Thank you to everyone who attended the Eaglehawk Heritage Study workshop on December 2, 2024.

An updated heritage study for the Eaglehawk district is needed as the previous study was completed in 1993. The 1993 study focused on the Victorian era and well known heritage places, and as such, there were gaps in different heritage styles and eras which we think should now be reviewed.

We know that there is a wealth of research and knowledge within the Eaglehawk community about the district’s history and heritage. There are also people who have a deep understanding of the cultural heritage, family histories, and the unique factors that sets Eaglehawk apart from other areas.

A heritage study is prepared in two stages.

Stage 1 is a thematic history, and this outlines the key heritage themes that are important to a place. This is the stage that we’re currently at, and we’d like the community’s views on the heritage and history of Eaglehawk to help us complete the thematic history.

Once stage 1 is complete, the City can then prepare a stage 2 study.

Stage 2 is a detailed assessment of specific places, buildings and precincts, and it will use information from the stage 1 study. A stage 2 study will recommend an update to local heritage protection, known as heritage overlays.

The following resources will help guide us in preparing the Eaglehawk Heritage Study:

As such, the study should link historical themes to this character that’s still there today. Like other places, there can be negative aspects of history. It is important to acknowledge positive and negative aspects of history and how they’ve influenced future generations and the community spirit.

There are also negative aspects of Eaglehawk’s history that weren’t unique to Eaglehawk. Deforestation associated with the mining boom is an example of this.

There has always been a distinct separation and difference in character between Eaglehawk and Bendigo. The final study will reflect and respect this relationship.

Some people pointed out errors in the timelines. It’s important that the study gets these details correct, particularly when they relate to important moments in Eaglehawk’s history, such as settlers’ gold discovery, and the establishment of the Borough Council. Feedback and corrections on dates and timelines is welcomed from the community.

Mining often had a negative impact on working families. Injuries, illnesses and fatalities were more common than they should have been. Poor working conditions had intergenerational impacts and given the high proportion of mine workers in Eaglehawk, the study will assess mining as a theme.

Grief, not gold: mining accident fatalities in Eaglehawk, written by Noelene Wild (2001), is a valuable resource when considering this theme.

Many rivalries, buildings, community connections, and families can be linked to sport. Each club has its own story to tell, and the diversity of facilities and sports played in Eaglehawk demonstrates this. Baseball, bowls, badminton and everything in between is played in Eaglehawk.

The development of a swimming pool has its own history which ties in with Eaglehawk’s community strength.

Education and community infrastructure has also helped to form a unique culture in Eaglehawk. There are local experts who have researched the history of Eaglehawk’s schools.

The current IGA site was home to a YMCA building, and there once a maternal and child health centre where the rotunda now stands at the primary school.

The electric tram between Eaglehawk and Bendigo was mentioned in the presentation, but its predecessor, the steam tram was omitted. The railway station precinct is also significant due to the role it played in connecting Eaglehawk to other places.

Breweries, preserve factories, boot makers, mechanics, butchers, and cordial factories were all listed as important businesses that help to tell the history of Eaglehawk.

Similar to Victoria Hill in Ironbark, there are opportunities to develop former mining sites as heritage parks with walking paths, information signage, and showcasing the physical remains. The former Virginia Mine site would be a good example of a suitable site for this.

There are a number of examples in Eaglehawk where the conditions of heritage buildings are deteriorating due to neglect. City officers are committed to investigating options for preventing privately owned heritage buildings failing into disrepair, but this will not be addressed by this heritage study.

Individual citations for heritage places included in the 1993 study are not fit for purpose with the current planning system. This is because they don’t include enough detail.

Updating heritage place citations with existing heritage overlays will be done as part of the stage 2 study.

The heritage status of Eaglehawk’s Town Hall precinct will be studied, either in the first or second stages of the study. A review will also be undertaken on whether it meets the criteria for State significant heritage status.