains of several concrete slabs showing the location of some of the original camp buildings within Hutment Area 2, with the small pond around the former officers’ shower and ablution building, which was near the junction of two water pipes, comprising evidence of underground sewage services. As with the other hutment areas that have not been subject to housing construction and related works, archaeological evidence of Australia’s military response to World War II, particularly the construction, layout, and occupation of the camp and associated subsurface services between c.1940-1946, may still exist within Hutment Area 2. Buried artefacts relating to daily life at the camp may also be present in a subsurface context, particularly near the former barracks area. Hutment Area 5 Hutment Area 5 comprised a small area situated on the southeast corner of Camerons Road and an unnamed former roadway that formed part of the northern boundary of the camp site. It comprised 11 huts, a mess hut, a kitchen, an officers’ mess, an officers’ showers and ablutions building, a sergeants’ mess, a sergeants' showers and ablutions building, an ablutions building, a shower building, two latrine buildings, a drying shed, and a small unmarked building. A water pipeline is shown dividing this Hutment Area in two, with a set of six huts, the sergeants’ mess and adjacent hut, a latrine, a shower and an ablutions building to the south/southwest of the pipeline, and the remaining buildings to the north/northeast. As with the other Hutment Areas, the main group of huts comprise the centre of the area, with the officers’ and sergeants’ mess to the west, and the various latrines, showers and ablutions buildings to the east. Recent arial imagery (MetroMap 2022) shows that this site now only comprises the long, winding portion of the driveway of 144 Camerons Road, and the driveway and farming complex of 60 Camerons Road. The 144 Camerons Road driveway appears to cut through what was the site of the northernmost hut and the officers mess, while the farming complex buildings at 60 Camerons Road cover the area which once comprised the latrines, showers and ablutions buildings. While there are several discoloured areas, and pieces of what may be concrete, appearing to match the location of one of the huts and the sergeants’ mess situated between the roadway and the farm buildings, no footings are evident from the aerial imagery. The driveway associated with 60 Camerons Road appears to follow the pipeline. Due to the construction of the farming complex, and associated subsurface utilities, it is likely that much of the former Hutment Area 5 has been disturbed. While there may be some evidence left in a subsurface context, such as small, buried artefacts relating to daily life at the camp near the former barracks area, the majority of any remaining archaeological evidence is unlikely to be in situ. Hutment Area 7 Hutment Area 7 comprised a small area situated to the southeast of Hutment Area 5, but on a separate unnamed pathway to that of Hutment Area 5. Similar to other Hutment Areas, it was divided into two sections. Hutment Area 7 comprised 16 huts, a sergeants’ mess (to the west side of the grouping), an officers’ mess (to the east side), two mess huts and a kitchen (along the centre of the grouping) to the north of the pathway, with an officers’ showers and ablutions building, a sergeants' showers and ablutions building, two latrine buildings, a drying shed, an ablutions building, and a shower building to the south of the pathway. A water pipeline is shown to run immediately south of the pathway, adjacent to the southern ground of buildings. The pathway leads to Hutment Area 8 in the southwest, and to Hutment Area 9 in the southeast. Recent aerial imagery (MetroMap 2022) shows that this area now comprises a field at 80 Camerons Road. The military huts would have been situated in the paddock to the east of the extant shed and tanks. The former roadway is barely discernible in the aerial imagery, providing an indication of the locations of the former buildings. No building footprints are visible in the paddock. As this area has been cleared, any remaining archaeological evidence is unlikely to be in situ. There is a possibility that, despite there not being any obvious surface remains in the aerial images and any remains unlikely to be in situ, some archaeological evidence of Australia’s military response to World War II, particularly that associated subsurface services, may identified in a subsurface context within Hutment Area 7 based on historical documentary sources. Buried artefacts relating to daily life at the camp may also be present in a subsurface context, particularly near the former barracks area. Hutment Area 8 Hutment Area 8 comprised an area that was unlike the other Hutment Areas, as it contained a large hospital and associated buildings to the southwest of the huts. The hospital, along with eight smaller buildings of varying sizes, aligned with Camerons Road. The hospital had its own water pipeline. The hutment comprised 11 huts, an officers’ mess, a sergeants’ mess, kitchen, mess hut, a meat house, drying shed, two latrine buildings, a shower building, and an ablutions building, a ‘hot’ showers and ablutions building, a sergeants’ showers and ablutions building, and an officers’ showers and ablutions building. Similar to the other hutment area layouts, the huts, mess and kitchen were situated between two huts with the officers’ and sergeants’ mess between them in the southwest, and the hygiene-related buildings along a water pipeline in the northeast. A pathway encircled both the hospital buildings and hutment area. Several ancillary buildings were situated around Hutment Area 8, which do not appear to be related to any specific hutment. These include a post office and adjacent building, a canteen, and an orderly room, which were situated on the opposite side of Camerons Road to the hospital buildings. To the south of the hospital group along Camerons Road were five ‘comforts huts’, including a hairdresser/barber, photographer, and a Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) hut, along with two small unnamed huts to the east. Recent aerial imagery (MetroMap 2022) shows that all but the southmost hutment buildings in Hutment Area 8, and part of the northern and main wing of the former hospital, were formerly sited in what is now four tree-dotted, ploughed fields associated with 88 Camerons Road. Likewise, the land which once held the remainder of the hospital buildings, including the southernmost hut of the hutment, now comprises ploughed fields belonging to 104 Camerons Road. While there may be several pieces of concrete in the fields, there are no evidence of footings or similar features visible in the aerial imagery in either property. The collection of buildings opposite the hospital were in what is now 81 Camerons Road. The former locations of these buildings appear to align with sections of bare earth lining Camerons Road in the west, but no footings are visible in the aerial imagery. The photographer, hairdresser, YMCA, and other comforts huts were in what is now the vineyard found at 136 Camerons Road. The majority of these former building locations are now covered in rows of grape vines. Only the hairdresser building, and the western ends of the other former buildings, were not affected by these vineyard plantings. As with the other buildings along Camerons Road surrounding Hutment Area 8, there is no evidence of any building footings visible in the aerial imagery. However, it is likely that the Hutment Area 8 buildings were raised on stumps, similar in construction to that of the barrack huts, meaning