1960's Electric Memories
In February 1960, the Australian and United States Governments formally agreed to co-operate in space flight programs, which were being conducted by the US. Following the agreement, tracking stations were established in Australia at Woomera (South Australia), Carnarvon (Western Australia), Tidbinbilla and the Orroral Valley (Australian Capital Territory). A tracking station at Cooby Creek, near Toowoomba in Queensland was also later constructed as part of a world wide satellite-tracking network.
To provide electricity for the many and various pieces of equipment at the Cooby Creek tracking station, power was supplied by four turbo-generators, with one extra for emergency use. Plans were for six generators eventually – two at 250 kW and two 150 kW gas turbines. Two additional 250 kW diesel generators would be kept for emergencies. Supply from Southern Electric Authority of Queensland (SEA) was also available to power the site’s Australian office and canteen facilities, trailers, external lights and water and sewerage systems.
1960: Koombooloomba Dam
Koombooloomba Dam was handed over to the Cairns REB by the Premier, the Hon. Mr. Nicklin, at an official ceremony on 11 September, 1960.
A large party of official guests and visitors watched as the Premier, the Hon. Mr. G.F.R. Nicklin pressed a switch that sent a huge jet of roaring water from the dam in to the Tully River below. During his opening speech, Mr. Nicklin pointed out one of the unique features of the dam. Naturally-formed local pozzolanic material was used as a partial replacement of cement. It was the first time this new technique had been incorporated into a dam construction in Australia.
Tannum Sands and Goovigen: December 1960
In December, 1960, Tannum Sands and Goovigen received power and Boyne Island was supplied early in 1961. Goovigen’s Switch-on Ceremony was performed by Mr. V. Jones, M.L.A., in the first week of December and brought power initially to 30 consumers. Around 400 people had gathered for the occasion. They heard Mr. Jones explain that Goovigen’s residents would be paying the same rate for electricity as those in Rockhampton, which was a great achievement for CREB. It was possible with a system of uniform tariff to areas reticulated from the Rockhampton Central Generating Station. Celebrations at Tannum Sands coincided with the town’s Christmas events, with the switch-on performed a few days before Christmas Eve. Around 100 homes were connected for the holiday season. When rural power came to small towns, it was a happy occasion to celebrate as the reports of the various switch-on ceremonies disclose.
Dulacca and Drillham switch-on:1961
Saturday, 22 July, 1961 was the day marked for the official Switch-on Ceremony for the two small townships of Dulacca and Drillham. During the afternoon, there was a big programme of events at Dulacca. A ‘monster sports afternoon featuring basketball, softball, football, athletics and a motor gymkhana’ started off the day’s celebrations and a ‘married versus single’ football competition provided extra fun. Since Dulacca was without its public hall following a damaging cyclone in 1960, an evening dance was held at the Drillham Hall after the Switch-on Ceremony in the towns had taken place. The Switch-on for Dulacca was scheduled for 7pm and it was a dual celebration for the town since it was also the opening of the town’s new water scheme. Drillham’s ceremony took place at 10.30pm. The main visiting officials for the day were Mr. W. M. Ewan, M.L.A., who deputised for the Minister for Mines, Main Roads and Electricity for the events and the State Electricity Commissioner, Mr. Neil Smith.
A novel way to link the celebrations in the two towns brought plenty of interaction from the residents. With the kerosene lantern being a symbol of the main form of lighting for the early pioneers, and in order to ‘highlight the advance through the years to the modern age of electric lighting’, following the Switch-on at Dulacca, a team of 28 local runners running half-a-mile each, received a lit lantern and proceeded to Drillham. The Lantern Relay Team comprised footballers, other residents and schoolchildren. The honour of carrying the lantern on its last lap to Drillham Hall, where Drillham’s Switch-on Ceremony took place, was given to Russell Conway, who was the ‘champion of champions’ at the Miles and District School Sports the previous year. The Lantern Relay was clearly an exciting part of the evening. A special ‘burying of the lantern’ ceremony was performed at each town following the switch-on of the lights.
1960s: Cotton Growing in the Darling Downs
By 1871, cotton spread over 15,000 acres in the Moreton and Lockyer areas. It was claimed that in 1960, Queensland was the only state in Australia to produce cotton in commercial quantities.
Electrically-powered irrigation was used extensively to improve productivity in cotton producing areas. The use of ‘irrigated culture’ in Queensland in the 1960s brought a bright new future to the industry. In 1965, irrigation planting of cotton was 4,680 acres; in 1966 it was 6,000 acres and in 1967, almost 9,000 acres.
The High Voltage Testing Laboratory
The rising demand for the testing of higher and higher voltage equipment, led to the University of Queensland and staff from SEA acting as agents for the Electrical Research Board, applying to purchase a power frequency testing transformer set with a capacity of one million volts.
Financial contributions came from the Australian Electrical Industry, the Electricity Supply Association of Australia and the SEA, which also supplied labour. The University of Queensland contributed a substantial amount to house the testing facilities. The equipment was the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.
Three 23-ton transformers and 26 crates of related equipment had to be unloaded from the ship at Brisbane and transported to the University site. The transformers were carried to their destination on three trailers pulled by prime movers. It was an ‘impressive convoy’ of vehicles and equipment.
One of the spheres still had to be delivered to the University from Melbourne. It was unable to be transported by air, since the sphere, being five feet in diameter, could not get through aircraft doorways. Express road transport delivered it to the site, however another problem soon became apparent. None of the engineers or University staff had arms long enough to reach the connections in the centre of the sphere. The issue was solved when a young apprentice, Errol Tomkinson ‘was bundled into the sphere and lifted with it into position. He then made the connections and crawled happily out of his copper shell’.
High above the Tweed River
Arthur Jackson of No. 2 Construction Gang was photographed by the SEA photographer, Max Pierce, while working almost 140 feet above the Tweed River.
