Hydro Tasmania is seeking help as part of a project to celebrate its Centenary later this year.
The Australian utility is looking to identify the students and their teachers in the attached school photo from 1935. The photo (click to increase in size) is believed to be of the class at the Tarraleah school attended by children of Hydro families involved in the construction of the Tarraleah power station which was opened in 1938.
Hydro Tasmania wants to discover their identities, find out if any are alive or have family in the State and recognise their role in Hydro's history, as part of the work it is doing to celebrate its Centenary.
The centenary recognises the creation of the original Hydro Electric Department in October 1914 which was later known as the Hydro-Electric Commission, the Hydro-Electric Corporation and now as Hydro Tasmania. However, it has been known and claimed by Tasmanians for generations simply as 'the Hydro'.
The business is planning a program of events and initiatives later in the year to recognise the milestone.
Hydro Tasmania's Lara Van den Berg said the photo was included in the company's oral history book Ticklebelly Tales re-released last year.
"The photo reflects a time when thousands of Tasmanians lived in Hydro villages constructed to cater for the workers and their families throughout the development of Tasmania's world-famous hydropower system," Ms Van den Berg said. "We know where the photo was taken but have been unable to identify the students or their teachers. What we are asking for is the public's help in putting names to these young faces and their teachers.
"We believe that the children would now be well into their 80s and we are hoping many of them will not only be alive but still living in Tasmania. Hopefully, they or family members will see the photo and can help us solve the puzzle.
"If we can track them down we would like to find out their story and hopefully share it with others. The stories of the people who built the Hydro and made it what it is today are central to the Centenary celebrations. We would love to discover these children's stories and make them part of the event."
Do you know these people?
If anyone knows any details about the people in the photo they can contact Hydro Tasmania via email at centenary@hydro.com.au, phone on 1300 360 441 or post to Hydro Tasmania Centenary, GPO Box 355, Hobart 7001
Hydro Tasmania is also asking Tasmanians and anyone with a connection to the business and its history to share their stories and photos through the new centenary website at www.hydro100.com.au
