THE Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme was one of the world's engineering wonders, and much of its history can be viewed at the Snowy Scheme Museum in Adaminaby.
This year marks a milestone for the Museum as it celebrates 15 years since its official opening by the Governor-General, Dame Quentin Bryce.
To help commemorate this landmark occasion, the Museum will host an anniversary gathering on October 17 and unveil its latest exhibit, the “Snowy Cottage”, which has been painstakingly restored over the past three years as a real-life exhibit of life in the 1950s and 1960s during the Snowy Mountains Scheme.
The Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme was officially opened at Adaminaby in October 1949 and was completed in 1974. The 25-year construction phase of the Scheme involved 100,000 workers and their families and showcased technological innovations, ingenuity, and construction techniques that are on display at the Snowy Scheme Museum.
The Snowy Scheme Historical Collection commenced in 2002 with the purchase of eight large machinery items, including TD24 and BTD6 bulldozers, a Le Tourneau scraper, a Harman face shovel, an Albion Tipper, a man-haul bus trailer, a tunnel testing dome plug and a V-shaped snow plough. Since then, guided by a commitment to document the history of the Scheme, the collection has grown to include historic vehicles, laboratory equipment, surveying and drafting equipment, artworks, photographs, maps, plans, paper records, books, pamphlets, photographs, newsletters, small tools and equipment, precision instruments, medical equipment, domestic items and much more.
The Museum has a number of recent and valuable additions to its now “Nationally Significant” collection. The collection now numbers more than 6000 items. Other recent display additions to the Museum include large-scale colour photographs mounted on the exterior walls of the buildings, plus a Snowy Scheme design timeline.
Museum President Tim Corkill said, on behalf of the management committee, that he would like to thank everyone who has been involved with the Museum since its inception.
“The Snowy Scheme Museum’s management committees, past and present, are extremely proud of what has been achieved over the past 15 years since the opening of the Museum,” said Mr Corkhill.
“From the earlier period from 2002 to 2011 when the collection was first established and the planning, fundraising and building of the Museum took place, it’s been a long but rewarding journey for all involved, and for Adaminaby.”
“To be able to showcase such an important and historic period in Australian history, here in Adaminaby, it's fantastic. And we have really appreciated everyone who has visited in that time, and for their admiration of the Museum’s collection.”
It’s a fascinating insight into the Scheme, and for anyone touring the region, it’s a must-visit.
Your Official Invitation
Saturday 17 October - 11am
Everyone is invited to attend the anniversary, starting at 11am with official proceedings, followed by refreshments and a tour of the Museum. The Museum is open on weekends or by appointment, with details on its website.
You can visit the Museum on weekends or by special appointment.
Details on the website here
