History of The Mill

The Mill Castlemaine is the re-imagining of the former Castlemaine Woollen Company site, which was built in 1875 and continued operation until Victoria Carpets purchased the assets in 1993. It has a land area of approximately 7.5 acres and 8,500m2 of buildings.

Buildings on the site range from 1875 to 1993, with everything in between, due to three fires during its woollen mill history. Some walls have three to four different types of bricks as a result of post fire reconstruction.

The site and its buildings faced a bleak future when Victoria Carpets ceased manufacturing operations in 2013, and was subsequently sold to its current owners in 2014.

The Castlemaine Woollen Company became a major employer in the town, manufacturing woollen products, espe- cially blankets and tartans. During the Second World War the Mill began making blankets for army horses. There was a certain amount of secrecy about what they were making and employees weren’t allowed to talk about their work, although they remember there was an air of excitement about working for the war effort.

There was friendly rivalry at annual cricket matches between employees of the Woollen Mill and the (Thompson’s) Foundry – see the score sheet from a match on the Western Reserve in January 1938. Women’s Australian rules football matches also took place between woollen mill employees – see photo of the Castlemaine Woollen Mill ladies team, premiers over Daylesford Woollen Mill in October 1948.

Early this morning a fire broke out at the local woollen factory, and before it could be extinguished caused such destruction as will necessitate the closing of the factory for perhaps six months.

Before proceeding to speak of the fire it may be mentioned that a few months ago there were so many orders on hand at the mill that the plant could not complete them within the contract time, and thereupon it was decided to enlarge the establishment by the erection of a whilley, or preparing house, and also to obtain from England two extra whil- ley machines, wherewith to meet the demands of fast-increasing business.

Accordingly, about six weeks ago the ad- dition was carried out by the completion of a large detached galvanised iron building 60ft. by 40ft. bearing a double roof, and situated about 30ft. from the main building. Within this building was placed the necessary machinery, in- cluding the new machines just arrived from England for preparing the wool for the carders and scribblers, and work has since been going on satisfactorily.

Yesterday afternoon at the usual time (2 o’clock) work was suspended, and the place left in charge of a man named Kinlock, who is employed as watchman. Kinlock states that he remained on duty till 6 o’clock this morning, when he went home, everything then appearing to be safe.

According to the state- ments of Mr. Roberts, the manager of the factory, it is Kinlock’s duty to visit each portion of the factory every hour, but Kinlock says his patrol has been confined to the main building, and he never visited the whilley-house. However, about 10 minutes past 6 this morning Mr. Roberts was awakened by some boys at his house shouting out “The woollen mills are on fire,” and he lost no time in getting to the scene. Upon opening the door of the building he saw a heap of waste burning in the south west corner. He quickly got a hose, 1 1/4in. in diameter, which is kept ready in case of such an emergency, but the pressure of water was insufficient.

As the fire was making headway Mr. Roberts sent some boys to ring the fire-bell, and as there was about 201b. of steam remaining in the boiler from yesterday, the whistle was blown. In a few minutes 200 or 300 people were on the ground. The fire brigade quickly arrived, but by this time the mass of waste was in full blaze, the flames extending up the wood-work to the roof. The brigade found that they had not a sufficient length of hose – although they had brought 1,000ft. with them – to reach the fire plug in Gingel-street, for which they were making, and some little delay was occasioned thereby.

In less than 10 minutes, however, water was playing upon the flames, which by this time had consumed the whole of the corner where the fire originated, and extended round the woodwork of the whole building. Within 20 minutes afterwards the fire was got well under, and it was soon totally extinguished.

The greater portion of the wall and roof remained in position, but they are burnt very much. The floor being of brick was soon cool enough to permit of a footing being obtained. Upon inspection of the premises it was found that all the machinery was destroyed, together with a quantity of wool, the loss being estimated as follows: – Burring machine, £350; cockspur teaser, £250; grinder, £150; old whilley, £20; new whilley, £25; engine belting, £40, wool, cotton waste, £300; damage to building, £300; total, £1,435.

The extent of the damage done to the engine is not known yet. The fire originated in a heap of waste which has been accumulating during the last four or five weeks. It is supposed that the waste got damp, and that spontaneous combustion resulted. The place was uninsured. On Friday last the question of insuring was brought up and dis- cussed at a meeting of the directors of the company, but owing to dissatisfaction with regard to the terms the matter was not proceeded with. The interruption of work will form a very heavy loss to the company also. There is stated to be about two weeks’ work ahead of the preparing room, but after that is finished the mill will be closed until new machinery can be obtained from England.

Of course in this case considerable time will elapse before work can be resumed. The company will therefore be unable to fulfill some large contracts expiring on the 5th February, March, and April. Some 60 or 70 hands will be thrown out of work during the time that the factory is stopped, which is ex- pected to be from four to six months.