saturday age good weekend, laark boondap, melbourne arts precinct, testing plants, roof gardens, administration building, hassell, jon hazelwood, dean shrieke, claire farrell

SANDHURST (BENDIGO) SCHOOL OF MINES LETTER FROM Masonic Hotel Bendigo / dated 25.5.1907 to The Registrar SCHOOL OF MINES re submission of catering tender for the opening of the testing plantdocument, masonic hotel bendigo, bendigo school of mines

SANDHURST (BENDIGO) SCHOOL OF MINES LETTER from the Library Parliament of Victoria to Mr. W. H. Walter, Registrar School of Mines Bendigo. Re opening of the Testing Plant, dated 20.5.1907document, bendigo school of mines

Possibly used for testing students plant knowledge. Four botanical specimens as follows: .1) Unidentified dried plant specimen with attached handwritten tag ' I Grade/ No. 3' and tied with pink ribbon. .2) Originally housed inside buff coloured envelope, printed on front 'On His Majesty's Service' (underlined) and 'Department of Agriculture,/ Viticultural Station,/ Rutherglen / / 190'. .3) Unidentified dried plant specimen with attached handwritten tag ' Grade 1/ No.5' and tied with pink ribbon. .4) Originally housed inside buff coloured envelope, printed on front 'On His Majesty's Service' (underlined) and 'Department of Agriculture,/ Viticultural Station,/ Rutherglen / / 190'. .5) Unidentified dried plant specimen with attached handwritten tag ' Grade 1/ No.7' and tied with pink ribbon. .6) Originally housed inside buff coloured envelope, printed on front 'On His Majesty's Service' (underlined) and 'Department of Agriculture,/ Viticultural Station,/ Rutherglen / / 190'. .7) Unidentified dried plant specimen (possibly identical to .2) with attached handwritten tag ' Grade 1/ No.13' and tied with pink ribbon. .8) Originally housed inside buff coloured envelope, printed on front 'On His Majesty's Service' (underlined) and 'Department of Agriculture,/ Viticultural Station,/ Rutherglen / / 190'. .9) Leather covered board with remnant elastic. Possibly used for displaying specimens. Envelope printed on front top centre 'On His Majesty's Service' (underlined), Bottom left 'Department of Agriculture,/ Viticultural Station,/ Rutherglen / / 190 ', Top right 'Department of Agriculture. Victoria. Frank Stamp', top left, 'This envelope can only be lawfully used by Government officials on public business. Any use by officials on private business, or by others under any circumstances, is punishable'. Embossed on envelop seal with the word 'Victoria' enclosed in a buckle and belt, crown in centre.botanical specimen,, department of agriculture, rutherglen, school of mines, ballarat, ballarat school of mines, botany, rutherglen, speciman, plant, plant identification

Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from Monday, February 28, 2005. Heyday: the surface view of the test shaft, plant and poppet legs of the government shaft at Fosterville (October 1900-April 1903). A pumping plant and winch were purchased from the Tyson's Reef Mine for 900 pounds and removal and assembly cost 723 pounds. Arrangements were also made with the North Stewart Company for the loan of poppet legs, the steam winch engine and buildings. The closing of the shaft led to the exodus from Fosterville.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

This Favag Timer apparatus was a part of the first electronic control system -(1960's), in Victoria), which worked using telephone stepping selectors to convey a change in voltage providing a regulated pulse from the control centre(Mount Beauty) to the remote Power Stations opening and closing (stop/start) of various devices at the Power Station and a return signal confirmed the action taken. Testing of this unit was carried out using a "dummy" device at the remote Power Station so as not to disrupt the power plant's operation. This timer was one of many electrical apparatus connected to the large SEC Victoria Hydro Scheme's electrical power producing generators. These generators are powered by the hydro force of "stored" water at a higher altitude. The establishment of both the NSW and Victorian Hydro Schemes was achieved from the early 1900's to the 1960's. At this point in time the need for additional power sources to quench both an industrial and domestic demand for electricity was purely an economic and not and environmental (carbon reduction) factor. This hydro scheme was instigated by "the Government of the day" as a bold move and was the major force of the World War II refugee and "technical" workforce,inclusion of skilled and unskilled, migration into the Australian environment. Although this mass "invasion" of workers with families was thought of in some circles as intrusive, the expansion of population post war years and its integration into the Australian rural sector, produced the multi- lingual multi-cultural diversity of later years.This Favag Timer was one of the crucial pieces of equipment that made it possible for the Mount Beauty Terminal Station to control the operations of these Power Stations; McKay, Clover, West Kiewa Power Stations and the Dederang Terminal Station.This aluminium and anodised "FAVAG" (pulse) timer is fastened to a base structure which comes with its own metal cover that is fastened by two metal hooks. From the top of these hooks runs a thick leather "carry" strap.The instrument, itself, a small "micro motor" at one end tape feeding spool on the other. Aluminium metal structures offer a preventative barrier against any electronic spikes from static electricity sources. There are two toggle switches to the bottom right hand side and twelve coloured "pin" connection points.There is a sliding access sleeve which exposes a circuit board.with various leads fastened on each side. In front of one of this slide are two "screw in" fuses, spare fuses are in a small envelope taped above. Circuit diagrams are etched white on black background on the top face of the main structure. At the base of the back section is a two pronged input terminal. There is a fine black rubber layer (cushioning) for the mian top cover.On the cover fastened with two rivets "FAVAG" underneath in small print "Fabrique d'appareils electriques S.A." underneathe "NEUCHATEL-SUISSE". on one end is a "STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA" metal label screwed on.The back label has manufacturers' type and model number.sec vic kiewa hydro scheme, alternate energy supplies, alpine population growth

