http://www.fadingvictoria.com/ Fading Victoria - fading suburban sites, rural ruins en-us http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20090303XF9N8876/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20090303XF9N8876/ Found by developers when digging up what was previously farmland, an official archeological dig uncovered evidence of an old residence, possibly dating back to the mid 1850s. The cobbled path near the bottom of the photo was thought to be leading to the front door. The local history group had trouble finding out anything about this building, or the land it stood upon, so it continues to remain a mystery. Inset shows an aerial view of the remaining wall stubs. The site has since been levelled and is currently being built upon. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20120428XF9N2564/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20120428XF9N2564/ A mapping error by council meant that an interim heritage overlay was declared invalid, allowing the developers of this property to begin demolishing the structure without penalty. The error was corrected a few days later, but it was too late: the building fabric and historical context of the site has been compromised enough that the proposal for permanent heritage protection has since been abandoned. The building will be demolished, and 10 apartments will be built on the site. Inset shows what the house used to look like. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20120405XF9N2028/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20120405XF9N2028/ Hiding in overgrowth a hundred metres past the High Camp station site is this old wooden buffer, which was used to retard or stop a train that tried to proceed beyond the end of the track. The Heathcote line closed in 1968. This photo was taken at night, lit only by a near full moon. The stop is not visible from the road even during daylight, so locating it in the dark was an interesting challenge. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20120318XF9N1590HDR/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20120318XF9N1590HDR/ This old cattle milking structure was found on a farm that was abandoned about 10 years ago, but it is likely to have fallen out of use some time before that due to the introduction of mechanised milking machinery. The wood has minimal processing, mainly just stripped of bark and cut where needed; the walls are lined with rusting tin. The feeding troughs still have some straw remaining in them. Some of the structure is missing - an entire portion has been neatly sawn off and removed. The electric light fittings have also disappeared. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20111009XF9N8334/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20111009XF9N8334/ A Bell 47J helicopter from the late 1950s that was retired from flight and used as a simulator at the former amusement park Wobbies World. The park closed in the late 1990s, and the helicopter moved to its current home at a private residence. The paint flaking from the tail is slowly revealing the previous owner's name "AIRFAST" underneath it. The helicopter was also used by Ansett-ANA. Inset shows the Wobbies World logo on the door. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20060704XF9N8593/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20060704XF9N8593/ A Parapunch card filled out in 1943 that appears to be details of ammunition stored at the former RANAD base. This soggy card was found lying on the ground shortly after an admin building was dismantled, and it's unlikely that explosives from 1943 would have still been stored in the base when it closed around 2000, so it had probably slipped into a cavity somewhere and had been hiding for many years. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20110625XF9N7226/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20110625XF9N7226/ Fire and vandalism has destroyed much of the structure of this old home. The chimneys and interior have art deco features, but the wooden lining visible beneath the plaster hints that the house is a fair bit older. The property has been abandoned for several years. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20110820XF9N7671/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20110820XF9N7671/ The remains of what is believed to be a hotel at one time. The building has unfortunately deteriorated significantly over the past decade, with the side wall and roof collapsing recently. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20110530XF9N3591/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20110530XF9N3591/ A small reminder of what would be considered today an unusual way to transmit power: via water piped under pressure. The Melbourne Hydraulic Service Co began operations in 1889 and continued providing service through a network of pumping stations and underground pipes for almost another 80 years. A common use was to raise water powered lifts in multi-storey buildings. The system was shut down decades ago, but this and a couple of other access hatches remain in the Melbourne CBD... if you look hard enough. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080525XF9N3197/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080525XF9N3197/ Inside the old mill building it is apparent that it is mostly just a remnant shell. Some flooring beams and supports are visible, but the floors themselves have been removed. I wonder what might be hiding beneath the undergrowth. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20110731XF9N7292/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20110731XF9N7292/ This is all that remains of the small weatherboard cottage, which caught fire in early 2011 under suspicious circumstances. After seeing the ruins I was most concerned for the owner, who is in his 80s, but it turns out he moved out and the building was vacant for several months prior to the fire. See below for an image of what it used to look like. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20051222XF9N5114/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20051222XF9N5114/ An old shed with post and rail fencing, possibly part of the original Summerhill estate in Wollert. This would have been a familiar sight to people driving on the Hume Freeway / Craigieburn Bypass, as it was situated immediately next to it. The structure was demolished in mid 2011. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20110327XF9N2924/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20110327XF9N2924/ A trashed room inside an old cottage. Some sections of the wallpaper have old newspaper and up to four layers of different wallpaper underneath; the adjacent room has newspapers from the 1950s as a floor underlay. This former farm complex will be redeveloped into industrial land in the future. For a different perspective I held my camera as high as possible, with the flash resting on the ceiling. