The triple-expansion steam engine and centrifugal pumps — designed by George Chaffey and built by Tangyes of Birmingham — that powered Australia’s Psyche Bend Pump Station were presented with an Engineering Heritage Award by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers at a ceremony in Mildura (Australia) on 10 June.

The station is being recognised for its role in supplying irrigation water for Mildura from 1890 until 1959, when electric pumps were installed nearby and the pumping station was decommissioned.

The Chaffey brothers arrived in Melbourne in 1886 after they had already had success with ‘irrigation colonies’ in
California.

They chose Mildura as a site for an irrigation development on account of its proximity to two major rivers and “hospitable environment”.

Tangyes, which manufactured the equipment, at first refused to build the engine and then only manufactured it on the proviso that the name plate: “Chaffey’s improved Pumping Engine made by Tangyes for Mildura Irrigation Colony” was fixed to the engine.

This was in case the engine failed and they were deemed liable for the failure.

The Psyche Bend Pump Station is the 119th recipient of the ImechE award (www.imeche.org).

John Wood, chairman of the Engineering Heritage Committee, said: “The Psyche Bend Pumping Station building is one of the oldest pump configurations of its type in the world and is described as being internationally significant on the Victorian Heritage Register.

"This award recognises both the importance of the engineering and the efforts of the Committee of Management of the Psyche Bend Pumping Station, who decided to repair the historic engine and pumps, and the individuals who undertook the restoration.”