The Scheme holds a special place in Australia’s history. It was the site where Australia’s new ‘populate or perish’ policy was realised and workers from over 30 different nations came to work on the Scheme, many of whom called Australia home thereafter.

Welcome to your Snowy hydro excursion video (2:44)

Episode 2

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following video may contain images and voices of deceased persons.

Narrator

Welcome to the Snowy Hydro Virtual Excursion. This virtual excursion will explore the vibrant culture and history of the Snowy Mountains region, the construction and impact of the Snowy Hydro Scheme, and the science behind the creation of renewable energy made from hydroelectricity.

Archive film narrator

In southeastern Australia, work is drawing to a close on the construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. This $800 million dual-purpose project, is designed to divert the coastal waters through the Great Dividing Range, for the two main inland rivers, Murray and Murrumbidgee, and at the same time, generate peak load electricity for states of New South Wales and Victoria.

Narrator

We will explore the complexities of the Snowy Mountains Scheme, as a historical, geographical and scientific site of significance in Australia. We will meet many knowledgeable, passionate, inspirational, and adventurous people on our journey to find out more about this special place.

Frank Rodwell

I'm Frank Rodwell, I worked for the Snowy Authority for very close to 36 years.

Christa Fischer

My name is Christa Fischer. I worked as a waitress in the staff mess in one of the construction townships at Island Bend.

Hans Fischer

My name is Hans Fischer, I came from Germany, and I worked on the Snowy blaster plant all my life.

Joseppa Pusswald

My name is Joseppa Pusswald, but they call me Peppi. I came to Australia, to Cooma in 1960.

Narrator

These people will help tell the story of this site's significance. The virtual excursion has been made possible through the generous sharing of knowledge and experiences.

[End of transcript]

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