The Melbourne Women's Walking Club enjoyed bush walking as a hobby travelling to the north east of Victoria, using pack horses and camping on a 9 day hike. One of the woman, 'Bill' describes each day in detail - what they did, where they went and what they saw giving an insight into walking and the Bogong High Plains in the mid 1930's before the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme opened up the area. The diary mentions a photo being taken by Mr Blackwell on the 9th day, New Year's Eve 'from a lovely bush track from which, looking back at intervals we got our final glimpse of Fainter. 5 miles from from our destination'.Historic: This extract from the diary of 'Bill', a member of the Melbourne Women's Walking Club gives an insight into walking in the mid 1930's and describes the Bogong High Plains as it was then before it was opened up with a road built during the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. It describes the area in summer including the flora & fauna, cattle grazing & cattlemen, the huts, the gauges set up by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria, the people working up there, the weather and the lifestyle of the walking group - their food, duties, swimming etc.. Six double sided typed photocopied yellow pages describing the Melbourne Women's Walking Club trip to the Bogong High Plains at Christmas in 1934. Also one page photocopied of the programme for Year 1934-35 with an arrow pointing to the above trip and a page with a photocopied sepia photo of the "Melbourne Women's Walking Club / Bogong High Plains / Dec. 1934. DVD 12 photos of the trip arrow showing trip from Programme. Title of photo "Melbourne Women's Walking Club / Bogong High Plains / Dec. 1934melbourne women's walking club. bogong high plains. camping. pack horses. cattlemen's huts.

The fire hose reel was purchased by the Fire Ladies' Auxiliary for the Mt Beauty S.E.C. Fire Brigade in the late 1950's for over 1000 pounds. Initially they competed with Bogong fire brigade as both were 'Industry' Fire brigades - both owned by the State Electricity Commission. Competition was at 2 levels - north east Victoria and state competitions involving rural and urban brigades with a difference in the equipment. Mt Beauty was/is an urban brigade whereas Tawonga is a rural brigade. Competition involved members to improve their skill, keep fit and was a very social occasion. After the Shire took over Mt Beauty township in 1961, the Fire Brigade ran by itself but soon became affiliated with the C.F.A. because of insurance and legal liability e.g.. enabling them to stop traffic or wreck buildings if required. The CFA were not happy with the Mt Beauty truck so a new one was obtained while the old one went to Bogong. Competitions gradually ceased as it was a young man's sport and young members had prior commitments. The reel was donated to the KVHS in the mid 1980's as it failed to be sold as it competed with new, cheaper, aluminium reels. The practice strip was located beside the fire station in Lakeside Avenue. This fire hose reel was used by the Mt Beauty Fire Brigade for demonstrations at competitions during the 1950's and 1960's. The Mt Beauty Fire Brigade Team won the competition in 1966 at Wangaratta. The score was close against the home team and was decided on a play off. The team benefitted by the man who wound the hose on allowing it to end up at the easiest height to handle when full of water and very heavy.The Mt Beauty Fire Brigade was an 'industry' fire brigade belonging to the State Electricity Commission of Victoria from the 1940's. It became a member of the Country Fire Authority in the early 1960's. During the 1950's and early 1960's members would compete with other local fire brigades in competitions against other brigades in the north east of Victoria using skills such as unwinding the hose off the reel and turning on the water in record time. The Mt Beauty Fire Brigade continues today as an urban fire brigade affiliated with the CFA.Varnished wooden cart reinforced by painted red steel frame. The wheels have 14 wooden spokes and steel around the outside of the wooden wheel. A long canvas hose is wound around a central winding cylinder. The cart has a wooden handle with a rubber jockey wheel at its end. There is a brass hose nozzle attached by a stainless steel frame on the outer side near one of the wheels.Each Reel: "Mt Beauty F.B." yellow print outlined in black with red background.fire hose. mt beauty fire brigade. country fire authority. fire reel.

