Tandarook Botanical Park
This plaque is located at Tandarook Botanical Park, Victoria St.
The delightful garden setting of this four hectare park shows the environmental benefits of rehabilitating an old brick quarry and rubbish tip to become a magnificent and expansive Tandarook Botanical Park.
Originally bushland, the area was purchased in the early 1900s by local builder Mr H H Clarke who engaged Englishman and well- known potter and brickmaker Mr Gravett as manager. Operations commenced on this site in October 1908.
Some of the old machinery was removed from an old brickworks on Camperdown Rd and used here on the new site. To cope with the demand for locally-made bricks, the Cobden Brick Company decided to erect another kiln in February 1914.
Three Cobden houses and Thompsons Hotel were built using the local red brick and Mr Clarke displayed a collection of pottery made at this new kiln in his shop window. However the clay ran out causing the closure of the quarry a few years later.
It was then decided to use the old brick quarry as a rubbish tip – right up to 1984 – but problems with vermin, smoke and other health concerns led to the tip’s relocation to Naroghid.
The foresight of a small group of locals saw the site transformed into the magnificent Tandarook Park. Work began in 1989 on the transformation with assistance from the Shire of Heytesbury and many local volunteers and organisations.
Town guardian, historian and councillor, the late Alma MacDonald counted the restoration of the park as one of her proudest achievements. “As a Heytesbury Shire Council, we were able to develop it with the community,” she said. It’s unusual for a botanical park to be so young. Some of the trees are still babies.”
The park is a wonderful asset for the town and hosts many family gatherings and weddings. Facilities include a barbecue and a rotunda constructed by Cobden Technical School building students.
After a 2022-23 master plan process involving community members, a decade-long $1⁄2 million investment will further revitalise the park further. Art murals, new gardens, a refurbished BBQ and toilet facilities will be features.
