Glenmaggie Weir History
Glenmaggie Weir is the result of damming of the Macalister River a short distance below the junction with the Glenmaggie Creek. The, now flooded, shallow valley once comprised rich alluvial flats dotted with farms and the small settlement of Glenmaggie. The blocks of the Glenmaggie township were first offered for sale in August 1877 and an old map shows that the majority of buildings were clustered to the South of the bridge across the Glenmaggie Creek on the Licola Road. Most of the original buildings were located below the Full Supply Level of the weir and they, along with nearby farms, were inundated as the weir filled.
The idea of creating an irrigation supply in this part of Central Gippsland commenced in 1886 when the Shire Engineer recommended damming of the Macalister River but it was not until farms were created in the Boisdale district under the Closer Settlement Act of 1912 that the demand for irrigation water commenced. At that time the farmers were obliged to supply 10 acres (later reduced to 5 acres) of Sugar Beet to the Government owned sugar beet factory in Maffra as part of their farm contract.
Following a disastrous drought in 1914, the farmers banded together as the Boisdale Beetgrowers Progress Association to engage in vigorous negotiation with the Sate Rvers & Water Supply Commission to establish an irrigation district of about 12,000 acres.
Two sites were considered for a dam. The first was on the Avon River and the second on the Macalister River. The Avon site was rejected as although extreme floods did occur on that river its annual flow was less than that in the Macalisetr River. It was also identified that a large basin covering 4,900 acres was available for a dam on the Macalister.
Work commenced almost as soon as negotiations finished. Although not large by modern standards the wall construction presented a major challenge as only man and horsepower were available. At the peak of construction 400 horses were being used and a local family (The Drews) was using three teams to cart the large amounts of supplies, including concrete materials, to the site.
Partially completed wall with flying fox towers
(Maffra & District Historical Society)
A giant steam drive mixer was utilized to batch the concrete and six men were fully employed in keeping it operating. The concrete was directed to wherever it was needed by utilizing muscle and wooden flumes. During the early construction the river course was redirected and when the wall rose flows were diverted through pipes in the wall that were to become the outlets for the two major channels for the scheme.
As work increased a small village named "Glenmaggie Dam" sprung up and although most homes were of a temporary nature some more substantial homes of tin and brick were established. There was a hall that served as a post office, school (with up to eighty students), picture theatre, church, dance hall and town meeting place. The settlement had its own cricket and football team.
Although there was a general acceptance of the need for a weir the farmers whose properties were to be inundated for the weir did not fair well. No firm date for vacating the land was given and there was a general feeling that compensation did not reflect the true value of the land and many arguments ensued.
However by 1925 all farms had been vacated. Some farmers retired whilst others purchased property elsewhere. Buildings were offered for sale and removal and several of these endured a trip to Maffra on the back of ox carts. Others were relocated to higher ground.
Creating outlet channels using horse-drawn scoops
(Maffra & District Historical Society)
The first water delivered from the Weir arrived at Boisdale flats in 1925. In 1947 the weir was raised through the installation of 14 large flood gates on the top of the wall to enable additional supply to the Soldier Settlement District at Nambrok and Denison.
The last building to close in the old Glenmaggie was the hotel and when the rising water finally reached the bar a last round was drunk and the doors closed forever. Although the town continues in a smaller form the closure of the school and destruction of the general store have virtually ensured the demise of the town.
Former Glenmaggie village nearly completely under water
(Maffra & District Historical Society)
Subsequently residential areas have developed on Glenmaggie Point to the north of the Licola bridge and at Coongulla. There are several caravan parks and hobby farms and holiday "resorts" have also been developed around the lake shores. There are also large tracts of native vegetation surrounding the lake.
The wall was strengthened through the installation of additional anchors in 1988 and a small hydro-electric power station was installed in the early 1990's.
Pictures Ustralia has nearly 300 photographs around Gelnmaggie available online on their website. Enter "Glenmaggie" into their search engine.