The Snowy River has had many floods. This book records floods from 1952 to 1998. This book collates of photographs and previous written articles particlularly from the Snowy River Mail.This book is significant because it records major flood events impacting Orbost and surrounding district between 1952 and 1998.A book with a blue green cover and a large black and white photograph of a young girl standing in water . Black printing, and at the bottom of the cover page is a blue water splash. 104 pages, spiral bound, plastic cover.Some floods come with such a fury, there is little hope of saving anything within its path. The Snowy River district is no exception. Major Floods of the Snowy River district 1952 - 1998 The River of Wrath by Carrol Preston snowy river, floods, orbost

The Orbost Railway Station was sited in a flood zone adjacent to the Snowy River at Newmerella. This posed problems with floods, particularly a flood such as the huge one of 1971 which was defined as a 1:100 year flood. It inflicted huge damage to the railway infrastructure adjacent to Orbost Railway Station. This photograph is one of many taken of the impacts of this huge flood. It is also interesting in that it has been taken from an aeroplane.This photo is significant because it records impacts on the Orbost Railway Station from an aerial perspective. B/w aerial photograph, showing a number of buildings, debris, railway lines, railway carriages, poles and pieces of long timber. Written below the photograph: '1971 flood Railway Station'snowy river floods, 1971 flood, orbost railway station

This is one of many photographs taken throughout the 20th century of the Snowy River in flood. Although the township of Orbost was built above the floodplain, much of the really fertile farming land is flood liable. From the earliest days of 'white' settlement (1870s), floods were a fact of life, both a blessing and a liability, often causing severe damage.This photograph is significant because it is shows the Snowy River in flood at Bete Bolong. A small b/w photograph showing a river in flood with a number of horses on the right hand side, some are wearing coats. In the background is a crop (possibly maize) and trees both alive and dead.On the back of the photo, handwritten in black ink: 'River in flood, horses on last bit of grass, Bete Bolong'.snowy river, bete bolong, floods

This series of photos documents some of the destruction from the January 1971 flood at Orbost. This flood was a record Snowy River flood and isolated the district through road and bridge destruction. These photos are significant because they document aspects of the record 1971 flood at Orbost, and are of good quality. A series of b/w photos from the 1971 record flood in Orbost. 2733.1 A b/w aerial photograph of a farm house with debris around, cattle in the background. Inscription: 1971 FLOOD. 2733.2 A b/w photo of 2 people walking towards an upturned vehicle in floodwaters. Inscription: 1971 FLOOD. 2733.3 A b/w photo taken at night time. Five people beside and climbing on a tree which has been uprooted, with water flowing underneath. Inscription: 1971 FLOOD. 2733.4 A b/w photo of a man standing in doorway of the old pumphouse for the Butter Factory. He is leaning out of the doorway and pointing to a mark on the wall (presumably the height of the 1971 flood). Inscription: FLOOD MARKER AT ORBOST BUTTER FACTORY. 2733.5 A b/w photo of a man and woman walking on a road towards a section of the road which has been broken-up by a flood waters. Inscription: 1971 FLOOD HIGHWAY AT SOUTHERN END OF TOWN. 2733.6 A b/w photo of two men with a boat hauled up on an eroded bank. They appear to be loading or unloading car seats. Inscription on back: 1971 FLOOD CLEANING UP. 2733.1 1971 FLOOD. 2733.2 1971 FLOOD. 2733.3 1971 FLOOD. 2733.4 FLOOD MARKER AT ORBOST BUTTER FACTORY. 2733.5 1971 FLOOD HIGHWAY AT SOUTHERN END OF TOWN. 2733.6 1971 FLOOD CLEANING UP. orbost, snowy river, 1971 flood

