Historical information

When the numerous gold mines declined in production, the eucalyptus oil industry became an important source of work. The first eucalyptus oil producer in Bendigo was a chemist called Richard Sandner who operated a plant and refinery in Bridge Street from 1876. By 1900, many other distillers operated on the northern edge of Bendigo and in the Whipstick. In 1926, the Forest Commision established a eucalyptus distillery at Gunyah in Wellsford State Forest. See the Wellsford Forest Note for more information. Today, there are just two eucalypt distilleries operating in Bendigo. Most of the world’s eucalyptus oil is now produced overseas.

Physical description

Peter Ellis Collection: eight slides of Whirrakee Wattle regeneration near Bagshot, Eucalyptus History museum, Ruedin's Steam Traction engine, Eucalyptus oil condensor and a Mallee roller to rip out the eucalytpus trees. Peter was a chemistry lecturer at the Bendigo Institute of technology.