Anderson's Mill, Smeaton facts for kids

Anderson's Mill is a large, old flour mill built in 1861. It stands in Smeaton, Victoria, Australia. The mill is located right next to Birch Creek. It used both steam and water power to grind grain into flour.

The Anderson Family's Journey

The Anderson brothers, John, James, and William, came from Scotland. They first arrived in South Australia in 1852. Later, they joined the gold rush in Victoria at the Mount Alexander diggings. After their gold rush adventure, they became building contractors in Collingwood.

Their mother, Sarah, and younger brothers, Thomas, Robert, and David, joined them in 1854. The older brothers then moved to Dean, near Creswick. There, they started a very successful business cutting timber. They had sawmills in places like Dean and Barkstead.

Building the Mill

John Anderson helped start a group of farmers in Smeaton in February 1861. They wanted to build a flour mill together. When those plans didn't work out, the Anderson brothers decided to build their own mill. They started in June 1861.

The mill was made of bluestone and had five stories. It opened on April 29, 1862. The part of the mill that ground oats was finished by the next harvest season.

How the Mill Worked

The mill used a large water wheel for power. This wheel was designed using ideas from John Smeaton, a famous engineer. It had wrought iron spokes and cast iron parts. The original parts were made in Ballarat.

Water for the wheel came from Hepburn Lagoon, about 5 kilometers (3 miles) away. It traveled through Birch Creek and a special water channel. The last part of the channel was a wrought iron trough held up by wooden supports. It's thought that John Anderson, who trained as a millwright in Scotland, designed the mill.

In April 1862, a local newspaper, the Creswick Advertiser, wrote about the mill. It said the building was full of flour and wheat. It looked very busy even though it was new. The large water wheel, which cost £1,500, worked very well. The brothers also planned to add machinery to make oatmeal.

Other Buildings at the Mill

Besides the main mill, John Anderson built other important structures. He added a bluestone kiln for drying oats. He also built a nine-room house and a workshop.

Later, in the 1860s, a wooden building was added behind the mill to store grain. In 1869, a bluestone office for the manager was built in front of the mill. Two wooden stables were also added in the 1870s.

Modernizing the Mill

In 1896, David Anderson updated the mill. He changed it into a "roller mill" using the newest equipment. This made the milling process more efficient. He had good success until he passed away in 1929.

His wife continued to run the mill. She mainly produced oat products, pearl barley, and split peas. After World War Two, making flour became a smaller part of the business. For a short time, they even made "ricena," which was polished wheat used as a substitute for rice.

However, the company, David Anderson and Co, stopped working in 1959. The mill finally closed. Most of its machinery was sold for scrap or to local farmers for cleaning grain.

Saving the Mill

After it closed, the mill sat empty for many years. But in 1979, a report suggested that the Victorian Government should buy the site. It was very important historically.

Money was raised, and the government bought the mill in 1987. It was purchased from the owners, Lyn Anderson and Shirley Meulan. Since 1996, Parks Victoria has managed the site.

Today, an annual Anderson's Mill Festival is held. It is organized by Parks Victoria and Shire of Hepburn. The festival shows off traditional skills and demonstrations. The mill site is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, which means it's a protected historical place.

• Centenary of Smeaton, 1838-1938 : a souvenir booklet with historical sketches, Smeaton Centenary Committee, 1938, p21.
• Video 'Country flour mill stands tall after 150 years', by Margaret Burin ABC Ballarat, 30 March 2012