Victorian School of Forestry and arboretum walk
Victorian School of Forestry and arboretum walk
A stroll past the historic buildings and through the magnificent arboretum of the Victorian School of Forestry which was established in 1910. Easy walk on good surfaces. Slight up hill to the school
Summary
A stroll past the historic buildings and through the magnificent arboretum of the Victorian School of Forestry which was established in 1910. Easy walk on good surfaces. Slight up hill to the school
Description
The Victorian School of Forestry (VSF), also affectionately known as "The School on the Hill", was opened in October 1910. Other sites had been considered including Dookie, Longerenong and Beechworth.
The school buildings and grounds had been the former Creswick Hospital, which was built in 1863 during the gold rush.
The initial class of six students were already in training as foresters under a system of supervised practical work or were appointed from work crews. They graduated in 1912.
In addition to rigorous academic study, the school put a very strong focus on preparing students suited to Victorian conditions and on equipping them with practical skills of forestry in the schools 1000 ha demonstration forest.
In the immediate post WW2 period, the school flourished with an increased annual intake of graduates, up from the usual 6 to 12, to meet the demands on Victoria's forest resources and the timber needs of the housing boom.
The school is set on 15 hectares of grounds with many unique specimen trees.
Traditionally, VSF had traditionally been promoted as a "Gateway to a Man's Career". Although a few had enquired over the decades, the first group of women entered the Forestry School in 1976.
The first tertiary forestry school in Australia, VSF was administered by the Forests Commission until 1980, when it amalgamated with the University of Melbourne.
From 1910 to 1980, 522 students completed the Diploma of Forestry at VSF.
This walk is based on the 2017 work from Gerry Fahey from the University of Melbourne (with his permission).
People are welcome to walk around the school grounds but can't go inside the buildings without a guide.
Please note stop/photo #20 (Honour Roll) is located inside the library so is accessible during opening hours.
1406 Views
Points of Interest
1. Creswick Visitor Centre
Start of the walk
2. Laminated treated pine timber bridge over Creswick Creek
Unique structure built in the late 1970s to demonstrate the versatility of timber as a construction material. The creek is subject to regular flooding.
3. Alexander Peacock Gates - 1952
Erected in 1952 to acknowledge the contribution of Sir Alexander Peacock (who was from the Creswick area).
4. Sawtooth Oak
Quercus acutissima. Native to China, this uncommonly planted tree was one of the earliest plantings in the grounds.
5. Tremearne House - 1881
Built in 1881 by Dr John Tremearne. The state government acquired the House in 1909 for the forestry school
6. Jersey Elm
Ulmus minor ‘subsp.sarniensis (Jersey elm). This is one of only a few specimens of this species in the State.
9. Science Block
Built in 1968.
10. Eucalyptus camaldulensis (red gum).
Specimens south of the gym are used for research purposes and field trials for students, examining how red gums survive the local soil conditions.
11. Siberia
Built in 1976 to house the departments conservation certificate students, the cubby houses at the back of the forestry school at Creswick were affectionally know as Siberia. Now demolished.
12. Knobcone Pines
A pair of Knobcone Pines in a stand of 14 trees is the only known occurrence of this species in Victoria. Most likely planted around 1920-1930. In 1977, the area was burnt in an extensive fire.
13. Architecture Site
Since 2008, this area has been used by students from the University’s Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning
14. Pogo - School kangaroo
Pogo had been orphaned after a car accident in the bush and was rescued in 1958. She lived to a ripe old age on the school campus.
15. Yellow Box
This Yellow Box is significant for aesthetic, scientific and social reasons at Regional level. This tree is outstanding for its size at a height of 32.6 m and canopy spread between 27-31 m.
16. Workshops & Fieldwork
The school had workshops, charcoal kiln and saw bench for cutting firewood. Students were kept busy learning practical skills as well as academic study.
17. E J Semmens. house
Edwin James Semmens was the Principal of the Victorian School of Forestry at Creswick for 24 years from 1927 to 1951.
18. Principals Residence
Built in 1863 and originally used for hospital domestic staff quarters and later as the home of the VSF Principal
19. AV Galbraith house
Named after the Chairman of the Forest Commission, the house was built in 1961 for student accommodation.
20. School Library - Honour Board
Historic photos and items from the Creswick Campus Historical Collection are on display in the Library b/w 1 and 5 pm on weekdays. Names on honour roll have all been identified
21. Victorian School of Forestry - 1910
Constructed in 1863 as the Creswick Hospital, this is the oldest building on campus. In 1910, the Victorian State Forests Department purchased the building to house classrooms and lab
22. Frank Moulds - 1952.
Frank was appointed Principal of VSF between 1951 and 1956 Abies nordmanniana (Caucasian fir). Native to the mountains west and east of the Black Sea
24. Lone Pine Planted - 1964.
The seedling of this pine was propagated from the original lone pine in Gallipoli.
25. Cork Oak
Cork Oak (Quercus suber) is a medium sized evergreen tree which was planted in Australia as a specimen in many parks and gardens from the mid-19th century.
26. Alf Leslie Memorial
There were many distinguished graduates of VSF, but Alfred (Alf) John Leslie stands out as a true international forester and intellectual. This tree was planted in 2010
27. Horse paddock (ex police horses for students)
Learning how to ride and manage a horse was an important part of the curriculum at the Victorian School of Forestry at Creswick up to the late 1950s. The school had its own horse, stables, blacksmith.
28. Billo's Swamp - 1965
Named after William Litster who served a total of 40 years (1928-1968) at the Victorian School of Forestry, including 11 years as Principal,
30. War Memorial - Reg Lindsay
Reginald Lindsay was one of the first foresters to graduate from the Victorian School of Forestry at Creswick in 1912. He was also a member of the famous Creswick artist family
Features
Historical interest
Art and culture
Park / Garden
