Eugowra locals have been given their first look at what's been described as "the most historically and technically significant" windmill in the country.
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The windmill will take pride of place at the Eugowra Museum, and guests at the opening of museum expansions on the weekend were invited to have a look at the unique piece of equipment before it's raised to the top of its tower.
Federal MP Andrew Gee, Cabonne Deputy Mayor Jamie Jones and Eugowra Museum president Ray Agustin on Saturday officially opened the $34,000 extension to the museum.
The significance of the windmill was explained by Thomas Glastonbury, windmill enthusiast, historian, collector and restorer as well as an editor of the Windmill Journal.
"This is without a doubt the most historically and technically significant windmill in Australia and one of the most important in the world," Mr Glastonbury said.
"It's the ultimate development in efficiency in water pumping windmills and - most significantly - it's an entirely Australian invention."
At least 18 of the windmills, patented in 1912, were made but the Eugowra one is the only one Mr Glastonbury knows survives.
"The genius with this windmill is its ability to utilise any wind by its variable geared mechanism," he said.
"As you'll see there's not one but two fans making it very distinctive: the large fan which drives the pumping mechanism and a smaller fan which adjusts an ingenious series of linkages to change the stroke length of the windmill while it's working.
"This overcame the fundamental inefficiency with all windmills, and to this day remains the only water-pumping windmill that has been able to operate with this system successfully.
"It's an entirely closed loop mechanical feedback system and a very remarkable Australian invention."
The windmill was erected on Arcadia Station by the McMillans in 1914, and gave many years of sterling service before being donated to the museum by John and Margaret Tilsdley in 2017.
"In the intervening years it's been a labour of love for myself and Ivan Pine, Molong's own windmill guru, and soon the head will be reinstated on top of the tower - which will be a culmination of our efforts, the generosity of the Tildsleys and also the driving force of Viv McMillan," Mr Glastonbury said.
"Keep an eye out for sails turning above the Eugowra skyline soon."
