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Mott's Dummy Hut

Location Natimuk/Goroke Road, NATIMUK VIC 3409 - Property No B3444 File Number B3444 Level Local

[1/1] 3444 Mott's Dummy Hut

Statement of Significance

Mott's Dummy Hut was erected in 1872 on an agricultural allotment selected by David Mott under the terms of the Duffy Land Act of 1862 and subsequent acts of 1865 and 1869. The last act required persons of age to reside on their selection in a permanent structure and Mott's Dummy Hut is built as a single weatherboard clad room sitting on logs.
The hut is of great historical significance as a rare. if not unique, manifestation of the vagaries of the Land Selection Acts of the 1860's in Victoria. These acts, including the notorious Duffy Act, were intended to make possession of land universally possible, but were subject to widespread abuse, including the use of dummy selectors by squatters to protect their holdings and by land agents to gain advantage. David Mott's hut was erected as a dummy to increase his father's adjacent selection.
The hut has been almost miraculously preserved intact. The weatherboard cladding was apparently replaced in the 1920's. The structure was removed to a site adjacent the original selection at an unknown date.
Adapted from AHC Citation
Classified: 04/04/1974
File Note: The hut is located 4 kilometres west of Natimuk on north side of Goroke Road.