Woodcutters and Coke Burners

By 1841, Melbourne had grown to 11,700 and land clearing in surrounding districts was providing much needed fire wood and sawn timber for the rapidly growing settlement. During the 1840s and 50s, itinerant woodcutters and charcoal burners camped beside Ruffey Creek to be close to a constant supply of fresh water and fuel timber. They felled trees along the banks and dug charcoal-burning pies on the eastern slopes of Ruffey Creek, west of Church Road (then known as Strip Road). Cut firewood was carted to Kew and Melbourne on drays drawn by horses and bullocks, and brought fourpence to one shilling per hundredweight (about 50 kgs). These woodcutters and charcoal burners probably helped clear the land leased by Ambrose Pullen on the west side of Church Road from 1842 to 1854. Pollen was then able to grow wheat on this land. Charcoal was in great demand for blacksmiths' forges and charcoal burning continued until the 1880s when coke became available from gas works.

Ruffey Lake Park Heritage Trail (Doncaster) - https://www.melbourneplaygrounds.com.au/ruffey-lake-park-heritage-trail-doncaster