Built in the early 1850’s from sandstone carved from the nearby cliffs, the Mill was the second flour mill to open on the Bellarine Peninsula.
Located within the beautiful seaside village of Portarlington, the Portarlington Mill Plan dated the 25th May 1858, clearly identifies the ‘Mill Company’ land, the ‘Mill’, the ‘Kiln’ (just to the left of the Mill), the ‘Mill Jetty’ and a ‘Chinaman’s Hut’ (to the right).
The Mill was only just saved from demolition in the year 1962 when the then owner, Mrs. Dye, was served with a Housing Commission notice to demolish the 105 year old building (at the time), condemned as unfit for habitation. Thankfully, the local council stepped in and purchased the property c 1970.
In 1977, the Portarlington Mill was transferred to the National Trust It has since been restored, and is currently run as a Museum by an enthusiastic group of volunteers. The museum is open during peak holiday periods. The Portarlington Mill is also available for Functions. For history buffs, this impressive building is well worth a visit – displaying historical points of interest regarding the Mill and the Bellarine Peninsula . . .
History in brief . . .
By the early 1850’s, Thomas Henry Widdicombe had established brickyards, built a kiln and a private jetty on the foreshore westward of the Portarlington harbour, as indicated in the map above.
The quarry site chosen to source the stone from which the Mill was constructed, was purported to be a corroboree site of the Wautharong people – as well as a camp that provided shelter from those horrid, cold southerly winds. These north facing cliffs also provided shelter for William Buckley who had escaped the failed 1803 Sullivan Bay Settlement; and consequently spent over 30 years living amongst these Aborigines. It is said he too spent much time at this very special location. Settlers wrote how confused and devastated the Aboriginal people were, as they witnessed their special site succumb . . .
” . . . On the western foreshore at Portarlington, the entrance to Corio Bay, is an old mill, the story of which has often excited the interest of visitors . . . “
” . . . On Bellarine Peninsula the building is generally known as “the old mill.” It is a four-story structure and was built in the early ’50’s, when all this neighbourhood was known as Indented Head. The stone was quarried on the foreshore about a mile away and carted by bullock-teams to the site. An experienced builder who recently inspected the old mill, now well covered with ivy, estimates that 100 tons of timber was used in the floorways, some of the supporting beams being 2ft. [61 cm] square. The “jerry-builder” had not then arrived. Mrs. J. Beasley, one of the oldest residents of the peninsula, says that her father, Mr. James Young, often mentioned a large camp of aborigines in the locality, with whom the settlers had no trouble until they opened the quarry, for some reason that was never quite clear the blacks resented this, and for a time the workers in the quarry always kept guns close to their hands in expectation of an attack . . . “
Source: Excerpt – Australasian (Melbourne, Vic) – Article ‘Old Mill, Portarlington’ – by Donald McDonald – published 27th October 1928
Considering the land flattens out to almost sea level to the west of the Mill, one could safely assume that the foreshore quarry noted in the article above would have been to the west – in the vicinity of Hat Rock – the highest and most northern point of the Bellarine Peninsula . . .
The photo above (c 1857) is taken looking out to sea, and clearly shows the house to the left (which still remains, though modified, in Turner Court), the kiln just a little to the right of the house, and, the Mill to the very right.
” . . . The flourmill began work in 1855, four of the first settlers — Messrs. E. Huxtable, T. Savage, J. Burkett, and G. Stewart — being the directors, with Mr. Oliver as miller, and as clerk Mr. Charles Tanner, who was afterwards the first school teacher on “The Head.” The flour was taken out in rowboats to craft visiting the bay . . . “
Source: Excerpt – Australasian (Melbourne, Vic) – Article ‘Old Mill, Portarlington’ – by Donald McDonald – published 27th October 1928
Thomas Henry Widdicombe was directly involved with the Mill by the mid 1860’s.
Geelong Advertiser – 6 Jan 1866
TH Widdicombe and Portarlington’s steam powered Flour Mill would share a long association.