that the footings would be restricted to post holes. There is also the potential for artefacts from the occupation of these timber floored buildings to have entered the archaeological record through floorboards, or during demolition. Due to the ploughing of the fields at 88 and 104 Camerons Road and the establishment of the vineyard at 136 Camerons Road over the locations of the former buildings, it is likely that much of the former Hutment Area 8 has been disturbed. However, many of the buildings were substantial buildings, particularly the hospital, and there may be archaeological features found below the ploughzone, particularly if there are any large patches of discolouration or bare earth in the vicinity of these former buildings. However, due to the disturbed nature of the area, any remaining archaeological evidence is unlikely to be in situ. There is a possibility that, despite there not being any obvious surface remains in the aerial images and any remains unlikely to be in situ, some archaeological evidence of Australia’s military response to World War II, particularly post holes and timber stumps or small artefacts, may identified in a subsurface context within Hutment Area 8 based on historical documentary sources. Buried artefacts relating to daily life at the camp may also be present in a subsurface context, particularly near the former barracks area, the canteen and post office, the hospital and the comforts huts. Additionally, artefacts relating to the use of the hospital may be found in a subsurface context within the location of the former hospital buildings. Hutment Area 9 Hutment Area 9 comprised a small area situated on the east side of the military camp site. It comprised 16 huts, two mess huts, a kitchen, an officers’ mess, a sergeants’ mess, an officers’ showers and ablutions building, a sergeants' showers and ablutions building, a drying shed, a shower building, and two latrine buildings, and a small, unmarked building. A water pipeline is shown adjacent to a pathway, with the latrines, showers and ablutions building next to the roadway, and the remaining buildings to the east. As with a number of the other Hutment Areas, the other huts are evenly split into two sections, with the mess huts and kitchen between them. Recent aerial imagery (MetroMap 2022) shows that part of Hutment Area 9 now comprises a farming complex at 88 Camerons Road. The majority of the huts on the north side of this Hutment Area were on land that now include a driveway and trees between farm buildings. There are no signs of any building footings remaining on this property. However, the footprint of what appears to be the sergeants’ mess is visible within 144 Camerons Road. A copse of trees covers the area which once held the mess huts and kitchen hut, so it is unclear as to whether any footings remain on either property. Similarly, trees cover the area of the buildings on the water pipeline in 104 Camerons Road, making any footings difficult to identify through the canopy. However, there are no signs of the huts to the south of the former mess huts and kitchen hut location, either in 104 or 144 Camerons Road. Due to the construction of the farming complex, it is likely that much of the former Hutment Area 9 has been disturbed within 88 Camerons Road. Due to the construction of the farm buildings and driveway, any remaining archaeological evidence around the farming complex is unlikely to be in situ. There may be elements remaining 104 and 144 Camerons Road, under tree cover, similar to the footings of the sergeants’ mess. As with the other hutment areas that have not been subject to development, archaeological evidence of Australia’s military response to World War II, particularly the construction, layout, and occupation of the camp and associated subsurface services between c.1940-1946, may be identified within the less disturbed portions of Hutment Area 9. Buried artefacts relating to daily life at the camp may also be present in a subsurface context, particularly near the former barracks area. Hutment Area 11 A small section of the southern end of Hutment Area 11 is situated partly within the VHI boundary at 48 Camerons Road, the majority being situated within the property immediately to the north. This hutment comprised a discrete area situated entirely within an oval-shaped pathway. Similar to the majority of hutments, the buildings were separated into three groupings: a sergeant’s mess and adjacent hut, and officer’s mess and adjacent hut; two groups of eight huts separated by two mess huts and kitchen; and two latrines, an ablutions building, a shower building, an officers’ showers and ablutions building, a sergeants’ showers and ablutions building, and a drying shed. Recent aerial imagery (MetroMap 2022) shows that Hutment Area 11 primarily comprises fields associated with a vineyard at 136 Camerons Road. The water pipeline and showers and ablutions buildings were situated on land dotted with trees, near a large dam, to the east of the fields. While no other building footings can be seen, the pathway ringing the hutment is still visible in the landscape. A sump and small section of concrete appear to be present near the location of the southernmost ablution building within 136 Camerons Road, and further similar remains may be present within the vegetation. Two pits are visible in the vicinity of the former kitchen (a rectangular outline of this building is also visible in the aerial imagery) and officers’ mess buildings, within a field. No large building footings are visible in either 48 or 136 Camerons Road, particularly where rows of vines have been planted within the winery. Due to the ploughing of the fields and the establishment of the vineyard over the majority of the former location of the hutment buildings, any remaining archaeological evidence around the winery complex is unlikely to be in situ. There may be elements remaining under vegetation within both 48 or 136 Camerons Road, but much of the area has been cleared for ploughing and planting. Any surviving archaeological evidence of Australia’s military response to World War II, particularly the construction, layout, and occupation of the camp and associated subsurface services between c.1940-1946, may be identified within the less disturbed portions of Hutment Area 11. Small, buried artefacts relating to daily life at the camp may also be present in a subsurface context, particularly near the former barracks area. Hutment Area 12 A small section of the north and eastern ends of Hutment Area 12 is situated partly within the current VHI boundary at 48 Camerons Road, the majority being situated within the property immediately to the southeast within 20 Camerons Road. A pathway encircles the main portion of the Hutment Area 12 huts, with two groups of nine huts on either side of a mess, kitchen, and meat house. Several buildings are situated outside the pathway, with two huts and an officers’ mess to the west, two huts and a sergeants’ mess to the south, and a drying shed immediately to the east. Further east, along a water pipeline, were two latrine buildings, a shower building, an ablutions building, a hot showers and ablutions building, an officers’ showers and ablutions building, and a sergeants’ showers and ablutions building. Recent aerial imagery (MetroMap 2022) shows that the pathway to the north of the hutment, which runs to the adjacent Hutment Area 13, is still visible in aerial imagery. The majority of Hutment Area 12 now comprises a land associated with building complex at 20 Camerons Road in the south portion of the site, a vehicle pathway running in a generally north/south direction to the north of the buildings