Never poo poo a man/woman with a vision. That's exactly what happened to
C.Y. O'Connor when he devised the
Goldfields Water Supply Scheme back in the late 1800's. To pump water from
Mundaring Weir up to
the goldfields in Kalgoorlie more than 600 kilometres east of Perth would have seemed an impossible feat. Unable to take the scorn from both the parliament at that time and the press (even back then they were ruthless), who labelled it his 'scheme of madness', just twelve months before completion O'Connor rode his horse out to sea and shot himself. Today because of the
The Golden Pipeline project initiated by the Nation Trust of Australia (WA) you can follow the 'water trail' from Perth to Kalgoorlie with lots of interesting stops along the way. On our trip up to
Goomalling, at times the pipeline ran alongside the road, and at others it would disappear only to reappear snaking it's way through the bushland (bottom shot). I'm sure you'll agree that as the water is even now flowing through the pipes up to Kalgoorlie, it can still be considered a mega impressive achievement. I hope you had a good weekend, me I'm exhausted, will catch up today, take care.....
That is amazing!! And what an impressive project indeed! Terrific captures for the day! Get some rest and get ready for another great week -- you do seem to have lots of those and I love that you share the fun with us!!
ReplyDeleteVery good photo's Grace.....specially that last one....WOW so nice.
ReplyDeleteGreetings, Joop
Poor O'connor!
ReplyDeletedreams may have many faces, this one was wonderful!
A complicated story - filled with sadness and joy.
ReplyDeleteThis pipeline reminds me of the oil pipeline across Alaska which I think is a travesty but...
Water is much better than oil!
It's not uncommon for visionaries to be ridiculed, only to vindicated in the end. Nice post Grace.
ReplyDeleteHe was a visionary .... pity there aren't more like him around today. When it pours with rain we let it go down the gutters and out to sea with little effort put into harvesting it - full well knowing this land is a land of extremes and a few months later when our land is parched & dry and we desperately need water .... we then go into water restriction mode .... not allowed to water gardens not allowed to wash cars!! Oh! to have C Y O'Connor around today.
ReplyDeleteWhat a feat!
ReplyDeletePeople with closed minds usually associate madness with something they don't understand.
ReplyDeleteI saw it first!! As kids this was a game we played when driving where the pipeline went. I still call it out today when I see it. You have some brillian photos.
ReplyDeleteBarb.
I remember his story - wonderful dramatic shots to highlight his vision! (Sigh, why do the visionaries rarely get their fair due in their lifetime? O'Connor left both a sad and amazing legacy...)
ReplyDeleteDreams are made of this. Well, at least the industrial ones are.
ReplyDeleteFascinating;
ReplyDeletethat was a time of great water projects- ditches, flumes, to steal - er redirect the water for plantation use here in Hawaii too.
Wishing YOU a sweet week,
with Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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Must feel as if his spirit floats inside still.
ReplyDeleteAn impressive achievement indeed. Please have a good new week ahead.
Much like the Alaskan pipeline that carries oil from Alaska to the lower 48. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteA most interesting post, Grace. Dianne's comment probably is right.
ReplyDeleteThat sure is something.
ReplyDeleteWe've seen a bit of the Alaska oil pipeline. Nothing like this. Amazing that it still all works.
ReplyDeleteWe went to the St. Louis University basketball game today. Our player from Perth is in his senior year and did quite well.
It's one of Australia's great engineering feats with staggering scope & vision - as well as one of it's most shameful episodes in the treatment of O'Connor. Saw it from the other end at Kalgoorlie earlier this year & was gobsmacked!
ReplyDeleteSuch an achievement Grace. What a tragic demise for someone with such vision.
ReplyDeleteThat is incredible.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a good nap! :-)
Interesting stuff. You should do a whole photographic essay of that pipeline!
ReplyDeleteDuncan in Kuantan
Kuantan nature photos
Teaching English with Mr. Duncan
Dan Brown Portal
Roger Federer Shrine
What an impressive project, some people have a vision that will last for ever.
ReplyDeleteThis was built in the 1800's just imagine what could have been with a pipeline from the Ord River in the North. Water galore, oh well we will just put up with our water restrictions.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post and a great title Grace ;-)
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing achievement. I'm sorry it had such a sad ending for Mr. O'Connor. Beautiful countryside you have pictured here.
ReplyDeleteunattractive but necessary .. you did make it interesting ...
ReplyDeleteWow, what a story.
ReplyDeleteThat's an astonishing piece of work. Lovely location for it...
ReplyDelete