Railways began in the 1850s and were privately owned and operated. Later they were taken over by the Victorian Government reaching a peak in the early 1940s.Steam trains were followed by electric trains with both running after the war in 1945.Bright was the closest station to the Kiewa Valley but road transport was used more often as the Kiewa Valley Highway was improved with the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. To travel to Melbourne or Sydney by train residents went via Wodonga/Albury where they also did their shopping.Plastic on parchment with detailed railway routes (in green) across Victoria including each district's 'Road Foremen' and 'Depots'. There is a length of flat wood attached by 10 tacks across the top of the mapvictorian railways 1945, trains, transport

The Kiewa Valley Highway was/is a major road along the Kiewa River ending at Mt Beauty the site of the S.E.C.V. town built for the construction of the K.H.E.S.Black and white photo with roofless old car beside two horses pulling a cart with man behind the cart. All coming towards the photographer on a road with paddocks on each side.kiewa valley highway, road building

Mt Bogong is the highest mountain in Victoria. The Staircase Spur track to its top starts at Mountain Creek Road going through forest and continuing above the snow line to grass land. The weather can change very quickly with cloud and snow making conditions dangerous. Large sepia photo of the Memorial in snow on the Staircase Spur Track on Mt Bogong. The Memorial has a plaque attached: Sacred to the Memory / of Georgine Gadsden / Edward Neave Welch / John McRae / who perished here during a blizzard / about August 2nd 1943staircase spur memorial, mt bogong

Road making with a crusher near Ken Edmondson's property.Ken Edmondson lived in the Kiewa ValleyBlack and white photo of a Crusher in the bushin the Kiewa Valley near Ken Edmondsonroad making in the kiewa valley, ken edmondson

Cattle were taken up to the High Pains during Summer for grazing on the farmer's lease.Coloured photo of Cattle being driven along a dirt road. In the foreground are two dogs and a man on a horse. droving cattle, roper family

Photo No. 9 Horses Crossing River - Packing in supplies for early workers on the Kiewa Hydro Scheme. There were no roads in the early days of the Scheme. Horses from the Kiewa Valley were used to transport goods prior to roads and vehicles being available1. Horses crossing river - 2 copies 2. Pack horses 3. Rider with pack horse -x2 and See (KVHS 1396) 4. Cattle entering river 5. Horses on High Plains x2 6. color - Horses in River 7. Pack horses and carts 8. 4 Cattlemen with dog in foreground 9. Color - Horses crossing river 10.Horses and tents - Harry Trimble x2working horses, horses from the kiewa valley

The King family lived in Tawonga South where my older brother and sister went to school. We lived over the road from Wally Madison's farm. Later when a house became available, we moved into Valley Avenue, Mt Beauty. This is when I turned 5 and started my schooling. It was a long walk for a 5 year old as I remember. Then later we moved to 50 Lakeside Ave. I remember we loved living there as it was close to the school, footy ground and kindergarten. My father, Ted King, wad a carpenter and was involved in the building of many houses in Mt Beauty which was the home for the workers on the Kiewa Electric Scheme. So as they are part of the history of Mt Beauty I thought they may be useful to you as part of the history. The tennis photos, I vaguely remember Lou Hoad and Ken Rosewell giving exhibition matches in Mt Beauty. I may stand corrected on this, but I do remember my parents who were keen tennis players themselves were most excited at seeing these famous tennis players. As I was only 9 when we left Mt Beauty to live in Dimboola I still remember the shock of leaving a beautiful mountainous county side and arriving in a flat farming land next to a desert and seeing windmills One thing I do remember from school is, once a week (or fortnight) the teacher used to come around with a jar of little white pills, of which we were all to take. I really don't know what they were?? or for?? I also remember being taught to swim in the freezing cold river by a Mrs Smith who wore black bathers and wore her hair in a bun...... ...I am now in my 70s My father used to also carve intricate trays and jewellery boxes in his spare time. I think they were used for tennis trophies. by Diane Werner.x33 photos of small black and white photos of the Tawonga, Tawonga South and Mt Beauty - Photos not labelled but described as follows. See each photo for a possible label. A. Tawonga? B. Mt Beauty taken on the road to Bogong ? C. SEC Works D. Industrial buildings with mountains in the background E. Building site with wooden frame and 3 men F. Buildings with power poles G. Building site with lots of huts H. Buildings under construction I. Group of houses in the distance J. Group of houses in the distance K. Group of people in front of a building L. Group of 8 men sitting on timber planks, corrugated iron at back. M.& N. Building site with floor and upright timbers O. Mountain view with camp site in foreground P.& Q. Buiding site, several houses R.5 men at a building site S. portable building on trailer T & U. Mountain view V. Building site W. Group of men, car and mountains in background X. Cows Y. Pigs Z. 2 men standing next to cars. AA. Football players BB. Man painting a corrugated iron building CC. Football DD. Men in front of a building EE Buildings with mountains in background FF & GG Tennis payersHH & II. Electricity infrastructure