The switchboard was located in the office of the switchyard. This switchboard was used by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme in Mt Beauty. Employees living in the towns and in the Kiewa Valley who had telephones were connected to the switchboard and were able to speak after dialling a number and then being connected by an operator working at the switchboard. This connection pre dated automatic connections. This switchboard was used by the S.E.C.V. for their employees on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme and is an example of communications used in the 1940s and 1950s using telephones and operators prior to automatic 'stations'. To prevent operators from listening to conversations, a tone was introduced so that those on the phone became aware of someone listening in to their conversation.switchboard. mt beauty. state electricity commission of victoria. kiewa hydro electric scheme. telephones. communication.

This metal plate machine used plates that contained names, addresses and classifications of each State Electricity Commission of Victoria employee working on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. The plates were put through the machine onto pay envelopes.See also: KVHS 1046, KVHS 1233The S.E.C.V. employed many people on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme and used the latest technology of the time to pay each of them including providing each one with a pay slip. Metal table with the addressograph machine set into the middle section. The electric machine is belt driven and controlled by three 52 cm long metal pedals. The operator uses 5 stops, 2 knobs and 1 winder while sitting at the machine. There are 5 extra metal parts (or pieces) which belong to this machine. Ref. KVHS 1046 - Ink Rolls - Labelling Cartridges for Addressograph MachineMetal plate attached to front of machine which reads "Class 22000 Serial No. B-01547. Addressograph regd. Addressing machine. Patents Pending Made in England Addressograph Multigraph Limited London.addressograph machine. state electricity commission of victoria. kiewa hydro electric scheme. payroll. office work.

This machine was used by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme by office workers who worked in the payroll office.The State Electricity Commission of Victoria used the latest technology available for office equipment on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. This machine was used in the payroll office.Black metal table with machine on top. Electric motor with belt drive to machine which is situated under the rear left side of the table. Safety metal mesh protects the leather belt and is at the rear of the table. The operator faces the machine which has a tray on the left and is divided longitudinally into two and holds new shiny metal plates on each side. There is a brown bakelite wheel on the left and two printing wheels inside a myriad of moving parts that enable the metal plates to be embossed with payroll information i.e. "Gang No. etc. / Names / Pay No. / Rate type. This has to be checked out each time / Date"ULQ 11 10"state electricity commission of victoria. kiewa hydro electric scheme. payroll office. office work. payroll machine. office equipment

This electric washing machine was typical of the machines in the homes of Mt Beauty during the 1950's. This one has a wringer attached enabling the washing to be pushed through squeezing the water out after washing.Mt Beauty township was constructed in the early 1950s with electricity connected. Residents were employees of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria and worked on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.Metal green cylinder standing on 4 roller coasters. Cylinder has 3 sections - bottom short & yellow, the rest divided into 2, each section is held by a strip of steel bracing. The top section of the cylinder is hollow with a stainless steel metal agitator with 3 'wings'. The cylinder has a rotatable switch on the outside and a moveable knob. Opposite on the outside is a metal pipe widening to the wringer which hangs above the cylinder. The green wringer has 2 cloth covered cylinders that can be separated by moving knobs. A flat stainless steel curved flat surface comes out at an angle below the cloth cylinder. An electric cord is attached. The cylinder has a lid with a knob in its middle.On the wringer: "Stampco"electric washing machine. mt beauty. s.e.c.v. kiewa hydro electric scheme. home duties. housework. wringer washing machine.

