Tommy Gibson of “Tommy’s Hut”
Tommy Gibson was a paling splinter, cutting palings and shingles for sale at the Melbourne markets. He lived at "Tommy's Hut" in 1862. Tommy's Hut was situated at Kinglake West. Current location approximately Cnr of Whittlesea – Kinglake Road and Whittlesea – Yea Road, Kinglake West. A photo in the images collection of the local history collection at Mill Park Library (City of Whittlesea) has the caption:
Two timber houses surrounded by picket fence. In foreground is a wooden tramway used for taking timber to Whittelsea railway station. Tommy's hut belonged to Tommy Gibson, a paling splitter. His house was used as a sly grog shop and meeting place.
Every few days, when he had enough palings to sell, he would load up his trusty wheelbarrow and wheel his product from his home to Whittlesea which was approximately 16 kms downhill.
Source: City of Whittlesea Heritage Program Tommy Gibson Wheelbarrow trek re-enactment (Saturday 6 October 2007) p. 12
