Auction catalogue with a pale blue cover for a sale on 20th January, 1938 of Mining Machinery, Plant, Equipment and Buildings of the Guildford Plateau Central Gold Mine, Guildford, Vic. J. H. Curnow & Son were the auctioneers. Catalogue has a column down the right side of the page to write in the price of each lot. Contains a description of some of the machinery and buildings. Bolton Bros. Pty. Ltd. were the printers of the catalogue.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - guildford plateau central gold mine, j h curnow & son, j l jamieson, bolton bros pty ltd

Grassmere is a small hamlet about 12 kilometres from Warrnambool. It is a farming area. The Grassmere Gold Mining Company, presumably established by local people in Grassmere, was created in 1898 for the purpose of acquiring from Messrs James and Mewha a lease of a Cassilis gold mine (23 acres). £5000 was to be raised in shares of five shillings and one shilling each. The Manager of the Company was Horatio Dickson of Melbourne and the brokers were McMeekin and Co. of Melbourne and Warrnambool and Dickson and Osborne of Melbourne. This reef mine was one of several in Cassilis, Gippsland, 12 kilometres north west of Swifts Creek. The gold-bearing quartz reefs were discovered in 1885 and worked to 1914. It is not known whether the Grassmere Cassilis mine was a financial success but the mining operations were impeded by the hardness of the stone in the area. William Robinson was a farmer in the Grasmere district. This receipt is of considerable interest as one of only three items the Warrnambool and District Historical Society has that is connected to the Grassmere Gold Mining Company. The gold mine establishment was one of the minor events in the district in the 1890s. This is a buff-coloured 1899 receipt for William Robinson who has paid six shillings and threepence for part payment of his shares in the Grassmere Gold Mining Company. The receipt has black printing and black-ink handwriting. There is one stamp of the Manager ‘H.S. Dickson’ and another of ‘Grassmere Gold Mining Company No Liability’. The receipt has several holes caused by silver fish damage. ‘March 11th 1899, Received from Mr Wm. Robinson the sum of six shillings and threepence being the amount of 3rd call of 1½ per share due on 50 shares nos. 12651/12700 in the above Company, H.S.Dickson, Manager’ grassmere, grassmere gold mining company, william robinson

Grassmere is a small hamlet about 12 kilometres from Warrnambool. It is a farming area. The Grassmere Gold Mining Company, presumably established by local people in Grassmere, was created in 1898 for the purpose of acquiring from Messrs James and Mewha a lease of a Cassilis gold mine (23 acres). £5000 was to be raised in shares of five shillings and one shilling each. The Manager of the Company was Horatio Dickson of Melbourne and the brokers were McMeekin and Co. of Melbourne and Warrnambool and Dickson and Osborne of Melbourne. This reef mine was one of several in Cassilis, Gippsland, 12 kilometres north west of Swifts Creek. The gold-bearing quartz reefs were discovered in 1885 and worked to 1914. It is not known whether the Grassmere Cassilis mine was a financial success but the mining operations were impeded by the hardness of the stone in the area. William Robinson was a farmer in the Grassmere district. This certificate is of considerable interest as one of only three items the Warrnambool and District Historical Society has that is connected with the establishment of the Grassmere Gold Mining Company. The gold mine establishment was one of the many minor events in the district in the 1890s. This is a small buff-coloured certificate detailing the shares of William Robinson in the Grassmere Gold Mining Company (1898). The certificate has green printing and black-ink handwriting. The bottom section (Form of Transfer) is not filled in. There is a stamp of the Grassmere Gold Mining Company with the words ‘No Liability’. There is a decorative pattern in green on the left margin with the address of the company and the name of the printer. ‘This is to certify that Wm. Robinson of Grassmere is a member of the above-named company and the proprietor of fifty (50) shares, numbering 12651/12700 therein, upon which the sum of one shilling has been paid up, subject to the Rules and Regulations of the Company. Dated this 15th day of September, 1898. W.J. Roland, Director, .H. (es) Dickson, Manager.’grassmere, grassmere gold mining company, william robinson, warrnambool

