Summary

Part of a collection of 30 black & white photographs relating to the MMBW Spotswood Sewerage Pumping Station, created by former superintendent engineer Mr John Halliday.

John Arthur Halliday (1879-1960) joined the Spotswood Pumping Station workforce as an Engine Fitter in 1905, subsequently becoming a Junior Engineer in 1906 (later known as Shift Engineer). Following the retirement of D.B. Harkess in June 1928, John Halliday was promoted to the role of Senior Engineer (later known as Superintendent Engineer), at an annual salary of £598/15/-. He held the latter position until retirement at the age of 65 in January 1945.

After being appointed to the role of Senior Engineer, he moved into the residence onsite at the Pumping Station, with his wife, Lizzie, and daughter, Rita. After his reitrement, John and Lizzie moved to 27 Austin Street, Footscray. Their daughter had previously left home after she married in 1935.

Description of Content

View from the first floor balcony of the Superintendent Engineer's residence 'Blair Athol', at Spotswood Pumping Station, looking east towards the Valve House and Pumping Station buildings by the Yarra River. Rita Halliday, daughter of the Superintendent Engineer, is standing on an asphalt footpath that runs diagonally from the front gate of the residence past the Valve House and down to the Pumping Station. An unknown man is standing on the parapet of the Valve House roof. Beside the path are several small eucalypt trees and several electric lamps on reinforced concrete posts. Behind the Valve House is a large brick chimney of the Pumping Station, and to the left, an electric power transmission line pylon and North Straining House. To the right of the Valve House are three large iron pipes (perhaps parts of the Rising Main removed during construction of the Valve House), and in the background, the roof of the South Coal Bunker and South Boiler House of the Pumping Station.

More Information