History to the Heritage

Kurth Kiln was established by the Forests Commission of Victoria in 1941, as a result of concerns about reliability of petroleum supplies due to World War Two. Petrol rationing was introduced in October 1940 and by 1942 motorists were only allowed to drive 1300km a year with petrol. Dr Ernest Kurth from the University of Tasmania was commissioned to design the Kiln with the aim to mass-produce charcoal, and was paid £5 for the use of his design. The total cost of establishing the Kiln was 1,799 pounds 17 shillings and 2 pence. (about $4,000)

Gembrook was selected as the ideal site for the Kurth Kin as it fully met three essential criteria required for successful operation.

These being:
  • Water availability - The Kiln required 9,100 litres of water per day in order for cooling systems to be effective.
  • Timber availability The Kiln used 103 cubic metres of timber a week
  • Sloping Land - This enabled easier top loading of wood into the kiln and limited the superstructure requirements.
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    Heritage Nomination

    Kurth Kiln is included as an indicative place on the Register of the National Estate database (004495).

    The nomination states: Kurth Kiln is a significant timber industry site associated with the Forests Commission of Victoria during a critical period of World War Two. The Kiln was erected to produce charcoal for gas producer units, which supplied an alternative source of fuel for cars and trucks. The Kiln is also significant for its association with Dr Ernest Kurth of the University of Tasmania. E. E. Kurth had been investigating the pyrolysis of timber and Kiln design since 1940. His work resulted in the construction of a commercial sized continuously burning Kiln in 1942 at Gembrook. Kurth Kiln was the only Kiln of its type erected in Victoria, possibly mainland Australia.

    Later phases of occupation, notably the forestry camp (1946-1963) contribute to the significance of the site. The camp was the centre of the Forests Commission’s activities in the Kallista Forest District

    Kurth Kiln is also included in the Heritage Inventory of archaeological sites maintained by Heritage Victoria (H8022-0013).

    KKHAP2002; Gary Vines.

    Some pictures of the 2002 Heritage Festival at Kurth Kiln,  "Beyond the Big Smoke", organised in conjunction with the  Eastern Division of Heritage Victoria.