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Cudgee hut; c1961 Harvey John Davis built this slab dwelling in the very isolated Valley called Cudgeegamah for his daughter 'Nellie' Davis in 1908. The walls and floor of the 'L' shaped building were built of slabs split from the tall, straight red gums trees in the neighbouring bush, as were the shingles for the roof. Before weathering darkened the shingles this type roof gave the appearance of being constructed of red tiles. This photo was taken in 1961 or '62 when the building was still complete but within a few years the ravages of time and white ants reduced it to just one room. Careless campers burnt down the one remaining room in about 1980. So remote was this hut that the fruit of the large and ancient grape vine that overgrew it and the adjoining trees would seldom be enjoyed by any human visitor. Those that came late in the season could smell the fermenting grapes from some distance and it was obvious to the traveller that the birds and foxes had been the sole beneficiaries to a bountiful crop in this forgotten garden in the wilderness. |