Lake Daylesford is an artificial lake in the town of Daylesford, Victoria, Australia. It was completed in either 1927 or 1929 after many years of campaigning, beginning in 1893.[1] It was designed by Walter Burley Griffin, the American architect who won the competition to design the city of Canberra.[2] Lake Daylesford was formed when the dam wall was built across Wombat Creek above the Central Springs in 1929. The town wanted an ornamental body of water to beautify the scarred creek landscape.[3]
Areas submerged by the lake included market gardens, several mineral springs, and the site of the former Chinese settlement, including a Joss house.[1] Walter Burley Griffin recommended native vegetation along the western side and the Progress Association and local schools helped plant European (Swedish) and native trees in other parts of the reserve.
Opening of the lakeedit
On Thursday 17 April 1930, the streets of Daylesford were decorated with flags and decorations when the Governor, Lord Somers accompanied by Flight Lieut. Denny, arrived by car at 12.30 p.m. The Borough Band played selections outside the Town Hall, and the Boy Scouts under Scoutmaster Thorsen, were present. After inspecting the Scouts, Governor Somers was welcomed in the Town Hall by Borough Councillors.[4]
A lunch was held in the Rex Theatre and the tables were decorated with blue delphiniums, marigolds and autumn leaves. Palms and clusters of Asterviminalis (Easter daisies) added charm to the foyer and made a pretty setting. The Governor's table was decorated with autumn-tinted Virginia creeper leaves.[4]
After the lunch, the party left for the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, where the Governor expressed admiration for their "rare beauty". He was disappointed that he had not more time at his disposal to explore them more fully.[4]
On a raised platform at the lake bank, the Governor declared the lake open. A large crowd was around the banks and he was introduced by the Mayor (Cr Crockett). His Excellency said he "would like to think that the building of the lake had been delayed for 25 years so that he might be given the opportunity of opening it." The people of Daylesford and the Borough Council had shown a great spirit in developing the town in a period of depression. He had just seen a wonderful garden on the top of Wombat Hill and the view was magnificent. He had tasted four samples of the mineral water, and they were different from those he had tasted before, which as a rule were something like that which one preferred not to taste. Daylesford's however, were quite palatable. If he did not blow up on the way home he would take away a very pleasurable and lasting impression of Daylesford. The development of this great asset was of great value to the State. The people of the district had the opportunity of giving valuable service to the State and the Commonwealth. If they stood together, they would continue that same great service. Everything was in Daylesford's favor —a high elevation, beautiful scenery and there was an abundance of mineral water. Should the desire for progress be maintained he could see a future for Daylesford second to none, and as Governor of the State he was "pleased to identify myself with the movement". He hoped that the time would come, and not in the too distant future, when Daylesford would be covered with hydropaths. He declared the lake and springs open.
Opening of the bridgeedit
At the new bridge the Governor praised the work which the Country Roads Board had done to develop the State. He had many opportunities of seeing the roads constructed by the Board, and it was pleasing to know of the co-operation between the Board and the Borough Council. This co-operation would be a great aid in the development of the springs, and of great benefit to the State.[4]
Friends of Lake Daylesford and developmentsedit
In the 1980s and the formation of the Friends of Lake Daylesford (FOLD) whose membership comprised local residents, particularly with properties adjacent to the lake reserve. The group were very active and maintained a close and cooperative relationship with the then Shire of Daylesford and Glenlyon. In 1990, working bees were conducted on the second Saturday of each month.[1]
In the 1980s and 1990s the level of the lake was lowered for a period of time to allow for works on the retaining wall. This gave the opportunity to remove rubbish which had accumulated in the lake since its creation. Member David Endacott was responsible for propagation of a range of native trees which members in turn planted in large numbers around the southern section of the lake. The extensive range of trees seen today resulted from this work.
Notesedit
^ abc"Community Spirit Inspired our Lake". 5 June 2020.
ACT Infrastructure Five-yearly report to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). ACT Chief Minister's Department. January 2007.
Draft for public comment: Fish stocking plan for the Australian Capital Territory 2009–2014. Department of Territory and Municipal Services. January 2009.
Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra : Policy Plan. National Capital Development Commission. 1988. ISBN0-642-13957-1.
Andrews, W. C., ed. (1990). Canberra's Engineering Heritage. Institution of Engineers Australia. ISBN0-85825-496-4.
Minty, A. E. (1973). Man-Made Lakes: Their Problems and Environmental Effects. William Byrd Press. ISBN0-87590-017-8.
Sparke, Eric (1988). Canberra 1954–1980. Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN0-644-08060-4.
