Opened by the Hon. J A Rafferty, Minister for Transport, 25 November 1976, the bridge was the first of four bridges to be built as part of the freeway bypass of Orbost. Construction cost $2.4 million. This construction was an important development along the Princes Highway corridor through East Gippsland. The original highway approached the Snowy River at a very poor alignment, and several serious accidents had occurred at the Orbost end. In times of heavy flood, the highway on both sides of the river had been cut by floodwaters and during the 1971 floods, the highest ever recorded, the river was a mile wide at the crossing. Construction of the bridges commenced in January 1975, with an expectation to open the bridge across the Snowy River as soon as possible. Less than two years later, on 25 November 1976, the bridge across the Snowy River was opened to traffic, allowing the old bridge to be demolished. The remainder of the Orbost Bypass, both the floodplain crossings and the eastern section around the township itself, was declared ‘Princes Freeway’ and opened to traffic in December 1977. (ref http://mrv.ozroads.com.au) The Country Roads Board was the government authority for the construction and maintenance of main roads in Victoria between 1913 and 1983. It was succeeded by the Road Construction authority on 1 July 1983 and later merged with the Road Traffic Authority on July 1 1989 to form the Roads Corporation. James Cameron, an Orbost farming pioneer and Member of the Legislative Assembly, fathered the Country Roads Board. The opening of this Snowy River Bridge was an important development in the accessibility to the township of Orbost.Three coloured Country Roads pamphlets for the 'Princes Freeway - Orbost Section". On the front is a coloured photograph of the new construction over the Snowy River at Orbost. Inside is a program for a ceremony for the opening of the new Snowy River Bridge. There is also a black print map of the project.

This photograph shows the second major bridge across the Snowy River at Orbost. The current Snowy River bridge is the fourth to provide a crossing to the township of Orbost. The first, in 1891, lasted just two years before it succumbed to flood waters. The bridge in this photograph was built in the 1920s as a road and rail bridge, and was again partly washed away by flood waters in 1934. After the end of the first World War the Victorian Railways considered an extension of the railhead across the river at Orbost, and in 1922 a new timber and steel girder structure, a joint Country Roads Board — Victorian Railways venture, was built and completed at a cost of £41,000 (the steel girders came from the Flinders Street viaduct reconstruction). Subsequently it was decided not to take the railway across the river, and the bridge was only used by road traffic. It was severely battered by floods during its life. and after the 1971 floods was eventually replaced by the current bridge in 1975. (info from Newletter 54N by John Phillips) This item is an early pictorial record of the previous Snowy River bridge at Orbost.A postcard with a black / white photograph of a bridge - timber and steel girder structure - across the Snowy River at Orbost, Reflections of the bridge are seen in the water.snowy-river-bridge-orbost

This photograph is of a train on the small rail bridge which crosses over the Burn Road Newmerella cutting. In 1912 work was underway to complete the Bairnsdale to Orbost section of the railway. This meant the end of river transport for the area. The railway was opened on April 10 1916 and closed in 1987. The letter written on the card is from Hilda Graham to her uncle.This item is associated with the history of the Orbost-Bairnsdale railway line and therefore reflects the role that the rail line played in the social and economic history of Orbost.A black / white postcard photograph showing a train engine crossing on a small rail bridge. On the back is a handwritten letter.Photo caption - "NEWMERELLA RAILWAY, ORBOST STANLEY VOGT"newmerella east-gippsland-railway

The “Glengarry” beached at Marlo The schooner Glengarry was a well-known trader on the Gippsland coast and had been stranded on a number of previous occasions including at the Natural Entrance joining the Gippsland Lakes to Bass Strait – Ninety Mile Beach, Lakes Entrance, c 1877 . In May 1898, the vessel struck a submerged object while crossing the Snowy River bar at Marlo and was beached, eventually becoming a total loss. Until t he railway came to East Gippsland goods were shipped from Marlo to Melbourne. This is a pictorial record of a well-known trading ship involved in that river transport.Three copies of a black / white photograph of the Schooner Glengarry wrecked in 1891 at the Snowy River entrance at Marlo.schooner-glengarry shipping transport-orbost