Certificate presented to Robert Carr , Esq., manager of the Great Extended Hustler's Gold Mining Company from his fellow workmen upon his retirement. Hand written in black script upon card with a hand painted border of flowers, leaves, gold picks & shovels, and initials. Recipients name in blue and pink and topped with a water colour painting of a gold mine. Markings - J Birtwistle Sandhurst. Notation on back re mines output.person, individual, robert carr

Two page document for Kirkland Lake Gold Open day 2019. Open Day activities include: bus tours, technical services display, geology, exploration, processing, community and environment display, minerals council of Australia, Swick drilling, Central Deborah Gold Mine, Face painting, Goldfields Re-vegetation, Delecca's hire equipment, MacMahon underground mining services, Sandvik, and ISH24 safety specialists. Map of 'Fosterville Gold Mine Site Map' with activities highlighted. Fosterville is Victoria's larges gold producer and in 2918 a records 356,230 ounces at an average grade of 24.9 g per tonne. The mine has over 600 full time employees in 2019. Entry for '9 levels of darkness' tour at Central Deborah Mine attached.bendigo, mining, fosterville gold mine

BHS CollectionThree page stapled document titled 'Trusty Times' Issue 90, Special Edition July 2012, outlining the issues faced by the Central Deborah Gold Mine with rising ground water and its impact across the broader Bendigo mining area if a solution to the problem is not found. Photo on front of 'Trusty Times' shows Damian Drum, Tom Seddon, Peter Walsh and Jeff Rigby. Images on page 3 show the pumping equipment already installed.bendigo, mining, central deborah gold mine

Colony of Victoria No. 22330 Cream & Sepia Paper Miners Right License Central Deborah Gold Mine Bendigo ( copy, not original ) Five Shillings. Issued under the provisions of the ''Mining Statute 1865'', No. 291. 3 Copies. At the top of the license is the Royal Coat of Arms with the motto ''Dieu Et Mon Advance Australia Droit'' which translates to ''God and my right to Advance Australia.'' In the centre of an oval is an image of the queen ruling over Victoria colonists. At the top of the oval is the motto of the Caledonian Mining Expedition Company ''Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense'' which is also the motto of the Order of the Garter and translates to ''Shamed be he who thinks evil of it.''By Authority: John Ferres Government Printerbendigo, mining, central deborah mine miners right, newspaper cuttings folder previous numbers 51-100

Digitised WHS newsletters from December 1990 (no. 76) to October 1990 (no. 84). Sent to Secretary of the Ringwood Historical Research Group, Jack Lindsay.Noteable articles:- Earl Stewart bus service Brackenbury Street Yarra Yarra Mining Company Dr Owen's Puddling Machine 1927 bushfires Schult Steven Houghton Taffy Jones Great Southern Hill Caledonia Gold Mine Mary Hill - South Warrandyte Post Office Artists - Nutter Buzacott, Frank Crozier, Penleigh Boyd, William Frater, Christine Gray-Aldor Warrandyte Primary School Potter's Cottage