The photo depicts one shift of mine hands at Hanlon Consols Mine Rokewod in 1901. ist on the left is George Edgar Yung. George was born in Ararat the son of Yohann Godlip and Christina (b Weller)Yung. They lived at Happy Valley near Linton. and Piggoreet. Yohann was a miner and died in the All Nations Mine collapse at Derwnt Jack's in 1877. Interesting to note in the following information that the Hanlon Consol mamager, William Maughan was also the manager of the Try Again Mine in Piggoreet. He was also on the six man school committee of Piggoreet Common School No. 726. (Is this why George Yung ended up working in Rokewood because of a previous connection at Piggoreet? George married Clara Emma Smith from Happy Valley and worked in a mine at Allendale. They later moved to Yendon) About the Hanlon gold mining company near Rokewood. 1901 - Information Bendigo Prospecting Club, 21/08/2020. Information provided once again by Peter McCarthy. Christopher Hanlon had put down a line of bores south of the Rokewood main street, looking for a continuation of the Break O’Day lead which had been worked for two or three miles with highly payable results, though in a primitive manner. Ground was being paddocked 30 feet deep and made to pay. The bores suggested the sinking would be about 70 feet and a shaft site was selected at the back of Stanbrook’s Hotel. The Hanlon Gold Mining Company was formed in March 1895 and the shaft was bottomed at 68 feet, getting just over an ounce of gold from the shaft bottom. By January 1896, the poppet heads were up, and steam plant was nearly ready. The mine produced 846 oz by September, which was not as good as expected, but they installed a second puddling machine. The mine was profitable for the next three years, with periods of prospecting and the need to install steam pumps in 1897. A second shaft was sunk in 1899, which bottomed at 86 feet on good wash and was sunk on to 109 feet. 1743 oz of gold had been produced in six months to September 1899, but the No1 shaft was let on tribute as the No2 workings were opened and machinery installed the following year. The No1 shaft tributors broke even in 1900 and in 1901 the shaft was shut down, with the No1 shaft machinery sold late in 1902. By September 1901, the mine had produced gold worth £66,124 and the No2 shaft main drive was in 346 feet, with gold being found mainly in crevices in the hard floor. Mining continued, but once the No2 shaft workings met up with the old No1 shaft workings at the end of 1902 there was not much wash remaining. The mine was let on tribute in June 1903 and a drive was put in to test deeper ground. The company was wound up in February 1904 and the plant sold. From what they discovered, the manager concluded that the mine sat at the edge of an ancient coastline and the gold was in a beach deposit. The total gold production from the mine was worth £73,294. J Lee Archer JP, shareholder, was the manager of the Bank of Victoria in Ballarat. Born in Tasmania, he came to Victoria with his parents and first came to Ballarat in 1855 as a junior clerk with the bank. He died in 1902 aged 64. Alexander J. Peacock was a legal manager and a share broker. In 1897 Peacock, born in Creswick, had been elected as one of the Victorian delegates to the Constitutional Convention which wrote the Australian Constitution. He later became a politician, state treasurer and three times state premier of Victoria and was knighted KCGM. He died in 1933 aged 72. William Maughan, director, was an English miner who came to Victoria in the 1850s and became a mine manager, managing the Try Again at Piggoreet, Ryan’s Freehold and the Madam Berry, among others. He died in Williamstown in 1915 aged 85. Sepia photographRhs front of photo: R. Millist Phto & Lanternist Geelong Verso (upside down): ONE SHIFT OF MINE HANDS HANLON CONSOLS MINE ROKEWOOD 1901 Grandfather Yung 1st on left rokewood, hanlon consols mine, shift of mine workers 1901, gold mines, george edgar godlip yung, william maughan

