Mayne-Wilson & Associates
Dry stone walls are part of the landart of rural Australia, bold
sculptural structures in the landscape, defining the landform
and expressing the toil and craftsmanship of our forebears.
Bringing their wall building skills with them from Britain and
Ireland, the early settlers used locally available rock in old
volcanic areas to build boundary fences, animal pens and retaining
walls until 1880, when wire became cheaply available for farm
fencing.
Several types of construction were used, but the most common was
the A-frame, double skin wall, with large coping stones These
have endured best, and are found in the western districts of Victoria,
in Kiama and Lismore shires in NSW, and a few in Tasmania. Other
types of walls are found in the Blue Mountains, mostly in association
with walking tracks.
Studies have been made of these walls, and their heritage significance
assessed. Those in Kiama shire have recently been recorded by
Mayne-Wilson & Associates of Paddington, Sydney.
Guidelines for assessing, conserving and restoring dry stone walls
are available from Mayne-Wilson & Associates by contacting
them via their e-mail address: mwa@zip.com.au
Facsimile: 02 9380 8311
Telephone: 02 9380 8211
or by writing to 106 Boundary St., Paddington 2021.
http://www.maynewilson.com.au
