Castlemaine Historical Society Inc will be holding an Open Day this Saturday October 18 to coincide with the Flowserve TKL 150th anniversary event.
The ‘Castlemaine – After the Rush’ event will take place at the CHSI headquarters at the Former Courthouse, 7 Goldsmith Cres, Castlemaine from 1pm to 4pm.
This will be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the society and will showcase treasures from the Castlemaine Historical Society archives, alongside the enduring legacy of Thompsons Foundry – 150 years (Flowserve TKL).
Among the items on display will be ephemera and treasures from the society’s rich archives, 20th century memorabilia, and an amazing Thompsons Foundry presentation by Ian Hooper – featuring photos and memorabilia.
Gold coin donation entry.
Afternoon tea is available in the garden at a small cost.
A Gold Camp Tour will also be hosted by Gail Reynolds at 2.30pm. The cost is just $5.
Don’t miss this chance to be part of living history this Spring.
Bring your friends and family!
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Flowserve TKL (formerly Thompsons Foundry) tomorrow, we enjoyed a chat with former foundry team member and longtime Castlemaine resident Joyce Perry.
Joyce was born in Parker Street, Castlemaine, in a little cottage near the bush in 1926 and celebrated her 99th birthday earlier this year.
“My family later moved to Hunter Street, and I attended the North School, before my father got a job in Melbourne, and we moved to Seddon for two years. Unfortunately, he got sick and was hospitalised, and we moved home to Castlemaine and settled in Forest Street, and I attended the South School,” she said.
“I then did two years of study at Castlemaine High School and two years at Castlemaine Technical College, where I learnt tracing.
“I got a job at the foundry at around 16 years of age. I worked in the drafting department. There were six of us girls. The men would do the designs for the works, and we would trace them, ready for the blueprints to be printed off. It was very technical work. It’s all computerised nowadays!” Joyce said.
“We had a lot of good times working at the foundry; there was a great camaraderie. They were a great bunch. I recall we entered a foundry float in a parade one day. That was a lot of fun,” she said.
Joyce met her husband Percy at the Anglican Church dance, and the couple were married at the Anglican Church in 1947.
“Of course, in those days when you got married, you were expected to leave work and focus on being a wife and mother. That changed after the war. But I didn’t mind. I enjoyed raising our two children, a boy and a girl, Ian and Marilyn, and the chance to pursue my sports. I enjoyed playing tennis at the Anglican Church tennis courts, golf at Mount Alexander, and later bowls at Castlemaine Bowling Club,” she said.
“I was also involved in committees at the tennis club, school and golf club. We were a sporting family. We all loved our sport. In fact, the foundry has a proud history of community sport involvement too. There were local cricket and football sides and various other sports. Michael Bottomley compiled a fantastic book featuring many of these.
“Perc worked at the Woollen Mills for many years and later moved across and worked at the foundry, taking over the role of storeman when his dad retired,” Joyce said.
“When he notched up 10 years of long service, we enjoyed a trip to Carnamah in Western Australia between Perth and Geraldton.
“We enjoyed a lot of travel in our retirement years in our van, including regular trips to Kirra near Coolangatta. I’ve been to every state in Australia. We also spent a month in Peace River in Alberta, Canada, when our son was there on a 12-month teacher’s exchange, and we visited Hawaii and Disneyland.”
Joyce and Perc enjoyed 67 years of marriage before he passed 11 years ago.
Joyce has remained fit and active and enjoys regularly attending functions with Probus, the Chewton Senior Citizens and catching up with friends and family. In fact, Joyce and her daughter Marilyn are looking forward to attending tomorrow’s Flowserve TKL 150th anniversary celebrations, which run from 10am to 2pm. See pages 1, 4 and the advertisement on page 9 for more details.
And the all important questions:
What is your favourite book? I am an avid reader, but I don’t really have a favourite. I am currently reading The Raging Storm by Ann Cleeves. I also enjoy doing crosswords.
