I have written before about Archie Hair and Blue Pool near Briagolong. But I recently ventured into the Public Record Office to uncover the old FCV file which gives more detailed insights into the arrangements Archie had over the site.
In February 1940, William O’Regan, an invalid pensioner and gold prospector, who had lived along the Freestone Creek for many years, wrote to the Forests Commission at Briagolong seeking permission to rent a small ½ acre lot of State forest near the Blue Pool at a place called Froam to build a hut and small garden.
The local District Forester, Frank Halloran, assessed his application and recommended that a “miscellaneous licence” be issued with an annual fee of 5 shillings. But by June 1942, relationships with the Commission had soured when Mr O’Regan refused to pay his annual rent, claiming he had entitlements under a Miners Right over the land. The rent arrears accumulated, and the matter was sent to the Crown Solicitor for action. But the dispute lapsed after William died in July 1945 and his rough bark and kerosene tin hut and garden were abandoned.
However, the vacancy of the site created an opportunity for another part time prospector, Archie Hair, and on 28 October 1946, he wrote to the Forests Commission seeking to take over the land and the annual licence from Willam O’Regan. He also asked about the possibility a more permanent arrangement because he planned to build a more substantial dwelling.
Archie’s application was supported by the local forester at Briagolong and in November 1946 the annual licence was transferred, with a rental increase to 7 shillings per year.
Archie and his wife, Edna, subsequently built an eclectic house and garden known as “The Arches”. They retired in the mid-1950s to Blue Pool from their farm at Willung.
Their first house was destroyed in the 1965 bushfires. But undeterred, Archie built another soon after. Both houses looked like something out of a Mother Hubbard storybook, and neither had mains power or town water but had an open fire and kerosene fridge.
Archie and Edna’s generous hospitality of home-made ginger beer and ANZAC biscuits served to their many visitors were legendary. And visitors often sent Christmas cards to the pair each year to their great delight.
In November 1970, Archie wrote to the Forests Commission seeking access to an adjoining 2 acres of land to establish picnic and camping sites for scouts and guides. He also asked about a more permanent tenure arrangement such as a long-term lease, or even freehold title, rather than the annual licence. He attached a newspaper article from the Gippsland Times.
The District Forester, Allan Sims, was sympathetic to Archie and agreed to licence the additional parcel of land for a total of 8 dollars per year but could see that in the long term the Blue Pool was going to become an important recreation area so politely declined his request for a more enduring tenure arrangement. However, Archie was allowed to remain in his house as long as he wanted but the FCV identified the possibility of cancelling the licence at some point in the future.
Archie went into aged care at Maffra in 1978 and died on 21 December 1980, aged 89.
The house at the Blue Pool became empty and fell into a state of disrepair. There were reports of squatters living in the house and fears of bushfires. The District Forester at Maffra, Graeme Saddington, as well as the local police recommended cancelling the licence and removing the building. The executors of Archie’s estate were advised.
Some material was salvaged but local FCV crew demolished the remaining building and buried most of the debris onsite. Little trace remains other than a few rogue garden plants, broken bricks and mining relics. However, the original Arches house sign remained near the entrance to the current picnic ground for many years.
Blue Pool picnic and camping area is one of Gippsland’s secret gems and has undergone a recent upgrade. It’s proudly maintained by the local FFMV crew from Briagolong and Heyfield.
Victoria’s Forests & Bushfire Heritage 