DRIK DRIK VILLAGE PRECINCT
NELSON-WINNAP ROAD, DRIK DRIK, GLENELG SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
The small settlement at Drik Drik on the Nelson-Winnap Road, located approximately 8kms due south of Dartmoor and 35kms north-west of Heywood, was established in the mid-1860s as a result of the subdivision of the surrounding land for selection. The land had been part of the original Glenaulin squatting run which, in the late 1850s, split into Glenaulin No. 1 and Glenaulin No. 2, later called Grunewald. The Parish Plan indicates the original road from Portland followed the Glenaulin Creek, and then turned north, just where the town began. This road has since been superseded. Many of the earliest families have the same surnames as the pioneers in the Cape Bridgewater area and there are several direct links, such as through the Lightbody family. The early community appears to have been tight-knit and self-supporting with the predominantly Wesleyan Methodists and Presbyterians selectors sharing their places of worship, the former erecting the first building. No township was planned and such small allotments as there were appear to have been ignored. Rather there was spontaneous development in the form of the two churches, a cemetery, a school and teacher's residence, a post office and, at the turn of the century, a butter factory. The main civic improvement was the planting of a memorial avenue of Ficus macrophylla (Moreton Bay Figs). Graham Bucknall, a former pupil of State School 971 became Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. J. L. Holmes, another former pupil of SS 971 became an Inspector of Schools. Perhaps because of the strong presence of Protestants, there appears to have been no pub. Few residences appear to have been built. The town has lost several important buildings which, although not large, represented important functions and sources of income. These losses and the decline of the town throughout the twentieth century are due to changed agricultural practices, redundant technologies, especially in butter manufacturing, and much improved transport and communication.
How is it Significant?
The Drik Drik precinct is of historical, social and architectural significance to the Glenelg Shire.
Why is it Significant?
The Drik Drik precinct is of historical significance as an example of the small settlements which emerged as a result of the major change in government land selection policy in the 1860s which declined with the changed circumstances in the following century. It is of social significance as a representation of self-reliance and community support, including the planting of a memorial avenue. It is of architectural significance for its collection of buildings, including the two churches and the State School.
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DRIK DRIK VILLAGE PRECINCT - Physical Description 1
Drik Drik is a small planned township, located on the Old Portland-Dartmoor (Winnap-Nelson) Road, which was probably a track that pre-dated the modern Portland-Dartmoor Road. The township is closely settled, with a tight precinct, all contained along the former alignment of the old road. On the east side of the road is a large area of vacant land. There are a number of of archaelogical sites contained within this area.
The following places are considered to be contributory to the precinct:
Memorial Avenue (Ficus macrophylla), Winnap-Nelson Road, Drik Drik
State School No.971 (Former), Winnap-Nelson Road, Drik Drik
Methodist Church (Former), Winnap-Nelson Road, Drik Drik
Uniting Church, Winnap-Nelson Road, Drik Drik
Buttery Factory Site, Winnap-Nelson Road, Drik Drik
Drik Drik Cemetery, Winnap-Nelson Road, Drik Drik
Site of the General Store, Winnap-Nelson Road, Drik Drik
Site of the Post Office, Winnap-Nelson Road, Drik Drik
Recreation Reserve, Winnap-Nelson Road, Drik Drik.DRIK DRIK VILLAGE PRECINCT - Historical Australian Themes
Historic Themes
4.1: Planning urban settlements
4.1.1: Selecting township sites
4.5: Making settlements to serve rural Australia
4.6: Remembering significant phases in the development of settlements, towns and cities
6.1: Forming associations, libraries and institutes for self-education
6.2: Establishing schools
6.5: Educating people in remote placesHeritage Study and Grading
Glenelg - Glenelg Shire Heritage Study Part One
Author: Carlotta Kellaway, David Rhodes Mandy Jean
Year: 2002
Grading:Glenelg - Glenelg Heritage Study Stage Two (a)
Author: Heritage Matters
Year: 2006
Grading:
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DRIK DRIK CEMETERYGlenelg Shire
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Primary School No 971National Trust
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Former Presbyterian ChurchNational Trust
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3 Sherwood StreetYarra City
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Archaeological siteSouthern Grampians Shire
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BLACKWOOD HOMESTEAD COMPLEX AND CEMETERYSouthern Grampians Shire
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