Historic sites
While the main aim of the La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary is the restoration and protection of the indigenous flora and fauna, it is also concerned with the impact humans have had on the landscape. Old buildings and fences form part of the history of the site and provide information on the impact of various land practices on the native plants and animals. It is thought that humans have been using the site for hundreds if not thousands of years.
Old tip site
During works to cover an old tip site soil was removed from nearby areas. This exposed a number of stone fragments which were composed of a rock called "silcrete". This is a rock which was commonly used to make stone tools by the local Aborigines. Silcrete is not known to occur at this site and is thought to have been brought in from several kilometres away possibly as a trading item. The tip was used by the hospitals for many years and is thought to contain many historic objects from this period.
Scar tree
Scar tree
This tree and others like it in the Bundoora area has had bark removed by Aborigines. These scars can be small (less than 1 metre diameter) or large (over 5 metres). Bark was used for canoes, huts, bowls, shields and other day to day items. The one found in the
La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary is large and may have been used for a canoe.
Old amenity building
This is a more recent indication of human occupation of the site. These amenity blocks are thought to date from the 1940's when pyschiatric patients were working on the farms in the area. Several amenity blocks were constructed by patients and one has been excavated and surveyed by Dr. Phillip Edwards of the School of Archaeology. Dunny report.
Cricket ground, tennis courts and croquet lawns
Old tennis courts
These formed part of the Mont Park Hospital and are thought to have been constructed during the early 1900's through to the 1930's. They were used by hospital staff and patients, returned servicemen and local sporting groups. The black volcanic clay used on the cricket oval (as also used on the MCG pitch) does not allow the growth of many woody plants. The foundations of various buildings associated with the cricket oval can also be found. The cricket oval has now been transformed into the Brindley Backwater - a wetland to assist in the filtration process of stormwater from new surrounding suburbs.
River red gums
Following the arrival of Europeans, much of the indigenous vegetation disappeared. When La Trobe University was established, what native vegetation remained was degraded and invaded by exotic plants. What remained as a reminder of the past woodland were some River Red Gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). These magnificent trees, many over 400 years old, dominate the site. Unfortunately some have died over the last decade due to the combination of insect and possum attack and increased competition with younger trees.