Pink paper covered book by Stanley Hunter, Engineer in Charge of Boring Operations. Contents include tunnelling, deep sinking, the Chiltern Method, the Ballarat Method, Stawell, Ararat, Moyston, Raglan, Wimmera, Landsborough, Avoca, Ballarat West Leads, Berry-Moolort-Loddon Lead System, Clunes, Creswick, Bullarook Affluent, Corinella, Daylesford-Castlemaine Tributary, Majorca-Carisbrook tributary, Huntly, Coliban, Campaspe, Rutherglen., Smythesdale, Durham Lead, Tanjil, Evolution of Mining Machinery, size of claims, Definition of a Deep Lead, Discovery of Gold in Victoria, Geographical Position of Deep Leads, Water in Deep Leads, Methods of Deep Lead Mining, Cost of Deep Lead Mining, Stawell, Ararat, Moyston, Raglan, Wimmera, Landsborough, Avoca, Ballarat West, Berry, Springs Hill, Loddon Valley, Charlotte Plains, , Timor, Burn Creek, Huntly, Colinan, Goulburn, Ovens Valley, Chiltern, Indigo, Morrison's Lead, Plans include: geological Map of Stawell, ararat, Raglan and Landsborough; Kempson's Freehold Mine, Stawell; Geological Map of Beaufort, Avoca, Maryborough, Ballarat west, Berry-Moolort, Loddon, Creswick, Marong, &c; Cardigan Propriety Gold Mine; Working Miners United Gold Mine, Homebush; Hepburn Deep Lead Plan; Madame Berry West Mine; West Berry Consols Mine; Spring Hill and Central Leads; Berry Consols Extended Mine; Loddon Valley Goldfields; Chalk's No 3 Mine; Charlotte Plains Considated Mine; Duke United Mine; Geological Map of Bendigo, Huntley, Campaspe, Malmsbury, Kyneton, trentham, &c; Geological Map of Chiltern, Rutherglan, Eldorado, Beechworth, &c; Chiltern Valley Gold Mine; Wallace Chiltern Valley Consols Mine; great Southern and Chiltern Valley United Mine; great Northern extended Consols; Prentice and Southern deep Leads; Glenfine South Gold Mine; Geological map of Pitfield, Rokewood, Mt Mercer, Ballark, Meredith, &c.; McEvoy Mine; Dargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . mining, deep leads, squire, tools, gold panning, gold cradle, cradling, puddling, tubbing, mining shaft, shaft sinking, whip, horse whip, whim, horse whim, chalk's no. 1 mine, maryborough, mining cage, shaft, mining trucks, maryborough, washdirt, puddler, tunnelling, deep sinking, chiltern method of working, ballarat method of working, sampling washdirt. gravels, balmoral, mt william, stawell, moyston, great western, ararat, raglan, wimmera valley, landsborough, cardigan, haddon, beaufort, waterloo, avoca, lamplough, caralulup, ballarat west, ballarat, smythesdale, glenfine, illabarook, durham lead, morrison's lead, bullengarook, berry-moolort-loddon system, clunes, creswick, spring hill, bullarook, castlemaine - daylesford, majorca, carisbrook, timor, burnt creek tributary, tarnagulla, marong, rheola, inglewood, huntly, coliban, campaspe, goulburn lead system, ovens valley system, mitta mitta, kiewa valley, tarago, tanjil, moondarra, bogong, dargo high plains

McColl Rankin & Stanistreet, New Star Gold Mine Harrietville NL. Collection of documents in envelope. a/ Agreement with the unregistered mining syndicate South Blue Consolidated Syndicate and Gold Exploration (Victoria) Co ML application No. 9982 for a Gold Mining Lease of land at Bendigo on Southern Extension of the Sheepshead or Red White & Blue Line of Reef. Dated: 17/6/1932. Signatures: James Phillips, Stanistreet, J M Leed, C J Michelsen, Jardine?? MacKay. 2 pages. b/ Harry Raymond Johnson & Ellis Douglas McDonnel Doyle on behalf of a No Liability Company to be formed, application for Gold Mining Lease NO. 7514 (Beechworth). Vendors are taking steps to a Company to be entitled New Star Gold Mine Harrietville. Signed: ??, E? McDoyle, ??, McColl Rankin & Stanistreet, ?? Dated:1/5/19/33. 2 pages. c/ Indenture between Ellis Douglas McDonnell Doyle, Harry Raymond Johnson and New Star Gold Mine Harrietville NL the company was formed on 27/6/1933 registered and incorporated. Dated 28/6/1933. Signed: Ke? E D M Doyle, Murphy, Mary R Johnson, J Nicolsen, G? Stanistreet. 2 pages. d/ Memo attached to 2-page letter. Re: adjustment of number of shares for Mr. King. Letter acknowledging receipt of paid shares. Dated 25/7/1933. Signed C B King,?? Page 2 lists brokerage etc. for shares. Dated 11/7/1933. e/ Memo & 3-page letter. Memo re surveyor for Dargo. Allotted shares exceeds available shares. Letter: To Wonnangatta Gold Reefs Syndicate regarding purchase of lease hold property in Mining District of Gippsland. Dated 28/6/1934. Signed ?? Page 2, Balance of monies advanced from R A Rankin. Page 3, costs Re Golden Butterfly Mine. f/ Agreement to lease property in Mining District of Gippsland Mining Lease No's 5187 & 5195 Black Snake Creek Dargo, blue print map of Mine included of No.5187. Dated 28/6/1934. Signed: Keohan?, ??, G ?, Geo Kingsley, Stanistreet. 4 pages. g/ An option to purchase certain Applications for Gold Mining Leases. Date: 28/6/34. Signitures: ? M Neill, ??, G ?, J Nichelsen, Stanistreet. 2 Pages.bendigo, gold mining, south blue consolidated, mccoll rankin & stanistreet