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 is one of many photos taken following the devastating Snowy River flood of 1971 which inflicted huge impact on the Orbost area, including the Orbost Railway Station yards at Newmerella (Orbost). This photo is significant because it shows the impact of the 1971 Snowy River flood on railway infrastructure at Orbost/Newmerella.Two b/w photos of 1971 flood damage at the railway station yards at Orbost. 2731.1 shows a huge amount of debris and upheaval of wagons, railway lines etc. A large crane is in the background, along with poles. 2731.2 shows debris and some sections of railway line, also parts of wagons. Written below both photos: '1971 flood, railway yards, Orbost'.orbost, orbost railway, 1971 flood damage

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

Construction of the roadway embankment between the bridges across the Snowy River flood plains at Orbost commenced in January 1974 and was completed in November 1976. Pearsons were the bridge contractors for the construction of the Princes Freeway and bridges across the river flood plains at Orbost. Heavy rains and floods held up progress.These photographs are of the construction of a major structure in Orbost. The opening of this Snowy River Bridge was an important development in the accessibility to the township of Orbost.Four black / white photographs of construction sites. 3241.1 is of three cranes and other machinery with six persons. 3241.2 is of workmen working on flooded site. 3241.3 is a photograph of the early stages of construction of a bridge looking towards the township. 3241.4 shows the construction of a roadway between the bridges.construction-snowy-river-bridge bridge-orbost

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 appears to show a workman or assessor, perhaps from the Railways, near a section of railway line which has been undermined by the flood. 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 showing a man walking near a section of railway line suspended over water. Written in black ink underneath the photo: 1971 flood, railway line suspended over washawayorbost, orbost railways, flood damage 1971

This is one of many photos taken following the devastating Snowy River flood of 1971 which inflicted huge impact on the Orbost area, including access roads to Orbost. This photo shows road damage at the southern end of Nicholson Street, adjacent to the Snowy River. This was the main road leading in to Orbost and also the Princes Highway in 1971. Orbost was completely cut off for several days following this flood. This photo is significant because it shows the impact of the 1971 Snowy River flood on the main road leading into Orbost. A b/w photo showing severe damage to a roadway in the foreground, people walking on the intact roadway behind, and the road leading up a hill through buildings. Written in black ink below the photo: '1971 flood'. Written on the back of the photo: 'Orbost and its 3,000 people in East Gippsland were cut off today by 50 square miles of Snowy River floodway. The washed out Princes Highway a quarter mile on the Melbourne side of Orbost in East Gippsland, today. ln the background is Orbost's main street'.orbost, snowy river, 1971 flood damage

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

The Snowy River can flood over its floodplain at Orbost/Newmerella. There have been wet periods when floods were frequent and covered the floodplain, sometimes causing great disruption to crops and farming, and also to transport. The 1970s was a wet decade with many floods, the largest one in 1971. This photograph was taken in 1978. Evidence of flood on the Snowy River in 1978. A b/w photograph of a flood scene with trees and the river in the front, a river bank, and a vast area of water in the background. This photograph has been pasted onto a rough cardboard backing. Written below the photograph: Orbost 1978floods, snowy river, orbost

3154.1 is a postcard of the Orbost viaduct over the flooded Snowy River flats. 4153.2 is of a goods train on the viaduct. 3154.3 is of a loaded goods train with the driver at the window. Two men are standing on the plate and there are two workers below where there is some water and flood debris. 3154.4 is of amachine moving flood debris on the rail line. 3154.5 shows flood damage to the viaduct across the Snowy River flats. Two men are driving a dozer.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.Five black / white photographs associated with the Orbost railway line during a flood.orbost-railway east-gippsland -railway orbost-floods

This photograph shows vehicles and people being ferried across the Snowy River during the 1934 flood. The Orbost punt was reinstated on a temporary basis following damage to the bridge. 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 is a pictorial record of the effects of the 1934 floods in the Orbost district.A large black / white photograph of a punt with a motor vehicle and people making their way across a river.on front - "On the Snowy 1934"snowy-river-orbost flood-1934 river-transport-punt

