1 Clunes Town Hall and Court
House, erected 1872-73, is amongst the most significant town halls in Victoria.
It is unusual for its combined hall and court facilities and architecturally is
very distinctive. Many early features survive internally, including decorative
schemes and a rare painted backdrop to the main hall. The timber hall at the
rear is the former Bible Christian Church, relocated from a site further east in
Bailey Street.
2 Former residence of
artist Richard Ford, erected c.1920-30, an unusual local example of Californian
Bungalow influence. Ford was responsible for the painted backdrop in the Town
Hall.
3 St Thomas Aquinas Roman
Catholic Church, designed 1872 by Ballarat architect Henry Caselli and his
assistant William Tappin, heavily influenced by designs provided for Bishop
Goold by eminent English Gothic Revival architect Charles Hansom. The unfinished
nature of the building is clearly seen in the toothed stonework. The picturesque
presbytery dates from c.1904.
4 Former Free library, erected
in the 1870s during the peak of prosperity at Climes. The double gable form is
unusual although a library or mechanics institute was to be found in most
Victorian towns during the nineteenth century.
5 Former South Clunes State
School No. 136, erected 1881 and partially closed due to cessation of mining
only eleven years later. Building reused as a knitting mill from the 1920s and
this use only ceased recently. This school design was first used at Horsham and
was the first in Victorian schools to incorporate a large area of verandah.
6 Shop and residence
probably erected in the
1870s to serve the `suburb' of South Clunes, scene of intensive mining activity
during the 1870s and 80s.
7 Characteristic early
brick residence, distinguished by its rendered walls, which recall the trade of
first owner and long time occupant, plasterer John Banvelh.
8 Former Masonic Lodge,
erected 1864 and now amongst the earliest surviving lodge buildings in Victoria.
The Clunes Lodge removed to the former Primitive Methodist Church in Service
Street in 1909 (q.v.).
9 Typical early miners
cottages erected on Camp Hill in the 1860s. The hill took its name from the
Court House and Police Station (demolished) erected in Camp Parade in the late
1850s.10 Former residence of Rivett Henry Bland, manager of the Port Phillip and
Colonial Gold Mining Company. His residence overlooks the site of the mine and
stands in a mature garden, contrasting strongly with the small miners cottages
on Camp Hill.
11 The Port Phillip mine
operated on deep quartz reefs which run under Clunes. It was instrumental
in proving their richness thereby ensuring prosperity for the town. The mine
produced over 16,000 kg of gold, the fourth most productive gold mine in
Victoria. It was foremost in technical innovation and is of national
significance to the history of mining in Australia.
12 Site of the Yankee,
Victoria and New North Clunes quartz reef mines. Each site is marked by large
mullock heaps and sites of many structures can be determined with the aid of
early photographs. The New North Clunes was the richest mine in Clunes, yielding
dividends of £750,000.
13 Former
Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, erected in 1869 following a disastrous fire in Lower
Fraser Street, the main commercial area of Clunes in the 1850s.
14 Former shop of George Dow,
pioneer local brickmaker and builder, which dates from the late 1850s. This is
almost certainly the earliest surviving commercial building in the Shire.
15 Former Union Bank, erected in 1865, now one of the
earliest surviving buildings in the main section of Fraser Street and a
forerunner of many new and rebuilt premises during the late 1860s and early
1870s as mining led Clunes to its peak of prosperity.
16 Former residence of Frederick Matthews, local agent for
Cobb and Co. coachlines, erected in stages from 1860-70. It is now unusual as
an early detached residence in a predominantly commercial precinct.
17 Former National Bank, rebuilt on the site of earlier
premises in 1871. Banking ceased in this building during the 1890s depression
and the building reopened as a State Savings Bank of Victoria in 1912.
18 Former London Chartered Bank (now RSL) erected to a
design of architect Leonard Terry in 1871. The timber chapel of St Paul's
Church of England was erected on this site in 185960 and relocated to
Templeton Street in 1869.
