In a perfect example of good timing, the National Museum of Australia will on Sunday present a plaque to the town of Cooma recognising the start of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme as one of Australia's "defining moments".
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The Defining Moments in Australian History project was initiated by the National Museum of Australia to stimulate a public discussion about the events that have been "of profound significance to the Australian people".
The initial list of 100 defining moments was compiled by museum staff, in consultation with an advisory panel of leading historians. Since the project began, suggestions for additional defining moments have been added from the public, bringing the list to more than 250.
On the list is the Chifley government beginning the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme in 1949.
National Museum director Mathew Trinca will travel to Cooma on Sunday to hand over a plaque to Snowy Monaro Regional Council Administrator, Dean Lynch.
The plaque handover will be held at Sunday's Cooma Multicultural Festival - reflecting Snowy Hydro's multicultural workforce. Migrants of more than 30 nationalities made up about 65 per cent of the workforce.
It comes as the Federal Government this week announced a $2 billion investment in "Snowy Mountains Scheme 2.0", increasing the scheme's power generation by 50 per cent.
The Snowy Hydro scheme is also one of 25 "moments" which will feature on plaques to be installed in the National Museum's Main Hall.
The National Museum's list of Defining Moments remains very much open. Contributions can be made by going to the museum's website: nma.gov.au/definingmoments
