ONE of Keilor’s most historic buildings will be relocated as part of a preservation project being supervised by Brimbank Council.
Keilor Historic Society president Susan Jennison says the Keilor police hut, which was built in the mid-1850s, will be shifted to sit alongside Harricks Cottage in coming months.
The hut is believed to be the original upper Keilor police station and was located on the route to the goldfields surrounding Bendigo.
The hut, which is on private property, is registered with Heritage Victoria and is of statewide heritage significance.
“The hut is terribly significant to the community and just another facet of history from the gold rush era,” Ms Jennison said.
“Unlike other buildings that have been lost since this time, the hut and the Keilor Hotel remain among the most treasured buildings in the area.
“Police were extremely important during this time and it was established to be near the passing parade of literally thousands of people from all different cultures going off to make their fortune.”
Council chairman John Watson said the preservation project started last Monday. The relocation will be completed in three stages to minimise risk to the hut.
An archaeological survey this month will be followed by the removal and relocation of the hut by experts approved by Heritage Victoria.
“It’s crucial that history is recorded, preserved and, most importantly, shared,” Mr Watson said. “The relocation of the police hut . . . will make this piece of history more accessible to the community so they will have the opportunity to enjoy and learn from it.”
Ms Jennison said the hut was an example of early prefabricated building, and it was important that early construction technology was preserved.
“The Keilor Historical Society has been contacted by the descendants of a family whose relative had been a policeman who lived in the building during the 19th century,” she said.
“The history of people linked to heritage buildings like the police hut is an important component of work undertaken to research and record the history of the region.”
The relocation project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
