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"Hobart has never had a master plan. It's a town built on incremental accidents and compromise." Haha! Nicely summed up.

Fantastic video, Angus. Without people like you shining a light, it would be so easy to erasing the significance of places like the zinc works. I had no idea how much it shaped Hobart or its war effort contributions. There is much wisdom in this piece. "Hobart has never had a master plan. It's a town built on incremental accidents and compromise." Thank you for caring about these stories enough to share them with the world.

From the flannel curtain to the Vatican of metallurgy. Beautiful mate!

Your Tasmanian documentaries are better than anything on Tassie TV. Love your videos and your chilled way of story telling. Thank you for sharing your vids with us.

What you are doing is SO IMPORTANT. Im sure every Taswegian appreciates you posting the remnants of our history before it is all but forgotten. ❤

Magnificent work mate. The amount of people EZ has touched over the years in Hobart is amazing. Every one knows someone who worked there or was a contractor to EZ, or supplies EZ. Hobart economic and social fabric was linked to it. When the good times are good, they are good. Employees are looked after with health and dental care, large scale Christmas parties, and bonuses.....but when things are tight perks and flow on work to external parties drys up. My father did a stint at EZ, my brother works there now, my father in law had a long career there,a as did his father. My partner was an employee too. EZ and Hobarts northern suburbs go hand in hand......now where's my flannel shirt....

I was making a model of the Graf spee, when my mum came into the room and in a panic said "the bridge has fallen down", I still have a vivid memory of that night, we lived in Sandy Bay and could see the bridge from our house. Thanks Angus

I worked at the zinc works for 7 years after graduating from Uni with my science degree. Initially working in chemical metallurgical research and for my last 5 years there as an environmental officer. If I can correct a few things in your video, you commented on the smoke coming from the zinc works. However, it’s steam from the cooling towers etc. There are no smoke emissions from the plant. To clarify re your comments on Jarosite, yes it was a toxic substance though primarily was iron oxide with trace levels of a range of metals and other nasties. Jarosite disposal ceased in 1997 as a result of the Commonwealth not permitting the ocean disposal beyond that timeframe. The waste product from zinc production made ever since is an substance called paragoethite which is shipped to Port Pirie where it’s smelted and further metals (lead etc are extracted before being land disposed as an inert slag. While environmentally, the zinc works has had a detrimental impact on both the river and parts of Lutana (soil contamination) equally the benefits to Hobart and those who worked there and still do to this day is immense.

Mate, the quality of your program is going from strength to strength. Amazing source material and use of drone. Well researched too. Thanks so much for your work.👍

I used to watch the Anson go down the river from my bedroom in West Hobart then return a couple of hours later. There’s no way that it went 60 odd nautical miles before dumping the Jarosite.

GREAT SHOW ANGUS!👍SHINE BRIGHT!!🙌👊🤍💙❤

As an American who once worked at EZ as a zinc stripper (79-80), I found this fascinating. What a gem--for me at least and my Tasmanian wife. Hell of an experience those 6 months were and the money sent us off on a 6 month 'honeymoon' backpacker trip in Asia. Cheers,

Anyone else noticing how professionally presented these vids have become? Great content again that clearly strikes a chord with many of memories of family and friends who worked at EZ. Brilliant Dog and Angus! ps. Don't miss the Bailey Bridge though - scared the hell out of me as a young fella with it rattling and swaying!

I used to work at their mine during the '70s. It was commonly mentioned that the extracted gold from the zinc ore was enough to cover wages of all it's employees. I'd hazard a guess of around 5000 people in it's heyday.

I found this absolutely fascinating! I was particularly impressed with how you highlighted the significance of the zinc works in relation to the early development of Tasmania's electricity grid, and its connection to Belgium in Europe. Your attention to detail and thorough research made the story so engaging and informative. Thank you for sharing such an intriguing piece of Tasmania's history!"