19 Club Hotel, erected 1870 on the site of James Ethersay's
private school. The balustraded single storey verandah is now a most unusual
survivor as is the carriage drive on the western side which leads to stables
at the rear.
20 Former warehouse of contractors Nichol and Wallace
erected in stages during the 1860s (discerned by the contrasting basalt and
brick construction on the side wall). The building now houses the Clunes
Museum, open regularly on weekends and holidays or by appointment.
21 Row of shops at the comer of Service Street and Fraser
Street erected c. 1870-90 following demolition of earlier premises. The group
of three shops at 4 Service Street was erected for Comishman James Tregonning
c.1869-70 and is the only local example of attached double storey shops.
22 "Jobson's Comer' is distinguished by its early
shopfront, post supported verandah and carriage entrance. The building now
defines the eastern limit of the commercial area, which formerly extended to
Bailey Street.
23 Row of shops, erected for different owners during
1864-71. The intact timber shopfronts and verandahs contribute to their
significance and, 27 Fraser Street is an uncommon example of basalt
construction amongst local commercial premises.
24 National Hotel, rebuilt in 1862 by Niels Nicholson on
the site of his Scandinavian Hotel. it was advertised in 1863 as the Robert
Burns Hotel and a decade later reopened as the National. It is one of the
earliest surviving structures in Clunes and of an earlier 'generation' than
most surrounding shops.
25 Shops on the north side of Fraser Street, all erected in
the late 1860s and early 1870s during the peak of mining prosperity at Clunes.
They all replaced earlier structures, generally of timber, which themselves
had replaced flimsy calico tents.
26 Timber hall, erected as a School of Mines and later used
by the Australian Natives Association. The retort furnace (indicated by the
large chimney) is still located in the rear rooms.
27 Suburb of North Clunes which flourished in the 1860s.
Several early residences still stand, including fine examples at 25 and 30
Albert Street. The area to the north forms the Clunes Common.
28 Clunes State School No. 1552 opened July 1875 on land
donated by Port Phillip Company mine manager R. H. Bland. Shortly before World
War One, it became one of Victoria's first Higher Elementary Schools.
29 A highly distinctive residence constructed in many
stages. Its dramatic siting on the escarpment emphasises the situation of
Clunes as a town within a deep river valley.
30 An early residence, notable for its elegant verandah and timber "ashlar'
front, imitating more expensive stone construction.
31 Queens Park, laid out on reclaimed ground in the 1870s and 1880s in lieu
of the earlier site for a 'botanical garden' further south along the creek.
The park has three sections, the northern park and garden, a central bowling
green (dating from the 1870s) and the southern 'pinetum' planted with
conifers.
32 Villa erected in the early 1860s for John Wakefield and
subsequently owned by his business associate Ralph Coundon. The site has a
secluded character with a walled rear courtyard and mature garden.
33 'Government Bridge' erected in 1862 as part of upgrading
of the Creswick to Clunes road. The original laminated timber arch was
replaced by a steel lattice girder in 1896.
34 A small cottage erected for rental in the early 1860s by
timber merchant Ralph Longstaff. His son was the distinguished artist Sir John
Longstaff, who spent his childhood in Clunes.
35 Former residence of Thomas Payne, variously employed as
miner, fireman and labourer. The rear section dates from 1863 while the front
section is an addition of the late 1860s.
36 Former Telegraph Hotel, erected in 1863 following a fire
which destroyed earlier premises. The upper floor included a 'lodge room'
where large meetings could be accommodated.
37 A characteristic early timber residence erected in 1860
and extended many times during the next decade. During the 1860s and 70s the
building was residence of two Bible Christian Ministers, whose church stood to
the north.
38 Residence erected by carpenter Peter Wallace in 1860 and soon enlarged.
One of the earliest surviving residences in Climes.
