Arrowtown heritage fundraiser
Arrowtown Charitable Trust has launched a fundraising campaign to help restore Arrowtown’s Category 3 listed Butler’s Wall and is seeking donations from the community and visitors.
Butler’s Wall is a prominent landmark at the eastern end of Buckingham Street beside Butler’s Green and was constructed in 1886 to retain the gold-mining route connecting Queenstown and Arrowtown to the isolated settlement of Macetown.
Made from stacked schist, locally sourced from Feehly Hill, the wall is in need of repair to maintain its structural integrity.
Arrowtown Charitable Trust Chair Amanda Viana says QLDC has allocated $1.8 million in its Long-Term Plan in years 2029-2031 towards restoration. However, this is in no way indicative of the actual amount required. As costs continue to increase, the Trust hopes to begin raising funds and taking action now to help retain this important feature of our local history.
“Although there are no formal records, anecdotally it is believed that Chinese miners who lived in the nearby settlement built the wall during the 1860s gold rush. It was a vital gateway connecting the gold mining communities and it would be a real shame to let it crumble away,” she says.
“Waiting until it is beyond repair and building a new wall is a likely option if nothing is done. Arrowtown is what it is today because of the foresight of those who began protecting its heritage decades ago, so I say let’s continue that foresight,” she adds.
Arrowtown Village Association Chair & Arrowtown Charitable Trust trustee Nick Fifield supports the restoration of the wall and says there has been concern about the movement of the wall for some time.
“Last year, Buckingham Street was made one-way only down to Butler’s Green and the Arrow River to reduce the strain on Butler’s Wall. While this is a positive move, more needs to be done to protect this heritage feature,” Fifield says.
“Arrowtown Charitable Trust is hopeful we can raise funds from donations from within our community and visitors but we are also open to discussions with local benefactors or partnering with an event organiser if that can help us reach our goal quicker,” he adds.
A Raisely page has been created for donations and posters with QR codes linking to the website are also located throughout Arrowtown: lets-save-butlers-wall-in-arrowtown.raiselysite.com
