Although the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Scheme was first proposed in 1911, construction did not commence until 1938. As part of the push to cut electricity costs and diversify supply, the Victorian Government (circa 1930) initiated the conversion from primarily brown coal supply to hydro – electricity. Field investigations during the 1940’s resulted in a new proposal for a scheme that had more than double the capacity of the 1938 scheme. The Kiewa Hydroelectric Scheme became the largest scheme of its kind in the State Of Victoria and the second largest scheme in Australia. The number of personnel involved in the planning and construction of the scheme increased dramatically. During the late 1940’s, most activity centered around the construction of the West Kiewa Power Station, Rocky Valley Reservoir, McKay Creek Power Station and the Bogong Creek Aqueduct.A common thread across all the larger hydro scheme constructions was the need for workers, both qualified and unqualified who came from around the world seeking a new life for themselves and their families. New accommodation and facilities were required for the army of workers engaged in construction in often remote and wild areas. The SEC had a high demand for timber, and set up the first of a number of sawmills at Bogong Creek in 1939 and set up the first hardwood logging in the headwaters of the Kiewa River. These new ‘towns’ such as Mt Beauty and Bogong, survived, serving the needs of operational personnel and their families, and expanding with growth of new industries. Mount Beauty, and to a lesser extent Bogong, are among these places. Large A3 size spiral bound display folder containing photocopied black and white photographs of various aspects of the early days of the Kiewa Valley Hydro-electric scheme including equipment, various work sites and photographs of workers and their families. 1-Breakdown in Circuit Breaker (Isolating Contacts) 2-Big Hill Bench- Site of No 5 Devlopment 3-No 1 Power Station 4-No 1 Pipeline, Anchor No 8 5-Push Dozing-RD8 Tractor 6- Tractor and driver at work 7- Workmen in unnamed tunnel 8- Front page of Journal of SECV Vol 15. Photograph of No 1 pipeline viewed from McKay Portal 9-Rocky Valley Dam Core Wall 10-Workmen working inside tunnel loading rocks into a rail truck. 1-Breakdown in (generator) Circuit Breaker (Isolating Contacts) Handwritten underneath (This is not a picture of any part of a generator. It is a circuit breaker Signed Ron White Ron was the Principal Hydro Engineer of the SEC Kiewa Scheme Page number 39 2-Big Hill Bench – Site of No. 5 Development (abandoned) Page number 40 3-No 1 Power Station Page number 41 4-No. 1 Pipeline, Anchor No. 8 Page number 42 5-Push Dozing – RD8 Tractor, 12 cubic yard Carryall and FD Cletrac Tractor Page number 43 6-No marking Page number 44 7-No marking Page number 45 8-Journal of State Electricity Commission of Victoria SEC Vol 15 No… April-May, 19… No 1 Pipeline-A view from McKay Portal G Hempenstall and D Sutton stiffening pipe section for transport during construction (….indicates missing text) Page Number 46 9-Rocky Valley Dam Core Wall Page number 47 10-No markings Page number 48 secv; kiewa hydro electric scheme; construction area; power stations; reservoirs; aqueduct; mt beauty; bogong

This is the 1st minute book for the Mount Beauty Progress Association Ladies Auxilary. The first meeting was held on 25th February 1960. At this time the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme was coming to a close and the town of Mount Beauty and its infrastructure was being handed over by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV) to the Bright Shire. Homes and businesses were sold and residents were having to 'fill in the gaps' for services that had been provided by the SECV.The Mount Beauty Progress Association was formed by community members to improve and enrich the lives of people in the early days of independence from the State Electricity Commission of Victoria as construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme was coming to a close and the town and its infrastructure was being handed over to the Bright Shire.Foolscap Ritewell No. 246 Minute Book with red cloth spine and thick brownish cardboard cover. Label on front cover - Cream with "Ritewell (in green over logo) / No 246 Minute Book (printed in green)kiewa hydro electric scheme; bright shire; mount beauty progress association; fund raising.

