Showing 49 items matching "working miners mine"
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Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Slide - DIGGERS & MINING. DIGGERS AND MINERS, c1850s
Diggers & Mining. Diggers and miners. From the middle 1850's on, there was a gradual development of gold mining in Victoria. (Remember that while the first stage of this, development was going on, tens of thousands of diggers were still working on old diggings, or rushing new fields. See earlier maps.) The first ''mines'' were small affairs, - - - Markings: 25 994:LIF I. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Slide - DIGGERS & MINING: DIGGERS & MINING
Diggers & Mining: Diggers & Mining. Slide reads: Thereafter, with the working out of surface deposits, and the resultant development of mining - especially, in the late 1850's, alluvial mining - the number of independent diggers gradually decreased, till by 1866 there were possibly only 25,00 of them, as against 17,000 quartz miners and about 37,000 employed in alluvial mines. Markings: 52/ 994:LIF 1. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, diggers & miners -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Newspaper - Eaglehawk Times - Friday February 18, 2005
"Article compiled by Joan McEwan, great-granddaughter, researched by James Tibbett, great, great grandson." Richard Williams was born in St. Blazey, Cornwall in 1831 to James and Ann Williams. Married to Mary Thomas with whom he had 12 children: Eliza Ann "Lou" Thomas, Sarah Mary "Molly" Williams, Margaret "Peg" Williams (born 1858), Ellen Williams (1859-1860), George Williams (b. 1861), Richard Williams (b.1862), John Williams (1863-1866), Ellen Williams (b.1865), Stephen John Williams (b.1867), Albert James Williams (b. 1868), Michael Thomas Williams (b.1871) and Laura Williams (b.1872). Worked in the Cornish mines until he was 21 and sought work in America. Landed in Melbourne on 20 December 1857 in search of gold. Was given supervision of the work conducted in the 1864 Cinderella Claim belonging to Geroge Lansell, among others. Williams was later named manager of all of Lansell's mines. Williams later opposed Lansell in favour of better working conditions for miners. Williams was then in charge of the Johnson Reef Company until his retirement. He worked on the administrative council at the Bendigo School of Mines, was named Justice of the Peace and was a founding member of the California Hill Methodist Church. Williams died in Eaglehawk in 1903. Additional articles further narrate the history of Eaglehawk BoroughA3 colour photocopies of the 18 February 2005 edition of the Eaglehawk Times newspaper. Date of photocopy unknown. Location of original paper unknown. Page 12 contains the biography of Richard Williams, aka Cap'n Dick. The article was compiled by Williams' great-granddaughter, Joan McEwan, and 2 x Great Grandson, James Tibbett. The article shows significant discolouration, rips and tears, folds and cuts. Unknown page number contains articles written about the history of Eaglehawk borough.richard williams, cap'n dick, newspaper, eaglehawk times, lansell mines, biography, johnson reef company, eaglehawk heritage society, allan james, ian glanville, noelene wild, sailors gully mission hall -
Federation University Art Collection
Artwork, other - Artwork, 'College Logo' by Henry Moritz, 1979
Henry MORITZ (1931- ) Born Mainz, Germany Arrived Australia c1952 Henry Moritz was an experienced commercial artist when he left Germany for Australia. After working as a railwayman, coal miner, fruit picker and steelworker, he started teaching commercial art at the Ballarat School of Mines Technical Art School in 1963. He moved to the Mount Helen Tertiary Division, and was head of the Art School at the Ballarat College of Advanced Education (BCAE) when he produced this work. The Ballarat College of Advanced Education logo was derived from the Southern Cross depicted on the Eureka Flag, which was adopted by Ballarat College of Advanced Education in 1978. The logo was designed by former student Debra Garton, who graduated with a Diploma of Art and Diploma of Education. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Farmed marquetry using fine woods chosen for their grains and reflective properties: silver ash, cedar, queensland walnut, grey bird's eye maple and African gaboon.art, artwork, henry moritz, marquetry, logo, southern cross, ballarat college of advanced education, available, stars -
Federation University Art Collection
Ink on card, 'Bill Durant in Neville Bunning's Chair' by Henry Moritz, 2002