This is a photograph of the original Orbost / Snowy River Bridge , a suspension bridge which opened in 1893. It has been taken when the Snowy River was in flood. It is similar to other photographs held in The State Library, Victoria. The Snowy River Mail and Tambo and Croajingolong Gazette Sat 12 Aug 1893 records the opening of this bridge as "the most important public event that has yet been commemorated in Eastern ......The Messrs McLeod, with whom the first settlement of this district is generally associated, took up their residence on the eastern bank of the Snowy River about the year 1841 or 42. The late Mr W. Roadknight and Mr T. T. Stirling took possession of the territory on the western side of the Snowy about 35 years ago. During the occupation of the country by cattle owners, very little progress was made in the way of roads and bridges, and except to the hardy and lexperienced bushman, it might have been generally regarded as inaccessible. About the year 1877, however, the late Mr James Robertson eldest son of Mr James Robertson, of Lochend farm, selected land now occupied by his father, about four miles from Orbost on the west bank of the river, Mr John Cameron visited the. district shortly after a .tour of inspection and returned later with his brothers, James and Alick Gameron, but found that during their absence Mr Ernest Watt had found his way on the scene and pegged out a selection, thus anticipating the advent of the Camerons by about 12 hours. We understand that a Mr Kidd, who selected the property now occupied by Mr W. J. Ross, at Pumpkin Point, was one of the earliest batch of settlors.........."This is a pictorial record of an early bridge across the Snowy River at Orbost.A black / white photograph of a suspension bridge with flood waters below the bridge.orbost-bridge suspension-bridge snowy-river

This postcard was sent to Annie Gilbert (Mrs John Gilbert) of Tullagoota, Orbost. It was written by "Grace", probably her sister, Grace Cameron Annie Gilbert was the daughter of John Cameron who selected the first land on the Snowy River flats. This is a photograph of the original Orbost / Snowy River Bridge , a suspension bridge which opened in 1893. It has been taken when the Snowy River was in flood. It is similar to other photographs held in The State Library, Victoria. The Snowy River Mail and Tambo and Croajingolong Gazette Sat 12 Aug 1893 records the opening of this bridge as "the most important public event that has yet been commemorated in Eastern ......The Messrs McLeod, with whom the first settlement of this district is generally associated, took up their residence on the eastern bank of the Snowy River about the year 1841 or 42. The late Mr W. Roadknight and Mr T. T. Stirling took possession of the territory on the western side of the Snowy about 35 years ago. During the occupation of the country by cattle owners, very little progress was made in the way of roads and bridges, and except to the hardy and lexperienced bushman, it might have been generally regarded as inaccessible. About the year 1877, however, the late Mr James Robertson eldest son of Mr James Robertson, of Lochend farm, selected land now occupied by his father, about four miles from Orbost on the west bank of the river, Mr John Cameron visited the. district shortly after a .tour of inspection and returned later with his brothers, James and Alick Gameron, but found that during their absence Mr Ernest Watt had found his way on the scene and pegged out a selection, thus anticipating the advent of the Camerons by about 12 hours. We understand that a Mr Kidd, who selected the property now occupied by Mr W. J. Ross, at Pumpkin Point, was one of the earliest batch of settlers.........."This item is associated with Annie Gilbert (nee Cameron) reported to have been the first white girl to be born in Orbost. It is a pictorial record of the suspension bridge over the Snowy River which has since been replaced twice.A faded black / white postcard of a bridge across a river. There are cattle in the river and the banks are tree-covered.on back - a hand-written letter addressed to Mrs J. Gilbert Tullagoota Orbost.cameron-annie suspension-bridge-orbost snowy-river-orbost