across a clearing surrounded by trees on the west side. The northeastmost hut, along with all of the showers and ablutions buildings, are situated within a tree-dotted field within 48 Camerons Road. The general shape of the south end of the original pathway is evident in the arch-shaped fencing to the south of the extant homestead. The footings of the mess (upon which two sheds have been built) and meat house are still present to the north of the buildings; it also appears that that one of extant sheds has been built on the footings of the drying shed. No other footings can be seen in the aerial imagery, but the officers’ and sergeants’ mess groupings are both situated within tree-covered areas. In areas of disturbance associated with the buildings, and where the concrete footings have been cleared, any archaeology still present is unlikely to be in situ. While there may be elements remaining under vegetation within both 20 and 48 or Camerons Road, but much of the area has been cleared. The most intact section appears to be just north of the homestead complex, where several sheds have been constructed on the remaining concrete footings. Any surviving archaeological evidence of Australia’s military response to World War II, particularly the construction, layout, and occupation of the camp and associated subsurface services between c.1940-1946, may be identified within the less disturbed portions of Hutment Area 11. Small buried artefacts relating to daily life at the camp may also be present in a subsurface context, particularly near the former barracks area. Hutment Area 13 Hutment Area 13 is situated entirely within the VHI boundary at 48 Camerons Road. This hutment comprised two groupings of eight huts separated by two mess huts and a kitchen, ringed by a pathway. The officers’ mess and adjacent hut were situated outside the pathway to the north; the sergeants’ mess and adjacent hut to the east; and, to the west, the water pipeline along which two latrine buildings, a shower building, an ablutions building, a drying shed, the sergeants’ showers and ablutions building, and the officers’ showers and ablutions building were built. To the northeast of the hutment was a crossroads leading to Hutment Area 11 in the north, Hutment Area 14 in the east, and (to the west side of Hutment Area 13) Hutment Area 12 to the west. The pathway originally surrounding the central buildings of Hutment Area 13 is clearly visible in recent aerial imagery (MetroMap 2022), with the pathway to the north forming a roadway, and a driveway appears to generally follow part of the pathway from the roadway, curving around towards the south. The remainder of the original pathway is visible, but does not appear to be utilised as a driveway or roadway. A house and garden are situated over the former location of the huts adjacent to the roadway in the north, including the former mess huts and kitchen. While the land looks to be less landscaped to the south, in the southern grouping of huts, this area appears to have been excavated to form a pond, with a narrow central island. The pond fills with water during wet weather. The remains of what appear to be the footings of the officers’ and sergeants’ showers and ablutions buildings appear to be present to the south of the large building and tanks to the southwest of the house. Land to the north of these footings has been disturbed by the construction of the buildings and garden landscaping to their north. No other footings are visible. This aligns with the limited description of the site which is found in the Darley Military Camp (VHI H7722-0080) site card, except that no Hutment Areas appear to intersect with the property at 222 Lerderderg Gorge Road: ‘The northern portion of the site at 48 Camerons Rd contained part of the Darley Military Camp which occupied the site from 1940-1946. The remains of camp structures are visibly present at the site in the form of a number of concrete pads and footings as well as drainage features and access tracks. This area has also been subject to ground disturbance from construction of a residence and associated infrastructure such as storage sheds, landscape features, roads as well as a large dam cut ‘Additional features located in the southern portion of the site within the 222 Lerderderg Gorge Rd property include an irrigation channel constructed c.1905 -1940. ‘Historical background research indicates that a small structure likely related to pastoral activity was present in this area in 1917, however the field survey undertaken as part of the historical archaeological assessment for the site did not detect any visible remains of this structure’ (Willis 2019). It appears that the former hutment area is likely to have been disturbed in the north, and completely removed in the south. Therefore, any remaining archaeological evidence around the farming complex is unlikely to be in situ. As with the other hutment areas that have not been subject to development, archaeological evidence of Australia’s military response to World War II, particularly the construction, layout, and occupation of the camp and associated subsurface services between c.1940-1946, may be identified within the less disturbed portions of Hutment Area 13. Buried artefacts relating to daily life at the camp may also be present in a subsurface context, particularly near the former barracks area. Land to the south of Hutment Area 13 within 222 Lerderderg Gorge Road is discussed below. Hutment Area 14 Hutment Area 14 is situated entirely within the VHI boundary at 48 Camerons Road. Similar to many of the other hutments, this hutment area contained a central grouping of huts, with two groups of eight huts separated by a central grouping of two mess buildings and a kitchen. To the northwest were the officers’ mess and adjacent hut, and the sergeants’ mess and adjacent hut. To the southeast were the ablutions building, shower building, two latrine buildings, drying shed, officers’ showers and ablutions building, and the sergeants’ showers and ablutions building, situated along a water pipeline. All of the buildings within the hutment were encircled by a pathway, which ran westwards towards Hutment Area 13. Recent aerial imagery (MetroMap 2022) shows that the general alignment of the original pathway can be seen surrounding Hutment Area 14. Several footings, which appear to be in the vicinity of the officers’ and sergeants’ showers and ablution buildings, the drying shed, and either one of the messes or the kitchen. The remainder of the area seems to have been cleared, although there are thick tree coverings along part of the south side of the site, and trees are dotted across the western and eastern ends of the site. As such, Hutment Area 14 also aligns with the limited description of the site which is found in the Darley Military Camp (VHI H7722-0080) site card, as replicated in Hutment Area 13. Although clearing has occurred, some of the building footings remain in situ. There may be elements remaining under vegetation, which is not visible in aerial imagery. Any surviving archaeological evidence of Australia’s military response to World War II, particularly the construction, layout, and occupation of the camp and associated subsurface services between c.1940-1946, may be identified within the less disturbed portions of Hutment Area 14. Buried artefacts relating to daily life at the camp may also be present in a subsurface context, particularly near the former barracks area. Land to the south of Hutment Area 14 within 222 Lerderderg Gorge Road is discussed below. Hutment Area 15 Hutment Area 15 comprised ten huts, an officers’ mess, a sergeants’ mess, two latrine buildings, an officers’ showers and ablutions building, and a sergeants’ showers and ablutions building. This grouping was set up differently to the other hutments, with fewer buildings. A grouping of five huts was situated on the northeast side of a short water pipeline, with three to the northwest of the pathway and two to the southeast of the pathway; a latrine building and the sergeants’ showers and ablutions building were to the north of this on a longer water pipeline. The buildings to the south of the short pipeline comprised three huts and the sergeants’ mess to the northwest of the pathway, and two huts and officers’ mess to the southeast of the pathway. A latrine building and the officers’ showers and ablutions building were to the northwest of this second grouping, also on the long water pipeline. Recent aerial imagery (MetroMap 2022) shows the buildings to be situated in an area of relatively dense tree-cover, with areas of bare earth between them. A driveway enters the property from the roadway to the northeast, and runs parallel to the pathway noted on the plan. There do not appear to be any footings or other features in the areas where the bare earth is visible. However, the aerial imagery shows that earthworks have taken place in the area, with spoil heaps found in the vicinity of some of the southwesterlymost buildings. In areas of disturbance, such as where spoil heaps are visible in recent aerial imagery, any remaining archaeological evidence around the farming complex is unlikely to be in situ. However, there may be features of the former camp remaining, which is not visible in aerial imagery due to the heavy tree cover. Should this be the case, as with the other hutment areas that have not been subject to development, archaeological evidence of Australia’s military response to World War II, particularly the construction, layout, and occupation of the camp and associated subsurface services between c.1940-1946, may be identified within the less disturbed portions of Hutment Area 15. Buried artefacts relating to daily life at the camp may also be present in a subsurface context, particularly near the former barracks area. The allotment comprising 222 Lerderderg Gorge Road comprises land to the south of Hutment Areas 12, 13 and 14. The 1942 plan of the camp site does not extend into this property, with this allotment extending from the southern boundary of the camp to Goodman Creek. As such, this area does not appear to have officially been used as part of the camp. However, this property was included in the original VHI boundary as: 'Additional features located in the southern portion of the site within the 222 Lerderderg Gorge Rd property include an irrigation channel constructed c.1905 -1940’ (Willis 2019). This property was not subject to a recent site inspection, due to restricted property access. While no documentary evidence suggests that this was part of the camp, and historical aerial imagery from 1951 does not show that the camp roadways extended south of Hutments 12, 13 and 14, it remains part of the proposed VHI boundary as ‘additional features’ were noted in the 2019 site card. Further investigation is required to understand what these features comprise, beyond the specified irrigation channel, and how they relate to the military camp. As such, no predictive statement can be made for this property. This is a VHI assessment of the area to the north of the current VHI heritage boundary. This is intended as an addendum to the existing VHI site, which should be extended to include this area. Darley Military Camp meets the definition of archaeological site under the Heritage Act. It comprises the location of the Darley Military Camp remains, and has a high probability of occupational deposits, construction deposits, and subsurface features associated with the sewage system and other services, which are 75 or more years old. The archaeology would provide information of past activity in the State, relating to military use of the site from c.1940-1946, which requires archaeological methods to reveal information about the site. Evidence is found relating to concrete slabs showing the location of many of the original camp buildings, along with manholes, sumps and gully traps indicative of underground sewage services. Other features, such as stone-lined pathways, garden beds and channels, are evidence of different features not necessarily marked on the 1942 plan of the site. Therefore, the Darley Military Camp site meets Threshold A (archaeology). The Darley Military Camp is primarily evidence of the 1940 Australian Imperial Force (AIF) training camp to the north of the township of Darley, which could host approximately 4,200 individuals. It was used to train members of the Militia, the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS), the Australian Army Medical Women’s Service, the Australian Army Nursing Services, Land Headquarters, the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, US Marines, and troops from the Dutch East Indies. After 1945, the camp was dismantled, with many huts being re-erected in other areas for private use. Before this, the land was host to early pastoral occupation from the late 1850s to the 1880s, and through to continued pastoral and agricultural development until c.1940. This history is significant at a local level, within the framework as part of defending Victoria and Australia, as the archaeological site evidences how people were training to serve in the military. The remnant structures provide physical evidence of construction techniques used by the Australian military in the early years of World War II. This provides evidence of standard building typologies, which may inform an understanding of other military camps elsewhere in Australia. This also gives evidence of the efficient use of materials to construct effective, light-weight and quickly built structures, responding to the need for an expedient response during war time. Archaeology found in and around the barracks, comforts huts, canteen and post office may also reveal information on the daily lives of the people who lived and served at the camp, and how they may have spent their leisure time at the camp. Little is known about the comforts huts, any artefacts found there may shed light on the type of huts that were located there, as well as the sorts of services they may have provided to those military personnel living at the camp. Artefacts within proximity to the hospital complex may provide details on the workings of the camp hospital, as well as providing an insight into how the training hospital was run, and what sort of supplies the camp would have accessed during its operational period. Similarly, artefacts found around the kitchens and mess huts would provide data on the foodways of the camp. As the camp was highly regimented, with a strict separation of officers and sergeants from the remainder of the military personnel in each Hutment Area, at least in terms of sanitary and mess huts although likely extended to barracks as well, any archaeology found within the Hutment Areas could highlight any distinction in the living conditions of these groups of personnel due to rank. Archaeological evidence would also likely be able to identify the women’s barracks from that of the men, and would further show the differences between how the military personal lived, based on this gender division. Should such artefacts be identifiable within the military camp site, this also has the potential to further compare the daily lives of personnel based on both rank and gender. This site has the potential to offer a rich opportunity for research. The Darley Military Camp thus meets the Threshold B (history).

