Upper Jamieson Hut
Details:
Located: Eight Mile Creek, off Brocks Rd GPS: S37 15.45 - E146 26.90 Caretakers: AULRO – Australian Land Rover Owners List: Register of the National Estate Class: Historic Legal Status: Registered (21/10/1980) Place ID: 103664 Place File No: 2/07/236/0032 Significance:
Its drop-slab construction, demonstrates an early vernacular construction type which is rarely used today and marks a distinct period in the history of forest worker refuge huts. Its remote location and rustic construction provide evidence of the working lives of forest workers before World War Two and 4WD vehicles and better roads. This hut has been marked on recreation maps and used by many for recreation purposes. It also has a symbolic role in the local community’s view of bush life and its history. The hut’s reputed builder, Fred Fry, is still well known in the region for his bush craft and the huts he built in the Howqua and Jamieson valleys. His work was acknowledged publicly at his death: this hut is linked with Fry by its construction technique and the history of its use. Description:
The hut is of drop slab construction, using timber from the area, and is set out on a plan of five bays by four. The roof form is gabled and clad with corrugated-iron (some Lysaght Guinea brand) over a pole frame. This corrugated-iron brand was used from c1938. A shallow skillion veranda on the north side appears to have been added. The chimney has a rubble stone base; pole framed upper cladding of corrugated-iron and a brick hearth. Inside there is a sleeping mezzanine (added? -there by the mid 1980s) and the floor is clad with sheeting. Windows are timber framed and a ledge & braced door is used at the entry. The basic character of the hut is similar to other Fry huts, such as Ritchie’s and Gardner’s. History
In the early 1960s, when the Forest Commission were preparing to log the Upper Jamieson area for Woollybutt and white gum, Jim Ware was employed to re-open bridle tracks in the area. He camped at the Upper Jamieson hut during this period, as did the parties of timber assessors. The Upper Jamieson hut is built in Fry’s characteristic style, using a drop-slab construction method and rubble-stone chimney. The hut was probably built as a forestry hut, but also as a general shelter for the area. The Upper Jamieson hut has also been used regularly by those on bushwalking trips or fishing in the area. A track leading south from the hut follows climbs to the summit of Mt McDonald. Fred Fry was born in Mansfield in the late 1890s, and died in 1971, receiving a glowing tribute in the "Mansfield Courier". Like Jim, Fred had used a wagon and team in the Allen Brothers` and later John Ross’s carrying business to serve the Woods Point and Gaffney’s Creek goldfields. Fred then acquired his own team and worked until superseded by motor vehicles. Fred then worked as a stockman at Wonnangatta Station until settling at Howqua Hills where he worked for the Forest Commission and later the Lands Department. He was regarded highly as a bushman.
In May 2007 restoration work was carried out by the DSE which included a new roof, new posts, replacement of some of the wall slabs, a new floor, a new chimney and a new veranda. Courtesy Department of the Environment and Water Resources |  |
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| AULRO June 2007 | |
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| AULRO June 2007 | |
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| AULRO June 2007 | |
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| AULRO June 2007 | |
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| AULRO May 2007 | |
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| AULRO May 2007 | |
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| Bill Statton 2005 | |
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| Bill Statton 2005 | |
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| Bill Statton 2005 | |
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| Gary Duncan 2004 | |
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| Unknown 2001 | |
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| G Duncan 1990’s | |
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| John Mitchell in 1971 | |
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