This blog provides information, stories, links and events relating to and promoting the history of the Wimmera district.
Any additional information, via Comments, is welcomed.



Friday, 22 April 2011

Gallipoli on foot

Walking the Gallipoli Peninsula : making the most of your visit to the battlefields by Tony Wright.Tony Wright first travelled to Gallipoli with Australian Prime Minister John Howard in 2000. He found himself intrigued by the swelling crowds of mainly young people making the pilgrimage to Anzac Cove. He returned again and again over the decade, shouldering a backpack containing his great-uncle's Gallipoli diary. Along the way he fell in love with Istanbul and the nation of Turkey. He has learned the secrets of both Istabul and the Gallipoli region, and explored underground Cappadocia, while meeting many colourful and memorable characters on his journey.
This book is different from the battlefield guides, it is a travel adventure to inspire you to shoulder your backpack, hop on a flight and follow Tony Wright's footsteps through Turkey and the Gallipoli Peninsula.
If you do want a battlefield guide, you can't go wrong with local authors Pam Cupper & Phil Taylor's "Gallipoli : a battlefield guide".

Tuesday, 19 April 2011

Dimboola weir

Dimboola's orginal weir on the Wimmera River was a timber structure. In the late 60’s the Rural Water Commission recommended that the existing structure be replaced by a concrete weir. This reconstruction was undertaken in 1975. It saw a number of floods including the 1981 flood.
Then in January this year, a major one hit the Wimmera and Dimboola. Hundreds of volunteers and 20,000 odd sandbags limited the inundation, but some homes and the weir suffered at the flood peak. A large amount of debris and tree limbs smashed into the weir and a section of the south bank of the river gave way, taking a large portion of the carpark with it.


The river level has dropped since and damage sustained by the weir and river bank is clearly evident. (My photos taken 17.4.2011)

A temporary sandbag leeve has lifted the river level in Dimboola to allow investigative work by GWM Water consultants. GWM Water (as the owner) is in discussions with its insurers for funding for restoration works, and options to alleviate any possible future failings to the embankment.
The operators of the weir, the Hindmarsh Shire, are seeking money from the Natural Disaster Fund to repair the damage to the weir, but restoration would take several months.

Sunday, 3 April 2011

Heritage Week


Australian Heritage Week this year is from Thursday 14th to Wednesday 20th April. There are a large number of events across the country, check out the website

Locally on offer are "Local History Tours of the Water Tower and Concordia College" in Murtoa.
The tours will be run by the Murtoa & District Historical Society & Community Museum Inc. on Sunday 17th April from 2:00-5:00pm or by appointment. Cost - $5 per adult & 50 cents per child.
The 4-storey Murtoa Water Tower built in 1886, houses the town's museum. Concordia College is adjacent to the Tower and also holds some of the artefacts. The Lutheran Concordia College was established in Murtoa in 1890 and moved to Adelaide in 1905.