The copy of a letter written by Harry H. Simmonds of Huon notes that "the church existed in 1905. It was built by Hill and McCormack with timber donated by Mr Ned Dunstan on ground donated by Mr James Thomas probably in the late 1800s. It was possibly called a Methodist Church because the donor of the land was a Methodist. It was used by the three Protestant Groups and maintenance was paid for by an annual area collection.The house on the west side was a Presbyterian Manse for many years and the block of ground on the north side was known as the Manse paddock in which the minister grazed his cow and horse." In 1936 there was a fence between the Kiewa Methodist Church was the Presbyterian Church in Kiewa. Its Certificate of Title is Volume 5134 Folio 1026783 (Sept. 1942.) In 1952, the church was made of wood with an iron roof. In 1954. Request to Yackandandah Shire re a fence from Kiewa Consolidated School entrance to the unused hedge adjacent to the Church. In 1958 there was correspondence re 'the strip of land on each side of the Church.' Churches were an important part of life during the late 19th century and early to mid 20th century and were built in the centre of town as was this one. These papers give an understanding of the work involved in maintaining a church. The letters and 'book' give a lot of names of local families involved with the Methodist Church at Kiewa. Yellow plastic spiral folder with 18 pages enclosed in clear plastic sleeves.Papers enclosed include accounts, payments, tenders and other correspondence relating to the Methodist Church at Kiewa dating from 1932 to 1962. Of particular interest is a black cardboard cover book dated 1917 re collection of donations from listed people. The latest date in the book is 1942.Enclosed in first plastic sleeve is a letter from the donor, Kathie Vines dated 15th July 2013methodist church; kiewa; harry h. simmonds; yackandandah council;

The Mount Beauty Chalet was built by the State Electricity Commission as accommodation for single staff working on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. Towards the end of the completion of the Scheme the chalet was used for accommodating tourists. This brochure advertises the attractions in the area and includes tariffs - the Weekly rate and Casual rate.The chalet was built for accommodating employees working on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme and then became a centre of accommodation for tourists in Mt Beauty. These are the two main industries for the construction town of Mt Beauty with the Chalet playing an important part.Pale green sheet of paper folded in half, with navy blue print. Advertising Mount Beauty Chalet under several headings. On the back the leaflet has been glued onto paper which, in turn, has been cut so as to not show around the outside.mt beauty chalet; tourism; state electricity commission of victoria; kiewa hydro electric scheme; accommodation

Bright and the surrounding towns were developing a large tourism industry which the Shire of Bright continues to promote, encouraging tourists to visit throughout the year. This high quality brochure has magnificent photos with a map showing the area and the distance (in miles) from the centre - the township of Bright.This brochure is promoting the Shire of Bright encouraging tourism in the area. This is important for the Shire as tourism is the main industry for the Shire. It is interesting to see how tourism has changed (or not) in the area.14 pages on glossy paper including colored and black and white photos. The front cover has the title at the top with yellow print on black background. Below the title is a large colored photo of a river, autumn trees and mountain. The back cover is a large colored photo of a man amongst the snow gums in the snow. The towns covered are Bright, Wandiligong, Eurobin, Mt Buffalo, McKay Creek Power Station, The Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme, Mt Beauty, Kiewa, Bogong including tourist destinations in these areas and their surrounds.tourism; mt beauty; the kiewa valley; bright shire

The Kiewa Valley has promoted itself as a tourist hot spot since the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme concluded. Mt Beauty began as a construction town and was to be sold off but tourism became promising so the SECV handed the town over to the Bright Shire, houses were sold and businesses commenced. From the early 1960s the town promoted itself and Falls Creek as a tourist destination. The Kiewa Valley Accommodation group combined with the local advertisers to publish this brochure.This brochure promotes tourism all year round promoting the local businesses enabling them to succeed. As tourism is the main industry in Mt Beauty and Falls Creek since the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme finished, this advertising is important. It is interesting to note the businesses - their type, their location and the comparison with those in the area now.19 black and white pages including maps and advertisements. Cover is a 'washed' color of a hut in the bush. The title is in black across the top and at the bottom right hand corner. The front cover is in 'landscape' format but the rest of the book is 'portrait'.mt beauty; falls creek; kiewa valley; tourism; north east victoria

