The Athletics Club under the guidance of a committee of workers, which included Mr Stan Hemmings and Mr Alec McCullough, sponsored a Junior Athletics Club which became the Gray-Y Club for young boys and HY-Y for older lads. Mr A E Clark (YMCA) had the idea of adopting the American Gray-Y System which was to instill in the boys good principles and values similar to those of the service clubs i.e. YMCA, the Masons and Buffalo Lodge. Story has it that the town was virtually crime free for many years. The Athletics Club became a very powerful force in Mount Beauty and assisted other fledgling groups to get started. The committee had the bright idea that they could raise money and entertain the men who lived in the outlying camps by running sporting exhibitions by their members and the Gray-Y boys for entertainment.It is a connection to the early history of Mount Beauty regarding the start of an athletics club.Blue material banner with gold fringe and inscription in middle.Red material triangle inserted within banner and red material H and I (overlapping) sewed into the middle of the triangletextile, youth club, mt beauty, athletics club, gray-y club, kiewa hydro electric scheme

1947 The SEC created an Arboretum and Nursery on the bank of the West Kiewa River. Householder could collect free plants, trees and topsoil for their gardens. It was not long before there was very keen competition amongst the families to create the best garden. 1948 A Mount Beauty Garden competition started with a first prize of 15 pounds, second 7 pounds and third 3 pounds. As the oldest garden in the competition was only 25 months old and most were younger a handicap system of 4 points per month was devised. Tom Mitchell MLA was the donor and judge. 1965 This sash was possibility worn by Jean McCullough in 1965 when the Mt Beauty & District Progress Association Auxiliary ran the completion.An example of the social life at Mt Beauty during the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.Royal blue sateen sash with gold fringe. Mt. BEAUTY & DIST. PROGRESS ASSN. AUXILIARY/CHAMPION GARDEN/1965textiles, arboretum, mount beauty, garden competition, kiewa hydro electric scheme

The early forties saw rapid growth of Bogong Village, with single and married men’s quarters, workshops, mess huts and administrative offices. The facilities necessary for communal living were quickly in place- a post office, police station, co-op store, medical centre, community hall/theatre, tennis courts and school. Bogong Primary School opened in 1941 to provide an education for the families of employees of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria. The school had up to date equipment and received glowing reports from school inspectors. It closed circa 1970.The Bogong State School was opened for the children of S.E.C.V. workers who lived in Bogong in a remote part of north east Victoria. The nearest school would have been 14 miles away and over mountain roads subject to heavy construction traffic and extremes of climatic conditionsBlack and white photograph of a group of 6 children playing on play equipment in the schoolyard at Bogong Primary School. The area is enclosed by tall trees in a bush-like settingbogong state school; secv; kiewa hydro electric scheme;

The SECV had chalets, cafes, mess halls and tea rooms all over Victoria including their construction sites. The SECV had a stores system which purchased thousands of sets of crockery & cutlery for use by personnel. there was a system of chefs, cooks, tea persons etc. to supply food and beverages to the workers. 1921 signified the year the SECV was formed.This dinner plate was used at one of the sites on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme which began construction in 1938 and concluded in 1961. Heavy white ceramic oval plate with State Electricity Commission of Victoria 1921 logo/insignia on the inside of one edge - middle of the long side of the plate. On the base, also inscribed in red are details of the makers.State Electricity Commission of Victoria / 1921. On the base: Vitrified / Sold by/ Cafe and Hotel Supplies / Pty. Ltd./ DunnBennett & Co. ITC / Burslem / Made in Englandstate electricity commission of victoria, dinner plate, crockery, kiewa hydro electric scheme, mess hall, mt beauty chalet

The Kiewa Valley has been a farming district from early settlement of white people. This has continued until the present although the nature of farming has varied over the years. Access to information has improved with transport and technology. The journals kept the farmers informed and up to date.These booklets and journals were one of the few sources of information during the 1950s for the isolated farmers of the Kiewa Valley. The Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme improved both transport and technology during the scheme's construction from the 1940s. It provided the township of Mt Beauty at the upper end of the valley where shops and schools were constructed, roads were improved out of the valley and the supply of electricity for milking etc. became available. 1. 14 articles each bounded by 2 staples, and each reprinted from Dept. of Agriculture Journal on a particular topic relating to Agriculture. All black & white and c1950s. 2. 4 Journals with colored covers 3 from Victoria Dept. of Agriculture (1932, 1974 & 1975) and 1 from Sth. Australia.1. "J.H.Wallace" hand written top right corner of covers of pamphlets titled 'Diseases Affecting /Young Cattle' and 'Mastitis'. "AHW" hand written top right corner of cover of pamphlet titled ' Grading Land for Irrigation' 2. Nonefarming, agriculture, cattle, pasture, kiewa valley, department of agriculture in victoria, kiewa hydro electric scheme,

