The Camp interpretive signage board on Forest St, shabby, illegible, defaced, not visible from the road, most visitors will not see this board. Perhaps just as well.
CAmp REserve – what is happening with signage?
The quality of signage speaks to how our history is valued.
We keep hearing that our community does not know the history of the Government Camp and its Camp Reserve. They know nothing of the Gold Commissioners Bull and Wright, and the role of Governor La Trobe and Powlett. People are amazed to hear about the layers of rich cultural history, the military rule, the English regiments, the pensioner guards from Van Diemen’s Land, the gold escorts, the canvas towns, water shortages, and the rebellion of civilians against the overbearing Government Camp. This rebellion played out on the very boundary of Camp Reserve, and it was directed at the military.
‘Why don’t we know this? Why is this the first I have heard about this history?’ they ask.
The reasons are complex. This history is not being taught. The Councils may not want to incur cost by creating sensitivity towards the history, but a major factor, without doubt, is a lack of interpretive signage.
Court House interpretive signage board (above), faded and only semi legible.
GCC will help to fund signage
Castlemaine Government Camp interpretive signage board Goldsmith Cres/Yandell St
Gold Camp Castlemaine is committed to improving interpretive signage for the Government Camp Heritage Precinct. If there is an appropriate Master Plan redesign that respects the trees and the heritage integrity of the site, while upgrading the sports facilities, then any funds raised and unused will be channeled into quality signage. All properties on the VHR and that are contributory to the Camp need some form of signage.
A large sign at the Forest St bridge saying ‘Government Camp Historic Precinct 1851’ with a map of the Camp and its contributory elements would be an excellent start! Signs can be protected from graffiti using perspex.
Castlemaine – failure on historical signage
Castlemaine’s signage is minimal, dated and shabby. Gold Camp Castlemaine has photographed all historic precincts in Victoria’s goldrush towns and we have by far the least and the worst signage. Harvey Town in Bendigo, Heathcote historic precinct, Beechworth Government precinct all have interpretive signage that we can aspire to.
Heathcote Camp Hill sign below.
Heathcote Camp Hill interpretive signage (above)
Buninyong interpretive signage board (above)
Beechworth Government Precinct interpretive signage board (portion only) above.
Contact Gold Camp Castlemaine if you have seen excellent signage at historical sites. Take a photo and share it with us. Ask your Councilor why the signage is in such disrepair, and why Camp Reserve has no meaningful signage.