Excellent work Angus. We do need to recognise the value of the EZ complex to Tasmania, as well as the negatives which are often highlighted. My dad worked in the place, It effectively gave us a house, education, dental care, holidays. Dad received a bonus twice yearly which was quite a significant amount mid-year & just on Christmas time. EZ has been of huge economic value to Tasmania & especially to the families of its employees.

Mate you did this video in such a good simple , informative, down to earth Tasmanian way. Thank you, your a humble legend Angus

Awesome video as always Angus! Sorry about ruining your shot, talking about the railway 🏍️

My father started work at the Zinc Works at the end of wwll, he worked on the conveyer belts on the docks for 36 years, along with most of his mates from the 2nd/40th and 2nd/12th battalions, his best mate fell off a gantry 60 metres up and killed not long after being employed, we lived in a war service home in Mcgough St Glenorchy, when I was in grade four at Savio College,1965, our teacher asked every student where their father worked, out of the 45 students, about 35 students fathers worked at the Zinc Works

Worked there as a sparky, here are some useless facts from 1990. The plant used approx 110MW of power which is a bit under a third the output of Strathgordon Power Station. The cell room floor is over 340m long and does not touch electrical "earth" as it is suspended on porcelain insulators. If you were to stand outside and touch the busbar with a steel rod you would rapidly become flammable. The cell’s in the cell room give off hydrogen, which ignites from sparks from time to time and can cause industrial deafness. There used to be a 75,000v rotary rectifier to convert 415v AC to 75kv DC to create static in lead pipes that stripped the dust out of the gases from the roasters. The gas from the roasters contain sulphur, and this gas is used to make Sulphuric Acid (H2SO4). Working in the gas scrubber for a week replacing the lead anode’s can cause lead poisoning.

Thanks again Angus. Another interesting history lesson. Cheers.

"where it isn't even is" ha ha love it!!! Another good one, thank you so much. Wish I was armed with this info the other week when I cruised up river enroute to MONA with a Qld visitor, commenting on how ugly yet interesting the site looked! Will share the vid with her, and hopefully find you a new fan!!

Did most of my growing up in goodwood and new about 10% of what you just presented and educated... loved it, well done and thank you.👏👏👏👏 TASMANIA.. I hate you & I love you.

Brilliant Angus. It tidies up a bag of disjointed memories of EZ. That really brings social history to life.

Thanks Angus - probably your best video to date. Your laid back but incredibly thoughtful commentary sets the tone perfectly for these historical vignettes of Hobart. Wonderful!

As a Tasmanian this is so wonderful to see. And you are doing us proud.. thank you so much 😃👍👍👍🕊🏆🥇.

Have always wondered what that concrete bank was for. Regularly fish that area as a passtime(not to eat)

One minor correction. The dam you show doesn't hold leachate from the jarosite cells. It holds stormwater run off from the site. You should have contacted the company, they may have given you a tour, dogless of course.

Fantastic work Angus and Dog 👏👏👌. Your editing is so good, especially you walking off into disappearance. I remember my Dad catching the train and they used to get huge yearly bonuses. He worked in the cadmium area, and we reckon that's how he got the majority of his lung conditions 😢.

thank you Angus, that was absolutely riveting. If only local history was taught like this at schools, it might get the kids interested in their town around them. I had no idea we were so important for zinc and it made sense that I'd heard stories about a japanese ''invasion'' when i was a kid (which you covered the fly over) and the fortifications along the Derwent shore. Also the link to the H.E.C. was an eye opener. Again, thank you.

One of your best Angus, and well worth the wait. I remember driving around and through the mighty Works in the 1970’s. An odd public road with high fences either side. Blood testing of zinc levels of employees, and neighbouring residents used to be a regular thing, even Lindisfarne residents get flyers in the mail box about soil contamination sporadically. The Jarosite dumping thankfully stopped, but some of the pile remains. Somebody could tell how it’s treated and used now; some process that has rendered it safe, I recall.