Grain was shipped from Geelong, processed in Portarlington’s Mill, and returned to Geelong as flour and bran. At this time, the Bellarine Peninsula was regarded as the “Granary of the Victorian Colony”. In the meantime the kiln adjacent to the Mill was kept busy with the manufacture the T.H Widdicombe Brick, reported to be the best in the district:
” . . . The bricks made by him, from a sort of rotten sandstone, are esteemed by many as the best made in the Geelong district . . . “
Source: Argus (Melbourne, Vic) – published 24th May 1873
However Thomas Widdicombe was ‘struggling make ends meet’, so to speak:
” . . . Considerable surprise was created in commercial circles on Saturday (writes the Geelong Advertiser ) when it became known that Mr Widdicomb, J.P., the miller of Portarlington, had found it necessary to call a meeting of his creditors. What his liabilities are was not stated, but they are said to be very large. Among others Mr Haines is a creditor to the extent of £500. The mill is believed to be mortgaged, and the failure will make many of the farmers of Portarlington suffer. Mr Widdicomb was generally looked upon as one of the soundest men in the district . . . “
Source: Excerpt – Ballarat Courier (Vic) – published 10th January 1871
The T.H Widdicombe Brickworks produced a superior quality of bricks, tiles and pipes from the high grade Portarlington clay, many of which feature at the historic property ‘ Laura Villa‘ located at 17 Drysdale Street, Portarlington. Initially produced for local use, the brickworks soon expanded, exporting to Geelong and Melbourne. Widdicombe innovated the bonding bricks (see photo below) as the hollow brick wall came to the fore. His bricks were amongst the first bricks ever made in Victoria, they were crafted, and are featured in many of the remaining historical homes in Portarlington, Geelong, Williamstown and even further afield. They were used in the construction of: the Davidson & Henderson designed home at Western Beach, Geelong, c 1870, the Portarlington Bellarine Presbyterian Church, c 1872 & Drysdale Anglican Church, also c 1872 – to name a few . . .
As western Victoria took over as the wheat growing region, the flour mill closed. On the 13th June of 1873 TH Widdicombe’s entire estate was up for auction . . .
In 1874 the brickworks moved into the four storey sandstone building which would appear to coincide with Widdicombe’s departure from the region. This could most possibly herald the commencement of the Portarlington B & T Works Brick. The genuine ‘Portarlington’ brick is easily identifiable with its back-to-front ‘N’. This brick is not the quality of its predecessor, however it has stood the test of time and still adorns many chimneys and brick walls in the region. The Portarlington brickworks ceased production during the depression of the 1890’s.
Some Hand Made, TH Widdicombe and Portarlington Bricks that have survived the ravages of time and are proudly displayed in the paving that surrounds the historic property of ‘Laura Villa’:
The approximate Production Timeline of the bricks pictured above are:
c prior to 1850 – the bricks without markings are Hand Made – it is uncertain whether these were produced in Portarlington . . .
c 1850’s to 1870’s – the high quality T.H Widdicombe Portarlington bricks, bonding bricks and tiles. The tiles came in various sizes – some over 30 x 30 cm large !!
c 1870’s to 1890’s – the Portarlington B&T Works Bricks – (“B&T” meaning Brick & Tile) Interestingly, the “Portarlington Brick” is often mistaken as older than the “Widdicombe Brick” due to the supreme quality of the latter.
Thomas Henry Widdicombe purchased the Mill in 1901:
Thomas Widdicombe returned to Portarlington in his later years and in 1901 purchase the Mill:
” . . . The Portarlington Flour Mill, consisting of 4 stories, and built in the year 1856, was sold at public auction on Friday, by Messrs Robinson, Burns, and Sparrow, of Geelong, to. Mr T. H. Widdicombe, of Portarlington, for the sum of £100, together with an acre of land . . . “
Source: Excerpt – Geelong Advertiser (Vic) – Article ‘Portarlington’ – 24th December 1901
” . . . A very old and prominent resident in the person of Mr. Thos. H. Widdicombe passed away this week. The deceased gentleman came here in 1856, and was closely connected with the flour mill and also the brick works, which at one time was a flourishing industry here . . . “
Source: Excerpt – Geelong Advertiser (Vic) – Article ‘Portarlington’ – published 21st January 1907
Thomas Henry Widdicombe’s grave is located amongst those of the early settlers within the historic Portarlington Cemetery, set high on the hill overlooking Port Phillip Bay and the You Yangs.
It is with great hope that these last remaining monuments to the earliest settlers of Port Phillip are preserved by those with the honour of being custodians – today and into the future . . .
Helpful Hints:
– Close proximity to Town Centre – obtain Directions here
– Some Car Parking available in Turner Court
– Other Historical POI’s in Portarlington
– Museums
Discover Portarlington:
– Shopping
– Facilities available at Portarlington include:
– BBQ’s
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- Sealed Road