1950 decade HAY FORK - A local invention. Bill and Arthur Gillespie and Bon Barrie In the early 1950’s Bill Gillespie of Bulmans Lane had been experimenting in developing a machine to improve the collection of hay sheaves at harvesting and stack building time. The ripened crop was cut by a reaper and binder which bundled the storks into sheaves tied with binder twine. The reaper and binder was towed by a tractor by the mid 1940s previously teams of draught horses were used to pull the reaper and binder. A photograph taken at the Barrie farm shows three binders the first being towed with a tractor and the others with horse teams. Two workmen were needed to operate the binder when cutting a crop. The sheaves collected on the binder and released onto the ground and were scattered across the paddocks. Using a conventional two pronged pitch fork the harvest hands collected the sheaves and placed each one cut edge on the ground in an upright position and layered with about 15 sheaves into an apex shape to form was is known as a stook. The shape of the stook allowed for drying and draining of water if rain had occurred. Prior to the invention of the mechanical hayfork this was a laborious task requiring each sheaf to be pitched onto a tray truck and moved to the location of the haystack. The mechanised HAYFORK was operated by one person on tractor greatly reducing the need for gangs of labourers. At harvest time farmers had relied on itinerant teams of workers descending on the district looking for work. The three Barrie brothers on their adjoining farms combined forces to cut their crop at its optimum time while the weather was in their favour. Up to many 20 workers at times formed a team in earlier times. Agricultural university students were also keen to gain practical experience in the field. Each of the brothers had a particular skill, and Tom Barrie was the expert on stack building. The district haystacks had a distinctive shape and could be recognised by their builder. Bill Gillespie’s first operational HAY FORK consisted of a large 13 pronged fork situated forward of the truck cabin. It was attached with iron girders and mounted on the rear of the cabin to the tray of his British Bedford truck. It was constructed in metal and iron and welded in the farmers work sheds. The mechanism was raised and lowered by the driver scooping along the ground to pick up a complete stook to raise high enough to deposit all the sheaves in one stook onto the stack or truck tray. The fork section was released by a rope and operated by the driver in the cabin. This model was trialled on the Barrie farm at Ferris Lane. It proved to be very successful and the Barrie/ Gillespie brothers went on to develop a HAYFORK which attached to a tractor and was operated with a series of levers and was raised and lowered hydraulically. It was detached from the tractor when stacking was completed. In its early days farmers travelling along the Western Highway called at the Barrie farm at Ferris Lane to inspect its construction and operation of the invention. It became a widely adopted by farmers throughout the State. It was being used on Wattie Palmer’s farm on Bridge Road Melton South in 1997. Farming in Melton, hay growing and stack building. agriculture, local identities

