Chewton Sculpture Trail
The trail consists of six truly remarkable wooden sculptures along the main street of Chewton which bring local characters and stories to life. The life sized sculptures include:
- Rod Hadfield, a local hot rod legend who stands in an early 20th century style garage with his beloved dog Cody and a Ford Model T.
- Frances White, who experienced a miraculous escape from death in 1948 when part of the backyard of her home which was an old disused gold mine shaft opened up beneath her feet.
- Alice Dennis, a life time member of the Chewton Senior Citizens who was known for her willingness to provide help where needed and her cake baking skills.
- Mo the 1850s gold miner which celebrates the history of the Forest Creek (now Chewton) gold field which was the richest shallow alluvial goldfield the world has ever seen.
- Elaine Appleton, who is dedicated to the preservation of her community's local history.
- Robert Penney, who was Chewton's 'Bread & Biscuit Baker, Confectioner & General Grocer' for almost half a century.
In 2015, Richard was commissioned to create Mo the Miner. This was the first of five sculptures he created for the Chewton Sculpture Trail and in 2017, Richard was named the official wood carver for the Royal Australian Navy. Through these years, Richard endured an 18-year journey of major health challenges and sadly passed away in 2024, at the age of 58.
ALICE DENNIS SCULPTURE
Location: At the gate of the Chewton Senior Citizens Centre, 201 Main Road, Chewton
The sculpture of the late Mrs Alice Dennis commemorates the life of this well loved local woman. With a smile on her face, she waves to passers-by while holding a stack of Tupperware containers with her famous cakes.
The information sign next to the sculpture displays the following text:
Alice Dennis, 1923 - 2004
Alice was a cherished friend, a wonderful worker and a Life Time Member of the Chewton Senior Citizens. Alice was renowned for her ready smile and her willingness to provide help where needed. She could always be counted on to supply a steady stream of her amazing cakes, with pavlovas and sponges being her specialty!
During the Second World War, when Alice was a teenager, she joined her 4 sisters in a Dance Troupe and performed as the McLennan Sisters throughout the community, raising funds for the War effort. Prior to the War ending, Alice also served a short time in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (W.A.A.F.)
When Alice married Ron Dennis in 1946, she joined one of the pioneering families of Chewton, where they lived and raised their 2 sons, Rick and Athol. Alice was a tireless worker for many committees and organisations throughout the Chewton district, including serving on the Chewton Primary School Mothers Club for over 30 years!
The sculpture was commissioned by the Chewton Senior Citizens and the Dennis family.
Sculptor: Richard Yates.
MO THE MINER SCULPTURE
Location: Out the front of Mo's Antique Store, 170 Main Road, Chewton
The sculpture of an 1850s gold miner celebrates the history of the Forest Creek (now Chewton) gold field which was the richest shallow alluvial goldfield the world has ever seen.
Check out the fun installation outside Mo's Antique Store, which has a car which appears to have crashed through the wall from within the building.
A plaque beside the sculpture displays the following text:
The Rush to the Digging's
In 1851, they came in their thousands from around the world to the Gold Fields of Forest Creek (Chewton)
Trekking mostly on foot with all they could carry strapped to their shoulders, they would endure relentless hardships and the most gruelling of conditions, all for the lure of Gold & to seek their fortunes
Forest Creek (Chewton) was to become the Richest Shallow Alluvial Gold Field, the World would ever see.
Sculpture by Richard Yates
ELAINE APPLETON SCULPTURE
Location: 162 Main Road, Chewton
The sculpture celebrates Elaine Appleton's dedication and contributions to the preservation of her community's local history.
The information sign next to the sculpture displays the following text:
ELAINE MARY APPLETON (Jury) Born 25/9/1937 fifth generation of seven of Willian John Huckel Snr. and Charlotte Huckel (Smith) to live in Eureka Street Chewton.
Always involved in her hometown, it was in 1984, after a "Back to Chewton" that Elaine's interest in Chewton's history peaked and she began to record the past historic aspects of the area, interviewing the "old timers" and seeking old photographs pertaining to the rich history of the town.
With help from husband Len, Elaine produced four films, with thirty presenters and eleven hours of filming, which they financed and donated to the Chewton Town Hall Committee (now Chewton Domain Society) and (The Chewton Community and Senior Citizens Centre) for fundraising. (The sale of which generated approximately $20,000)
Elaine also collected historic photos of the area, which were titled and collated into large books (donated by Parks Victoria) and known as "People and Places Collection" initially holding 600 photos, the albums have been added to over the years. Elaine has also filmed and donated many local events.
Elaine continues to collate current history also compiling and donating history folders for Chewton People and Places Collection and other towns within the Mount Alexander Shire.
Without Elaine's perseverance, it is most likely that much of our colourful and amazing history would have been lost.
This sculpture recognises and acknowledges her tireless dedication to our town's history.
Sculpture commissioned to John Brady, Chainsaw Sculpture 2022.
