: Hume and Hovell discovered the area in 1824 and by the end of the 19th century the Kiewa Valley was transformed by logging, dairy and beef cattle properties and tobacco farms. The logs could have been milled for timber at the State Electricity Commission's mill at Howman's Gap which provided a much needed source of timber for construction of McKay Creek Power Station which began construction in 1951 and also the camps and houses for the workers and their families There was a need for housing and infrastructure for an increasing population of workers for the hydro-electric scheme as there was a general shortage of this commodity. A timber mill was started in Tawonga by Mates, of Albury, in 1945, and electricity became available in 1946 the S.E.C. bought the mill, and enlarged it. In 1960 it was purchase by a local family, they also started a timber mill in Mt Beauty worked both until 1980 when they closed the Tawonga mill and enlarged the mill called Mt. Beauty Timbers Pty Ltd which employed approximately 50 people. An historical pictorial record of the type of machinery and vehicles in use in the 1950’s to harvest and mill the logs from surrounding forested areas.1. Colour photograph of large logs being milled for timber at a timber mill 2. Colour photograph of heavy machinery being used to harvest large logs for milling timber; timber mill; kiewa valley; forests; logging

The core samples in the display cabinet were obtained from the various sites at which drilling into the rock surface was carried out (under the control of design and structural engineers of the SEC Kiewa Hydro Scheme - late 1940's). This function was a precursor to the decision where to locate, in this case, the McKay Creek Power Station. The information gained by structural engineers from the core samples would be used also for the placements of underground tunnels entry and exit points and the overall effective size of the generator plant. This would have included drill and blast techniques (rock characteristics play an import part of explosion control), requirements for support structures and reinforcing cement/steel forms. The use and replenishment of diamond drill bits(the strongest available, see KVHS 0280) was dependent on the "type" of rock found (harder rock required greater numbers of drill bits). Support beams for reinforced ceilings and floors was also a necessity.These rock core samples are very significant in the formulation and placement of the underground Power Stations and their maze of tunnels (in and out) for a successful implementation of the Hydro Scheme. The amount of pre-planning and engineering studies required for such a large scheme must be undertaken to ensure that a "white elephant" was not the result.There are nine columns of rock cores, each 30mm in diameter, set in a wooden display rack. A clear plastic (slide out) protective panel is installed to the front section. Within each column are block details of the depth from which that section was brought from. See KVHS for the appropriate sketch details.Depth levels (retrieved from) are shown for each section on wooden Blocks: 1st Block: "7'10" (seven feet, ten inches), 2nd Block:"9'4" (nine feet, four inches), 3rd Block: "19'3" (nineteen feet, three inches), 4th Block: "24'2" (twenty four feet, two inches), 5th Block: "25'7"( twenty five feet, seven inches) and last block: "30' (thirty feet)"alternate energy supplies, alpine feasibility studies temperature, rainfall, sec, kiewa hydro scheme, electricity

This hollow core bit has hard cutting inserts for drilling into rock. It was used to drill and recover 50mm diameter (most common size) rock cores. The rock cores were assessed by geologists and engineers to provide information for design of structures such as tunnels, dams and underground power stations (eg. McKay Creek Power Station, West Kiewa Power Station). This type of bit was also used where damage to the surrounding rock had to be minimised. The Diamond Drill Bit,used in the early 1900's, when it was primarily used as a method of sampling rock for ore deposits and oil exploration resulting in a "coring" of rock. The use of "coring" to obtained samples for the SEC Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme(1920's onward) was to analyse the core to obtain temperature and rainfall patterns shown by the levels of layered solidified soil(rock). This diamond drill would have been used in the early 1900's to provide a sub strata map of temperature and water patterns (over an long period of time). This was a pre requisite to any decisions about the viability of the region to provide the water needed for a successful hydro electricity scheme.This diamond drill for core sampling was at the forefront of the analysis whether to construct a hydro electrical facility in the Kiewa Valley and the adjoining alpine region. The rock core samples produced were assessed by geologists and structural engineers. It was only after extensive core drilling covering the region that solid scientific evidence could be provided to start the "SEC Vic Hydro Electricity Scheme" within its current boundaries.This "diamond" drill bit has eight "teeth" at its cutting edge. The drill creates an 55mm hole in extremely hard rock material to obtain 50mm core samples.. Three quarters down the shank it has thread screw channels to attach the bit to the drill pipe. The coring pipe attaches via screwing it onto this bit. Core samples are the main objective of this tool.alternate energy supplies, alpine feasibility studies temperature, rainfall, sec, kiewa hydro electric scheme, electricity

