An estimated crowd of 2500 people flocked to the Flowserve TKL open day on Saturday October 18 to mark the iconic Castlemaine foundry’s 150th anniversary.
Visitors enjoyed free coffee compliments of Flowserve and a snag thanks to the team from Rotary Castlemaine and the rare chance to wander through the factory as the sounds of the Thompsons Foundry Band filled the air.
Visitors learned about some of the history and incredible products produced by the foundry over the last 150 years from former employee and longtime local resident George Milford who has penned a new book, The Foundry – 150 years of Thompsons Castlemaine.
The company founded by Irish brothers David and James Thompson who descended from a long line of foundry workers. Thompsons was born following a mining windfall at Quartz Hill at Chewton. They initially built a flour mill which produced award winning flour, before shifting their focus to engineering and supporting the mining, agriculture and engineering needs of Castlemaine and district and beyond before branching into to rail and trains, wartime munitions and triple-expansion steam engines for the HMAS Castlemaine, and ultimately forged a name for its world-renowned pumps.
The event gave those in attendance a wonderful chance to chat to past and present employees.
Among those to attend were former employee Ken McDougall, pictured below, who was responsible for keeping the boilers firing – hauling 17 ton of wood a day!
During his time with the company Ken also worked on the cranes and forklifts, filled in as staff nurse, spent time as a night watchman, and also had the responsibility of sounding the whistle for shifts and breaks.
“It was hard work but it was a great team and we had a lot of fun along the way,” Ken said.
Ken said one of his most memorable days on the job was when the police approached the company for assistance to destroy a multi-million dollar cannabis haul.
“We really put the boilers to work that day and Channel 9 were on hand to film the spectacle!” Ken said.
Among the special guests at Saturday’s event was Bendigo Federal MP Lisa Chesters who assisted Flowserve Project Engineer Specialist and event organiser David Lawrence to unveil a plaque to celebrate the 150 year milestone.
The celebrations coincided with supporting events attended by hundreds of visitors at Billmans Foundry where spectators enjoyed a live metal pour, Castlemaine Historical Society, and the Maldon Vintage Engine Museum.
