They are the endangered species of Maitland’s farming landscape.
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Ramshackle structures built decades ago in a reflection of the city’s agricultural past.
And according to Millers Forest farmers Selby Green and Tony O’Hearn the humble hay shed is facing extinction.
“These hay sheds are so important to the landscape and history of Maitland, but people are just knocking them down to replace them with garden sheds and lawn lockers,” Mr Green, 67, said.
“But once these sheds are gone, they’re gone. Something has to be done to preserve them.
“As far as a hay shed goes, there is no brilliant architecture, but the work involved is incredible.”
At 81, Mr O’Hearn has been a fixture of the Millers Forest community his entire life. But his hay shed was there first.
“This shed would have to be 100 years old and the ones going up today are just not the same,” Mr O’Hearn said.
“A lot of the dairy farms are still around, but the hay sheds have gone, which is a real shame, and the ones still around are deteriorating to nothing.”
Mr Selby has issued a challenge for hay shed owners to rejuvenate their buildings.
“You just have to fix up the posts and they’ll be right for another 100 years,” he said.
“Besides, if you’re driving around and don’t know where you’re going and you don’t know what direction north is, have a look at a hay shed because it will always be facing north.”