Thread: SMA in the 50's

Going through some old photographs the other day and found some from a family acquaintance who was working as a dozer operator with the SMA, based, at the time of the shots (mid-late 50's), out of Cabramurra.
Living conditions at Cabramurra in those days was relatively comfortable, single men being housed in barrack style accommodation, each barrack containing its own smaller lounge room, whilst a large community lounge, ballroom and dining facility was situated at the mess, and the bar was open every day and night. This complex remains pretty well unchanged today although perhaps slightly modified over the years.
Transport was carried out by 'snow cat', Caterpillar tractors and dozers, the inimitable Land Rover and an assortment of other vehicles.
This shot taken from outside the barracks at Cabramurra shows not only icicles hanging off the roof but also a 'snow cat' and a Landy

Other outpost camps were situated at various construction sites and the rations and supplies for these outlying camps were transported by road(?) throughout all kinds of weather conditions. The following shot shows a trailer loaded with rations ready to head down to Happy Valley camp towed by an open cabbed Cat tractor under relatively arduous conditions.

Even when the Happy Valley road had been cut it was still an interesting drive down the steep valleys. It is interesting to compare these early shots with road conditions today, no safety fences, no signs every 5 metres to tell one what to do, no safety run offs or even roundabouts, although there does seem to be some semblance of a white line down the centre.

Perhaps the natural build up of snow on the side of the road would be reason enough to scrimp on the safety barriers and speed restrictions that we are so used to seeing today. One thing that would bring some comfort to mind would be the wonderful insulation in the cab of those early vehicles. A/C would have been on full blast, I bet.

This particular rock was a favourite of the photographer and I quote from the notation on the shot; "This is my favourite rock on the HV (Happy Valley) Road which I did save for a year but finally the powers to be made me blast it off. Happy Valley camp at the bottom".

Hope you find some enjoyment in this blast from the past.
Regards
Glen

As you said Glen, early 50's, as the Landies are 80".

And to think, our Leon played around down there in his early days.