colonial Gippsland

• Used for military purposes

• Later used as a dwelling

Until recently very few people knew of the Sale Powder Magazine or of its importance to Gippsland’s heritage. It was rediscovered during a Sale Heritage Study in November 1995 and the building was returned to public ownership, to the newly created super municipality of Wellington in June 1996.

Government powder magazines were built to provide maximum safety for the storage of blasting powder used for pulverising rock on the Victorian goldfields. At first the diggers of the 1850s gold rushes fossicked and panned for alluvial gold. When the surface gold ran out they turned to deep alluvial and quartz deposits. This more complex form of mining required large quantities of powder.

Unprotected stockpiles of powder were the cause of deep concern for public safety, so regulations concerning the importation, carriage and storage of powder were introduced. Anyone bringing large quantities of blasting powder into a district served by a powder magazine was required to keep it there and pay a small storage fee. It was common place for a local policeman to be appointed keeper (Synan, 1995 p 36).

Sale’s Powder Magazine was built in 1864/65 by Irving and Co. (also built Stawell powder magazine), in response to the Gippsland gold rushes of the 1860s. It is similar to the one located at Beechworth, in its size, massive buttressed walls, barrel-vaulted ceiling and slate roof (Synan, 1995, p 36). In comparison to other magazines the one in Sale has some distinctive and unique features. Its brick walls sit on a double course of sandstone blocks, it does not have an outer wall to afford additional protection from the elements like bushfires, as most magazines did and it has four vents located in the ceiling.

The Magazine was built to a military design for black powder and it had a 26 ton capacity. This design was not used after 1888 as gelignite became the preferred explosive. Because of its explosive power it was not economical to build brick buildings so tin sheds with earthen walls were constructed (Synan, 1996). The location provides natural protection as it is surrounded by Flooding Creek on three sides (north, east and south) and by swamp (western side). Due to its location on Flooding Creek, and distance from town, it was sited in an ideal safe position in case of an explosion. It was also not too distant from the local police station charged with its operation.

As with the earlier gold rushes in Victoria, the government sprinkled its Gippsland powder magazines at ports of entry adjacent to the goldfields themselves. Apart from Sale, facilities were provided at the first port of entry, Port Albert, and at Bairnsdale, Woods Point and Omeo (Burill, 1996). The decision to locate a large magazine at Sale reflected the transport pattern of colonial Gippsland. Sale was located on the main road to Port Albert, which was the main port of entry to the province. Sale was also centrally positioned in Gippsland which made it convenient to the goldfields of Walhalla, Jordan, Boggy Creek and Crooked River (Synan, 1995, p 36).

Powder arrived first into North Gippsland by ship via Port Albert. Later, after the Lakes were opened up to shipping it was delivered to the Latrobe Wharf which was located close to Sale. From here it was transported by horse and wagon straight to the magazine. The powder was stored on 4x4 oregon beams and came in quantities of 25lb, 50lb and 100lb barrels. The turnover of powder in 1871 was 200cwt per month (Synan, 1996). It was illegal for carriers to transport quantities of powder that were in excess of the regulations, those apprehended were summoned to the Sale Police Court. Often a reprimand instead of a fine was given as punishment.

Safety precautions relative to the operation of a powder magazine dominated building design, siting and usage. The Magazine was constructed with massive walls and an arched ceiling that would deflect a blast upwards rather than downwards. The use of wooden pegs in the construction of the floor and fittings eliminated one possible source of sparking. People entering the magazine were required to wear special footwear or none at all.

Bushfires remained a constant threat and although Sale’s Magazine was naturally protected by water it did not remove the threat entirely. Even when a grass fire threatened, the local police sergeant would mount an all night vigil to ensure the safety of the magazine (Synan, 1995, p 36).

With the decline in goldmining in Gippsland there was a reduced demand for the bulk storage of powder, consequently the Office of Mines deemed it necessary to close the magazine in 1881 in the face of local protests. Although the powder magazine no longer served the goldfields the facility remained intact and was put to a military use. In the mid 1880’s militia units were formed to counter act the perceived Russian threat (Synan, 1996). Although the response was exaggerated the Victorian Mounted Rifles was raised and a detachment was based at Sale. They were closely related to the Sale Rifle Club which began operation at around the same time.