A new bridge over the Snowy River at Orbost was opened for traffic on June 20th 1922. It was designed for future joint use by road and railway traffic, but it was only used for road traffic. During the last few years the condition of an old suspension bridge [the 1893 bridge] which was the only vehicular crossing between the town of Orbost and the railway station, caused much concern. The structure was of timber, except for the wire suspension cables of its central span of about 100 feet. A design was prepared in 1914 for a permanent bridge with five spans of 85 feet composed of plate girders on concrete piers. With great increase in the price of steel work during the war, the cost of this design became prohibitive, and the need for a new structure becoming urgent, alternative proposals were investigated. As a result the present design was adopted as providing a sem-permanent bridge at moderate cost. The new bridge spans the river about 160 feet upstream from the old bridge on a slight skew, the piers being at an angle of 80 degrees with the centre line of the bridge. It has a camber of about 2 feet 5 inches in its total length of 527 feet. ( information from Newsletter March 2014 - Lois Crisp) The photograph shows Mrs James Cameron cutting the ribbon at the opening of the Orbost Pile Bridge in 1922. This second bridge, was built by the Victorian Railways and the Country Roads Board. Constructed at a cost of 35,000 pounds and used second-hand girders from the Flinders Street- Spencer Street viaduct. On July 4 1922 it was officially opened by Mrs James Cameron. Unfortunately, her husband, who had long championed the building of the bridge so that it would be ready for the railway to continue to the border, was too ill to attend the ceremony. In fact, James Cameron died on July 13 after a long and severe illness (ref. S.R.M. 20.7.1922). There is a section of this ribbon in the collection - Registration No. 366. This is a pictorial record of a significant event in Orbost's history.A black / white photograph of a pile bridge with a suspension bridge behind it. There are many people standing on the bridge.on back - "Opening of Pile Bridge - 1922"snowy-river-bridge ceremonies cameron-mrs

This photograph shows the second major bridge across the Snowy River at Orbost. The current Snowy River bridge is the fourth to provide a crossing to the township of Orbost. The first, in 1891, lasted just two years before it succumbed to flood waters. The bridge in this photograph was built in the 1920s as a road and rail bridge, and was again partly washed away by flood waters in 1934. After the end of the first World War the Victorian Railways considered an extension of the railhead across the river at Orbost, and in 1922 a new timber and steel girder structure, a joint Country Roads Board — Victorian Railways venture, was built and completed at a cost of £41,000 (the steel girders came from the Flinders Street viaduct reconstruction). Subsequently it was decided not to take the railway across the river, and the bridge was only used by road traffic. It was severely battered by floods during its life. and after the devastating 1971 floods was eventually replaced by the current bridge in 1975. (info from Newletter 54N by John Phillips)This is a pictorial record of the flood damage in 1971 when part of the Snowy River Bridge was washed away.A black / white photograph of a bridge which has been damaged by floodwaters. It shows one end has been washed away.orbost-snowy-river-bridge-1971 floods-orbost-1971

Boggy Creek Bridge was built in 1916 as part of the Bairnsdale to Orbost extension to the main Gippsland Railway, and is situated in the middle of the township of Nowa Nowa, crossing a steep-sided and well-timbered creek-valley. This section of the line closed in 1987. This item is a pictorial record of the Boggy Creek railway bridge on the East Gippsland line. This bridge plays a major part in the identity and history of the town of Nowa Nowa, since Boggy Creek’s steep sided valley divides the township into two components.A black / white photograph of a bridge across a river in the bush. It is under glass in a brown wooden frame which has gold decorated edges. There appears to be a man sitting on rocks in the right front foreground.on front of photograph - "Nowa Nowa Creek, Gippsland, Victoria, Sears, Copyright"boggy-creek-nowa-nowa east-gippsland-railway bridge-rail

These photographs are of the final train to leave Orbost railway Station on August 21 1987 signalling the closure of the line. 3105.12 shows Locomotive T408 and on the side is written "LAST TRAIN EX ORBOST 24.8.87". These photographs are associated with the history of the Orbost-Bairnsdale railway line and therefore reflects the role that the rail line played in the social and economic history of Orbost. The closure of the line was a significant event in Orbost's history.Fifteen black / white photographs of the last train to leave Orbost Railway station.3105.1 - on back - "Last Train leaving Orbost Railway Station on Friday August 21. 1987. SRM August 26 1987 Last train from Orbost, Friday last saw the end of an era when the last freight train to pull out of Orbost Station at about 4.co pm. A symbolic wave from engineer, Bill Buckley, was the only ceremony to mark the passing of rail transport for East Gippsland." 3105.2 - on back - " Last train prepares to leave from Orbost on August 21, 1987." 3105.3 - on back - " The Orbost railhead following the departure of the last train on Friday August 21, 1987. Shows spectators who farewelled the last train." 3105.4 - on back - "From Grandview, Newmerella, shows the last train from Orbost crossing the timber Trestle (sic) viaduct across the Snowy River flats on Friday August 21, 1987" 3105.5 - on back - " A pair of Series 3 "T" Class Diesel Electric locomotives which were used to haul the final train from the Orbost Rail Head on Friday, August 21, 1987. Goods shed on right" 3105.6 - on back - " VFTY Timber Wagons at the Orbost Railway Station. 30 of these large wagons were built for the timber traffic between Orbost and Melbourne. Part of last train to leave Orbost on August 1, 1987." 3105.7 - on back - "The Fordson powered Rail Tractor which was used during shunting at the Orbost railway station, hooked up behind the second locomotive for its final journal from Orbost on Friday August 21, 1987." 3105.8 - on back - "Two Series 3 "T" Class Locomotives (Diesel Electric) were used to haul the final train from Orbost - T408 and T347, T408 was the leading locomotive. Orbost Goods Shed is on the left. Last train left on Friday August 27, 1987." 3105.9 - on back - " 3 "T" Class Diesel Electric locomotives often used in pairs to haul the timber trains out of Orbost. This locomotive was used to lead (haul) the final train from Orbost on Friday August 21, 1987" 3105.10 - on back - "The Gantry at the Orbost Railway Yards - capacity 10 tons. The last wagons before being hooked up to the locos for their last trip out of Orbost on Friday August 21, 1987" 3105.11 - on back - " Station Masters Office and Goods Shed at Orbost Railway Station. The two Series 3 "T" Class Diesel Electric locomotives waiting to haul the final train from Orbost on Friday 21 1987" otrbost-bairnsdale-railway east-gippsland-railway orbosr-railway-closure

