Bethanga was established as a result of the discovery of gold. Gold was first reported in the Bethanga area in 1852. Before 1876 gold mining in the Bethanga district occurred to the north of the town and was known as the 'Talgarno diggings'. Reports of alluvial gold date back to 1852. Early gold fields were worked at Ruby Creek, Gold Creek and Jarvis Creek. The opening of the Bethanga goldfields began with the discovery of a gold-bearing quartz reef on New Year’s Day 1876. The 'Gift' mine site is located southeast of Kurrajong Gap lookout to the west of Bethanga township. The Great Eastern Copper Smelting Works was opened in 1878. Due to the nature of the gold-bearing quartz reef, the gold was difficult to extract, and the discovery of copper led to a change in focus. It was not until the early 1890s that an efficient technique for extracting the gold from the ore was discovered, and once again gold became the focus, with copper as a by-product. Bethanga was removed from the official list of goldfields in 1912, however some mining activity has taken place since.This image reflects an important time in the development of Bethanga and Northeast Victoria.A large mounted and framed image of horse teams and their owners hauling a large boiler to the gold mine near Bethanga, Victoria. On label beneath image: "North-eastern "Gold Days"/ Combined teams hauling a boiler to Bethanga Mines, 1900. Teamsters - Mr. G. Pearce, W. Chapple, G, Bannon." Donated by Ron Saunders and Barbara Cadman"bethanga, gold mining northeast victoria, gold mining bethanga, bethanga history

The 8th Light Horse was initially raised from companies of the colonial Victorian Mounted Rifles located in North-east Victoria following Federation. In 1912 a major reorganisation of the Australian military forces resulted in the regiment being renumbered 16th Light Horse. The Regiment was disbanded in 1919 but soon after was re-raised as the 8th (Indi) Light Horse in the Citizen Military Forces, with the territorial title Indi Light Horse. The Indi Light Horse consisted of 3 squadrons. A squadron consisted of troops in Corryong, Walwa, Tallangatta, Eskdale and Wodonga. After an extensive recruiting campaign in January 1939 a new troop was raised in Bethanga, Victoria. In December 1941, the regiment converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 8th Reconnaissance Battalion then in July 1942 it became 8th Cavalry Regiment and served in Northern Territory. As Japanese threat to the mainland declined the regiment was disbanded.This photo represents a group of Bethanga men who committed to service during World War 2A framed Black and white photograph of Bethanga members of the Australian Light Horse in uniformBack row (left to right), Troopers Keith Cadman, Arthur "Friday" Dower, Bert Sommer, Norm Martin, Andy Mitchell, Tom Pearce; Middle row (left to right). Troop Leader Sergeant Edward "Ted"Davies, Troopers Jack Mortlock, Albert "Ab" Bohun, Aub Cadman, Les Freyer Front row (left to right), Troopers Henry Trenchard, A."Ed" Hertzog, Doug Dower, Nelson "Manny" Green, Eric Wheller, J. Parker.indi light horse, bethanga light horse troop, bethanga history

A small book of 99 pages including text, sketch maps and images telling the story of the early settlement of Bethanga and Springdale townships in Northeast Victoria.non-fictionThis publication was produced for the Bethanga-Springdale Schools Centenary Committee to mark the centenary of the Bethanga State School and the closing of the school at Springdale. It traces settlement in the area from the arrival of early pastoralists c1835 followed by the free selectors and later the miners. The remainder of the publication focuses on the establishment of the Bethanga and Springdale Schools and a brief outline of pioneer families of the Bethanga area.bethanga history, springdale history

A publication by La Trobe University to support the teaching of V.C.E History Unit 1: Local History. It consists of 94 pages including images, maps and document extracts.A publication by La Trobe University to support the teaching of V.C.E History Unit 1: Local History. It is presented as 6 investigations focused on aspects of community through a case study of the Upper Bethanga district in Northeast Victoria from 1875 to 1885.local history, vce resources, bethanga community, bethanga history

