Ed Vormister was 101 when he gave this interview. He came to Wollongong as a boy in the 1920s and had early memories of the town. Ed had an extensive knowledge of the electrification of Wollongong and the work of his father, Charles Vormister, the first electrical engineer at Wollongong Council. Ed was involved in setting up substations around the city which are still used today. He saw his greatest achievement as the complex replacement of a transformer in Swan Street which prevented a major blackout. In the 1940s, Ed built a film projector at home and showed films in the garage to family and friends.
His projector is now at the National Film and Sound Archive. You can view a short video here:
https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/eddie-vormisters-homemade-film-projector-2017
Ed Vormister (1918-2024) – Obituary – Illawarra Mercury, 22 January 2024
Listen to Ed’s Interview
[Part 1 – Ed and his father’s work with electricity]:
[Part 2 – Films and Wiseman Park]:
[Part 3 – Early memories, fundraising, and replacing the transformer]:
Ed’s audio interview can be downloaded here: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
Ed’s interview transcripts: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
Keywords
Fairy Creek – Stuart Park – Wiseman Park – Cancer Appeal – Savoy Theatre – Morris Jones – Charles Vormister – Swimming Pool – Transformer – Substation – Electrification – Linear Accelerator – Wollongong Hospital – Film Projector
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Ed’s Photo Album
