James Hyndes Gillies

James Hyndes Gillies (11 November 1861 – 26 September 1942) was the pioneer of hydro-electricity in Tasmania, Australia and a metallurgist who patented a method for the electrolytic extraction of zinc.

He was granted approval in 1909 by the Tasmanian parliament to construct and operate the Great Lake Scheme (which became known as Waddamana Power Station) in the Central Highlands of Tasmania, which served the state until 1960.

[1] It was during his career as a metallurgist that Gillies invented an electrolytic process for the treatment of complex zinciferous ores and in 1904-7, took out a series of patents in America, Europe, Mexico and Australasia.

[1] Gillies travelled to London to secure capital investment from investors for the Great Lake Scheme and orders for turbines, alternators, switch gear, transformers and transmission line were placed in America as soon as possible thereafter, with delivery for the steel and cables expected by February 1912 and the machinery for the power station, March 1912.

In June 1912, HEPMCo contracted a Melbourne firm to build AC and DC distribution systems along the main roads leading to Hobart.

The site was progressing well, including the 6 mile access road that wound up through the hills surrounding Waddamana, until the winter of 1912 hit, one of the harshest on record, meaning that work became impossible due to frost and snowstorms, with rocks in many places being covered with six inches of ice.

[1] Evan Parry’s report complimented the design of the Great Lake Scheme, quality of work, low prices paid for equipment and the unit cost at which it would deliver power, once completed.

[5] When the bill was introduced into the House of Assembly, there was agreement on both sides that the State was in debt to Gillies for his great contribution to its advancement.