    Heritage Inventory Description

    DARLEY MILITARY CAMP SITE - Heritage Inventory Description

    The site is located at two properties; 48 Camerons Rd. and 222 Lerderderg Gorge Rd. The northern portion of the site at 48 Camerons Rd, contained part of the Darley Military Camp which occupied the site from 1940-1946. The remains of camp strucutres are visibly present at the site in the form of a number of concrete pads and footings as well as drainage features and access tracks. This area has also been subject to ground disturbance from construction of a residence and associated infrastructure such as storage sheds, landscape features, roads as well as a large damn cut.

    Additional features located in the southern portion of the site within the 222 Lerderderg Gorge Rd property include an irrigation channel constructed c.1905 -1940.

    Historical background research indicates that a small structure likely related to pastoral activity was present in this area in 1917, however the field survey undertaken as part of the historical archaeological assesmnt for the site did not detect any visible remains of this structure.

    SiteCard data copied on 06/02/2025: Darley Military Camp (VHI H7722-0080) was identified during the Western Renewables Link project from the Victorian Heritage Inventory (VHI). However, a larger area to the north was identified as being a potential historical archaeological site during background research for the project. This site is located at 20-151 Camerons Road & 222-223 Lerderderg Gorge Road, Darley (1/TP259416, 2/PP3095, 2B/PP3095, 3/PS840998, 1/PS840998, 2/PS324526, 3/PS324526, 4/PS840998, 4/PS324526, 5/PS324526, 6/PS324526, 1/PS324526, 1/PS907847, 2/PS907847, 2/PS546392 and 2/PS840998). The military camp comprises a large area from the extension of Bonnie Vale Road west of Goodman Creek in the north, to the confluence of Lerderderg River and Goodman Creek in the south; and from Lerderderg Gorge Road in the west to Goodman Creek in the east. A site inspection examined parts of the former Darley Military Camp in several sections in order to understand the extent of the camp and the comparative integrity of artefacts and structural remains. The military camp comprises a large area from the extension of Bonnie Vale Road west of Goodman Creek in the north, to the confluence of Lerderderg River and Goodman Creek in the south; and from Lerderderg Gorge Road in the west to Goodman Creek in the east. While the camp structures and roadways did not reach the waterways themselves, sewage pipes are shown to head towards the waterways in some areas (the sewage was first treated by a septic system). The site inspection on 16 and 18 August 2022 examined parts of the former Darley Military Camp in several sections in order to understand the extent of the camp and the comparative integrity of artefacts and structural remains. The inspection of elements of the camp outside the project area was undertaken to assist in the predictive analysis of parts of the camp that are inside in the project area, but which were not able to be inspected. The site inspections covered part of a hutment to the east of Camerons Road and the associated sewage infrastructure (Hutment Area 10), and four of the hutments to the west of Camerons Road (Hutment Areas 1, 3, 4 and 6). These site inspection locations were based on property access, as noted below. The area within the existing VHI boundary for Darley Military Camp (VHI H7722-0080) was not reinspected. 104 Camerons Road, Darley Field survey results (Hutment Area 10) Within the property situated at 104 Camerons Road, Darley, Hutment Area 10 comprised three structures, one manhole, and three other features: • Structure 1 comprised two rows of bricks, one course in height visible on the surface of the ground. The structure measured 1.96m (north/south) by 1.06m (east/west). One of the bricks had a frog impression, but no maker’s mark was evident. It may have comprised part of a chimney. • Structure 2 consisted of rectangular concrete measuring 0.66m (north/south) by 2.19m (east/west), with an almost circular gully trap at its western end. • Structure 3 was of concrete and brick, and was approximately 5.66m (north/south) by 12m (east/west). This comprised the remains of a shower block built on a large concrete surface, with rectangular concrete gully traps adjacent in the north and south. Other features within the block included a timber plate that would have been bolted to the concrete, a possible drain leading to the south gully trap, and several areas which would have once been divided by brick walls, now only between two to four courses in height. A large fragment of concrete was adjacent to the shower block in the northeast. • The first manhole has a circular concrete lid which is evidence of the original camp’s underground sewage infrastructure. It is approximately 1m in diameter. • The first feature consisted of a 40m by 2m linear mound, possibly indicative of subsurface remains. • The second feature consisted of a drainage channel and depression along a portion of the rear boundary fence of the property, along with rounded stones (~250mm in length) in a linear route, which might have been a path or roadway. • The third feature consisted of a possible remnant pathway near an extant shed. 136 Camerons Road, Darley Field survey results (Hutment Area 10) Within the property situated at 136 Camerons Road, Darley, Hutment Area 10 comprised nine structures, a concrete channel, two manholes, and part of a roadway: • Structure 4 comprises a brick chimney which was still extant. It is situated in a line of four chimneys, the remaining three having been dismantled. This is the only chimney that remains standing, and is approximately 1.96m (north/south) by 1.5m (east/west) and around 4.4m in height. • Structure 5 consists of a concrete gully trap. This is a good example of a gully trap, as it has several pipes still in situ, and was still holding water in its chamber, the water in the chamber typically acting as a deep water seal between preventing ingress of air from the sewage system below. • Structure 6 is a concrete structure with a concrete slab, which may have represented two rooms. The slab is sloped towards a centre drainage channel, similar to the possible drain feature in Structure 3. This is a large structure at approximately 6.3m (northwest/southeast) by 12.2m (northeast/southwest). This building is situated near structures seven, eight and nine, but is not on the same route as the other three structures. • Structure 7 is situated near Structure 6, on a different property. It is also a concrete slab of a