Consequently the Borough Council allowed the rifleman to establish a rifle range on the Sale Common which was located not far from the Powder Magazine. These trainee marksman found the magazine a useful facility and used it primarily as an ammunition depot, as did the local detachment of infantrymen, the Victorian Rangers. The magazine was still used by local storekeepers to store small quantities of powder. They supported its retention and paid a small fee for the privilege of using it (Synan, 1995, p 37).

From around 1890 use of the magazine fluctuated as storekeepers and the military did not use it consistently. Other uses were suggested to the Sale Council but nothing eventuated as it was still considered to be a useful asset for the military. In the early 1900’s mining activity in Victoria had waned and the sporadic use of magazines by the military was deemed to be no longer economical. In the case of Sale’s Magazine it was sold to a Thomas Kennedy who took up residence in 1926 (Synan, 1996). It was government policy in Victoria to sell redundant magazines to returned men from WW1 as it was a cheap form of housing (Burill, 1996).

The Magazine was again sold in 1929, to the Garrett family of Longford. During this third stage of occupancy the original building was modified and then extended by the addition of a number of rooms, constructed of weather board and masonite materials. Chimneys, doorways and windows were added as were gardens, trees, creepers and blackberries that have today disguised the original purpose of the building.

In late 1995 interest grew in the Sale Powder Magazine and local government, the Sale Heritage Committee and Historical Society joined forces to begin the purchase, restoration and conservation of a unique building, that had lay hidden very close to town and lost in local history. Since its rediscovery its heritage value has been recognised and it is related directly to Gippsland’s golden decade of the 1860s.

Magazine Structure

Overall the building is structurally sound but it has undergone some changes. The main modifications are:

• Of the ten buttresses, six have been removed leaving only one on each corner.

• All of the wall vents have been sealed, although they still remain and are easily identifiable.

• A window has been constructed through the western wall to allow additional light.

• The small north facing window has been replaced by a much larger window. The stone surrounds of the original window have been stored on site.

• An additional door has been cut through the eastern wall.

• A double fireplace has been built into the eastern wall, one serving the interior of the building and the other the skillion located on the opposite side.

• The interior has been partitioned into two rooms. This does not infringe on the integrity of the original building as it is only a temporary structure.

• The lightning conductors have been removed.

• The internal brickwork has been painted, as has the exterior of the eastern wall.

• The storage racks have been removed.

• Only one post remains of the original fence that acted as a means of controlling entry to the Magazine.

• The roof is sound although there are some missing and dislodged slates.

• Original bricks and sandstone bearers are scattered around the property, others have been used to construct the chimneys and fireplaces.

The modifications when viewed in perspective are fairly minor and do not substantially detract from the sense of being in a special building. The vestibule (accounting room) appears to be in its original condition, this includes its windows, doors and locks. All flooring throughout the building is intact and original.

Magazine Site

Built Environment

• It is significant as a building because it is one of the few intact and original Powder Magazines extant in Victoria. The basic structure is relatively unchanged and many original fittings are still in situ.

• It is significant as a powder magazine because the design used to store the black powder has a number of unique features. It sits on a course of sandstone blocks, has four venting points in the ceiling and is protected on three sides by water (Flooding Creek) and on the fourth by a swamp. All these features are found only in the Sale Powder Magazine. The presence of a ‘water barrier’ to protect the Magazine from bushfires is unusual as all other magazines of the same construction had a thick brick wall built around them.

• It is a significant heritage building as it is one of the oldest remaining structures (circa 1864) in the City of Sale (established in 1844) and is overall in its original condition.

Social Environment

• It is significant to the heritage of the Victorian Police Force because from 1864 - 1881 the management of the Magazine was the responsibility of the local police Sergeant. This involvement is significant as it was a part of ordinary police duties in the area of Sale and a number of local police would have worked as Keeper at the Magazine.

• It is significant to the commerce of the area because local storekeepers could store their powder in the Magazine. Considering the amount of powder that transited through the Magazine (1871 a turnover of 200cwt/month) it would have been a focal point for storekeepers conducting their business and a place that they would have visited regularly.

• It is significant to the development of the Gippsland region and Sale as the powder was used to mine for gold and many gold miners collected their powder from the Magazine and supplies from local store keepers.