"A perpetual spring in the adjacent creek provided a steady supply of fresh water to the site on which the homestead is built. Although we can not be certain of the identity of the builder, the first stage of ‘The Willows’ homestead appears to have been constructed in the mid 1850s. The house is situated on Crown Allotment No.1 (No Section), Parish of Kororoit, an allotment of 5 acres 3 roods 4 perches. Although it had surveyed the land, the Crown did not offer it for sale until 22nd November 1861, at which time it was purchased by Charles March Williams. (Although the property is directly opposite and immediately adjacent to the Township of Melton, and was sold as ‘Suburban Allotment 33’, it was situated within the Shire of Braybrook rather than the Shire of Melton until 1917.) Considerable improvements had taken place on the land prior to the Crown sale. When CM Williams purchased the allotment in November 1861 he paid £23.5.0 for the land itself, and valued the improvements at £400. Even allowing for some exaggeration by Williams, this is an extremely high valuation for improvements, and must have included a house. Some local research has claimed that in 1858 Williams had taken over the interest of a Mr Parkinson in the property, and that Parkinson built the house upon taking possession of the land c.1855. It was definitely built by 1861, when a map shows a square building on the site marked as ‘House’. The property is important in the district for its association with the establishment of the pound. The district pound had been established in 1854, when George Scarborough of Mount Cottrell (Mt Cottrell Road, south of Greigs Road) was appointed pound-keeper. Scarborough resigned in 1857. The pound was moved to Melton following agitation from local farmers and Charles March Williams appointed pound-keeper on 26th April 1858. Williams, the son of a doctor, had been born in London. Reminiscences of local residents of the time, as recorded in the Express newspaper, note Williams’ success in breeding horses on the property. Sales of up to 60 guineas were noted. Whether this was from Williams’s own stock or from unclaimed pound stock is not made clear. Williams appeared before a government inquiry in 1860 and advocated registration of all stock brands in the State. Williams died in 1862 leaving a widow, Catherine, and five living children aged 15 years to five months. At the time of his death Williams had entered negotiations with one Matthew Devenish and had a mortgage of £100 on allotments 1 and 2, Parish of Kororoit. Catherine Williams was appointed pound-keeper on 2 September 1863, with her eldest son Charles as her assistant. Her tenure was short for on 22nd March 1864 George Minns senior paid Matthew Devenish £135 for allotments 1 and 2 Parish of Kororoit (considerably less than Williams had claimed the property was worth in 1861) and on the same day paid William Tullidge £45 for the adjoining allotments 3 and 4. In April 1867, James Ebden Minns, the newly married son of George senior became the owner of The Willows property having entered into a mortgage arrangement with his father to the extent of £200. At the time George Minns was residing in Kaarimba having left Melton in 1867 for a short trip to England and upon his return having taken up a selection in the Kaarimba district with his son Frederick who had a hotel licence there. James paid out the mortgage on 2-1-1873. James Minns was appointed pound-keeper in 1872; in 1885 the pound was moved elsewhere and Minns purchased the old pound site and added it to his farm. The Willows residence underwent a major change about this time. A two room extension, similar in style but with a lower elevation was added to the original rear of the house with a chimney matching the distinctive originals. Window arrangements did not match the original but became a feature of the façade when the new addition became the front of the building. Six buttresses were attached to the east and west walls of the old building, two to the south wall and the whole rendered with mortar to give the appearance of dressed stonework around the windows. Galvanized iron was placed over the shingles and a verandah added on three sides. By 1876 The Willows was the homestead for a thriving mixed farm of 340 acres of which 156 was rented from a H. Ruck. In October of that year the Australasian travelling reporter visited and reported on the property. In common with the nearly every other property in the district the farm had ‘recently’ (generally within the last two years) abandoned cultivation of crops, and turned over completely to cattle pasture. Butter making was the principal occupation of the farm, which had about 50 head of cattle, a large proportion of which were milking cows. The reporter also noted that a ‘large number of pigs are kept upon this farm and are found to be very profitable stock’. Their manure was used in an orchard and garden in which ‘large quantities of lucerne and prairie grass are grown for the use of stock when ordinary feed is scarce’. Two bores attached to deep brick lined wells supplied water for the house in addition to the farm. A commodious timber barn and necessary sheds had also been constructed. Access to the property was improved following the construction of the bluestone ford across the creek c.1887, when the recreation ground came into use. Prior to this date it may have been that the crossing referred to as ‘Mr Minns bridge’ was used. This appears to have been a flimsy structure and has but two references in Council reports in the Melton Express in the 1880’s. It is believed that in the late 1890’s a timber building was added near the rear of the building to house a kitchen, ablutions and laundry rooms and rooms for seasonal workers. This was attached to the house by means of a trellised walkway using the original front entry to the house (long since the back door). A photograph of this building appears in a local history of Melton. This was demolished in recent decades during the period when the house was tenanted (after the Minns family had left). James Minns son, George, took over the property following his marriage to Alice Walsh in 1903. James and Caroline moved into a house on the former JH Games property at the eastern end of Henry Street. George held the position of Shire Secretary for Melton for 40 years. He was a most prominent member of the community being Secretary to, among others, the Melton Coursing Club, the Shooting Club and the Cemetery Trust. He also rode with the hunting parties who sported across the Plains and were entertained at Mount Kororoit. George and Alice had one son, Norman who followed his father into local government and became Secretary of the Shire of Werribee completing a record term in this position. George retired to Werribee in 1951, where he died in 1965. The National Trust records note that James Ebden Minns and his sons were ‘leading men of the district, Justices of the Peace, and Shire Councillors’. It claims that Sir Thomas Bent was a frequent visitor. The Willows passed into the hands of George’s grandson, Bruce Minns and the property was let for a number of years. In the 1960s it became vacant and was subject to vandalism. Major structural problems arose with the part demolition of the roof, the loss of windows and doors and holes dug into and under the floorboards. The outbuildings were particularly targeted. Following widespread public support, the Shire of Melton purchased the house, with 3.75 acres of land, in 1972. In 1975 the Shire of Melton and the Melton and District Historical Society were successful in nominating the building for National Trust classification, and then the Australian Heritage Commission’s Register of the National Estate. The AHC particularly noted its ‘townscape importance’. It was envisaged that the farmhouse would form ‘a picturesque centrepiece to Melton’s planned … historical park, along with Dunvegan bluestone cottage … and similar structures as they become available.’ In a time of great Melton’s ‘satellite city’ development the Council spelt out its broader vision in its submission to the AHC: ‘Melton is destined to become, by the end of the present century, a city of between 75,000 and 100,000 people. Significant relics of the past, such as ‘The Willows’, regrettably will be rare in that situation. It is essential that sufficient tangible links with Melton’s pioneering days remain to promote in the new community a sense of history and continuity’. Under the direction of ‘The Willows’ Restoration Committee and consultant architect John Hitch, all outbuildings, with the exception of the garage and toilet, were demolished and the dwelling house restored. Finances were provided by the Shire of Melton and the National Estate Grants Program, and considerable amount of voluntary labour was provided by the local community. The orchard was removed, and remaining wooden buildings were relocated to provide an open vista for visitors to the Park. The property was furnished with donations from district families keen to preserve this example of pioneer life in the area. The Willows became the headquarters of the Melton and District Historical Society". Invitation to the family reunion at the Willowslocal identities, pioneer families

