The Bright-Tawonga Road was built in 1896, connecting the Ovens and Kiewa valleys. The article gives an description of the event.The Bright - Tawonga road connected Tawonga to the larger town of Bright and the closest railway service. This road provided the Upper Kiewa Valley with access to larger markets, alternative transport and increased facilities not available in the Kiewa Valley in the early, pre SEC days. It describes how roads were built in 1896 with little machinery. The KVHS has in its collection the dray used to help build the road. One page article from the 'Shire News' dated 19th March 1996bright-tawonga road, road works, kiewa valley, ovens valley, dray

The Briggs family lived in Tawonga. Thomas assisted building the Tawonga to Bright road and drove cattle to the Bogong High Plains before marrying in 1887 and raising 7 children, 2 of whom, Ernest and Albert enlisted in WW1 in 1916. Their letters from the war give an insight into its effects and the attitude of the time.The Briggs Bros. lived in the Kiewa Valley at Tawonga. Their letters give an insight into the war and an understanding of the times. Their parents lived and worked locally further enriching an understanding of the history of the Valley.30 pages of photocopies A4 size, of the Family Tree of the Briggs Family of Tawonga, including letters from two brothers from the trenches in WWI..briggs bros.. ww1. letters. tawonga. briggs family. droving. bright road. bogong high plains.

Thomas Briggs was a pioneer of the Tawonga District. He worked on his parent's farm, selling goods, droving pigs and travelling to Yackandandah and Bright. He worked with pick and shovel on the Tawonga to Bright Road in 1902. He took up 320 acres of wild forest in Tawonga at 10 cents per acre per year for 20 years. He built a slab and shingle hut and a boundary fence. In 1886 he married Annie Maria Platt parenting 5 sons and 2 daughters until Annie died in 1953, aged 86 years.Thomas Briggs was a pioneer living in the Kiewa Valley with his parents and then with wife and family. This article is a history of his life from 1862 until 1887. See KVHS 0850 for information on the dray used to make the Tawonga Gap road - owned by John Briggs.Newspaper article Page 34 Border Morning Mail, Saturday, March 5, 1988 - Thomas Briggs Born 3rd Nov. 1862 who lived with his family at Upper Gundowring. His travels in the area including the Tawonga Gap and its construction in 1902 and his taking up of land in Tawonga in 1880. The article finishes in 1887 when he married Annie Maria Platt. The Thos Briggs story continues next week.thomas briggs; tawonga; kiewa valley; annie platt

Construction of the town of Mount Beauty commenced in 1946 and continued until 1952. It was built to provide family accommodation for workers engaged in the construction of the hydro electric power scheme. As well as housing, there was an administration building, staff hostel, merchandising centre, workmen's camps, base stores and workshops and the Mount Beauty Terminal Station. The first house was occupied in November, 1946 by the then manager of the trading store, with a frontage onto Hollonds Street. The total number of houses erected was 488, 162 custom built and 326 prefabricated. The main workmen's camp can be seen just left of the centre of the photograph and accommodated 144 men at the time of the photograph. By 1950 it could accommodate 1200men. Photo No. 1 is taken in 1947/early 1948 as there is no evidence of the staff hostel under construction. This hostel was commenced in August/September 1948 and is clearly shown in photograph No. 2, dating this photo as 1948 as it is before the completion of the bypass road connecting to the main (high plains) road. This road was constructed in 1939 and in 1948 followed the route of Tawonga Crescent. This remained in use until the bypass construction was completed in early 1949 and does not appear to be finished in this photograph.. Both photographs are taken from the power line easement adjacent to the Bright road.Significant historical pictorial record of the development of a town from grazing land. The type of terrain that had to be surveyed and then to construct roads and other infrastructure, with very little machinery, is also of prime significance in the development of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.Two photographs, both hand painted to show colours, and both of Mount Beauty c 1947/48 not long after commencement of construction of homes and facilities for workers.Photo No.1 - on back of photo, left upper corner, faintly in pencil, SPIKE, underneath this is written T Pay,. Photo No. 2 - on back of photo, left upper corner, faintly in pencil, Jmount beauty, housing, accommodation

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