Xmas Mini Sessions 2019 followed by Zinc Lakes History Lesson

It’s the most wonderful time of the year :)

I always like to make Christmas Mini Sessions super simple and timeless. Clients are welcome to bring Christmas props if they wish, but simple family photos are perfect for gifts and hang on the wall all year round.
This year’s mini sessions were held at the Zinc Lakes. One of my favourite places, a true oasis here in Broken Hill. There are so many different looking spaces within this beautiful park. I always think to myself that it must have been very well planned in the beginning to survive our harsh climate and is something Zinc Corporation must have been very proud of. Lets be thankful that Perilya are still maintaining it today for the benefit of the community.
Scroll down past my photos for a brief Zinc Lakes history lesson and some old photos of the lakes.

A little history on what we know today as Zinc Lakes:

Albert Morris was convinced that, if protected from blowing sand and grazing, areas around Broken Hill would revegetate from natural seed beds because the plants would have a chance to grow to maturity. An area of 18 acres at Freeman’s Shaft was fenced off with a galvanised iron fence on two sides (to catch blowing sand) and rabbit-proof fences on the others.

A tank was placed on the highest point, from which water could be gravity fed to the plants. The boundaries were planted with “Old Man” Salt Bush which was to provide shelter and catch sand drifts. In early 1937, 3,000 seedling trees were planted. By this time, Morris noted that grasses and other plants had naturally regenerated within the fenced area. Larger trees were planted in what was later called Albert Morris Park.

By 1939, the plantation was a success and expanded to include a citrus orchard, vegetable gardens and a pleasure lake (the Zinc Lake). An ornamental garden was planted between the Zinc Corporation Offices and the Concentrating Mill for employees to relax in.
Sadly, Albert Morris died from a brain tumour in January 1939 (aged 53) before the full completion of the revegetation works could be seen. Imagine how proud he would be to see it being enjoyed by so many families 80 odd years later .

Photos above from Broken Hill Historical Society Facebook page.
Photo 1 - Construction of the lakes
Photo 2 - Zinc Corporation ornamental ‘sunken’ gardens
Photo 3 - Rowing race at Zinc Lakes 1950’s