Wigmore, Lionel (1971). Canberra: history of Australia's national capital. Dalton Publishing Company. ISBN0-909906-06-8.
lake, daylesford, artificial, lake, town, daylesford, victoria, australia, completed, either, 1927, 1929, after, many, years, campaigning, beginning, 1893, designed, walter, burley, griffin, american, architect, competition, design, city, canberra, formed, whe. Lake Daylesford is an artificial lake in the town of Daylesford Victoria Australia It was completed in either 1927 or 1929 after many years of campaigning beginning in 1893 1 It was designed by Walter Burley Griffin the American architect who won the competition to design the city of Canberra 2 Lake Daylesford was formed when the dam wall was built across Wombat Creek above the Central Springs in 1929 The town wanted an ornamental body of water to beautify the scarred creek landscape 3 Lake DaylesfordAerial panorama of Lake DaylesfordLake DaylesfordShow map of VictoriaLake DaylesfordShow map of AustraliaLocationDaylesford VictoriaCoordinates37 20 50 S 144 08 16 E 37 34722 S 144 13778 E 37 34722 144 13778Lake typeArtificial lakePrimary inflowsWombat CreekPrimary outflowsMolonglo RiverAverage depth2 m 6 6 ft Max depth9 m 30 ft Surface elevation531 m 1 742 ft DamDaylesford Dam Contents 1 Site location and planting 2 Opening of the lake 3 Opening of the bridge 4 Friends of Lake Daylesford and developments 5 Notes 6 ReferencesSite location and planting editAreas submerged by the lake included market gardens several mineral springs and the site of the former Chinese settlement including a Joss house 1 Walter Burley Griffin recommended native vegetation along the western side and the Progress Association and local schools helped plant European Swedish and native trees in other parts of the reserve Opening of the lake editOn Thursday 17 April 1930 the streets of Daylesford were decorated with flags and decorations when the Governor Lord Somers accompanied by Flight Lieut Denny arrived by car at 12 30 p m The Borough Band played selections outside the Town Hall and the Boy Scouts under Scoutmaster Thorsen were present After inspecting the Scouts Governor Somers was welcomed in the Town Hall by Borough Councillors 4 A lunch was held in the Rex Theatre and the tables were decorated with blue delphiniums marigolds and autumn leaves Palms and clusters of Aster viminalis Easter daisies added charm to the foyer and made a pretty setting The Governor s table was decorated with autumn tinted Virginia creeper leaves 4 After the lunch the party left for the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens where the Governor expressed admiration for their rare beauty He was disappointed that he had not more time at his disposal to explore them more fully 4 On a raised platform at the lake bank the Governor declared the lake open A large crowd was around the banks and he was introduced by the Mayor Cr Crockett His Excellency said he would like to think that the building of the lake had been delayed for 25 years so that he might be given the opportunity of opening it The people of Daylesford and the Borough Council had shown a great spirit in developing the town in a period of depression He had just seen a wonderful garden on the top of Wombat Hill and the view was magnificent He had tasted four samples of the mineral water and they were different from those he had tasted before which as a rule were something like that which one preferred not to taste Daylesford s however were quite palatable If he did not blow up on the way home he would take away a very pleasurable and lasting impression of Daylesford The development of this great asset was of great value to the State The people of the district had the opportunity of giving valuable service to the State and the Commonwealth If they stood together they would continue that same great service Everything was in Daylesford s favor a high elevation beautiful scenery and there was an abundance of mineral water Should the desire for progress be maintained he could see a future for Daylesford second to none and as Governor of the State he was pleased to identify myself with the movement He hoped that the time would come and not in the too distant future when Daylesford would be covered with hydropaths He declared the lake and springs open Opening of the bridge editAt the new bridge the Governor praised the work which the Country Roads Board had done to develop the State He had many opportunities of seeing the roads constructed by the Board and it was pleasing to know of the co operation between the Board and the Borough Council This co operation would be a great aid in the development of the springs and of great benefit to the State 4 Friends of Lake Daylesford and developments editIn the 1980s and the formation of the Friends of Lake Daylesford FOLD whose membership comprised local residents particularly with properties adjacent to the lake reserve The group were very active and maintained a close and cooperative relationship with the then Shire of Daylesford and Glenlyon In 1990 working bees were conducted on the second Saturday of each month 1 In the 1980s and 1990s the level of the lake was lowered for a period of time to allow for works on the retaining wall This gave the opportunity to remove rubbish which had accumulated in the lake since its creation Member David Endacott was responsible for propagation of a range of native trees which members in turn planted in large numbers around the southern section of the lake The extensive range of trees seen today resulted from this work Notes edit a b c Community Spirit Inspired our Lake 5 June 2020 Lake Burley Griffin and Surrounding Parklands National Capital Authority Retrieved 1 June 2009 Lake Daylesford Lookout a b c d Lake Daylesford References editACT Infrastructure Five yearly report to the Council of Australian Governments COAG ACT Chief Minister s Department January 2007 Draft for public comment Fish stocking plan for the Australian Capital Territory 2009 2014 Department of Territory and Municipal Services January 2009 Lake Burley Griffin Canberra Policy Plan National Capital Development Commission 1988 ISBN 0 642 13957 1 Andrews W C ed 1990 Canberra s Engineering Heritage Institution of Engineers Australia ISBN 0 85825 496 4 Minty A E 1973 Man Made Lakes Their Problems and Environmental Effects William Byrd Press ISBN 0 87590 017 8 Sparke Eric 1988 Canberra 1954 1980 Australian Government Publishing Service ISBN 0 644 08060 4 Wigmore Lionel 1971 Canberra history of Australia s national capital Dalton Publishing Company ISBN 0 909906 06 8 Portals nbsp Australia nbsp Lakes Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lake Daylesford amp oldid 1219039243, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
