[2] After gold was discovered around 1853, Stawell’s population began to grow and in 1866 residents realised they needed a permanent water supply.

The survey of the scheme was commenced in October 1873 but it was not until February 1875 that the first sod of the tunnel was turned by the then Mayor, Mr HC Purcell.

[3] His proposal was to bore a tunnel through the Mt William range, a distance of 1 km, and have the water diverted from Fyan’s Creek by open channels and flumes.

The system worked by gravity and delivered up to 38 megalitres a day to the Big Hill reservoir in Stawell.

Much of Stawell’s water supply still comes from Fyan’s Creek and parts of the original system are still in use, including the tunnel.

Using a compressed air drilling machine, the two sides met, after many delays, with precision five years later.

Twenty miles (30 km) of reticulation pipes were also needed with 850 services connected to the mains.” [5] John’s father, William (1791–1863), had managed an estate for Lord Ormond in Ireland.