2011 - Julie George (Francis) at Grytviken, South Georgia

The above photograph is of well-known former Yallourn resident (and current website administrator of Virtual Yallourn and secretary of the Yallourn Association) Julie George, lowering a burial casket into an interment plot at Grytviken, South Georgia in 2011. The history related to this photograph makes fascinating reading; and the following link tells the background of Julie’s memorable journey in 2011.  

https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-16165494

P.S. Unbeknown to Julie, this photograph was found on the BBC website by strange coincidence; and Julie had no prior knowledge that this Image of Yallourn was being forwarded to her for posting on the website. No doubt, Julie would have been most surprised on receiving this image for the Virtual Yallourn file (Roger- January 2022).  

This photograph of Father Christmas, distributing presents to children, was taken at Yallourn SEC’s Main Office Social Club’s picnic at Cowwarr Weir in 1977. SEC picnics and gatherings for employees’ families were a customary part of the work place Christmas festivities.

A big thank you to all our contributors - wishing you a safe and happy Christmas and a great 2022

Photo - Charlie Turner and the Yallourn Band in later years

Yallourn - Year by Year - 1930

The first sod in the Victorian Government’s ambitious scheme to generate electricity at Yallourn was turned more than a century ago (sometime around 1920);  and for the next six decades  the unique township of Yallourn ‘took root,  prospered, bloomed, withered and died’….

“Yallourn was swallowed by the coal mine it was built to serve” … ‘The Herald Sun’ May 2016.

In this history series for the Virtual Yallourn website, various years in the life of the Yallourn have been researched and posted on the website. The monthly news items, listed below, attempt to highlight some of the stories, about the township and its residents that made the local and national newspapers during 1930.

1930

JANUARY: Delegates to the 10th Annual Education Conference of the Federated State School Teachers’ Association visited Yallourn. The group travelled by chartered train for the outing.

FEBRUARY: The Yallourn Band is quite a story in the town’s history; and, in that era, it went from ‘strength to strength.’ Following the departure of Mr McMahon in late 1929, Mr C. J. Turner, previously of Stawell, was appointed as the Bandmaster at Yallourn. Mr Turner (better known as Charlie) made an immediate impact; and a story about his inspiring leadership of the band can be read on this website.

...To continue reading this article, please click on the pdf link below.

IMAGES OF YALLOURN – November 1932 – David Monash Bennett

DAVID MONASH BENNETT, grandson of the late Sir John Monash, unveiled the memorial to his grandfather erected at Yallourn, Victoria, by employees of the Electricity Commission. The ceremony took place on Sunday, November 27.

Click on the pdf link below to read the full article.