This is a licence issued to Leslie Palmer in 1918. It gives him authority to operate a motor boat across the banks of the Hopkins River near the mouth and to carry passengers. As there is a bridge at the mouth of the river it is assumed that this motor boat was used to go across the river from a private house, making it more convenient than going by road to cross the bridge. It was, and still is, a common practice to use boats to cross the river from private homes built along the banks of the Hopkins River.This is a significant item as it is an original certificate and is interesting because the licence was a restricted one, for use only in crossing the Hopkins River. This is a paper licence issued by the Marine Board of Victoria in 1918. The certificate has printed material and entries written in black ink. It has the seal of the Marine Board and the signature of the SecretaryWritten material: ‘Leslie Alfred Palmer of Warrnambool, oil, on the Hopkins River within a line bearing east from Point Ritchie on the western side of the mouth of such river to the opposite shore, 6th December 1918’ motor boat licence 1918, warrnambool, leslie palmer, hopkins river

Photo 1 - Rene Roper (Postmistress) crossing swollen Kiewa River on a milk can flying fox at Tawonga, during high winter waters Photo 2 - First Tawonga bridge was built in 1884- destroyed by floods in 1916. New bridge constructed 1923 and destroyed in 1953. Present concrete bridge constructed in 1986 and named Ryders BridgeBridge construction over Kiewa River at TawongaCopies of two original black and white photos. Photo 1 - Flying fox at site of Tawonga Bridge over the Kiewa River Photo 2 - Timber pile bridge over the Kiewa River at Tawongatawonga bridge, kiewa valley

Lake Mulwala is a man–made reservoir created through the construction of the Yarrawonga Weir across the Murray River, is located between Bundalong and Yarrawonga in Hume region of Victoria and Mulwala in the Riverina region of New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The weir was constructed in 1939 to provide water for irrigation of the surrounding district. The weir also serves as a crossing of the Murray between the two towns. It is a popular tourist destination for boating, fishing and other water recreation.Photographs demonstrate local Kiewa Valley residents enjoying a visit to the picturesque area of Lake Mulwala. Also provides a pictorial history of 1973.3 black and white photographs mounted on buff card. Photographs of a cruise on Lake Mulwala 25th Feb. 1973 1. Photo of unidentified man standing on the shore of Lake Mulwala beside cruise launch. 2. Group photo of people standing by cruise boat as others disembark. Woman in centre holding handbag may be Clare Roper (unconfirmed) 3. Photo of 2 men aboard cruise launch looking out over Lake Mulwala1. Handwritten at bottom of photo in black ink. 'Cruise on Lake Mulwala. 25th Feb. 1973' 2. Painted sign above cruise launch- Scenic Lake Cruises 3. No markingsclare roper

The No. 4 Tail Race Tunnel was commenced in 1947 from the downstream end at Mt. Beauty. Difficulties were encountered and driving from the top end in a downstream direction was commenced in January 1950 and the breakthrough between these two headings occurred on 22d July.Historical record of the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.3 small black and white photographsPhoto 1 - on back in ink - 'Tour of area, crossing West Kiewa Branch Jan. 1949 Photo 2 - on back in ink - 'Kiewa Valley River - site of tunnel in rear. Dec. 1948'. Photo 3 - on back in ink - 'No. 4 Tail Race Portal Mt. Beauty Jan. 1949'.west kiewa river; tail race portal; mt beauty; kiewa hydro electric scheme