Arthur was working on one of two steel towers, which supported the new Coolangatta-Cudgen 33 kV feeder across the Tweed River. It was also part of the first section of steel transmission towers used by SEA. The objective was to deliver an improved supply to the whole of the Tweed Shire and the town of Murwillumbah.
Tannum Sands and Goovigen: December 1960
In December, 1960, Tannum Sands and Goovigen received power and Boyne Island was supplied early in 1961. Goovigen’s Switch-on Ceremony was performed by Mr. V. Jones, M.L.A., in the first week of December and brought power initially to 30 consumers. Around 400 people had gathered for the occasion. They heard Mr. Jones explain that Goovigen’s residents would be paying the same rate for electricity as those in Rockhampton, which was a great achievement for CREB. It was possible with a system of uniform tariff to areas reticulated from the Rockhampton Central Generating Station. Celebrations at Tannum Sands coincided with the town’s Christmas events, with the switch-on performed a few days before Christmas Eve. Around 100 homes were connected for the holiday season. When rural power came to small towns, it was a happy occasion to celebrate as the reports of the various switch-on ceremonies disclose.
May 1960: The Closure of Murwillumbah Power Station
On Sunday 8 May, 1960, the Murwillumbah Power Station ceased to operate and the whole of Tweed Shire was supplied with power from SEA. It ended a 41-year history for the town. Electricity was first made available to consumers in 1919, from plant with an installed capacity of 85 kW. There were around 130 consumers in 1923. A unit of power cost seven pence (7d.) and electric light was one shilling and a penny (1/1d.) per unit.
The demand for electricity increased steadily between 1919 and 1956, when the peak load was 1990 kW. Problems arose when the English Electric turbine broke down and it took 12 months to repair. The SEA came to the rescue. However, in 1957 another crisis happened when the stator of the Metropolitan Vickers set burned out after an electrical storm, which left the power station with only 900 kW of generating plant operable. By the end of 1957, the damaged sets were back in action, which allowed just enough capacity to overcome further breakdowns. The SEA officially took over the responsibility of the Tweed Shire Council Electricity Undertaking on 1 November 1959.
There were mixed feelings from the Murwillumbah community on the closure of the power station. Some were pleased to be ‘free of the inconvenience of falling soot’. Others complained that without the power station ‘whistle’ every morning, they would not know when to get out of bed.
1960: Closure of Sub 22
Substation 22 ‘retired’ after 32 years service in the industry. The substation was originally built by the City Electric Light Company (CEL) in 1929, at Logan Road, to supply the South Brisbane 5kV system. Substation 75 at Wellington Road was built to a ‘modern design’ and took over from the old Logan Road substation.
1960: Work starts on the Barron River Hydro-Electric Project
On 14 August, 1958, the SEC issued an Order-in-Council authorising the construction of the first stage of the extension of the Barron River hydro-electric project. The initial works included the reconstruction of the existing weir above Barron Falls, a new Hydro-Electric Power Station, all intake works and tailrace construction. Outside work included a step-up substation and high voltage transmission lines to Cairns. Transfield Queensland won the contract for the main civil works. A camp with accommodation for 80 men was established and work started on the excavations on 6 October, 1960.
Barcaldine Shire Council and Aramac Shire: 1961
Barcaldine Shire Council took over the operation of the Aramac Powerhouse from 1 July, 1961 with a promise to supply transmitted power to the town. Aramac Shire had been in charge of the electricity supply in Aramac from September, 1952 when the Powerhouse was opened under the SEC small western towns’ electricity scheme. A transmitted supply from Barcaldine would be more reliable for Aramac’s consumers and allow an unrestricted supply for their use. Potential customers along the route of the transmission line would have the opportunity to take on supply to their homes and properties.
1961: Aramac receives supply from Barcaldine Powerhouse
In 1961, Aramac received its electricity from the Barcaldine Powerhouse generators. The plant at the small Aramac Powerhouse needed upgrading and SEC decided to bring the shire under the auspices of Barcaldine Electric Authority for a more reliable supply. It was envisaged that Aramac Shire consumers would have an unlimited supply for domestic and industrial use instead of the restrictions they had to endure in the past. Inquiries for power connections were being received from graziers up to 20 miles (32 km) away from the town before the Switch-on Ceremony took place.
The supply to Aramac was planned to be switched on at a ceremony in the Memorial Park at Aramac in the first few days of July, 1961. However, the week before the ceremony was due to take place, the generating plant at Aramac’s Powerhouse failed and could not be brought back into service quickly enough to avoid inconvenience to consumers. Barcaldine’s generators came to the rescue and brought the line into service before schedule.
The official Switch-on Ceremony happened on the due date and following the usual speeches by representatives from SEC and the Barcaldine Shire Council, the Aramac Council provided a supper for the guests.
Roma: 1961
Roma Power Station was converted to natural gas. It was the first power station in Queensland to use this type of fuel for its plant.
Arthur Jackson of No. 2 Construction Gang was photographed by the SEA photographer, Max Pierce, while working almost 140 feet above the Tweed River.
Arthur was working on one of two steel towers, which supported the new Coolangatta-Cudgen 33 kV feeder across the Tweed River. It was also part of the first section of steel transmission towers used by SEA. The objective was to deliver an improved supply to the whole of the Tweed Shire and the town of Murwillumbah.
Tannum Sands and Goovigen: December 1960
In December, 1960, Tannum Sands and Goovigen received power and Boyne Island was supplied early in 1961. Goovigen’s Switch-on Ceremony was performed by Mr. V. Jones, M.L.A., in the first week of December and brought power initially to 30 consumers. Around 400 people had gathered for the occasion. They heard Mr. Jones explain that Goovigen’s residents would be paying the same rate for electricity as those in Rockhampton, which was a great achievement for CREB. It was possible with a system of uniform tariff to areas reticulated from the Rockhampton Central Generating Station. Celebrations at Tannum Sands coincided with the town’s Christmas events, with the switch-on performed a few days before Christmas Eve. Around 100 homes were connected for the holiday season. When rural power came to small towns, it was a happy occasion to celebrate as the reports of the various switch-on ceremonies disclose.
