Snowy Hydro – The Jindabyne Story (c1965)

Produced in 1964–5 by the SMHEA photographic unit (Harry Malcolm et al.), the film tells the story of the moving of the town of Jindabyne to make way for Lake Jindabyne.

Three towns in the Snowy Mountains were moved to new locations as a result of the Snowy Mountains Scheme: Adaminaby, Jindabyne and Talbingo. By the time Jindabyne was moved in 1964, the scheme was over halfway to completion. The population of the mountains had increased. The snowfields, which had been expanded and popularised as a result of the scheme, were being well patronised. Although the film talks about the potential loss of the history of the region, the prevailing sense is that the new town of Jindabyne will do very well. The final scenes show the recently completed road across the top of Jindabyne Dam, leading into the town, already busy with cars. The snowfields are crowded with skiers, tourist buses are arriving with frequent regularity and the shops are doing a booming trade.