The SECV constructed the KHES from 1939 to 1961 on the Bogong High Plains. It included work on Power Stations, Dams, Tunnels, Race-lines and transmission lines as well as camps, towns, roads, telecommunications and infra structure. These papers give an understanding of where the project was up to in late 1953. These papers give information on the KHES on the aspects of work, its progress and technical detail.3 foolscap pages, stapled in the top left hand corner. Each page has sub headings re the progress of the works being undertaken on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.state electricity commission of victoria; kiewa hydro electric scheme; power stations; dams; tunnels; bogong high plains

Mt Beauty was a construction town built from 1948. The houses were English Pre-cut Types - several of each type were erected with several variations. This house had 3 bedrooms and is dated as 'traced on 18 Dec. 1956'. Mt Beauty is a construction town built by the SECV during the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme for workers and their families. Houses were provided along with many other facilities eg. schools. This house plan is a good indication of the quality of housing provided at the time eg. laundry, toilet etc. Large sheet with title at top "State Electricity Commission of Victoria" showing 'front', 'right' and 'left' elevations and the 'floor plan'. Printed at the bottom - 'Kiewa Scheme / Mt Beauty Housing / English pre-cut Type 3B ILA /. There are further notes printed at the bottom of the sheet.mt beauty housing, english pre-cut type housing, house plan, state electricity commission of victoria

Brief history of the SECV construction town of Bogong which became a tourist town."Memories of Bogong Calendar 2008" Photographs of the physical environment. Front cover has a photograph of a person standing in a river. A short history of 'Bogong 1957-1963' and 'Come visit Bogong Village' a 'celebration of Bogong Village's environment'. 12pp with a hole (to hang up) in the centre bottombogong, calendar, tourism, bogong village, secv, kiewa hydro electric scheme

Mt Beauty Drama groupMt Beauty formed a drama group to entertain the community as they lived in a small remote town. Collection consists of: 1. Six typed A4 sheets - 'Out in the Cold Cold Snow' 2. Blue booklet A5 94 pages 'Sailor, Beware' and 3 copies of the handout to the audience including the cast 3. Orange booklet A5 8 pages 'Red Hot Cinders' and a copy without the orange cover. 4. Foolscap size with yellow pages at the front followed by 42 white pages 'Babes in the Wood' 5. A white card listing the cast for 'The Importance of Being Earnest' 6. Colored pages of handout for 'Cinderella' including the cast and dated 1959 7. 3 newspaper cuttings 8. 4 photos - Sailor Beware Photos are labelledmt beauty, drama group, entertainment, organisation, the arts

Used in 1956 as a desk in the Mt Beauty Post Office. Owned by the PMG (Post Master General). Mt Beauty was a construction town built by the SEC. Its amenities included a post office.Mt Beauty was a construction town built during the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme in a remote location at the end of the Kiewa Valley. The post office was an important facility for locals to communicate with the 'outside' world.Wooden table with a small drawer at each end of one side. mt beauty post office, pmg, mt beauty town

Albury is in NSW on the Murray River across the border from Wodonga. From 1839 it has grown and has a population of c8000 in 1919. Many of its buildings are grand and include 'Mates' a 'progressive up-to-date' Department Store.Residents of the Kiewa Valley shop in Albury and Wodonga as together these are their closest main cities.Cream cardboard cover with reddish print inside rectangular border with grape decoration in each corner. 20 pages held by 2 staples. Each page has 1 or 2 black and white photos. Photos have their title printed underneath.On cover - "in 1919"albury, shopping, murray river, mates department store, grand buildings

A school was built in 1871, a shingle roofed wooden building built by the local residents. It was replaced in 1873 with the old school becoming the teacher's residence. The continues with a timeline, a pupil's insight into life at the school, a list of teachers and families. An interesting history of the area and education of the time. Gundowring is a farming town in the Kiewa Valley. The book gives an insight into the education and lifestyle of the time.Mustard cardboard cover with brownish print. Across the top "Centenary Celebration, Saturday, March 31st, 1973". It has 18 pages, some colored, printed on both sides and held together by 2 staples. It includes sketches.Glued inside the front cover "Mr & Mrs Roper & family" - Invitation. Also a newspaper cutting titled "Gundowring"gundowring, education, kiewa valley, school centenary

