Beyond the Bridge - Hornibrook
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Timetable:
Beyond the Bridge – Hornibrook, part two is now well into production but of course completion is determined by the timing of the actual demolition of the bridge. It is expected that most of the work will be complete by the end of July in 2011. With that in mind we expect a post-production completion date sometime in September and at this point are targeting October for the films premiere.
Participation:
Documentary film making is all about discovering facts, interpreting the information and entertaining an audience. To do this we talk with people from all walks of life and ask them to contribute their thoughts and expertise to the overall story and bring the viewer quality information. With Beyond the Bridge – Hornibrook we have already interviewed a number of people with those qualifications. For instance Ironbark Demolition has devoted years to his type of work, Minister for Main Roads is an authority on infrastructure and Australian Architectural Hardwoods are the recycling authorities as far as timber is concerned. From a community perspective we have interviewed Mayor Alan Sutherland and councillors James Houghton and Rae Frawley all from the Moreton Bay Regional council. All three councillors have had a long association with the Hornibrook Bridge.
What’s Ahead:
Very shortly we will be interviewing Gerry Rihs, Architect and end user of Hornibrook timber. If practical we hope to get to Perth where the local Casino has used recycled Hornibrook timber and we’re constantly on the hunt for other end users so we can convey to viewers the lifecycle of this wonderful landmark.
Deconstruction of the Hornibrook Bridge is an important part of Queensland culture and history and we welcome aboard any person who can make a worthwhile contribution to the documentary. If you have anything to add please contact us via redgumtv@tpg.com.au
Hornibrook Bridge - The Demolition
The Hornibrook Bridge is the longest viaduct bridge in the southern hemisphere. Built in the 1930's to alleviate unemployment during the great depression the bridge became a local icon as did its builder, M.R.Hornibrook. Replaced by two three lane concrete structures the old Hornibrook Bridge is now being demolished. Redgum Television Productions will later this year film a documentary covering the demolition and disposal of millions of super feet of prime Australian timber. The building of the bridge was an historic event as is its destruction.
Background
In 2007 Redgum Television Productions produced a thirty minute historical documentary including some facinating archival footage of the bridge under construction, the harvesting of timber and official opening. We interviewed one of the few surviving workers, now in his 90's, and a number of other people who were directly involved with the bridge construction.
Since that time we have sold over 3000 copies of the DVD, played to a capacity audience at the Redcliffe Cultural Centre and televised the program to over 1,5 million people in Australia. The documentary has received a number of awards and soon will be included in the National Archives. Copies of the DVD - Beyond the Bridge - Hornibrook are available through Marcom Projects (Distributors) or by direct order from this website (see home page).
A Documentary - The Sequel
We open with archival footage of the Hornibrook Bridge being constructed in 1932 and a montage of historical footage from the surrounding enclaves of Redcliffe during that period. The music is melancholy and a voice over tells us the history that surrounds Redcliffe during the recession 0f the early 30’s.
The documentary records industrial activity in current times as we discover a panacea of work. We’re on the Hornibrook viaduct northern end as a bevy of workmen toil over the demolition of the bridge. We spend time with the demolition company as they go about doing the work they know best.
The site manager explains to us the care he needs to take with deconstructing such an historical site.
Sometime later we talk with Redcliffe's Historical Society as they outline the history of the bridge and share some disappointment with its demolition.
Much of the timber is taken to Kempsey NSW, headquarters for a company that specialises in recycling quality timber. Watching the complex treatment of timber sent for recycling from the Hornibrook Bridge we ask the principals how they came to purchase the timber, for what purpose and where it would end up.
Back in Redcliffe we talk to local Councillors that are directly involved with the demolition. We explore their sentiment and that of locals who have observed the changes over the last 75 years. We talk about the proposed historical samples and ask if this would be well received by the local community.
On-site, the Hornibrook demolition draws to a close. Only ruminants remain, it’s late afternoon as we see a gathering of locals standing wistfully gazing at an empty space. We reflect on vision of the Redcliffe community as it was in 1935 going about their lives unaware of the changes ahead of them or the history they were about to experience. Two fishermen are sitting on the remains of the old bridge, one old and one young, going about their business as fishermen always have. The closing words of the old man to the young fella are as we watch the salty water lap against a remaining pylon, “It isn’t quite like it used to be”.