Henry MORITZ (1931- ) Born Mainz, Germany Arrived Australia c1952 Henry Moritz was an experienced commercial artist when he left Germany for Australia. After working as a railwayman, coal miner, fruit picker and steelworker, he started teaching commercial art at the Ballarat School of Mines Technical Art School in 1963. He moved to the Mount Helen Tertiary Division, and was head of the Art School at the Ballarat College of Advanced Education (BCAE) when he produced this work. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Original caricature of Bill Durant. Both Bill Durant and artist Henry Moritz were staff members at the Ballarat College of Advanced Education (later Federation University). Neville Bunning ceremoniously presented the chair to Bill Durant in the Art Department at Neville Bunnings Retirement function.Verso "Bill Durant in 'Nev Bunning's Chair' which was ceremoniously presented to Bill in Art SChool Staffroom at Neville's retirement function. Drawing by Hner Moritz Donated by Heather (walton) Durant Heather (SMB Library) married Bill (SMB Physics Head) in December 1960. KC (Ken Clements) July 2002art, artwork, henry moritz, bill durant, caricature, available -
Federation University Art Collection
Etched metal, Henry Moritz, [Jack Barker's Farewell] by Henry Moritz
Historical Information Henry MORITZ (1931- ) Born Mainz, Germany Arrived Australia c1952 Henry Moritz was an experienced commercial artist when he left Germany for Australia. After working as a railwayman, coal miner, fruit picker and steelworker, he started teaching commercial art at the Ballarat School of Mines Technical Art School in 1963. He moved to the Mount Helen Tertiary Division, and was head of the Art School at the Ballarat College of Advanced Education (BCAE) when he produced this work. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.art, artwork, henry moritz, jack barker -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Digital Photograph, Marguerite Marshall, One Tree Hill Mine, Smiths Gully, 8 June 2006
Gold was discovered on One Tree Hill in 1854. The site has been worked intermittently until fairly recent times. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then / Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p53 Though still a working mine, One Tree Hill Mine at Smiths Gully, now stands in a tranquil reserve surrounded by bush and native animals - in contrast to its heyday. In the mid 19th century, when the mine was part of the Caledonia Goldfields, hundreds of men in search of their fortune worked the alluvial gold in the Yarra River, its tributaries and the reefs that made up the goldfields. Miner Stan Bone, assisted by Wilfred Haywood, is the last of the independent gold miners in the area and still uses the quartz crushing battery as miners did when gold was first discovered in the area in 1851.1 Stan, who is the last of six generations of miners in his family, was aged 17 when he began mining on his father Alex’ mine, The Golden Crown in Yarrambat. These days, after blasting the gold-bearing rock in Mystery Reef, one of the four reefs at One Tree Hill, Stan transports it around five kilometres by tip truck to the Black Cameron Mine for crushing. There he uses water from the waterlogged mine, (which still contains gold), as the Happy Valley Creek at One Tree Hill is usually dry.2 The One Tree Hill Mine has been worked for close to a century since it opened around the late 1850s.3 The Swedish Reef was its most productive reef and one of the largest in the area. Around 1859, extractions included 204 ounces (5.8kg) of gold, won from 57 pounds (26kg) of stone.4 Then during World War Two, Stan’s uncle, Bill Wallace, and Alex Bone, closed the mine. In 1973, Stan, with his Uncle Bill, reopened the Black Cameron Mine and worked there until 1988. Stan resumed mining One Tree Hill in 1998. As late as the 1920s gold was picked up by chance! When crossing a gully on his way to vote at the St Andrews Primary School, Bill Joyce picked up some quartz containing gold. This site was to become the Black Cameron Mine. The Caledonia Diggings, named after Scotland’s ancient name by local Scots, began around Market Square (now Smiths Gully) and included Queenstown (St Andrews), Kingstown (Panton Hill) and Diamond Creek. There were also poorer bearing fields in Kangaroo Ground and Swipers Gully (now Research). * None of these compared in riches to the Ballarat and Bendigo fields5, but the Caledonia Diggings continued intermittently for close to 100 years. Gold was discovered in Victoria following a bid to stem the disappearance of much needed workmen to the New South Wales diggings. Several businessmen offered a reward of £200, for the discovery of gold within 200 miles (322 km) of Melbourne. Late in June 1851, gold was first discovered at