building. It measures 5.5m (north/south) by 5m (east/west) in dimension. Attached to the slab is a gully trap or a sump. • Structure 8 comprises a small concrete footing approximately 2m (north/south) by 2.5m (east/west) in size. The footing is in a bad state, and only part of the concrete base is extant. • Structure 9 is a concrete slab with upturns. There is a remnant cement top coat render on the concrete wall upstand which comprises a waterproof membrane. The structure is 5.5m (north/south) by 5m (east/west) in dimension. It also has a concrete gully trap or sump attached. • Structure 10 consists of a substantial septic tank situated on the top and side of a hill. It is approximately 3m (northeast/southwest) by 11m (northwest/southeast) in dimension. The top of the structure comprises alternating concrete slabs with six openings, four of which protrude above the adjacent flat slabs with one lower section on the west end with two openings, along the structure. • Structure 11 is situated downhill of Structure 10, to the southeast. It comprises a concrete pit that is currently filled with bluestone fragments, and has been cut into the slope of the hillside below Structure 10. Structure 11 is approximately 10m (northeast/southwest) by 8m (northwest/southeast), with a set of gully traps or sumps attached to the pit base in the southeast which is approximately 2m (northeast/southwest) by 1.7m (northwest/southeast). There is also a subsurface pipe which links Structure 10 (septic tank) to the top of Structure 11 (aeration pit). The east wall is of this structure around 1.68m in height. It likely comprises an aeration pit. • Structure 12 comprises a roughly rectangular subsurface pipe in the northwest cutting in the earth to the south of Structure 10 and southwest of Structure 11. There are two concrete stands and two pads and two concrete pads to either side of the pipe. There are several courses of stones on top of the northwest concrete pad. There is also remnant concrete in the wall of the cutting. It is unclear from where the pipe originates, although it seems to be associated with structures ten and/or eleven. There is also a pipe outlet and swale situated downhill from Structure 12. • The concrete channel consists of part of a concrete channel, which is filled with leaf litter. It is situated downhill from, and facing, the aeration pit (structure eleven). It is approximately 400 mm in width. • The second manhole comprises a circular concrete manhole uphill from the septic tank (structure ten), with five interior metal handles/hand holds leading down to the base. The base is covered in debris, and what appears to be a filled-in drain. The uncovered manhole is approximately 1m in diameter. • The third manhole also comprises another uncovered circular concrete manhole approximately 1m in diameter, near the second manhole. • The roadway section has a gravel surface and follows the same route as the roadway in the Darley Camp plan1. This section runs along an east/west route. 151 Camerons Road, Darley Hutment Areas 1 and 6 were situated within the property located at 151 Camerons Road, Darley. There are 12 structures and a section of roadway within Hutment Area 1, and 11 structures in Hutment Area 6. Field survey results (Hutment Area 1) Hutment Area 1 remains are comprised of: • Structure 13 comprises a collapsed brick chimney with a fair amount of demolition rubble present, similar to the other chimneys across the site. • Structure 14 is the adjacent concrete sump; some of the chimney bricks are inside the sump. The sump was found adjacent to the chimney as per the other chimney/gully trap configurations found across the site. Both were situated adjacent to the roadway. • Structure 15 consisted of a concrete shower block with adjacent sumps, similar to Structure 3 found in Area 10. This block was approximately 12.2m (north/south) by 5.7m (east/west) in dimension. • Structure 16 comprises the base of a concrete t-shaped building. The concrete has a rough, pronounced black aggregate. Steel bolts are present and likely fastened to the bottom plates of timber wall frames. The concrete slab is covered in leaf litter. There is a pipe opening in the base of the south wall, which opens into the adjacent sump. The main section of the building is approximately 7.4m (north/south) by 2.7m (east/west). The smaller section, situated halfway along the east wall of the structure, is 1.5m (north/south) by 2.07m (east/west) in dimension. • Structure 17 was originally a two-roomed building, now only comprising the base of the building. It has two earthenware ceramic drains (one 140mm in external diameter, and the other 200mm in external diameter) in the northeast and southwest corners of the south room of the structure. Several metal nails were found in the north upturns of the southern room. The structure is 12.6m (north/south) by 6.3m (east/west), with each room being 6.3m (north/south) by 6.3m (east/west) in dimension. • Structure 18 was a large concrete building. There is a small rectangular extension near the north end of the west wall, and what appears to be a deliberate opening in the centre of the south wall. Metal bolts are found along the base of the wall sections. The concrete used is a mix of aggregate types, comprising bluestone, gravels, quartz, and some brown gravels. The main portion of the building is 16.5m (north/south) by 5m (east/west), and the extension is approximately 4m (north/south) by 3.1m (east/west). The main room is divided into two sections, the southern room being 10m (north/south) by 5m (east/west), and the northern room being around 6.4m (north/south) by 5m (east/west). The base of what appears to be a wall runs down the middle of the southern room along a north/south route, stopping short of the opening in the southern wall; a channel can be seen in the northern room along the same route. The upturns of the structure are approximately 100mm thick. • Structure 19 comprises an open square concrete sump or a manhole, with metal handles/hand holds in the west wall. A pipe is visible in the north wall, while the base is filled with rubble and other debris. This structure is 1m (north/south) by 1m (east/west) in dimension. • Structure 20 is a concrete slab, 6.05m (north/south) by 3.9m (east/west). The slab has metal bolts or nails protruding from it, typically along the edge of the slab, although there are three within the main body of the slab itself. A number of the bolts are protruding from the centre of a small, but shallow, raised pyramidal structures with a central depression. However, a number of bolts are missing from these pyramid formations. These