Drainage infrastructure was developed and maintained in this region by the Snowy River Improvement Trust. The Trust was administered by a local committee and its activities funded by a local rate charged on the farmers and land owners in the Trust’s designated district. The level of the rate charged by the Trust was designed to be proportionate to the benefit derived from the works undertaken. Financial assistance was provided by the State Government from time to time for specific projects such as post flood repairs but not for new capital works. The Trust undertook new drainage and river management works including tree planting, rock beach construction and servicing of the drains and flood gates. The Trust also provided a personal flood warning service to the farmers in its district. The Trust ceased to operate in 1997 with the advent of the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority. The infrastructure developed by the Trust continues to provide a service to the farmers in the region. (ref. 4 East Gippsland CMA Submission to Inquiry into Flood Mitigation Infrastructure in Victoria) This plan is significant as a historical document. The Snowy River Improvement Trust was vital to the Orbost district because of its ability to apply local knowledge and to engage the local farming community.A large plan of divisions of land for the purpose of levying the Snowy River Improvement District - Bete Bolong, Orbost, Waygara, Newmerella and Orbost East. The properties are coloured according to levy amount. The scale is 1" - 20 chains. snowy-river-improvement-trust

This inset was published to commemorate the Curlip Festival on 28/30 November 2008 and the P.S. Curlip 11 launch. The Snowy River Mail is an East Gippsland Newspaper. The original PS Curlip was a paddle steamer built in a Tabbara sawmill in 1889 by Samuel Richardson and his sons. It was operated along the Snowy River in Australia's Gippsland region between 1890 and 1919, before being washed out to sea, and broken on Marlo beach, by a flash flood. The Orbost and district community started a project in 2002 to construct a live steam powered replica, albeit somewhat larger than the original to meet safety regulations and carry additional passengers for commercial reasons, the Paddle Steamer Curlip II with the assistance of grants from the Federal and Victorian State Governments.Construction was started in earnest by shipwright, Bill Jones, in August 2006, and with the assistance of roughly 200 volunteers (a core group of 10 performing the majority of the work), she was finally completed and launched on the Snowy River in late November 2008. The construction of P.S.Curlip 11 was a community project which began as a project to re-engage the timber-working community of Orbost. The construction and launch was a major community event. The local newspaper, The Snowy River Mail, documented its progress on a regular basis.An insert from the Snowy River Mail newspaper dated November 2008. On the front cover is a coloured photograph of the Paddle Steamer Curlip 11. It contains photographs, information on the history of P.S. Curlip and the construction of Curlip 11. There are details of the Curlip Festival and advertisements.newspaper p.s.curlip

The 1971 flood was the the worst flood on record. At Jarrahmond it was at least 11 metres and up to one and a half kilometres wide on the flats causing enormous damage to the flood plain. Records say that "The brown floodwater stain in Bass Strait could be seen from passing airliners." Considerable damage was done to railway infrastructure, roads and farms. More information from the APRIL, 2008 newsletter by John Phillips. (see orbosthistory.com.au) These newspapers are contemporary records of a significant local event.Four newspapers relating to the floods in 1971. They contain news articles and photographs of the floods in Orbost in early 1971. 2556.1 is the Weekly Times dated 3.3.1971 and has an orange cover. 2556.2 is a Snowy River Mail dated 17.2.1971. 2556.3 is a Snowy River Mail dated 10.2.1971. 2556.4 is a Snowy River Mail dated 3.3.1971.floods-orbost-1971 snowy-river-mail weekly-times newspapers

The 1971 floods at Orbost were the worst on record. At Jarrahmond the river rose to a height of 11 metres and on the flats spread to one and a half kilometres wide. Considerable damage was done to railway infrastructure, roads and farms. More information from the APRIL, 2008 newsletter by John Phillips. (see orbosthistory.com.au)These newspapers are contemporary records of a significant local event.Four newspapers and a set of clippings from various papers. They contain information and photographs pertaining to the 1971 floods in Orbost. 2557.1 is a Sun News Pictorial dated 8.2.1971. 2557.2 is a Snowy River Mail dated 10.2.1971. 2557.3 is an east Gippsland News dated 12.2.1971. 2557.4 is a Snowy River mail dated 12.2.1971 and 2557.5 is a collection of various clippings.floods-orbost-1971 newspaper snowy-river-mail sun-news-pictorial