The Chick brothers, Alf, Les and Allan, plus friends, began trout fishing and camping in the Kiewa Valley before the early 1930s. Les continued his connection with the Kiewa River until his death in 1972. Fingerlings were placed in the Kiewa River from the early 1880s. Keegan's Bridge is a crossing near Upper Gundowring and about 4 km south east of Dederang. References to the crossing were made in the early 1900s and a petition presented to Council in 1904 calling for a bridge.The bridge was built and opened in 1907. The photos are of the release of fingerling trout in the Kiewa River, thought to be at Keegan's Bridge. The fingerlings were transported in drums on the back of trucks. The photos are c1940s.The Kiewa Valley has been a popular spot for fishermen, tourists and campers from the 1880s. One of the many attractions has been the excellent fishing along the Kiewa River due to the regular release of fish especially brown trout. This continues to the present day (2020) when a few fish were marked with $$ signs for the lucky fisherman who caught them. This attracts visitors, their families and boosts the economy and dates back to visits at the Tawonga Pub prior to the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.19 page book with black plastic spine and clear plastic cover over the beige paper cover with title , author and black & white photo. Note: In KVHS photo collection there are 4 good quality reproduction photos on photographic paper. These have been produced professionally. These photos of Jan Hunter's are featured on the second page of her book. These also have a letter attached. The book is a pre-research paper & is No 33 of the Albury and District Historical Society Papers. The sub-title is "Trout releases and Keegan's Bridge / from the newpapers, 1882-1935"None on the book but a letter is attached from Jan Hunter, the author as a follow up to the photos she donated. On the photos - On the back: Fujifilm / Fujicolor Crystal Archive / Paper / Production - run codekiewa river; trout; fish; keegan's crossing; keegan's bridge; fingerlings; chick family; camping; tourism

Original negative and photograph held by The Age, before by Orm Cook, Echuca. Photo is of a drawing of Bridge work taking place in 1877, across Murray River at Echuca. Orm Cook gave The Age the photograph in 1981 as the round arches on the bridge were about to be removed.A bridge crossing of the Murray River was needed by 1877. It linked Echuca and Moama in a more tangible way. The bridge was funded privately and public use of it was discussed for the next several years.A black and white photograph of a drawing, depicting the construction of the iron Murray Bridge at Echuca, showing the Surveyor, the bridge workers, hoists , a crane, and much activity.Written in pen on the back, "Murray Bridge at Echuca under construction. Original to 'Age' came from Orm Cook. Also the numbers 6530 written in pen. Also on the back is a rectangular stamp with these words inside the rectangle. "COPYRIGHT. This photograph may not be reproduced without permission in writing from the Editor of "The Age" 250 Spencer Street, Melbourne, and 39/41 York St, Sydney.murray river, bridge work, bridge construction, bridge workers., the age newspaper., orm cook.

The drawing shows all the activity and building roles involved in building a bridge in 1877. The crossing of the Murray River was very important to citizens living in both Echua, but especially those living in Moama and in further NSW regions as it provided them with access to Victorian market regions. The bridge was built privately for Deniliquin farmers, but eventually opened up to the general public.This is significant because it represents the roles of different tradesmen in the construction industry in the late 19th Century. It also shows construction stages . Bridge pylons are being inserted into the fiver banks. It is also a very well produced drawing, the artist is anonymous, but very skilled.A photograph of a drawing of the construction of the bridge crossing the Murray River in 1877. The picture shows surveyors, construction workers, crane operators, hoists and a crane and much activity.Written on the back in pen are the numbers 6530. In pencil are the numbers 61/8"? and 10"?. Stamped on the back is a small rectangle with the words 'COPYRIGHT. This photograph may not be reproduced without permission in writing from the Editot of "The Age" 250 Spencer Street Melbourne, and 39/41 York St., Sydney.' written inside it.bridge works, murray river crossing, moama, echuca, orm cook collection, 'the age' newspaper., deniliquin farmers, engineering, bridge building, pylons, 1877

This photograph shows the Echuca Moama bridge crossing the Murray River in the early 1970's. This photograph shows the Echuca Moama bridge in the early 1970's. It shows one of the rounded arches on the bridge. The rounded arches were the original arches and were at one stage replaced by square arches, but then replaced again by rounded arches.A rectangular coloured photograph of the Echuca Moama bridge taken from the Victorian bank, sometime in the early 1970's. One round bridge arch can be seen and a tall electricity pole can also be seen on top of the bridge. The vegetation on the Victorian bank is short and cropped. Some dead branches lie on the ground in the left foreground.There are none.echuca moama bridge, murray river, victorian bank

This photograph comes from the Dowell collection. Related to P000202. At the turn of the 20th century, the railway line carried produce from southern New South Wales and the Riverina to Melbourne. Goods trains were a very important mode to transport to our region and industrialisation of Echuca. Photograph of the Murray bridge at Echuca at low river with a goods train crossing the bridge. Image is seen from bank facing north from Echuca.Recto :"MURRAY BRIDGE Echuca"; Verso: "C.1910" "Low river"dowell collection, murray river bridge , echuca, murray bridge, echuca, steam engine goods train, railway, transportation, industrialisation