Gold was discovered on Victoria Hill in 1854 and by 1861, 1,200,000 ounces of gold had been extracted from the site. The first claim was bought for 80 pounds by Prussian immigrant Christopher Ballerstedt and his son Theodore. Christopher Ballerstedt was nicknamed the "Father of the Hill" and was the first to prove that gold reefs extended below the surface. His 200-foot plus mine shafts yielded quartz rich with gold, inspired other miners, and were instrumental in Bendigo becoming the world's deepest and richest goldfield. The site still features relics of nineteenth century mining including quartz crushing machinery and the foundations of George Lansell’s 180 mine. These features are characteristic of Bendigo’s mining history and represent two prominent nineteenth century miners, Christopher Ballerstedt and George Lansell, who held important roles in the development of Bendigo. Victoria Hill Quartz Gold Mines are registered as a site of significance. The site is of historical, archaeological and scientific importance to Victoria. The mines represent the symbolic heart of Bendigo’s gold mining history and the importance that mining played in wealth creation and the development of Victoria. The diggings reserve is accessed from the rear of Albert Richardson Reserve located at 40-56 Marong Road, Ironbark. The site has steep and unformed paths and is closed to the public at dusk. It is important to stay to the paths to avoid the diggings. Interpretive signs help visitors to appreciate the importance of the site and the remaining relics of Bendigo’s mining history.Victoria Hill Ironbark, Bendigo. Photos of the poppet head, sand heap, tailings, shafts and tunnels. Before development into a tourist attraction.history, bendigo, victoria hill, ironbark, diggings

'List of shareholders as at 21st September 1950, Proxy forms for half yearly meeting 30th October 1950 (Completed), Notice of half yearly meeting 30th October 1950 and Work sheets of Ballot Papers for Central Deborah Gold Mine by McColl,Rankin & Stanistreet Legal Managers & Accountants'. All folded and wrapped in brown paper, hand writing on wrapper 'Proxies & Ballot Papers 1/2 yearly 30/10/50 and stamped 'Central Deborah Gold Mining Company No Liability'.McColl,Rankin & Stanistreet Legal Managers & Accountantsdocument, gold, central deborah gold mine, central deborah gold mine, gold mine, mccoll rankin & stanistreet, bendigo, business records

Grey covered auction catalogue with dark blue printing for a sale of the Complete Gold Mining Plant, Buildings, &c. of the Midfield Oil Company No Liability (Known as Lane's Reef Gold Mine), situated one mile from the Township of Wedderburn. Sale was held on the 11th March, 1936 under instructions from the Liquidator, Mr. D. R. S. McGregor (McGregor & Court). J. H. Curnow & Son were the auctioneers and the catalogue was printed by Boltons Print, Bendigo.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - midfield oil company no liability (known as lane's reef gold mine), j h curnow & son, mr d r s mcgregor, mcgregor & court, boltons's print bendigo

Beige coloured auction catalogue for an auction of electrical mining machinery, plant, buildings and extensive equipment of the Glenfine South Consolidated Gold Mines N. L. at Pitfield Plains (Vic.), held on 21st November, 1940. J. H. Curnow & Son were the auctioneer. Front cover has red and black printing. Inside the front cover there is a black and white photo of Lot 89, a Diesel Electric Generating Set. Contains descriptions of some of the lots and details of location of the sale.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - glenfine south consolidated gold mines n.l., j h curnow & son, the cambridge press, j l jamieson & co

