Talbot was originally home to the Jajawurrung people
whose country ranged from Mount Macedon in
the south to the Pyrenees in the northwest and along the Loddon Valley.
More information about the tribe's history can be found here. A number
of important heritage sights remain, including Rock
wells and a Maternity
tree.
Maternity
tree (also called Shelter tree)
The Aboriginal Maternity Tree is a giant River Red
Gum, estimated to be about 700 years old - dating from the
time
when the Black Death swept across Europe. It has a 15 metre
girth
and its hollowed out centre was used as a shelter by the Jajawurrung
clan, particularly by Jajawurrong women giving birth. It is
recorded as a Significant Tree on the Register of the National
Trust.
Directions
from Talbot: Head towards Maryborough on the
Ballarat-Maryborough
Road. Around 1 km along, turn left into Pollocks Road,
immediately
after crossing the narrow 'London Bridge'. The Shelter Tree
is
about 300m along Pollock's Road on your left.
Bull
Gully Rock wells
Between Talbot and Maryborough there are
four rock wells dug by the Jajawurrung people.
The wells were dug into the sandstone to gain full advantage
of the natural rainwater catching formed by the rock ledge.
Additional water seeps into the wells via cracks which run
through the sandstone. The narrow mouths of the wells serve
to reduce evaporation and pollution by windborne debris, and local
residents say the wells have never been known to dry up. The
maximum depth of the wells is about 130cm and they have a capacity of
approximately 160 litres. The
wells
are regarded as among the best examples of their type in Victoria.
Directions
from Talbot: Head towards Maryborough on the
Ballarat-Maryborough Road for
around 12 km. Turn right into Lean St on the outskirts of
Maryborough, cross over the railway line, turn right into Stoneham
Drive, left into Wells Road and, after 2 km, take the signposted track
left and the wells are 200 metres away.
This page was last updated on 24 November 2009
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