Showing 36 items matching pontoon
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Lara RSL Sub Branch
Provisional User Handbook, Extra Wide Bailey Bridge and Pontoon Bridge Part II (Restricted), February 1951 Ministry of Supplym Directorate of Royal Engineer Equipment (RESTRICTED)
(Restricted) Government publicationPrinted in February 1951Light brown thin card board front and Back, interior pages off white 17 pages and appendix H of 9 pages. Provisional user handbook for Extra Wide Bailey Bridge and Pontoon Bridge = Part II Pontoon Bridge. Dated February 1951Provisional user handbook for Extra Wide Bailey Bridge and Pontoon Bridge = Part II Pontoon Bridge. Dated February 1951. (RESTRICTED) Ministry of Supply, Directorate Royal Engineer Equipment.user handbook, extra wide bailey bridge, pontoon bridge -
Federation University Historical Collection
Postcard, Crossing the Suez via Pontoon Bridge, 1915
During WWI some AIF soldiers were located at the Suez in Egypt.Postcard with sepia photograph of Suez canal with soldiers crossing a pontoon bridge.Verso: "POST CARD" at centre top, "Correspondence" LHS top and "Address" RHS top "No 2" in black ink handwritten on top LHS corner. Handwriting blacked out on centre. "crossing the Suez via Pontoon Bridge" in pencilsuez, soldiers, wwi, world war one, canal, pontoon bridge, holmes, anzac -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Chipperfield's Boat House & Floating Pontoon, c.1939
Several boathouses were built in Kew and Fairfield in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They included Chipperfield’s ‘Moorings’ and floating pontoon. The substantial two-storey house was named the Moorings, and incorporated an upper storey residence. The Moorings was almost washed away in the 1916 floods, and in 1934 almost totally submerged when the Yarra River rose 26 feet in 14 hours. Following the 1934 flood, the house was restored. The floating pontoon, sometimes referred to as a ‘kiosk’ or ‘canteen’, was used to store canoes. Both were removed in 1972 for the construction of the Eastern Freeway.This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.Chipperfield's Floating Canteen (also known as the pontoon) on the Yarra River. at North Kew The children wading in the river are believed to be the three sons of Dorothy Rogers."Chipperfield's Floating Canteen & house in background. At extreme right - observe channel where Connors Creek flows in."chipperfield's boat house, river yarra, dorothy rogers, floods 1916, 1934 -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Chipperfield's Boat House & Floating Pontoon, 1934
Living with natural processes was frequently a challenge to early European settlers and later residents of what was in the 1850s administered by the Borondara Road Board. This was compounded by the area being bounded on three sides by rivers (Yarra River, Koonung Creek and Gardiner's Creek). In 1849, the historian James Bonwick recorded that "our district [Kew] suffered considerably. Mr Wade speaks of 80 acres, out of 100 acres of his cultivated paddock, covered by water." Newspapers continued to describe major flooding in Kew in 1863, 1869, 1878, 1880, 1889, 1891, 1916 and 1934. While the construction of the Upper Yarra dam in 1957 reduced the levels of flowing downstream, local and riverine floods continue. A number of boat houses operated on both sides of the River Yarra at Kew. Chipperfield's Boat House was located on the Yarra near the corner of Kilby and Willsmere Roads.The Kew Historical Society's pictures and map collections testify to the impact of flooding in the district. They have historical importance in documenting the extent of flooding in the district and its affects on homes, services and recreation. Numerous photographs record flooding throughout the Twentieth Century.Floating pontoon at Chipperfield's Boat House where the canoes were stored, taken in 1934, presumably before the 1934 Flood. This area of the Yarra was shallow with a number of mid river sandbanks and a popular swimming area for locals.yarra river, chipperfield's boathouse, pontoon -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book - Booklet, Dredging for Gold and Tin, c1935
Thompson and Co. were a large foundry and engineering works in Castlemaine, Victoria.Fifty six page, soft brown covered booklet including methods of dredging and a catalogue of various pumps. Illustrations include: Thompson's Head Office: Natual Head Method; Pontoon Plant method; floating pontoon suction cutter method and pontoon plant method.thompson's foundry, dredging, gold, tin, thompson and co, castlemaine, engineering, foundry, pontoon, pump -
Port of Echuca
Black and white photograph, Approx 1980
