The Book

Ever wondered how people develop unusual interests? Could it be the influence of a parent or teacher? Or has some singular experience served as the ignition point?

    In the case of Chewton Bushland's resident, Stephen Charman, it was a simple historic photograph posted on a Chewton History Group's Facebook page just over a year ago. The photo (taken by M. Law, dated 1894) shows two upright citizens in full Victorian regalia perched on an odd looking wooden bridge near Sutton Grange. 

    Surprised that he hadn't been aware that such structures existed in our region, Stephen set out to search for its specific location. He later discovered that this was just one of 16 wooden aqueducts or flumes (all long since demolished) erected in the early 1870's, to safely convey precious water from Malmsbury Reservoir  across gullies and ravines, to Bendigo's then main water supply reservoirs in Kangaroo Flat.  In fact, these wooden aqueducts perched high on trestle bridges were common sights in Victoria prior to the Great Depression but these days have generally been lost to memory.

    "I've long been interested in history, especially local history",  Stephen  says. "But in this case, in investigating the Coliban Water Scheme, one of the most ambitious of Victoria's 19th century infrastructure projects, I had the chance to combine my other great love, bushwalking, or more accurately field rambling, in which the accent is on exploring and adventuring rather than walking from A to B."

    The result of all this detective work has resulted in a new book: 'The Coliban Main Channel: A Walking Guide'. Containing over 200 pages of walking notes, maps, historical and contemporary photographs as well as numerous excerpts from newspaper reports of the time, Stephen hopes that the book will appeal to history buffs and bushwalkers alike.  "In particular, I hope the book shows that you don't have to travel out of Central Victoria to have a stimulating adventure given there's a treasure trove of fascinating historical remnants right here on our doorstep."

    'The Coliban Main Channel: A Walking Guide'  is available at Stoneman's Bookroom, Castlemaine, The Castlemaine  Visitor Information Centre, The Chewton Post Office, The Harcourt Post Office, The Elphinstone Post Office/General Store and Aesop's Attic Bookshop, Kyneton.