General News
14 September, 2022
Windmill set for restoration
A RESTORED windmill will soon be erected in Terang in association with the upcoming Colour Terang Festival.
A RESTORED windmill will soon be erected in Terang in association with the upcoming Colour Terang Festival.
The Terang and District Historical Society have received approval from Corangamite Shire Council and the Department of Transport for the installation, which will be an arts initiative.
The windmill is expected to be erected on the strip opposite the Terang BP petrol station.
The project has been funded by Acciona Energia and the restoration work has been carried out by the Terang’s Men’s Shed, led by John Carroll.
The concept came about after the Terang and District Historical Society became interested in the history of the Fuller Windmill business, according to historical society member Des McKinnon.
“Fuller Windmill was started by Caleb Fuller in 1920,” he said.
“John McConnell purchased an original mill at a local clearing sale.
“Subsequently the Society has seen fit to install the windmill at prominent site in the median strip bounded by Noorat Road and Burkes Road, north of the Highway between the Palmer Fountain and the eastern length of the double Quercus robur (English Oak) avenue.
“The windmills were originally produced in Grey Street.”
Mr McKinnon said the business was flourishing in 1921, selling windmills throughout the Wimmera and Mallee as well as New South Wales, South Australia and King Island.
The company was also contracted by the Soldier Settlement Scheme, including Terrinallum Estate.
“The largest Fuller windmill was almost 5.5m in diameter and erected on Mt. Noorat Estate but was decommissioned by 1981,” Mr McKinnon said.
“The business continued with Caleb’s son, Edward, at the corner of Baynes and Shadforth Street and a few mills were assembled by his grandson the late Ross Murfett.”