May 1960: The Closure of Murwillumbah Power Station
On Sunday 8 May, 1960, the Murwillumbah Power Station ceased to operate and the whole of Tweed Shire was supplied with power from SEA. It ended a 41-year history for the town. Electricity was first made available to consumers in 1919, from plant with an installed capacity of 85 kW. There were around 130 consumers in 1923. A unit of power cost seven pence (7d.) and electric light was one shilling and a penny (1/1d.) per unit.
The demand for electricity increased steadily between 1919 and 1956, when the peak load was 1990 kW. Problems arose when the English Electric turbine broke down and it took 12 months to repair. The SEA came to the rescue. However, in 1957 another crisis happened when the stator of the Metropolitan Vickers set burned out after an electrical storm, which left the power station with only 900 kW of generating plant operable. By the end of 1957, the damaged sets were back in action, which allowed just enough capacity to overcome further breakdowns. The SEA officially took over the responsibility of the Tweed Shire Council Electricity Undertaking on 1 November 1959.
There were mixed feelings from the Murwillumbah community on the closure of the power station. Some were pleased to be ‘free of the inconvenience of falling soot’. Others complained that without the power station ‘whistle’ every morning, they would not know when to get out of bed.
1960: Closure of Sub 22
Substation 22 ‘retired’ after 32 years service in the industry. The substation was originally built by the City Electric Light Company (CEL) in 1929, at Logan Road, to supply the South Brisbane 5kV system. Substation 75 at Wellington Road was built to a ‘modern design’ and took over from the old Logan Road substation.
1960: Work starts on the Barron River Hydro-Electric Project
On 14 August, 1958, the SEC issued an Order-in-Council authorising the construction of the first stage of the extension of the Barron River hydro-electric project. The initial works included the reconstruction of the existing weir above Barron Falls, a new Hydro-Electric Power Station, all intake works and tailrace construction. Outside work included a step-up substation and high voltage transmission lines to Cairns. Transfield Queensland won the contract for the main civil works. A camp with accommodation for 80 men was established and work started on the excavations on 6 October, 1960.
Barcaldine Shire Council and Aramac Shire: 1961
Barcaldine Shire Council took over the operation of the Aramac Powerhouse from 1 July, 1961 with a promise to supply transmitted power to the town. Aramac Shire had been in charge of the electricity supply in Aramac from September, 1952 when the Powerhouse was opened under the SEC small western towns’ electricity scheme. A transmitted supply from Barcaldine would be more reliable for Aramac’s consumers and allow an unrestricted supply for their use. Potential customers along the route of the transmission line would have the opportunity to take on supply to their homes and properties.
1961: Aramac receives supply from Barcaldine Powerhouse
In 1961, Aramac received its electricity from the Barcaldine Powerhouse generators. The plant at the small Aramac Powerhouse needed upgrading and SEC decided to bring the shire under the auspices of Barcaldine Electric Authority for a more reliable supply. It was envisaged that Aramac Shire consumers would have an unlimited supply for domestic and industrial use instead of the restrictions they had to endure in the past. Inquiries for power connections were being received from graziers up to 20 miles (32 km) away from the town before the Switch-on Ceremony took place.
The supply to Aramac was planned to be switched on at a ceremony in the Memorial Park at Aramac in the first few days of July, 1961. However, the week before the ceremony was due to take place, the generating plant at Aramac’s Powerhouse failed and could not be brought back into service quickly enough to avoid inconvenience to consumers. Barcaldine’s generators came to the rescue and brought the line into service before schedule.
The official Switch-on Ceremony happened on the due date and following the usual speeches by representatives from SEC and the Barcaldine Shire Council, the Aramac Council provided a supper for the guests.
Roma: 1961
Roma Power Station was converted to natural gas. It was the first power station in Queensland to use this type of fuel for its plant.
Warwick Centenary: 1961
There were plenty of events to highlight the important occasion. To tell the story of electricity in Warwick, the SEA placed many items of historical interest in with its other displays at the SEA Warwick Showrooms in Palmerin Street from 12 October to 30 October, 1961. In the courtyard behind the Showroom, the staff had put together a display of electrically-operated equipment suitable for rural properties and farms. Inside the Showrooms there was a section on changing lighting designs since 1878, which included samples of the earliest lighting from SEA’s historical collection. In another section, early refrigerators, stoves, sewing machines, heaters and other appliances were placed side-by-side with their ‘modern counterparts’ for comparison. For additional contextual interest, an excellent display of historical photographs of the Warwick area was loaned to the SEA from Haig’s Studio in Warwick. The photographs were very popular with visitors to the Showroom. To illustrate the popularity of the SEA display, in one evening session on 27 October, about 1,000 people came to view the exhibits at the Showrooms.
Moogerah Dam
The construction of Moogerah Dam, situated in the Fassifern Valley, near Boonah and south of Ipswich began in 1960. The name, Moogerah, means ‘home of the thunderstorm’. A significant aspect of the Moogerah Dam Project was the plan to provide water storage, which, it was said, would be of ‘immense benefit to one of Queensland’s richest primary productive areas’. Engineers described the Dam as ‘a thin double curvature concrete arch’, the first of its kind in Queensland. It was the SEA’s responsibility to supply power for the construction work, the giant gravel crushers, concrete plant and the cableway for the site.
1961: Stanthorpe Showground Floodlights
The Stanthorpe Show on 3 February 1961 boasted a new electric lighting system, which proved invaluable for the evening and night time events. The Queensland Governor, Sir Henry Abel Smith, conducted the ceremony of switching on the lights. The new floodlighting for the Stanthorpe Showground comprised fourteen 35 feet poles, each of which was equipped with two 750-watt floodlights in angled parabolic reflectors.
Mr Mort of Wylie Creek donated the poles and carted them, free of charge, to the timber mill of Howard & Sons, Stanthorpe. Members of the Show Committee trimmed the poles, which were then erected by the SEA.