Electric fans were used for cooling rooms prior to air conditioning.This fan was used by S.E.C.V. office workers working on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. Small electric swivel fan. This heavy black metal fan has 4 curved 'wings' covered by protecting wire consisting of 2 wire rings joined by 6 curved pieces of wire covering the sides and front. Attached to the motor that can swivel and to the base is a black rubber covered electric cord. The base forms a stand with a control knob for speed and swivel options. On a plaque: Menominee / Fan Motor / 55182591 Serial No. 200 volts / ACC current 6 cycles / Menominee Electric Mfg. Co. / Menominee ..? Control knob: 0,1,2,3 along slotelectric fan; state electricity commission of victoria; kiewa hydro electric scheme; office furniture

state electricity commission of victoria; office furniture; desk;

state electricity commission of victoria; office furniture; desk

Electric fans were used for cooling rooms prior to air conditioning.This portable fan was used on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme by office workers.Green metal swivel fan with base, motor and 4 cream angled 'wings' covered by 3 wire rings connected by 6 pieces of curved wire that cover the blades at the side and front. An electric grey rubber cord is attached. There is a lever in the base for moving from 'off to 1.2.or 3' (but no marks to indicate these positions.)Base: "Elcon Fan / Made in Australia"electric fan; state electricity commission of victoria; office equipment; kiewa hydro electric scheme;

This map has been in the Ryder family for approx. 70 years. Probably used when bush walking and skiing in the early days on the Bogong High Plains. The Ryder family are farmers in the Kiewa Valley and were involved in taking their cattle up to the Bogong High Plains where they had a lease. The State Electricity Commission of Victoria constructed the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme opening up the area during the 1940's and 1950's. This type of map is an early one, used by people in the Kiewa Valley and possibly by surveyors prior to construction.The map is an early topographic map used by farmers living in the Kiewa Valley. It is historically significant as these people were involved in taking cattle up to the High Plains during summer and may have been used for bush walking and skiing.This is a sepia coloured paper map which was originally printed copyright registered. It was revised in 20/6.33/4.4.37/8.4.40/24.8.43/19/6/54. It shows roads / tracks / snow poles / snow pole numbers (27) / Snow pole spacing (3 chains. 66 yards) approximately 27 poles to the mile / height above sea level in feet - 5280. Water courses not definitely located etc.Rocky Valley Dam (Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme) has been drawn on the map by hand with a biro. There is a wooden rod at the top of the map.topographic map; kiewa valley; ryder family; high plains of victoria

CWA Tawonga 1946 - 1988 collection of its written history. The C.W.A. aimed to improve the health, welfare and education of women and children in the country. The book gives examples of all activities the members were involved in over the years and their involvement with other CWA groups in the North East of Victoria. Through the photos it also gives a good example of women's fashions over the years.History of CWA Tawonga by Clare Roper, President, founding member and local resident. Women in Tawonga were mostly on farms and in 1946 felt remote after WWII as it affected available workers and the well being of children. The Country Women's Association improved the living conditions and well being of members in the Kiewa Valley community.Scrap book with block handwritten and coloured heading. Cover: Centre middle has a coloured photo of 10 ladies standing below a CWA logo. Covered with clear plastic. Consists of photos, newspaper clippings and typed sheets."CWA Tawonga from 1946 collected by C. Roper" - top of front pagecountry women's association; clare roper; tawonga;

Alex McCullough was a resident of Mt Beauty for many years and wrote a book on the History of Mt Beauty. Mt Beauty was constructed by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria to house employees working on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.Mt Beauty's history is unique as it was built as a construction town in the late 1940s. The information contained in the folder is a written history of the town's development. Alex, 1916 - 2011, worked as a foreman on Clover Dam. He served in WWII, was involved in the community (Mt Beauty & District Progress Association & Mt Beauty Neighbourhood Centre), achieved many awards, served as Shire Councillor and Mayor, was involved with tennis and golf committees. His obituary is online ref. legacy.com White plastic folder with more than 20 clear plastic sleeves containing information on various organisations in Mt Beauty. Assembled by Alex McCullough. There is an index of the organisations in the first sleeve.Attached to the front cover: 'Early History Mount Beauty'mt beauty & district progress association, mount beauty history, alex mcculloch

