Yallourn town remembered 40 years after it was demolished for coal mine expansion

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It's been 40 years since the town he grew up in was destroyed, but every year Chris French still meets others who share his unique upbringing. Highlights The town of Yallourn was built in the 1920s to house Victorian State Electricity Commission workers. The town of Yallourn was built in the 1920s to house workers for the Victorian State Electricity Commission. It was demolished 40 years ago to allow the extraction of coal underneath. The Yallourn company town, located next to Yallourn Power Station in the Latrobe Valley in south-east Victoria, was managed by state-owned State Electricity Commission , with designated housing for workers. It was designed as a "garden city", based on the British urban planning concept that emphasized the balance between green areas, industry and agriculture. At its peak the town had a population of 5,000 people, complete with state-of-the-art facilities for sports, theater and education. However, in 1968 it was decided demolish town expand the light brown coal mine, forcing families move area. Chris French spent his childhood in Yallourn. Despite these unusual circumstances, Mrs. French has only positive memories of her old home. "It was absolutely unique," she said. “It was a great place to grow up because it had everything. “Unfortunately, with no new residents at Yallourn, [annual lunches] are running a bit thin, so those that fall off the list are not being replaced.” The Old Brown Coal Mine Museum houses historical items from the towns of Yallourn and North Yallourn. pieces of history As the Latrobe Valley looks to a clean energy future, Yallourn's memory has been preserved by past residents and admirers. A nearby church repurposed old pews, another Latrobe Valley resident used bricks from the hotel for paving, and a piece of furniture from Yallourn hospital is being used as a bedside table. Just opposite Yallourn's open pit pit is Old Brown Coal Mine Museum, which contains items such as the original boiler feed pump and dredging equipment used in power station. About 30 kilometers northeast of Toongabbie, Barry Gregson lives in one of Yallourn's original frame houses used to house workers. He moved into house in 1975, and Mr. Gregson, who worked as a builder on power plants in the Latrobe Valley, was attracted to property for its historic oddity and cheap price tag. Barry Gregson lives in an original Yallourn house which was relocated in 1975. However, there was a downside; years of accumulation of coal dust falling from the ceiling throughout the house. "You find it's a non-stop, very finely powdered beer, it was hard to get off," Mr Gregson said. "You snort what's inside, it's so good." A new legacy As the coal dust settles and renewable energy increases, Morwell resident Harlequin Goodes wonders what the future holds for his generation. Harlequin Goodes hopes energy transition in the Latrobe Valley will bring opportunities to young people in area. The 2