1961: New Southern Electric Authority (SEA) Headquarters in Gympie
At the official opening of a new modern design SEA district headquarters in Nash Street, Gympie, the SEA’s Chairman, Mr Corser, said that it was satisfying to know that the SEA contributed to the economic growth of the Gympie district ‘by providing and extending power supply for farms, industries, businesses and homes’. The new SEA building was erected over the site of the gas producer plant, which remained after the old Gympie Powerhouse closed down.
1961: More Power for Bribie Island
An ‘unusual job’ was carried out in the Bribie Passage in 1961 when two 11kV cables were located and relaid in a new position. The reason for the task was to ensure that the cables were clear of the impending work to be undertaken for the construction of the Toorbul Point to Bribie Island Bridge. Taking advantage of the opportunity and to provide for the anticipated rise in demand for electricity, SEA installed an additional 33kV submarine cable and energised it at 11kV at the same time as relaying the old cables.
The SEA Metropolitan Underground Mains section undertook the ‘complicated operation’ during May and June in 1961. The weight of the cable alone made it a difficult task. It was the longest cable laid by the SEA up to that time. The barge for laying the cable was taken to Brisbane where the drum of cable was loaded on to it at the Hamilton Wharf. The barge then began its journey to Bribie Island.
The Bribie Island-end of the cable was brought to shore at around 8.30am and the barge crossed over to Toorbul with the other end of the cable to land around mid-day.
When the 33kV cable was jointed and commissioned, ‘the really ticklish part of the operation started’. The two 11kV cables had been lying at the bottom of the Passage since 1953, subject to sand and tide movements, and the anchors from fishing boats. Recovery of the old cables was problematic and to add to the task, the cables had to be wound on to a drum on the barge, one by one. About half way across, it was discovered that a sandbank had formed over the cables, which was at least ‘11 ft deep and 50 yards across’. It took high-powered jets of water to break away the sandbank from the cables bit by bit. It was a slow process. However, when the cables were finally released, they were in good condition except for the outer layer of each, which were damaged by marine growth. The cables were recovered together with 22 anchors of various sizes, which were found hooked on to the cables, and once disentangled, the cables were successfully relaid.
The work was necessary to clear the way for a new bridge access across the Bribie Passage to the Island and to supply anticipated extra demand for electricity.
1961: Significant Developments at Ipswich
The SEA reported steady progress in the development of plans for the construction of Queensland’s biggest Power Station at Swanbank, near Ipswich. It was envisaged that the final project would have a capacity of 360 megawatts, which would be realised by the commissioning of ‘six turbo-alternators, each of 60 megawatt, with steam generating units and other associated equipment’. The Swanbank Power Station would be the first major power station in Queensland to be built close to a coal field.
1961: Natural Gas for Roma Powerhouse
Approval had been given by the State Electricity Commission (SEC) for a trial using natural gas in engines installed at Roma Powerhouse. The decision followed the completion of two pipelines to carry natural gas from Hospital Hill and Timbury Hill to the powerhouse in 1960. Pressure was reduced at the Borehead before entering the pipeline and again before entry to the powerhouse. The gas was passed through devices designed to remove moisture before its final journey to the engines. Being the first time that gas would be used commercially for power generation in Queensland, the SEC stated that it would be an historic occasion when the gas was turned on.
Before the official turning-on ceremony, which was scheduled to take place by His Excellency, the Governor of Queensland, Sir Henry Abel Smith on 19 April, 1961, it was arranged that natural gas at the Hospital Hill Borehead would be lit as a point of interest for the Governor. Following a tour of inspection of the Timbury Hill Bore, the official party would move on to the Hospital Hill site where natural gas from the Borehead would be flared. On the morning of the turning-on ceremony, a gas jet was set alight and a flame shot up ‘25 feet into the air with a roar’. At the Borehead, the Governor spent most of the time asking questions, and Mr. Roy Richter, Manager for Mines Administration Ltd., explained the workings of the Borehead to him. The press commented that the Governor displayed his well-known ‘Duke of Edinburgh touch’ by asking so many technical questions. Following his tour, the Governor continued on to the powerhouse for the official ceremony.
Hundreds of children and adults gathered outside the Roma Powerhouse to watch the Governor turn the valve outside the powerhouse to provide the gas for the engines. In his speech, the Governor, acknowledging the historic occasion for Roma and for Australia, said that it was a great achievement to harness the natural gas flow for the creation of power. At 11.18am, the Governor turned the valve to switch on the gas flow to Roma Powerhouse. However, the most significant historical event took place inside the powerhouse, when the Governor, with three other people to witness the act, threw the switch to convert the main generator from oil-burning to natural gas fuel.
1961
In 1961, a 22kV transmision line to Augathella from Charleville was started ready for completion and commissioning in 1962-3. When the transmission line was energised to Augathella, it was expected that the small Powerhouse would be closed and surplus plant redistributed to other centres. It was planned that the closure of the Morven Powerhouse would follow when the line was energised to Morven from Charleville.
1962: 110kV line
The 110kV double-circuit steel tower transmission line from Rocklea to Bunyaville was the first of its type in South-east Queensland. It was claimed that the project paved the way for rapid development and reinforcement of the power transmission system.
Mr. Colin Morwood wrote a detailed technical article for the SEA News describing the planning and construction of the project. However, he ended by commenting that another story could be told about the experiences of the construction gangs and other personnel. His comments are worth repeating in full for an insight into the comradeship of the Construction Gangs who worked hard, often in dangerous conditions, to bring electricity into industries, farms and homes.
Such a story would tell of the unwitting transport of snakes, pulling-up of conductor complete with grimly hanging-on Italian…everyday pantomimes involving language (swearing in Italian is very complicated), food (a bottle of beer per man per day standard issue for lunch, HUGE meals at the camp in the evening), singing (‘O Solo Mio’ floating down from the tower tops), and all the other side effects and issues that make a job not just a project to be completed but a worthwhile, lasting and satisfying experience.