Andersons Creek, Warrandyte. Then in 1854, George Boston and two other men discovered gold at Smiths Gully. Gold transformed the quiet districts, with a constant flow of families and vehicles on the dirt tracks en route to the Caledonia Diggings. Three thousand people worked the gullies in Market Square, including about 1000 Chinese miners. The square established its own police, mining warden, gold battery, school, shops and cemetery and grog flowed. Market Square flourished until the middle 1860s. Bullocks transported quartz from the Caledonia Goldfields to the crushing machinery at the Queenstown/St Andrews Battery, near Smiths Gully Cemetery. It was destroyed by bushfire in 1962. By the late 1850s, most early alluvial fields were in decline, but minor rushes continued until around 1900 and some until the early 1940s. Some miners did well, although most earned little from their hard labour in the harsh and primitive conditions.6 But according to historian, Mick Woiwod, the gold fields helped to democratise society, as individuals from all walks of life were forced to share experiences, and the ability to succeed, depended less on inherited wealth or social rank.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, gold mining, one tree hill mine, smiths gully -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - MINING REPORTS -DEPARTMENT OF MINES, REPORT ON OBSERVATIONS OF UNDERGROUND TEMPERATURE AT BENDIGO
Printed Report on Observations of Underground Temperature at Bendigo, by James Stirling, Government Geologist. Report mentions temperature increases as the mines get deeper, temperature of air and rocks, Meteorological Observations at 180 Mine, Bendigo, comparison temperature in other parts of the world and Bendigo, Temperature of air at the 180 Mine, Shenandoah Mine, victoria Quartz, Shamrock, Great Extended Hustlers, Princess Dagmar and United Hustlers and Redan, Daily Variation of Temperature and Pressure of the Air, Temperature of Fault Line, Drawing of Lansell's No 180 Mine showing levels, geological features, graph of Curves of Atmosphere Pressure at 180 Mine Bendigo, graph of Curves of Temperature at 180 Mine Bendigo, Lansell's 180 Mine Rate of Aincrease of Rock Temperature, Comparisons with Observations in other Countries, Observations in November and December 1895, Meteorological Observations at New Chum Railway Mine Bendigo, Kiagram of working 'ends' showing temperatures therein at the New Chum Railway Mine Bendigo Vic, Additional Observations at Lansell's 180 Mine, Shamrock, Princess Dagmar, United Hustlers and Redan and Great Extended Hustler's, Humidity with formula which was adopted, Hygrometer Observations, The Ventilating Currents (and formula), Notes on Anemometer Records 180 Mine, Tabulated List showing Velocities of Air Currents at Various Levels in the 180 Mine Bendigo, Pressure of Air (and formula), Composition of the Air at Lansell's 180 Mine, Shamrock, Princess Dagmar, Gt Extended Hustlers and United Hustlers and Redan and Miners' Complaints. A Richardson name written on the top right corner.A. Richardson, 29 Harrison St., Bendigogold, mining reports, mining reports, report on observations of underground temperature at bendigo, department of mines, james travis, the hon henry foster, james stirling, 180 mine, shenandoah mine, victoria quartz, shamrock, great extended hustlers, princess dagmar, united hustlers and redan, new chum railway mine, north old chum, m grehauf, dr boyd, robt s brain -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Newspaper - PURDY COLLECTION: WILFRED WATSON ARTICLE
Newspaper article: 'Years in the Mines". Article details the life of an Eaglehawk man who spent 22 years working in Bendigo mines and who is celebrating his 80th birthday (no date on article) Wilfred worked at the Unity Mine in Long Gully, when the Prince of Wales, visited it. He also worked at the Red White and Blue, Big Deborah and South Virginia (between 1920 and 1942) He stated worked as a shoveler and then learnt to bore holes and fire with explosives. At the South Virginia, there were three shifts working the shaft. Each shaft shift had two miners and one shoveller and the mine has 20 or 30 workers.bendigo, mining, wilfred watson -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - PURDY COLLECTION: NEW RED WHITE AND BLUE/NORTH BLUE 2, 3 BLUE MINES
