Blast from the Past: Story from ‘The Conveyor December 1961’

Pictured: Bob Phillifeant—Peter Radfords Speedboat “Adios”. Top right: Bill Myers, Bert McLaughlin, Dan Eyre and Gill Coulters Speedboat Betsy. Second right: Mick Miller. Third Right: Marlene Madsen (left), Helen Gould, Christine Radford and Colleen O’Brien. Children: Sharon Kelly, Robyn Munro, Reg Astill, Carolyn Munro, Mike Watters and Gail Kelly.
I’m sure this will bring back many fond memories…
At Copi Hollow not far from Menindee, two miracles of human endeavor are crystallising, the first phase of a long-cherished dream to develop the holiday and recreational potential of this area.
The first miracle was the completion of the Menindee Lakes Scheme which provides large areas of water.
The second miracle has been accomplished by a band of practical-minded water sport enthusiasts who have been granted a small area by the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission. When water first flowed into Copi Hollow early this year, water ski-ing commenced almost immediately. There was a small beach but no other facilities.
Later, the Broken Hill Speedboat Club was formed to provide a single safety control for speed boat operation (the Menindee and Broken Hill Ski Clubs were already in existence).
In July, work started on improvements at Copi Hollow. In a little more then a month, a 3,000-gallon tank had been erected on a 25-ft. tower to provide water for the men’s and women’s toilets, for taps near newly constructed barbecues, and for the newly planted lawns. A kiosk and storeroom had been built (all buildings are of cement brick) and a windmill and motorized water pump had been installed to feed water to the tank.
Other planned improvements include tree planting and the construction of change rooms. Donations of material were made by the mining companies and business houses, but members themselves carried out the work, with advice and help being given by the Resident Engineer for the water Conservation and Irrigation Commission, Mr J. Bate.
All these facilities, including a cleared area for cars and caravans, are for use by the general public without charge. Meanwhile, about three dozen boats capable of speeds of up to 70 m.p.h are using Copi Hollow, and the number is growing steadily.
…and look at Copi Hollow now!
It’s hard to believe that our reality was once their dream.