1962: Maidenwell Lights-On Ceremony
Maidenwell, near Nanango, did not receive its supply until May, 1962. A report in the local newspaper in December, 1961, offered hope to residents in the Maidenwell and Neumgna area that supply was imminent to 15 consumers. The line to supply consumers in Merlwood, Cloyna and Windera had been completed. Poles were being delivered for the Speedwell and Abbeywood line and surveys were being conducted in the Brigooda, Durong and Chahpingah areas. Excitement mounted as the day came closer to Maidenwell receiving its electricity supply. At last the happy occasion arrived on 12 May, 1962, and was celebrated with a ‘Carnival of Lights’.
The small town of Maidenwell was simply engulfed with people, who came from every corner of the district on Saturday night, May 12, to witness the ‘Turning on of the Lights’ Ceremony and later to attend the ‘Queen of the Lights’ Ball.
The Manager of the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Electricity Board, Mr. S.A. Adams spoke about the advantages of electricity to the district. Following his speech, the Chairman of the Maidenwell Committee, Mr. L. Hancock invited the Shire Chairman, Mr. A.A. Anger to switch on the power. He thanked Mr. Hancock for the ‘great honour’ bestowed on him and addressed the crowd before the official switch-on was performed. Mentioning that Maidenwell was one of the last towns in the district to receive supply, he said ‘Most likely, as you have waited so long, you will appreciate it much better’. He emphasised the benefits that electricity would bring to the farmers on the land and the comforts to families at home and added a personal reflection.
From my own experience, it should help to create more harmonious relations between husband and wife. The husband does not come home for his evening meal to find his wife tired out and irritable from a hard day’s work of washing, scrubbing and polishing...
Mr. Anger switched on the electricity supply and flooded the town with light, to the cheers of the crowd. The ‘Queen of Lights’ Ball was held at the Maidenwell Hall, and from among 26 girls, Norma Bain was chosen to be the Queen with Glenys Cramp a close runner-up. Miss Bain wore a ‘Green and Gold Electricity Sash’ and a diamante tiara with a formal gown of white chiffon scattered with sprigs of blue sweet peas. Dancing at the Ball commenced and supper was served as part of the celebrations. At last, Maidenwell residents had reticulated electricity in their homes.
There were plenty of events to highlight the important occasion. To tell the story of electricity in Warwick, the SEA placed many items of historical interest in with its other displays at the SEA Warwick Showrooms in Palmerin Street from 12 October to 30 October, 1961. In the courtyard behind the Showroom, the staff had put together a display of electrically-operated equipment suitable for rural properties and farms. Inside the Showrooms there was a section on changing lighting designs since 1878, which included samples of the earliest lighting from SEA’s historical collection. In another section, early refrigerators, stoves, sewing machines, heaters and other appliances were placed side-by-side with their ‘modern counterparts’ for comparison. For additional contextual interest, an excellent display of historical photographs of the Warwick area was loaned to the SEA from Haig’s Studio in Warwick. The photographs were very popular with visitors to the Showroom. To illustrate the popularity of the SEA display, in one evening session on 27 October, about 1,000 people came to view the exhibits at the Showrooms.
Moogerah Dam
The construction of Moogerah Dam, situated in the Fassifern Valley, near Boonah and south of Ipswich began in 1960. The name, Moogerah, means ‘home of the thunderstorm’. A significant aspect of the Moogerah Dam Project was the plan to provide water storage, which, it was said, would be of ‘immense benefit to one of Queensland’s richest primary productive areas’. Engineers described the Dam as ‘a thin double curvature concrete arch’, the first of its kind in Queensland. It was the SEA’s responsibility to supply power for the construction work, the giant gravel crushers, concrete plant and the cableway for the site.
1961: Stanthorpe Showground Floodlights
The Stanthorpe Show on 3 February 1961 boasted a new electric lighting system, which proved invaluable for the evening and night time events. The Queensland Governor, Sir Henry Abel Smith, conducted the ceremony of switching on the lights. The new floodlighting for the Stanthorpe Showground comprised fourteen 35 feet poles, each of which was equipped with two 750-watt floodlights in angled parabolic reflectors.
Mr Mort of Wylie Creek donated the poles and carted them, free of charge, to the timber mill of Howard & Sons, Stanthorpe. Members of the Show Committee trimmed the poles, which were then erected by the SEA.
1961: New Southern Electric Authority (SEA) Headquarters in Gympie
At the official opening of a new modern design SEA district headquarters in Nash Street, Gympie, the SEA’s Chairman, Mr Corser, said that it was satisfying to know that the SEA contributed to the economic growth of the Gympie district ‘by providing and extending power supply for farms, industries, businesses and homes’. The new SEA building was erected over the site of the gas producer plant, which remained after the old Gympie Powerhouse closed down.
1961: More Power for Bribie Island
An ‘unusual job’ was carried out in the Bribie Passage in 1961 when two 11kV cables were located and relaid in a new position. The reason for the task was to ensure that the cables were clear of the impending work to be undertaken for the construction of the Toorbul Point to Bribie Island Bridge. Taking advantage of the opportunity and to provide for the anticipated rise in demand for electricity, SEA installed an additional 33kV submarine cable and energised it at 11kV at the same time as relaying the old cables.
The SEA Metropolitan Underground Mains section undertook the ‘complicated operation’ during May and June in 1961. The weight of the cable alone made it a difficult task. It was the longest cable laid by the SEA up to that time. The barge for laying the cable was taken to Brisbane where the drum of cable was loaded on to it at the Hamilton Wharf. The barge then began its journey to Bribie Island.
The Bribie Island-end of the cable was brought to shore at around 8.30am and the barge crossed over to Toorbul with the other end of the cable to land around mid-day.