This sign warned people not to go near electric wires. Consequences are explained. Public Health & Safety has changed over the years as have the consequences. Historic: Used by the S.E.C. on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. White metal sign with black and red writing warning people to keep away from electrical wires.(In black unless stated differently) "State Electricity Commission / of Victoria / Danger (red) / Contact with electric wires will cause Death (last word in red) / 10 pound reward paid for information leading to / Conviction for damaging commission's property / Maximum penalty Imprisonment for / 10 years. By order L G Morrison / Secretary"state electricity commission of victoria; warning sign; public health and safety; kiewa hydro electric scheme

Telephones were mounted on the wall and were operated by turning a small handle situated in the middle of the phone. This connected the speaker to the switch board where they were 'put through' to the other end (speaker).Wall phones were used by State Electricity Commission of Victoria workers and their families on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. The SECV had a switchboard located at Mt Beauty. Also refer to article in "This Week" Newsletter 30th June 2023 and attached to KVHS 0050Black bakelite wall mounted telephone with handset connected by black spiral plastic cord. The round dial in the centre has a small handle with knob for turning. The base is silver steel with screws to attach it to the wall. The handset has a circular end with 4 small holes for the ear and the other end, the speaker end has 3 rings of small holes and a curved protective mouth piece to direct speech into the holes.On white circle in centre of dial: "To call turn handle and lift hand set. / When finished replace handset and turn handle" Handset embossed on inner side: 164 55wall mounted telephone; state electricity commission of victoria; kiewa hydro electric scheme; telecommunications; switchboard

Clare Roper was a resident of the Kiewa Valley and belonged to the Kiewa Valley Historical Society.Clare Roper collected and collated items of historical interest for the Kiewa Valley Historical Society. Orange plastic with clear front cover and 10 clear sleeves / pages. Includes - SECV brochure "Visit Victoria's beautiful Upper Kiewa Valley" Newspaper Article 30 July 1986 - "Ory Frehauf 'Father' - 61 year old Russian has lived at Falls Creek for 32 years" and an article - "Snow shoeing at Falls Creek" Newspaper Article 4 Nov. 1989 - Audrey Edmondson at Mt Beauty Pondage & Lions Clubclare roper; scrap book;

Clare Roper was a resident of the Kiewa Valley and belonged to the Kiewa Valley Historical Society.Clare Roper collected and collated items of historical interest for the Kiewa Valley Historical Society.Orange plastic with clear front cover with 10 plastic sleeves / pages. Includes: North East Victoria. Rutherglen. Wallace's Hut - ownership and maintenance since classified by National Trust in 1970. clare roper; scrap book

Clare Roper was a resident of the Kiewa Valley and belonged to the Kiewa Valley Historical Society.Clare Roper collected and collated items of historical interest for the Kiewa Valley Historical Society.Yellow plastic with clear front cover with 10 sleeves / pages. Includes exploration of N.S.W. and Victoria. A Kiewa Valley Historical Society display of items borrowed held in 1968.clare roper; scrap book

Clare Roper was a resident of the Kiewa Valley and belonged to the Kiewa Valley Historical Society. She or one of the members compiled this folder.Members of the Kiewa Valley Historical Society collected and collated items of historical interest for the KVHS.Blue plastic with clear front cover with 8 sleeves / pages containing 1 photo, and advertising for skiers.clare roper; snow skiing; scrap book

This Hookey board was made of metal unlike many made of wood. The Mt Beauty Rural Fire Brigade was established by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria as an 'industry' brigade. When Mt Beauty was handed over to the Shire in 1961, the Fire Brigade became a member of the Country Fire Authority (C.F.A.). Today it is an urban fire brigade.This Hookey board was used by the members of the Mt Beauty Rural Fire Brigade from 1948 when the State Electricity Commission established the brigade. Grey metal round board with edge. 13 metal hooks spaced on front with embossed numbers 1 - 13 under each. A small circular engraved brass plaque under No. 13 and between No.s 9 & 10. Metal chain attached at top (for hanging). Embossed "Hookey"between No.s 1 and 13. Embossed numbers 1 - 13. Plaque "C A V .. Sales" on top. "Melbourne" on Bottom. "Quality Products" in middle. Cream paint splash right of centre and slightly on plaque.hookey; mt beauty; rural fire brigade; entertainment;