Scene depicted is believed to have been the Euston Lock. It shows various pieces of equipment in the foreground , with a pontoon names Bream on the left bank with a paddle steamer, sheds and cranes in the distance on the right hand side of the photograph. Original photograph from the Price collection. Historically and socially significant photograph depicting early 1920's life on the Murray river.Black and white photograph of river scene depicting , by the left bank a pontoon "Bream" and by the right bank a steamboat behind a shelter construction. There are various cranes on the right bank. Copy of an original photograph taken in the 1920s believed to at Euston Lock, N.S.W.In pencil on back: Price / believed to be Euston Lock.riverboats, paddle steamers, price collection -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Photograph - Photograph - dredging, c. 1953
Port of Portland Authority archivesFront: (no inscriptions) Back: DRED. 010 (pencil, lower right)port of portland archives, dredge, harbour dredging, portland harbour trust -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Photograph - Photograph - Lee Breakwater, Portland, n.d
Port of Portland Authority Archivesport of portland archives, tanker berth, lee breakwater, harbour -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Photograph - Photograph - Lee Breakwater, Portland, n.d
Port of Portland Authority Archivesport of portland archives, tanker berth, construction, portland harbour -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Photograph - Photograph - Lee Breakwater, Portland, n.d
Port of Portland Authority Archivesport of portland archives, lee breakwater, construction, tanker berth -
Kyneton RSL Sub Branch
Framed photograph, Australian Light Horse 1918
Sepia photograph of the Australian Light Horse crossing a pontoon bridge over Jordan River, Palestine, 1918.Plaque on frame below photograph.. -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Photograph - Photograph - Portland Harbour, n.d
Port of Portland Authority Archivesport of portland archives -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Photograph - Photograph - Main Breakwater construction, Portland, n.d
Port Of Portland Authority Archivesport of portland archives, harbour construction, development, wharf, barge -
Warrnambool RSL Sub Branch
5th and 6th Batts crossing Suez Canal on the NBT pontoon bridge at Serapeum
Harold's hand-printed annotation on reverse side of photo."5th and 6th Batts crossing the Suez Canal on the NBT pontoon bridge at Serapeum"snape collection -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph - 8th LH camped by lake, 1918 circa
The 8th Light Horse Regiment AIF was raised at Broadmeadows Victoria in September 1914 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander White and formed part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade. The regiment served at Gallipoli where in a courageous but ill-fated charge at the Nek on 7 August 1915 it suffered horrendous casualties including Lieutenant Colonel White. Rebuilt in Egypt under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Maygar VC the regiment went on the serve throughout the Middle East Campaign. Colonel Maygar died of wounds at Beersheba when the regiment was attacked by enemy aircraft while waiting to follow up the successful charge of the 4th LH Brigade on 30 October 1917. The 8th Light Horse AIF was disbanded in 1919, but soon after re-raised as the 8th (Indi) Light Horse in the Citizen Military Forces, superseding 16th (Indi) Light Horse.Comparatively rare collection of photographs of 8th Light Horse (AIF) on operations in Egypt and Palestine 1916-1918.Black and White photograph of bivouac beside river. Several soldiers of the 8th Light Horse Regiment AIF, two horses, pontoon bridge, and washing drying on line beside bivouac."Crossing the River Jordan"8th, light horse, wwi, world war one, aif, middle east, jordan -
Lake Bolac & District Historical Society
Black and white photograph, Diving Board, 2nd Beach, Lake Bolac
Red gum diving board and pontoon at the second swimming beach on the north side of Lake Bolac, circa 1935.lake bolac, swimming , diving board, pontoon, 1935. -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Willsmere Bridge, 1934
Several boathouses were built in Kew and Fairfield in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They included Chipperfield’s ‘Moorings’ and floating pontoon. The substantial two-storey house was named the Moorings, and incorporated an upper storey residence. The Moorings was almost washed away in the 1916 floods, and in 1934 almost totally submerged when the Yarra River rose 26 feet in 14 hours. Following the 1934 flood, the house was restored. The floating pontoon, sometimes referred to as a ‘kiosk’ or ‘canteen’, was used to store canoes. Both were removed in 1972 for the construction of the Eastern Freeway.This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.A view of flooded areas in North Kew in the flood of 1934.Willsmere Bridge. Chipperfields. 1934 floodwillsmere, flood, yarra flood, chipperfields, chipperfields boathouse, north kew -
Port of Echuca
A black and white photograph, 24/09/1984
