Parks Victoria - Annual Report 2009-10

Ritchie’s Hut rebuiltThe rebuild of Ritchie’s Hut, on the Howqua River nearMansfield, was completed during the year with a lot ofhelp from the community. Volunteers contributed 2,500hours to the project. The original hut was lost in theGreat Divide fires in 2006-07. The rebuild commencedin May 2008 with community volunteers, the VictorianHigh Country Huts Association, the Ritchie family andParks Victoria. Volunteers sourced timber from localforests, which they cut into slabs using a traditionaladze and broad axe. The hut was then dismantled andtransported to 8 Mile Flat by hand, pack-horse andhelicopter. The rebuilt hut reopened in April 2010.CHALET TURNS 100The much loved Mount Buffalo Chalet turned100 this year. Nearly 2,000 turned out for thecelebrations in May.For generations, the chalet was the place togo for a weekend getaway. The centenarycelebrations were a time for the communityto gather and reminisce about time spent atthe chalet.Heritage worksWith $20,000 of funding from Heritage Victoria, aseries of informative signs were installed at AndersonsMill in Smeaton. They provide information about thehistory of each of the heritage buildings and structures,the flour milling industry and the Anderson family, andallow visitors to take a self-guided tour.Parks Victoria received a grant of $131,000 from theDepartment of Environment, Water, Heritage and theArts for conservation heritage works at Andersons Mill.The grant funded repairs to the historic trestle legs,flume and wheel structures. The majority of the workswere completed during the year.Parks Victoria received a further grant of $72,727from the Australian Government Jobs Fund forheritage repairs at Coolart Homestead. The grantfunded repainting of the exterior of the homestead,replacement of rotted timber on the veranda and otherminor maintenance works.CommunitycelebratesRitchie's Hutrebuild.Chief Ranger Peter Jacobs said: “It was fantasticto see the community coming along in suchgreat numbers. Among the many guests onthe day were former chalet workers, guests,bus drivers, and relatives of the founders ofthe chalet. Everyone has a chalet tale to tell.The day really underlined that this place isextremely important to people and part of ourshared history.”Visitors filled the halls of the chalet to inspectits many historic artefacts, ornaments andphotographs. Local staff and volunteers inperiod dress played croquet on the lawns. Musicwas provided by the Mount Beauty Brass Bandand local musicians. The ranger-guided toursand behind-the-scenes look at the chalet werealso well received.The State Government has been workingwith the community to ensure a sound futurefor the chalet. Parks Victoria took over themanagement of the chalet in May last year.Since then, Parks Victoria has run a publictender process seeking interested investors.Legislation was introduced into parliament toincrease the leasing period to up to 50 years.Parks Victoria - Annual Report 2009-10 33