The State Electricity Commission of Victoria built several hydro power stations from 1928-1981. This book names each - up to 1975 - with a summary and explanation.The State Electricity Commission of Victoria built the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme which included the construction of Bogong Power Station, McKay Creek Power Station and West Kiewa Power Station. It also established infrastructure such as the townships of Bogong and Mt Beauty and the opportunity for tourism in the area Colored green/blue 'splash' of water on front cover with SEC logo in white centred under the yellow printed title. On the back cover is the SEC logo at the bottom in the middle.state electricity commission of victoria; kiewa hydro electric scheme; mckay creek power station; clover power station; west kiewa power station

The Mount Beauty Workmen's Club was established in 1946. Formerly known as the Kiewa Hydro Workmen's Club.Social history of Mount Beauty during the construction of the Hydro Scheme and its aftermath.Plastic spiral bound A4 folder with numerous plastic sleeves./ The folder contains club rules, some auditor's reports and financial statements and misc correspondence - mostly from 1990s./ Inside there are two rule booklets one red and one grey.On the top front cover of the red rules booklet is written 'Peart. A.L'.workmen's club, community club, west peak hotel, mt beauty, secv, kiewa hydro electric scheme

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

"Mal Davidson had this cup. He made the new base from timber from the Bogong mess. He had Terry (Mc Innes) engrave the plate and then left it with us at the North Beauty Store where it was displayed. It created quite a lot of conversation over the years. During our pack up we discovered it on the shelf in the shed. " Wendy and Terry Mc InnesTawonga football club, Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme, Bogong Mess, Mal Davidson, North Beauty Store; Wendy and Terry McInnesDull gold cup with a handle on opposite sides mounted on a wooden base. Cup is large with a neck between it and its base. Inscribed near the lip of the cup and an inscription attached to the bottom of the wooden base. Handles are large rising higher than the lip and are 'ear' shaped.On the gold cup: 'Presented by / J. Johnston / to / Tawonga Football Club / Premiers / 1947' On the wooden base: 'Base made from timber used in / Construction of Bogong Mess 1947. / Made and donated by Mal Davidson / Engraving by North Beauty Store.'football trophy, tawonga, j. johnston, bogong mess, kiewa hydro electric scheme, w and t mcinnes, north beauty store

With the onset of WWII, the Victorian State Emergency Council of Defence printed this book for the volunteers who kept watch for enemy aeroplanes flying in the skies during the day and night. For success, training was necessary.During WWII the SECV township of Bogong had an Air Observer's Hut used to monitor the skies overhead for enemy planes. Men and women working on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme volunteered to be rostered on duty. See also KVHS 0937 (photo) and KVHS 0938 (certificate)Small book grey with black print and a red binding with 64 pages. issued by the Victorian State Emergency Council for Civil Defence.Pages 26, 48 & 49 have pencil marks / notes.air raid, wwii, secv, kiewa hydro electric scheme, bogong, victorian state emergency council

This rounders bat was used by the students at Bogong Primary School.Historical: Bogong Primary School was opened for the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme workers. Provenance: Bogong Primary School sport.Wooden bat. The face of the bat is flat and the other side becomes thicker (is tapered) towards the centre in a longitudinal direction. The handle is cylindrical.'Champion' 3 quarters of the way up the bat towards the handle on the flat side of the bat. On the reverse side same position, Made in / Pakistan. On the flat side: Bogong has been written in thick black but faded paint.rounders. sport. bogong primary school. kiewa hydro electric scheme. game

This shunt is a type of resistor built of copper and designed to carry a current. It was part of the Hydro generator control metering system. It reduces the large current to a small voltage.Historical: This equipment represents a major construction and ongoing operational industry dealing with the supply of hydro electricity to Victoria.Made of copper the shunt has a middle cube with 12 sheets of copper, 5mm apart formed like shelves. On either side of the cube are two shelves coming out from the middle. Both have 2 hollow circles 17.5mm in diameter 25 mm apart in the middle. At the Join of the 'shelves' and cube is a screw on each side.Screwed in metal plaque: Deriv. 1662691 / OHM 0.0000833 / AMP 1200 on the side of the cube above a shelf and on the opposite shelf: ALTO ----> (also a metal plaque screwed on). kiewa hydro electric scheme. secv. hydro generator. victorian electricity grid, power station. electricity., resistor