This is a copy of a photograph from the Price Collection. The river and town are unknown. The photograph shows how locks were constructed using long vertical planks to form a wall. One of the cranes is floating on a pontoon.This shows how the river was locked to develop the irrigation industry in the early 20th Century.A copy of a black and white rectangular photograph of a lock being constructed . The river is in the foreground and in the background, cranes and rigs can be seen. A wooden wall dominates the centre of the photograph. Houses and buildings can be seen in the distance.In pencil on the back is written; 'Price / Lock construction? 'Jenkins Print Mildura.'lock construction, price family collection, mildura, jenkins print, irrigation -
Port of Echuca
Colour Photograph, 04/03/1983
Colour photograph of the P. S. Adelaide in the river, with the port side of the boat clearly visible. The bank behind and the roof of the boat shed at Paddlewheel park are lined with spectators. Final part of the photo sequence of the event no.:P000041; P000045; P000046; P000047; P000048 of the P. S. Adelaide re-floating.The re-floating of the P. S. Adelaide was a Significant community social event evident by the number of spectators in the photograph. The community had invested a great deal of time and money into re-floating the paddlesteamer. The newspaper covered the event in detail with a number of action shots as the boat made its rear entry from the temporary slipway onto the river. Part of a photo sequence no.P000041; P000045; P000046; P000047; P000048 of P. S. Adelaide re-floating.Colour photograph of P. S. Adelaide on the Murray river at Echuca after her re-floating. The port side of the Adelaide is clearly visible. The banks of the river are lined with spectators. The pontoon boat shed at Paddlewheel Park is visible on the right, also has spectators on the roof platform.p. s. adelaide, re-floating p. s. adelaide, echuca -
Red Cliffs Military Museum
Framed Photograph, Surrender of Japanese at Balikpapan, 1945
Japanese Commanders crossing a pontoon bridge under guard by Australian soldier on the way to the official surrender of Japanese forces in Balikpapan in (Dutch East Indies) Indonesia 1945. This was a major event in the ending of World War 2. Following the japanese surrender the Local population began it push for independance. Framed photograph (copy) of Japanese Commanders surrendering at Balikpapan. Black frame and glass covered. The Japanese Command staff with a Japanese general and aid-d-camp (Captian)carring his breif case along with other staff members. In the background here are 2 American PT boats with American naval personal .Note American flag flying in the top left corner. There are several American landing craft next to a Japanese landing barge. The Japanese landing bardge has the required surrender markings which is a green square with a white cross on top right of photo. The Australian soldier following the Japanese soldiers is wearing slouch hat and gungle green uniform. Along the docks are native workers.Paper discription on lower photograph with details of item description, where photo obtained from and donated by.ww2, japanese, surrender, balikpapan, generals, americans, pt boats, japanese landing bardge, american landing craft, dutch east indies -
Port of Echuca
Rectangular coloured photograph, 03/04/1984
The P.S Adelaide was re-launched back into the Murray River from the Hopwood Gardens where it had been on display from 1960 in April 1984. The re-launch attracted a lot of attention and took several weeks to achieve. A slipway had to be dug into the bank near Paddlewheel Park. Crowds attended each day. The P.S Pevensy was still bearing the name P.S Philadelphia from it's role in the TV Mini series "All The Rivers Run". In this photo the P.S Philadelphia is welcoming the P.S Adelaide back into the river.This photograph is significant because it shows the re-launch of the P.S Adelaide back into the Murray river. The P.S Adelaide is the second oldest wooden hulled paddle steamer still operating I the world. It also shows the role that P.S Pevensy played in the TV mini series, 'All The Rivers Run." This photograph and negative are related to images P000059.3, P000060.3, P000061.3, P000062.2, P000063.3, P000070.2, P000071.Colour photograph and negative of the P.S Adelaide re-floating in the river, obscured by the P.S Pevensey (with the name Philadelphia written across the wheel house). P.S Pevensy played the part of P.S Philadelphia in the TV mini series 'All The Rivers Run' in 1984. There is a crowd of spectators on the bank. A spectator boat and possibly a pontoon flank the boats.The names of the boats; Adelaide and Philadelphia can be seen written on the boats.p.s philadelphia, p.s pevensey, hopwood gardens, p.s adelaide, all the rivers run -
Port of Echuca
Photograph - Black and white photograph, Late 1970s