W.D.Chapman had a keen interest in botany and was particularly interested in Eucalyptus species. He was first to discover the tree which now bears his name on his numerous visits to the Kiewa power station which is situated near the Bogong High Plains. He was a Commissioner and later the Chairman of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria, the organisation in charge of building the Kiewa Hydro Scheme. The tree is a cross between two eucalypts. The trees are unique as they cannot procreate. There were two 'Bogong Gum' trees. One at Cranky Charlies and one on the way up to the High Plains passed by the Ryder family on their way up.This plaque was beside the Falls Creek Road and indicated the location of the 'Bogong Gum' tree. The tree was burnt in the 2003 bush fires but survived only to be killed in the 2006 bush fires. There were two 'Bogong Gum' trees. One at Cranky Charlies and one on the way up to the High Plains passed by the Ryder family on their way up. Heavy bronze plaque embossed with inscription. On the back is a large rectangular steel piece bent at the bottom to form a 'U' shape. One end of the 'u' is attached to the plaque and the other end has two holes for bolts enabling the plaque to be attached near the tree. One bolt is in a hole."Type tree from which was first described the species / Bogong Gum / (Eucalyptus Chapmaniana, Cameron) / The species was identified by the / late Brigadier W. D. Chapman M.C.E., / D. Eng., M.I.E. Aust., M.I.C.E. Lond. Commissioner / of the State Electricity Commission / of Victoria from May 1944 to May 1955, / in his honour it was named."plaque; state electricity commission of victoria; w.d.chapman; eucalyptus; bogong gum tree; falls creek road

Post Offices in Victoria were required to keep track of articles posted and received with the addressee signing on receipt of the article and the name of the recipient also being recorded.Kergunyah Post Office is part of the Kiewa Valley. This register indicates the number of articles being posted during the time and the number and names of people sending and receiving articles.Register commences Nov. 1920 though to Feb. 1951. It includes the origin of the article, addressee, signature of the person to whom the article delivered, date of delivery and initials of the officer. Inside 2 loose sheets regarding tariffs for trunk line calls.post office; ledger; kiewa valley

During WW2 there were volunteers all over Australia observing air activity every night. This photo was taken from the S.E.C.V. hut dedicated to this activity and was manned by men and women throughout the war. The State Electricity Commission of Victoria were based at Bogong when constructing the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. The State Electricity Commission of Victoria dedicated a hut at Bogong township during World War 2 for the purpose of volunteers manning the hut to observe air craft. This was during the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. See also KVHS 0938 (certificate) and KVHS 1259 (Training Manual)Black and white photo of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria's 'Volunteer Air Observer's Hut' at Bogong during World War 2.- 24th May 1943On back of photo: "EW / K1156 / 24 May 1943 / Volunteer Air Observers Hut / During World War 2 / Bogong"secv, bogong, wwii

During WWII there were volunteers all over Australia observing air activity every night. This certificate is one that was presented to the volunteers who manned the observation points. This certificate was presented to Mr Gordon White of Mount Beauty who was one such volunteer on the 20th Sept. 1945.The State Electricity Commission of Victoria were constructing the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme during World War 2. Workers lived at Bogong where the SECV supplied a hut for volunteers to observe air traffic during World War II. Mr Gordon White was a volunteer at the time. See also KVHS 0937 (photo) and KVHS 1259 (Training Manual)Laminated coloured A3 size Certificate of appreciation RAAF for Volunteer Air Observers Corps.volunteer air observer corps; certificate; state electricity commission of victoria; bogong; gordon white