1979 - Mordialloc-Chelsea High School students standing in front of “Old Be-al” in Victoria’s Wyperfeld National Park, near Outlet Creek. It has been described as one of the most magnificent River Red Gums in the land. This glorious tree with foliage hanging to the ground escaped the fire of 1959 but not the fire of 1982 that damaged it badly. It lives on but has also suffered from lack of water and is now inaccessible to the public in a reference area. The MCAA has provided this image to the Friends of Wyperfeld National Park. Mordialloc-Chelsea High School students visited the Wyperfeld National park annually for the biology and geography Year 11 school camp.Example of a River Red Gum at Wyperfeld National Park.Digital image reproduced from colour slide.big desert fire 1959, mordialloc-chelsea high school camp, wyperfeld national park, fire 1982, old be-al river red gum

This set of photos is from a leather bound album bearing the inscription "HUME RESERVOIR AUSTRALIA" plus 'The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M .P.' all inscribed in gold. It was presented to The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M. P, Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs on the occasion of his visit to the Hume Reservoir on 2nd November 1927. This album is of local and national significance as it documents the planning and development of the Hume Reservoir up to 1927. It was the largest water reservoir in the British Empire. The album records the pioneering engineering work that went into its construction.DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, N.S.W. RIVER MURRAY WATERS SCHEME. HUME RESERVOIR. 12. View from the Victorian bank of the river showing in the foreground a levee bank along the New South Wales side of the river with connecting wings back to the higher ground, May 1923. The first stage in the construction of the Dam foundations was carried out inside the levee bank which was at a sufficient height to protect from floods the work going on inside. A length of 300 feet of the Dam was left at a low elevation to allow of the river flowing over it in the second stage of the operations and at the ends of the concrete was brought up above flood level. To divert the river, a Coffer Dam was built across the old bed above and below the Dam site and tying into the end of the concrete wall built inside the levee bank. This completely surrounded the remainder of the site of the Dam and south wing wall, including an area of 12½ acres.hume reservoir australia, river murray waters scheme, hume reservoir construction