formations are post bases, and appear to have been formed after the slab was poured, moulding around the stumps. The bolts without these bases may have been used as hold-downs for standalone elements, or as bottom plates. Two of the bolts in the middle of the slab do not have an associated pyramidal formation. There is also a small 1.5m (north/south) by 1.5m (east/west) pit or sump attached to the centre of the south end of the slab. • Structure 21 comprises a slab of concrete, 7.25m (north/south) by 6.5m (east/west), with rows of small, shallow, raised pyramids and associated bolts. There is a raised section of concrete along the middle of the slab, running in a north/south route, which is 5m (north/south) by 300mm (east/west). There is a small depression around 250 mm at the south end of the raised concrete. • Structure 22 is a collapsed concrete slab, which would have once been similar in nature to the Structure 21. A small concrete pit (or sump) and pipe is extant, immediately adjacent to the slab in the southeast, and is approximately 600mm by 600mm in dimension. The slab appears to have collapsed into a large depression, which is currently filled with water. The distance between extant corners is approximately 9.25m (north/south) and 3.3m (east/west), providing a minimum size for the original structure. The west edge of the depression to the east route of the collapsed slab is approximately 5.5m in width. • Structure 23 comprises a narrow length of concrete. The concrete is 3.65m (north/south) by 600mm (east/west), and it is 330mm in height. • Structure 24 is a concrete slab and the upturns of a small building. It is 5.3m (north/south) by 5.3m (east/west) in dimension, and is primarily hidden by bushes. A channel runs down the centre of the slab along a north/south route, with a drain in the base of the southern wall; the southeast quadrant of the slab slopes towards the drain. • An additional structure was identified from the aerial imagery, comprising a square slab of concrete, approximately 5.3m (north/south) by 5.3m (east/west) in dimension, to the south of the Structure 24. It is on the same route as the other structure. This slab is similarly hidden in amongst bushes. Due to its similar dimensions and its location, this structure is likely similar in nature to the Structure 24. • The roadway section is an asphalt roadway, and is approximately 4m in width. This section comprises two straight parts with a curved area in between, and runs between the structures of Hutment Areas 1 and 6. Field survey results (Hutment Area 6) Hutment Area 6 remains are comprised of: • Structure 25 comprises a broken concrete slab situated near a tree. Two pipes are visible, protruding from the slab. One of the pipes is situated in the centre of the slab, and the other at the north end of the slab. The concrete has rough aggregate with some large stones at the base. The slab appears to have been poured directly on top of a minimal sand bed, patched with fill on top of clay. Little surface preparation appears to have been undertaken due to the uneven thickness of the slab. • Structure 26 is a concrete slab, measuring 6.6m (east/west) by 8.7m (north/south). This slab is similar to the Structure 21 from Hutment Area 1, with a raised area down the centre and a small depression at the end, and a small concrete pit (or sump) immediately adjacent in the south. The raised area is approximately 6.3m (north/south) by 300mm (east/west). The slab does, however, have a slightly different bolt layout. • Structure 27 consists of a concrete slab which is approximately 7m (north/south) by 4m (east/west). This slab has similar pyramid and bolt features as that found on Structure 20 and Structure 21. There is what appears to be a channel down the centre of the slab, and a drain near its west end. Beyond this is a pit or sump, presently obscured by vegetation. Stones are set up in a semi-circle at the west end of the slab to the north of the pit/sump. This stone semi-circle once likely outlined a garden bed. • Structure 28 is situated approximately 2m to the south of the Structure 27. It comprises a small concrete slab, 2.5m (north/south) by 3m (east/west). It is currently mostly obscured by soil and vegetation. • Structure 29 was another large, two-roomed building. It now comprises a concrete slab with the upturns, and metal bolts. A ceramic pipe is situated adjacent to the southwest corner of the building. Additionally, two drains are also situated in the southern room, with the drains being in similar in layout to that of Structure 17. The concrete slab itself is 12.5m (northeast/southwest) by 6.3m (northwest/southeast), with each room being 6.25m (north/south) by 6.3m (east/west) in dimension. • Structure 30 consists of a concrete slab and the upturns of a small building, 1.4m (northeast/southwest) by 2.4m (northwest/southeast) in size. It is situated approximately 3m to the southwest of Structure 29. • Structure 31 comprises a hole where a building structure once stood. It may have collapsed, and the building materials have subsequently been removed. • Structure 32 is a square concrete slab with some upturns, 5.3m (north/south) by 5.3m (east/west) in size. Metal bolts are evident, as is a channel running in a north/south route through the slab, off centre towards the east. Despite the vegetation present, there appears to be a drain in the south end of the channel, as water run-off is undercutting the earth along the south wall of the slab. • Structure 33 is a complex consisting of three parts: two concrete slabs and a manhole. The first slab is rectangular, approximately 3m (north/south) by 2.5m (east/west). The second slab is approximately 1.4m to the west of the first, and comprises a backwards C shape; the main body of the slab is 7.6m (north/south) along the east side, and 5m (north/south) along the west side. The arms are 2.6m (east/west) at either end, and 1.3m (east/west) between the west edge and the main body of the slab. There appears to be a collection of rounded stones on the ground in between the two arms of the ‘C’. The manhole, which is immediately adjacent to the second slab in the southwest, and is open. It comprises a square 1.3m (north/south) by 1.3m (east/west) in size, with metal handles/hand holds. • Structure 34 comprises square concrete slab, measuring 5.3m (north/south) by 5.3m (east/west) in size. It comprises perimeter upturns, with metal bolts protruding from the slab. There appear to be two doorways in the north walls, and an adjacent sump in the south. It also has a channel and drain layout similar to Structure 32. • Structure 35 comprises a shower block with the same layout as the other shower blocks identified across the site. The shower block is approximately 12.2m (northwest/southeast) by 5.8m (northeast/southwest) in size. However, the brick central structure appears to have been removed, but the concrete perimeter upturns and two immediately adjacent gully traps (in the northeast and southwest) are present. This is sitting on a larger concrete base, which is approximately 17.1m (northwest/southeast) by 12m (northeast/southwest). There appears to be fragments of asbestos in the some of the wall divisions. 