Black and white image - very faded - of miners from the New Red White and Blue Mine, and North Deborah Mine. Men are standing in front of large mullock heaps, sitting in front and standing on slope of mullock heap behind. Very large group of men dressed in working clothes. On top of image in biro New Red, White and Blue North Blue, 2 and 3 Blue, 1923 On back of image: written in biro are names of men. New Red White and Blue Consolidated Mining Co., North Red White and Blue No. 2 north of main shaft, No. 3 Blue, south of main shaft, Quart Hill, Adams Road. Names of miners written in back in pen: (no order given) New Red, White and Blue Consolidated Mining Co., North Red, White and Blue No 2 north of main shaft, No 3 Blue South of Main Shaft, Quartz Hill, Adams Road, (Golden Square). Mine managers: W Brimacombe, Fred Woods, Bob O'Brien, John Saunders, George Kinsgley, Jim Arthur, Bill Bren, Charle Cheetham, Tom Rowe (Snr), Grimshaw Hayes. Underground managers - shift bosses Bill Crosman, Steve Rothenberger, Tom Turner, Jim Chapman, Snowy Read, Jim Poole, J Champman, Bil Leggo, Gus Vlaminck, Biven Shelton, Ted Connors. (Photo) Phil Lanyon, Jack Plant, Jim Plant, Tom Turner, Tom Rowe (Sen) Bob O'Brien, Jim Buller, Arthur Webster, C. Neeman, Jack Craven, Peter Millar, Engine Driver Fred Watson, P Hopley, Jim Purdy, Jack Bottom, George Ross, Dave Rigbye, Gill Dupey, Fred Smith, Er Smith, Dick Plowright, Charlie Rickards, H. Stevenson, Sal Smith, Bill Harris, Frank Greig, C. Reid, Bill Leggo, Jim Poole, George Moore, W. Webb, Windy Hurst Shaft repairing: Harry Shelton, Bil Beveridge, Ted Porter, Joe? Harry Pollard, W. Polglase, Dave Lyke, Bill Del, W. Boland, Jack Hosking, Polshaw, Pomp Davidson, Jim Lesley, Dan Scully, Cliff Barton, George Barton, Tom Crowther, Bill?, Jack Hosking, Ern Rushmeyer, George Hocking, W. Benbow, Joe Hocking, Jim Jose, Jack Jose, Herb Bill, Dick Arthur, Taff Hocking, Charlie Dean, pat Doyle, Peter Doyle, Bob Davey, Roger Trewarne, Wilf Watson, Bill Hatfield, Dick Lanyon, Hughie Atherton, Ashley Rigbye, John Purdy, Bill Watson, Jim Watson, Perce Johnson, Russ Champan, W. McNamara, W. Nievandt, E. Jobe, Bill Yates, Yate McBeth, Alex Eadie, Jim Eadie, Jorgensens, Leo Atherton, Ted Comners, 2 Battery: Mears, Bill Dewar, Dave Luke, Allan Arthur. Deutchman, Les Balle, Perce Balle, Bob Hunter, Ray Jackson, Cec Waterman, George Randall, Ted Porter, Yate McBeth, W. Lamont, D. Rigbye, J. Purdy Platman North Blue 14 years (7.7.1920 - 1.11.1940) Engine Drivers: Fred Watson, Jack Plant, Harry Hanson, Anthony Hall, Jack Botton, Harry Nicholas, John Teasdale.bendigo, mining, red white and blue -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - ALBERT RICHARDSON COLLECTION: STRENGTH OF MINING ROPES, MINERS' CLOTHING
One page document 'Extract from Dickers Mining Record, Strength of ropes Vol.1, No. 5, March 1862, page 3, 'Square the circumference in inches, and multiply by 200. The product is the weight in pounds the rope will bear in safety' Also, 'A question of some importance to miners'. A co-operative company had agreed that every shareholder working in the mine of the Great Redan Extended Coy shall bring two suits of clothes before he be allowed to work in the mine and shall proceed to the shifting room allotted to him and then shall put on his working clothes and on leaving work shall proceed to the shanty, and there change his clothes, and permit the officer appointed by the company to search the clothes in which he shall have worked. Any person not complying with this rule shall have a man work in his place and such person shall not be allowed to go down below. The wages of the man shall be deducted from the dividends of the shareholder. When taken to court, his Honor ruled in Favour of the company. Each party to pay his own costs. He said that all classes when going through the Custon's Houses had to submit for the general good. It was not the individual in the present issue, but the clothes that were submitted to the indignity of being searched.bendigo, mining, strength of mining ropes -
Linton and District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Miners
Part of S E Surman collection (album) page 11 lower right. The date and location of this photograph are unknown.Sepia photograph of a group of men in working gear and hats, standing and seated, some holding picks.mine workers, surman collection -
Clunes Museum
Photograph - POSTCARD, HORNBY STUDIO - CLUNES, 1913
POSTCARD/PHOTOGRAPH OF MINERS STANDING ON POPET LEGS WITH ONLOOKERS. LETTER ON REVERSE SIDE.SEPIA POSTCARD OF POPPET HEAD, WORKING MEN ON STRUCTURE, OTHER MEN STANDING BY-1913..CLUNES - GOLD MINES 1913photography, poppet head, mining -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - AUSTIN COLLECTION: Ray Beer, Central Deborah Gold Mine