A publication relating the history of mining at Bethanga in Northeast Victoria, the miners and semi-itinerant workers, who came to the area in the 1870s in search of a fortune and the community they created. Thus publication of 222 pages includes text, images, maps and a detailed index.non-fictionThe town of Bethanga is located in the mountainous north-east of Victoria, near the Murray River. In the 1870s miners and itinerant workers came to the area to seek their fortunes.This history of Bethanga, covering the period from 1875 to 1912, tells the story of these people and the community they created. gold mining bethanga, miners victoria, history of bethanga

Auction catalogue for a sale on 1st June, 1944 at the Mine Upper Bethanga, Bethanga, Vic. (16 miles from Albury) of Mining Plant, Buildings and Equipment. Notice in the front of the catalogue mentioning buyers had to obtain permission from the Director of Machine Tools and Gauges to make purchases of Machine Tools and Allied Equipment at an Auction Sale. J. H. Curnow & Son were the auctioneers. Contains a description of some of the machinery and buildings. The Cambridge Press were the printers of the catalogue.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - upper bethanga mine, j h curnow & son, j l jamieson, w g wedd, the cambridge press

Paper catalogue for an auction sale on the 1st June 1944 at the Bethanga Mine, Bethanga, Vic. For sale was Mining Plant, Buildings and Equipment.Sale conducted by permission of the Director of Machine Tools and Gauges. J. H. Curnow & Son were the auctioneers.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - bethanga mine, j h curnow & son, j l jamieson, w g wedd, director of machine tools and gauges, the cambridge press

A family history of the Mitchell family of Whiteford, Victoria. This publication includes stories and many black and white images of the Mitchell family and their home."Whiteford is a mystical place. A small farm in north-east Victoria, rising from the rich flats of the Mitta Mitta River a few kilometres upstream from its confluence with the mighty Murray River. Taken up in 1879 from the large Bethanga run, Whiteford was home to the Mitchell family until it was flooded by the Hume Weir around 1934. Through this collection of family photos and small stories, we might glimpse something of family and farming in the fertile Mitta Mitta Valley before it was flooded by the Hume Weir" - Paul Mitchell, author.mitta mitta history, mitchell family history, whiteford mitta mitta valley

non-fictionA collection of the history of early hotels in the Wodonga areahotels wodonga, hotels bethanga, hotels bonegilla, hotels victoria history

non-fictionA detailed history of the Mortlock family, from their convict and then successful settler ancestor, Thomas John Mortlock, through succeeding generations of high-country settlers. Later branches of the family settled in the Castlemaine area, Wagga Wagga and Bethanga near Wodonga, Victoria. The history is profusely illustrated with maps, family photographs provided by Maud Cadman. There is some detail of the methods of settling the high country of the Monaro before the new Land Acts of 1861 and anecdotal reference to one family member running the Post Office at the Prisoner of War Camp at Cowra during World War IImortlock family, high country, bethanga, thomas mortlock, monaro

non-fictionA short history of the town of Bethanga , located on Lake Humebethanga, hume weir, tallangatta shire, norm martin

A small booklet of 56 pages including text and images.The first church in Bethanga was built by the Wesleyans in early 1876 and was also used by other denominations. In early 1886 the Anglican Church was built followed by St Francis Catholic Church later that year. St Francis Church provided a place of worship for nearly 150 years. It was part of the Parish of Wodonga and the Diocese of Sandhurst. The church was relocated in 1917 after it was decided the original location was unsuitable because of the steepness of its approach. Parishioners found it particularly difficult to attend in winter as the surrounds became wet and muddy. Land was purchased which had stables for horses and coaches that would stop between Wodonga and the Upper Murray. Reverend Dr James Flynn hired a carpenter and other workers to demolish the building and cut the church into sections where it was hauled and rebuilt on the new site in Bridge Street, Bethanga. After changing demographics and a dwindling congregation the last regular Mass was held at St Francis in December 2019. Following a decision to close St Francis Catholic Church a final farewell service on was held on 20th August 2022. The building was sold in October 2023.st francis church bethanga, bethanga community