A habitat corridor and it strengthens the community. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p185 Barak Bushlands lie west of the Diamond Creek on the corner of Falkiner Street and busy, noisy Main Road. They form part of an important habitat corridor linking the Yarra River to the Kinglake National Park.1 Manna Gums, tawny frogmouths and platypuses are some of the indigenous plants and animals that have made their home there. The bushlands are the result of more than nine years of hard work by the local community with the Nillumbik Council, to transform a degraded flood plain into this refuge of natural beauty. In 1997, shortly after moving into the new Riverside Estate on Falkiner Street, Eltham, several residents noticed the sorry state of the Diamond Creek and surrounding area. Part of it was used as a cow paddock and although small patches of vegetation survived, the area was infested with weeds, rabbits, rubbish and drainage from the housing estate. At various times the 4.4 hectares had been used as a market garden and for shire stock piles. The residents began to restore the area by revegetating land along the Diamond Creek. In 1998 they established the Friends of the Diamond Creek Falkiner Street Reserve2 and 35 families joined from the 90-house Estate. Carolyn Mellor, as the Friends’ Land Manager, undertook a four-year horticulture course to guide this massive project for a volunteer organisation. Since 1999, she has been the Friends’ President. In 1999 the Friends urged the Nillumbik Council to undertake a feasibility study into establishing a wetland system and urban forest. Work began in 2002 with Nillumbik Council funding the project, supplemented by government grants. The Friends also received grants from Melbourne Water and Parks Victoria. Aided by the Friends and other community members, the Council created the Barak Bushlands consisting of a forest, a wetland, a bridge, a path and open space. The beautiful wetland treats most of the estate’s stormwater runoff. Storm water is filtered through plants in the wetland ponds then is released slowly into the billabong, before flowing into the Diamond Creek. The wetland also helps to minimise flooding and the improved water quality provides a flora and fauna habitat. The Friends and other volunteers planted more than 27,000 plants, more than one third of which they grew from seeds they collected at Lower Eltham and Wingrove Parks. Eltham High School students planted thousands of these through a Year Eight program introduced for this purpose. Other groups who assisted were: Green Corps, local Scouts and Guides – 2nd Montmorency, 1st Diamond Creek and 1st Eltham Cub Packs, Eltham College students, Eltham East Primary School, Landcare members, Eltham Lions Club and the Eltham Baptist Church. To maintain enthusiasm for the mammoth task, the Friends and other volunteers ‘adopted’ trees to water and wrote their names on the stakes. In 2004, to recognise the area’s original occupiers, the reserve was named Barak Bushlands. William Barak, who lived from 1824 to 1903, was the last chief of the Yarra Yarra tribe of the Wurundjeri-willam people. Traces of these original inhabitants remain in scar trees (bark sections removed to make a shield or canoe). That same year the Friends’ group was a finalist in the prestigious Federal Government, Banksia Environmental Awards. The Friends have also participated in Clean Up Australia, removing tonnes of rubbish and regularly testing the billabong, wetland and creek, for pollutants. For years the Friends, together with the Australian Platypus Conservancy, have tagged, measured and checked the health of platypuses from the Diamond and Mullum Mullum Creeks. With Latrobe University the Friends have conducted night walks to view owls, possums, bats and sugar gliders. Challenges for the council and the Friends continue with a large rabbit population, some vandalism, weed eradication and maintenance. However, thanks to this community effort, locals can now escape confined urban living on small blocks of land and enjoy the beauty of indigenous plants and animals. Working together has also strengthened the local community,This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, barak bushlands, diamond creek (creek), eltham

Two pages of list of suppliers. Page is divided into Five columns - Product, Activity Code, Product Code, Supplier and Supplier No. Products include stationary, hire of equipment, branding pasint, hay, glass, electrical work, repairs, dog food, testing of scales, grinding and cutting wheels. Suppliers were Hi Tech, Hume & Iser, Bendigo Hire, Mettler Toledo, BRB, Abbotts Supply, Dalgety Farmers, Bendigo East Sand and Soil, Bendigo Bearings, Bolton Bros, Fitzpatricks, Bendigo Bolts and Fasteners, CVC, Bendigo Glass Co, Dept Business Employment, DG Walkers, Bendigo Scale Co, Peter Llewellyn, Patches, Bendigo Mower Service, Transcom, Mulqueens Printer, John Truscott, All Bull, Elders Ltd, J H Plant and Son, Surdex, Obriens Glass, W C and H M Bury, BOC Gases, Windscreen City, Cleanaway, RJ and E R Conroy, J Blackwood & Sons.bendigo, council, cattle markets, bendigo saleyards collection - list of suppliers, hi tech, hume & iser, bendigo hire, mettler toledo, brb, abbotts supply, dalgety farmers, bendigo east sand and soil, bendigo bearings, bolton bros, fitzpatricks, bendigo bolts and fasteners, cvc, bendigo glass co, dept business employment, dg walkers, bendigo scale co, peter llewellyn, patches, bendigo mower service, transcom, mulqueens printer, john truscott, all bull, elders ltd, j h plant and son, surdex, obriens glass, w c and h m bury, boc gases, windscreen city, cleanaway, rj and e r conroy, j blackwood & sons