Ray Beer was an employee of the Central Deborah Gold Mine. February 15th 2009: Bendigo Advertiser: 'MINING stalwart Raymond Beer has died at the age of 74 after a battle with cancer. He leaves behind an extended family and a legacy in Bendigo’s mining history. Ray was mine manager at the Central Deborah Gold Mine - appointed in 1978 - and led the team that made possible the underground project at the second level. He had a vision to allow visitors to go underground and experience Bendigo’s mining heritage first hand. Ray was responsible for developing the new battery, shaft and poppet head to make this a reality. It took persistence and lots of hard work. Friend and work colleague Bill McNamara said Ray was as good as 10 men. His enthusiasm and work ethic were unprecedented. Ray will be sadly missed by his wife, Thelma, six children, 15 grandchildren, seven brothers, three sisters, his extended family, and friends. He will be remembered for his kindness, tenacity and strength of character. In recognition of his contribution to Bendigo’s mining history, after more than 20 years of service at his retirement, a bronze life-sized statue was unveiled in his honour'. Central Deborah Gold Mine history: At its peak, Central Deborah Gold Mine reached a depth of 412 metres. It has 17 separate levels and 15 kilometres of drives and cross cuts (tunnels). The Central Deborah was very much a hands-on mine and the conditions that the miners worked in would be considered shocking by today's standards – being lowered underground in a cage with only two sides, often working ankle to knee deep in water, filling up to 32 ore trucks a shift by hand which were then pushed a mile or more along rails in the drives, working by carbide lamp, breathing in the fumes and rock dust and communication by bells. Geez, they were ironmen. However, at the time working conditions were considered to be among the best on the goldfields at Central Deborah, after all it was one of the only mines that had hot showers. Following Central Deborah Gold Mine's closure, the Bendigo skyline began to noticeably change. Obvious remnants of mining such as poppet heads, engine rooms, service quarters, battery houses and chimneys were steadily disappearing. After intense lobbying by the local community, the Bendigo City Council purchased the still very much intact Central Deborah Gold Mine in 1970 for a mere $6,000 to ensure that a vital link to Bendigo's historic golden past was maintained. The Bendigo Trust was then formed to oversee the operations of the Central Deborah Gold Mine, which led to the surface of the mine being opened to the public in 1971. Initially the surface was open for just 12 hours a week and as the demand for viewing a part of Bendigo's history increased, so did the opening hours. In 1974 the mine was gazetted as a Public Historical Purposes Reserve and attracted such visitors as H.R.H Prince Charles. By far the greatest shortcoming at this stage was that no one could view the underground workings, as these had become flooded. After what could only be described as a monumental effort by everyone involved, Level 2 of the mine was officially opened to the public by the Premier of Victoria, the Honourable John Cain, on 20 June 1986, which brought to fruition a long standing dream.Black and white photograph. Ray Beer, underground at Central Deborah Gold Mine, standing alongside wooden sign 'Murrell's Corner'. Sign is placed horizontally on timber supports; side of drive visible in background. Ray is wearing bib and brace overalls and hard hat with a belt around his waist. He is giving a 'thumbs up' sign. gold mining, central deborah gold mine, ray beer, mine manager -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - AUSTIN COLLECTION: Central Deborah Gold Mine Lift Shaft
Central Deborah Gold Mine history: At its peak, Central Deborah Gold Mine reached a depth of 412 metres. It has 17 separate levels and 15 kilometres of drives and cross cuts (tunnels). The Central Deborah was very much a hands-on mine and the conditions that the miners worked in would be considered shocking by today's standards – being lowered underground in a cage with only two sides, often working ankle to knee deep in water, filling up to 32 ore trucks a shift by hand which were then pushed a mile or more along rails in the drives, working by carbide lamp, breathing in the fumes and rock dust and communication by bells. Geez, they were ironmen. However, at the time working conditions were considered to be among the best on the goldfields at Central Deborah, after all it was one of the only mines that had hot showers. Following Central Deborah Gold Mine's closure, the Bendigo skyline began to noticeably change. Obvious remnants of mining such as poppet heads, engine rooms, service quarters, battery houses and chimneys were steadily disappearing. After intense lobbying by the local community, the Bendigo City Council purchased the still very much intact Central Deborah Gold Mine