Historical information
This photograph was taken in the 1960s at Lake Sambell and is a view across the lake from the east side, the photo was taken during a period of improvements to the lake and surrounding area.
Lake Sambell is an artificial lake that was created on the site of the old Rocky Mountain Mining Company workings and was officially opened by Minister for Lands, Mr Baily, on October 5, 1928. The disused and unattractive remains of the mine were converted into a recreational area intended for swimming, boating, and fishing. The lake is named after Mr L.H. Sambell, shire engineer and secretary of the Forward Beechworth Committee, who advocated for the enhancement of Beechworth into a tourist destination and was central to the planning and establishment of the lake. Funding for the project was raised through both competition funds and donations.
Since the construction in 1928 several engineering issues have arisen. In 1939 the water levels were low, and the lake was considered both an eyesore and ‘mudhole’, Beechworth Shire Council sort funding to raise the height of the lake six feet to improve the quality of water. Throughout the 1940s the Beechworth Swimming Club sort to address the structural engineering issues and improve swimming facilities at the lake.
R.E. Carter, similar to L.H. Sambell, was a shire engineer who advocated the importance of positioning Beechworth as a tourist destination. Carter held the position of shire engineer from 1954-63 and organised many improvements to the Lake Sambell area including the caravan park in 1959, the lake swimming pool in 1961, water skiing and boating facilities, and increased the lake surface area in 1964. These improvements to the lake also reflect an increase in leisure time and access to travel during a period of post-war prosperity in Australia during the 1950s and 60s.
Significance
This photograph is of historical significance as it documents Lake Sambell in the 1960s after a series of enhancements to the lake area to improve its appearance and usability for both the people of Beechworth and tourists. It is also of social significance in providing an insight into the increase in leisure time and access to travel during a period of post-war prosperity.
Physical description
Black and white rectangle photograph printed on photographic paper and unmounted.
Inscriptions & markings
Reverse:
3534
C798
Subjects
- lake sambell,
- l.h. sambell,
- r.e. carter,
- rocky mountain mining company,
- forward beechworth committee,
- beechworth swimming club,
- wallace park lake sambell development scheme,
- lake sambell caravan park,
- beechworth 1960s,
- lake sambell swimming pool,
- lake sambell boating,
- lake sambell fishing,
- swimming,
- boating,
- water skiing,
- fishing,
- post-war prosperity,
- minister of lands,
- artificial lake,
- open cut sluice mine,
- lake
References
- Beechworth: A Titan's Field by Carole Woods ISBN/ISSN: 0 949905 25 9 Information on L.H. Sambell advocating for the development of the lake, and R.E. Carter's improvements to the lake in the 1950s and 60s (p188,190)
- LAKE SAMBELL-WALLACE PARK DEVELOPMENT, Boarder Morning Mail, 10 December 1947 Proposed improvements to the lake and fundraising in 1947
- BEECHWORTH MUD HOLE, Boarder Morning Mail, 27 June 1938 Lake described as Mudhole in 1938
- Improvements to Lake Sambell : Grant to be Utilised, Boarder Morning Mail, 7 June 1939 Grant to improve water condition in 1939
- Beechworth Shire Council, Boarder Morning Mail, 14 November 1944 Beechworth Swimming club advocating for development of swimming pool area
- MR. BAILEY AT BEECHWORTH, The Argus, 6 October 1928 Opening of lake in 1928
- Propert 'Trailaway' touring caravan, a unique example built by the company in 1956 for advertising purposes The caravan and post-war recreation, travel, and leisure
