Australia ICOMOS 2011 Conference

Water infrastructure can be dramatically sited but often makes for contentious heritage. Pass through some of the most beautiful country in the south-west of Victoria, wonderfully refreshed in the last 18 months by drought-breaking rains. Approximately twelve major sites, along with many others from Geelong (Barwon Water and Fyansford) through to Warrnambool (Proudfoot’s Boathouse and Wannon Water) and Port Fairy (King George Square and the internationally significant battery and guns) and on to Tyrendarra, have been chosen to complement the conference themes of aquaculture, early exploration, transport and communication, industry, fresh and waste water infrastructure. The tour includes the sound and light show ‘Shipwrecked’ at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. It also includes a very special visit to the Lake Condah fish and eel traps (weather permitting), part of the subtle and inspirational Budj Bim (Mount Eccles) cultural landscape that is under consideration for World Heritage nomination. The return journey includes the spectacular Great Ocean Road, Twelve Apostles and the majestic Cape Otway Lighthouse. So why not join the pre-conference tour?

Planning is well under way. Led by Dr Ursula De Jong, the tour will leave from outside the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) at 8.30 am on Tuesday 25 October and return to the same spot by 4.30 pm in time for the Australia ICOMOS AGM and Welcome Reception on the Polly Woodside on Thursday 27 October. The cost per person, twin share, is likely to be about $400 including travel, motel accommodation, most meals, tour notes and all entry fees. A single supplement will be available. The tour can only proceed with a sufficient number of registrations but numbers are strictly limited. The conference committee is asking for expressions of interest to assist with planning.

Please complete the Pre Conference Tour booking form and email it to conference manager Bradley Hayden to advise him of your interest as soon as possible.

A final decision on whether the tour can proceed will be made by Wednesday 7 October.

	Cape Otway Lightstation The Cape Otway Lightstation was constructed in 1846-48 following the recommendation of the 1845 New South Wales Select Committee on Lighthouses in response to a number of shipping disasters in Bass Strait. The site was personally selected by Superintendent Charles Joseph La Trobe and the lighthouse was designed by NSW government architect Mortimer Lewis. The stone keepers’ quarters date from 1857-58, probably to the design of Victorian Public Works Department architect Charles Maplestone, and replace an earlier structure. The signal station was built in 1859 and was a link in the first telegraph connection across Bass Strait.
The lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse on the Australian mainland. The lightstation has, since 1848, been a crucially important link in the national system of navigation aids which began with the Macquarie light in 1819. It is also historically important as the usual Australian landfall for ships coming from Europe. Cape Otway Lightstation is of historical, architectural and social importance to the State of Victoria and is included in the Victorian Heritage Register.

Fletcher Jones Factory Water Tower The Fletcher Jones Factory and Gardens, Warrnambool were established in 1948 by David Fletcher Jones. The company became renowned not only for the quality of its clothing – an iconic Australian brand – but also for Fletcher Jones’ progressive approach to employer/employee relations and an innovative shareholding scheme. Between 1951 and 1974 the factory had numerous alterations and extensions. The 40 metre high water tower was built for fire protection and as a booster system in 1967. The tower’s massive concrete foundations extend through the building and the elevated steel tripod and steel spherical tank tower over the complex.

The 1967 water tower is of social significance as a distinctive and visible feature, the design of which transforms a structure performing a utilitarian function into a structure of landmark prominence. The tower represents a clever use of a restricted site which did not allow for a traditional four-legged base. Fletcher Jones Factory and Gardens are of historical, social and aesthetic significance to the State of Victoria and are included in the Victorian Heritage Register.

Barwon Sewer Aqueduct The Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct was constructed over the Barwon River at Breakwater in 1913-15 for the Geelong Waterworks and Sewerage Trust. The aqueduct and sewer were designed by Tasmanian engineer Edward Giles Stone and his partner Ernest J. Siddeley. The aqueduct is approximately 756 metres in length and carries the ovoid sewer pipe and a walkway. It consists of a series of trusses which cantilever from fourteen concrete, corniced piers. Girders bridge the gap between these trusses. The form of the aqueduct was inspired by an overseas rail bridge design, the steel Firth of Forth Bridge, Scotland, constructed by 1890.

One of the most innovative forms of concrete reinforcement used in Australia, the Considere system, was used in the construction of the aqueduct. The Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct is of architectural, historical, scientific (technical) and aesthetic significance to the State of Victoria and is included in the Victorian Heritage Register.