The O'Shannassy Aqueduct
Aqueduct in operation
The story of the O'Shannassy Aqueduct and the men who built it, operated it and maintained it is an incredible and largely untold story. The true story is related here in some detail. Most of the photos and research was carried out by Shona Blackthorn and Ian Stewart in 2005/6 as part of a Community Leadership research project undertaken in association with the Shire of Yarra Ranges and Melbourne Water. Many photos and anecdotes are taken from original sources and research and provide a lasting reminder of this great undertaking. Sadly, many of the structures and people depicted in this site are no longer here but live on in this site.
The history of the O'Shannassy Aqueduct is inextricibly related to the need to supply water to the growing City of Melbourne. The Aqueduct was designed in 1911 and completed in 1914 and was an incredible feat of engineering - from its visionary conception, to its amazing design and construction, to its great effectiveness, to its extraordinary maintenance and to its ultimate deterioration and demise.
Very few people know the real story of the O'Shannassy aqueduct and the men behind it - and all evidence of this once-great undertaking is fading fast. Much of the aqueduct has now been developed as a walking trail and it provides a fascinating insight into some of our most interesting history and most precious and beautiful natural assets.
The O'Shannassy Aqueduct carried water from the O'Shannassy Reservoir in the Yarra Ranges East of Melbourne some 82 km to the Silvan Dam holding Reservoir in Silvan. It was a key component in Melbourne's water supply system (especially supplying the fast-growing eastern suburbs of Melbourne) and was managed first by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) and later by Melbourne Water. Whilst most of the Aqueduct remains physically in place today (in a much deteriorated condition), it has been disused for some time and has fallen into considerable disrepair (some parts of it have disappeared altogether). Water is still carried from O'Shannassy Reservoir to Silvan, but now is conveyed by underground pipe.
The O'Shannassy River, and subsequently the aqueduct, was named after Sir John O'Shannassy, three times Premier of Victoria. The O'Shannassy River rises in the slopes of Mounts Strickland, Arnold and Grant in the ranges east of Melbourne.
In particular, the dedicated men who operated and mainained the Aqueduct during its 80+ year history are deserving of special mention and praise. Much of their story, hitherto unknown, is told here. Their tales - of danger, bravery, tragedy, ingenuity, dedication, stoicism and persistence - are compelling reading and truly inspirational. Melbourne owes them a great debt. This site is a testimony to them and to those who went before them.
The history of the O'Shannassy Aqueduct is inextricibly related to the need to supply water to the growing City of Melbourne. The Aqueduct was designed in 1911 and completed in 1914 and was an incredible feat of engineering - from its visionary conception, to its amazing design and construction, to its great effectiveness, to its extraordinary maintenance and to its ultimate deterioration and demise.
Very few people know the real story of the O'Shannassy aqueduct and the men behind it - and all evidence of this once-great undertaking is fading fast. Much of the aqueduct has now been developed as a walking trail and it provides a fascinating insight into some of our most interesting history and most precious and beautiful natural assets.
The O'Shannassy Aqueduct carried water from the O'Shannassy Reservoir in the Yarra Ranges East of Melbourne some 82 km to the Silvan Dam holding Reservoir in Silvan. It was a key component in Melbourne's water supply system (especially supplying the fast-growing eastern suburbs of Melbourne) and was managed first by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) and later by Melbourne Water. Whilst most of the Aqueduct remains physically in place today (in a much deteriorated condition), it has been disused for some time and has fallen into considerable disrepair (some parts of it have disappeared altogether). Water is still carried from O'Shannassy Reservoir to Silvan, but now is conveyed by underground pipe.
The O'Shannassy River, and subsequently the aqueduct, was named after Sir John O'Shannassy, three times Premier of Victoria. The O'Shannassy River rises in the slopes of Mounts Strickland, Arnold and Grant in the ranges east of Melbourne.
In particular, the dedicated men who operated and mainained the Aqueduct during its 80+ year history are deserving of special mention and praise. Much of their story, hitherto unknown, is told here. Their tales - of danger, bravery, tragedy, ingenuity, dedication, stoicism and persistence - are compelling reading and truly inspirational. Melbourne owes them a great debt. This site is a testimony to them and to those who went before them.