The quarry operated for over 100 years to supply limestone to the geelong cement manufacturing works at nearby fyansford until the closure of the cement works in 2001. Historical information from the cement works museum. Roman style aquaduct in geelong, victoria, australia. Standard garratt from the australian railway historical society museum in may 20. Former geelong cement first head office 180 mccurdy. It is often referred to as north geelong the head office of australian department store, target, founded in.
While melburnians love to deride their little cousin as a boring backwater, in reality few of the knockers have veered off its main thoroughfare enough to know. On display are over 30 rooms of artefacts and photos relating to the cement works and the geelong region. The quarry operated for over 100 years to supply limestone to the geelong cement manufacturing works at nearby fyansford until the closure of. Geelong advertiser bound editions, 974 results 974. We need to scrape back the layers of history and get the stories of our.
Countless memories and stories live on in our carefullymanaged collection of public and private records, newspapers, maps, plans, photographs, and extensive catalogues. Susie zada issued a challenge to a large group of members. Shakespeare and company books, parisit has been too long since i visited this place. They majestically watch over us as we circle geelong via the ring road, west of the city. Limestone was first discovered at batesford in 1888 by richard. The geelong historical society was founded in 1944, and is dedicated to fostering and presenting historical research, and collaborating with exhibitions and public programs, to highlight the historical significance of geelong and district. Trams first appeared in the streets of geelong, geelong west and newtown. Geelong heritage centre grs archives catalogue april 2014. The concrete silos, which have been out of commission since 2001, sit within the former geelong cement works industrial site, next to a large residential development under construction.
A snapshot of geelongs history, by brett life in geelong. The airspy collection features charles truly amazing aerial photographs his geelong cement works series is a wonderful record of fyansford. The geelong cement works found themselves in a tough competitive market, and finally ceased operation in 2000, after 110 years when the parent company deciding to import cement from their plant in tasmania. Geelong is 75 kilometres 47 mi southwest of the state capital, melbourne.
C cement works, geelong, in the early 1960s is faithfully captured here by fred daley, steam train enthusiast and 8mm home movie. John mcneill, a journey to destiny 1890 1990, 100 years of cement manufacturing at fyansford, australian cement limited, p41. The wathaurong people were geelongs first residents and they originally called the bay jillong and the surrounding land corayo. Cement silos in geelong have been transformed by renowned. It is impossible not to smile when reading the introduction.
Great depression victoria australia cement 1920s beaches melbourne city photo canada europe. This celebrated navigator not only duplicated the work of lt. Visit cultural centres, museums and heritage homes to get an understanding the regions rich history. A fourday auction will be held at the geelong cements fyansford works. Published on nov 5, 2017 built in 1855 and used as the protestant orphanage asylum until 1933 then used by the cement works and converted into a recreation hall, library, billiard room and concert. The name jillong has a meaning similar to a place of the sea bird over the white cliffs.
But, a prominent mural on the side of the silos by artist rone will be reproduced and donated to the geelong art gallery in an attempt to recognise the areas industrial history. In the 1920s charles pratt combined his military piloting experience. Wander through revitalised urban areas, where grand old eighteenth and nineteenth century buildings now house galleries and craft breweries, holeinthewall cafes and vintage markets. Two of geelongs more enduring businesses were established, namely cheethams salt works, and the fyansford cement manufactory, thus broadening the citys industrial base. Geelong runs from the plains of lara in the north to the rolling hills of waurn ponds to. The scope of works for this major projects group project was for the complete removal of all asbestos, the demolition of all buildings, conveyors and structures to 1.
The production of cement at this place represents one of geelongs oldest and largest industrial plants, in operation for over 100 years. I am not sure what happened at the geelong cement works silo art project the art completed by geelong born artist, rone in 2017 at the old and abandoned cement works is fantastic but the official entrance to the site is padlocked and someone has simply cut a couple of other entrances in the fence and part of an inner fence has been pushed down to allow access to paint graffiti on the. Protestant orphanage asylumcement works retirees museum. The geelong cement retirees museum has an open day 25 april 2001 part 2. Ford motor company commenced operations in geelong. Geelong cement demolition works major projects group. Cement silos in geelong have been transformed by renowned street. The society holds a monthly meeting on the first wednesday of every month except january. The cement works were later acquired by adelaide brighton cement, and were closed in 2001.
The suburb was bypassed by traffic from melbourne coming from the princes freeway by the creation of the geelong ring road, which was complete in 2009. Whether you are factfinding for a local company history, researching a geelong personality or wondering who else has lived in your home, there is a good chance you will satisfy your curiosity at the vault on level 3 of the dome. The artist rone at work on the cement silos in geelong. At the 2016 census, geelong north had a population of 2,966. The museum mostly covers the history of the area as well as the history of the geelong cement works itself. The geelong family history group are holding a nsw research seminar when. It is the second largest victorian city, with an estimated urban population of 268,277 as of june 2018.