This set of photos is from a leather bound album bearing the inscription "HUME RESERVOIR AUSTRALIA" plus 'The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M .P.' all inscribed in gold. It was presented to The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M. P, Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs on the occasion of his visit to the Hume Reservoir on 2nd November 1927. This album is of local and national significance as it documents the planning and development of the Hume Reservoir up to 1927. It was the largest water reservoir in the British Empire. The album records the pioneering engineering work that went into its construction.DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, N.S.W. RIVER MURRAY WATERS SCHEME. HUME RESERVOIR. 18. Stilling pool opposite outlet section of dam. New South Wales. December 1925 A stilling pool is a structure at the downstream side of a dam, designed to take away some of the energy from overtopping water flowing down the spillway, to reduce the risk of erosion of the ground near the dam and the dam itself.hume reservoir australia, river murray waters scheme, hume reservoir construction

Electro hydraulic dredge Snake Valley 1909. J Mc Bennett, was an engineer back at the main base, at Dawson's dam on the Carngham Road, Between Linton and Snake Valley. These dredges were used for getting gold. The streams of water under high pressure just washed the hills and ground away. This dredge closed down early 1910. 200 H.P. motors were used and 10 in. pumps.Black and white image of three workmen, one beside mining building the other two at dredge pump outlet. Image mounted on dark brown card. Between 1904 and 1911 the Electro Hydraulic Company sought to extract gold in an area north of Linton known as the Hard Hills. By blasting water from high-pressure hoses into the hillsides, soil containing gold was washed out for sluicing. Two gravel pumps in Dawson's Dam pumped the wash through the sluices. Despite considerable investment in expensive equipment, the Company did not have a great deal of success, and the mining operation ceased in 1911.mining, gold, mining equipment, electro hydraulic dredge, dredging, sluicing, dawson's dam, snake valley, miners

Black and white image of workmen at electro hydraulic dredge Snake Valley mine site. Image has been mounted on dark brown card. Electro hydraulic dredge Snake Valley Victoria 1909. J.M.C. Bennett was an engineer back at the main base, at Dawson's Dam on the Carngham Road, bet Linton and Snake Valley. These dredges were used for getting gold. The streams of water under high pressure just washed the hills and ground away. This dredge closed down early 1910. 200 H.P. Motors were used and 10 in. pumps.electro hydraulic dredge, dredging, sluicing, mining, gold, miners, mining equipment, snake valley

Drawing - titled - "Carlton - Proposed new control room and remodelling of existing control room", coloured with a water colour brush, showing the proposed extensions to the Carlton control room, drawing Number S842, dated 9-5-1961. Shows the ground and first floors, mess room, offices, stairs and control room layout. Has the external elevations and sections.Has some pencil notations front and back re lights and sketch.trams, tramways, carlton, control centre, power supply, electrical engineering, electrical switching

Index, notes, p.132.non-fictionThis 1866 collection of essays on "Work," "Traffic," and "War," begins with a preface condemning the human depletion of nature for what Ruskin saw as valueless gains. In this way, mining the ground for metals, water, and other resources parallels the work of the three lecture topics--all is done for the money. But what Ruskin wants to know is what the ultimate effect and product of their work is? john ruskin 1819-1900, ethics

Eight coloured photos of Stawell's Water system. a. Old Valve house Pomonal b. Old Valve house & inlet grating from tunnel cutting. c. Old Valve house & Main ground grill. d. Sludge trap. e. interior of water supply tunnel at Pomonal. f. Tunnel showing outlet litter trap with rake for cleaning trap. g. Tunnel entrance at Pomonal. h. Vandal shattered cncrete pipe with multiple wire reinforcing (old?) Eight colour photographs of buildings, tunnels and equipment in bush setting.grampians water supply

