The Howqua Hills Story Edition 3
THE HOWQUA HILLS STORY
EDITION 1 AND 2 (1840-1993)
By Chris Stoney
The author of the original school project and the first two editions (covering 1840 to 1993)
EDITION 3 (2020)
By Graeme Stoney
Includes revision of Editions 1 and 2 with additional information and photos.
INTRODUCTION
Edition one and two (Revised)
Howqua Hills is a small pocket of land enveloped by miles of rugged and mountainous terrain.
It is approximately twenty-five miles by timber road from the town of Mansfield, and fourteen miles as the "crow flies" to the now small town of Jamieson.
Cattle are run in the High Country beyond the valley by Mountain Cattlemen from Mansfield and Merrijig. Some parts of the upper valley have been logged by sawmillers from Mansfield. In the past two decades, the upper Howqua valley has witnessed thousands of visitors, being a haven for fishermen, bushwalkers and campers.
Recognising its special significance, the Land Conservation Council, in its final Alpine Area Report in 1979, recommended that Howqua Hills should be declared a historic area, and that such areas be managed to promote public awareness of goldmining and the settlement of the land.
It is the chimney, mine shafts, water races and tunnel that suggests that there is more to the history of the area than cattle, logging & tourism.
INTRODUCTION
Edition three
Since 1993 much has happened in the Howqua Valley.
There has been a major bushfire. Bluff hut was burnt down and was rebuilt.
There has been a flood that took the Sheepyard Bridge and it was rebuilt. the Howqua Track was taken over by the Shire of Mansfield and improved.
The numbers of visitors have significantly increased from 1993.
The numbers of modern four wheel drives (complete with all the latest gadgets!) has escalated.
The Howqua Hills Progress Association has been very active including establishing an emergency repeater (UHF CH 5)
There is now limited mobile phone service in sections of the valley.
Logging has ceased.
Grazing in the Alpine National Park has been stopped by the Government. A few old cows still graze the remaining State Forest licence called Narboorac. They can be seen in the summer around Sheepyard and Frys, keeping the fuel loads down.
Sambar Deer numbers have significantly increased, creating widespread attention from hound hunters and stalkers. Hunting is the only present method available to control exploding deer numbers.
If this trend is not checked impact from the deer will seriously affect the environment.
Trout fishing is not what it was in the 1970's and 1980's, with various theories being put forward including overfishing or more likely warmer water in the summer. The carp have arrived from Lake Eildon and can be seen cruising the river
Koalas were re-introduced by Parks Victoria about 1998 and can be seen around the valley.
Despite all the changes, Howqua Hills is still a wonderful and magical place.
It's loved by thousands of people and will continue to be so.
177 Pages
210 mm x 297mm x 12mm