The selection of topics for major studies came about for a number of reasons. Consequently, there is a certain random quality to the order different topics.
‘Chaffmills In Melbourne’s West’ 1987
It is so easy to forget that before the motor car how much we relied on the horse and how much the horse was tied into the economic structures and economic imperatives of life not so long ago. This was certainly the case in the early history of Melbourne.
Horses needed food and chaff was a major component of that food. So the production of chaff played a crucial part of the economics of early Melbourne. This study by Gary Vines explores that story.
3.6 MB
‘Built to Last’ 1990
This book is a historical and archaeological survey of dry stone walls in the western region of Melbourne. The construction of stone walls was well established in Britain and the western plains were littered with volcanic basalt stones.
Building the walls created fences and cleared the land at the same time. This book traces the history of these walls in the western region, identifies where they are and describes their construction.
10.6 MB
‘Industrial Heartland ‘1990
Industrial Heartland is basically an introduction to a much larger study of industrial sites in Melbourne’s western suburbs by the Museum’s archaeologist at the time, Gary Vines.
The book outlines the history of the evolution of industry in the western suburbs and consequently gives us a very good idea of the history of industry in Melbourne and Australia.
Highly recommended for schools and other education institutions.
2.3 MB
‘Worth its Salt’ 1991
Worth its Salt is a report on the transformation of an industrial producer of table salt, Cheetham Salt Works, into an important wetland that hosts a range of bird species. The site also has several identified Aboriginal sites. The report was done by archaeologist Gary Vines and Brett Lane with the support and cooperation of the Cheetham company.
The Laverton Saltworks are of international significance for birds (Lane, et al. 1984). The coastal Crown Land south of Skeleton Creek has been listed as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention and many of the migratory waterbirds which occur in the area are listed on the annexes of
the Japan-Australia and China-Australia Migratory
5.1 MB
‘Pipemakers Park Conservation Plan’ 1996
The buildings at Pipemakers Park, Maribyrnong, are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. Management of heritage can be challenging with all sorts of problems involved in maintaining built heritage.
This report includes an extensive history of the site and recommendations for maintaining the built heritage on the site.
11.4 MB