• It is significant to the development of local militia forces as from 1895 the military used the Magazine as an ammunition store because it was a suitable and safe location. It was located very near the Sale Rifle Range on the Sale Common and would have been a meeting place for the local military detachments of the Victorian Mounted Rifles and Victorian Rangers.

• The Magazine is significant to Victoria’s military history, as local men belonging to these units, who trained on the rifle range and used the Magazine fought in the Boer War and later in WW1. The Victorian Mounted Rifles in isolation adds additional significance. This unit became the 4th Light Horse Regiment in WW1 which served at Gallipoli and became famous for the Charge of Beersheba in Palestine. Local soldiers from this unit would have been associated with the Sale Powder Magazine as many of those who enlisted in the regiment belonged to local militia units.

The Powder Magazine is a significant part of the heritage of Sale for its association with gold mining; representing directly this industry which was important in the early development and economic activity of Sale as a township, and of the region. As gold discoveries were made in the Gippsland mountains at Crooked River, Grant, Jordan, Boggy Creek and Walhalla the economy of Sale surged as it developed into a regional centre (Synan, 1996). The lakes and rivers became navigable and Port Albert declined as the main entry point to Gippsland. Sale became the gateway to Gippsland and the Sale Powder Magazine played an important part in expanding the local and regional economy.

Tourism

The Sale powder Magazine is situated on an attractive peninsula bordered by Flooding Creek and is very closely situated to the Wetlands Walk that traverses Lake Guthridge and Lake Guyatt. Both lakes form part of the wetlands that border on the southern edge of Sale township. It is proposed to build a Wetlands Centre at Lake Guthridge which will incorporate a tourist centre and wetland information and education facility (Lush, 1997). With the construction of two bridges to link the Magazine property to Lake Guyatt it could easily be incorporated into the wetlands experience.

The Magazine could be adapted to a small museum featuring goldfields history and artefacts. With the attraction of the Wetlands close by it could be advertised as an adjunct to the wetlands experience. The Magazine is situated on a large block that lends itself to being developed into a park/barbeque area with lawns and nice shade trees. In addition if tourists chose to just visit the Magazine, off street parking is available on the property in an area that is not in the direct line of sight of the building.

At present the prospect of developing a Gippsland Heritage Trail Touring Route is under discussion. The aim is to develop a trail based on Gippsland’s history (Lush, 1997) which would be available for tourists to the area. The Sale Powder Magazine would be an important addition to such a trail as it is an important landmark, representing the gold mining era of Gippsland.

Sale is situated in Gippsland and is on the edge of the Lakes district, consequently many tourists pass through the town enroute to Lakes Entrance and the East coast. Statistics concerning day trips indicate that adults travelling with children are more likely to visit the Gippsland region and stay for an average of 3.9 nights (VRTTS, 1995).

Domestic tourism is steadily rising in Australia and in the year ending June 1996, residents took 63.0 million trips within Australia of at least one nights duration (up 8.9% on y/e June 1995) and spent 256.5 million nights away from home (up 4.1%). In the June Quarter 1996, trips increased by 12.2% and nights by 4.6% compared to the June Quarter 1995, refer Table 1. From these figures it is expected that Gippsland will experience a steady rise in tourist numbers (Tourism Facts, 1996).

The following table demonstrates an increase in domestic tourism in Australia with a steady rise indicated in the number of domestic trips conducted and the number of nights that tourists spent away from home (Tourism Facts, 1996). This information is significant because it demonstrates a continual growth in the tourism industry.

Table 1: DOMESTIC TOURISM

The following tables 2 and 3 represents a concise breakdown of visitors to the Gippsland and Lakes regions, illustrating length of stay, purpose of visit, types of activities and expenditure (VRTTS, 1995).

The figures in Table 2 (day trips) indicate the following for the Lakes and Gippsland regions (Note: figures added and then averaged, as Sale is in both regions):

• Total day visitors are 1,512,000.

• Total expenditure is 46m.

For both regions (the % of) tourists visit on average to:

2. Picnic/BBQ - 16% 42% of visitors

This information is significant because it demonstrates that a considerable number of tourists conduct day visits to the region and of these 42% could be potential users of the Magazine site.

Table 2: Day Trips