Eleven page article titled Water Softening in the Boiler by the 'Alfloc' System. This is an internal method of conditioning boiler feed water and the use of coagulants designed to prevent scale formation in the boiler and accessory plant, to reduce corrosion to a minimum, and further to provide for those conditions in the boiler water which from present experience are believed to prevent the occurrence of caustic ombrittlement. Different chemicals were used to suit different types of water in different areas. Items discussed are: Summary, Introduction, External treatment, Internal Treatment, General Principles of the 'Alfloc' Internal Treatment, Precipitation of the Scale-forming Salts, Temporary Hardness, Permanent Hardness, Conditioning of the Precipitate - Floc Formation, Efficient Control of the Concentration of both Dissolved and Suspended Solids by Blowdown, Prevention of Corrosion, Testing and Control, The 'Alfloc' Reagents for Internal Treatment, 'Alfloc' Liquors, 'Alfloc' Briquettes, Alfloc' Powders, Methods of Application, Liquors - Stationary boilers and Locomotive boilers, Briquettes - Stationary boilers and Locomotive boilers, Powders, Blowdown, Sludge, Caustic Embrittlement, Control of 'Alfloc' System, Cost and Economies of 'Alfloc' Internal Treatment and 'Alfloc' Water Treatment Service. Listed on page 11 are ICIANZ Sales Offices the Australian States. Between pages 7 and 8 is a page of diagrams. They are: Showing method of feeding liquors to the feed tank of boilers for 'Alfloc' internal treatment, typical arrangement of pressure vessel and typical arrangement of 'Alfloc' by-pass feeder.sciences, instruments - general, scalebuoy, bill ashman collection, alfloc system, imperial chemical industries limited alkali division, alfloc liquors, alfloc briquettes, alfloc powders, imperial chemical industries of australia and new zealand limited, elder smith & co limited, chemical & textile agencies pty ltd

Handwritten notes from Bendigo Advertiser reports. (1) Mr J. H. Craig reports- Victoria Reef Quartz - Cleaned and tested No 3 boiler. Have bailed 3,905 tanks. Water now 2.953 feet from surface. At Lazarus - Bailed 4,828 tanks. At New Chum Railway - Cleaned and tested boilers and flues, effected repairs to machinery and shaft, and started bailing at 3 pm on Friday 29th inst, and bailed 965 tanks. Bendig Advertiser 3/8/1910 Page 2 Mining Intelligence. (2) New Chum Mines - Better progress is now being made in lowering the water in the deep level workings at the New Chum Mines. At the Victoria Quartz, the water which on Monday stood at 3073feet, has been lowered 70 feet during the past four days. The pumping service at the New Chum Railway was in operation yesterday, and the winding plant is fully occupied. There is a considerable quantity of water toraise, and the companies have a difficult task before them. Bendigo Advertiser 5/8/1910 Page 2. Document from Albert Richardson Collection of mining history.gold, drainage problems, new chum drainage association, new chum mines drainage problems 1910, bendigo advertiser 3/8/1910 page 2, mr j h craig, victoria reef quartz, lazarus, new chum railway, bendigo advertiser 5/8/1910 page 2, albert richardson

Handwritten copies of four Mine Manager's reports for the New Chum & Victoria dated 13/12/1879, Manager Wm H Grainger, 13/3/1884, Manager W. H. G., 15/3/1886, and 21 /6/1886. Reports mention equipment, costs, and a new Winding Plant where they hauled water before allowing the men to descend. Notes on testing boilers.document, gold, new chum & victoria lines of reef, new chum & victoria mine manager's reports, wm h grainger

Typed photocopy of an article titled 'Running trials of the Steam Plant at the Virginia Mine, Eaglehawk by Assistant Inspector Ross. Article describes the plant and mentions the working of the air compressor, battery engine, evaporation test, air compressor test and evaporation. The second page has diagrams of the air compressor test and battery engine.document, gold, virginia mine, running trials of the steam plant at the virginia mine eaglehawk, assistant inspector ross, state coal mine wonthaggi

500 of these books were printed, and many were used in the field, making good copies very rare. A simple but detailed account of the process written especially for the working miner and the small syndicate, the Quintessential Australian gold Mining book.Orange, hard, cloth covered b270 page book with brown dust jacket. Chapters include sampling sand and slime dumps; treating sand; aeration; treatment of slime; smelting; solution testing; cyanide solution; air- slaked lime; cyanding in Queensland; copper troubles; treatment of concentrates; amalgamations; assaying; floatation; chemistry; testing for minerals. Includes photographic reproductions of a cyanide plant for sand; aeration tower; mixer tank; Eleanora cyaniding plant; mining, gold, cyanide, cyaniding, leaching, smelting, slimes

.1 - Book - 12 pages + brown covers, side stapled, issued by the Australian Standards Association, "AC Electric Arc Welding Plant - Transformer type", C97-1942, July 1942. .2 - Book - 40 pages + grey covers, side stapled, issued by the Australian Commonwealth Engineering Standards Association, Tentative Australian Standard B1 - "Brass water fittings - stop, bib, globe and ferrule or main taps", B1-1928, August 1928. .3 - Book - 20 pages + grey covers, side stapled, issued by the Australian Commonwealth Engineering Standards Association, Tentative Australian Standard B4 - "Vegetable tanned leather belting", B4 - 1929, January 1929. .4 - Book - 16 pages + grey covers, side stapled, issued by the Australian Commonwealth Engineering Standards Association, Tentative Australian Standard B3 - Rubber Conveyor and Power Transmission Belting", B3 - 1929, March 1929. .5 - Book - 8 pages + green covers, side stapled, issued by the Australian Standards Association, "Maintenance of Portable Chemical Fire Extinguishers of the Acid-Alkali and Foam Types", CA 18-1941, May 1941. .6 - Book - 16 pages + grey covers, side stapled, issued by the Australian Commonwealth Engineering Standards Association, Tentative Australian Standard B2 - "Copper Tubes", B2 - 1928, July 1928. .7 - Book - 28 pages + grey covers, side stapled, issued by the Australian Commonwealth Engineering Standards Association, Australian Standard A2 - "Portland Cement", includes tests, A2-1926, December 1926. On top right hand corner has the date stamp of the "The Electric Supply Co. of Victoria Ltd Ballarat" .2 - 3 Sep 1928 .3 - 19 Jan 1929 .4 - 3 Apr 1929 .5 - SEC Stamp - ? 1941 .6 - 20 July 1928 .7 - 17 Apr 1934trams, tramways, power station, standards, materials