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20110320XF9N2610/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20110320XF9N2610/ View from the guard house looking towards building 9 at a former armaments depot. A White Pages phone directory from 1984 is sitting on the desk. The area surrounding this cluster of buildings is currently being redeveloped into industrial land. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20091008XF9N6945/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20091008XF9N6945/ A prominent landmark on the main road into Romsey, this building functioned as a hotel until the late 1800's. The weatherboards were removed and the structure re-clad with this unusual collection of corrugated iron pieces sometime between 1968 and 1976. Many people probably don't realise that it has looked this way for around 40 years. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20090624XF9N1544/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20090624XF9N1544/ Land for this Church of England was reserved in 1868, so presumably building commenced around the same time. It appears it was never completed. A 5 acre cemetery on the adjoining block reserved in 1866 is less than 10% populated. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20090528XF9N0710/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20090528XF9N0710/ Side view of the Greenock Park Hotel. The shell seems to be reasonably intact, but it has apparently been in this state for several years. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20090528XF9N0714/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20090528XF9N0714/ Ruins of the Greenock Park Hotel. I arrived here after dark due to being distracted by some other nice finds in the surrounding area, but I wasn't going to let that stop me. This shot was exposed for 12 minutes; the facade was painted with light from passing vehicles. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20091230XF9N8270/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20091230XF9N8270/ A bridge abandoned when this area was flooded in the 1960s to create Lake Eppalock. Drought in more recent times has receded the water enough that the bridge has once again become exposed, and the river looks like a river again. Most of the land in this photo, apart from the distant hill, is usually under water, so obviously this road is no longer used for access. Inset shows detail of the wooden bridge decking that has been soaked for 40+ years. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20081220XF9N6762/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20081220XF9N6762/ An abandoned railway signalling system, with cut wire still hanging from the pole. The remains of an old semaphore signal are visible behind it. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20090528XF9N0599/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20090528XF9N0599/ A small bridge crosses a creek intersecting the former Redesdale railway line. The last train passed over it sometime in the 1950s. Tracks were pulled up long ago, but other structures such as this still remain within the reserve, mostly now private property. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20090618XF9N1135/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20090618XF9N1135/ Run down bluestone homestead in the middle of a new Vicurban estate. The rear iron roofing has fallen off, revealing what appears to be an earlier version of cladding. This property will be developed into a school in the future. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20100228XF9N7403/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20100228XF9N7403/ The front part of an old Chevrolet truck, which appears to be from an early 1940s Series AK. There are other similar era front ends littered around the yard. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20100218XF9N9667/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20100218XF9N9667/ The tags on this equipment say it was last checked in 1986, but its age looks to be a fair bit older. The ammeters are Triplett (left) and Weston (right) models. The railway line has been closed for around 15 years but the track and equipment have not been removed...yet. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20091012XF9N7119/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20091012XF9N7119/ An old mile post on the Pyrenees Highway. One side says "AT 72" (Ararat 72 miles), the other "C 13" (Castlemaine 13 miles). http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20090701XF9N2003/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20090701XF9N2003/ Old stone fence at a former farm site, which will soon be redeveloped into a wholesale market. This property used to front a sleepy dead end rural road; it's now a 4 lane major thoroughfare passing through several suburbs. This particular area is slated for high levels of industrial and commercial development. It's likely the extensive stonewall fencing on this property will be demolished. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20051010XF9N3218/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20051010XF9N3218/ Looking through roadside trees towards an old barn. Note the dunny attached to the rear. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20050908XF9N2165/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20050908XF9N2165/ A mature tree grows from the engine bay of a beaten up old car used for racing. The car has been in this position for at least 20-25 years. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20071013XF9N8416/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20071013XF9N8416/ Opened on 25th March 1888, this historic church recently closed after nearly 120 years of service. The site is currently for sale, marketed as "Land with opportunity" and "Excellent residential development potential (STCA)." The side wall of Fowles Cottage (since demolished to make way for units) is visible next to the church. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20071013XF9N8413/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20071013XF9N8413/ Built sometime between 1857 and 1880, this 130+ year old cottage contrasted sharply with rapid modern development in the surrounding area. It was demolished on 28th February 2008, but was derelict for some time before that. At one point squatters were living in the building. The property boundaries now show a redevelopment of four units. Next door is a church of similar vintage that is up for sale. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20070805XF9N6016/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20070805XF9N6016/ Old truck and harvester having what is probably a well earned rest. