FORMER YALOCK HOMESTEAD

1670-1880 MOUNT COTTRELL ROAD MOUNT COTTRELL, MELTON SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • History

    FORMER YALOCK HOMESTEAD - History

    The first European to own this parcel of land was George Sherwin. In 1848 or 1849 James Pinkerton purchased the land and built the bluestone homestead - now in ruins. In c.1862 after much fire, drought and flood, Pinkerton sold the land to William Clark (Big Clark). The area has been used predominantly for sheep farming and market gardening. It is now owned by Western Water.

    Interpretation of Site

    FORMER YALOCK HOMESTEAD - Interpretation of Site

    The rich alluvial flood plain has probably supported a variety of crops since the mid 1800s. Although a good crop area, it is a poor place to build a house due to imminent flooding of the plain. The river terrace plain has been ploughed heavily including up to and around the house ruins.

    Archaeological Significance

    FORMER YALOCK HOMESTEAD - Archaeological Significance

    As the site is in a fairly remote area with difficult access on foot or by vehicle, artefat scavenging activities may not have been prolific. The area immediately outside of the ruins has been ploughed (lessening the chance of locating intact, insitu artefacts). However, within the floor area of the ruins insitu evidence may exist for early settlers to this region before and into the gold rush period.

    Historical Significance

    FORMER YALOCK HOMESTEAD - Historical Significance

    The site represents the activities of an early pastoralist and his family in Victoria. It reflects aspects of an early settlers mindset including naivety i.e. building on a flood plain and determination in succeeding in any case. The physical remains at the site reveal cultural information about the building techniques, and the equipment deemed necessary by the site's occupants to survive in this setting.

    Heritage Inventory Description

    FORMER YALOCK HOMESTEAD - Heritage Inventory Description

    Updated description: Ruins of "Yalock" homestead, a square, four-roomed bluestone building. All walls are in a collapsed state, the highest standing approx. 1 m. Wall thickness varies between 200 mm and 400 mm and walls have been constructed with a mortar bond between the bluestone blocks. Building foundations are 8 x 8 m, and structure backs onto a steep incline.

    [Reassessed for the Outer Western Metro Site Reassessment Project - Melton & Wyndham, March 2010]

    Previous description: Ruins of "Yaloak" homestead, a four-roomed bluestone house with central chimney. Walls are c.200mm thick of weathered basalt blocks probably from nearby outcrops. Stone was laid in mud mortar but much of this has washed out. Remaining walls stand about 1m high and most of the stone is still on site. The house is about 8 x 8 m. A dry stone wall aligns with the east wall extending 2 m north and 100m south. Exotic Acacia trees surround the site. Heritage Inventory Significance: The original "Yaloak" homestead of James Pinkerton - pioneer of the Kororoit Ck and Werribee River. Dates from 1848 or earlier. Mrs Noel Fethers - descendent of James Pinkerton, Melton Historical Society Recorded by: Gary Vines Date Recorded: 10FEB1992

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