39 Clunes Post Office, erected to a design of the Victorian
Public Works Department in 1878-79. The site was formerly occupied by a post
office identical to part of the surviving post office at Talbot. Clunes is one
of the most intact Italinate post office buildings in Victoria and a crucial
landmark in the Clunes valley.
40 Police buildings were relocated from Camp Parade onto
this site (formerly used as a market) in 1872. The complex includes stables
and a rare portable timber lock-up.
41 A large Wesleyan Church erected in two stages (1863 and
1870). It is a powerful symbol of the success of the non-conformists in Clunes,
boosted by the large population of Cornish miners. The interior of the Church,
with its two large galleries, is especially significant.
42 A small Presbyterian Church, erected in 1861-62. Unlike
the neighbouring Wesleyan congregation, the Presbyterians did not expand
greatly, although a substantial basalt manse was erected to face Alliance
Street in the mid 1860s.
43 Location of the earliest cemetery in Clunes and later used as a site for
the Primitive Methodist Chapel.
44 Residence of brickmaker George Washington Dow, considerably altered and
extended during the period 1865-1910.
45 Residence of miner, John Growcott, erected c. 1861 with
a later wing to the east. The garden, including a large orchard at the rear,
is typical of the period 1860-80.
46 Hall erected in 1868 for the teetotal Independent Order
of Rehabites and now one of the few surviving nineteenth century temperance
halls in Victoria. The building was converted for amusements and known as
Apollo Hall, then purchased for a schoolroom by the nearby Primitive Methodist
Church. Usage as a fire station commenced in 1904.
47 Another early residence where diverse building forms
betray many additions to the original cottage. This is only one of many
residences in Service Street erected during the mining era in Clunes.
48 Former Primitive Methodist Church, erected 1868 using
typical Gothic elements but refaced in Classical garb by the Masonic Lodge in
1908-09. The earlier Lodge still stands in Camp Street.
49 St Pauls Church of England, with early timber chapel
(185960, relocated from Fraser Street 1869) and basalt church (187071 and
later extended) is a precinct of outstanding historical and architectural
significance. The relocation onto higher ground is a telling comment on the
modest success of the establishment church and its close connections with
mining manager R. H. Bland, whose works the church overlooked.
50 Former residence of William Scott, erected in 1863 after profiting from
his share in the Yankee mine located at North Clunes.
51 Former vicarage of St Paul's Church of England, erected
to a design of architect Leonard Terry in 1863. During this period the timber
church was located in Fraser Street.
52 This site was first set aside in 1863 for the Glendaruel,
Coghill's Creek, Beckworth, Clunes and Eglington Agricultural Society. An
annual show is still held in November each year.
53 Former Railway Hotel, erected in the 1870s to profit from its close
proximity to the new Climes Railway Station.
54 Remains of the 'Big Dam' embankment, constructed in 1859
and the first substantial reservoir in Clunes. The dam dried up in 1862-63 and
was replaced by an ill-fated dam at Coghill's Creek before reticulation was
introduced in the 1870s.
55 Railway Station opened in 1875 as part of the new
Ballarat to Maryborough railway. The design is similar to others on this line
and features a fine cast iron platform verandah.
56 South Clunes and Lothair mines commenced operations
close to town in the late 1850s and profitably exploited the auriferous quartz
reefs and deep alluvial leads until the 1880s. The Lothair mine was the cause
of a riot in 1873 when management attempted to use Chinese labour to break a
strike.
The Talbot and Clunes Heritage Project was established with
$300,000 from the Commonwealth/State Bicentennial Commemorative Program. Funds
are loaned and granted for the restoration of historic buildings, sites, works
or landscapes in the two towns. Advice and applications are available from the
Heritage Adviser, who works part time from the Shire Office. Similar brochures
for Talbot and the deserted mining township of Amherst are also available from
the following bodies.
This information was written by Richard Aitken and funded by
the Commonwealth/State Bicentennial Commemorative Program.