20230425 Vic Hamilton, Condah to Haywood

20230425 We drove into the town of Hamilton and went in search for the sales yard where on Wiki there are showers, plus Des really wants to wash the van, man there’s heaps of big bugs that splatter all over the windscreen leaving behind a disgusting mess. While Des washed the van I ducked in for a nice hot shower, and returned all squeaky clean. With the van washed its now Desies turn only to return seconds later because the door was locked, opps I must of shut the door, lucky for me I went first, aw well, at least the vans all nice and clean.

Hamilton town has the unusual honour of being the only significant settlement in rural Victoria which did not start as a port or a mining town. We stopped at the Green Hill Hotel for lunch forgetting it Anzac Day and the Pub doesn’t open until 2pm, but there’s a free camp so why not stay.

The Greenhill Hotel was built in 1856 out of bluestone which was quarried locally and was first licensed in 1860, but unfortunately there’s cigarettes butt all over the ground, not cool.

20230426 Waking to a lovely sunny day we take the Henry Highway towards Haywood to check out the new mural. Heywood’s name to fame was when notorious Bushranger Frank Gardiner not only visiting Heywood but was arrested here as well.

This mural depicts five local Gunditjmara men who proudly served their country in two separate wars, the four Lovett brothers depicted in this mural, Leonard, Frederick, Edward, and Herbert, served in WW1 & 2. They saw frontline action in WW1 and home service in Australia during WW2.

James & Hannah Lovett had the unique experience of having six sons serve Australia in wartime, with five serving in WW1 and five in WW2. At least thirteen members of the wider Lovett family served across World War One and World War Two.

This Smoking bowl stands at the base of the Mural, it’s used to perform traditional Smoking ceremonies, Gunditimara Country are performed with a sacred plant called Ballart (Native Cherry), which are performed by the Aboriginal people. These ceremonies are a way of cleansing or healing people with a connection to the country: the Ballart plant is from country and the smoke makes a connection to the person. For this reason, Smokings are performed as part of the welcome ceremony, introducing people to country.

The Haywood Hotel stands tall overlooking the Main Street, but it’s a bit early for lunch.

The Wood Wine and Roses Festival was first held in Heywood in 1993 and has grown over the years to be an award-winning event in Western Victoria. When first established, the festival sought to bring the past, present and future of the region together.

I have no idea what this monument represents, there’s no plaque or any information but I thought it interesting.

Thank you for your sacrifice, for what you gave up to provide a brighter future for generations to come.

“Lest we forget”