After the damage from the February 1971 floods at Orbost when the abutment to the Snowy River road bridge was washed away a Bailey bridge, portable, pre-fabricated, truss bridge, was put into place to ensure town access, the C.R.B. rebuilt the approach to the bridge driving new piles and constructing the Bailey bridge. They worked late into the night under flood lights to ensure the link from the Orbost township to the Princes Freeway would be open to traffic as soon as possible.These photographs are pictorial records of a significant event in the history of Orbost.Three black / white photographs of a Bailey bridge being erected across a river. 3245.1 and 3245.2 are the same. bailey-bridge orbost-snowy-river-bridge bridge-orbost

These photographs are of the 1922 road bridge across the Snowy River at Orbost. This bridge over the Snowy River was opened on July 4 1922. It was constructed in 1922 alongside the previous suspension bridge. Its building was a combined effort of the Victorian Railways and the Country Roads Board at a cost of 35,000 pounds. It was replaced in 1976 by the present bridge after several major floods.This bridge was replaced in 1976 after several major floods. These photographs are pictorial records of the 1922 brige.Two small black / white photographs of a road bridge across a river. 3248.1 is a close-up of wooden pylons.on label on back - "Snowy River Bridge at Orbost 1922 Bridge"bridge-orbost snowy-river-bridge

This folder was compiled in October 2015 from documents, magazines. papers and photographs donated by David Jellie, engineer in charge 1974 - 1976. In early 1974, as an Engineer with the Country Roads Board, David came to Orbost as the Supervising Engineer for the construction of the new bridges which were part of an 8.4km Orbost bypass road design. This was a major project involving not only a new bridge over the Snowy River (including Lochiel Lagoon), but other bridges over Ashby’s Gulch and Watt’s Gulch. These new bridges were opened in November 1976 with the unveiling of a plaque on the eastern end of the $2.4M Snowy River Bridge. (ref. May Leatch)This item is a useful reference tool on the construction history of the Snowy River Road bridges.A white plastic folder - Orbost Bridges - Snowy River Road Bridges. it contains newspaper articles, booklets, photographs and documents relating to the construction of the Snowy River Road Bridge in 1974 -1976.on front cover - 1974 - 76 ORBOST / SNOWY RIVER ROAD BRIDGES * construction * photos * articles * plans Donated by David Jellie Oct 2015snowy-river-bridges jellie-david

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 is a photograph of the bridge from the Orbost side. The first pile bridge over the Snowy River was just completed by Mr Jim Granter when the 1891 flood took out the centre,. There were differences of opinion as to whether the council should pay . The Shire Secretary, Mr John Draffin, persuaded them to honour their obligations. Mr Granter and Mr Clarke finished it as a suspension bridge which was opened by Mrs William Watt. Soon after a mob of cattle stampeded, the weight snapped the cable, letting one side sag. Mr R.P. Cameron repaired it and this bridge remained until 1922. "In 1890 the contract for a bridge was let to Mr James Granter for £1450. This structure with additions and improvements made to it was to cost the ratepayers about £2,500, and its erection was proceeded with in a very satisfactory manner until, just as the greater-part of the work had been completed, the flood of 1891 came down on it, piling up mountains of logs, timber and debris against the piers, which had not been made wide enough apart to allow for. contingencies of this kind. The structure held out bravely until the turn of the flood and then gave way with a crash, about five bays from the centre disappearing in the stream." ( Snowy River Mail August 12 1893) This item is a pictorial record of one of the first bridges across the Snowy River in Orbost.A black / white photograph of the old wooden suspension bridge over the Snowy River. There are two copies 919.1 and 919.2. There are two other photos showing the whole bridge taken from further back.on back - "Orbost Bridge...."snowy-river-bridge-orbost granter-james

In 1912 work was underrway on the Bairnsdale to Orbost railway. It was opened on April 10 1916. The two bridges on the railway viaduct, which crosses the Snowy River floodplain at Orbost, were built from local Southern Mahogany. The bridge on the Bairnsdale end (770m) is now the longest in Victoria. (info. Helen Martin)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 photograph, oval-shaped on white background. It is of the railway viaduct across the flats at Orbost,.photo caption -"ORBOST RAILWAY BRIDGE, NEWMERELLA E. S. Vogt, Bairnsdale"newmerella orbost-viaduct east-gipsland-railway

