In 1859, a Welsh stonemason by the name of John Jones made his way out to the newly settled state of Victoria. The fledgling state was in the midst of gold fever and John Jones had no trouble getting work on the railway being built to Bendigo. He worked on many bridges and viaducts in the area, including the impressive viaduct at Malmsbury. Cashed up with gold, it was a prosperous area and is still dotted with many large and impressive buildings made from the characteristic local bluestone from that era built by John and his fellow masons.
His son, William Thomas Jones, succeeded him in the business, later moving it to the nearby growing town of Kyneton. William Thomas Jones worked on many of Victoria's most important buildings such as the Law Courts, Parliament House and the Melbourne University.
The third generation, William Leslie Thomas, followed in the business, modernising and extending its reach into central and northern Victoria.
The fourth generation of Joneses continued the business after the Second World War until 1991, when they sold it to Huntly Barton. Huntly had been involved with the yard for the previous five years.He had taken up stonemasonry through building stone houses and excels at the traditional skills and techniques handed down through the yard. The yard in Piper St is heritage listed and has many of the old methods of moving, cutting and preparing stone still in active use or in sight.
"I strongly believe that it's important to keep using these skills and knowledge." Says Huntly. "William Thomas Jones has played an important role in this community for over a century, providing employment and giving it some of it's most celebrated landmarks. It's my hope to keep that tradition alive."
His son, William Thomas Jones, succeeded him in the business, later moving it to the nearby growing town of Kyneton. William Thomas Jones worked on many of Victoria's most important buildings such as the Law Courts, Parliament House and the Melbourne University.
The third generation, William Leslie Thomas, followed in the business, modernising and extending its reach into central and northern Victoria.
The fourth generation of Joneses continued the business after the Second World War until 1991, when they sold it to Huntly Barton. Huntly had been involved with the yard for the previous five years.He had taken up stonemasonry through building stone houses and excels at the traditional skills and techniques handed down through the yard. The yard in Piper St is heritage listed and has many of the old methods of moving, cutting and preparing stone still in active use or in sight.
"I strongly believe that it's important to keep using these skills and knowledge." Says Huntly. "William Thomas Jones has played an important role in this community for over a century, providing employment and giving it some of it's most celebrated landmarks. It's my hope to keep that tradition alive."
