Historical information

This VHS was produced by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria, to show the pristine state of the Kiewa River and Valley post the completion of the Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme (Circa 1950s), The late 1970s on wards was the beginning of deeper social scrutineering by pro environmental groups such as the Australian Wilderness Society (1976) and the Greens (political Party), before, during and after the construction phases of any man made structures in forest/bush areas which may or could damage or adversely affect the natural flora and fauna of sites. This promotional VHS, which was produced in the 1990s, was to project that unlike the Tasmanian State Electricity Commission (Franklin Dam issue), the Victorian State Electricity Commission acted in a way to protect the environment to the maximum level possible. With the passage of time since, and the issue of the global push to minimise carbon pollution, and as an alternative to coal fired power stations, the use of hydro electricity can now be seen as a highly efficient alternative to "coal powered" electricity.

Significance

This VHS is a snap shot in time (1990) when the Kiewa Valley was still relatively under populated and holiday houses owned by city bound workers was still relatively insignificant. As more and more holiday makers retire to a small but friendly region(Kiewa Valley and Mount Beauty) the increase in visitor numbers will affect the local rural bush scene more and more. The changes that will occur (in time) can be measured against the scenes presented in this video. The additional resources provided by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria of "alpine bush" fire control and management, together with an ongoing educational scheme for school children in learning about what constitutes the Alpine country's unique environment, are a very important offshoot, benefitting to both the communities within the Kiewa Valley and regional Victoria.

Physical description

This VHS tape is stored within its own plastic cover which has a front side covered by a coloured photograph(both front and back cover) of the Kiewa River, just to the north east of the Mount Beauty township. The VHS tape is nestled within a formed inner structure which not only prevents the tape from moving to and fro but also unnecessary intrusion of foreign particles.

Inscriptions & markings

Front cover "KIEWA" on the spine top circle with lines projecting out and below this "SEC". Middle of spine "KIEWA" and bottom of spine "VHS"