Three red covered auction catalogues for a sale on the 18th to 20th November, 1968 at the A.1. Consolidated Gold Mine A.1. Mine Settlement, 9 Miles from Woods Point, Vic. For sale was Most Valuable Electrical Mining Machinery, 20 Head Battery, Plant Equipment and Stores and Staff and Miners Homes - Mine Buildings Under Instruction from The Secretary for Mines. Also for sale was the Lease No. 8317 Beechworth. Catalogue has a Sketch Plan showing Mine Property.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - a1 consolidated gold mine, the secretary for mines, j h curnow & son pty ltd, f c dyett, l c osborne, clem hill, t apps, bolton's print

Oswald Gold Mines N L, J Stanistreet Esq, Pink paper dated Nov 25, 1925, June 4, 1926, and 29/6/26. paper details costs and work involved in Agreement with New Oswald gold Mining Co. N. L., Special meeting 26/11/25 and Bill of Sale New Oswald Co. Total cost £6.16.6. R414 Posted by B 29/6/26 written in the top left corner.miss g alice jones - solicitor - account, oswald gold mines n l, j j stanistreet esq, new oswald gold mining co n l, mr jewell, messrs f g smith & mceacharn

Oswald Gold Mines N. L. (J. J. Stanistreet, Esq.) to Miss G. Alice Jones. Pink paper dated May 26 to Nov 25, 1925, and June 4, 1926. Also 29/6/26. paper details work and costs of election of new director, annual meeting, Gold Producers Association, Mortgage from new Oswald Gold Mining Co. N. L., Agreement with New Oswald Gold Mining Co. N. L., Special meeting 26/11/25 and Bill of Sale New Oswald Co. Total Cost £6. 16. 6. R414 Posted by B? on 29/6/26 written in the top left corner.miss g alice jones - solicitor - account, oswald gold mines n l, j j stanistreet esq, gold producers association, new oswald gold mining co n l, messrs f g smith & mceacharn, mr arnold, messrs j d & o oswald

Cash Book - Virginia Consols GM Co No Liability hard cover containing paper pages listing: 1 Cash entries, calls, Virginia Gold Mine 2 directors' fees North deborah Co and other mining Cos. managed by McColl Rankin & Stanistreet (1938 - 1943) duration Nov 1933 - 1943 a front ledger cover b rear ledgercover c Cash book binding d Virginia Consols GM Co No Liability binding e first page Nov 1933McColl Rankin & Stanistreet

Two green covered auction catalogues with dark blue printing for an auction held on the 25th February 1937 of Mining Machinery, 5 Head Battery, Complete Cyanide Plant and Equipment, Buildings, Lease No. 7480, et. Sale held at the Gisborne Gold Mine No Liability, Bullet-proof Forest, Gisborne. Catalogues have descriptions of lots and sale prices written in the columns at the right side of the page. A Special Notice at the front of the catalogue mentions the plant will be first offered as a whole, with a view to recommencing operations. Yield is also mentioned.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - gisborne gold mine no liability, j h curnow & son, j l jamieson, bolton bros pty ltd

Kangaroo Flat Gold Mine Collection. Eight pages (photocopy) of information relating to the Flora Hill Mine, Flora Hill, Bendigo. On first page: 'Bendigo Mining N.L. Mine Information' First two pages contain a summary of the research undertaken by Bendigo Mining N.L. with six additional photocopied pages of annotated copies of mining records. The main Flora Hill Mine shaft 260 ft (79.2m) in Houlahan Street, near Brennan Park Swimming Pool. The Flora Hill reefs were worked from the late 1850's by open cut and shallow shafts, but very little has been recorded about these working or the gold obtained. The Flora Reef Co crushed 200 tons for a return of 25 oz in 1866, a grade suggestive of open cut operations.' The mine was re-opened in 1921, at which time Whitelaw wrote a report. An extract from Whitelaw's report (24th March, 1921) is included in the report. gold mining, bendigo, flora hill mine, south flora reef gold mining company, bendigo mining n.l.

