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The Powering the 40s exhibition
concentrates on the precautions necessary to safeguard the
public electricity supply during the Second World War.
In Australia in 1939, the Minister of Defence spoke about
the war risk, which was ‘deadly and near’. With
the threat of invasion during the war years, discussions
between electricity authorities, the state and federal institutions
were intense. Decisions were generally secret in nature.
The exhibition reveals some of the strategies that were implemented
in powerhouses in Brisbane during these years of unrest,
to ensure that there would be an unbroken supply of electricity
for public use and for the war effort.
The importance
of an uninterrupted supply of electricity to manufacturers
and workshops for the war effort was recognised by Brisbane
City Council (BCC) and the City Electric Light Company (CEL).
Powering the 40s reveals some of the precautions taken
by both authorities to ensure the continuation of the public
electricity supply during the war years. The exhibition uncovers
the plans that were put into operation in Brisbane and the
secret discussions relating to the destruction of generating
plant in the event of attack.
A brass plaque accompanies the exhibition. It was originally
mounted on Contract 253, number 13 turbo-alternator in
Bulimba Powerhouse to commemorate the efforts of the
British workers
and seamen, who ensured that the powerhouse equipment
arrived in Brisbane. Additional text panels tell the
full story of
Contract 253 - a story that linked Australia with Britain
in a common cause.
The co-operation between BCC and CEL, the decisions made,
procedures taken and the story of Contract 253 present
an interesting insight into Brisbane’s war-time electricity
supply industry.
Powering the
40s is a complete exhibition in its own right. However,
QEM are planning to produce additional panels relating to
electricity generation, transmission, distribution and end-use
in industry and homes in wartime Queensland.
To celebrate the 60th anniversary
of the end of the Second World War, Powering the 40s
is now viewable online here.
This exhibition is available to tour. For more information
contact Dr Jan King, Director, Queensland Energy Museum.
Phone: (07) 3854 1266
Email: director@energymuseum.com.au.
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