The Chick family went fishing and lived on Rockpool Road beside the East Kiewa river from c1934-43. This was before the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. The Chick family camped in the Upper Kiewa Valley prior to the KHES being constructed.The memories and photographs are important for their contribution to this time.Black folder bound with plastic spiral ring. Page 1. includes a letter from Jan Hunter (nee Chick) to KVHS. Pages 2 -4 Written history. Page 5 An index to the 7 photosOn letter: 'Barbara - had this ready before I spoke to you. Jan'chick family, rockpool road, early camping

The SECV continually updated their mapsDuring the development of the KHES the SECV had to continually update their mapsBoth Foolscap 1. Titled: High Plains Access Tracks & Roads 2. Mt Beauty Street Plan by SECV with Section Nos. and house numbersBoth have sticky tape marks on their back.khes maps

The obituary is of Harry Vyner, who came to work for the SECV on the KHES in 1938This is an example of one man's life and how he came to live in the Kiewa Valley and his contribution to the development of Mount Beauty as a thriving community.A4 Sheet with family tree details of Harry Vyner / McKendrick families Newspaper cutting re Obituary of Harry Vyner dated December 1979harry vyner, country roads board, high plains road

Damms Road river crossing after the c1993 floods of the Kiewa River. The old bridge was inundated, later to be washed away.The Kiewa River flooded in 1993 at Damms Road when the old bridge was washed away.2 coloured photos of the Kiewa River in flood at Damms Roadkiewa river flooding, bridge at damms road

Orchids, birds on the Bogong High Plains and surrounds and the SECV construction on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme were topics of interest for the workers living there. Taping them would have been an interesting hobby for Jack Farrell.Jack Farrell (1920s - 1990s) worked for the State Electricity Commission of Victoria on the KHES. He worked in the workshop and lived on the river side of Simmonds Creek Road. x10 tapes of orchids, birds and Lake Guy etc. and 1 Panasonic Battery Pack VW-VBC4E for movie camera.The battery has a sticker on it "$99.00"orchids, birds, kiewa hydro electric scheme, movies of native flora, movies of birds

x7 B & W photos of Rocky Valley and x1 of a Bogged bulldozer with titles in white on bottom left hand cornerIn white 'Road to Rocky'; Old Rocky Mess; Rocky Valley Hostel; x2 Snow at Rocky; Rocky; Train at Rocky;

Mt Beauty was constructed by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria to house employees of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. Mt Beauty township looking south east from Hollond's property c1948. Only one transmission line has been built.In the foreground are houses in Simmond's Creek Road. Some houses in North Beauty. The town is still under construction - not all roads have been made and houses haven't any garden around them.This is an early photo of Mt Beauty during construction of the town.d It shows a few houses in Simmonds Creek Road. Large black and white photo of Mt Beauty township with snow on the mountains in the background.mt beauty township 1948, mt beauty construction, simmonds creek road

Mt Beauty township, at the head of the Kiewa Valley, is situated at the foot of Mt Bogong. The town was established by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria during the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme on the High Plains.Mt Beauty is a popular tourist resort. The main highway from Mt Beauty to the Bogong High Plains is most picturesque throughout the year. During the winter months, Falls Creek provides access to Falls Creek Ski Village for snow sports. Tawonga, 6.5 km north of Mt Beauty, is famed for its trout fishing and camping on the Kiewa River. Deciduous trees make a show of colour during Autumn. The postcards are of historical value showing photos taken at an earlier time.The postcards can be compared to the attractions of the time as they do not include cycling (mountain bikes and road bikes), snow boarding, gliding and paragliding. Advertising for tourism has also changed as attractions are now available on-line. 1. 9 Coloured Photos of Bogong (5) and Visitors Information Centre display (4) 2. Two fold out coloured sets of postcards "Mt Beauty and the Kiewa Scheme", "Mt. Beauty Victoria" 3. x10 Coloured postcards Mt Beauty, Kiewa Valley, Bogong 4. x6 Coloured postcards High Country and Bogong Villagepostcards kiewa valley

An early map of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme Works Area prepared by the SECV for use when requesting access to the area. The regulations are printed regarding permits.During construction of the KHES there were restrictions on access to the area. This map identifies the land marks and states the regulations for entry to the area.Black and white map folded into three showing a legend with the townships, camps, gates and dams marked.Also indicating the roads, rivers, mountains and infrastructure of the KHES. khes works area, map of khes