ROBERT PENNEY SCULPTURE
Location: 170 Main Road, Chewton
Robert Penney was Chewton's 'Bread & Biscuit Baker, Confectioner & General Grocer' for almost half a century. This amazing sculpture shows Penney standing behind his counter with bread loaves sitting on the counter and groceries for sale on the wall behind him.
Information signs set alongside this sculpture display the following text:
ROBERT PENNEY
Robert Penney was born in 1848 in Bath, England. In 1854, he accompanied his father to the Goldfields of Chewton, Australia, to search for his Uncle Alfred, who had mysteriously disappeared in 1851. Although never finding Uncle Alfred, they decided to stay and settle in Chewton.
Robert Penney established the 'Chewton Bakery' circa 1870's and sold it in 1923, although it continued as a bakery until 1976.
Robert Penney married Ann Maria in 1873 and they had 10 children, Alfred, Sarah, Maria, Florence, Robert, May, Flor, Mabel, Fred & George.
One of the younger children, Robert, had begun working on the horse drawn Bakers cart well before 11 years of age.
Whilst attending school, his father would knock on the side of the class wall to signal to his son to come and help deliver the bread.
He would often fall asleep during the return journey and was well pleased that the horse knew the way home.
In 1898, one of his daughters, Sarah, married Isaac Bubb, the butcher next door.
Robert Penney
'Bread & Biscuit Baker, Confectioner & General Grocer'
for nigh on 50 years.
Acknowledgements: Chewton Historian, Elaine Appleton & Descendants of the Penney family.
SCULPTOR: Richard Yates.
CHEWTON BAKERY (MANCHESTER HOUSE)
It is suggested that the 'Chewton Bakery' building was built in 1858/1859. One of the first owners was Photographic Artist, C McDonald, who conducted a photography business for a short while.
The Mount Alexander Mail, 1859, listed a mortgagee's auction of this property as land, a brick store, dwelling house, bake house, stables and photographic shed.
The name 'Manchester House' was given to the building in the 1860's, suggesting it was used for board and lodgings. The name was clearly painted on the exterior of the building during this time.
Circa 1870's, Robert Penney bought the building and ran his 'Bread & Biscuit Baker, Confectioner & General Grocer' business for nearly 50 years.
The building was sold to John White in 1923, then William Minihan in 1926, then Earl Ralph in 1955. And subsequently it operated as a bakery until 1976.
The following people, Reg Hockey, Ellis Wiseman, Pen Symon, Edith Yates & Mrs Peterson all managed/owned the building as either the Bakery, Tea Rooms and Antique Store. This building is currently a private residence.
The 2 closest brick buildings to your right is the former 'Chewton Bakery'
Picture below (shown on the actual sign) is of Robert Penney and his family outside the Chewton Bakery.
Acknowledgements: Chewton Historian, Elaine Appleton & Chewton Then and Now, K McKimmie.
FRANCES WHITE SCULPTURE
Location: Sitting on the fence at 151 Main Road, Chewton
Mrs Frances White, experienced a miraculous escape from death in 1948 when part of the backyard of her home which was an old disused gold mine shaft opened up beneath her feet. She managed to grab hold of a branch and was able to save herself from falling.
Mrs White lived next door to this sculpture at 153 Main Road, in what was formerly the Francis Ormond Mine manager's house.
The information sign next to the sculpture displays the following text:
Tuesday, June 8, 1948 - Castlemaine Mail
Chewton Woman's Fortunate Escape When Backyard Caved In
Mrs Frances White, of 153 Main Rd, Chewton, had a miraculous escape from death last week when part of the backyard of her home, which is over an old disused Gold mine shaft, suddenly caved in and left her hanging precariously at the edge of a hole 80ft deep and eight feet in diameter.
Mrs White had been talking to her son near the back fence and had turned to retrace her steps into the house when her foot sank into what she thought was an old posthole. Looking down suddenly she saw the earth breaking away and called to her son. At the same time she grabbed at a branch of a tree growing near the edge, and was able to save herself from falling. Looking over her shoulder as she clung to the branch she could see the earth slipping away from where she was standing and leaving a deep yawning cavity.
According to reports from old residents of the area, the hole is one of many along the underground drive from the old Francis Ormond Gold Mine.
(This incident occurred next door at 153 Main Rd)
'Francis Ormond Mine Managers House'
ROD HADFIELD SCULPTURE
Location: At the front of 624 Pyrenees Highway, Chewton (about 2km east of town)
The sculpture of local hot rod legend Rod Hadfield stands in an early 20th century style garage with his beloved dog Cody and a Ford Model T.
The information plaque next to the sculpture displays the following text:
Castlemaine has enjoyed a long and colourful history of cars and garages with no fewer than 14 at the beginning of World War 2. This has led to enthusiasts modifying and reworking vehicles along with the formation of Castlemaine Rods in 1962. Street Rodding is now a major employer in the Mount Alexander Shire.
Depicted here by this carving by Richard Yates of well-known Street Rodder and T Model Ford enthusiast Rod Hadfield.
Photos:
Location
Main Street, Chewton 3451 Map