With more and more woolsheds being connected to power lines, the need for electric shearing gear markedly increased from the 1960s onwards. The greater economy made electric gear an attractive proposition to many graziers. Requiring only an electric shearing motor, for small and medium scale operations, electric shearing motors were a more economical way of shearing a wool clip. The other option for graziers was Overhead shearing gear, which also required an Engine to provide shared power to a row of shearing stations. Still working, this Sunbeam Electric Shearing Motor – Heavy Duty Model, features a slow speed motor totally enclosed for protection against dust and insects. The full bearing down tube is easily removed and stored to be out of the way when not in use (not pictured). Providing 0.5 hp, which is twice the power ever needed for shearing sheep, this buffer allows for fluctuations in voltages that can occur in rural districts. Inventor Frederick Wolseley made the world's first commercially successful power-shearing system in Australia in 1888. US company Cooper, which had been founded in 1843 as a maker of sheep dip, began selling Wolseley equipment in the USA in 1895. The Chicago Flexible Shaft Company successfully entered the power-shearing market a few years later and entered into a joint venture with Cooper. It set up a branch in Sydney and sold shearing sets, and engines to power them, into the Australian market. In 1921 the US parent company, realising it needed to make products whose sales were not as seasonal as those of shearing equipment, made its first household appliances and branded them Sunbeam. In 1933, changes in exchange rates and taxes led the company to manufacture engines and shearing equipment in Australia via subsidiary Cooper Engineering, which changed its name to Sunbeam in 1946. Although most Australians know of this company as a major manufacturer of household appliances, its rural division flourished and retained the Sunbeam name for shearing equipment even after it was taken over by New Zealand company Tru-Test in 2001. This 0.5 horsepower vertical brushed motor air-cooled engine was designed to drive a single shearing plant. From the central cylinder which features a yellow “Sunbeam” sticker, a grey 240v power lead can be found on the left-hand side. A blue capacitor is located next to this power lead. Below, two legs extend and meet to form a foot which is fastened to a wall. On the right-hand side of the engine, a specification plate is located on the central cylinder. A yellow directional arrow sticker is located on the rotating section of the engine below the specification plate (location for photography, this section is designed to rotate and hence this sticker is not fixed in this location). At the rear of the cylinder, a plastic cap with small air cut outs protects the air-cooled engine from contaminants. At the front of the engine, the location for securing the bearing down tube is located. On the right-hand side of the lock for the bearing down tube is the handle, to which a string is often attached for switching the motor on and off by a shearer bent at the waist (not pictured). Sticker. Gold writing. Front of shearing motor “Sunbeam” Plate. Inscribed. Side of shearing motor. “Sunbeam / SHEARING MOTOR / MADE IN AUSTRALIA / 0.5 H.P. / 220/240 V / 1 PHASE A.C. / 4.0 AMPS / 50 C/S. / CONT. RTG. / 1425 R.P.M. / CLASS A INSUL / NO. J244560 / TYPE: NSB5C2/49." sheep sheering, shearing equipment, sunbeam, electric shearing motor

Stan and Mary Parker commenced the Plant Farm in Smythe Street Wodonga in February 1949. The nursery consisted of two blocks, on one of which their house was built. They started off with approximately £70 and a 1939 Singer mini-Ute. In the early days most customers came from the farming community. In late 1951 the Parkers purchased to a new site on the corner of High and Osburne Streets. Business went well and in 1957 they purchased the adjoining block. They later demolished the old house on the corner of High Street and Osburne Street, building a new home lower on the same block. As the nursery prospered Stan and Mary built a shop and showrooms with glassed-in portion for the indoor plants and a large shaded area for the display of shrubs. In 1978 they sold the nursery to Mr. & Mrs. John Gale. In 1981 the Wodonga Plant farm was purchased Geoff and Kay Pollard and they moved to its current location at the corner of Beechworth Road and Huon Creek Road. Initially they brought it as an investment but it soon got into their blood and chose to not only continue but expand the nursery and its offerings. This included a large showroom, a water shop which specialises in pool equipment, chemicals and water testing, a children's playground and an outdoor blind centre. Further expansions led to the addition of a Tuscan-style cafe on the site which has become a meeting place. The business was nominated the Yates Victorian Best Garden Centre in Australia for many years and won the award in 1997. In 2024, the Wodonga Plant Farm is still a vibrant and popular business being operated by the Pollard Family.These items are significant because they document the story of respected Wodonga Business which has served the community for over 60 years.A selection of photographs and article documenting the story of the Wodonga Plant Farmearly wodonga businesses, wodonga plant farm, pollard family, geoff and kay pollard