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20070303XF9N2622/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20070303XF9N2622/ This derelict weatherboard house, despite its appearance, is actually occupied. Power seems to be connected but the phone line has been neatly chopped off. The owner thought I was someone from the council wanting to harass him about native trees. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20081010XF9N4905/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20081010XF9N4905/ A virtually hidden cemetery that appears to have been abandoned. The newest grave was created 24 years ago, and the oldest (that I could find) dates back to the 1870s. The site is located near the summit of a mountain on a 1-in-5 steeply graded and badly rutted track. Mother nature has partially reclaimed the area which makes it very difficult to find, even if you know it's there. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080811XF9N4093/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080811XF9N4093/ An old bluestone shack and an unknown red brick structure, both in a sorry state of repair. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20081220XF9N6876/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20081220XF9N6876/ An old single lane bridge that has been bypassed by a concrete ford. To the right, a car's headlight trails show the deviation of the modern road. This photo was taken at around 9:15pm in near darkness, but a long exposure makes it appear to be a daylight shot. Note the missing rails - where did they go? http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080811XF9N4236/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080811XF9N4236/ An old weatherboard cottage that has probably seen better days. It seems only cattle live here now. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080525XF9N3133/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080525XF9N3133/ Hidden from view on a large private property, this three storey bluestone building adjacent to a creek was a flour/steam mill dating back to the 1850s. A photo from 1970 taken by John Collins shows the ruin was in a very similar condition to today. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20070901XF9N7462/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20070901XF9N7462/ A rusted and faded rural road sign advising that Bolinda is 7 miles away. According to the RACV, the logo to the right of the sign was introduced in 1950; miles as a measure of distance were phased out by around 1974. Based on these dates the age of the sign would have been between about 33 and 57 years old, at the time the image was taken in September 2007. The sign has been removed since. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20060507XF9N7183/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20060507XF9N7183/ A decaying road bridge, long ago bypassed with a modern concrete and bitumen monolith. They don't make them like they used to... http://www.fadingvictoria.com/collections/RANAD-Somerton-20060312/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/collections/RANAD-Somerton-20060312/ [IMAGE COLLECTION] 114 assorted photos of former Navy base. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080811XF9N4180/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080811XF9N4180/ Located around 1.5 kilometres away from the nearest commercial building in Talbot, this ruin may have been a hotel, or perhaps an extravagant home. The upper part of the chimney hints at the height and style of the missing roof. Sheep graze in the background. The site does not appear to be heritage listed. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080728XF9N3954/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080728XF9N3954/ The only building remaining at Olrig, believed to have been built in the 1840's, is now fully restored. In the early 1990s a rear weatherboard section was destroyed by fire; substantial corrugated iron outbuildings collapsed and were demolished in early 2007. At least 25 mature trees have been removed from the site since redevelopment began. Inset shows the remaining bluestone building fenced off and boarded up in February 2007. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080709XF9N3752/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080709XF9N3752/ Revisited 3 years later: Unfortunately, this tiny cottage appears to have collapsed. Visible in the debris is a sink and an old spring bed. See the image below to find out what it used to look like. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080709XF9N3866/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080709XF9N3866/ Revisited 18 months later: The house is still there, as are the two horses. This time only one of them wanted to pose. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080709XF9N3900/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080709XF9N3900/ Revisited 18 months later: The Calder Freeway bypass is complete, and this abandoned house is still standing. It used to be set back about 250 metres from a quiet rural road; it's now about 100 metres from a busy freeway. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20071214XF9N9739/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20071214XF9N9739/ An old beehive well on an abandoned rural property of roughly 300 acres in size. Being in a prime land development area - in fact there's a new estate developing less than 100 metres away - this view will probably be filled with new houses in years to come. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20071027XF9N8792/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20071027XF9N8792/ Two mailboxes at the start of a dead end road. Battery ruins visible in the background. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20070805XF9N6043/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20070805XF9N6043/ Charming rural sign, complete with pellet shot holes. http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080518XF9N2948/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080518XF9N2948/ The former John Kelly House at Beveridge is fenced off from casual observers, but appears to be gradually succumbing to vandals and the elements. I noticed several doorways were open when they had previously been secured. A sign out the front says, "Pride in Victoria's Heritage." http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080113XF9N0426/ http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20080113XF9N0426/ A magpie poses momentarily (see area to the right of the door) before wandering around this abandoned property. I could do the same, but I'd probably be prosecuted for trespass.