Jack Simpson with Jean and Kath Bassett carting salt from the salt lakes north of Lake Bolac. The harvesting of Salt from the salt lakes was the earliest industry recorded as taking place in the district, predating the pastoral industry. In 1841, G A Robinson was passing between the fresh water and salt lakes and recorded a party of men all the way from Manifold,s loading salt onto a wagon. Local aborigines also used salt from these lakes as a trading item.lake bolac, salt harvest, g a robinson, manifold, simpson, bassett