Diggers & Mining. Diggers and Miners. The Bank of Victoria, which purchased most of the gold from the Walhalla mines, is estimated to have handled £10,000,000 worth of gold. Markings: 56 994.5 WAL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

This specimen originated from Mount Lyell on the west coast of Tasmania, where a large group of open cut and underground copper-silver-gold mines began operating in 1883. Between 1893-1994, the Mt Lyell Mining and Railway Company were responsible for operations. The Mt Lyell copper-gold mines produce some excellent crystallised specimens of chalcopyrite and other minerals. The deposits are generally considered to be of Cambrian volcanic origin, but there are indications of Devonian granitic influence on the ores, plus local remobilisation during Devonian deformation. Over 120 million tonnes of ore was produced from several workings, including the main Prince Lyell mine and the North Lyell mine, which was also of great importance. The Mount Lyell mines have a long history of human and environmental disasters, including the 1912 North Lyell fire that killed 42 miners, and two separate incidents in 2013 in which three people lost their lives. The environmental impacts from this complex of mines are extensive, with waste tailings and heavy metal contamination flowing directly into the King and Queen River catchments. In 1954, the eminent Australian historian, Geoffrey Blainey, published 'The Peaks of Lyell' which delves into the history of the 1912 North Mount Lyell Disaster.Chalcopyrite does not contain the most copper in its structure relative to other minerals, but it is the most important copper ore since it can be found in many localities and occurs in a variety of ore types. The brassy-yellow colours in Chalcopyrite mean it is often confused with pyrites and gold, leading to use of the term, "fool's gold." Chalcopyrite has been the primary ore of copper since smelting began five thousand years ago. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.This hand sized solid mineral specimen has shades of brass-yellow with spots of iridescent green-black tarnish. Chalcopyrite is a copper iron sulphide mineral and a major ore of copper common in sulphide veins and disseminated in igneous rocks. Chalcopyrite has a hardness of 3.5-4 on the Mohs Scale. It is a member of the tetragonal crystal system and has metallic lustre and opaque transparency.burke museum, beechworth, indigo shire, beechworth museum, geology, geological specimen, chalcopyrite, copper pyrites, copper mining, tasmanian geology, mount lyell, mount lyell mines, fools gold, mohs scale, crystals, minerals, historical geological collection, victorian geological survey, a.r.c selwyn, gold rush, van diemans land

Thomas Dicker, Rowan Street, Bendigo, published a monthly mining journal that included geological information, mine details and mining practises for particular mining districts. In 1868/9, Dicker moved to England to open the "Australian and London Mining Agency" with the goals of promoting investment in Victorian mines, entering Victorian mining shares on the London Stock market, and exploring the latest in mining technology that might be suitable for mining in Victoria.Dicker's Mining Record and guide to the gold mines of Victoria, showing the bearings, depths, thickness, dips and underlies of the auriferous lodes; the progress and cost of works in operation; containing also a variety of valuable interesting and statistical information. Published by the proprietor, Thomas Dicker, Rowan Street Sandhurst. A green with black spine hardcover book. Paper glued on the front with the title Dicker's Mining Journal 1862. On the spine in gold lettering Dicker's Mining Record Vol.1 1861-2. The book contains 12 issues of the Dicker's Mining Record, the first from Saturday, November 23, 1861: the last from October 24, 1862. Also, there are two pieces of paper inside front cover with writing in pencil; the first says: shaft originally No.3 shaft of the speedwell coy. in 1902 the North Normanby Coy. was formed and took over the shaft. A new winding engine was installed in 1909. 10 head battery 1905, extra 20 head in 1909. The second, also in pencil, reads: Dept. of Mines Geological survey No.4 Ballarat East goldfields - 1907 - Mr. Marbrey (?) 39 Shamrock St. Bendigo.Sticker on inside front page: Ballarat Historical Museum presented by Mr. W.H. Lewis Young Street. On second page in pencil: Mr. John N Bailey mining manager of John Woods mines Stawell, Sons of Freedom Beaufort (illegible). To Mr. John Bailey as a mark of esteem grom J. Logan.dicker's mining journal, 1862, mining