The famous geelong cement works were also established around this time in 1890. Geelong born, worldrenowned street artist rone has sprinkled his magic on the geelong cement works with his mural of three local identities. Additional details are from the fyansford cement line by john mcneill light railways, april 1993 details of the cement works are from a journey to destiny 100 years of cement manufacturing at fyansford by australian cement limited 1990 by the same author. The national library of australias copies direct service lets you purchase higher quality, larger sized photocopies or electronic copies of newspapers pages clicking on the order now button below will open the ordering form in a new window which will allow you to enter the details of your request. That a conservation management plan be carried out on the site, and comparative analysis with similar sites in victoria. Geelong north is a suburb of geelong in the australian state of victoria. Cement production began at fyansford in 1890 led by peter mccann and a number of local and melbourne builders, but transport difficulties forced the company into liquidation in 1902. The heritage centres archive collection is a unique recorded history of geelong and the bellarine, the golden plains, the surf coast, the borough of queenscliffe and beyond. Geelong cement works retirees museum a retirees museum has been established by exemployees and other volunteers to showcase the cement works historical significance to the geelong area. In 1905 it reopened, with some of the former directors able to buy and reopen the plant. I was born and lived in geelong for nearly 50 years and you have posted 2 totally different things here. This ride begins at 9am on wednesday, october 9th, at rippleside park near the adventure playground. The fyansford quarry railway buckland, john australian railway historical.
See also 550oral historygeelong voices 1905 1983 400 australian cement, kandos cement co ltd nsw. As victorias secondlargest city, geelong is a proud town with an interesting history and pockets of charm. Piccoli, robert photographer clients photographed, 682 results 682. Land lease, awards, correspondence, minutes, reports, brochures, circulars. Until further notice all bowls functions roll ups have been cancelled greens are not available until further notice board of management. The geelong cement works operated from 1890 until 2001 and used. Silos at the former geelong cement works in fyansford are reportedly set to be demolished.
The first is the breakwater aqueduct and the second one is on the other side of the city being the the former lime convoy belt that went from the fyansford quarry to the geelong cement works. Geelong wasnt flash, rather it was a solid and dependable city. Geelong drew its name from the local indigenous or aboriginal language, djillong, a word used to describe cliffs or land. Rones latest sitespecific installation will transform geelong gallery. A history is only as good as the records that are available and. In 1918 a railway line was extended from the north geelong railway station to the top of the hill above fyansford, and in 1926 the narrow gauge fyansford cement works railway was opened to serve a new quarry, and the works themselves expanded across hyland street, which became the main production site, geelong cement, in later years. The museum features several displays of old equipment, from some of the early hand tools that was used in the quarry right up to some of the office equipment you. Known for his largescale streetart installations that merge beauty and decay with his most recent series of works shown in cities around the world, such as new york and london the artist was commissioned by gen. Corrina helps pay homage to our first peoples, and cor to our industrial history. The limestone quarry however, was kept open by the mccann family and today is used for. Cement works at fyansford, geelong newspaper article 1912.
History and heritage, geelong and the bellarine, victoria. New south wales originally included the areas we now. The plan commenced operations in 1890 and closed in june 2001, with demolition of everything except for the silos atop the hill completed by 2004. Explore geelong holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. It is also significant for its evolution of the production of portland cement for over 100 years. It is the second largest victorian city, with an estimated urban population of 192,393 as at june 2016, having grown 2. Geelongs most popular dedicated drama free facebook history page. Fyansford cement works estate gets nod geelong indy. The fyansford cement works railway was an industrial railway near geelong, australia, built. I am aware that many other people have made a contribution to our group but to try to name each one is an impossible task in this brief history. Fyansford is a township on the western edge of geelong, victoria, australia, named after.
Population remained at about the same level as thirty years before and the region was primarily regarded as a wool growing, selling and processing area that also dispensed transport, education and other services. Meeting room, waurn ponds library, 230 pioneer rd, waurn ponds. Rones latest sitespecific installation will transform geelong gallerys rooms in response to the architecture and history of the. Utility tunnel australian portland cement works victorian heritage register. First automatic telephone exchange in the southern hemisphere opened in geelong. It was diligently compiled by val england working through 30 years of minutes books and references. Overall, the first geelong cement head office and fence at 180 mccurdy road is of regional significance. Worldrenowned street artist rone has returned to his home city of geelong to transform the geelong cement silos overlooking fyansford into an incredible work of urban art. A guided tour of the geelong cement retirees museum 23 april 2001. Operated by the australian portland cement company under the brand name of geelong cement, the fyansford cement works was a major industry for the geelong region and was in operation across the 20th century.
Batesford quarry operates out of the batesford limestone quarry, just to the west of geelong and is the only supplier of aglime in geelong. Geelong cement retirees museum closed intown geelong. Former geelong cement first head office heritage council. The local figures who will be immortalised on the silos include direct descendant of the queen of the wadawurrung, corrina eccles, 78yearold widower cor. Exploring the abandoned and partially demolished cement works at fyansford, on the outskirts of geelong. It was while he was working at the cement works that he started to treat people. Electric light lit the streets of geelong for the first time. Australian cement works ltd fyansford minutes, work managers notes, engineers notes etc. Another guided tour of the geelong cement retirees museum may, 2001.
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