While Castlemaine is noted for the heritage treasures that grace its streets today, many of its significant yesteryear structures have been lost to the ravages of time or misadventure.
But now local writer-researcher Marjorie Theobald and artist Marieanne Heard have joined creative forces to produce a new book on Castlemaine’s lost built history, from imposing buildings to some of its more transient edifices – bringing them back to the public eye and mind.
Entitled Lost Castlemaine: Images from the early years, the new book details an impressive variety of structures ranging from the Triumphal Arch constructed for the visit of Alfred Duke of Edinburgh in 1867, to the Chinese Joss House on Ten Foot Hill, from lost pubs and entertainment houses to tents and shanties and even the McMillan and Padley’s Shillibeer Omnibus Hearse.
But besides the structures, the text also works in the often colourful stories of the characters that peopled them.
“I always tried to find out about the people behind the buildings and to work the women into it,” Marjorie said, noting that public histories and documentation of the era often failed to acknowledge the contributions of women. Accomplished artist and experienced graphic designer Marieanne Heard said being invited to accompany Marjorie’s text with original pen and ink drawings of the lost structures – and design the front cover as well – was a dream project for her.
“It’s been so, so exciting. I’ve always loved doing pen and ink and also buildings,” said Marieanne who worked painstakingly from vintage photos to create the drawn images.
“This was sort of a Godsend for me to be asked to do drawings like this.”
Reverend Ken Parker will officially launch Lost Castlemaine at the Drying Shed, The Mill at 2pm on Saturday October 12 and Marjorie and Marieanne said all were invited.
Three-hundred copies of the limited edition book have been printed and will be available at the Mill, Stonemans and Castlemaine Tourist Information Centre in the Market Building.
