Unveiling of the new Gas Producer Display at the 2014 Kurth Kiln Heritage Festival

It was a tight finish, but we managed to complete the Interpretation Panels for the Gas Producer Display in time for the Kurth Kiln Heritage Festival on Sunday 16 March. Funded by a Public Records Office of Victoria Grant, produced by the Friends of Kurth Kiln with the support of Parks Victoria along the design by Neil Keighley of "Ektavo" and manufactured by Melbourne Signage Concepts of Blackburn it all came together barely two days before the festival.

The Display is the culmination of seven years work. Acquiring the six gas producers in 2007, building the fenced-in Enclosure in 2009 with funding from Parks Victoria, failing to raise funding for the 12 display panels from numerous sources including the National Museum in Canberra, Heritage Victoria, the Public Records Office of Victoria, the Shire Council of Cardinia, the Public Records Office of Victoria finally came though in a second try with $7,800 funding for the display. It just goes to show, don't give up, keep on trying.

The Gas Producer Display now becomes an education "Heritage Walk" on the use of charcoal for the motor industry, and complements the information on charcoal production in the kiln with practical examples of what the charcoal wa actually used for. How the invention of Dr. Kurth helped to avert a motor fuel crisis during WWII. In line with our stated aim, the display helps to promote greater public awareness of the cultural significance of Dr Kurth and his work.

A few snapshots taken on the day of the "Unveiling" are shown below: