The Callington Mill at Oatlands: A Story of Dreams, Booms, Busts and Recoveries

Abstract

The Callington Mill at Oatlands is Australia’s only remaining example of a Lincolnshire-style windmill. Built in 1837 to take advantage of the commercial opportunities inherent in the system of colonisation and administration of the convict system, the mill experienced a challenging commercial life until it was abandoned in the late 1890s to fall into disrepair. From the 1970s onwards a series of partial stabilisation and restoration attempts occurred until a 2004 feasibility study identified the potential to restore the mill to full working order and to create a historic heritage tourism facility in combination with the milling of Tasmanian grown grains into flour. Achieving this goal required analysis of the tower’s stability, reconfiguration of the interior and the manufacture and fabrication of a complete and authentic set of mid-19th century milling machinery, cap and sails. This “mill” was manufactured in the UK by a millwright, assembled, disassembled and packed into two containers and sent to Australia, mirroring the 1830s import. The millwright followed and moved into a mill tower that had been redesigned, reconstructed and met current approval requirements to operate as a commercial mill. This required the input of engineering, architectural and building professionals to ensure the balance of heritage authenticity and heritage and contemporary compliance requirements. In late 2010, the Callington Mill recommenced milling operations, providing both a sense of achievement for the local community and those involved over the years, as well as providing the catalyst for Oatlands to take its place as a key destination for those with an interest in heritage.