Historical information

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)

Significance

These newspapers are contemporary records of a significant local event.

Physical description

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.