MT. FRANKLIN


Grid Reference BU 471719
Department DSE
Work Depot Daylesford
Region South West
Grading Primary
Elevation (ASL) 635m
Height 10m
Construction Steel
Cabin size 2m x 2m
Public access to site Yes
In use since 19?? - 1969 (original)
1972 - (current)
CFA Region 15 - Central
The original Mt. Franklin tower was a wooden one and about 23m high. It was build in approx. 1950 (??). The current one was build in approx. 1972 after being shifted from Little Hard Hill - Enfield.
Information and photo supplied by John Taylor (in picture) who has manned Mt. Franklin from 1973 until 19??

The following information was obtained from notes taken by David Bannear.

The original wooden tower was damaged in the summer of 1941 (fire?) and rebuilt, but then burnt down completely in 1969 fire.

15-04-1971; Proposed shift of the Little Hard Hills tower to Mt. Franklin is noted.

Please click on thumbnails for enlargements
Mt. Franklin in 1989
Supplied by Rocky Marsden DSE 		Mt. Franklin in 1998
Supplied by David Turner DSE

The information below was supplied by John Marion. John has manned the tower since the 2003/04 season.
The tower has been modified over the last 6 years with the addition of antennas, safety screens above the sector antennas, pager antenna, new weather station, shade cloth screens above the windows and the single run ladderway has been replaced with 3 seperate ladderways. Trees are an ongoing problem. Each year a number of trees are removed to maintain a clear view.
John was actually visiting the tower when the fire that destroyed the wooden tower raced up the side of Mt. Franklin in 1969. 2 opposite legs were burnt off, leaving the tower balancing precariously for over 24 hours until the wind finally brought it crashing down.

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Mt. Franklin in June 2008. Photos supplied by Andre Belterman

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