Retrieving the “Eagle”: Some heavy lifting required!

​On Friday November 25th 2011, five of our members made the trip to Central Deborah Goldmine in Bendigo to retrieve the old Columbian “Eagle” press. Little did any of us expect that it would take over 7 hours to dismantle, move and load the press from the shed onto the awaiting truck. Shown in the photo below are (From left): Bob Tomkins, Russell Searle, Rod MacKenzie and John Brissett.  Howard Cooper, took the photo, and we thank him for taking all the photos in this posting.

​(Below) Project leader, Russell Searle is shown below inspecting the press prior to its dismantlement. It was important that we remembered where every part came from, and how it had to be reassembled. Howard photographed each part as it was removed, for later reference if that was needed.

​The beautiful brass plate at the centre of the press records the name and address of the manufacturer, Clymer and Dixon, of London. Unfortunately there is no serial number or date of manufacture on our press , but we believe it was manufactured around 1840. That would make it about 170 years old!

​The move-able balance beam from the top of the press took 4 strong men to move it. Lifting it up onto the truck presented another challenge.

​The main frame was the heaviest single part, and required some concerted teamwork. Glen Carter, from Central Deborah Goldmine is seen here in orange. His specialist knowledge and experience with moving heavy objects, and his additional physical strength were appreciated by our team.

​Finally with some extra help from Andrew Finnie, the truck driver, the main frame was coaxed up onto the truck for the journey back to Broadford.

The Historical Society would like to thank:

• The staff of Central Deborah Goldmine in Bendigo for allowing the press to be displayed in our museum, and for assisting us to retrieve it.
• Broadford truck owner Jamie Atkins, of Naonat Australia, for providing the truck which transported the press back to Broadford. Also Andrew Finnie, his driver, for his patience and willing assistance.
• Sam Grasso, owner of the Broadford Hotel, for providing and operating the fork-lift which was used to unload the press in Broadford.
• Broadford Concreting Contractor Graham Ferguson, for volunteering to lay the concrete pad on which the press now rests.

It’s been a combined community effort and we are very grateful for everyone’s assistance.