The Bridge Hotel was built by Henry Hopwood to house visitors to the town crossing the Murray River on his punt , which was situated just below the Bridge Hotel on the Murray River. The accommodation was spacious and grand! In the right back corner of the photograph, the 'lantern' roof of the St George's Hall can be seen. The street is level with the front entrance to the Hotel, which is very different to what it is today.The photograph shows hotel activities and accommodation in the late 19th Century. The Bridge Hotel was a very busy place as can be seen with women on the balcony, a stage coach full of people, laden carts and buggies.The Bridge Hotel Echuca - photo taken looking south towards front of building. Four people can be seen on the balcony and several gathered under the verandah. In the foreground are several horse-drawn carriages. The road in front of the hotel is unmade and very wide, with the roof of St.George's Hall seen over the right (western) wing of the hotel. Verso: Bridge Hotel, 1860s? St. George's Hall in background.bridge hotel, henry hopwood, lantern roof, st.george's hall, 1870s

View looking northwest along the Plenty River towards the original bluestone Greensborough Bridge (since demolished). A timber pedestrian footbridge added after construction is visible with two people crossing. In the distance is a wide flat verge, now present day Carter Reserve and on the far side seven men digging and a set of terraced steps dug out in the earth bank. Present day Pioneer Reserve is to the right of the river in foreground. This glass plate negative was used to manufacture postcards (1:1 printing) for commercial sale by the Rose Sterograph Company and its subsidiaries. George Rose founded the Rose Stereograph Company in 1880 and was joined by Herbert (Bert) Cutts in the early 20th Century. The pair formed a lifetime working partnership and strong personal friendship. Assisted by George’s two sons, Herbert George and Walter, and later by Neil Cutts, the Rose Stereograph Company continued its operations for more than 140 years. The company was initially built on stereographs, but as cinema took over and stereographs fell out of fashion, the Rose Stereograph Company developed Australia’s first commercially viable photographic postcard business. Specialising in postcards of iconic historical moments and significant landmarks, The Rose Stereograph Company became a staple of the Australian travel industry.This remarkable collection of glass plate negatives, transparencies, and postcards – arguably Australia’s most significant photography collection outside of public hands – has been passed down through the generations, surviving war, relocation, and the harsh Victorian climate. The historic Rose Stereograph collection is the culmination of George Rose’s dream of capturing and preserving precious moments in time and remains the legacy of the Rose and Cutts families. It is with great sadness that the Cutts family says goodbye to a collection that spans five generations and 140 years. The Cutts family understands that for these historically important pieces to rest with one family is to deny others the pleasure of their custodianship.Glass Plate Negative Size: 9 x 14 cmPlenty River, Greensborough, Published by W. M. Butterworh No. 2postcard, travel, rose stereograph company, glass plate negative, greensborough, carter reserve, footbridge, greensborough bridge, main road, plenty river, w. m. butterworth, pioneer reserve, construction, peter and elizabeth pidgeon collection

J.A. McDonald produced this record in the course of his responsibilities as Shire Engineer for Eltham Shire Council.Record of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.a. gillies, alistair knox park, benchmark studies, bend of islands, blease road, box hill state school, box hill teachers college, box hill tip, bridge construction, bridge street bridge, bridge, brisbane street, brougham steet, bulldozer, cecil street, charis pelling, cherry tree road, city of preston, cr. a. brinkkotter, cr. charis pelling, cranes, cromwell street, diamond creek (creek), diamond street, dixons creek bridge, dixon's creek road, drott, eltham leisure centre, eltham north, eltham police station, eltham, eltham-yarra glen road, f. wood, fitzsimons lane bridge, flat rock road, flood damage, floods, floodwater, footpaths and gutters, ford service garage, g. blair, garden hill, glen park bridge, glenauburn road, grand hotel, haldane road, healesville, healesville-yarra glen road, heidelberg-kinglake road, henley road bridge, henley road, hill property, hurstbridge water scheme, hurstbridge, hurstbridge-arthurs creek road, infrastructure, j. jolly, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground-queenstown road, kangaroo ground-st andrews road, lilydale shire office, long gully bridge, long gully creek, long gully road, long gully, lower plenty bridge, lower plenty footbridge, lower plenty oval, lower plenty road, lower plenty, main road, methodist church, montmorency, mount pleasant road, new holland, old healesville road, opening ceremony, oxley bridge, para road, paul creek bridge, paul creek road, paul krafeznk, pinnacle lane, plaques, plenty river trail, plenty river, presbyterian church, prof donald thomson, pryor street, railway crossing, railway parade, rattray road, reconstruction works, reichelt avenue, research (vic.), research oval, road construction, rymers corner, shire of eltham, shire of whittlesea, silvan road bridge, silver street bridge, silver street, sir dallas brooks, smedley property, st andrews, steels creek, susan street, tarrawarra, tony carberry, uniting church, upper yarra dam, upper yarra reservoir, w.e. wolf, waterfall property, watsons creek, wattletree road bridge, wattletree road, wattletree road bridge, worlingworth, yarra glen, york street, yow yow creek

