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GENERAL STORE AND RESIDENCE (FORMER)

Location

5787 Port Fairy-Hamilton Road BYADUK, Southern Grampians Shire

File Number

528

Level

Stage 2 study complete

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23139 General Store Byaduk
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23139 General Store Byaduk

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The Byaduk general store is a complex of buildings located on the west side of the Hamilton - Port Fairy Road, about 600 metres north of the centre of Byaduk. The elements of complex are a bluestone store, which is believed to have been built by the early owner, Charles Munt, between 1872 and 1876; A service station which is clad in cement sheeting over timber frames; a substantial timber residence and adjacent stables and coach house which appears to date from the late nineteenth century, or early twentieth century. The complex served Byaduk for over 130 years until its closure in 2001. The store had been in continual operation its construction, between 1872 and 1876, when it replaced an earlier store. The store closed in 2001, and retains a high degree of integrity. There has been no architect or builder associated with the Byaduk general store. The buildings are in good condition.

How is it significant?
The Byaduk general store is of historical significance to the Southern Grampians Shire.

Why is it significant?
The store complex is historically important for continual use as a general store, which served Byaduk and the surrounding area for over 130 years. The store represents a previous way of life, in which the general store was a vital service to the community, providing a mail and telegraph service, general goods, pastoral equipment and consumables. The former general store is of further historical importance for its associations with early owners, such as John Cannon, John Ross and Charles Munt, who built the store. The long association with the well-known Pearse family of Byaduk is also of historical significance. The Pearse family held the store for the longest period of any owner, through several generations of the same family from 1939 to the store's closure in 2001.

Group