On the 2nd April 1948 the SECV noted the Eucalypts in the area of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. The Forestry Officer was an employee of the SECV and would have given advice in his area of expertise. This chart may have been used with regard to logging and enabling those involved in the identification of the trees.The last row has the heading "Localities and Remarks" and includes those found around the KHES eg. "Tawonga Gap. West Kiewa. Bogong Creek & up to 5 mile peg on Kiewa Valley Road. 7-12 Mile on Mt Buffalo Rd." Also significant to compare these eucalypts with current locations and numbersLarge chart with black print and pictures on yellowing thick paper. The chart has 18 headings across the top and 24 eucalypts listed under the headings.Printed in the bottom right hand corner "Compiled by W.G. Chandler / Forestry Officer / State Electricity Commission of Victoria / 2-4-48"forestry, w.g.chandler, eucalypts in bogong area

Published by the SECV in 1950. They controlled the roads from Mt Beauty to the Bogong High Plains and all other roads within the Kiewa works area. The roads are not open to general tourist traffic. Conducted tours of the Kiewa area are operated by Eastern Road Lines Pty. Ltd., AlburyThe SECV constructed the KHES and controlled all roads within the Kiewa works area.Large colored map folded in half and then in 3. Front third is mostly blue and white with titles.. When opened the cover has black and white photos beside it with print and 'Please Note'. Also in the other half, a 'Road Map to Kiewa' showing the south eastern side of Australia, mostly yellow (the land) and blue (the sea). Inside the map is a close up map of "Ground Plan of Kiewa Hydro Electric Project' with a 'Key Map Showing Distances'.map of kiewa 1950, khes map

Government authorities updated maps regularly.Historically of interest eg. 1. Pre dates the Alpine National Park. 2. 'Mt Beauty Estates' now known as Tawonga South. 3. Mt Niggerhead is named - It is now known as Mt Jaithmathang having been renamed in 2009.Colored map dated 1986 titled Road Construction Authority with an update of roads in the local Shires. It names places in the area and has a legion describing the rating of the roads and tracks. It also shows the main towns in the area and their roads.road construction authority, map of tallangatta area

The Department of Lands regularly updated the occupiers with leases or licences of the land.The names of the early settlers of the Kiewa Valley occupying land by lease or licence are shown. Many of these familie's descendants still live in the Kiewa Valley.Government (Lands Department?) cloth map showing the leases or licenses of occupiers of the land in the valley. The Kiewa River is shown in blue and roads in yellow. There is no date on the map.parish of mullindolingong map, settlers of the kiewa valley

Planimetric maps are two-dimensional representations of the Earth's surface, showing the location and spatial arrangement of features such as roads, buildings, and bodies of water.A very clear map showing the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme in two dimensions to include the construction done by the SECV.Black and white Map of the Kiewa Area from Mt Beauty to the High Plains covering the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme and surrounds. Drawn on 11th May 1966kiewa hydro electric scheme 1966

The map features Beechworth and its history.This map features the north-east and in particular, Beechworth where residents of the Kiewa Valley may have shopped or visited for appointments.Black and white map with references to roads and gold. The centre of the map is Beechworth and in the bottom left side of the map is the heading Beechworth with 12 lines of print of information regarding Beechworth. The Kiewa Valley is not identified.beechworth

Planimetric maps are 2 dimensional representations of the Earth's surface, showing the location and spatial arrangement of features such as roads, buildings, and bodies of water. The parish maps show the occupiers with leases or licences of the land. These are updated by the Department of Lands regularly. The names of early settlers of the Kiewa Valley occupying land by lease or licence are shown. Many of these familie's descendants still live in the Kiewa Valley.1. Kiewa Area Planimetric Map (photo) 2. Wermatong, County of Bogong Parish Map 3. Mulllindolingong, County of Bogong Parish Map 4. Mullagong, County of Bogong Parish Map All black and white kiewa valley. parish maps. land owners

Used by the employees of National Parks. The maps show the topography and contours in 3D when used with the stereoscope KVHS 0743. This enables the photographed area to be compared to previous photos and enables the planning of construction of eg. new roads etc. Digital information is now available.These photographs give the topography and contours of vast local areas eg. Mt Feathertop and Tawonga township.when used with a stereoscope. Black and white large aerial photos of the Bogong High Plains area. 14 to 20 of them all on thick paper and the same size as the brown wooden box which holds them. The box hasn't got a lid at the top.Identified and catalogued by National Parksmaps showing topography, national parks, stereoscope