Eltham-Yarra Glen Road Proposed crossing of Plenty River at Lower Plenty. Floods 18th October 1956.Record of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.infrastructure, road construction, shire of eltham, bridge construction, eltham-yarra glen road, 1956-10-18, floods, floodwater, lower plenty, plenty river

EXPLORING THE UPPER YARRA (Newsletter No. 105, November 1995, by Bettina Woodburn) We enjoyed the Spring Excursion, this year "Exploring the Upper Yarra" - in spite of the constant rain and the countryside under the cloud cover, especially in the valleys, being mainly shiny shades of green. The occasional fields of buttercups, clumps of arum lilies and splendid rhododendron and other flowering bushes became very special. The Cobb and Co coach was warm and a cosy retreat as we zig-zagged on the highways and byways to glimpse the Yarra River, upstream and down, its secret places, and particularly the many bridges. Russell excelled as 'Poet Laureate', reading from Dacre Smyth's book. This 1979 publication includes paintings of all the bridges along the river with poems and brief descriptions of each one. Some of the bridges are in out of the way places and are not very well known. We looked forward to hearing the poetry as much as seeing the ' constructions'…Big Pat (was he short or tall, lean or fat? He did win the two hundred pound reward for discovering gold and had the creek named after him), about the 'Eddies'?, and the disliked 'meccano' bridge in Warburton, etc. etc. The hot roast lunch in the old Reefton Hotel was also most welcome. It was easy to imagine it peopled by miners and early settlers. Starting by crossing the new (1974) concrete bridge at Warrandyte we headed through Wonga Park with views to the Christmas Hills and to the escarpment of the Yering Gorge, which causes flood waters to back up through the Yarra Glen plain, so avoiding disasters downstream. At the end of a long driveway we found the wooden, privately owned Henley Bridge (1935 after the 1934 floods). This facilitates access to different parts of Henley Farm and to Lilydale. Everard Park, named after Blanche Shallard's father, a State Member for 17 years, below the Highway Yarra crossing was in need of care. It is 10 miles from Yarra Glen by road but, as "Yarra Marra” canoeists well know, 32 winding miles down by water. After more delightful countryside scenes we joined the Warburton Highway at Woori Yallock. From the old Railway Station at Launching Place the Centennial Trail for walkers, cyclists and ' horse riders has replaced the rails. The line from Lilydale was opened in 1901, and the last diesel freight train ran to Warburton in 1965. It continued to rain as we had morning tea in Warburton in a shelter between footbridges. From here we continued upstream past the Bridge to O'Shannasy Lodge and Reservoir, Starvation Creek, and the Peninsular tunnel (miners dug it as at Pound Bend) which we visited (scrambling down those steps!) on our return after lunch. Our furthermost point was the Upper Yarra Dam Reserve (and vast catchment area). Finished in 1957 after ten years work and 100 years after Yan Yean, it supplies much of Melbourne's water. After crossing the 30m Launching Place Bridge to the Eltham side of the Yarra and Healesville, we saw in the distance the Yarra Glen Timber Trestle Bridge over the river flats "the longest for years in the land it was said!" Harry's dream of "better weather over the Divide" unfortunately didn't come true, but I'm sure we 36 members will retain happy memories of a day that was wet and green and filled with Bridges. Bettina Woodburn - October 1995 Record of the Society's history of activities - Spring 1995 excursionColour photographshire of eltham historical society, activities, upper yarra dam, henley bridge

An inspection tour of the Maroondah Aqueduct was undertaken by the Shire of Eltham Historical Society on Sunday, March 22nd, 1981, commening where the aqueduct crosses Main Rd., Research, just below Eltham College. The Maroondah Aqueduct was part of Melbourne’s water supply system. It carried water over the 66 km from the Maroondah Reservoir on the Watts River at Healesville to the Preston Reservoir. Of this length, 41 km were open channel, 10 km, tunnel through hills and 15 km in 14 inverted siphons across stream valleys. The route of the aqueduct is north of Tarrawarra and Yarra Glen, along the Yarra escarpment south of Christmas Hills and crossing Watsons Creek into the present Shire of Eltham near Henley Rd. The eastern part of the route lies entirely within the former boundaries of the shire. The aqueduct passes south of Kangaroo Ground to Research and crosses the Diamond Creek by siphon at Allendale Rd., Eltham North. It then extends to Reservoir via St. Helena, Greensborough North and Bundoora. Water first flowed through the aqueduct in February 1891 when it was fed by a diversion weir on the Watts River. Records of the building of the aqueduct indicate that it was a significant construction achievement. The present Maroondah Reservoir was completed in 1927 and the aqueduct was enlarged at that time to take increased flows. About 1971 the section of the aqueduct through and north of Research was replaced by a large pipe and that section of the channel is now unused. The channel has remained largely intact (unlike sections at Greensborough and Bundoora where long lengths of the disused aqueduct have been demolished or filled in). The M.M.B.W. relinquished control of the disused aqueduct reserve which is crown land and the Shire of Eltham took control of this section of the reserve as a linear park. The Maroondah Aqueduct is considered to be an important historic structure, not just to the local area but to the metropolitan area generally. It is considered important to preserve substantially intact long lengths of the disused aqueduct, together with its bridges and other associated structures. 35 mm colour positive transparency (1 of 5) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsactivities, heritage excursion, maroondah aqueduct, research (vic.), shire of eltham historical society

