Dry Stone Walls populate the relatively flat landscape in the rural corners of the City of Whittlesea on the outskirts of northern Melbourne. This area is experiencing rapid development. Dry stone walls were built traditionally on farms for boundaries. There are a number of references to dry stone walls in the Whittlesea Heritage Study (1992). Yarra Plenty Regional Library have a number of photos in our collection with dry stone walls in the background.
“Since the 1870s dry stone walls have been commonplace crossing fields and paddocks west of the Plenty River. It is a point of contention whether these walls are viewed as entirely practical, a specialised craft, or public art. They are however, a testament to the city’s cultural heritage. At Westgarthtown, established in 1850, German settlers built many kilometres of dry stone walls as they cleared their lands of stone. At Epping, dry stone walls were being constructed in 1891 at Sambourne Farm. At Yan Yean, Fenwick Farm has over ten kilometres of dry stone walls, believed to have been built between 1870 and 1890. The approach to the homestead incorporates the best and most intact example of dry stone walling to a single farm in the City of Whittlesea. Today despite the recent vast increase in population within the City of Whittlesea, many dry stone walls will remain to provide residents with an inspiring connection to the early days of their cultural heritage.”
Source: City of Whittlesea Cultural Collection strategy 2008-2012 page 22
Source acknowledged: Raelene Marshall (artist) and Whittlsea Dry Stone Group, 2002, A Stone Upon A Srone Project, City of Whittlesea panel
There are also dry stone walls in Kangaroo Ground.
English poet Pam Ayres wrote about those who erect them:
I am a dry stone waller
All day I dry stone wall
Of all appalling callings
Dry stone walling’s
Worst of all.
Source: Kangaroo Ground Chronicle: newsletter of the Andrew Ross Museum INC. Vol 12 No 2 Winter 2006 p. 16
