The Murtoa Stick Shed is a legendary architectural icon in the Wimmera region of Victoria. The shed was built by local contractor Green Bros who started work in September 1941, amazingly the shed was ready to accept grain deliveries in January 1942.
The Stick Shed was initially known as No.1 Emergency Grain Store, with a larger No.2 shed being built in 1942/43. This larger shed was demolished in 1975.
Why does Murtoa have a stick shed?
As you can see by the year it was built, the Murtoa Stick Shed was erected during World War II.
Given the abundance of wheat being produced in the region and the lack of available options for export, the shed was put up to house wheat until the war was over.
The shed was the first of its type built and owes its longevity to the concrete floor installed when it was built. Sheds of this type usually featured tin floors which eventually provided a home to vermin and diseases that affected wheat crops.
It was last used to hold wheat during the 1989/90 harvest season.
How big is the Stick Shed?
The shed is 265 metres long, 60.5 metres wide, and around 20 metres high.
The roof itself is held up by 560 unmilled mountain ash poles—hence the name ‘Stick Shed’. Corrugated iron covers the entire structure.
Is the Stick Shed on the heritage register?
Thankfully, yes.
The structure was added to the Victorian Heritage Register in 1990, and the National Heritage List in 2014.
You can get a first-hand account of the recent, and past, history of the Murtoa Stick Shed on this website run by local Leigh Hammerton. Definitely worth a read.
Murtoa Stick Shed
Where: 8 Industrial Road, Murtoa
Opening hours: Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 12:30pm. Sunday 10am to 2pm
How much: $10 per person
For more information, go to murtoastickshed.com.au.
Image credit: Visit Victoria
