Broadford Pioneer Park
The history of the Broadford area is represented in the displays at Pioneer Park.
The Jennifer R Neill Pavilion is a shelter surrounded by wire mesh which contains old farm machinery, tools and equipment used by the local pioneers, businesses and public institutions. Next to this is a huge round silver ball which is a straw boiler digester. One of 12, it was operating in the town's paper mill from the 1890s to make paper from straw and other materials. These materials included the sails and rigging from the sailing ships that brought people and goods to booming Melbourne town and the Victorian goldfields.
There are a number of historical buildings which are only open by appointment (03 5784 1970). There is an old school building of the 19th century. State School No. 2212 is a one-teacher rural school building that was originally built at Hilldene a few kilometres north of Broadford. It was relocated to Kurkurruc Creek west of Broadford in 1928, and was used by the local community there as their school until 1943. After this it was sent to Broadford Primary School and was used as a classroom until 1995, when it was moved to its present location in our Historic Precinct.
Next to the schoolhouse is the original office of the Broadford Courier and Reedy Creek Times which was first published in 1891. It was run continuously as a hand type set printing office until it closed in 1978 when the retiring owner donated it to the Broadford & District Historical Society. The office is as it was in 1978. The Courier is believed to have been the last handset broadsheet to be published in Australia.
Pioneer Cottage and Mills Cottage are examples of drop-slab homes built in the area by the early settlers.
Across the road is a war memorial which has artillery guns and a playground.
There are some unshaded tables and water tap in the area.
Photos:
Location
44 High Street, Broadford 3658 Map
Web Links
→ www.broadfordhistorical.org.au
→ Broadford Historical.vic (Facebook Group)
