Probus Club of Hobart Outing

by Probus Club of Hobart (Men's) | 23 Nov 2017

On Tuesday Sept 19th 46 members and partners undertook a day excursion to firstly view the recent $32million Southern Highlands Irrigation Scheme (from north of Bothwell to Hollow Tree in the centre of Tasmania - rainfall of 500 to 550 mls/annum).

Then the second visit to the Bowden's property ‘Weasel Plains’, also just north of Bothwell in the centre of Tasmania . This property, about 35 years ago, had a 13km channel dug from the Clyde River, then gravity pressure for both pivot and flood channel irrigation, with other catchment rain to a dam for the release of the same volume that was taken, back to the river. This water has recently also been utilised to drive a private hydro electric power station.

There has been a transformation from dry land faming, with recent crops of poppies and feed crops for the production of prime lambs. Richard and Scott Bowden and their wives Judy and Kate were generous hosts at the magnificent homestead 'Cluny' where lunch was catered by the local Bothwell Ladies Fitness Group.

Although the weather was variable we all stayed dry as the showers were infrequent, a typical Tasmanian Spring day.