This "homemade rake" is constructed from a branch of a tea tree. This item demonstrates that in the mid to late 1800's the isolation of the Kiewa Valley was more pronounced than during the early 1900's. The availability of gardening implements to the residences within the Kiewa Valley was scarce to non existence. with the upgrading of roads into the valley and the boost to the Valley's population (S.E.C. Kiewa Valley Hydro Electricity Scheme) transport into the valley, firstly via commercial Hawkers in their mobile caravans and later by commercial trucks. This "home made" rake is very significant because it highlights the ingenuity of local farmers and graziers in overcoming the semi isolation of the Kiewa Valley and its regions from the commercial availability of gardening implements enjoyed by gardeners in the towns and cities of the 1800's and the early 1900's. This "home made" garden rake highlights the ingenuity of the "Australian" character per se. A slice of this ingenuity can be seen by the amount of inventions, per capita, produced within Australia throughout its history.Handle is a long, stripped branch of tea tree. The head of the rake is a 2.3 cm. wide piece of wood, compressed between two 0.5 cm. pieces of metal joined with bolts, nuts and rivets. The holes drilled into the wood hold metal tines 10.5 cms. high. There should be 16 tines but 4 are missing. This type of rake is/ was used in dairiestimber, dairy, farm, rural, implement

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. Portable Pocket Balance with front plate made from brass. 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. See item KVHS 0224 for a similar scales.Front plate marked: at top "Not legal for use in trade", below this in larger print "Pocket Balance", under and to the right in smaller print "lbs" under this graded marks, first marked with a Zero, then every second mark in ascending order up to 25. At the bottom of the front plate is marked "Made in Germany"antique pocket balance, scales, mobile weights, vintage appliances

In 1943 a camp for workmen was erected and a commencement made with the erection of plant storage and workshop buildings in the new township of Mt. Beauty. The photograph was probably taken after the completion of these buildings. There is no sign of construction of the town itself. In the latter part of 1945 work was commenced on the Mt. Beauty township area with a medical centre, general trading store and some houses under construction. The No. 5 Road, from where the photograph was taken, is the road to West Kiewa Power Station and Big Hill Scenic Lookout.Is an excellent view of the Kiewa Valley before there was little work undertaken to establish the town of Mt. Beauty. Farming was well established with the evidence of huge areas of cleared land. The junction of the East and West Kiewa Rivers can be clearly seen. The first Workmen's camp is near the river and some workshop buildings can also be seen. Black and white photograph of the Kiewa Valley, looking North.Handwritten on the back of photograph "Kiewa Valley from No. 5 Road".kiewa valley, camp, buildings, mt. beauty

This photo is of the very newly constructed State Electricity Commission town of Mt. Beauty. The houses up to Nelse street were erected from 1946 onward and then the township was extended beyond Nelse Street in 1950 which places this photograph about 1950/51. There is no evidence of work being commenced on the regulating pondage but the tail race canal can be seen on the centre right of photo. The workmen's camp was enlarged in 1950 to the extent of providing accommodation for a total of 1,200. There are a number of dwellings on Simmonds Creek and the road to Falls Creek can clearly be seen. Snow capped Mt. Bogong is in the upper left of the photo with Mt. Beauty behind the township rising to Big Hill beyond that.Shows the newly constructed town of Mt. Beauty surrounded by farmland and before the regulating pondage was built to discharge water from the power stations via the West Kiewa tail race tunnel into the Kiewa River. Black and white photographHand written on back of photograph "Mt. Beauty from Transmission Line"mt. beauty, construction, pondage, state electricity commission

This photograph was probably taken at the site of McKay Creek Power Station. Excavation of this site did not commence until 1951 but road access(a narrow track) was provided in 1948 and widened in 1954. The logs would have been milled for timber at the State Electricity Commission's mill at Howman's Gap and thus provided a much needed source of timber for construction of camps and houses as there was a general of shortage of this commodity. Because of trouble with landslides in this area, a decision was made to place the machine hall of the power station underground instead of on the surface. Restricted financial resources and the repositioning of the power station retarded construction activities and it was not completed until early 1961.. An excellent pictorial record of the general working conditions, type of machinery and vehicles in use in the 1950/s.Black and white photograph showing logging equipment, fallen logs.Handwritten on the back of the photograph "Logging at McKay Creek)logging, mckay creek, timber, machinery

This photo was most likely taken at the site of the proposed McKay Creek Power Station. Excavation of this site was commenced in 1951 but an access road (a rough, narrow track) was put it in 1948 and widened in 1954. The State Electricity Commission would have milled logs from this area at their mill at Howman's Gap. The timber was used for building of housing and camps and provided a much needed resource as there was a general shortage of this commodity. The power station was relocated underground owing to repeated problems with landslides in the area. Restricted financial resources and the repositioning of the power station retarded construction activities and it was not completed until early 1961. An historical pictorial record of the type of machinery used in the 1950's - logging truck with bogie attached, the bull dozer and winch for hauling logs to the truck and note the lack of protective clothing!Black and white photograph showing a logging truck, bogie and bull dozer with winch for hauling the logs to the truck. Two men are on the truck, a driver on the bull dozer and a large log on the bogie. Hand written on the back of photo "Logging at McKay Creek".logging, mckay creek, timber, machinery