The two bridges on the railway viaduct, which crosses the Snowy River floodplain at Orbost, were built from local Southern Mahogany. The bridge on the Bairnsdale end (770m) is now the longest in Victoria. Despite various attempts to extend the line, the station stayed on the western side of the Snowy River. (info. Helen Martin)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 photograph / postcard of the Orbost township in the background and the railway viaduct over the flats in the foreground.photo caption - The Rose Series P.479 copywright SNOWY RIVER FLATS, ORBOST, VIC"east-gippsland-railway orbost-viaduct

The bridge shown in the background was built in the 1920s as a road and rail bridge, and was partly washed away by flood waters in 1934. There is no known history of this item.This photograph is a contemporary record of rural life in Orbost in the early 20th century.A black / white photograph of a group of young girls dressed up and posing on the banks of a river. On the left hand side of the photograph is an older man and on the right is an older lady. In the background is a bridge - the first Snowy River bridge. The photograph is on a cream coloured buff card. orbost snowy-river

This is the Dalgety bridge across the Snowy River. It is a steel construction.The first bridge over the river was constructed in 1888. There was a punt across the river before the bridge was built . Dalgety is a small service centre, located on the Snowy River approximately 235 km from Orbost. It was an early consideration for the site of Australia,s capital city. The Dalgety Bridge over the Snowy River has been an important item of infrastructure in the history of New South Wales for over 110 years. It was designed by noted bridge engineer J. A. McDonald,and was a technically sophisticated bridge structure for its time. This is a pictorial record of a significant structure on the Snowy River.A small black / white photograph of a large bridge over a river.bridge-dalgety-snowy-river

This bridge was built in the 1920s as a road and rail bridge, and was 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 has only been used by road traffic. This is a pictorial record of an early bridge across the Snowy River at Orbost.A large black / white photograph of the Orbost Snowy River bridge. There is a large copy as well as a postcard copy in sepia.on front - Snowy River Bridge Orbost H.D. Bulmer - photo - Lake Tyers.snowy-river-bridge-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

The photograph shows Mrs James Cameron cutting the ribbon at the opening of the Orbost Pile Bridge in 1922. The first bridge was officially opened in August, 1893 (ref. S.R.M. 12.8.1893) by Mrs W. Watt, the mother of Councillor Watt, who presided over the opening of the 1922 bridge. This bridge was extensively damaged when a herd of cattle allegedly stampeded over it causing the cable to snap. Even after repairs it became obvious that a new bridge was needed. 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 item is a pictorial record of a significant event in Orbost's history.A black / white photograph of a lady standing up in a motor vehicle cutting a ceremonial ribbonsnowy-river-bridge-orbost cameron-mrs ceremonies

Damage estimated at £500,000 was caused by the 1934 floods in the Orbost district. This 1934 flood was devastating, destroying a section of the 1922 Orbost bridge, wrecking fences, bridges and roads, dumping silt and debris on the rich river flats and drowning cattle. The centre span of the Orbost Bridge was washed away. This item is a pictorial record of the 1934 floods, a significant part of Orbost's history.A black / white photograph showing the flood damage to the Snowy River Bridge. There is a gap in the bridge where the centre span has been washed away. In the background is a punt.orbost-floods-1934 natural-disasters-floods snowy-river-bridge