An inspection tour of the Maroondah Aqueduct was undertaken by the Shire of Eltham Historical Society on Sunday, March 22nd, 1981, commening where the aqueduct crosses Main Rd., Research, just below Eltham College. The Maroondah Aqueduct was part of Melbourne’s water supply system. It carried water over the 66 km from the Maroondah Reservoir on the Watts River at Healesville to the Preston Reservoir. Of this length, 41 km were open channel, 10 km, tunnel through hills and 15 km in 14 inverted siphons across stream valleys. The route of the aqueduct is north of Tarrawarra and Yarra Glen, along the Yarra escarpment south of Christmas Hills and crossing Watsons Creek into the present Shire of Eltham near Henley Rd. The eastern part of the route lies entirely within the former boundaries of the shire. The aqueduct passes south of Kangaroo Ground to Research and crosses the Diamond Creek by siphon at Allendale Rd., Eltham North. It then extends to Reservoir via St. Helena, Greensborough North and Bundoora. Water first flowed through the aqueduct in February 1891 when it was fed by a diversion weir on the Watts River. Records of the building of the aqueduct indicate that it was a significant construction achievement. The present Maroondah Reservoir was completed in 1927 and the aqueduct was enlarged at that time to take increased flows. About 1971 the section of the aqueduct through and north of Research was replaced by a large pipe and that section of the channel is now unused. The channel has remained largely intact (unlike sections at Greensborough and Bundoora where long lengths of the disused aqueduct have been demolished or filled in). The M.M.B.W. relinquished control of the disused aqueduct reserve which is crown land and the Shire of Eltham took control of this section of the reserve as a linear park. The Maroondah Aqueduct is considered to be an important historic structure, not just to the local area but to the metropolitan area generally. It is considered important to preserve substantially intact long lengths of the disused aqueduct, together with its bridges and other associated structures. 35 mm colour positive transparency (1 of 5) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsactivities, heritage excursion, maroondah aqueduct, research (vic.), shire of eltham historical society

An inspection tour of the Maroondah Aqueduct was undertaken by the Shire of Eltham Historical Society on Sunday, March 22nd, 1981, commening where the aqueduct crosses Main Rd., Research, just below Eltham College. The Maroondah Aqueduct was part of Melbourne’s water supply system. It carried water over the 66 km from the Maroondah Reservoir on the Watts River at Healesville to the Preston Reservoir. Of this length, 41 km were open channel, 10 km, tunnel through hills and 15 km in 14 inverted siphons across stream valleys. The route of the aqueduct is north of Tarrawarra and Yarra Glen, along the Yarra escarpment south of Christmas Hills and crossing Watsons Creek into the present Shire of Eltham near Henley Rd. The eastern part of the route lies entirely within the former boundaries of the shire. The aqueduct passes south of Kangaroo Ground to Research and crosses the Diamond Creek by siphon at Allendale Rd., Eltham North. It then extends to Reservoir via St. Helena, Greensborough North and Bundoora. Water first flowed through the aqueduct in February 1891 when it was fed by a diversion weir on the Watts River. Records of the building of the aqueduct indicate that it was a significant construction achievement. The present Maroondah Reservoir was completed in 1927 and the aqueduct was enlarged at that time to take increased flows. About 1971 the section of the aqueduct through and north of Research was replaced by a large pipe and that section of the channel is now unused. The channel has remained largely intact (unlike sections at Greensborough and Bundoora where long lengths of the disused aqueduct have been demolished or filled in). The M.M.B.W. relinquished control of the disused aqueduct reserve which is crown land and the Shire of Eltham took control of this section of the reserve as a linear park. The Maroondah Aqueduct is considered to be an important historic structure, not just to the local area but to the metropolitan area generally. It is considered important to preserve substantially intact long lengths of the disused aqueduct, together with its bridges and other associated structures. 35 mm colour positive transparency (1 of 5) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsactivities, heritage excursion, maroondah aqueduct, research (vic.), shire of eltham historical society