When the 33kV cable was jointed and commissioned, ‘the really ticklish part of the operation started’. The two 11kV cables had been lying at the bottom of the Passage since 1953, subject to sand and tide movements, and the anchors from fishing boats. Recovery of the old cables was problematic and to add to the task, the cables had to be wound on to a drum on the barge, one by one. About half way across, it was discovered that a sandbank had formed over the cables, which was at least ‘11 ft deep and 50 yards across’. It took high-powered jets of water to break away the sandbank from the cables bit by bit. It was a slow process. However, when the cables were finally released, they were in good condition except for the outer layer of each, which were damaged by marine growth. The cables were recovered together with 22 anchors of various sizes, which were found hooked on to the cables, and once disentangled, the cables were successfully relaid.
The work was necessary to clear the way for a new bridge access across the Bribie Passage to the Island and to supply anticipated extra demand for electricity.
1961: Significant Developments at Ipswich
The SEA reported steady progress in the development of plans for the construction of Queensland’s biggest Power Station at Swanbank, near Ipswich. It was envisaged that the final project would have a capacity of 360 megawatts, which would be realised by the commissioning of ‘six turbo-alternators, each of 60 megawatt, with steam generating units and other associated equipment’. The Swanbank Power Station would be the first major power station in Queensland to be built close to a coal field.
1961: Natural Gas for Roma Powerhouse
Approval had been given by the State Electricity Commission (SEC) for a trial using natural gas in engines installed at Roma Powerhouse. The decision followed the completion of two pipelines to carry natural gas from Hospital Hill and Timbury Hill to the powerhouse in 1960. Pressure was reduced at the Borehead before entering the pipeline and again before entry to the powerhouse. The gas was passed through devices designed to remove moisture before its final journey to the engines. Being the first time that gas would be used commercially for power generation in Queensland, the SEC stated that it would be an historic occasion when the gas was turned on.
Before the official turning-on ceremony, which was scheduled to take place by His Excellency, the Governor of Queensland, Sir Henry Abel Smith on 19 April, 1961, it was arranged that natural gas at the Hospital Hill Borehead would be lit as a point of interest for the Governor. Following a tour of inspection of the Timbury Hill Bore, the official party would move on to the Hospital Hill site where natural gas from the Borehead would be flared. On the morning of the turning-on ceremony, a gas jet was set alight and a flame shot up ‘25 feet into the air with a roar’. At the Borehead, the Governor spent most of the time asking questions, and Mr. Roy Richter, Manager for Mines Administration Ltd., explained the workings of the Borehead to him. The press commented that the Governor displayed his well-known ‘Duke of Edinburgh touch’ by asking so many technical questions. Following his tour, the Governor continued on to the powerhouse for the official ceremony.
Hundreds of children and adults gathered outside the Roma Powerhouse to watch the Governor turn the valve outside the powerhouse to provide the gas for the engines. In his speech, the Governor, acknowledging the historic occasion for Roma and for Australia, said that it was a great achievement to harness the natural gas flow for the creation of power. At 11.18am, the Governor turned the valve to switch on the gas flow to Roma Powerhouse. However, the most significant historical event took place inside the powerhouse, when the Governor, with three other people to witness the act, threw the switch to convert the main generator from oil-burning to natural gas fuel.
1961
In 1961, a 22kV transmision line to Augathella from Charleville was started ready for completion and commissioning in 1962-3. When the transmission line was energised to Augathella, it was expected that the small Powerhouse would be closed and surplus plant redistributed to other centres. It was planned that the closure of the Morven Powerhouse would follow when the line was energised to Morven from Charleville.
1962: 110kV line
The 110kV double-circuit steel tower transmission line from Rocklea to Bunyaville was the first of its type in South-east Queensland. It was claimed that the project paved the way for rapid development and reinforcement of the power transmission system.
Mr. Colin Morwood wrote a detailed technical article for the SEA News describing the planning and construction of the project. However, he ended by commenting that another story could be told about the experiences of the construction gangs and other personnel. His comments are worth repeating in full for an insight into the comradeship of the Construction Gangs who worked hard, often in dangerous conditions, to bring electricity into industries, farms and homes.
Such a story would tell of the unwitting transport of snakes, pulling-up of conductor complete with grimly hanging-on Italian…everyday pantomimes involving language (swearing in Italian is very complicated), food (a bottle of beer per man per day standard issue for lunch, HUGE meals at the camp in the evening), singing (‘O Solo Mio’ floating down from the tower tops), and all the other side effects and issues that make a job not just a project to be completed but a worthwhile, lasting and satisfying experience.
1962: Maidenwell Lights-On Ceremony
Maidenwell, near Nanango, did not receive its supply until May, 1962. A report in the local newspaper in December, 1961, offered hope to residents in the Maidenwell and Neumgna area that supply was imminent to 15 consumers. The line to supply consumers in Merlwood, Cloyna and Windera had been completed. Poles were being delivered for the Speedwell and Abbeywood line and surveys were being conducted in the Brigooda, Durong and Chahpingah areas. Excitement mounted as the day came closer to Maidenwell receiving its electricity supply. At last the happy occasion arrived on 12 May, 1962, and was celebrated with a ‘Carnival of Lights’.
The small town of Maidenwell was simply engulfed with people, who came from every corner of the district on Saturday night, May 12, to witness the ‘Turning on of the Lights’ Ceremony and later to attend the ‘Queen of the Lights’ Ball.
The Manager of the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Electricity Board, Mr. S.A. Adams spoke about the advantages of electricity to the district. Following his speech, the Chairman of the Maidenwell Committee, Mr. L. Hancock invited the Shire Chairman, Mr. A.A. Anger to switch on the power. He thanked Mr. Hancock for the ‘great honour’ bestowed on him and addressed the crowd before the official switch-on was performed. Mentioning that Maidenwell was one of the last towns in the district to receive supply, he said ‘Most likely, as you have waited so long, you will appreciate it much better’. He emphasised the benefits that electricity would bring to the farmers on the land and the comforts to families at home and added a personal reflection.