Awesome mate , thank you for making. I currently work in casting and am so proud to be apart of this iconic world known business, Great History lesson. A job to be proud of and a top bunch of people to work with.

I really enjoyed this. - KZfaq sent me here lol. - thanks for giving some history and insight for the bridges too. Always wondered why they were done like that.

I'm a newish subscriber. I am so impressed with how much research you do to bring us these informative videos. Before moving interstate my dad began his career at EZ, and his two brothers and my two grandfathers all spent their entire working lives working for EZ. I have heard from my Mum how important their work was during WW2 and how my mother's father was allowed to have a car with unlimited fuel when others were rationed, due to his essential work. The Japanese plane going up the river is my mother's earliest childhood memory and she recalled to me how it was unlike any other sound she'd ever heard and it terrified her. I researched it once and it has a fascinating post script. One of the pilots, Nobuo Fujita, later dropped a bomb over Oregon, the only bomb dropped on the US mainland in WW2. After the war Fujita became an active pacifist, and apologised for his actions. Some of his ashes were scattered over the bombed area in the US as a mark of respect to him.

Wow, amazing. My grandfather, father and two of my brothers worked at EZ. I think my grandfather, a shift boss, worked there for over 40 years! I have always wanted to know a little more about it, thank you

Have watched all your vids, and loved em all and learnt so much about our history. Had no idea we had visitors in WW2 for instance, you would think they would of mentioned that in school!? Thanks for educating us 👍

I really love your videos and the relaxed vibes. Based on the comments I see that most people are from Tasmania here, but I am not. So here is a big hello from a fan in the EU. Keep up the great job.

Informative & well presented, Hobart's rail and trams should be restored. One traffic accident can turn the place into gridlock.

Great history lesson, everyone in Hobart have family members who worked at Zinc Works.

I rowed past there every day during high school, I grew up on Risdon Rd in Newtown and also lived on Lime Rd in Lutana for a short time when we first moved to Hobart from Queenstown on the west coast. So many memories of my teenage years in this video, thank you.

All your videos have this "otherwordly" feel to them, fantastic efforts in capturing the history of southern Tas!

I've loved every one of your videos and I think you are getting better & better. The information you give us is so interesting and informative. Please never stop. I love listening to a friend Shirley who's in her late 80's who recalls an amazing amount of Hobart history. If you ever want to talk to her please let me know.

This is another fabulously informative video, why, how, where.

Fascinating, thank you Angus.

My Uncle worked in the Zinc Works for most of his life

Angus my dad worked in the leeching devision for so long doing round the clock work load, he ended up getting lung cancer from that death house and sadly passed away in1990,I can still reconise that acid smell. Good bye pop love you heaps.

Another enjoyable and informative video. Cheers Angus.

Thanks Angus - this is so interesting. I love your passion for local history

You take some great shots! Well done. I enjoy your docos

Great video Angus, as always! This brings back many memories - crossing the river on the punt, the hole in the bridge and the rattle of the old Bailly bridge - the sound used to drive our little dog nuts. My grandfather was on shift at EZ the night the Japanese aircraft flew up the river, looking for targets for the mini-subs. Also, one of my uncles worked at the zinc works until he was falsely sacked for alleged industrial espionage during a recession - they really just wanted to sack him without having to pay out a redundancy. I'd never heard of the flanno line before your videos, but proud to have grown up North of the line! Thanks again.

Fascinating! A well produced video, too.

thanks mate what a great local doc

Greetings from south-east Queensland. I was told about your channel and have subscribed. I do similar work here up north - exploring the local history of Brisbane and the greater metropolitan area. It is nice to come across someone else doing similar work.

Excellent work Angus - vivid memories of the boats full of slag heading down the river. Any idea when the punt stopped running ?

Loved this video - my Grandfather managed the plant from ‘64-‘71. I remember the ferry still operating across the narrows as a kid.

Great video... Loved it..