Image of Cocks Pioneer Gold & Tin Mines NL directors with Mrs Molly Moline and children, Dorothy and Geoff. Taken at Sherwood - the mine manager's residence. (1914) Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold & Tin Mine Company was formed in 1899. The company's first power station, located at the eastern end of the valley began operating with its 340 Kilowatt steam-powered generator. By 1909, from 2,500,000 cubic yards worked, reported recovery was 17,284 ounces of gold and 224 tons of tin ore. By 1909, Cocks Pioneer’s power plant had become inadequate and uneconomical. The barge was floated downstream about a mile, but lost time caused the operations to cease. Following testing, a new mine was established by diverting Reid's Creek at a cost of £25 000. Settling dams were built, one of which held 1,935,900 cubic feet. Sold earth banks, built against a wall of stringy bark saplings constructed and laced with vertical props, were built. In 1914, the company was reformed as Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL, another power station was constructed at the western end of the township, near the junction of Clear and Reid's Creeks. From 6,800,000 cubic yards of material processed, the returns were 64,397 ounces of gold and 855 ton of tin. Cocks Pioneer mine then moved the barge downs stream and continued sluicing. In 1929 Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold and Tin Mining Company ceased operations due to a drop in values. Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL carried on large-scale hydraulic sluicing operations until 1941. "COX PIONEER MINE DIRECTORS" top "GEOFF DOR (unclear) TED SHACKLE" bottommine, gold, tin, gold mining, tin mining, cockatoos, sluicing, men, women, children, cocks pioneer, el dorado, eldorado

Altering course of Reedy Creek, El Dorado. Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold & Tin Mine Company was formed in 1899. The company's first power station, located at the eastern end of the valley began operating with its 340 Kilowatt steam-powered generator. By 1909, from 2,500,000 cubic yards worked, reported recovery was 17,284 ounces of gold and 224 tons of tin ore. By 1909, Cocks Pioneer’s power plant had become inadequate and uneconomical. The barge was floated downstream about a mile, but lost time caused the operations to cease. Following testing, a new mine was established by diverting Reid's Creek at a cost of £25 000. Settling dams were built, one of which held 1,935,900 cubic feet. Sold earth banks, built against a wall of stringy bark saplings constructed and laced with vertical props, were built. In 1914, the company was reformed as Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL, another power station was constructed at the western end of the township, near the junction of Clear and Reid's Creeks. From 6,800,000 cubic yards of material processed, the returns were 64,397 ounces of gold and 855 ton of tin. Cocks Pioneer mine then moved the barge downs stream and continued sluicing. In 1929 Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold and Tin Mining Company ceased operations due to a drop in values. Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL carried on large-scale hydraulic sluicing operations until 1941. Handwritten across the front: 'Altering course of creek. Eldorado'mining, gold, tin, sluicing, reedy creek, cocks pioneer, el dorado, eldorado, men, horses

Horse team , Cocks Pioneer Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold & Tin Mine Company was formed in 1899. The company's first power station, located at the eastern end of the valley began operating with its 340 Kilowatt steam-powered generator. By 1909, from 2,500,000 cubic yards worked, reported recovery was 17 284 ounces of gold and 224 tons of tin ore. By 1909, Cocks Pioneer’s power plant had become inadequate and uneconomical. The barge was floated downstream about a mile, but lost time caused the operations to cease. Following testing, a new mine was established by diverting Reid's Creek at a cost of £25,000. Settling dams were built, one of which held 1,935,900 cubic feet. Sold earth banks, built against a wall of stringy bark saplings constructed and laced with vertical props, were built. In 1914, the company was reformed as Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL, another power station was constructed at the western end of the township, near the junction of Clear and Reid's Creeks. From 6,800,000 cubic yards of material processed, the returns were 64,397 ounces of gold and 855 ton of tin. Cocks Pioneer mine then moved the barge downs stream and continued sluicing. In 1929 Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold and Tin Mining Company ceased operations due to a drop in values. Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL carried on large-scale hydraulic sluicing operations until 1941. mining, gold, tin, sluicing, men, cocks pioneer, el dorado, eldorado, horses, gold mining, tin mining