This Favag Timer apparatus was a part of the first electronic control system -(1960's), in Victoria), which worked using telephone stepping selectors to convey a change in voltage providing a regulated pulse from the control centre(Mount Beauty) to the remote Power Stations opening and closing (stop/start) of various devices at the Power Station and a return signal confirmed the action taken. Testing of this unit was carried out using a "dummy" device at the remote Power Station so as not to disrupt the power plant's operation. This timer was one of many electrical apparatus connected to the large SEC Victoria Hydro Scheme's electrical power producing generators. These generators are powered by the hydro force of "stored" water at a higher altitude. The establishment of both the NSW and Victorian Hydro Schemes was achieved from the early 1900's to the 1960's. At this point in time the need for additional power sources to quench both an industrial and domestic demand for electricity was purely an economic and not and environmental (carbon reduction) factor. This hydro scheme was instigated by "the Government of the day" as a bold move and was the major force of the World War II refugee and "technical" workforce,inclusion of skilled and unskilled, migration into the Australian environment. Although this mass "invasion" of workers with families was thought of in some circles as intrusive, the expansion of population post war years and its integration into the Australian rural sector, produced the multi- lingual multi-cultural diversity of later years.This Favag Timer was one of the crucial pieces of equipment that made it possible for the Mount Beauty Terminal Station to control the operations of these Power Stations; McKay, Clover, West Kiewa Power Stations and the Dederang Terminal Station.This aluminium and anodised "FAVAG" (pulse) timer is fastened to a base structure which comes with its own metal cover that is fastened by two metal hooks. From the top of these hooks runs a thick leather "carry" strap.The instrument, itself, a small "micro motor" at one end tape feeding spool on the other. Aluminium metal structures offer a preventative barrier against any electronic spikes from static electricity sources. There are two toggle switches to the bottom right hand side and twelve coloured "pin" connection points.There is a sliding access sleeve which exposes a circuit board.with various leads fastened on each side. In front of one of this slide are two "screw in" fuses, spare fuses are in a small envelope taped above. Circuit diagrams are etched white on black background on the top face of the main structure. At the base of the back section is a two pronged input terminal. There is a fine black rubber layer (cushioning) for the mian top cover.On the cover fastened with two rivets "FAVAG" underneath in small print "Fabrique d'appareils electriques S.A." underneathe "NEUCHATEL-SUISSE". on one end is a "STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA" metal label screwed on.The back label has manufacturers' type and model number.sec vic kiewa hydro scheme, alternate energy supplies, alpine population growth

The State Electricity Commission of Victoria constructed the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme on the Bogong High Plains. The scheme consisted of storage dams and pondages, aqueducts, tunnels, pipelines, transmission lines and three power stations.. Rocky Valley dam was the biggest storage and the last to be completed.Rocky Valley dam was the largest storage within the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. Begun in 1954 and completed in 1960. It was linked to McKay Creek Power StationColoured photo attached to cream cardboard. The background shows hills and the foreground a sign "Rocky Valley Dam ..." The middle shows the dam with water and its bank. There is snow on the ground.rocky valley dam, kiewa hydro electric scheme, secv

A report - possibly to investors about the performance of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria, in 1959. Reports on power production, brown coal production, opening of the Richmond control room, power sales, number of consumers, new power stations - Morwell and Kiewa McKay Creek. Gives Income and profit details. On the last page bottom right hand corner is a paragraph about the financial loss of the Ballarat and Bendigo tramways and the cost of operation per passenger. Yields information about the SEC for 1959 and tramway losses.Two colour folded publication, four sheetssecv, reports, power stations, electricity supply, tramways, finances