Shedding the Memories

AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE OF ENJOYMENT, LEONGATHA COUPLE LINDSAY AND ROBYN POWNEY ARE SOON TO HAND OVER ONE OF THE LOCAL AREA’S MOST RECOGNISABLE LANDMARKS TO A NEW OWNER.

WORDS BY CHRIS WEST PHOTOS BY DOUG PELL

Anyone who has headed south from Leongatha on the South Gippsland Highway will have driven past and most likely noticed the famous shed built on an island in the middle of a dam at the Powney’s farm property.

Far more than a mere curiosity, the humble tin shed has become an iconic landmark that slows traffic as people turn their heads to catch a glimpse as they pass by. Visitors and tourists even make it a destination to stop and park outside the fence line to enjoy a longer look.

“It’s become very well-known over the years. Everyone notices it,” Lindsay comments.

Robyn says the extent of the interest has never waned.

“We’ve had Australian and international tourists stopping here just to see the shed and to take photos,” she states.

“One time we even had a note left on the gate from a couple in Melbourne with their name, phone number and an invitation to come and have a cup of tea with them because they had gotten so much enjoyment out of it.”

The Powneys have always tried to accommodate the interest in the shed from the public despite it being on their private property. They have also made the dam available to a local model boat club for use on several occasions.

Lindsay and Robyn purchased the 100-acre farming property known as Woodlands around fifteen years ago, just a few minutes from the house in Leongatha which has remained their principal place of residence throughout.

“I’d had farms before and both Robyn and I could see the potential in this property,” Lindsay explains.

The Powneys opted to run cattle on the property, predominantly Herefords.

When the couple took ownership, the dam on the farm was nothing like it is today. “At that time, it was little more than a puddle down the front of the property, but we wanted to do something a bit special with it,” Lindsay states.

About three years after acquiring the property, Lindsay and Robyn’s vision for the dam began to take shape. Excavators were brought in to dig out and substantially extend the dam’s size.

“It wasn’t difficult logistically because you could drive out there at the time,” Lindsay notes.

“Because it was dry, we took advantage to pile up the excavated dirt to create an island out there. It turned what was just a dam into more of an ornamental lake and it actually took two years for it to fill with water.”

Lindsay estimates that the dam’s water level is presently about 25 feet at its deepest point.

“It was thirty-two feet when we built the dam, but the level has reduced over time due to the build-up of silt,” he says.

The island that was created through the process of extending the dam became home to the iconic shed.

“I wanted to build something in the style of the Ettamogah Pub, but Robyn wouldn’t have a bar of it,” Lindsay laughs.

“As it turned out, the shack we ended up building has a bit of a lean to it of its own.”

Robyn says that very little expense went into the construction of the shed. “We used second-hand materials, including an old fence pulled down from a house in Leongatha, and put some old farm implements out there as an extra touch to add to the rustic feel,” she recalls.

Tin sheeting was used for the walls, roof and verandah, whilst the timber palings were utilised to construct the picket fence that surrounds the island block on which the shed stands. A small jetty was added for watercraft to dock. Native vegetation provides some greenery to complete the scene.

Only occasional maintenance is required.

“I haven’t been out there for about twelve months,” Lindsay estimates.

“There was glass in the windows in the shed originally, but we removed the panes to protect birds from flying into the glass.”

Viewed from a distance, the shed appears larger than its true dimensions. “It’s quite deceiving,” Lindsay comments.

“It’s only about the size of a chook shed but it looks much more substantial.”

One of the most popular aspects of the shed was a very special guest taking residence on the island each Christmas, which became an annual festive season tradition for several years.

“We used to put a life-sized Santa out there in various poses,” Robyn explains.

“One year we gave him a fishing rod and boat. Another time we did a bit of an Australiana themed display and put him on the roof of the shed with koalas,” she adds.

People in their cars would often toot the horn to acknowledge Santa as they drove past the property.

Lindsay and Robyn both remain incredulous that one year someone foolishly swam out there in the middle of the night, putting themselves at great risk, to deliver Santa a can of beer. The couple have no idea of the prankster’s identity but were relieved that they came to no harm.

Despite all the wonderful memories, the Powneys came to the realisation earlier this year that the time was right to sell the property, although they have elected to retain around 20 acres of the landholding which is zoned ‘Special Use’ for agricultural services. The parcel they have kept in their ownership does not include the dam and shed, or three-bedroom farmhouse. “There comes a time in your life when you begin to look forward,” Lindsay remarks.

He and Robyn retired at the end of 2019 after operating their own independent real estate company in Leongatha for eight years. Robyn had previously been a teacher before switching careers to join Lindsay in the real estate industry.

When they hand over Woodlands in February, the Powneys will take away many fond recollections from the past fifteen years.

“This place has been very good to us. I’ll miss it something fierce,” Lindsay concedes.

“But we’re also looking forward to spending more time with our children and grandchildren who live in Melbourne and Bannockburn, and hopefully travelling,” he adds.

Robyn says she and Lindsay both appreciate the natural beauty that abounds at Woodlands.

“It’s just been a lovely spot to come out to and potter around,” she reflects.

Woodlands is inhabited by an abundance of birdlife, including swans and plovers, and only recently a pelican has made itself at home on the dam’s waters.

The Powneys are particularly pleased that the property is being passed into good hands.

“The new owner absolutely loves the shed and has some exciting plans for the property’s future that will benefit the community,” Lindsay says.

“With us living close by in Leongatha and still retaining our twenty acres, it goes without saying that we’ll be keeping an eye on what goes on here and taking a keen interest.”