Cocks Pioneer Mine El Dorado, Power Station No. 2 was established in 1914 and located near junction of Reid's and Clear Creeks, Byawatha. Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold & Tin Mine Company was formed in 1899. The company's first power station, located at the eastern end of the valley began operating with its 340 Kilowatt steam-powered generator. By 1909, from 2,500,000 cubic yards worked, reported recovery was 17,284 ounces of gold and 224 tons of tin ore. By 1909, Cocks Pioneer’s power plant had become inadequate and uneconomical. The barge was floated downstream about a mile, but lost time caused the operations to cease. Following testing, a new mine was established by diverting Reid's Creek at a cost of £25,000. Settling dams were built, one of which held 1,935,900 cubic feet. Sold earth banks, built against a wall of stringy bark saplings constructed and laced with vertical props, were built. In 1914, the company was reformed as Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL, another power station was constructed at the western end of the township, near the junction of Clear and Reid's Creeks. From 6,800,000 cubic yards of material processed, the returns were 64,397 ounces of gold and 855 ton of tin. Cocks Pioneer mine then moved the barge downs stream and continued sluicing. In 1929 Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold and Tin Mining Company ceased operations due to a drop in values. Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL carried on large-scale hydraulic sluicing operations until 1941. Handwritten on front: 'THE POWER STN COCKS, PIONEER MINE, ELDORADO' / 'THELMA STUDIO / [underlined] WANGARATTA'mining, gold, tin, cocks pioneer, power, sluicing, el dorado, eldorado, byawatha, thelma studios, wangaratta, gold mining, tin mining, reid's creek, clear creek

Cocks Pioneer Creek Diversion. Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold & Tin Mine Company was formed in 1899. The company's first power station, located at the eastern end of the valley began operating with its 340 Kilowatt steam-powered generator. By 1909, from 2,500,000 cubic yards worked, reported recovery was 17,284 ounces of gold and 224 tons of tin ore. By 1909, Cocks Pioneer’s power plant had become inadequate and uneconomical. The barge was floated downstream about a mile, but lost time caused the operations to cease. Following testing, a new mine was established by diverting Reid's Creek at a cost of £25,000. Settling dams were built, one of which held 1,935,900 cubic feet. Sold earth banks, built against a wall of stringy bark saplings constructed and laced with vertical props, were built. In 1914, the company was reformed as Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL, another power station was constructed at the western end of the township, near the junction of Clear and Reid's Creeks. From 6,800,000 cubic yards of material processed, the returns were 64,397 ounces of gold and 855 ton of tin. Cocks Pioneer mine then moved the barge downs stream and continued sluicing. In 1929 Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold and Tin Mining Company ceased operations due to a drop in values. Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL carried on large-scale hydraulic sluicing operations until 1941. mining, gold, tin, cocks pioneer, creek, gold mining, tin mining, el dorado, eldorado

Men at Work on the Tail Race, Cocks Pioneer Mine, El Dorado. Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold & Tin Mine Company was formed in 1899. The company's first power station, located at the eastern end of the valley began operating with its 340 Kilowatt steam-powered generator. By 1909, from 2,500,000 cubic yards worked, reported recovery was 17,284 ounces of gold and 224 tons of tin ore. By 1909, Cocks Pioneer’s power plant had become inadequate and uneconomical. The barge was floated downstream about a mile, but lost time caused the operations to cease. Following testing, a new mine was established by diverting Reid's Creek at a cost of £25,000. Settling dams were built, one of which held 1,935,900 cubic feet. Sold earth banks, built against a wall of stringy bark saplings constructed and laced with vertical props, were built. In 1914, the company was reformed as Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL, another power station was constructed at the western end of the township, near the junction of Clear and Reid's Creeks. From 6,800,000 cubic yards of material processed, the returns were 64,397 ounces of gold and 855 ton of tin. Cocks Pioneer mine then moved the barge downs stream and continued sluicing. In 1929 Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold and Tin Mining Company ceased operations due to a drop in values. Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL carried on large-scale hydraulic sluicing operations until 1941. Handwritten across the front: 'Cocks Pioneer Mine Eldorado MEN AT WORK ON THE TAIL RACE' / 'THELMA STUDIO / [underlined] WANGARATTA.mining, gold, tin, gold mining, tin mining, cocks pioneer, men, thelma studios, wangaratta, el dorado, eldorado

Cocks Pioneer Pipes and Open Cut. Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold & Tin Mine Company was formed in 1899. The company's first power station, located at the eastern end of the valley began operating with its 340 Kilowatt steam-powered generator. By 1909, from 2,500,000 cubic yards worked, reported recovery was 17,284 ounces of gold and 224 tons of tin ore. By 1909, Cocks Pioneer’s power plant had become inadequate and uneconomical. The barge was floated downstream about a mile, but lost time caused the operations to cease. Following testing, a new mine was established by diverting Reid's Creek at a cost of £25,000. Settling dams were built, one of which held 1,935,900 cubic feet. Sold earth banks, built against a wall of stringy bark saplings constructed and laced with vertical props, were built. In 1914, the company was reformed as Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL, another power station was constructed at the western end of the township, near the junction of Clear and Reid's Creeks. From 6,800,000 cubic yards of material processed, the returns were 64 397 ounces of gold and 855 ton of tin. Cocks Pioneer mine then moved the barge downs stream and continued sluicing. In 1929 Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold and Tin Mining Company ceased operations due to a drop in values. Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL carried on large-scale hydraulic sluicing operations until 1941. mining, gold, tin, open cut, sluicing, gold mining, tin mining, cocks pioneer, el dorado, eldorado

