Clark's Mill Rumbles On
New Zealand Historic Places Trust Information Release
1 July 2008
A small and dedicated group of Oamaru heritage volunteers have had their
commitment and vision endorsed by a surprise grant from one of the most
heritage-aware councils in the country, the Waitaki District Council.
The Clark's Mill Restorers are the recent recipients of a $5000 grant
made by the District Council in wrapping up its community support funding
for the period in question. The money is to be spent on providing information
panels and interpretative displays to Mill visitors, so that they can
tour the mill without the need of a guide.
Clark's Mill was part of the early Totara Estate and both are located
respectively12 kilometres and 8 kilometres south of Oamaru. According
to its New Zealand Historic Places Trust manager Ray Craig both the mill
and the estate have a special place in New Zealand history.
"It could be viewed as the home of Kiwi ingenuity," he says.
It was from Totara Estate in 1882 that the first shipment of frozen export
meat was sent to Britain, establishing New Zealand's economic direction
for the next century.
"The Estate's flour mill was also a very innovative operation in
its time. It was the first mill to employ steel roller technology in Australasia,
if not the southern hemisphere. When it was converted to a roller mill
in 1883, the institutionalised, ubiquitous mill stone system was cleverly
abandoned. The modifications represented absolutely cutting edge technology
at the time and something we can still be proud of today."
The Mill Restorers have renovated and rebuilt the mill all with voluntary
work and resources and donated materials and time. Visitors can view the
workings of the three-storey mill from staircases specially built by the
volunteers. They even have the mill machinery operating for special groups
to observe how flour used to be made. Mr Craig says that when its running
'the whole mill vibrates and rumbles like something out of Harry Potter.'
"The North Otago community is very heritage-aware. The story got
round of the work that was being done. Once they knew about the project
local business donated materials and time, and now the District Council
has supported the work in this way. We've been trying to patch this project
together on a shoestring, this grant gives us the support to add to our
own resources."
The Waitaki District Council's Culture and Heritage Strategy adopted
by Council in 2005, has clearly-defined economic, social and cultural
outcomes designed to bring local heritage to life, recognising the value
that cultural and heritage facilities have in preserving and promoting
local culture. It aims to support the development of an 'integrated heritage
network' by providing professional and promotional support to cultural
and heritage sites, facilities and services.
Cr Gary Kircher, Chair of the Council Committee overseeing the Strategy,
says the council not only recognises the heritage value of Clark's Mill,
but also the tourism potential such a redevelopment offers. He stressed
Council is acutely aware of the extent of the voluntary input into this
project, and wanted to signal their appreciation and support.
Ray Craig says the Council's donation to Clark's Mill illustrates the
local community's dedication to heritage.
"Its almost part of community-consciousness around here," he
says.
"Heritage is so much in your face, you can't walk anywhere without
seeing something old - old farms, old machinery, lovely old buildings
wherever you turn. Its part of the community, you've got to keep it, value
it and look after it.
"The Mill is one of many projects underway in the district. In the
last 12 months we have made marvellous progress."
For further information
Ray Craig
Property Manager - Totara Estate
03 434 7169 or 027 600 7280
Note: Clark's Mill is closed during the winter months (May -
November). Due to safety concerns, the mill machinery operates only by
special arrangement.
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