Thurs, 23rd July, 2015 Hard Hill Tourist Reserve, Wedderburn (history walk)

6.6 degrees in the van at 6.30am so I put the heater on so we could be warm for breakfast. At 8am we were fogged in and it was only 0.5 degrees outside. Another couple had pulled in for the night.

At 9.30 the fog has cleared to a lovely clear sky. Steve coloured my hair before he headed out in search of that big nugget.

At 11am the fog was back as I headed over to see how the stewing pot was going. They had decided to keep it burning yesterday so they got all the oil off yesterday. The original pot that Arthur put in had rusted away and then the next one that was given to Robbie had deteriorated so this is the latest one.

There were still a few drops still sitting on top of the water. 

The guys said they had been broken into last night and the thieves stole their petty cash tin with a whole $8 in it – fancy in a small town like this you still have little idiots!! I remember saying to Steve that I saw car lights about 8.30pm but we didn’t hear a car.

Now the oil has been removed the leaves have to be taken out. The aroma was lovely though the guys said they are over it was they have worked in the industry for many years. One chap whose father and grandfather had worked in the industry, is now allergic to eucalyptus oil.

It was still very steamy. They leaves are layered onto wire and they have a hook to lift it out of the pot.

I headed off to explore. Looking back on the dam beside the stewing pot.

A bit of history of the area.

The volunteers have resurrected a puddling machine.

Climbed up the hill. Wish we could find a nugget like these.

The tunnel. Of course someone has to dump their rubbish in it.

Found a filled in shaft. Didn’t find any Chinese round ones.

Headed into town past the Government Gold Battery. It is open by appointment.

An old house etc opposite the battery. Thought to be the oldest building standing in Wedderburn.

The fog has settled again – should I go back and get a bigger coat. Nah I have 3 layers on so should be fine.

This building was originally the Royal Hotel and now a private residence.

Wandered through Ted’s Garden, Edward Hargraves, who donated the land to the council for a community garden.

Some buds are forming on the trees.

Another Kangaroo Chair like the one at Tarnagulla.

At the other end is a grassy area which leads down to Nardoo Creek.

Another garden bed with some cactus.

Mechanics Institute and Library.

Wedderburn Hotel. There was a boomerang factory near here too!!

The Uniting Church.

Soldier’s Memorial Park.

Hinkler’s Lamp.

Old style drains.

Got a couple of vegies from the shop and headed back to the van for lunch. Then off again to check out the Museum.

First though was Butterick’s House. A very interesting story about their gold finds and a mine in the middle of the road.

Across the road was another church which was originally the Presbyterian Church. It was erected in 1868.

The Coach House Gallery and General Store Museum started off in the 1860s as the General Store in the little building where the gallery is and then grew into the big store from 1910. The chap who created Sovereign Hill and Swan Hill tourist attractions started the collection in the General Store. It is now run by a volunteer organisation. There is so much to look at but it is freezing in here.

Amazing ceiling in the big building.

They even found a full tin of biscuits – don’t think they would be too tasty now!!

Complete sets of cast iron saucepans. They ladies were strong back then as these are very heavy.

So many wonderful items have been saved from the rubbish bin.

Outside are some sulkies, wagons etc that they are hoping to restore one day.

Underneath the big General Store is the cellar where there is more to see. Shelves of bottles.

Lots of old photos. This one is the mine in the street opposite the Butterick House.

Some sort of steam driven machinery.

A great shot of Wedderburn in the 1890s, looking south, taking from the top of the Korong Flour Mill (now where the Soldiers Park is). The Flour Mill was destroyed by fire in 1919 by some kids smoking – there was a tobacconist next door!! The little store (now the gallery) is the first building on the left. The big General Store hasn’t been built yet.

The front of the ‘then general store’ (gallery) and the butcher next door.

Walked through to the original cellar with its hand laid stones and lovely fireplace. There are trapdoors leading to the footpath for the goods to be handed down through.

Butter churns.

Gold prospecting equipment.

The backyard had stables and yards for the horses and the coachbuilders barn.

A lovely old hearse which used to be trucked down to Melbourne for the Moomba Parade.

This one is cute.

The blacksmithing area.

Looking up at the back of the General Store and the original brick store on the right at the front.

Warmed up beside the fire in the Gallery chatting with a couple of people then headed back to the van. The fog is heavy again.

Worked on my blog waiting for Steve to come back with all his gold. Unfortunately he left it in the ground – no joy for him. A police car had driven past a couple of times and pulled in when Steve came back. He was investigating the break in so I told him of the light I saw last night. The bus parked in the actual RV area said he saw someone walking with a torch about 8.30 so that must have been what I saw. Probably local kids but why break in to a volunteer place that doesn’t have much any case, and they used bolt cutters so he warned us not to leave anything out overnight.

Quite night in the van.