AN incredible display of community collaboration has seen Beechworth’s Administrative Precinct added to Australia’s National Heritage list by the Federal Government last Friday.
Federal MP for Environment and Water Tanya Pilbersek made the announcement and said the listing recognised the heritage significance of the precinct.
"The Beechworth Administrative Precinct demonstrates the principal characteristics of an Australian gold mine administrative centre and has outstanding value to the nation as the location of a rare Chinese Protectorate Office," she said.
The town tells the national story of the 1850s gold rush in North East Victoria with its historic buildings in the precinct having outstanding heritage value.
The Precinct with many of its original buildings including the Telegraph Office, Courthouse, Old Beechworth Gaol, Gold Warden’s Office, Chinese Protectorate Office, Sub Treasury Gold Office, and Town Hall.
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The suite of buildings joins Australia’s list of natural, historic and Indigenous places of outstanding significance to the nation, including the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru and the Port Arthur Historic site.
Heritage adviser to Indigo Shire Council, Deborah Kemp, worked arduously on the submission along with local historian Jacqui Durrant, with support from council.
Ms Durrant said Beechworth’s late Bill Wilson had also contributed to the history research.
“Registration is also a win for many community members who worked tirelessly to preserve Beechworth's heritage over a period of at least half a century,” she said.
“It is the best preserved 1850s gold rush town in the world, which people don't always realise."
Both Ms Kemp and Dr Durrant said Beechworth’s story was unique.
“With Beechworth a gold fields town from the 1850s, within 100 steps people can see 1850s law enforcement from court to gaol and how gold was stored in the sub treasury before armed soldiers took to it Melbourne,” Ms Kemp said.
"People can also see how the Chinese were dealt with at that time in the Chinese Protectorate Office - the only one left standing in the world.”
Ms Durrant said following Victoria’s example, the Chinese Protectorate system adopted throughout the British Empire eventually had all associated Chinese Protectorate offices demolished except for Beechworth.
Ms Kemp said Beechworth has one of the earliest town halls in Victoria showcasing how the township in the 1850s had aspirations for a civilised community with its highly decorated interior.
“It was a raw, rough gold field, yet the beauty of the precinct buildings stood for a future vision - initially a colonial one but also the scene of miners wanting more with votes, land and freedom from British rule,” she said.
“The role of the buildings changed from the 1850s, by the late 1870s the courthouse had early settler and land selection claims setting the scene for Ned Kelly - two stories within 20 years and a change of focus for these buildings.”
Indigo Shire Mayor Sophie Price was thrilled the Federal Government had recognised the importance and significance of the Historic Administrative Precinct.
“A special thanks must go to Deb Kemp and historian Dr. Jacqui Durrant for their meticulous and exhaustive work in preparing council’s nomination documentation,” she said.
“Timing of this announcement will hopefully enhance Indigo’s place in the Victorian Goldfields UNESCO World Heritage Listing bid.”
Beechworth History and Heritage Society chair Jamie Kronborg said the listing is a testament to the extraordinary, persistent efforts of Beechworth's people to maintain and celebrate the heart of the community.
“Historian Jacqui Durrant and independent heritage adviser Deborah Kemp, with the support of Indigo Shire Council, deserve particular recognition for their skill and diligence that helped to interpret the cultural context of our heritage precinct and its significance to the country,” he said.
“Beechworth History and Heritage Society is especially pleased to see the town hall included in the listing.
“Built from 1858, it’s a clear expression by our forebears of their belief in the value of democracy.”
Beechworth History and Heritage, Old Beechworth Gaol, Beechworth Inc and Indigo Shire Council are supporting a community BYO afternoon tea in the Police Paddocks from 3pm on Saturday (August 24) to celebrate the listing achievement, with everyone welcome.