The State Electricity Commission of Victoria used signs to warn people of danger when near high voltage equipment.The S.E.C.V. built the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme from the late 1940s. Their towers and switch boards had high voltage equipment.Red, white, black and yellow steel sign with a circular hole at the top left hand corner. Used to warn people of danger near high voltage equipment. The back is white.Danger / High Voltage / Do Not Climbsecv. kiewa hydro electric scheme. electricity. sign.

Insulates electrical wire which is attached between the outside ridges. It is screwed onto the cross arm of a power pole. It is non conductive so electricity doesn't short to the ground.Used on the power poles in the Kiewa Valley.Clear tinted glass (one green & one brown) domed shaped insulator. Above centre there are 2 ridges to enable the electrical wire/cable to be fixed on. The closed end has a screw thread down to half way to enable it to be attached to a pole.Green one has 'Agee' on side of the open endkiewa hydro electric scheme. electricity. power lines. insulator

Insulates electrical wire which is attached in the groove towards the narrow end. It is screwed onto the cross arm of a power pole. Non conductive so that electricity doesn't short out to the ground.Used on power poles in the Kiewa Valley.Cream coloured porcelain cylindrical shaped insulator with a groove towards the narrower closed end. Inside the narrow end it is threaded for screwing.On the side of the closed end - "KP / 64"kiewa hydro electric scheme. electricity. power lines. insulator

Insulates electrical wire/cable which is attached between the narrow and wide ends of the 'bell' shape (in the groove). Screwed onto the cross arm of a power pole. Non conductive so electricity doesn't short out to the ground.Used on power poles in the Kiewa Valley.White porcelain bell shaped insulator with an indent between the wide open end and the narrow closed end. The indent is for the wire/cable to be attached. The wide end is open with a white porcelain cylinder inside narrowing to thread for screwing, in the narrow section. kiewa hydro electric scheme. electricity. power lines. insulator.

Insulates electrical wire/cable which is attached between narrow and wide ends of the 'bell' shape (in a groove). Screwed onto the cross arm of a power pole. Non conductive so electricity doesn't short out to the ground. Used on power poles in the Kiewa Valley.White porcelain bell shaped insulator with an indent between the wide open end and the narrow closed end (for cable to be attached). The wide end is open with a white porcelain cylinder inside narrowing to thread for screwing in the narrow section.kiewa hydro electric scheme. electricity. power lines. insulator.

The SECV had chalets, cafes, mess halls and tea rooms all over Victoria including their construction sites. The SECV had a stores system which purchased thousands of sets of crockery and cutlery for use by personnel. There was a system of chefs, cooks, tea persons etc. to supply food and beverages to the workers. This saucer was used at one of the sites on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.Heavy, white ceramic saucer with State Electricity Commission of Victoria 1921 log/insignia on inside lip. Curves up to sides. On base, also inscribed in red are details of the makers.State Electricity Commission Victoria / 1921 On base: Vitrified / Sold by / Cafe & Hotel Supplies / Pty Ltd / DunnBennett & Co. ITC / Burslem / Made in Englandkiewa hydro electric scheme. mount beauty chalet. bogong mess hall. state electricity commission of victoria. crockery.

At the time of writing this book The State Electricity Commission of Victoria had been in existence for 30 years. This book tells something of its progress and achievements during that period. It includes brown coal and water power. The Commission was to develop and use these natural resources through the expertise and experience of the Commissioners, its staff and employees. Historical: Chapter 5 "The War Years - and Kiewa." describes the early stages of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. Photos, map and diagrams of the Kiewa Scheme are also included. Hard cover blue bound book with the SECV insignia and the title "Three Decades" both in gold on the front cover. Book includes coloured and black and white photos.Handwritten inside front cover: "Bob Burnett". Title page: hand written in print and crossed out: "L.D.Miller / Tawonga". Not crossed out - "(Cheryl)"state electricity commission of victoria. kiewa hydro electric scheme. bogong high plains. pretty valley. kiewa valley.