Relates to a series of 5 photos:P000094-P000098 of the front of the Bridge Hotel on the corner of Murray esplanade and Hopwood gardens. These photos, taken about 1976, were before the Port Restoration Scheme renovated the hotel. The Bridge Hotel was built by Henry Hopwood in 1858. This and the Bond Store were Echuca's first 2 brick buildings. Named from Hopwood's nearby pontoon bridge. The building was bought be The Council in 1970. Restored and reopened in 1975.The Bridge Hotel is an important part of Echuca's settlement and development. It was originally built by Henry Hopwood, the European founder of Echuca, in 1859. Hopwood built the hotel to provide accommodation to people using his punts across the Campaspe and Murray rivers that area central to the landscape of the Port. The hotel was situated on the land between both rivers and punts and provided for a variety of levels of accommodation from grand rooms to very basic rooms. At the time of the photos the hotel was 120 years old and became an important part of the Port of Echuca tourism. Black and white photograph of the Bridge Hotel , showing western wing before restoration.Stamped on the reverse "Gazemore Studio, D. G. Gay, 18 Frances Street Echuca 3625.bridge hotel, echcua, port restoration scheme, bridge hotel restoration, echuca -
Port of Echuca
Photograph - Coloured rectangular photograph, 03/04/1984
The P.S Adelaide had been displayed in the Hopwood Gardens from 1960. In 1984 The City of Echuca decided to put the paddle steamer back in the river. This happened over several weeks and involved digging a boat ramp into the bank in front of the Hopwood Gardens. This involved a lot of skill and people. It also attracted a lot of attention. Crowds gathered every day to watch the task. In this photograph the P.S Pevensey in the foreground still has the name P.S Philadelphia writing on its name plate. The P.S Pevensey was used in the TV Series 'All The Rivers Run', as the P.S Philadelphia. Relates to a series of images Reg. nos. P000059.3, P000061.3, P000062.2, P000063.3, P000070.2, P000071.The re-floating of the P.S Adelaide is significant because it occurred at a time when the Tourist Industry was gathering momentum in Echuca. The City of Echuca made the decision to add another paddle steamer to its fleet to carry passengers on the Murray River. The P.S Adelaide is one of the oldest, still operative wooden hulled paddle steamers in the world. It celebrated it's 150th birthday in July 2016. The re-floating of the P.S Adelaide created a lot of attention locally and regionally.A rectangular coloured photograph, and enlargement photograph, of the P.S. Adelaide being re-launched into the Murray River , on the 3rd April, 1984. The photograph is taken from the N.S.W bank with the P.S Pevensey in the foreground right corner of the photograph. The word Philadelphia can be seen faintly on the P.S Pevensey. There is a large crowd of people on the Victorian bank watching. There is a floating pontoon on the river immediately in front of the P.S Adelaide.On near boat obscured are the words Philadelphia.p.s adelaide, p.s pevensey, all the rivers run, p.s philadelphia, hopwood gardens, re-floating of the p.s adelaide. -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Souvenir Tablecloth, 1915 (estimated)
Gold coloured silk tablecloth with green braid edging and mauve silk fringing. It is heavily embroidered with various flags, crowns and flowers relating to the Gallipoli campaign. Possibly made in Eygpt. The flags featured are Australia, France, United Kingdom, Egypt, Japan, Italy, Belgium and Russia. Some fraying along folds. The RAN Bridging Train (RANBT) was a naval reserves unit trained to provided engineering support such as assembling pontoons, temporary jetties and unloading stores. The 1st RANBT supported the British landing at Suvla Bay (north of ANZAC Cove) on the 7th of August 1915.In the centre of the tablecloth, embroidered in blue silk thread, are the following words "Suvla Bay 1915 6th October 1st RANBT" (Royal Australian Navy Bridging Train)gallipoli, trench, art, souvenir, embroidered, silk, flags, tablecloth, campaign, cloth -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Print - Reproduction print, framed, Oswald L Brett, Barque James Craig 1874, 1974
Built in 1874 in Sunderland England she was employed carrying cargo around the world and rounded Cape Horn 23 times in 26 years. In 1900 she was acquired by Mr J J Craig, renamed James Craig in 1905 and began to operate between New Zealand and Australia until 1911. Unable to compete with freight cargo, in later years James Craig was used as a collier and later laid up, then used as a hulk, until eventually being abandoned at Recherche Bay in Tasmania. In 1932 she was sunk by fishermen who blasted a 3-metre hole in her stern. Restoration of James Craig began in 1972, when volunteers (now the Sydney Heritage Fleet) refloated her and towed her to Hobart for initial repairs. Brought back to Sydney under tow in 1981, her hull was placed on a submersible pontoon to allow work on the hull restoration to proceed. Over twenty-five years, the vessel was restored and relaunched in 1997. In 2001 restoration work was completed and she continues to go to sea.Mr Robeert Greenway A framed reproduction of a painting by Oswald L Brett on canvas paper of the Barque James Craig 1874 Barque James Craig 1874. Images of two flags; a red ensign and a ships flag 'Craig'; Oswald L Brett N.Y. 1978 james craig, windjammers, barque -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph, 1960s