Clover Dam and Power Station were built by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria as part of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme from the late 1930's to the early 1940's.This photo is part of the local history and was owned by Mr ad Mrs Gordon White, SECV employee and long time residents.White wooden frame coloured photo with white cardboard surrounds of Clover Power Station and Dam.clover dam; clover power station; bogong; kiewa hydro electric scheme;

This is a photo of Mount Beauty taken from a high vantage point near the hair-pin bend on the Tawonga Gap Road (half way up) in 1954. Mount Beauty was built by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria during the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.This photo belonged to Mr & Mrs Gordon White SECV employee and long time residents of Mt Beauty.This is a framed coloured photo of the Mount Beauty Township and main Transmission Line from Mt Beauty to Kiewa. The photo has two transmission lines in the foreground with the Mt Beauty township in the background, but at the foot of Mount Bogong.Approx 1954 / Conroy-Moffatt Pty Ltd / Picture Framer / ..McKillop Street / Tel Mu .. 78 ....mt beauty; transmission line; tawonga gap road; kiewa hydro electric scheme

In 1950, the "Project Competition - Australia as a Member of the British Commonwealth of Nations" was conducted. Bogong State School was awarded a First Prize in the competition. The prize being 10 pounds to be used to purchase books for the school library on Empire subjects. Bogong is a local town established by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria during the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. This letter is significant in that it shows that the British Empire was very relevant to the population at the time and being promoted in schools.Cream decorated frame with glass front and paper backing. Two rings are screwed into the top sides of the back of the frame with one plastic cord and one piece of string between them. The framed letter is titled 'The Empire Youth Movement", dated 22nd February, 1950 and addressed to the Head Teacher of the Bogong State School. Blue print with colored square in the middle at the top. bogong state school; empire youth movement; certificate

Bogong State School was awarded First Prize in its Class for 'the Project Book'. The school received a cheque for the purchase of library books or approved equipment.Bogong is a town established by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria during the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. The project "displays some most artistic work in illustrating birds of the district" confirming that the principal at the time had a very good reputation especially with his knowledge of the surrounding bush and wild life.Dark wooden frame, glass cover, cardboard back not attached to the frame. 2 rings screwed at the top on the sides of the frame with string attached to each. Paper yellowed letter titled "Australian American Association" dated 6 May 1946 addressed to the Principal Bogong State School.bogong state school; australian american association;

Bogong State School was awarded First Prize in its Section for the 'Project Book Competition'. The school received a cheque for 10 pounds and an invite to the presentation (or to be posted).Bogong is a town established by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria during the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. The Head Teacher encouraged pupils to enter competitions for their benefit and that of the school including positive publicity.Dark wooden frame, glass cover, brown paper backing. Two rings screwed at the top on the sides of the frame with string attached to each. Paper yellowed letter titled "Re Project Book Competition, 1948" dated 29th Nov. 1948 addressed to The Head Teacher Bogong State School.bogong state school; project book competition

During World War 2 the State Emergency Council for Civil Defence (Victoria) sent out forms to Municipal Councils requesting a survey to be carried out regarding the suitability of householders to accommodate persons, especially children, in the more dangerous parts of Victoria. Also, surveying parents as to their wishes regarding the evacuation of their own children if necessary. The documents list householders living in the Kiewa Valley including Gundowring giving an insight into the families (size, age, religion, sex), the homes (size, number and type of rooms), Water supply, Conveyance (motor or horse drawn), distance from railway station and school. Papers created by the State Emergency Council for Civil Defence, Premier's Department 1941 requesting Municipal Councils to survey people in case of the billeting of persons who may be evacuated from the more dangerous parts of Victoria. The Accommodation Survey lists the householder, details of the house, how many people living there and how many could be accommodated.There are also forms asking householders if they wish their children to be evacuated if necessary.Forms filled out in ink. world war ii; evacuation plans; kiewa valley; gundowring