The S.E.C.V. published the Bi-Monthly magazine for employees. This one is Vol. 14, No. 8 / April - May. 1956The Journal includes small articles on men who were working on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.Black and white paper cover with photo of a man working up a power pole. The 'S' has an orange back ground.The back cover also has a photo of a generator.The journal is held together by 2 staples and has 32 pages.secv. kiewa hydro electric scheme. journal.

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

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

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

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

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

This transformer lamp system, which has a dial to transform 240 volts to a minimum of 32 volts was used by electrical technicians to inspect internal parts of the large generators (even in small confined spaces). The reason for the reduction of the 240 volts to the 32 volts was for the safety of the inspector. The SEC Victoria Hydro Scheme's electrical generators are powered by the hydro force of "stored" water at a higher altitude. The establishment of both the NSW and Victorian Hydro schemes was achieved from the mid 1900's to the 1960's. At this the point in time the need for additional power sources to quench both an industrial and domestic demand for electricity was purely an economic and not and environmental (carbon reduction) factor. This hydro scheme was instigated by "the Government of the day" as a bold move and was the major force of the World War II refugee and "technical" workforce inclusion of skilled and unskilled migration into the Australian environment. Although this mass "invasion" of workers with families was thought of in some circles as intrusive, the expansion of population post war years and its integration into the Australian rural sector, produced the multi- lingual multi-cultural diversity of later years.This transformer lamp is very significant to the Kiewa Valley as it was introduced as a very small part of the explosion of human resources into the valley. This influx of population transformed the region from that of a basically quiet rural region to one which evolved into both industrial and larger residential community. This evolution in the valley created a change, not only in the "physical" landscape but also the socio-economic expansion which permitted other "tourist" based industries into the valley. This is also a specific electronic item which was manufactured in Melbourne and not sourced from Europe or Asia. This demonstrates the fast evolution of Australian technology to a high standard compatible to that of the rest of the world.This heavy hand held electrical transformer (transforms 240 volts to 32 Volts) an has one leather handle on the top with three small (gauze filtered) air holes. It also has two 2 pin directional cable distribution (clipsal) in/out points 10amps / 240 volts. There is one glassed in volts/ac meter and one variable switch (180 to 150 voltage in settings of 10 volt increments.There are two vents (one on each of the smaller sides). There is also one three pin electrical lead coming out from the top.On one side is a manufacturer's plaque with "ELECTRONIC A & R EQUIPMENT MELBOURNE" and underneath "TYPE 1719, PRI V. 180 250" underneath "V.A. 1250" underneath "CYC 50" underneath "SEC V. 115" underneath "SEC A. 10 . 8". The label on topside "CAUTION SET SWITCH TO 250 v BEFORE CONNECTING TO MAINS THEN, WITH EQUIPMENT OPERATING, SET METER TO RED LINE.kiewa hydro electricity scheme, victorian state electricity commission, transformers

This resistor was part of the Hydro generator control metering system which displays what electricity is produced at the underground generators. The control centre can be hundreds of meters above the generators and this resistor reduces the large current to a small voltage entering a calibrated control monitor. This resistor is highly significant to the Kiewa Valley because it represents a major construction and ongoing operational industry dealing with the supply of hydro electricity to Victoria. Although it is relatively small in size it is part of the controlling mechanism for the supply of a non polluting energy source for home and industrial use.This mainly metal and wire resistor has been built of copper and brass and designed to carry a current of 2000 Amperes. Wires are wound around a non conductive cement block which has grooves on the top and bottom ledges to hold the wires snuggle into place. At the rear there are three connection rods which have long 5mm thick screws (to fasten cable ends)On one side it is scribed "0.2 OHMS" and underneath this "10 AMPS"kiewa hydro electricity scheme, victorian state electricity commission, transformers

This barometer was part the hydrology and forestry groups working within the SEC Vic Hydro Scheme from the initial appraisal review long before any construction began in the 1940's. The river flows and rainfall patterns had to be established before any construction of holding dams or tunneling could commence. This barometer is very relevant to the Kiewa Valley history because it presents the high degree of professional and technical information required at the time before implementing the "Scheme" upon the virgin alpine region and its effects upon the "natural" flows of the rivers within the Kiewa Valley. Time since the start of the project has verified the use of instruments such as this barometer and the information gained from its use that the success of any large impact upon a sensitive environment requires a thorough and systematic study before implementation. Weather records were kept of temperature, wet-bulb temperature, wind direction, speed and barometric pressures. To record barometric pressure a meter was devised with a clockwork mechanism which took one week to do a revolution. A chart was fitted to a drum and had an ink pen shaped like a little shovel. The shovel was filled with ink and was checked daily. To calibrate the barometer it was sent to the Melbourne General Post Office to be compared against the one there (at sea level). After calibration it was sent back to the Bogong Camp.On plaque on top side."NEGRETTI & ZAMBRA" underneath this and in smaller print "TRADE MARK" below this "LONDON" On the bottom and in small print "HOBART DUFFPty Ltd COLLINS HOUSE MELBOURNE C1"kiewa hydro electricity scheme, victorian state electricity commission, transformers, resistors, barometers