In 1878, J H Abbott bought the Edinburgh tannery from Mr Lambert and Mr Sibley in 1878 and set about expanding and modernising it. Soon it consisted of the necessary sheds surrounded by cottages built for the workers. The tannery buidings and processes consisted of :- 1. Hide shed that held 400-500 salted hides 2. Salt pots where the salted hides were soaked to remove all salt 3. Lime water pits where the hides were soaked to remove hair and all adherent flesh. 4.Beam shed where hides were hung so they could be scraped clean with double handled knives 5. Water baths that soaked the hides to remove the lime 6. Tan yard where there were 10 pits containing tanning liquid made from ground wattle bark. The entire process could take up to 9 months depending on the type of leather required. A forward thinking initiative of this tannery was the lack of waste. The left over flesh was boiled down to make tallow, trimmings from the hides was used to make glue, hair was washed and used by saddlers and upholsterers and the lime was mixed with tanning liquid to produce fertilizer. The tannery was producing about 240 sides of leather a week, with about two thirds of this being sent to England where it was in great demand because of its quality. In December 1894 the plant was destroyed by a fire believed to have started in the engine room. The plant was quickly rebuilt at an estimated cost of ten thousand pounds. The plant at 145 Tannery Lane operated until 1906.Sepia photograph: 13 workmen, shed at rear. Brick, timber, corrugated iron buildings in back ground. Interesting industrial site of the time. Photo of workmen taken in front of open sheds. Brick chimney and pile on L.H.S. Suggests Edinburgh Tannery, Sheepwash. J.H Abbott & Co. On back on small piece of paper 1127 Bgo. New registration No. rather indistinct. James Lerk 26.11.1999, ' Edinburgh Tannery - Sheepwash?' Ken Arnold Book 'Bendigo A History in Bottles & Stoneware 1852-1930 p10. This photograph labelled 'Workers at Sheepwash Tannery,' C. 1880-1890 with section about J.H. Abbott & Co. See book 'Bendigo A History in Bottles & Stoneware 1852-1930 by Ken Arnold, p.10RHSV 1127, Bgoorganization, business, edinburgh tannery, sheepwash creek.

Handwritten extract from the Bendigo Advertiser 27/12/1910 Page 2. ''The Victoria Quartz, having deepened its shaft to 4,614 feet, had to abandon sinking on account of an inrush of water from the flooded mines to the south on the line. The influx occurred on the 15th of June, and notwithstanding that baling has been carried on almost constantly the company has failed to get the water out. It appears that the deep ground will have to be abandoned, owing to the absence of some proper scheme to cope with the water.'' Albert Richardson Mining History Collection.document, gold, drainage problems, drainage problems, new chum line drainage problems 1910, bendigo advertiser 27/12/1910 page 2, victoria quartz, albert richardson

Bendigo's Grandest Buildings are the Public Offices (1883-7) and the Law Courts (1892-6). Like the Town Hall they were described as Italian Renaissance in Design, but have high mansard roofs which give them a distinctly French air. They are so pompously Bendigonian that they stand well with Vahland's work, but in fact they originated in the Public Works Department, the architect for both being W.G. Watson. The building containing the Public Offices and Post Office has a frontage of 155 feet to Pall Mall and 100 feet to Williamson Street, and it was designed to include the post and telegraph offices and the postmaster's quarters. Public access was from the porch facing Pall Mall, and on the first floor were the police, water supply and crown lands departments, reached by a stair from the porch on the short façade. It was the largest building of its type outside of Melbourne, and was built in the grandest fashion of ornately stuccoed brick on a foundation of Harcourt granite, faced above ground level with bluestone. The floors of the porches and landings of the main stair are of encaustic tiles, the interior woodwork is of French polished cedar, and the major public rooms have coffered and enriched ceilings and cornices, and ornamentally panelled walls divided by pilasters. The building is surmounted by a tower rising to 130 feet, containing a great clock made by Thomas Gaunt of Melbourne, the chimes played on five bells weighing a total of three tons.bendigo, buildings, state offices