The Anglican Church at Kiewa. The first stone was laid on the 29th Oct. 1924. In 1879, the Yackandandah rector commenced services on Sundays in private homes in the Kiewa Valley. In 1911 Anglicans met in the Kiewa Methodist Church to elect a committee to organise financial offers and so it eventually became a vestry.The town Kiewa is in the Kiewa Valley. The church served other communities in the Valley. The book records the local populations and their commitment to religion. Cream cardboard cover with a black and white photo of the church on the front cover. It has 4 pages printed on both sides held by 2 staples. Inside there are a few black and white photos. Dated 19741. "Written by E. Temple" handwritten on the front cover 2. "C. Roper" on the front cover and inside the front cover "Clare Roper" Also, "Esther Temple" 's signature on the cover page.st mark's church, kiewa, anglican church, esther teple, thomas mitchell

Shire of Bright informed residents of their services by mail.The Shire of Bright includes some towns in the Kiewa Valley.White with green print and Shire of Bright logo. Back cover "To the Householder" and "Postage Paid". Each consist of 22 pages printed in green on both sides and held by 2 staples.shire of bright, community services

Township of Bright celebrated its centenary during the week from 10th - 18th March, 1962. This booklet outlines the program for the week.Bright is a nearby town to the the Kiewa Valley and currently the location of the current Shire (Alpine). The program gives historical information on activities in the early 1960s.Yellowy/Orange cover with brown title and sketch. One sketch is at the bottom and includes hills, pines, saw mill and bus. Sketch at the top is of a bullock team and in the middle on the right a gold miner. Inside cover has print as has both sides of the 4 pages held by 2 staples. 'C. Roper' on inside of the front cover.bright, centenary of bright

Mt Beauty, South Riding, was part of the Shire of Bright in 1960/61. Mt Beauty was handed over by the SECV to the Bright Shire when the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme was completed in 1961.Mt Beauty was a construction town built in the late 1940s.Mt Beauty was a construction town built by the SECV and run by the SECV until 1961 when it was handed over to the Shire of Bright. This list of residents is an indication of how many SECV employees remained in the town and what work they were doing.9 foolscap pages of alphabetical lists of, residents of Mt Beauty, their addresses, occupations etc. The pages are held by 3 staples.C. Roper on the front pagemt beauty, shire of bright, voters' roll 1960/61, mt beauty residents, mt beauty householders

Voters' Rolls for the South Riding excluding Mt Beauty of the Shire of Bright for the years 1960/61The Shire of Bright includes towns in the Kiewa Valley. Names and occupations are of historical interest.Red book with black print on over and 3 staples holding 4 pages. Alphabetical listing of Residents in the Ovens and Kiewa Valleys and their occupations.No.s in pen written beside some residents.bright shire, voters' roll 1960, tawonga, tawonga south

Voters' Rolls for the Shire of Bright 1986The Shire of Bright includes towns in the Kiewa Valley with residents names and addresses which are of historical interest.4 books of Voters' Rolls in the Shire of Bright 1986 covering 4 different areas. White paper with the Shire's logo and printed in black on the cover. Bound with green shiny tape. Alphabetical listing of residents and addresseskiewa riding, bright riding, shire of bright, ovens riding, mt beauty riding

KVHS set up a museum at the Tawonga Camping Ground in Dec. 1969. The building was sold so items were stored from Dec. 1981. In 1985 items were displayed in Tawonga South.KVHS's history as a museum includes visitors and their town of residence. It also shows that the KVHS had difficulty finding a home.Red book with gold 'Visitors' title and black binding. Inside front cover KVHS / Museum / Camping Reserve, Tawonga / Opened on 13th Dec. 1969 / by Councillor R.S.Hollonds. 12 pages used and goes to 1981kvhs, museum, tawonga, tawonga south

