Historical information
Taken on 25 October 1930, various houses with the Hume Dam under construction are depicted in the background.
The construction of the Hume Dam took place from 1919 to 1936. At the time of construction, it was the second largest dam in the world. It was also one of the earliest civil projects developed after the Federation. Some of the Dam workers consisted of World War I veterans. Dam workers often settled their families in Mitta Junction Village and Wodonga.
Archaeological surveys were completed by Austral Archaeology, which was done when the Department of Land & Water Conservation was doing work to improve Hume Dam. The archaeological report that came out of the survey recommended three sites of interest where archaeological excavation should be done: Camp Ganger’s Quarters, Stableman’s Quarters, and the Industrial Dump. The excavation uncovered artefacts.
Mitta Mitta:
Mitta Mitta is situated between Mount Welcome and Mount Misery. It is named after the river that explorers Hume and Hovell discovered in 1824. The town would eventually become a huge gold mining town.
Mitta Mitta is called Midamodunga by the local Indigenous peoples
Wodonga:
Wodonga is situated on the Murray River and is part of North East Victoria.
Hume and Hovell:
Hamilton Hume (1979-1873) and William Hilton Hovell (1786-1875).
W. H. Hovell was born in Norfolk England and Hume was born in Parramatta, New South Wales
Hovell and Hume undertook an exploration journey in 1824 and thought they discovered a river, which turned out to be the Murray River. They returned home in 1825, but returned to the area in 1826 and discovered coal in the area.
Significance
This photo is historically significant as it shows the Hume Dam under construction in 1930. The Dam was named after Hamilton Hume, who is an important historical figure for this area as he helped discover the area where resources were found.
Physical description
Black and white rectangular photograph printer unmounted
Inscriptions & markings
Reverse:
84-20-1/
1997.3147
Subjects
- construction,
- houses,
- veterans,
- mitta junction village,
- hume dam,
- world war i,
- federation,
- wodonga,
- archaeological survey,
- excavation,
- austral archaeology,
- department of land & water conservation,
- camp ganger's quarter's,
- stableman's quarters,
- industrial dump,
- artefacts,
- mitta mitta,
- mount welcome,
- mount misery,
- murray river,
- hamilton hume,
- william hilton hovell,
- hume and hovell expedition
References
- Title Victorian Heritage Database- Hume Dam Construction Camp- History, Archaeological Significance, Historical Significance, Interpretation of Site History of Hume Dam Construction Camp
- Mitta Mitta webpage- History of the town Mitta Mitta History of Mitta Mitta
- City of Wodonga- Our City- Location of Wodonga Location of Wodonga
- Victorian Heritage Database- Hume and Hovell Monument- Statement of Significance Hume and Hovell expeditions
- Australian Dictionary of Biography- Hume, Hamilton (1797-1873) The life and history of Hamilton Hume
- Australian Dictionary of Biography- Hovell, William Hilton (1786-1875) The life and history of William Hilton Hovell
