Aerial view - Historic images - Walkaround : Smeaton Victoria Australia

[@paulrudd1063]

The halls were awesome. Up until covid, they were incredibly busy. They did servicing, repairs, plumbing supplies and employed a lot of people including mechanics and apprentices. Covid lockdowns killed the business. It was really tragic for the people who worked there and for the entire town. You’re lucky you got away with filming there without getting charged with trespass. The local police are very vigilant.

[@urbanaerialexplorer1885]

Many have a misunderstanding of trespass legislation and quoting senior police "Anyone has the right to walk up to a front door and knock on the door.” - Where people get in trouble is if they commit criminal damage / steal / do graffiti / dump rubbish / forced entry or break locks to gain entry / fail to leave when told to ... even keep out signs have a limited effect. As for filming, no-one owns what one can see with their eyes or via a camera or drone while out in the open or in public places unless a condition of entry states otherwise (you're technically not allow to take photos or film within the MGC during a public event but they do !) ... These are not my laws or regulations and there are websites that can look into everyone's backyard at least 3-4 times a month and are much better then Google Maps which could be years old ... If you note in all my videos and where possible, I park my vehicle in an extremely obvious location for all to see, have a decal stating my youtube channel and that I am a drone pilot which surprising gets locals coming over and having a chat - often on how to start their own channel or a little history about what I'm looking at - any negative engagement only comes in these messages, which is fine ... I also encourage anyone and everyone to approach me for a chat if they feel uncomfortable with my presence and I'm happy to explain what my intentions are and welcome them to note my licence plate number or take a photo of me !

[@paulrudd1063]

@@urbanaerialexplorer1885 To be clear: You arrived in the town and saw what looks like an old ruin. You felt entitled to explore that ruin. It’s understandable, I know. But I wanted you to know that the mechanic shop and store were in operation until very recently and the owners of the business were highly respected by people in the town. Melbournians tend to view rural people and communities through a romantic lens, seeing everything in the country as being bucolic and a little backward and that therefore the normal rules of society don’t necessarily apply. I doubt you’d appreciate someone wandering into your backyard to check out the stuff you’ve got in your shed. Would you?

[@xr6lad]

Mate - I think the former school is a private residence you were walking on (it was a year ago). I remember it being sold after it closed (it was opposite a house we looked at when buying in the area). Take care walking on someone’s land specially posting it on line. The owner has allowed it to be used for community events on occasion.

[@urbanaerialexplorer1885]

There is a sign that mentions something about a "Community Transfer Centre" at the gate - a local mentioned that no-one lives there but all the locals keep an eye on it, incase anything untowards happens to the school !

[@xr6lad]

@@urbanaerialexplorer1885 I can only go by the towns own Facebook page and the administrator states it’s privately owned and a residence (as someone else asked the same question not 12 months ago). Now maybe the owner doesn’t live there permanently and yes there is a sign that says waste transfer at the front . Not sure if it’s new or old sign (it may have been one when it was the school and just never taken down). I know the town wasn’t happy when it was sold (I remember it being sold) as they hoped it could one day reopen.

[@shanesuridge587]

I have been to Anderson Mills only came across it by accident when I decided to go through Smeaton for a different way of getting back to Geelong I was travelling from Maryborough heading back home what a beautiful area I didn't go through the actual town of Smeaton do they actually do tours for the Anderson mill be interesting to see inside the old structure. I've just noticed that you put a video up of Mount Mercer wind farms I have got property in Dereel not far away keep up the great work

[@stevenjohannesen88]

Another great video, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that, Anderson Mill is now owned by the National Trust , and have open days several times a year! Would loved to have seen inside the Cumberland hotel?cheers from Downunder 🦘🦘🦘❤️🇦🇺

[@urbanaerialexplorer1885]

I've noted a few hotels that I have explored in towns are open only on certain days - namely the week-end and Friday nights, as the owner is often the chef / cook as well and generate an income during the week doing something else !