This photograph was taken in the 1960s of the Lake Sambell Swimming Pool with the lake itself in the background. The swimming pool area has multiple features including park benches, a water slide, and a fenced area with a diving pontoon for lap swimming and racing. Lake Sambell Swimming Pool was completed in 1961, driven largely by R.E. Carter, Beechworth shire engineer from 1954-63. Carter advocated for improvements to the lake and surrounding area in order to encourage tourism in Beechworth. The opening of the swimming pool was part of many improvements to Lake Sambell made during this period by Carter including establishing the caravan park in 1959, water skiing and boating facilities, and increasing the lake surface in 1964. These improvements were financed mainly by grants from the Tourist Development Authority. For many decades, members of the local Beechworth community had advocated for the development of swimming pool at the lake that would include a safe wadding area and Olympic standard lanes for laps and races. Throughout the 1940s the Beechworth Swimming Club tried to raise awareness and funds to address the structural engineering issues, raise the water levels, and improve swimming facilities at the lake. Beechworth Swimming Club hosted a swimming carnival at the lake in 1948, but it was decided due to several issues at the event, that no further carnivals would be hosted until necessary improvements were made to the area. Swimming pools, both artificial and built into natural environments, were an extremely popular public space throughout the 20th century in Australia. Increasing in accessibility and popularity through such developments as less restrictive swimming outfits during 1920s, public building works during the 1920s and 30s, and an increase in leisure time during a period of post-war prosperity. This photograph is of historical significance as it documents the newly established Lake Sambell Swimming Pool in the 1960s after many decades of discussion and proposals around creating a safe swimming area at the lake. Further, this photograph provides important social insights into the facilities and uses of this pool in the 1960s, and underlines the significant role public swimming pools have played in Australian social and recreational experiences. Black and white rectangle photograph printed on photographic paper and unmounted.Reverse: 3537 / C798lake sambell swimming pool, lake sambell water slide, water slide 1960s, lake sambell pontoon, lake sambell 1960s, lake swimming pool, lake swimming, beechworth swimming club, swimming pools in the 20th century, r.e. carter, tourist development authority, beechworth 1960s, lake water slide, lake sambell, wadding pool, swimming, swimming pool 1960s, leisure, recreation 1960s -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Digital Photograph, Jim Connor, Fireplace, Boomerang House, 195 Laughing Waters Road, Eltham, 31 August 2021
Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.jim connor collection, laughing waters road, boomerang house, gordon ford -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Fay Bridge, Old footbridge, 195 Laughing Waters Road, Eltham, n.d
This old footbidge is situated close to the shack that Gordon Ford built on the Yarra at Laughing Waters Road. Bernie Bragg also used to live there for a period of time. Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.fay bridge collection, bernie's hut, birrarung, footbridge, gordon ford, gordon's shack, laughing waters road, love shack, yarra river -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Fay Bridge, The Love Shack, 195 Laughing Waters Road, Eltham, 22 July 2016
Gordon Ford built this shack on the Yarra at Laughing Waters Road. Bernie Bragg used to live there for a period of time. Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.fay bridge collection, 2016-07-22, bernie's hut, birrarung, gordon ford, gordon's shack, laughing waters, laughing waters road, love shack, yarra river -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Fay Bridge, The Love Shack, 195 Laughing Waters Road, Eltham, April 2016
Gordon Ford built this shack on the Yarra at Laughing Waters Road. Bernie Bragg used to live there for a period of time. Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.fay bridge collection, 2016-04, bernie's hut, birrarung, gordon ford, gordon's shack, laughing waters road, love shack, yarra river