Today is the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail, held on a very hot day in Kalgoorlie, and the 110th anniversary of Sir John and Lady Margaret Forrest's opening of the original scheme.
Happy 10th birthday Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail
The 24 January 2013 was the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail, held on a very hot day in Kalgoorlie, and the 110th anniversary of Sir John and Lady Margaret Forrest’s opening of the original scheme.
The award winning Golden Pipeline project, including the heritage trail, a full colour guide book, a strong and continually growing education program, walk trails, web sites, promotional material and merchandise, also ensured one of Australia’s most significant industrial heritage places was recognised (International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, 2009, National Heritage listing, 2011) and key elements conserved.
Taking on the project was, like the original scheme, an audacious move by the National Trust. A number of people involved in the development of the project still work for the Trust which works to ensure this fantastic project continues to make significant contributions to the National Trust portfolio and to the communities along the line.
A number of events have been developed to celebrate the 10th anniversary in conjunction with the Water Corporation, Engineers Australia, the WA Museum Kalgoorlie Boulder and Golden Pipeline communities. These range from a project to yarn bomb (google it) the pipeline, to the presentation of Golden Pipeline ‘showbags’ to people becoming Australian citizens at ceremonies along the pipeline on Australia Day as we did 10 years ago. Stay tuned to the National Trust website for a calendar and promotion across the year.
Congratulations and thanks are due to many, particularly those who took the gamble in the first place and fought for the considerable funds that allowed us to develop this wonderful project – to those staff who worked long and hard to build the ‘scheme’ and guide it into its operational phase, to the sponsors along the way that have supported a wide variety of programs and projects, the consultants and contractors who planned and implemented a range of projects and products, the volunteers who have contributed many long hours to keep No 1 Pump Station open, the communities along the way who contribute daily to ensuring people in Pipeline country are enriched by the experience, to the visitors that continue to enjoy the Golden Pipeline experience. The list goes on.
I am sure CY O’Connor and Sir John Forrest would be pleased to know the Goldfields Water Supply continues to supply water to the Wheatbelt and the Goldfields in what remains a state of the art water supply scheme.
