Historical information

Landholders installed windmills to draw underground water supplies to the surface in areas with the windmill becoming an iconic status in Australian culture, symbolising triumph over natural barriers to settler ambition. Comet Windmills was founded in Rockhampton, Queensland in 1879 by Sidney Williams and the Comet became known as "Australia's Leading Mill". The windmill is a vital farming tool as it assists with agriculture, irrigation, and water supply and this windmill drew water from the 'Windmill Dam' for decades before Churchill Island's acquisition by Victorian Conservation Trust in 1976.
In 1981, VCT invited BP Westernport Refinery Manager, John Shawley, to inspect the windmill with view of restoration. This was then done through the next year, as BP Social Club Members (including engineers, managers, and accountants) restored the pump, wheel, tower and piping. The wheel itself was lowered to the ground through a jury mast. The pressure from the windmill is weak but the extracted water was found to be brackish and excessively salty.

Significance

This windmill is anecdotally the oldest working mill of its model in Gippsland. Its connection to Churchill Island is vital as it has been a fixture for the last 80 years.

Physical description

Complete water-boring windmill on metal stand, with vane at head and pumphouse at base.

Inscriptions & markings

COMET