in 1970 for a mere $6,000 to ensure that a vital link to Bendigo's historic golden past was maintained. The Bendigo Trust was then formed to oversee the operations of the Central Deborah Gold Mine, which led to the surface of the mine being opened to the public in 1971. Initially the surface was open for just 12 hours a week and as the demand for viewing a part of Bendigo's history increased, so did the opening hours. In 1974 the mine was gazetted as a Public Historical Purposes Reserve and attracted such visitors as H.R.H Prince Charles. By far the greatest shortcoming at this stage was that no one could view the underground workings, as these had become flooded. After what could only be described as a monumental effort by everyone involved, Level 2 of the mine was officially opened to the public by the Premier of Victoria, the Honourable John Cain, on 20 June 1986, which brought to fruition a long standing dream.Black and white photograph, looking from bottom of lift shaft towards the surface; light visible at top of shaft. Lift cables and safety mesh on sides of shaft. gold mining, central deborah gold mine, ray beer, mine manager -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - AUSTIN COLLECTION: Central Deborah Gold Mine, Possibly 1990's
Central Deborah Gold Mine history: At its peak, Central Deborah Gold Mine reached a depth of 412 metres. It has 17 separate levels and 15 kilometres of drives and cross cuts (tunnels). The Central Deborah was very much a hands-on mine and the conditions that the miners worked in would be considered shocking by today's standards – being lowered underground in a cage with only two sides, often working ankle to knee deep in water, filling up to 32 ore trucks a shift by hand which were then pushed a mile or more along rails in the drives, working by carbide lamp, breathing in the fumes and rock dust and communication by bells. Geez, they were ironmen. However, at the time working conditions were considered to be among the best on the goldfields at Central Deborah, after all it was one of the only mines that had hot showers. Following Central Deborah Gold Mine's closure, the Bendigo skyline began to noticeably change. Obvious remnants of mining such as poppet heads, engine rooms, service quarters, battery houses and chimneys were steadily disappearing. After intense lobbying by the local community, the Bendigo City Council purchased the still very much intact Central Deborah Gold Mine in 1970 for a mere $6,000 to ensure that a vital link to Bendigo's historic golden past was maintained. The Bendigo Trust was then formed to oversee the operations of the Central Deborah Gold Mine, which led to the surface of the mine being opened to the public in 1971. Initially the surface was open for just 12 hours a week and as the demand for viewing a part of Bendigo's history increased, so did the opening hours. In 1974 the mine was gazetted as a Public Historical Purposes Reserve and attracted such visitors as H.R.H Prince Charles. By far the greatest shortcoming at this stage was that no one could view the underground workings, as these had become flooded. After what could only be described as a monumental effort by everyone involved, Level 2 of the mine was officially opened to the public by the Premier of Victoria, the Honourable John Cain, on 20 June 1986, which brought to fruition a long standing dream.Black and white photograph. Two men with hard hats and lights, inspecting quartz outcrop on wall of drive at Central Deborah Gold Mine.gold mining, central deborah gold mine, ray beer, mine manager -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - AUSTIN COLLECTION: Operating rock drill, Central Deborah Gold Mine, Possibly 1990's
Central Deborah Gold Mine history: At its peak, Central Deborah Gold Mine reached a depth of 412 metres. It has 17 separate levels and 15 kilometres of drives and cross cuts (tunnels). The Central Deborah was very much a hands-on mine and the conditions that the miners worked in would be considered shocking by today's standards – being lowered underground in a cage with only two sides, often working ankle to knee deep in water, filling up to 32 ore trucks a shift by hand which were then pushed a mile or more along rails in the drives, working by carbide lamp, breathing in the fumes and rock dust and communication by bells. Geez, they were ironmen. However, at the time working conditions were considered to be among the best on the goldfields at Central Deborah, after all it was one of the only mines that had hot showers. Following Central Deborah Gold Mine's closure, the Bendigo skyline began to noticeably change. Obvious remnants of mining such as poppet heads, engine rooms, service