Brick-by-brick – Hamley Bridge kiln restoration fires up
RESTORATION works are nearly complete on the State Heritage Listed Brick Kiln chimney in Light River Reserve, Hamley Bridge.
Work started in November to stabilise, restore and preserve the brick chimney. The remnant stumps and trees were removed from around the chimney. About three tonnes of debris and soil was removed from the surrounds, all was excavated by hand by contractor Simon Zeller.
Mr Zeller said he found a variety of bricks of different styles from different areas, which were used to build the initial kiln.
“Some of the old bricks used to build the kiln are old and soft while others I’ve found have melted or deformed,” Mr Zeller said.
“It’s so cool to find these things as I’m excavating and imagine what was happening here when the kiln was firing.’
While excavating the site, Mr Zeller was able to find remnants of other parts of the kiln beyond the chimney, including the three firing tunnels and some of the main chamber where bricks were fired.
The chimney’s front left corner where most of the damage had been, is now rebuilt and repointed ensuring the structural integrity of the kiln for years to come.
“At first I thought it might fall while repairing it, but fortunately the chimney sits on riverbed rock, so it is a really solid structure,” Mr Zeller said.
“The damage to the chimney wasn’t from salt damp. It looks to me as if it was damaged by force. It’s amazing the chimney is still so tough after all these years.”
Mayor Rodney Reid said the restoration of the chimney was made possible thanks to a Department of Environment and Water Heritage Conservation Grant which contributed $4,674 towards the project.
“The chimney is the only clearly visible remnant of the brick kiln of H. J. Charlton and Co’s 1877 brickyard. Council wanted to make sure its structure was preserved for many years to come,” Mayor Reid said.
“It was taken over by a prominent businessman, John T. Quinn, who ‘literally built early Hamley Bridge’ and in circa 1916 was bought out by W. H. Durdin, who operated the kiln until it was closed 1938.
“To see the kiln restored is excellent for the Hamley Bridge township, especially alongside all the work the council staff and community groups have been putting into Light River Reserve. The whole reserve looks fantastic, this just makes it even better,” Mayor Reid said.