SOME of the country’s most promising engineers have taken the opportunity to learn from some of the nation’s best minds at a recent demonstration at Cooma’s famous rock bolting site.

The past and present came together earlier this month when the Hydro1Heritage Centre committee hosted the winners of the Snowy Mountains Engineeing Corporation (SMEC) graduate development program,

The graduates joined SMEC staff, former engineers who worked on the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme, and Hydro1 Heritage Centre committee members for a tour of the SMEC Fluids Laboratory, including the renowned Dartmouth Dam model.

Five graduates heard from former engineers, including Cooma’s Damien Kenneally, who spoke about the history of the SMEC Fluids laborator and the important testing carried out at the Lambie Gorge rock bolting site.

Engineer and Hydro1 Heritage Centre treasurer, Johnathan Kugler, said the working group was pleased to showcase the rock bolting site and laboratory, informing the engineers of the world-leading research undertaken in Cooma.

“It’s incredible we have interest from young engineers, coming here via SMEC,” Mr Kugler said.

“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to show the history of the sites, and what we hope to achieve with developing the heritage centre and precinct.

"I hope they are enlightened by the engineering break throughs that took place in this great region.”

The graduates were chosen for the prestigious SMEC program after delivering compleiing research papers. The question they answered was – ‘What can you do in your role to catalyse the transition to a regenerative future’.

The Hydro1 Heritage Centre committee has spent the last seven years working towards re-opening the mechanics laboratory, located on Sharp Street, Cooma.

The committee has grand plans to transform the site into a leading tourist drawcard. They believe the benefits for the Snowy Monaro will be long-lasting.

Committee member Suzanne Dunning said the community can support the project by becoming a member of the group.

“We are looking forward to turning our vision for the Hydro1 Heritage Centre into something real and we are keen to welcome new members to help with this outstanding venture,” Mrs Dunning said.

“Becoming a member is a terrific way of supporting the project if you can’t commit volunteer time.

“By building a strong membership base, we can demonstrate the community’s want for such a project, which will be important when we apply for grants.”