Historically this item would have been used by gold miners, rabbit shooters, mobile "Rag and Bone" traders and other mobile(in caravans and/or horse drawn cart) traders of various small goods and haberdashery. Although marked as not to be used as trade, the isolation and sometimes difficult terrain rules out using larger and more delicate scales. In the early 1900s rough roads and severe weather conditions forced traders to be more flexible in trading with weights and measures. The "close enough is good enough" doctrine was the Australian outback rule of thumb.The significance of this item in the Kiewa Valley during this period demonstrates the slower acceptance of accurate trading measure using the country side principle "my hand shake is my bond". In the Kiewa Valley small quantity commercial undertakings e.g. gold mining, fur pelts and rabbit meat trade did not require bulk weight type scales. Commerce in rural production e.g. fruit and vegetables involved more farmers and their staff in a barter and/or "in kind" payments. This was more so in the depression years 1929 to late 1930s. Self sufficiency was to a large extent more attainable in this region than in the city/ large country town environment. The Australian "fair go" ethical approach to life and commerce was very much ingrained in those living in country regions, like Kiewa Valley as is demonstrated by the not so accurate hand balance, spring loaded scales.This brass "faced" portable Pocket Balance ( Fish Scales) has front plate made from thin pressed brass. The mild steel spring mechanism enclosed by black painted medium gauge steel cover( three quarters cylindrical). Front scale face and rear spring casing fastened by three rivets. Spring loaded marker blade is located in the centre of the front plate. A steel " finger holder" ring is attached at the top of the scale unit from one of two pre drilled holes. The top is for holding the scale upright and the bottom for a hook to dangle the item to be weighed from the bottom. See item KVHS 0223 for similar scales"THE BILLY BALANCE" and at the bottom "MADE IN GERMANY"antique pocket balance, scales, mobile weights, vintage appliances

This eye wear transportation box was forwarded from and returned to Kiewa Valley in the 1960's. This period in time, the Kiewa Valley was still a semi remote location, and specialist eye facilities were not available in the region. It was not until the Australian Government proceeded with a "regional development Centre" (for relocating some Federal Departments from Canberra) that the Wodonga/Albury townships developed into a medium city, allowing "specialist" facilities to become available and multiply.This item is very significant to the Kiewa Valley as it demonstrates that even in the 1960's early 1970's the Kiewa Valley residents still had to obtain "specialist" services from MELBOURNE. The "isolation" of the Kiewa Valley was still in place due to unreliable transport routes, long distance travel needed to visit cities and a relatively "small" population. The slow but progress marketing of recreational areas in the region and the movement of retirees away from "city violence" and to a quieter location has been on the increase. The expansion of the existing small airfield to one that can accommodate larger aircraft will hasten the expansion of the population in the region, bringing an ever increasing "visiting specialists" covering among other fields, eye and medical practitioners.This brown coloured cardboard box was used by Coles and Garrard (Sight Testing Opticians) to transport spectacles to one of their clients. The box lid has four staples holding the four folded sides in place. The base is of similar proportions and fastened together.Printed on the top outside lid, in small print "When forwarding your spectacles for repairs, your co-operation is requested in placing name and full address inside the packet. This will obviate delay in repairing and returning spectacles", underneath and in bold print "COLES & GARRARD pty ltd", underneath "Sight Testing Optticians" underneath "We visit over 100 towns in Victoria. Local Newspapers give full details"eye specialist treatments, kiewa valley "isolation", cardboard packaging, personal eye wear

Mrs Clare Roper wore this dress to a garden party at Buckingham Palace when she was invited there to represent the Lions Club.The Roper Family is one of the pioneering farming families of the Kiewa Valley. They built and used Ropers Hut on the High Plains. The dress worn by Clare Roper has historical significance as it represents the importance of the CWA which Claire Roper was involved with as President thus being invited to Buckingham Palace. The dress also shows the fashions of the time and indicates ladies living in the small country towns still viewed fashion as important. Since we know it was Clare Ropers dress it is well provenances, is in reasonable condition and has very good interpretive capacity. This brown shirt waister dress has an 'A' line skirt with an inverted pleat on the lower half of both the front and back. The dress has a 'Peter Pan' collar, matching belt, pockets and short sleeves. There are 3 bound button holes and buttons, gold set with pearls, only one is complete. The front top, cuffs and pockets are embroidered with cream lace. There is a press stud and hook at the neck. There is also a side zip opening in the skirt.kiewa, farming; ropers hut; lions club; clothing; clothes; dress; clare roper; high plains; buckingham palace;

