Leeton District Office artefacts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leeton District Office artefacts |
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Heritage boundaries
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| Location | Chelmsford Place, Leeton, Leeton Shire, New South Wales, Australia |
| Owner | Department of Planning and Infrastructure |
| Official name: Leeton District Office - Artefacts in Reception Lobby Showcase 1 | |
| Type | State heritage (movable / collection) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 966 |
| Type | Other - Utilities - Water |
| Category | Utilities - Water |
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The Leeton District Office artefacts are a special collection of items. They are considered important to history and are "heritage-listed." This means they are protected because of their historical value. These items are kept at a waterworks building in Leeton, New South Wales. They are also known as the "Leeton District Office - Artefacts in Reception Lobby Showcase 1." The collection is owned by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, which is a part of the New South Wales government. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
Contents
What are the Leeton Artefacts?
The artefacts in Showcase No. 1 are objects linked to the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Scheme. This was a huge project to bring water to farms. The items also tell the story of the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission (WC&IC). This group managed water and farming in the area. The collection also shows the history of the local community in Leeton.
Important Items in the Collection
The collection includes a working model used for the Berembed Weir. This weir was a key part of the irrigation system. There are also examples of things made locally by the WC&IC. These include old fruit cans and labels from their cannery. The WC&IC Cannery in Leeton and Yanco started making food in 1914. It continued until 1935, when it became the Leeton Co-operative Cannery Ltd.
Items in Showcase 1
The items in Showcase 1 are divided into two main types: objects and documents. Here are some of the cool things you can find:
- Collapsible Wickets Model: This is a small model made of brass on a wooden base. It shows how the "wickets" (like gates) at the Berembed Weir worked. They helped control the flow of water.
- Bottle: A clear glass bottle with a special message. It says, "THIS BOTTLE ALWAYS REMAINS THE PROPERTY OF THE WATER CONSERVATION AND IRRIGATION COMMISSION N.S.WALES." This shows how important their property was.
- Dethbridge Wheelcounter (x2): These are meters used to measure water. They would count how much water flowed into a property from the irrigation system.
- Cigarettes Tin: An old tin box with the label "CAPSTAN" Navy Cut Cigarettes. It was made by W.D. & H.O. Wills (Australia) Ltd. in Sydney.
- Fruit Can: An old tin can used for canned fruit from the WC&IC Cannery. This can comes from the site of the old Leeton Cannery.
- Fruit Can Labels: These are printed paper labels with brand names. They were used to sell canned fruit from the WC&IC Cannery. Some of the brand names were "MELBA" (for plums), "OCNAY" (for pears), "HYDRO" (for apricots), and "IBIS" (for plums).
Why are these Artefacts Important?
These artefacts are like clues from the past. They show us what life was like when the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Scheme was being planned and built. The items made locally, like the fruit cans, show how the Water Conservation & Irrigation Commission worked. They also show how important farming and canning were to the area.
The Leeton District Office artefacts were officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means they are recognized as a valuable part of New South Wales' history.