What music do you enjoy? Country & Western music. I enjoy modern music too. Anything bright and cheery.
Do you have any other passions and interests? I enjoy attending Probus Club and I am also a member of the Chewton Senior Citizens. I also enjoy regularly attending the Dhelkaya Health’s Active Tuesdays program.
What are your philosophies in life? To be kind and to help others where you can.
Who are your three dream dinner guests? My husband Perc, my son Ian who passed away very young at just 50, and my dear friend Glenis Marshall, who passed away a couple of years ago. We were friends for 60 years, and I don’t remember us ever having a real argument. We had lots of adventures together.
Finally, what do you love most about the place you call home? Well, I was born and bred here and apart from that two-year stint in Melbourne I wouldn’t be anywhere else. I’m a Castlemanian at heart. I love our friendly community and we have everything here that we need. It’s a lovely country town.
Castlemaine’s iconic Flowserve TKL (formerly Thompsons Foundry) is turning 150 years old and will commemorate this incredible achievement with an open day at the local foundry at 5 Parker Street, Castlemaine, tomorrow October 18.
Flowserve TKL Project Engineer – Specialist and event organiser David Lawrence said they look forward to welcoming the community to this special event.
“It is not every day an Australian business turns 150 years old, operating continuously on the same site, and we encourage everyone to come along and help us celebrate this milestone,” he said.
The Mail caught up with a few longtime staff members and new faces at Flowserve TKL on Wednesday to get their thoughts ahead of tomorrow’s celebrations.
Project Engineer Tony Norris will celebrate 45 years with the company in January.
“I started at 15, and I am a fourth-generation employee at the foundry, and my son was the fifth. He has since moved on. My mum and dad actually met here so I wouldn’t exist if not for the foundry,” Tony laughs.
“Mum used to clean the phones and Dad worked as a trade assistant. He spotted her, and it was love at first sight,” Tony said.
Machine Shop Supervisor Tyrone Rice joined the company at 16 and will mark 48 years in January.
“I think the biggest change I’ve seen here was the introduction of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines in 1980. It was a game-changer,” Tyrone said.
Production Supervisor Greg Cue has worked at the business for 39 years.
“I started at 17. I’ve enjoyed embracing the evolving technology over the years. You’ve got no choice but to keep up,” he said.
“I have worked alongside the likes of Gordon Brown, who retired after 50 years but still plays a role six years on. The company has a strong community focus and has been happy to support organisations such as the CFA and SES and allow members to down tools and support the community when needed,” Greg said.
Manufacturing Manager Samir Verna said he has only been with the company for five years, but has been warmly welcomed by the local team.
“There are so many long-serving employees here with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in their fields; they are very generously passing that on to the next generation,” he said.
The Open Day will run from 10am to 2pm. The well-known ‘whistle’ will sound across the town at 10am to coincide with the raising of flags on the Parker Street site and the gates will open.
Thompsons Foundry Band will be performing, and there will be historical displays, a plaque unveiling by Lisa Chesters at 10.30am and free barbecue running throughout the day.
Guests can also enjoy a PowerPoint presentation by longtime former employee and noted local historian George Milford. A number of other local organisations, including Billmans Foundry, Castlemaine Historical Society Inc and Maldon Vintage Machinery Museum, will be opening their days and holding events to coincide with the celebrations.
A brief history …
According to the research of J.G. Burnell, the founders of the original foundry, brothers David and James Thompson, migrated from Northern Ireland to Victoria in 1852/53 and formed a partnership.
They first erected a Quartz Crushing Plant on old Quartz Hill. For the next ten years, they continued mining operations, being principally engaged on the erection of engines, batteries, pumps and winding gears for various mines in central Victoria.
