William Hudson (engineer)
Encyclopedia
Sir William Hudson, KBE (27 April 1896 – 12 September 1978), Australian engineer, headed construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme
for hydroelectricity and irrigation in Australia from 1949 to 1967, when he reluctantly retired at 71. The scheme was completed in 1974, under budget and before time.
Bill Hudson was born in Nelson, New Zealand
, and educated at Nelson College
and the University of London
.
He served with the British Army in France (for 3 years), worked for Armstrong Whitworth & Co, as Assistant Engineer on the Mangahao hydro-electric scheme, New Zealand (1922-1924), then as Engineer in charge, Arapuni power station
, New Zealand (1924-1927). He worked on further dams in New Zealand (1928-1930), was involved in Galloway hydro-electric scheme, Scotland (1931-1937), was Resident Engineer on the Woronora Dam, Sydney, Australia, Chief Construction Engineer and Engineer-in-chief, Metropolitan Water, Sewerage and Drainage Board, Sydney.
In 1948 he applied for the position of Chairman of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electricity Authority
(SMHEA), which managed the Snowy Mountains Scheme. When the Cabinet met to consider the top three candidates, the minister responsible for the scheme, Nelson Lemmon
, handed the Prime Minister
Ben Chifley
a note that simply read "Hudson, Hudson, Hudson!". The scheme was notable for its cosmopolitan work force of migrants from 32 countries, mostly from Europe.
He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire
(KBE) in 1955, in recognition of his service as Chairman of SMHEA. he was elected in March, 1964 a fellow of the Royal Society
He retired in 1967 and was appointed President, National Safety Council of Australia; Chairman, Road Safety Council, New South Wales
Snowy Mountains Scheme
The Snowy Mountains scheme is a hydroelectricity and irrigation complex in south-east Australia. It consists of sixteen major dams; seven power stations; a pumping station; and 225 kilometres of tunnels, pipelines and aqueducts and was constructed between 1949 and 1974. The Chief engineer was Sir...
for hydroelectricity and irrigation in Australia from 1949 to 1967, when he reluctantly retired at 71. The scheme was completed in 1974, under budget and before time.
Bill Hudson was born in Nelson, New Zealand
Nelson, New Zealand
Nelson is a city on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay, and is the economic and cultural centre of the Nelson-Tasman region. Established in 1841, it is the second oldest settled city in New Zealand and the oldest in the South Island....
, and educated at Nelson College
Nelson College
Nelson College is a boys-only state secondary school in Nelson, New Zealand. It teaches from years 9 to 13. In addition, it runs a private Preparatory School for year 7 and 8 boys...
and the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
.
He served with the British Army in France (for 3 years), worked for Armstrong Whitworth & Co, as Assistant Engineer on the Mangahao hydro-electric scheme, New Zealand (1922-1924), then as Engineer in charge, Arapuni power station
Arapuni Power Station
Arapuni Power Station is a hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is the seventh and penultimate hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River...
, New Zealand (1924-1927). He worked on further dams in New Zealand (1928-1930), was involved in Galloway hydro-electric scheme, Scotland (1931-1937), was Resident Engineer on the Woronora Dam, Sydney, Australia, Chief Construction Engineer and Engineer-in-chief, Metropolitan Water, Sewerage and Drainage Board, Sydney.
In 1948 he applied for the position of Chairman of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electricity Authority
Snowy Hydro Limited
Snowy Hydro Limited, previously known as the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Authority, is a corporation in Australia jointly owned by the Commonwealth , New South Wales and Victorian Governments....
(SMHEA), which managed the Snowy Mountains Scheme. When the Cabinet met to consider the top three candidates, the minister responsible for the scheme, Nelson Lemmon
Nelson Lemmon
Nelson Lemmon was an Australian politician and government minister. He was responsible for establishing the Snowy Mountains Scheme....
, handed the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
Ben Chifley
Ben Chifley
Joseph Benedict Chifley , Australian politician, was the 16th Prime Minister of Australia. He took over the Australian Labor Party leadership and Prime Ministership after the death of John Curtin in 1945, and went on to retain government at the 1946 election, before being defeated at the 1949...
a note that simply read "Hudson, Hudson, Hudson!". The scheme was notable for its cosmopolitan work force of migrants from 32 countries, mostly from Europe.
He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(KBE) in 1955, in recognition of his service as Chairman of SMHEA. he was elected in March, 1964 a fellow of the Royal Society
He retired in 1967 and was appointed President, National Safety Council of Australia; Chairman, Road Safety Council, New South Wales