From my own experience, it should help to create more harmonious relations between husband and wife. The husband does not come home for his evening meal to find his wife tired out and irritable from a hard day’s work of washing, scrubbing and polishing...
Mr. Anger switched on the electricity supply and flooded the town with light, to the cheers of the crowd. The ‘Queen of Lights’ Ball was held at the Maidenwell Hall, and from among 26 girls, Norma Bain was chosen to be the Queen with Glenys Cramp a close runner-up. Miss Bain wore a ‘Green and Gold Electricity Sash’ and a diamante tiara with a formal gown of white chiffon scattered with sprigs of blue sweet peas. Dancing at the Ball commenced and supper was served as part of the celebrations. At last, Maidenwell residents had reticulated electricity in their homes.
January 1963: Re-organisation of the Industry in South East Queensland
The Southern Electric Authority of Queensland (SEA) was given the responsibility of all the power generating stations in the area. New Farm Powerhouse and the larger Tennyson Power Station came under the control of the SEA. The responsibility for the distribution of power in Brisbane’s inner city limits became the responsibility of the Brisbane City Council (BCC). The operation also involved the transfer of staff from BCC to SEA. The official change-over date was 1 January 1963.
With New Farm and Tennyson generating plant added to the existing plant at Bulimba, the SEA claimed that by the end of 1963, SEA would have a generating capacity of 240 MW. Additionally, the Swanbank project was progressing.
1963: Developments in the North
The Mackay region was connected to the Northern network in February, 1963. Interconnection of the Mackay region with the Cairns and Townsville regions provided for ‘a transmission system extending from Mossman in the North to South of Mackay’.
March 1963
A proud occasion for Brisbane – the arrival of the Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh aboard the Royal Yacht, Britannia, on 6 March, 1963. The Royal Yacht, Britannia, with her escort H.M.S.A. Anzac, made her way slowly up the Brisbane River accompanied by smaller craft. A large crowd of SEA employees and their families watched the Royal procession from the banks of the river at Bulimba ‘B’ Power Station.
September 1963
The Barron Falls Hydro-Electricity Extension Project was officially opened by the Premier on 7 September, 1963.
1963: New Power Station Construction Approved at Collinsville
Approval was received from the Government to go ahead with the construction of a new thermal Power Station at Collinsville to add to the North Queensland grid. The commissioning of the Collinsville Power Station was planned for 1968.
1963/4 Adventures in Cooking
Cookery displays and demonstrations of domestic electrical equipment were always popular. Judith Chapman and Wendy Kerr became well-known identities in South-east Queensland. Apart from demonstrations at SEA Field Days, the women cooked for audiences in many country community halls.
The pattern of the demonstrations was generally the same at each venue. Firstly, the local district engineer would welcome the mainly female audience. The engineer would explain the aim of the occasion and the type of assistance available for the installation of electrical equipment in the home. Then Judith or Wendy would begin with a talk on the ‘ease and cleanliness of modern electric cooking’, followed by an explanation of the various controls. After each demonstration, the delicious main meals, savouries, cakes and scones that were prepared and cooked were eaten by the audience with relish.
Demonstrating domestic electric appliances was a service offered free to consumers. It was particularly helpful to country residents since they were not able to ‘pop down to the local appliance centre when they experienced difficulties with new ranges’.
The variety of work involved for Judith could mean that she was
Bogged down to the axles on a farm near Jondaryan one day, demonstrating a range in a luxury Gold Coast home the next…
Judith found that many people she helped knew very little about electric stoves and the correct way to cook food with electricity. One woman complained about the mess when she tried to grill a steak on the bare radiant hot plate. Poor instruction manuals did not include answers to the type of questions that housewives asked.
During home visits, Judith met many people from different backgrounds. She used signs and practical demonstrations when the owners could not speak English. On one visit, she found a family living under a house, with newspapers covering a bare earth floor. Often, there would be small children to cope with while Judith was demonstrating the way to efficiently operate an electric stove. Sometimes, the housewife would invite neighbours to hear Judith’s talk. Judith recalled the day when one woman invited all the women in the local tennis club to her home.
Judith and Wendy, also an SEA cookery demonstrator, regularly attended about 50 high schools throughout the area. At the start of the school year, they visited classes of children taking Domestic Science lessons and gave talks on the operation of electric ranges. Follow-up three-monthly visits answered any questions that had arisen.
1964
In April 1964, SEA was informed that the Howard Power Station in the Wide Bay-Burnett district could barely meet the required demand. SEA decided to push forward with South Pine and the transmission line and put in place a plan for the incomplete substation to take over demand in the case of plant failure at Howard. After some problems and delays, the line to Kilkivan was energised on 10 June and following tests, load was successfully transferred from the SEA system to the Wide Bay system.
The SEA stated that the interconnection would help their northern neighbours ‘to pass securely through the winter period when cooking, lighting and space heating coincide’.
1964
The reorganisation of the North Queensland electricity areas established the Northern Electric Authority (NEA) to assume responsibility of generation and main transmission in the whole of North Queensland and to sell bulk supply to the regional boards. The NEA began operating from 1 July, 1964. The three regional electricity boards in North Queensland, Townsville Regional Electricity Board (TREB), Mackay Regional Electricity Board and Cairns Regional Electricity Board remained in charge of distribution and continued with the trading activities already established with regional Showrooms and appliance displays.
The extent of electrical development in Queensland today is indicated by the fact that over 90 per cent of the population of the State is now supplied with electricity, and the electrification of new areas is still proceeding at a substantial rate.
1964 New Computer: first of its type installed in Australia
An ICT 558 electronic computer was installed in the SEA’s C.B.C. House in Brisbane to extend the data-processing facilities. The computer was said to be ‘able to carry out in a matter of minutes operations, which previously took hours by manual or punched-card methods’. The computer was the first of its type to be installed in Australia.
Brisbane City Council soon followed the lead of the SEA and installed a similar model.
1965
Callide A Power Station near Rockhampton was commissioned in 1965.
