Picture this. You stand before Herbert’s Ruin. A weathered stone wall whispers tales of a bygone era. This isn’t just any ruin. It’s Herbert’s Ruin a piece of Melbourne’s pioneering history. The foundation stones of a house stand proud. They mark the spot where the Herbert family built their home Greenhills in 1852. William Wandless Herbert a sheep farmer from Scotland settled here. He married Elizabeth daughter of John Wilson a fellow Diamond Creek pioneer.
Their property was vast. It stretched across 100 acres encompassing the land where Collard Drive now stands. Imagine the Herbert family tending their fields. They lived a life deeply entwined with the land. Then gold was discovered. The year was 1862. William Herbert expanded his land holdings. He even started the Nillumbik Mine in the gully close to his home. His mining ventures enriched the family. Their success allowed them to acquire an additional 212 acres.
Herbert’s Ruin isn’t just about farming and mining though. It was also the heart of community life. The Diamond Creek Racing Club held its annual races on the Herbert property. This event was incredibly popular. People came from all over to witness the races. The Argus newspaper described one successful meeting in 1881. The festive atmosphere was electric. Dancing lasted well into the night in the barn below the house. The barn’s stonework remains part of Herbert’s Ruin today.
However the racing days were short-lived. The Herbert family planted orchards. The race meetings moved. They were relocated to the property of William and Nathaniel Ellis across the creek. Archaeological digs in the early 1990s unearthed and documented the significance of Herbert’s Ruin. The remains of the house and barns were documented. They stand as a testament to the Herbert family’s contribution to Diamond Creek’s history. They represent the spirit of pioneering families. They highlight the area’s transformation from farmland to a thriving community.
So as you stand before Herbert’s Ruin remember. You’re standing on a site imbued with stories of prosperity hardship and community spirit. It’s a place where history comes alive. A place that invites us to reflect on the lives of those who shaped Melbourne. A place we must protect and remember.