quarters, battery houses and chimneys were steadily disappearing. After intense lobbying by the local community, the Bendigo City Council purchased the still very much intact Central Deborah Gold Mine in 1970 for a mere $6,000 to ensure that a vital link to Bendigo's historic golden past was maintained. The Bendigo Trust was then formed to oversee the operations of the Central Deborah Gold Mine, which led to the surface of the mine being opened to the public in 1971. Initially the surface was open for just 12 hours a week and as the demand for viewing a part of Bendigo's history increased, so did the opening hours. In 1974 the mine was gazetted as a Public Historical Purposes Reserve and attracted such visitors as H.R.H Prince Charles. By far the greatest shortcoming at this stage was that no one could view the underground workings, as these had become flooded. After what could only be described as a monumental effort by everyone involved, Level 2 of the mine was officially opened to the public by the Premier of Victoria, the Honourable John Cain, on 20 June 1986, which brought to fruition a long standing dream.Black and white photograph. Two men with hard hats and lights standing in front of underground rock surface at Central Deborah Gold Mine. Man on left hand side of image is operating a small rock drill. Man on right hand side is observing the procedure. gold mining, central deborah gold mine, rock drill, underground -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph
This image is a reproduction of an 1899 original depicting the 'Williams Good Luck Mine' on the Mopoke Reef (also called 'Morepork Gully') in the Dingle Ranges, approximately three miles from Beechworth. A large opening to a mine can be seen behind the men in the photograph, with a wheeled cart on a track leading to the men's position, where the soil and rocks have been hauled away. This photograph interestingly contains dogs alongside the miners. While dogs have been recorded as deterrents to thieves in the Victorian goldfields, these dogs appear as companions to these men. Following the discovery of gold at Beechworth in 1852, rushes quickly followed at surrounding creeks and gullies in the district. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, small syndicates of miners continued to work old or abandoned quartz reefs, often persisting without the assistance of heavy machinery to remove the large amounts of rock, in order to obtain yields at ever greater depths. The group of miners in this photograph are Mr. Roger Williams and Sons, who revived operations at the ‘Old Good Luck’ mine on the Mopoke Reef in the Dingle Range near Beechworth around 1892, working the site for more than two decades. An emigrant from Cornwall with experience in the tin mining industry, 19 year old Roger Williams senior sailed to New Zealand in 1840, then to Australia where he spent time in the Bendigo Gold Fields before settling in Beechworth in the early 1860s. Mr Williams senior worked on various mining activities in the district, including the Rocky Mountain Tunnel project. Conversant with the character of gold-bearing reefs in the area, the syndicate dug an eight hundred foot tunnel, digging down as far down as two hundred feet with little capital save their labour, to connect and provide better working access to the mass of reefs and veins in the vicinity. Progress was hampered by poor air quality charged with fumes from dynamite and large quantities of rock had to be crushed to obtain payable yields. The Victorian Goldfields are filled with ruins and remnants of the area's rich mining history, ranging from small alluvial diggings to the remains of huge mining companies. Site names often changed several times throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Some sites were abandoned and forgotten, others were worked continuously over many decades. The names of mines were often repeated at different locations throughout the Victorian Goldfields. For example, there is a Mopoke Gully heritage mine near Fryers Creek, Victoria. 'Mopoke' is a common onomatopoeic name for Morepork and Australian Boobook owls.This image has historical, social and research significance for patterns of emigration during of the Victorian Gold Rush, and the historical, social and environmental impacts of mining at Beechworth at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. As gold became scarce and government support and large company investment waned, poor hard-working miners laboured intensively to make a living through periods of high unemployment. This image can be compared and studied alongside other historical mining photographs and objects in the Burke Museum Collection. It has potential to improve our understanding of miners working conditions and the shifting character of mining in the Beechworth district.Sepia coloured rectangular photograph printed on gloss photographic paper mounted on card. Obverse: Williams/ Good/ Luck Reverse: A02498/ 1997. 