Gasometers resulted from complex engineering design evolving from primitive gasholders first used in 1824 in England to power street lights. The 20th century gasometer, (as used at the Highett Gasworks), was comprised of a series of large interconnected, telescopic, cylindrical vessels or lifts, which rose and fell depending on the volume of gas stored. The gasholder operated on a basic principle of a gas-filled floating vessel, rising and falling in a seal of water. The Highett Gasworks had its beginning in 1939 but its beginnings commenced sixty-two years earlier when the privately owned Brighton Gas Company was floated in 1877. By 1880 the company was performing well and making excellent profits. The company was welcomed by residents wanting to replace the shadowy light of a kerosene lamp with the bright luminescence of "modern" gas lamps. The land developers of the day were also keen supporters. But by 1884 people became disgrunted because either the gas had not reached them yet or because the quality of the supply had diminished due to the increasing use. In 1885 a second private gas company, the Central Brighton and Moorabbin Gas Co, Chaired by "Tommy" Bent was floated and for many years the two gas companies enjoyed a shared monopoly in supplying gas from their New Street Works. In the 1930s the company expanded its gas production facilities to Highett where it had purchased 45 acres of land adjacent to the Melbourne-Frankston railway line. A gasholder with a capacity of 750,000 cubic feet was erected on the Highett land in 1927 and connected with high pressure mains to the Brighton works. Three years later the company directors decided to proceed with the construction of a vertical retort house and coal store. Following a "lull" during the Great Depression work recommenced in 1936 and by 1939 the first complete gas-making plant was completed, and gas making commenced. Over the next twenty one years other significant extensions occurred, including an amenities block to accomodate 100 workers. In 1969 Esso commenced the introduction of natural gas to residents homes and the gradual decommissioning of the Highett Gasworks commenced. Part of the old Highett Gasworks site is now a council owned parkThe photos of the Higett Gasworks, now demolished, recall their long history, that originated in the 1800s with the production of gas to supply homes with a new, much improved light source, and later it's other applications such as for stoves etc. The arrival of gas in the Shire of Moorabbin was a huge step forward that encouraged further building and development in the area.Three Photographs of the Highett Gasworks. Two are coloured photos taken in 1974, and one is black and white taken in the 1960s. All are in good conditionOn the back of the two coloured photographs "Highett Gasworks 1974" No inscription on the black and white aerial photograph.brighton, moorabbin, highett, bent thomas, gasometer, highett gasworks, engineering design, brighton gas company, central brighton and moorabbin gas company, great depression, lamp kerosene

Diggers & Mining. Diggers and Miners. The construction of the railway required many miles of cuttings on the steep slopes of the hills. Photo shows that the hills are approx. 45 degrees. Markings: 24 994.5 WAL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Railways Collection Stapled A4 letter to John Kelly from Ian Jenkins re the event of 150 years of the Melbourne to Bendigo Railway and where to access information regarding the construction of the railway.document

''A Long Time Ago'' - The history of the Melbourne to Bendigo line. V/Line publication (fold-out) with brief history of construction and simplified route map of line with brief description of some of the railway line features as well as information about towns and special features on the route.V/Line Publication, Walker Printing Bendigo.bendigo, history, bendigo railway, bendigo railway, stations on the bendigo line

'A LONG TIME AGO: THE HISTORY OF THE MELBOURNE TO BENDIGO LINE' Bi-fold publication. A schematic 'strip' map of the line with particular places (approx 40) marked on the route with short descriptions of these sites. Concise description of the construction of the line; a summary of present attractions for the visitor to Bendigo and V/Line information.Walker Printing Bendigorailways, bendigo to melbourne, brochure, barkers creek , harcourt, elphinstone tunnel, malsmbury, malmsbury viaduct, kyneton, carlsruhe, hanging rock, woodend, mount macedon, riddells creek, clarkefield hotel, rupertswood, sunbury, diggers rest, sydenham, st albans, spencer street. v/line.

The Bendigo Ordnance Factory - accompanying note says '(now the Australian Defence Industries -A.D.I.) Under construction on site previously cleared and levelled for the new Bendigo Aerodrome April 1941 -.Foreground shows railway lines - background steel structures.photo, the bendigo odnance factory

Two pages document on the construction of the Melbourne to Bendigo railway. Prepared by the Bendigo Historical Society.bendigo, railways, bendigo railways

Railways Collection -Photocopied article - Building The Melbourne - Bendigo Railway by P.Millar Pages 19-42. Copied on foolscap paper and stapled the article includes poor quality black and white photos of bridges and viaducts, and information about Construction Workers Riots over wages.P.Millar''railways, bendigo to melbourne

RAILWAYS COLLECTION -6 x Unbound Photocopied double sided pages giving information on the construction of the Bendigo Railway Line including Black and white photos of Railway Bridges and Viaducts - which show the Saltwater River bridge , Jacksons Creek Viaduct, Riddell Creek Bridge, Campbell's Creek Road bridge, Forest creek viaduct and Malmsbury Viaduct the photos are grainy in appearance.photograph, landscape

Photocopied newspaper cutting from Bendigo Advertiser 22nd Dec 1952, pertaining to donation of Joseph Brady bound notebooks. Brady was engineer of the Bendigo Waterworks in 1858 and accepted appointment as engineer to the contractors of the construction of a segment of the Melbourne Sandhurst railway. One book was related to the Bendigo Waterworks containing particulars of Crusoe Reservoir. The other surrounding Cornish & Bruce contracts for the middle section of the Mt Alexander Railway. Books donated to Bendigo by Mrs A Strickland of Currie King Island, Brady's granddaughter. Town Clerk accepted books and said Museum was closed but Historical Society would welcome donation.bendigo, waterworks, coliban water