Red Cliffs - 'Big Lizzie' Machine
Big Lizzie is one of the icons of the Red Cliffs district. Big Lizzie is a 45 tonne machine that was once used to clear the Mallee Scrub around Red Cliffs. It had a turning circle of 60m and a top speed of around 3km per hour.
Big Lizzie was built between 1915-16 in Richmond and took a year and a half to finally arrive at Mildura. Clearing around Red Cliffs finished in 1924 and Big Lizzie then moved, slowly, to Western Victoria to clear more land. In 1938 the engine was sold and used to drive rock crushing equipment at Pyramid Hill for 4 years before being scrapped in 1945.
Her inventor and operator was Frank Bottrill, and Frank’s wife Margaret gave her the name of ‘Big Lizzie’. Big Lizzie was self-sufficient with a carrying capacity of 10 tons. She carried fuel, a working blacksmith shop, living quarters, chooks and a Rosella parrot in a cage.
Frank was contracted to use her to clear the dense and vast Mallee scrub at Red Cliffs in 1920. With a team of horses and 16 men, they averaged 1 mile per hour clearing the land.
In 1924 when the task here was completed Big Lizzie moved to work in Western Victoria. Before long, modern equipment was more efficient and with her engine removed and sold, she sat rusting on a farm near Horsham, Victoria.
In 1971, with the Red Cliffs Golden Jubilee approaching, Cr. Ern Wolfe located and negotiated for Big Lizzie’s return to the township. The Big Lizzie Association was formed to oversee the restoration of the “rusty old hulk”. She now sits proudly in Barclay Square with the first of her large trailers, whilst the second trailer is currently being restored. The shelter which protects Big Lizzie and her trailer from the elements, was the 1988 Bicentennial gift of the Shire of Mildura. More information on this magnificent machine can be found at the site.
Today Big Lizzie would be the most photographed lady in the town. She has visitors from all over the world stopping to marvel at the engineering genius of Frank Bottrill, a humble man who gained little financially from his invention. He died in 1953 unheralded and virtually unknown.
Cost:
Free
Review:
A humungous sized tractor set in an attractive shady park which has a playground. There is a photographic display and for $1 you can listen to the life story of Big Lizzie. In the park is a German Howitzer, shaded tables, shelter with tables, toilets and water tower with artwork on the sides.
Photos:
Location
Cnr Calder Hwy and Jamieson Avenue, Red Cliffs 3496 View Map