Cocks Pioneer New Engines, c. 1934. Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold & Tin Mine Company was formed in 1899. The company's first power station, located at the eastern end of the valley began operating with its 340 Kilowatt steam-powered generator. By 1909, from 2,500,000 cubic yards worked, reported recovery was 17,284 ounces of gold and 224 tons of tin ore. By 1909, Cocks Pioneer’s power plant had become inadequate and uneconomical. The barge was floated downstream about a mile, but lost time caused the operations to cease. Following testing, a new mine was established by diverting Reid's Creek at a cost of £25,000. Settling dams were built, one of which held 1,935,900 cubic feet. Sold earth banks, built against a wall of stringy bark saplings constructed and laced with vertical props, were built. In 1914, the company was reformed as Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL, another power station was constructed at the western end of the township, near the junction of Clear and Reid's Creeks. From 6,800,000 cubic yards of material processed, the returns were 64 397 ounces of gold and 855 ton of tin. Cocks Pioneer mine then moved the barge downs stream and continued sluicing. In 1929 Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold and Tin Mining Company ceased operations due to a drop in values. Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL carried on large-scale hydraulic sluicing operations until 1941. mining, gold, tin, engine, electricity, gold mining, tin mining, cocks pioneer, el dorado, eldorado

Cocks Pioneer Ponds, c. 1930s. Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold & Tin Mine Company was formed in 1899. The company's first power station, located at the eastern end of the valley began operating with its 340 Kilowatt steam-powered generator. By 1909, from 2,500,000 cubic yards worked, reported recovery was 17,284 ounces of gold and 224 tons of tin ore. By 1909, Cocks Pioneer’s power plant had become inadequate and uneconomical. The barge was floated downstream about a mile, but lost time caused the operations to cease. Following testing, a new mine was established by diverting Reid's Creek at a cost of £25,000. Settling dams were built, one of which held 1,935,900 cubic feet. Sold earth banks, built against a wall of stringy bark saplings constructed and laced with vertical props, were built. In 1914, the company was reformed as Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL, another power station was constructed at the western end of the township, near the junction of Clear and Reid's Creeks. From 6,800,000 cubic yards of material processed, the returns were 64 397 ounces of gold and 855 ton of tin. Cocks Pioneer mine then moved the barge downs stream and continued sluicing. In 1929 Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold and Tin Mining Company ceased operations due to a drop in values. Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL carried on large-scale hydraulic sluicing operations until 1941. mining, gold, tin, gold mining, tin mining, cocks pioneer, el dorado, eldorado

Cocks Pioneer Ponds from Monument Hill. Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold & Tin Mine Company was formed in 1899. The company's first power station, located at the eastern end of the valley began operating with its 340 Kilowatt steam-powered generator. By 1909, from 2,500,000 cubic yards worked, reported recovery was 17,284 ounces of gold and 224 tons of tin ore. By 1909, Cocks Pioneer’s power plant had become inadequate and uneconomical. The barge was floated downstream about a mile, but lost time caused the operations to cease. Following testing, a new mine was established by diverting Reid's Creek at a cost of £25,000. Settling dams were built, one of which held 1,935,900 cubic feet. Sold earth banks, built against a wall of stringy bark saplings constructed and laced with vertical props, were built. In 1914, the company was reformed as Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL, another power station was constructed at the western end of the township, near the junction of Clear and Reid's Creeks. From 6,800,000 cubic yards of material processed, the returns were 64,397 ounces of gold and 855 ton of tin. Cocks Pioneer mine then moved the barge downs stream and continued sluicing. In 1929 Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold and Tin Mining Company ceased operations due to a drop in values. Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL carried on large-scale hydraulic sluicing operations until 1941. mining, gold, tin, hydraulic, sluicing, gold mining, tin mining, monument hill, cocks pioneer, el dorado, eldorado

Cocks Pioneer Barge. Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold & Tin Mine Company was formed in 1899. The company's first power station, located at the eastern end of the valley began operating with its 340 Kilowatt steam-powered generator. By 1909, from 2,500,000 cubic yards worked, reported recovery was 17,284 ounces of gold and 224 tons of tin ore. By 1909, Cocks Pioneer’s power plant had become inadequate and uneconomical. The barge was floated downstream about a mile, but lost time caused the operations to cease. Following testing, a new mine was established by diverting Reid's Creek at a cost of £25,000. Settling dams were built, one of which held 1,935,900 cubic feet. Sold earth banks, built against a wall of stringy bark saplings constructed and laced with vertical props, were built. In 1914, the company was reformed as Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL, another power station was constructed at the western end of the township, near the junction of Clear and Reid's Creeks. From 6,800,000 cubic yards of material processed, the returns were 64,397 ounces of gold and 855 ton of tin. Cocks Pioneer mine then moved the barge downs stream and continued sluicing. In 1929 Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold and Tin Mining Company ceased operations due to a drop in values. Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL carried on large-scale hydraulic sluicing operations until 1941. mining, gold, tin, barge, sluicing, gold mining, tin mining, cocks pioneer, el dorado, eldorado