This protection relay apparatus (a large electrical fuse), which permits the easy monitoring and disconnection of faulty electrical apparatus connected to the large SEC Victoria Hydro Scheme's electrical power producing generators. These generators are powered by the hydro force of "stored" water at a higher altitude. The establishment of both the NSW and Victorian Hydro Schemes was achieved from the early 1900's to the 1960's. At this point in time the need for additional power sources to quench both an industrial and domestic demand for electricity was purely an economic and not and environmental (carbon reduction) factor. This hydro scheme was instigated by "the Government of the day" as a bold move and was the major force of the World War II refugee and "technical" workforce inclusion of skilled and unskilled migration into the Australian environment. Although this mass "invasion" of workers with families was thought of in some circles as intrusive, the expansion of population post war years and its integration into the Australian rural sector, produced the multi- lingual multi-cultural diversity of later years.This protection relay is very significant to the Kiewa Valley as its use was introduced during the Kiewa Hydro Scheme. Although only a small apparatus it was part of the explosion of human resources into the valley. This influx of population transformed the region from that of a basically quiet rural region to one which evolved into both an industrial and a larger residential community. This evolution in the valley created a change, not only in the "physical" landscape but also the socio-economic expansion which permitted other "tourist" based industries into the valley.This protection relay unit has a black painted metal shell with four copper enclosed "prongs" fastened to the rear of the housing(from a bake-lite plate) . Between these "prongs" are four "empty" points allowing additional "screw on" bases. The front glass enclosed meter and recorder allows for the identification and automatic disconnection of any faulty equipment connected to the main power generator. This equipment acts similarly to a modern day circuit breaker found on the electrical circuit boards of residential homes.On the top section of the front panel "ASEA" to the left "Made in Sweden" and to the right "Frabrique en Suede" below this "RIS" below this a graph and next to it two columns of numbers and a pointer for each setkiewa hydro electricity scheme, victorian state electricity commission, relays, generators

This linesman belt was used under the 1947 Electricity Regulations and before tighter Occupation and Health regulations (late 1990's early 2000's) were introduced that mechanical lifting platforms(wherever possible) replaced the belt up the pole method.The safety concern was that it required that tools needed by the linesman had to be placed in a large canvas bag and attached to the belt (extra weight) then the linesman had to climb the ladder. Ladders had to be at the correct angle and not able to "slip" from their initial footings. A full harness and a secondary fall belt is now mandatory for pole linesmen. The safety of fellow workers could be compromised if they were required to assist or recover the first linesman if needed. In 2006 an additional 269 registered lineworkers were employed. Please note that the terminology of linesman has become unisex. The linesman's belt enabled the linesman to place his feet against the pole adjust the belt (if needed) and lean back securely allowing both hands to be free to work with. This linesman belt is very significant to the Kiewa Valley due to the numerous poles and high voltage overhead power structures that needed maintenance for the extensive "mushroom" installation of electrical power polls(wood and metal). On high poles (steel) climbing pegs were welded on, however in the Alpine areas snow in winter caused an OH&S problem which were hard to overcome. The safety of a linesman when maintenance of electricity line on poles can be highlighted by the New Zealand linesman who survived an 11,000 volt shock when carrying out maintenance. For the record 11,000 volts is four times more powerful than execution by "the electric chair". The maintenance of the linesman's belt was his responsibility (keeping it clean and in "good" condition). Labour laws change this initial responsibility, from the linesman, to the employer. Climbing pegs were installed on higher poles that extended beyond the reach of ladders.This thick leather linesman belt is made from two lengths of heavy lengths of leather straps sewn together to make up 80% of the belt. The remaining 20% is "the belt tonge" which has eleven holes for three (solid steel tang) buckle connections.kiewa hydro electricity scheme, victorian state electricity commission, relays, generators, electrical pole maintenance