In 1864, they erected a Flour Mill at the corner of Kennedy and Parker Streets, part of which is incorporated in the present offices of the company. They obtained a number of prizes for their flour, notably an award gained at the Paris Exhibition of 1867. This award now hangs in the writer’s office and is particularly interesting in that it bears the impress of Napoleon III, who was then on the throne of France, three years before his defeat at Sedan.
In 1875, the Thompson Bros began taking engineering work at the same premises. Milling was carried on for a further two years but was then abandoned, the plant being sold to a firm in New South Wales. The Engineering Works rapidly expanded supporting the needs of the growing colony with general engineering work, the mining industry, and the new railways being constructed and, by 1887, had grown to employ 120 men.
Over the years that have followed, the business has been known by many names, including Thompson & Co, Thompsons-Byron Jackson, and more recently Thompsons, Kelly and Lewis. The business was purchased by Flowserve in 2004.
Events on tomorrow October 18 include:
To coincide with the Flowserve TKL Open Day, a number of other local organisations with a connection to the historic foundry will open their days to offer tours, displays and demonstrations.
Local business Billmans Foundry at 5-7 Langslow Street will also open its doors between 10am and 2pm.
View some of Billmans current projects and see a live pour. This will allow visitors to witness Billmans heritage metal casting craftsmanship firsthand, offering a chance to see the creation of a unique Australian-made product in action.
Join members at the Castlemaine Historical Society Inc at the Former Court House at 7 Goldsmith Crescent for a special Open Day as they showcase highlights from their archives, with a spotlight on Thompsons Foundry – celebrating 150 years since its founding. Explore a fascinating collection on historical films, photographs and employee records, offering a unique glimpse into one of Castlemaine’s iconic industries. CHSI will be open between 1pm and 4pm. Entry: Gold coin donation.
Community members are also encouraged to take the time to visit a number of other significant sites in around Castlemaine. These include:
– Quartz Hill: Take a self-drive tour to Quartz Hill, off North St, Chewton, the scene of the Thompson Bros gold discovery that would today amount to millions of dollars.
– Maldon Vintage Machinery Museum: The Thompsons Display at MVMM was awarded an Engineering Excellence award. Open 9.30am to 6pm.
– View the Castlemaine Pioneers and Old Residents Association shop front display at 81 Mostyn Street, Castlemaine.
– Pay a visit to the Mount Alexander Vintage Engine Club, Muckleford (alongside the Muckleford Station), which has a Thompsons Stamper battery on site.
Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting the community to attend the Castlemaine Emergency Expo at the Western Reserve this Saturday October 18.
The free community event is a fun day out for all ages and an opportunity to learn how to prepare for emergencies.
The day includes hands-on demonstrations, emergency vehicles to explore, kids’ activities, a sausage sizzle and expert advice, helping locals stay safe and informed.
The expo is held at the start of Victoria’s high-risk bushfire season, which is also the time of year when floods and storms are more likely.
Visitors can watch a live road crash rescue demonstration, tour emergency vehicles, and take part in interactive displays covering bushfire readiness, flood protection, storm safety, CPR and first aid.
There’ll also be experts available to walk you through simple, effective ways to prepare your home, family or farm for emergencies.
Children are especially well catered for, with engaging activities like squirty fire trucks, games and a chance to meet real-life emergency crews up close.
Castlemaine SES Section Lead Daniel Bone said the expo aims to make emergency preparedness more accessible and less overwhelming.
“Preparing for emergencies doesn’t have to be daunting,” Mr Bone said.
“This event brings the community together to learn in a supportive, hands-on way – and it’s designed to be enjoyable as well as educational.
“We want people to walk away feeling more confident, better informed, and more connected to their local services.”
The event will run from 12pm to 4pm. Entry is free.
The expo is open to residents from across the shire including Castlemaine, Harcourt, Maldon, Newstead, Taradale and surrounding communities.
The Castlemaine Emergency Expo is proudly supported by Mount Alexander Shire Council, SES, CFA, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and Forest Fire Management Victoria.
