Castlemaine’s iconic foundry Flowserve TKL is turning 150 years old.
To commemorate this fantastic achievement, the local foundry at 5 Parker Street, Castlemaine will be holding an Open Day this Saturday October 18 and invites members of the community to take a look behind the factory door, enjoy a trip back to yesteryear, and tour the facility and its modern operations as they are today.
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 at 10.30am by Bendigo Federal MP Lisa Chesters, and barbecue.
Guests can also enjoy a power point presentation by long-time former employee and noted local historian George Milford.
The topic of George’s presentation is: ‘The fantastic gold finds by David and James Thompson and how the Thompson Bros went on to open the engineering works and then, with plenty of capital and a can-do attitude to become Australia’s pre-eminent engineers’.
The presentation session times will take place at 11am and 1pm in the lunchroom.
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 St 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.