Historical information
A short distance upstream from the old wooden Warrandyte Bridge, the Yarra river was at one time dammed to give power to a large wooden waterwheel which drove a plant for crushing gold. Up until around 1908 the waters of the Yarra, pent up by a stone weir, forced their way past this old wheel turning it to crush the precious quartz. In 1925 the reamins of the State Battery were removed. The large water wheel (thanks to the forethought of a local resident, Mr. P. Mackie) was left in its position.
Significance
This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.'
It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.
Physical description
Digital image
4 x 5 inch B&W Neg
Subjects
References
- WARRANDYTE. (1918, November 30). The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), p. 32. Photo of the water wheel - Relic of the field: remains of battery 1918
- ROUND ABOUT WARRANDYTE. (1928, January 28). The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), p. 67 Photo - The old water whell at Warrandyte 1928 - At its broadest part, before entering the township from Ringwood, the river was at one time dammed to give power to a large wooden waterwheel which drove a plant for crushing gold. As recently as 20 years ago the waters of the Yarra, pent up by a stone weir, forced their way past this old wheel turning it to crush the precious quartz. Now only the scaffolding remains: the last of the picturesque wheel fell to pieces only a few years ago. A short distance down stream you come to a high wooden bridge, which has all the charm of other days, and only wants a swaying bullock team crossing it to make a perfect picture.
- WARRANDYTE. (1925, October 16). Box Hill Reporter (Vic. : 1925 - 1930), p. 3. The State battery, which has been idle on the banks of the Yarra for some time, is now being removed. It is a pity that our old landmark should disappear. A successful effort has been made in retaining the large water wheel (thanks to the forethought of a local resident, Mr. P. Mackie). The wheel will be left in its present position.