An inspection tour of the Maroondah Aqueduct was undertaken by the Shire of Eltham Historical Society on Sunday, March 22nd, 1981, commening where the aqueduct crosses Main Rd., Research, just below Eltham College. The Maroondah Aqueduct was part of Melbourne’s water supply system. It carried water over the 66 km from the Maroondah Reservoir on the Watts River at Healesville to the Preston Reservoir. Of this length, 41 km were open channel, 10 km, tunnel through hills and 15 km in 14 inverted siphons across stream valleys. The route of the aqueduct is north of Tarrawarra and Yarra Glen, along the Yarra escarpment south of Christmas Hills and crossing Watsons Creek into the present Shire of Eltham near Henley Rd. The eastern part of the route lies entirely within the former boundaries of the shire. The aqueduct passes south of Kangaroo Ground to Research and crosses the Diamond Creek by siphon at Allendale Rd., Eltham North. It then extends to Reservoir via St. Helena, Greensborough North and Bundoora. Water first flowed through the aqueduct in February 1891 when it was fed by a diversion weir on the Watts River. Records of the building of the aqueduct indicate that it was a significant construction achievement. The present Maroondah Reservoir was completed in 1927 and the aqueduct was enlarged at that time to take increased flows. About 1971 the section of the aqueduct through and north of Research was replaced by a large pipe and that section of the channel is now unused. The channel has remained largely intact (unlike sections at Greensborough and Bundoora where long lengths of the disused aqueduct have been demolished or filled in). The M.M.B.W. relinquished control of the disused aqueduct reserve which is crown land and the Shire of Eltham took control of this section of the reserve as a linear park. The Maroondah Aqueduct is considered to be an important historic structure, not just to the local area but to the metropolitan area generally. It is considered important to preserve substantially intact long lengths of the disused aqueduct, together with its bridges and other associated structures. 35 mm colour positive transparency (1 of 5) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsactivities, heritage excursion, maroondah aqueduct, research (vic.), shire of eltham historical society

It is the railway bridge over the Campaspe River at Rochester, Vic. original to the construction of the line. It was taken late on a Saturday morning and shows the regular goods train of that period approaching, then crossing the bridge. I originally planned to take just one view. The approaching train was first then it was a rapid run back along the raised river bank to get the broadside shot. I had little time to steady myself or properly check camera settings, hence the slightly soft focus etc. The train would eventually continue over the Echuca Iron Bridge into NSW. I think its ultimate destination was Deniliquin but not sure.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencygeorge coop collection, k-158, k-class steam locomotive (vr newport workshops), railway bridge, campaspe river, rochester

VR Commissioner's Special train, steam locomotive D3-639 crossing the Echuca-Moama Road Rail Bridge over the Murray River from Moama, NSW to Echuca, Victoria. Commissioner Edgar Henry Brownbill on footplate, 1962. Commissioner Edgar Henry Brownbill was in office 1957 to 1967. George Coop advises - "The train on the Eltham/Moama bridge is actually the Commissioner’s Special on one of its inspection tours of the VR rail system. This was a very grand special train with accommodation for the Commissioner and staff in carriages also used once for the Royal Train and other State purposes. You can just see the Commissioner of the day, dressed in his suit and wearing engine drivers gloves, standing in the loco cab doorway. A good ‘hands on’ impression is created amongst local staff if can be seen that the boss is no ‘desk jockjey’. The observation car on the back was originally made for the ’Spirit of Progress’. I climbed up onto the bridge iron plate work to get this view. It was safe enough as the cantilevered pedestrian walkway was still on the east side at the time." "I was resident in Echuca from Jan. ’59 to approx. May ’64. At that time the single Echuca/Moama bridge was a combined road/rail bridge. The rail gauge was 5’3” and still is, I believe, on the new bridge that sits just upstream of the old one. This rail line into NSW has always been 5’3" gauge because it has no connection with any NSW tracks. The old Echuca/Moama bridge, locally called the ‘Iron Bridge’ has, over years, undergone some structural changes. The two lattice iron hoops arcing over the roadway have been raised and lowered and changed design. Presently a pedestrian walkway is cantilevered off the west (or downstream) side of the bridge. It used to be on the eastern side. Guess changes went in when new rail bridge only was built on the eastern side as well." Image dated as c.1963 based on same image in Port of Echuca collection (possibly frame 32 of film) (print 19.5 x 24.5cm) On reverse in pencil: "Brown card" in black pen: "Commissioners special. F. Brown on Footplate. George C.L. Coop c1963". https://victoriancollections.net.au/items/59d575b921ea6e1278d78042 However based on frame no. 10, date set as 1962Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyd3-639, d3-class steam locomotive, echuca-moama road rail bridge, edgar henry brownbill, george coop collection, murray river, vr commissioner's special train

Looking south into Echuca, VictoriaDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyd3-639, d3-class steam locomotive, echuca-moama road rail bridge, george coop collection, murray river, vr commissioner's special train

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyd-1, d-class diesel locomotive, fyansford, fyansford cement works railway, george coop collection, mooroobool river, trestle bridge