The Snowy River Mail is a weekly newspaper published in Orbost in the Shire of East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. Previously published as The Snowy River mail and Tambo and Croajingolong gazette from 1890 to 1911. The Gippsland Courier merged with the Snowy River Mail when proprietor Lachlan Ross moved to Orbost in 1910. In 1999 the paper was acquired by the Yeates family when the Hollins family retired from the newspapers business. The paper is still being produced by the fourth generation of the Yeates family as part of East Gippsland Newspapers. The 1950 flood was a significant event in Orbost. This newspaper is a contemporary record of a significant local events.A Snowy River Mail newspaper dated 29.3.1950. It contains news articles and advertisements in black/white print. it contains an article on the flood at that time.snowy-river-mail 1950-flood newspaper

The Snowy River Mail is a weekly newspaper published in Orbost in the Shire of East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. Previously published as The Snowy River mail and Tambo and Croajingolong gazette from 1890 to 1911. The Gippsland Courier merged with the Snowy River Mail when proprietor Lachlan Ross moved to Orbost in 1910. In 1999 the paper was acquired by the Yeates family when the Hollins family retired from the newspapers business. The paper is still being produced by the fourth generation of the Yeates family as part of East Gippsland Newspapers. The flood in 1950 was a significant Orbost event. This newspaper is a contemporary record of a significant local events.A Snowy River Mail newspaper dated 15,.2.1950. It contains news articles and advertisements in black/white print. There is an artcle about the Orbost floods.newspaper snowy-river-mail flood-1950-orbost

Orbost has been subject to major floods throughout its history, such as those which left the town isolated in 1934, 1952, 1971 and 1978. It is recorded that the Snowy River broke its banks and flooded the flats 104 times between 1884 and 1978. Extensive flooding in Eastern Victoria during June 1978, caused widespread damage to roads, road closures and hazards to traffic, particularly over the Queen's Birthday holiday weekend. These newspaper articles are contemporary records of a significant event in Orbost history.A collection of black/white newspaper clippings relating to the 1978 flood in Orbost. Some are original articles. others are photo-copies. They appear to be from the Snowy River Mail newspaper.floods-orbost-1978 newspaper-articles

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. The new bridge, built by the CRB at a cost of $2.4 million, is 1.6 metres above the record flood levels of 1971. (ref. May Leatch) This newspaper contains contemporary reports of a significant event in Orbost.A Snowy River Mail newspaper, dated 1.12.1976. It contains news articles, photographs and advertisements. The main article relates to the official opening of the Snowy River Bridge and the unveiling of a plaque on the eastern approach. It also contains a history of the first Snowy River Bridge.snowy-river-bridge orbost-bridges snowy-river-mail

This display was put together by the Curlip Committee and used as promotion in the shed during the construction of Curlip 11 A community project, this boat was constructed out of local hardwood timbers utilizing the traditional skills of wooden boat builders and is powered by a steam engine. Paddle Steamer Curlip II is a replica of an historic paddle steamer of the Snowy River, in Far East Gippsland, Victoria. The original Paddle Steamer Curlip was built by Sam Richardson and his sons Mark, Albert and Frank, at their sawmill at Tabbara, a pioneering settlement on the Brodribb River, a tributary of the Snowy River. The keel was laid on 14th October 1889 and PS Curlip was launched in 1890. The name “ Curlip” is derived from the indigenous name for the area where Tabbara is located and includes land to the east of the Snowy and Brodribb Rivers towards Cape Conran. PS Curlip was registered in 1893 and the Passenger Certificate issued on 30th January 1903 to Captain Alan Richardson by the Marine Board of Victoria entitled her to carry 25 passengers and only 10 passengers when engaged in towage service. Two children under 12 years of age to be reckoned as one passenger. PS Curlip towed five barges at a time, traveling upstream as far as Bete Bolong, 20 km upstream of the mouth to collect produce to be transferred to schooners near Marlo. She towed vessels in and out through the Snowy river entrance and was also used for social functions such as Sunday School picnics. She was the main means of transport for imports and exports on the Snowy River for almost 30 years. The Curlip era ended abruptly on Friday 28th February when a flash flood carried her and 2 barges down river and out to sea, where she washed ashore at Marlo and broke up.More than eighty years after the original Paddle Steamer Curlip was wrecked at sea, the Orbost community launched a replica which it hoped would draw tourists to the region. The P.S. Curlip II, is based on drawings of the original Curlip that made its home in the Snowy and Brodribb Rivers of East Gippsland in the 1890s and early 1900s, It took six years of planning and hundreds of hours of volunteer work from the local community.A display cabinet containing tools and sundry items related to the Paddle Steamer Curlip. (More information on individual items in Catalogue 1400-1600)p.s.curlip richardson-samuel boat-building-tools transport