These films were used c1940s and 1950s to educate students in Bogong and Mt Beauty Primary Schools. The visual experience enabled all students to see the same picture as the teacher read out the caption. Bogong and Mt Beauty Primary Schools are in the Kiewa Valley established as a result of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria's Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. As the schools were remote from large towns and cities these films were useful to enhance the students' education using a different media to that of books.450 - 500 Metal canisters with fitted lid and base soldered on. Each lid is marked with a number and / or title / subject of film. Film is rolled up inside canister. It is plastic and is in negative form - black and white. The number of frames and length of film varies. The edges have rectangular holes for threading onto a viewing machine.Varies with each canister - subject / title. Some have a number and some have a number and title / subject. Some are inscribed on and some are on paper attached to lid. photographic equipment, films, film canisters, education, schools, bogong primary school, education department of victoria, photography, mt beauty primary school.

This book would have been used when people had to entertain themselves. It has ideas for invitations, food, games, quizzes, fancy dress etc.The towns in the Kiewa Valley are isolated so people had to entertain themselves.Faded red to brown soft covered book with a lot of black writing on the front and back cover including the price 1/6.society, party, social gatherings, games, dances, entertainment

The State Electricity Commission of Victoria constructed the Kiewa Hydro Electric scheme from the 1930's to 1960's during which time power cables were made to carry power from the Power stations to the switch yards and beyond to the towns and houses.These sample power cables indicate the types of power lines used in the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme and the amount of voltage that they carry.3 transmission cables of different width used for transmitting different amounts of power on different size power lines.The thinnest cable consists of a centre piece of wire covered by a layer of twisted wires. The middle sized cable has 4 layers of twisted wires around the centre piece and the thickest cable has 5 layers of twisted wires around the centre piece.The thickest cable has a plastic strip with 330.000 Volt Cable inscribed on it.state electricity commission of victoria. power lines. cables. kiewa hydro electric scheme. electricity.

Souvenirs are sold to tourists as a moment of their visit to Mt BeautyMt Beauty is a tourist town6 spoons - 2 of each with a different picture. Silver spoon in a plastic case. The case has a black side with a ring at the top and 2 small pieces that jut out from inside to hold the spoon. The clear front cover fits on and has gold embossing. The stem of the spoon is embossed with lines on the front. At the end there is a circular coloured picture with 'Mt Beauty' below surrounded by embossed decoration.Cover: Map of Auistralia with ASM along the W.A. side / Made in / Australia Spoon: top of handle - Mt Beauty. back of handle - embossed kangaroo. back of stem - 'Swann and Hudson Made in Australiamt beauty. souvenir. silver spoon. tourism. swann and hudson

Bookmarks are sold as souvenirs to tourists to remind them of their holiday. Mt Beauty is a tourist town.Soft brown leather strap with circle around 3 fish at the top, 3 deer in the middle and 3 flowers at the bottom. Frilled at the bottom end. Between the deer and flowers is a coloured picture with 'Mt Beauty' across the middle.Mt Beautysouvenir. mt beauty. bookmark. tourism

Jan Burnett took the photos describing the site as on the up-hill side of the Car Racing Track where a house now stands. The 'new' Tawonga Hall was in use before this one was demolished.The Tawonga Hall is a popular venue for Kiewa Valley residents. The old hall was demolished after the 'new' one was built and being used demonstrating that a hall was considered a necessary community facility for the town.One page on photographic paper with 3 coloured photos of the Old Tawonga Hall being demolished. On the back handwritten description of the photos and a diagram of the plan of the Hall. Photos taken by Jan Burnett.1980/1981tawonga hall. buildings. kiewa valley. jan burnett.