Dexter returns to Urana with help from the Hay team

Jun 28

Pictured at the dedication ceremony for Dexter were three of the key people who made it happen – Geoff Harrison who provided the space and staff expertise for the rebuild, Tim Matt who devoted the past 23 years to the project and Federation Council General Manager, Adam Butler.
Photo credit: Thomas Glastonbury.

By Tertia Butcher

A journey that began 23 years ago for Tim Matt finally came to fruition last week with a dedication ceremony for the Dexter Horizontal Turbine which he helped to rebuild.

Tim’s association with the project began in late 1999 when he started collecting bits and pieces of the Dexter turbine which was partially destroyed in a bushfire on Urana property, Coonong Station.

The windmill holds a unique link to the region’s pastoral heritage and was imported to Australia prior to 1883 by Sir Samuel McCaughey from the US for use on Coonong Station.

It is the only windmill of its kind left in the world and there are no spare-parts available.

Federation Council secured a $178,000 grant in 2018 from NSW Government to rebuild the historically significant 7.2-metre-high structure, with Tim Matt of Hay heading the massive undertaking.

Mr Matt said last Wednesday, on a bitterly cold day in Urana, the long-running saga finally came to conclusion.

“A final dedication ceremony organised by Federation Council took place at the site, with a large crowd of interested people in attendance. It was a great occasion,” he said.

“The proceedings were opened by Adrian Butler, Federal Council General Manager and followed by Karen Coghill, president of Urana Inc who spoke of the long-running efforts to finally secure government funding for the project.

“Federation Council Mayor, Pat Bourke spoke of the dedication of the council staff in helping to get the final construction completed, before he cut the ribbon to much applause.”

Geoff Harrison of DG Harrison and Sons provided the working space and staff expertise to build the Dexter before it was transported to Urana for its final re-erection.