Historian Roy Timble and Dobie residents concerned about Hopkins River history in path of Western Highway duplication

Former Pomonal teacher Roy Trimble has begun a mission to preserve Dobie’s history.

Mr Trimble has previously said the area beginning on Ararat’s south-east outskirts was not that well documented, especially in photographs or illustrations.

Dobie is also set for major changes over the next two years with the duplication of the Western Highway from Buangor to Ararat.

One of the areas that concerns Mr Trimble is a former Hopkins River crossing beside the existing highway bridge near the Dobie Road turnoff.

The carefully constructed stone pavers covered the existing riverbed and were designed to allow heavy wagons with steel-clad wheel rims, and then early model trucks to cross the waterway.

Mr Trimble said the long stones were deliberately chosen to spread the weight of each wheel and the crossing was reinforced against the flow of the river.

Surveyors have placed markers for the two new bridges that will replace the existing Hopkins River bridge, but he is not sure if the represent the edges of the lanes or positions for new bridge supports.

“I’m not trying to stop the highway,” Mr Trimble said.

“I’m just concerned that VicRoads isn’t getting all the information and therefore can’t do due diligence.”

VicRoads project director for north western projects, Nigel Powers said the former paved river crossing was discovered when water levels dropped in the Hopkins River, 

“We’ve put a lot of work into identifying and preserving areas of cultural heritage as we duplicate the Western Highway between Buangor and Ararat,” he said.

“Once this paved river crossing was identified, we brought in an expert to investigate and we’re now incorporating it into our plans.”

VicRoads brought in a consultant to investigate the finding and refer it to Heritage Victoria, which indicated it did not intend to include the remains of the structure in its inventory.