This is great coverage of a bit of history that i had no idea about

Another great presentation. Thanks

Always wondered what become of the filthy old Anson, may she rust in pieces and continue her legacy of polluting the waterways 🤣 Really enjoy your work mate, you always put things in a different light 👍 My only EZ story (that I have no way of confirming) was a mate that spent some time there as part of a chemistry degree in early 90's. He came across a report of various toxic spills, the one that stuck in my mind was 17 tonnes of mercury into The River 😬

Thanks Angus very interesting as always.

Excelllent work and well presented

Nice video angus! It’s really great to have these sorts of videos about home!😊

Great video Angus 👍 I grew up in Risdon Vale and have many memories of using the Risdon punt when the Tasman Bridge went down. Waiting our turn to get on gave you plenty of time to look at tbe Zinc works in action.

Fascinating - I was talking with a couple of people I regularly catch up with in the dog park. We were talking about where the boat used to take the rubbish material out to the edge of the continental shelf . . . . .hmmmm.

Well put together, learnt a lot. FYI though it’s not a smelter! It comes under the same umbrella as a Minesite, Port Pirie is a smelt on the mainland!

yes, one thing that stood out most that it was just in the 90's they stopped waste disposal in the sea. Fishing in River Derwent isn't as healthy for many more years to come.... pollution has left huge mark in that area and much of it is just being left unsaid. Great video, cheers.

Good job Angus! Great research! Thanks.

Wow! Amazing video Angus. Great drone footage as it really adds value to the story.

This is fascinating - so many local landmarks I've been passing by that I didn't even notice!

Another great Video!

It’s definitely steam not smoke that comes out of those stacks. Didn’t realise it was apricots that were grown as well, I thought it was only 🍐 pears. And I liked hearing the crow that’s my favourite black bird, and the helicopter 🚁 that goes by often in this area you could hear that too. Thank you for the research 🔬 thank you for finding these old photos,for the video, so Amazing to look at. Plus Drone work that you do adds wonderful handy work. And one more thing I liked the closing words to your video, profound insight. 💜😊

So interesting many thanks for sharing mate :)

Great piece Angus. I never knew of the origin and genesis of the zinc works. Thank you

great work mate

Thanks for the info

excellent video- thankyou

Great work again Angus.thanks for sharing and thanks again for your time and effort in making these videos.

Loving your videos. Keep them coming. I wonder if you might do one on the old coal mines of Lenah Valley some day?

Great work, a really nicely researched bit of history, a touch of poetry to it and a couple of dramatic moments removing sunglasses ;) Loved it.

Nice Simpsons reference. Fantastic. Great move. Well done Angus.

Fantastic video Angus

10/10 video and content, thanks mart.

Excellent again thanks Angus

Interesting, my grandfather worked there most of his life .

Awesome storey mate thanks

Excellent. Thank you.

as always great vid dude (y)

Great as always Angus but feels a tad greenwashed without mentioning how the Zincworks polluted the fuck out of the Derwent... shellfish are still inedible to this day due to high levels of mercury in the river due to historical run off

Been waiting for this 🤙

Thanks

My paternal Grandfather worked at the Zinc Works.

LEGEND!

I’ve been noticing the increase in shipping up the river these last few years. From one ship per day 15 years ago, to two or more steaming under the Tasman bridge; albeit not all heading for the EZ wharf. Today there are four bulk carriers on the hook down off Opossum Bay, waiting their turn to take the precious metal home. Is this apparent increase in zinc exports related to the drums of war in Europe, or is it some other EZ related material being trans-shipped?

excellent, subbed)

Tell an electrician his nexus connections are parallel and wait for the sparks to fly!

Interesting as a visitor to Habart you wouldn’t even know it’s there. Also as an A’s fan Angus, what are your thoughts on the team moving to Vegas?

6:42, Just couldn't situate that leaching pool anywhere else on the landscape I guess..😑

It's the cloud factory😊

And when the weather was rough the jarosite would only make it to storm bay