Local history – it’s marvellous what it uncovers
By Leo Billington
Years ago, a person, said to me, “Many people study history in high school and come away thinking it’s boring, irrelevant, or both.” However, as we get older, even just by a few years, we start to see the importance of understanding the past. So, let’s take some examples from our local history.
On Monday, May 25, 2020, Australian Associated Press reported with a headline, “Hazelwood power station's eight chimneys demolished in live stream viewed by thousands.”
Built in the 1960s, each chimney contained asbestos and was crumbling. Media coverage told us that ‘the chimneys, which soared 137 metres above the town of Morwell in the Latrobe Valley, came down just before 12.30pm on Monday.
Owner Engie provided a live stream of the chimney demolition, which took about a minute and was viewed by thousands.
The chimneys were built in the 1960s and operated for more than half a century before the brown coal-fuelled power station was shut down in March 2017.’
All this happened just over three years ago. History was being created.
In its Thursday, October 14, 1999 edition, The Express reported ‘Plans to expand HP mine’. Hazelwood Power is set to undertake planning for one of its largest ever mine developments according to this editorial. It went on to say, “this aims to secure the operating life of the mine and power station for up to a further 40 years.”
That’s 2039. Now it’s all gone.
The then HP Chief Executive, Jim Twomey claimed “the long term mine planning was a vote of confidence for the Latrobe Valley. Hazelwood Power is preparing to deliver a prosperous and viable power generation business - and the associated flow-on of regional economic benefit - well into the 21st century.”
Located part way between Morwell and Traralgon on the Princes Highway was once the Traralgon Village Drive-In. Built outside the built-up areas of either town, it was positioned in a very prominent location.
Records explain the drive-in was the most modern in Australia when it screened its’ first film in April 1965. The screen was 100ft wide, 40ft high and 25ft above the ground. It cost approximately $14,000 to build and weighed 8.5 tons. The capacity of the drive-in was for 686 cars.
Following community wide speculation about a new hospital and its probable location - even included consideration of land opposite the Mid Valley Shopping Centre cross the railway line - the former drive-in land was purchased for a new regional hospital.
Latrobe Regional Hospital came into existence in July 1991, bringing together the Latrobe Valley Hospital at Moe, the Central Gippsland Hospital at Traralgon and St Hilary's Nursing Home at Morwell. LRH became the major provider of acute mental health services in the region in 1995, taking over from Hobson Park Hospital, Traralgon.
Perhaps ironically, the former drive-in site was “centre stage” to become a funeral home complex. As reported in its Tuesday, March 12, 1991 edition, The Express editorial explained there were objections, but despite these, Traralgon Shire Council issued a notice of determination to grant a permit to the proponent. The plans included two caretaker residences, a small chapel and parking areas.
Let’s return to the large area across the railway line from Mid Valley. A sizeable tract of land - initially, once part of two selections taken up in the 1880’s by Robert Tolmie and Roger O’Flaherty - has in recent times, attracted plenty of interest.
During the Post World War 2 period, and as early as 1950, it was mooted as an ideal site for an abattoir. This was during a period when Morwell and Traralgon Councils (Morwell Advertiser – April 20, 1950) were very interested in a proposal to establish municipal abattoirs east of Morwell - near the former APM railway siding.
Then in November 1950, this land was suggested for an abattoir, saleyards and reserved land for agistment purposes. Harold (Harry) James Wagstaff, working as an architectural consultant to Victoria’s horseracing industry, as well as after 1923, continuing to provide specialist expertise as an abattoir designer for another three decades, argued this location was ideal.
Ironically, the land was suggested for a privately owned combined abattoir - regional saleyards complex once again during 2007.
Then there was plenty of local speculation this land would be a location for a Correctional Centre. We now know the Fulham Correctional Centre, near Sale, officially opened on March 20, 1997, and was the state's first private prison for men.
This same tract of land was once considered as ideal for the new Latrobe Regional Hospital.
Records of land occupation in the Morwell Open Cut environs during the late 1940’s, show H. Bolding and J. McInnes farmed this area.
In understanding the past, it’s only natural to ponder further about the worth of the large land area across the railway line from Mid Valley.
Finally, history is being made at the Hazelwood North Primary School. Now about 125 years old, the school is going through a transformation. A new administration building has been built on a previous playground area. Then, demolition of the existing, older administration building, will happen to provide a playground area. That is, one building in, and another building out.