Hailstorm threatens to topple Ascot's 1860s blacksmith shop
A heritage-listed 1860s blacksmith shop in Ascot faces collapse from storm damage. The owner seeks urgent community and corporate support.
Daniel Palm and his family bought Ascot's historic McGrath property two years ago to preserve it. The property was heritage-listed in March.
A massive hailstorm early this year severely damaged the forge's roof, walls and trusses. Parts are now dangerously unstable.
The property once served as a community hub where locals gathered while blacksmiths worked. It inspired the name of Ballarat's famous pizzeria, The Forge, named after blacksmith Frank McGrath.
Palm wants to eventually open the site to the public. First he needs to stabilise the structure urgently.
No heritage grants are available from the City of Ballarat in 2024-25. He is seeking in-kind support from builders, engineers, materials suppliers and historians.
Another storm could destroy what remains.
- 2 years ago
- Property acquisition timeframe
- March
- Heritage listing date
- 1860s
- Blacksmith shop era
- Ascot
- Location
Why it mattersA historic piece of local history and community heritage is at immediate risk of destruction without intervention.
AustraliaBallarat and regional Victoria risk losing an important heritage building and cultural landmark if the community does not step in with urgent repair support.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 11 d ago
