By Kath Gannaway
Gulf Station, one of Victoria’s most complete group of slab constructed pioneer farm buildings remained unchanged in the hands of the Bell family for nearly 100 years.
It was a working farm that would have needed a lot of hands-on skills to keep it operating, and to keep the buildings maintained.
Today, under the stewardship of the National Trust, the farm is maintained by volunteers.
Maintaining the buildings, using traditional materials and tools, and the garden, recreating the cottage garden of the era, is a labour of love.
Team leader Mike Ridley has been working on the farm for 20 years, Peter Petherbridge even longer with a 35 year connection. Others such as Barry Roberts are relative newcomers and much-needed and welcomed ‘new blood’ learning new skills and making a great contribution to the future of Gulf Station.
The farm is a time-capsule of a past era – the homestead and outbuildings including the barn, butcher shop, separator room, dairy, school house, slaughter house, shearing shed and stables tell a compelling story.
Rebuilding the post and rail fencing around the sheep yards is the focus at the moment, although ongoing general maintenance is always on the list.
Barry says it’s the only place he can learn the skills. “I used to come up here as a kid and remember all the animals. I dropped in one day to see what was happening and signed up,” he said.
He is typical of the volunteers the team is looking for. Someone who is keen to learn, and can also help out with some of the muscle work.Gardening enthusiasts are also on the ‘must have’ list.
While Gulf Station still has school and other groups come through, and one or two open days each year, the hope the volunteers have is that it will once again become part of a broader tourism package for Yarra Glen.
“We’re working with the Trust and Yarra Ranges Council to try to understand where this place fits in the future,” he said.
“We are maintaining it, and we think it’s being maintained pretty well. What I would like to know from the shire is where they see it, and we’re starting those discussions.
“This area should have big pull for families” Mike adds.
“What we’re looking forward to is talking with the shire about its potential when the railway comes through and how to hook into a broader visitor experience.”
In the meantime, plans are afoot for an open day on 13 October, and the push for more volunteers is ongoing.Anyone who would like to know more can contact Mike on 0418 322 969, or call in on any Thursday.
