MARCH 2017 | Anne Thwaites and Geoff Berry

OVER THE past few years, volunteers from the Mountain Huts Preservation Society have beautifully restored heritage buildings befitting the fascinating history, dating from 1864 of the Steppes State Reserve on the Highland Lakes Road.

The Wilson family’s former residence for over 112 years, was the hub of local community life at the juncture of Interlaken Road, with a police station, post office, bakery and school alongside the Homestead.

The family’s strong connection with their surrounding bush compelled them to successfully push for the Steppes to become a bird sanctuary reserve under the Animal & Bird Protection act in 1930. And when the remaining living family member Madge Wilson died at aged 92 in 1975, the sign postings used in the area to this very day, bear examples of her talent as an artist and wood carver.

To restore the outbuildings, art studio, post office, bakery, cow shed and wash house, timber from the forests were split into sizes suitable for hand rails and shingles for roofs; with the original garden fencing of hand split posts and pickets recently reconstructed.

To commemorate the restoration, the Steppes Homestead is open to the public on 18th and 19th March to view Madge Wilson’s paintings and purchase paintings by the Sunny Coasters Painting group. Tea and snacks are available after, or bring a picnic basket.

Plenty of car parking is available opposite the Homestead, and at The Steppes Sculptures, a 900-metre bush track walk away, pass the information booth with photographs and more historical information.

For enquiries, call 6227 9363.

Photo | Photo supplied