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The Southern Cross Windmill is the original Australian windmill pump. In 1876, the Griffiths family, led by George Washington Griffiths introduced the first windmill pumps to the rural Australian public, based on blueprints by American inventor Daniel Halladay.
These wind power pumping systems helped greatly improve the way of life on farms for rural Australians, and in the early 1900’s, the Griffiths family decided on the name Southern Cross for these wind pumps.
The oldest form of renewable energy, over a century later, many Australians still rely on these windmills to provide adequate water for livestock or crops, and ensure their way of life.
Our windmills are available in a range of sizes. The Southern Cross Windmill can be fitted with a windwheel between 6′ and 14′, and mounted on a tower between 20′ and 60′.
Our experts can help determine what wheel and tower sizes would best suit your windmill, based on the landscape you wish to have it built on, and the level of wind your property receives.
The Southern Cross “FA” Series Windmill Towers are available in the following heights:
The minimum recommended tower height for each windwheel size, is as follows:
Southern Cross have a number South Australian based dealers and contacts who you can contact for installation of a new windmill, or repair or replacement of an existing windmill. All of these installers are highly experienced windmill installers and repairers who can assist you with all of your windmill needs.
151 Adelaide Road
Murray Bridge, SA, 5253
Ph 08 8352 2711
admin@daish.com.au
Even outside of the more traditional windmills that Southern Cross Windmills offer, South Australians have continued to use wind energy for electricity generation with the Starfish Hill Wind Farm, Wattle Point Wind Farm and Capital Wind Farm helping wind power generation to make up 10% of Australia’s total electricity generation, and 40% of renewable energy generation.
South Australia is even home to the Penong Windmill Museum, home to some of the oldest and largest windmills in Australia, showcasing windmills from New South Wales to Western Australia.
Australia is a famously arid and tough country, and water has always been challenging to come by in rural South Australia, one of the driest states in the country – unsurprisingly 85% of Australia’s population lives within 50km of the coast.
The arrival of the modern windmill, thanks to George Washington Griffiths, was a game changer for pastoralists and graziers, allowing them to move their farms further away from the coast for stock grazing, where land was more affordable and accessible.
Most windmills harness the power of wind to draw water from underground water tables deep below the surface, but they can also be repurposed to redirect water from a river or creek, or pump it into or from a dam.
The solar water pump has recently presented itself as the latest challenger to the windmill, as clean energy and water harvesting technology looks to modernise.
While solar pumps look promising, they certainly aren’t as tried and tested in the long run as the traditional windmill, with many properties across Australia featuring windmills that have been pumping water for more than 50 years.
Despite solar systems being advertised as a safer option, they may contain a potentially dangerous current, while the “dangerous” windmill accounts for less than 1% of all accidents on rural properties.
Also due to the lack of electricity in a wind powered pump, there is no chance of an energy surge unlike with solar panels, and the maintenance is less complex and will not require an electrician to repair.
Southern Cross has been providing windmills that Australian families and farms can rely on for over a century, and all of our windmills have a 30+ year design life.
Since 1903, over 250 000 iconic Southern Cross Windmills have been built. All windmills produced by Southern Cross are hot dip galvanised, and supported by over 100 years of winning windmill design.
All Southern Cross Windmills sold in South Australia include a 3-year warranty.
Southern Cross Windmills pride ourselves on the quality and integrity of our product. We specialise in the manufacture, installation and service of industry leading windmills around the country and across the globe.
All of our windmills are designed and engineered in-house, and are durable enough to survive in the harshest of Australian climates, rain, hail or shine.
Authentic parts are available for Southern Cross “IZ” windwheels and “FA” towers. Parts for the retired A, J, R & Z Pattern Windmills”, “J” Series Windmill Pumps, Troughs, Check Valves, Pump Heads and Pump Jacks may still be available upon request.
From the very first Southern Cross windmill rolling off the Toowoomba Foundry line in 1903, nobody has experience like we do of handling South Australia’s unique water harvesting needs.
The Griffiths family produced their first windmills in 1876, which were based on plans from American engineer Daniel Halladay, and improved upon for durability and functionality
These first windmills allowed rural Australians to move into more arid areas of the country for grazing sheep and cattle, and inland towns and pastoral runs began to emerge across the nation.
Now comfortably residing at the Gilgandra Museum and Historical Society, this 7.3 m Southern Cross windwheel was manufactured and transported to Mendooran in 1924.
Before being donated to the Gilgandra Museum and Historical Society by the Payne family, this antique gentle giant reliably pumped water in Mendooran for over 73 years.
Closing in on its 100th birthday, at the most recent service, all it required was some oil in order to keep it in operating condition. This Mendooran windmill is a testament to the longevity and dependability of a Southern Cross Windmill.
Have you recently bought a new rural block? Maybe you’re looking to rely less on mains or rainwater supply?
Southern Cross Windmills can help you meet your specific water storage needs, no matter where in South Australia you are based.
Call us today on (07) 4612 7202 for an obligation free quote.