After the flood damage of 1934, the bridge was repaired with a new section in the middle. This bridge remained largely unchanged until its final demolition in 1975 after construction of the new concrete bridge and Orbost by-pass which exists today. This photograph is one of a collection of photographs produced by Murray Views, Gympie. It features eight scenic b/w photographic prints of Orbost and surrounding tourist areas.Photographs like these allowed tourists to send many images of their holiday destination or hometown in the one small package. Fred Murray opened Murray Studios in Gympie in 1906. The postcard and souvenir production side of the business initially covered Gympie and surrounding regions, but Murray expanded the business to include North Queensland, New South Wales and even Adelaide. It was opened under a separate name, Murray Views, in 1929. In 1945 the business was taken over by Murray’s nephews who began postcard folder production. This is a pictorial record of an early bridge across the Snowy River at Orbost.A black / white photograph / postcard of the Snowy River Bridge at Orbost.on front bottom printed - Murray Views No.4 Traffic Bridge , Snowy River, Orbost, Vic.orbost-snowy-river-bridge

This bridge over the Snowy River was opened on July 4 1922. It was constructed in 1922 alongside the previous suspension bridge. Its building was a combined effort of the Victorian Railways and the Country Roads Board at a cost of 35,000 pounds. It was replaced in 1976 by the present bridge after several major floods. This photograph shows people walking over the bridge for the last time.This is a pictorial record of the former Snowy River Bridge at Orbost.A black / white photograph showing a group of people walking across a bridge. There are several cars, a man on a horse and people standing on the side of the roadway.on back - "1976 - old bridge"snowy-river-bridge-1976

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

This photograph shows the pile drivers at work in the construction of the viaduct across the Snowy River flats. The Snowy River Floodplain Railway Bridges, two sequential and exceptionally long and low timber railway bridges on the Snowy River floodplain just west of Orbost, were built in 1916, and provided the original terminus point for the Bairnsdale-Orbost railway. The bridges are 770 metres and 183 metres long respectively. The shorter bridge is of uniformly 4.57 metre timber-beam construction, and has a sweeping curve in its deck. The longer bridge has a combination of 4.57 metre and 6.1 metrespans, and two 3.66 metre spans. The bridges are constructed from 'Southern Mahogany', Eucalyptus Botryoides, which grew along the coast east of Bairnsdale. The Snowy floodplain bridges were initially built in the context of an early twentieth-century interest in American-style 'Developmental Railways', designed to open remote areas to closer settlement, even if that meant running at a loss. The line was closed in August 1987. (information from Victorian Heritage Database)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 photograph of the farming flats at Orbost during the construction of the East Gippsland railway.orbost-railway east-gippsland-railway viaduct-orbost transport railway

On 8th August 2002, 19 large banners each 18 metres long, each made from hundreds of square pieces of fabric with images and messages, were attached to the side of McKillops Bridge at Deddick, Victoria. This bridge spans the Snowy River and is a significant crossing point in an isolated location. This ceremony was the culmination of a large multi-community project titled 'Banners of Hope', initiated as a focus on the 'year of the outback'. Many people, community groups, and schools contributed to this project, each coming from different locations associated with East Gippsland and with the Snowy River in particular. This video compilation is significant because it is a record of a significant community project called 'Banners of Hope' staged at McKillops Bridge during the Year of the Outback, 2002.A video inside a plastic case. The front cover of the case has a compiled image of a large bridge and also a large multi-coloured banner of many squares beside it. The words Unveiling Hope are printed in gold/cream above the image. Unveiling Hope on McKillops Bridge Year of the Outback 2002banners of hope, year of the outback, snowy river, mckillops bridge, orbost, deddick

These appear to be photographs of Orbost and the Snowy River taken in the 1950s. These photographs are significant because they are a record of Orbost and surrounds in c. 1950s. Eight small b/w photographs of Orbost township and surrounds. All photos have captions printed in black ink onto the photos. 3362.1 Commonwealth Hotel, Orbost 3362.2 Nicholson Street Orbost 3362.3 Memorial Avenue, Orbost 3362.4 Nicholson Street, Orbost 3362.5 Snowy River, Orbost, with bridge 3362.6 Orbost from Grandview 3362.7 Snowy River at Orbost 3362.8 Snowy River and Bridge at Orbost orbost, snowy river