The largest gold mine in the area originated from a find in 1862. The mine was closed January 20, 1915 when a fire destroyed nearly all the above ground plant. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p75 Beneath Mine Hill, as locals call it, runs a network of tunnels once of central importance to the fledgling township of Diamond Creek. These are relics of gold mines, which transformed early Diamond Creek.1 The tiny settlement of about 20 families soared to more than 200 because of gold. For around 50 years, from 1862, gold mining was Diamond Creek’s major source of employment. On September 7, 1854 The Argus newspaper reported a find of a four pound (1.8kg) gold nugget in Nillumbik (an early name for Diamond Creek). Exactly where, is not known.2 The largest mine in the district, the Diamond Creek Gold Mine, apparently originated from a find in 1862. It is said Joe and Dave Wilson were visiting former tailor then cook, Charles Orme, at the southern end of Fraser Street. Sitting on a stump outside the front gate on land belonging to Dr A. E. Phipps the Wilsons found a vein of gold-bearing quartz, which led to the discovery of four quartz reefs varying in width to eight inches (20cm), running north and south. A reef found at the foot of the hill opposite Challenger Street became the Union Mine. This reef was traced south to Allendale Road where a small mine began operations.3 Other smaller mines later operated as well. Dr Phipps immediately began to mine and also built the Diamond Reef Hotel as a boarding house for miners. But Charles Orme, who owned the land alongside, leased his mine to Dr Phipps probably because of insufficient funds and business skills. By mid 1865 the mine had produced 2530 ounces of gold – a 100% profit on the original outlay. Of course there were problems. When the local dam dried up a Blake pump was installed to draw water from the creek. The Union Mine operated under the Diamond Creek Gold Mine management except when disputes sometimes resulted in separate management. However disagreements had to be resolved as the Union Mine depended on Diamond Creek Gold Mine pumps to remove underground water from common reefs. In 1912 the main shaft of about 380 yards (350m) employed 200 men recovering an average of 5000 ounces (141.7kg) of gold a year. But not everyone did well out of gold. Records of failed mining companies in the Victorian Public Record Office, reveal that owner Dr Phipps leased his Right to others. Companies came and went over the next 40 years, most sponsored by Melbourne businessmen who sold shares to gullible locals and then became insolvent. Although there were some good profits, financial returns were haphazard until 1905. Some local residents, who were share holders in short- term companies, became well-known names in modern Diamond Creek such as Scott, Haley, Butler, Alder, Ryan, Wadeson, Reeves, Alston, Paul and Edwards. Gold mining was brought to a disastrous end on January 20, 1915 at 3 pm, when fire destroyed nearly all the above-ground plant. Fortunately no lives were lost. But reopening the mine was almost impossible because of the increasing depth of water in the main shaft. The closed mine destroyed the livelihood of 200 families and the debris took many years to clear.4 In 1946 the Diamond Creek Gold Mine was reopened by the Golden Hind Mining Company, but money ran out before the 600 feet (182.8m) or so of water could be removed. Gold remains in the mine but enormous capital would be needed to buy the land, equipment and to remove the water. Today 12 known sealed shafts along the ridge of the hills on private property extend west for around one kilometre from the corner of Fraser and Haley Streets, crossing Norma and Fyffe to Dering Streets. As recently as 1987, heavy rains revealed a former Union Mine shaft in the Georgiadis family Fyffe Street back yard.5 Allendale Mine, south of Allendale Road, is still open and one of the Union Mine’s main drives (horizontal excavation) remains unsealed, on the Creek Reserve.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, diamond creek, diamond creek mine, fraser street, gold mining, james cook drive, mine hill

Black and white photograph of Central Nell Gwynne Mine on boundary of Ironbark and Moonta. This was one of three gold mines marked for assistance to commence the mining revival. This steel poppet head previously stood over the Lightening Hill Mine and firstly over the Virginia Mine. Bendigonians can access the site from Coath Street. Inscriptions: On back - 'MNG 53', 'Nell Gwynne' in lead pencil, 'Central Nell Gwynne' in black ink', 'Royal Historical society of Victoria, Bendigo Branch' circular blue stamp. History of object: previous Acc. No. MNG 53place, mining site

"Hell Below" a novel by W. Snowden published in 1959. Hell below is set in the Australian gold mines, and the background is the hard life of those who experience hell below. The story is a forceful and excruciating one, of life in the raw. Hell below is the romance of gold - a story of mining at Bendigotold from the viewpoint of a man who worked below. on the inside there is a dedication: to dear dad, whishing you a very happy birthday, love from May and Alex, 12-1-60. Stephen Langdon (d.15-11/1960) for his 85th birthday.book, bendigo, mining