Lilydale hazelnut producer John Gallagher repurposed a grain crusher produced in 1862 to crack nut shells, and restored a historical piece of Tasmanian machinery in the process.
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Mr Gallagher, of Cherry Top Farmstay, discovered the Bentall’s corn and seed crusher when the contents of the Dalness property at Evandale were sold at auction in 2014.
“I had been searching for a hazelnut crushing machine. All I needed to do was adjust it and it’s like it was made for hazelnuts,” Mr Gallagher said.
The thick hazelnut shells take up a significant amount of the nut’s weight and bulk, with the nut inside only around a third of the shell size.
“We’ve been selling nuts for people to crack themselves and now we’re crushing hazelnuts for sale,” Mr Gallagher said.
He spent time researching the mill’s origins and modifying it by adding a handle, painting the exterior and gaining an understanding of the internal workings.
Now the antique machine has a new lease on life crushing hazelnuts, but also rolls oats for the Gallagher’s personal use.
“It was used at the Dalness property at Evandale, where they bred Corriedale sheep. It would have been a crucial component because without crushing the grains the sheep don’t get the nutrients,” Mr Gallagher said.
The machine was transported to Tasmania from the United Kingdom by the Mackinnon family on a wooden boat.
“[Mrs Mackinnon] came from the Isle of Skye. She wouldn’t have sent [the crusher], she would have come with it,” he said.
“This model is the bees knees.”
The Mackinnon family is one of the pioneers of the Corriedale sheep breed in Australia.
A M Mackinnon from Mountford, Longford, crossed Lincoln rams with Merino ewes and then inbred the offspring to create the breed that is known for good meat and wool production.
A 1939 article in The Examiner said the Mackinnon name had a long association with Corriedale sheep.
“During the last ten years many prizes have been secured by sheep from the Dalness stud. Mr Mackinnon has won three championships and one reserve championship for rams at the Australian Sheepbreeders’ Show at Melbourne, where the Corriedale classes are probably stronger than at any other show in Australia,” the article stated.
“The class of country at Dalness and the quality of the foundation stock have evolved a remarkably even flock of large-bodied, well-covered sheep.”
Johanna Baker-Dowdell
Johanna has more than 22 years experience as a journalist for newspapers, magazines and online publications.
Johanna has more than 22 years experience as a journalist for newspapers, magazines and online publications.