This magazine cost $2.50 and was produced to support the East Gippsland Red Cross Flood Appeal. Following heavy rain in East Gippsland in June, 1998, major flooding occurred in the Mitchell, Nicholson, Tambo, Snowy, Brodribb and Bemm Rivers. Other streams in the region also experienced high flows during this time. Probably the most severe direct impacts of the floods were to the rural sector.This magazine is a contemporary record of a significant local event.Two copies of a magazine pictorial of the floods of 1998. Photos are black and white. They are of Bairnsdale, Orbost, Lakes Entrance, Raymond Island, Bemm River, Bruthen , Tambo and Cabbage Tree. flood-1998 flood-east gippsland disaster-floods

Opened by the Hon. J A Rafferty, Minister for Transport, 25 November 1976, the bridge was the first of four bridges to be built as part of the freeway bypass of Orbost. Construction cost $2.4 million. This construction was an important development along the Princes Highway corridor through East Gippsland. The original highway approached the Snowy River at a very poor alignment, and several serious accidents had occurred at the Orbost end. In times of heavy flood, the highway on both sides of the river had been cut by floodwaters and during the 1971 floods, the highest ever recorded, the river was a mile wide at the crossing. Construction of the bridges commenced in January 1975, with an expectation to open the bridge across the Snowy River as soon as possible. Less than two years later, on 25 November 1976, the bridge across the Snowy River was opened to traffic, allowing the old bridge to be demolished. The remainder of the Orbost Bypass, both the floodplain crossings and the eastern section around the township itself, was declared ‘Princes Freeway’ and opened to traffic in December 1977. (ref http://mrv.ozroads.com.au) The Country Roads Board was the government authority for the construction and maintenance of main roads in Victoria between 1913 and 1983. It was succeeded by the Road Construction authority on 1 July 1983 and later merged with the Road Traffic Authority on July 1 1989 to form the Roads Corporation. James Cameron, an Orbost farming pioneer and Member of the Legislative Assembly, fathered the Country Roads Board. The opening of this Snowy River Bridge was an important development in the accessibility to the township of Orbost.Three coloured Country Roads pamphlets for the 'Princes Freeway - Orbost Section". On the front is a coloured photograph of the new construction over the Snowy River at Orbost. Inside is a program for a ceremony for the opening of the new Snowy River Bridge. There is also a black print map of the project.

This certificate was presented to Donald David Thomson , sleeper hewer, aged 42 years for rescuing S.C. Curtis, aged 52, G. Wylie, aged 54, J. Dalgleish, aged 5 from flood waters at White gulch on the Snowy River on January 8, 1934. (The certificate reads as White's Gulch but should be Watt's gulch.) Although damage estimated at 500,000 pounds was caused by the unprecedented floods along the Snowy River, no lives were lost because of the courageous actions of men like Donald Thomson.A framed copy of a printed and hand-written certificate from the Royal Humane Society of Australia awarded to Donald David Thomson for rescuing victims of the floodwaters in Orbost January 1934. It is dated 6.3.1934.Printed at top of certificate: THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY / OF AUSTRALASIA. Has names of Society patrons and committee as well as names and ages of those rescued. award certificate royal-humane-society flood snowy-river 1934 thomson-david

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