53 Camerons Road, Darley Hutment Areas 3 and 4 were situated within the property now at 53 Camerons Road, Darley. Hutment Area 3 comprises three stone-lined pathways, two piles of rubble and a stone-lined channel, while Hutment Area 4 had no visible no remains present. Some demolition rubble was found along Camerons Road between Hutment Areas 1 and 4. Field survey results (Hutment Area 3) Hutment Area 3 remains are comprised of: • The three stone-lined pathways are approximately 2m in width, with two rows of stones, one on each side of these pathways. • The first rubble pile consists of brick and concrete similar to that found in Hutment Area 1, and the more intact structures found in Hutment Area 10. This likely comprises the remains of the nearby barracks buildings shown on the Darley Camp plan as being barracks buildings. • The second rubble pile, which also appeared to comprise building rubble according to its location in comparison to the building locations in the Darley Camp plan, was situated in a clearing near the third stone-lined pathway. • The stone-lined channel is a small stone-lined channel, approximately 800 mm in width. It is situated to the south of one of the pathways. Field survey results (Hutment Area 4) No camp remains or footings were found within Hutment Area 4, but there were remnants of the concrete roadway immediately adjacent to the west of the hutment, aligning with that shown on the plan. 80 Camerons Road, Darley An additional site inspection was undertaken at 80 Camerons Road at Hutment Area 7 on 26 April 2023, once access to the property was granted by the owner. Field survey results (Hutment Area 7) Hutment Area 7 remains are comprised of: • Trash pile one comprises a large bonfire pile, primarily of broken, modern timber fence panels with other debris, situated close to the northeast corner of the former Hutment Area 7 east of the former hut location adjacent to the former officer’s mess. • Trash pile two comprises a smaller bonfire pile, similarly composed of broken modern timber fence panels and other debris, situated close to the path northeast of the former Hutment Area 7 sergeants' showers and ablutions building. • Trash pile three comprises the smallest bonfire pile, also with a similar composition to that of trash piles one and two, and is situated within the vicinity of the former Hutment Area 7 sergeants' showers and ablutions building. • Utility pit with a concrete pit cover comprising a rim 205 mm thick, and two panels 104 mm x 570 mm in dimension with steel lifting points, situated just to the northwest of trash pile three near the former Hutment Area 7 officers’ mess hut. • Concrete footing comprises part of an in situ concrete footing or slab, approximately 300 mm x 350 mm in dimensions, situated to the southwest of the of trash pile one just north of a hut location (to the south of the officers’ mess hut) associated with Hutment Area 7. • Demolition debris scatter, comprising the following scattered debris: - Concrete debris comprising several chunks of concrete found within the vegetation, the largest piece being approximately 350 mm at its longest point, situated near the concrete footing. - Brick rubble comprising two complete bricks, covered in mortar, along with a part of a third brick, all of which are reddish-brown in colour, found in vegetation near the concrete footing and debris. - Pipe and cable debris comprising an in situ earthenware pipe, and two lengths of metal cable, likely used for gas or water, situated in vegetation near the brick rubble and other nearby debris. - Concrete scatter and broken pipe comprising a scatter of different chunks of concrete, likely demolition rubble, along with part of a cracked earthenware pipe, found near the pipe and cable debris. - Upturned concrete footing comprises a large, upturned section of concrete footing with its base exposed, found within the vicinity of the other demolition debris. • Concrete one comprises a long remnant piece of concrete which was also originally part of a slab, approximately 500 mm in length by 100 mm in width, found near a bush in proximity to the other concrete pieces. • Concrete two comprises a long remnant piece of concrete which was also originally part of a slab, approximately 700 mm in length, found near a bush in proximity to the other concrete pieces. • Concrete three comprises a long remnant piece of concrete, approximately 500 mm in length, found near a bush in proximity to the other concrete pieces. • Concrete four comprises a large chunk of concrete with large inclusions, which is approximately 300 mm long at its widest point, found near a bush in proximity to the other concrete pieces. • Potential flagpole area comprising the following: - Stone scatter an area of dense bushes surrounding a dead tree, within which is a scattering of worn stones or pebbles, located to the southeast of trash pile one, to the east of the former huts associated with Hutment Area 7. - Toilet cistern comprises a broken cistern, made from concrete with large inclusions, found close to the potential flagpole area. • Broken bricks comprise two hand pressed, orange-red bricks pieces with large inclusions, situated to the north of trash pile one, north of the hutment adjacent to the officers’ mess in the east but outside the Hutment Area 7 area. • Worked rock comprises a broken piece of worked historical rock, potentially of marble, which was identified to the northeast of trash pile one, northeast of the hutment adjacent to the officers’ mess in the east but outside the Hutment Area 7 area. • Fence panel comprises a modern timber fence panel with three upright posts and at least 20 horizontally aligned overlapping pickets, which is situated to the east of trash pile one, east of the hutment adjacent to the officers’ mess in the east. Darley Military Camp intersects with two areas of Aboriginal cultural heritage sensitivity associated with waterways: Lerderderg River, and Goodman Creek. Darley Military Camp is also intersected by CHMP 18111.
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