Many in our district will know the single-lane bridge across the Diamond Creek at Hurstbridge as the Monash Bridge, while others will not. A lot of traffic passes through from other areas and some may curse it as it slows them down on their way to or from work. With increasing pressure on our local roads, whoever uses our bridge and  whatever they call it, its history is important to preserve, record, and share.

The Old and the New

By 1916, the old timber bridge built for the Hurst family that gave the township its name was in a bad state and had been condemned in 1912. Floods across the district in September appear to have been a catalyst to move on quickly with existing plans for a new bridge. It was reported that At last the three municipalities interested—Whittlesea, Eltham, and Heidelberg—have decided to “take the bull by the horns” and proceed with the erection of a new bridge over the Diamond Creek at Hurst Bridge. If the Whittlesea Shire Council could have had its way the work would have been undertaken long since, its engineer having had the plans ready months ago.

In October, a conference was held between the three municipalities, where it was decided that a concrete bridge would be erected at a cost of about £2000 – £400 from each shire and a deputation to the Minister of Public Works to ask for assistance for the rest. The successful tender to build a reinforced concrete bridge with an arched design was from the Reinforced Concrete and Monier Pipe Construction Company. It appears to have been an interesting meeting – Cr. Thomas, one of the representatives said that the conference, after much heated debate, unanimously decided on the  acceptance of this tender. This was what Whittlesea had agreed to do as far back as 1912. Cr. Morgan said that Cr. Mann had supported a wooden bridge, because it would cost £900 less.

The deputation to ask for a grant to assist with the cost of the new bridge advised the minister that the current bridge was in a very dangerous state, being condemned for heavy traffic four years ago. The Shires had decided reluctantly to ask for assistance, but they were unable to carry the whole strain … and now asked the Government for £400 to enable them to carry out this very important work. They also advised that Hurstbridge was now an important centre, and it was essential to carry the heavy traffic to have the new bridge erected as soon as possible … pointing out the importance of Hurstbridge, seeing there is one cool store there and another nearby to be erected; and they were doing their best. The minister said that under ordinary circumstances he would have been inclined to grant their request, as they were making a sound business proposition; but the amount he had to distribute was so little among so many.

Although the government could give no support at the time, work began in December 1916 and by mid-February was well under way. By late September the completed bridge had an official trial involving a steam roller, and it stood the test splendidly. The bridge wasn’t the only thing on local people’s minds. A few weeks after the completion of the bridge, in the local paper Mr. Gray reported the intention to hold an official opening of the new concrete bridge recently completed; also his desire to have further tree–planting carried out by residents in the  proposed township; and also reported progress in the matter of declaring Hurstbridge a township*.

The opening ceremony of Hurstbridge’s new concrete arched bridge was held on Saturday, 3rd November 1917 and the local newspaper reported the official opening ceremony of the new reinforced concrete bridge across the Diamond Creek at Hurstbridge took place in the presence of some 500 spectators. Shortly after 3 pm. people began to gather on and in the vicinity of the bridge, and after the arrival of the 3.30 p.m. train, which brought a large number of visitors, the scene became an active one. It was an ideal afternoon, the sun shining brightly, and what with the well-dressed crowd, many motor cars and vehicles, the presence of the Diamond Creek Brass Band, and the picturesque surroundings, the scene presented was indeed an attractive and pleasing one. To those who were visitors only, and to others who have only a short acquaintance with the district, possibly the predominant thought created at the moment was the entrancing beauty of the immediate surroundings. To the east the well appointed residence of Cr. Gray, his fine orchard and nursery, to the south-west the railway station and the impressive cool store buildings, to the south-west the township embryo, and to the north-west the cool thickly wooded hills and valleys … On the bridge on Saturday were two gentlemen who have an intimate knowledge of the locality, and are entitled a special mention. One was Mr. Fred. Hurst, who used to ford this creek at or near the site of the bridge over half-a-century ago, and the other was Mr. John McDonald, of Arthur’s Creek, who built the old wooden bridge, which had done service for some 40 years, and which has now been demolished. … A few minutes before the time appointed for the official opening, Cr. R. C. White, President of the Eltham Shire, and the Acting Shire Secretary (Mr. P. J. McMahon) stretched a blue ribbon across the bridge. There were a number of speeches by councillors from the three municipalities and the bridge was declared open for traffic. Mr. Rouget then (amidst cheering) cut the ribbon with a pair of scissors, and the brass band struck up the National Anthem. There was a great demand for the ribbon, which was cut up into small pieces, to be kept as a memento of the occasion … At the invitation of Cr. White about 40 persons adjourned to Dorset House and partook of light refreshments.

Why the Name Monash Bridge?

John Monash graduated from Melbourne University with a Masters of Engineering in 1893. His early work as a civil engineer was in bridge and railway construction, and later he played a major role in introducing reinforced concrete to Australian engineering practice. In the early 1900’s, with his partners, he formed the Reinforced Concrete & Monier Pipe Construction Company. A leader in his profession his work advanced the acceptance and use of reinforced concrete in civil engineering. Our bridge is one of a number of bridges that stand as enduring examples of his engineering expertise and innovative approach – a series of early bridges over Bendigo Creek; at Fyansford near Geelong; the Anderson Street (Morell) Bridge over the Yarra River which is notable as one of the first reinforced concrete bridges in Victoria; and the St Kilda Street Bridge.

John Monash was also the best known and most revered Australian General of the Great War. From his university days until the start of the war John Monash was a part-time soldier. He joined the university company of the militia in 1884 and remained a member of the militia, gaining a reputation as a trainer of troops and reaching the rank of Colonel by 1913. In late 1914 he was appointed to command the 4th Infantry Brigade of the First A.I.F. and with them landed at Anzac Cove on 25th April 1915. John Monash served in a number of theatres of the war, was knighted in 1919 and later promoted to full General as recognition of his wartime service. Although he was not directly involved with construction during the war, his company and the techniques he developed are what made the bridge at Hurstbridge another success and lasting monument to his innovation and skill. There was no official naming of the bridge, but General Sir John Monash’s links gave us the name we use.

Monash was Australia’s greatest general and his name is remembered in the Monash Freeway, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, City of Monash and he is featured with Dame Nellie Melba on our $100 note.

 * 2024 marked the 100th anniversary of Hurstbridge being declared a township.