These four small ceramic pottery pieces are all souvenirs of Orbost, possibly from the post-WWII era when tourism was becoming a more important industry. These items are significant because they are all small souvenirs from Orbost/Marlo, and reflect the importance of the tourism industry to this area.Four ceramic items - small jug, small bowl, small cup, small sugar bowl. All are white background with coloured images of Orbost/Marlo scenes. 3365.1 small bowl - white ceramic trimmed with gold around its fluted edges, one image in centre 3365.2 small jug - cream colour trimmed with gold around rim, and one coloured image on side 3365.3 small cup - white ceramic cup trimmed with gold around the top, colour photo of river and bridge on one side. 3365.4 small sugar bowl - white ceramic with two small handles; small colour photo of the Snowy River on one side. 3365.1 small bowl - Orbost from Grandview Heights, Vic. - Royal Stafford Bone China, made in England 3365.2 small jug - Jetty at Marlo, Vic. - P.M. Sydney 3365.3 small cup - A Souvenir from Orbost - Snowy River Bridge - Willow Art. made in England, China, Stoke-on-Trent 3365.4 small sugar bowl - Snowy River, Orbost - Royal Scenic, made in Czechoslovakiaceramics, orbost, souvenirs

These photographs all relate to the Bairnsdale-Orbost railway line, possibly dating from the 1970s. This line was opened in 1916 and closed in 1987. All of the engines in these photographs are diesel. This 100 km. line was noted for its many wooden trestle bridges, two of which are shown in these photographs.These photographs are significant because they relate to the Bairsdale to Orbost railway line and show different engines which operated on this line in the 1970s.Three coloured photographs, all of which relate to the Bairnsdale - Orbost railway line. 2697.1 Coloured photo of a train on a large wooden railway bridge, houses and farmland in the background. The train is moving from right to left within the photograph. 2697.2 Coloured photo of a train in a bushland setting, moving from right to left within the photo. 2697.3 Coloured photo of two linked train engines and part of a wagon, moving from left to right over a wooden bridge. 2697.1 Orbost bound T397 and T393 head a goods service over Deep Creek trestle on the outskirts of Bruthen 17/03/1977 2697.2 From mid 1983, a number of units in the VR Locomotive fleet were equipped with cab-side rear view mirrors, with T386 one oof the early units to be fitted. In this undated view, mirror equipped T400 and T383 work towards Bairnsdale with a good service from Orbost. 2697.3 In an undated view T383 and T400 ease over the Snowy River flood plain bridge, as they approach Orbost with a goods service.railways, bairnsdale-orbost railway line, diesel train engines

These three b/w photographs/postcards were originally installed on a backing board and hung in the kitchen/dining room of Orbost House which was a well-known guest-house in Orbost. They were used in a display to give information about the district to guests and staff. These three photographs are significant because they not only show aspect of Orbost from c.1920s - c.1950s but were installed in one of the guests houses known as Orbost House.Three b/w photographs/postcards of Orbost. 2702.1 photo of a river and a bridge. 2702.2 rural scene taken from an elevation, showing roads, trees, paddocks, farm buildings. 2702.3 a rural scene taken from an elevation, showing a river winding through hills and mountains.2702.1 Snowy River and Bridge, Orbost has been printed in white onto the bottom of the photograph. 2702.2 Snowy River Flats, Orbost from "Grandview" printed on bottom of photograph. 2702.3 the Rose Series P2711 copyright. The Snowy River near Orbost, Victoria printed on bottom of photograph.orbost, snowy river

These two b/w postcards by Rose Series show aspects of Orbost from c.1930s - 1950s. The bridge over the Snowy River appears to be the second bridge constructed in the 1920s and later modified following a flood with the section on the right. The view from Grand View Lookout is a classic view showing Orbost on the Snowy River in the background. These two photos/postcards are significant because they show aspects of Orbost and district from c.1920s - 1950s.2709.1 A b/w postcard/photo showing a panoramic rural view of paddocks in the foreground and trees, river and houses in the background. 2709.2 A b/w postcard/photo of a bridge crossing a river. The bridge appears to be made of wood. It has two quite distinct sections of construction at deck level. 2709.1 Orbost from Grand View Heights, Vic. Rose Series P94 2709.2 Snowy River Bridge, Orbost, Vic. Rose Series P502orbost, snowy river, grandview lookout

In the early days of European settlement of the Snowy River area in East Gippsland, from the 1870s onwards, the crossing of the Snowy River often posed difficulties. Presumably, this photograph was taken prior to the first bridge being built at Orbost in 1893.This photo is significant because it shows the difficulties in transport caused by the crossing of the Snowy River. A sepia coloured photograph of two men riding on top of a wagon load of filled bags, the wagon being pulled by two horses. They appear to be crossing a river with water around the wagon and horses. In the background is a river bank, telegraph poles, fence posts, and trees.On back, written in pencil: 'Snowy Bridge'.snowy river, fording the river

This is one of many photos taken following the devastating Snowy River flood of 1971 which inflicted huge impact on the Orbost area, including the railway bridges adjacent to the Orbost Railway Station at Newmerella (Orbost). This photo is significant because it shows the impact of the 1971 Snowy River flood on railway infrastructure at Orbost/Newmerella.A b/w photo of a part of a railway bridge (viaduct) on the left hand side, along with piles of debris and a man operating machinery to the right of the photo. A pond of water is also evident, along with paddocks and hills in the background.In black print written on to the bottom of the photo: '1971 flood debris along railway viaduct'.orbost, orbost railway viaduct, flood damage 1971

This is a photograph taken of the Snowy River Bridge at Orbost in 1934. The photo destruction of the mid-section of the bridge by the 1934 flood. This was a major flood. This photo has been used for display purposes.This photo is significant because is shows the destruction caused by a major flood in the Snowy River in 1934.A b/w photo showing a large timber bridge with a section in the middle missing. The bridge has white railings. In the background appear to be a barge. There is also a small rowboat in the front left of the photo. On back: 1934 flood.snowy river, snowy river bridge, orbost, 1934 flood

This photograph depicts the operation of a punt across the Snowy River following a flood. Most likely, this relates to the effects of the 1934 flood which did significant damage to the road bridge across the Snowy River. This resulted in the installation of a punt which carried people, vehicles and stock across the River until the bridge could be repaired. Refer also to photograph 2737. This photograph is significant because it shows the operation of a punt across the Snowy River following a flood in the 1930s. It is an excellent record of this event. A b/w photograph showing a large expanse of river water, with a punt carrying several men and a vehicle. The punt is near a bank of the river and is attached to the river bank by several lines of cable or rope. The vehicle on the punt is c.1920s model car. nonesnowy river, flood, orbost, punt

This photograph is most likely of a 'special excursion train' travelling to Orbost during the c.1980s. The photo shows it crossing the long wooden bridge known as the viaduct over the Snowy River floodplain. The train is travelling towards Orbost. This photo is significant because it is evidence of an excursion train crossing the Snowy River Floodplain on the large railway viaduct, prior to arriving at the Orbost Railway Station. A colour photo of a steam train travelling over a wooden railway bridge. In the foreground is a fence across a paddock. noneorbost, railways, orbost viaduct, excursion train

This spike came from the old Brodribb River bridge which is about 9.6 kilometres from Orbost. The Brodribb River joins the Snowy River north of Marlo. In 1906, a bridge replaced the punt over the Brodribb River, improving communication with Orbost. It was eventually replaced by a reinforced concrete bridge built by the Road Construction Authority in 1989 where the Princes Highway passes over the Brodribb RiverThis item belongs to a significant local structure which has been replaced.A very rusty iron bridge spike from the old Brodribb Bridge.brodribb-river bridge-spike

These spikes are from the old Snowy River bridge (the second) constructed in 1922 alongside the previous suspension bridge. Its building was a combined effort of the Victorian Railways and the Country Roads Board at a cost of 35,000 pounds. It was replaced in 1976 by the present bridge after several major floods.These items are from a significant piece of infrastructure built in Orbost in the early 20th century. This bridge no longer exists.Twenty-four iron spikes of four different lengths. They are probably hand-made and have round shafts and heads. They are very rusty.snowy-river-bridge bridge-spikes bridge orbost