2498/ Good Luck/ Mine/ 1899/ Mopoke. burke museum, beechworth museum, beechworth, gold fields, gold rush, victorian gold rush, gold ming history, colonial australia, australian gold rushes, mining technology, beechworth historic district, indigo gold trail, migration, indigo shire, good luck gold mine, victorian goldfields, mining syndicates, gold fever, quartz-mining, small-scale mining, old good luck mine, mopoke gully, quartz reefs beechworth -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph
This image is a reproduction of an 1899 original depicting the 'Williams Good Luck Mine' on the Mopoke Reef (also called 'Morepork Gully') in the Dingle Ranges, approximately three miles from Beechworth. The foreground of the image is littered with piles of smashed rock and detritus, known as ‘mullock’, beside a reinforced mine shaft, a vertical access passageway allowing miners to enter the mine and haul ore out using lifting technology such as a poppet heads, whims or windlasses. A group of miners and a dog appear close to an open-sided miner’s hut. Following the discovery of gold at Beechworth in 1852, rushes quickly followed at surrounding creeks and gullies in the district. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, small syndicates of miners continued to work old or abandoned quartz reefs, often persisting without the assistance of heavy machinery to remove the large amounts of rock, in order to obtain yields at ever greater depths. The group of miners in this photograph are Mr. Roger Williams and Sons, who revived operations at the ‘Old Good Luck’ mine on the Mopoke Reef in the Dingle Range near Beechworth around 1892, working the site for more than two decades. An emigrant from Cornwall with experience in the tin mining industry, 19 year old Roger Williams senior sailed to New Zealand in 1840, then to Australia where he spent time in the Bendigo Gold Fields before settling in Beechworth in the early 1860s. Mr Williams senior worked on various mining activities in the district, including the Rocky Mountain Tunnel project. Conversant with the character of gold-bearing reefs in the area, the syndicate dug an eight hundred foot tunnel, digging down as far down as two hundred feet with little capital save their labour, to connect and provide better working access to the mass of reefs and veins in the vicinity. Progress was hampered by poor air quality charged with fumes from dynamite and large quantities of rock had to be crushed to obtain payable yields. The Victorian Goldfields are filled with ruins and remnants of the area's rich mining history, ranging from small alluvial diggings to the remains of huge mining companies. Site names often changed several times throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Some sites were abandoned and forgotten, others were worked continuously over many decades. The names of mines were often repeated at different locations throughout the Victorian Goldfields. For example, there is a Mopoke Gully heritage mine near Fryers Creek, Victoria. 'Mopoke' is a common onomatopoeic name for Morepork and Australian Boobook owls.This image has historical, social and research significance for patterns of emigration during of the Victorian Gold Rush, and the historical, social and environmental impacts of mining at Beechworth at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. As gold became scarce and government support and large company investment waned, poor hard-working miners laboured intensively to make a living through periods of high unemployment. This image can be compared and studied alongside other historical mining photographs and objects in the Burke Museum Collection. It has potential to improve our understanding of miners working conditions and the shifting character of mining in the Beechworth district.Sepia coloured rectangular photograph printed on gloss photographic paper mounted on card.Obverse: Reverse: A02497/ 1997.2497/ 'Good/ Luck/ Mine'/ Morepork/ Gully/ Mrs Joyce/ Bright/ Tunnel/ 800 ft/ 1899. burke museum, beechworth museum, beechworth, gold fields, gold rush, victorian gold rush, gold ming history, colonial australia, australian gold rushes, mining technology, beechworth historic district, indigo gold trail, migration, indigo shire, good luck gold mine, victorian goldfields, mining syndicates, gold fever, quartz-mining, small-scale mining, old good luck mine, mopoke gully, quartz reefs beechworth