1966: CWREB formed
A new electricity authority, the Central Western Regional Electricity Board (CWREB) was established in November, 1966 to manage the electrical requirements of Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall, Jundah, Jericho, Isisford, Aramac and Ilfracombe.
1966: Swanbank
The first Swanbank Power Station, on the Bundamba Coalfields near Ipswich, when completed would have a generating capacity of 396 Megawatts and would be Queensland’s largest power station. In June 1966, the first of the six 66-Megawatt generating units became operational. Tenders for turbo-alternators for the planned Swanbank ‘B’ had been let to Siemens Industries and the boiler contracts were awarded to Mitchell Engineering, who had constructed the boilers for Swanbank ‘A’. The huge project progressed quickly.
North Stradbroke Island
The provision of electricity to North Stradbroke Island was described as being ‘one of the most unusual transmission and distribution design and construction’ programs undertaken by the SEA.
Its completion allowed the main consumer of electricity on North Stradbroke Island, Titanium and Zirconium Industries (TAZI), a beach-mining subsidiary of Con-Zinc Rio Tinto, to close its diesel-powered powerhouse at Dunwich and take power from the SEA network.
The SEA said that the most interesting and challenging part of the project was the ‘construction of the special steel-tower water crossing’. These were constructed between Rocky Point and Russell Island, and across Canaipa Passage, which separates Russell and Stradbroke Islands.
Supply to Stradbroke Island has become a reality. Those who have toiled and sweated in the mud and sand can now feel justifiably proud.
Switch-on Ceremony at North Stradbroke Island
The official switching-on ceremony included a dinner by candlelight. The Hon. A.T. Dewar, Queensland’s Industrial Development Minister conducted the ceremony.
In his speech, he mentioned that before the SEA brought power to the Island, there was a very limited supply. The Redlands Shire Council reticulated power generated at Dunwich by the TAZI powerhouse, and at Point Lookout, Mr. A. Clayton supplied 26 homes near Cylinder Beach. He concluded ‘I wish the tourist industry and the sand mining industry every success and urge you to make the maximum use of this wonderful facility, which is now at your command.’
Gas Turbine Plant for Middle Ridge and Swanbank
The contracts were awarded for SEA’s first Gas Turbine Power Stations at Middle Ridge, near Toowoomba and at Swanbank, adjacent to Swanbank ‘A’ and Swanbank ‘B’. The Middle Ridge Power Station would have an installed capacity of 53,700 kilowatts and the Swanbank station, known as Swanbank ‘C’, 28,800 kilowatts installed capacity.
Two more units, the second and third for Swanbank ‘A’ Power Station were commissioned in October 1966 and April 1967. Two more were due to be commissioned in April and June 1968 with the power station completed to its 396,000 kilowatts installed capacity by April 1969.
1967: The First use of a Helicopter by SEA
Bringing power to O’Reilly’s Guest House and four adjacent homes on the Lamington Plateau required plenty of planning and the use of a helicopter. The area to be traversed was densely wooded and rugged, with deep gullies and cliff faces. Since most of the route passed through National Park, clearing a pathway was not permitted. To help with the difficult task, a small Bell helicopter was hired from Helicopter Utilities of Sydney. The helicopter’s main task was to take a light pilot line across the gullies. Then an intermediate heavier pilot line was winched across and used to pull across three conductors, one at a time. Keeping the lines away from the tree tops was one of the major problems. It was an historic occasion, with newspaper and television reporters present to record the difficult moves.
Bringing power to the Lamington Plateau was claimed to be one of the most spectacular and difficult projects undertaken by SEA. A happy festive season was planned for the family and the visitors at the O’Reilly’s Guest House and four adjacent homes when, for the first time, power lines were energised at 11kV and electricity was readily available on Wednesday, 22 November, 1967.
The pioneering O’Reilly family had lived in the mountains and rainforest for more than half a century before power arrived, with their first home the usual pioneer’s slab and bark hut with candles, slush lamps and the glow of a log fire for illumination. From the early 1920s when a guest house was built to welcome visitors to share the grandeur of the rainforest, carbide lamps with decorative mantles were fitted in the main rooms and kerosene was used to provide light in the bedrooms. In 1937, a diesel-powered generating plant was installed to provide electric lighting in the rooms and for pumping water up to the guest house from the Moran Falls below.
Coming to a decision about the safest route to take for the power lines proved to be an exacting task. At last the route was finalised and work began to clear the way through. Apart from the deep, wooded valleys and rugged, extremely steep cliffs to traverse, there was the transportation of materials to address. The distance across the gorge from Pat’s Bluff to Castle Crag, which would be the longest span for the extension, was 4744 feet (1446 m).
Most of the planned route passed through National Park and its significant scenic beauty had to be preserved and clearing a pathway for the line was not permitted. In similar difficult situations when deep valleys had to be traversed, as in North Queensland for a section of the 132kV transmission line between Clare and Garbutt, rocket propulsion was used to carry light cord lines over distances of around 1,000 feet (around 304 m) between the towers and then normal methods were used to draw the conductors through The distance to span for the Lamington Plateau project was too far for rockets to be used, so a helicopter was brought in to tackle the job. It was the first time a helicopter had been used on a construction project of this type.
A major difficulty for the team was keeping the pilot line away from the dense rainforest canopy. The spectacle was watched by guests at the Lodge, some taking picnic lunches to make it a day out. Television and newspaper crews were also at the scene to record the feat. The extension to the Lamington Plateau was estimated to cost around $25,000 and the SEA was appreciative of the ‘good deal of hard work by layout and construction personnel’ and said that it was ‘an achievement of great importance to the people of the mountains’.
Using a helicopter to take a pilot line across difficult terrain Lamington Plateau September 1967
1967
Swanbank A Power Station was commissioned.
1968
Collinsville Power Station commissioned.
Winton Powerhouse taken over: 1968
Winton’s Powerhouse was incorporated into Townsville Regional Electricity Board from 1 May, 1968 and began to receive its supply by transmission line from Hughenden.
