Last updated 25Jun20

The Banks Hut (aka Max and Bert’s (Oldfield) Hut)

The Banks Hut (aka Max and Bert’s (Oldfield) Hut) is a corrugated iron hut on the east flank of the Booth Range in the Namadgi National Park.

Location: GR 55H FA 87356-41938 (MGA94), Michelago 8726-4S 1:25000


The Banks Hut (aka Max and Berts (Oldfield) Hut) July 2007

Visits: 3 Nov 15, 3 Jul 07

Photographs are available.

Documentation:

• Destroyed by fire January 2020.

• KHA web site: The original Banks Hut was used by Ted Oldfield before the First World War, but only a few stones of the chimney remain. “Max and Berts” hut as built by Max and Bert Oldfield in the early 1967, using a few stones from the first hut. It was used to support cattle grazing on the Booth Range lease (Block 6) after the site for The Bog Hut was found to be too wet and cold for much of the year. Earlier holders of the lease included the De Salis family of Cuppacumbalong and Mr Massy of Gundaroo. The first were probably the builders of the original hut, but this is not known definitively.From about 1955 to 1991, the hut was not visited, and was “re-discovered” as a result of the oral history project and interviews undertaken by Matthew Higgins in 1990. When first revisited about 1998, the hut contained all the furniture and items used by cattlemen in the 50’s, including a foldout chair or bed, cooking utensils, lanterns, alarm clock etc, all of which have been carefully documented and most removed for safe keeping. KHA decided to include this hut on the website, as it is already publicised in other places on the internet. It was revisited immediately after the fires, to check its condition. Construction – The Banks hut is a simple building of corrugated iron over bush poles, with a flat roof.

• ACT Heritage Listing: Stockmen’s Huts in Namadgi National Park H58e