.1 Original Certificate. Certificate number 1367 licensing William Bennett as an engine driver (mines) by the Board of Examiners for Engine Drivers, Victoria, Australia. Certificate issued by G Maynard Secretary, 18 Nov 1891 and signed by Robert Fulton (Chairman), John Naylor, Benjamin Brown and John Coats, members of this licensing board. .2 Photocopy of the front page of the certificate .3 Photocopy of the back page of the certificateengine drivers, licensing, bennett, william, certificate

Albert Richardson was born on 22nd. June, 1902 to George Albert Richardson and Catherine Agnes (nee Flynn). He married Mavis Irene Yarwood on 23rd. December, 1931. Albert Richardson's childhood activities in Duncan Street, Long Gully, were influenced strongly by the occupation of his father and grandfather, both of whom were engine drivers on the Bendigo field. Albert had his own model goldmine, complete with poppet head, baling tanks etc and was up and ready to start work with the sound of the 7 a.m. mine whistles. Albert spent a short time working as a motor mechanic and then took up0 welling insurance with T & G. However, his heart was with the mines and he worked daytimes with T. & G. and then took off to learn engine driving with night shift in one of the mines. He gained his engine drivers' ticket in 1938 and began work at the Nell Gwynne. His longest work time was at the North Nell but he also had shorter spells at other mines. His leter work years were spent at John Brown, from where he retired in 1968. Albert had a deep regard for the working man and worked for many years in the position of Secretary at the Trades Hall, Bendigo. (adapted from biography in BHS Collection, written by I. Hendry, 1972) The Bendigo Historical Society holds a wide range of Bendigo mining records researched and written by Mr. Albert Richardson. He was President of the Bendigo Branch of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria from 1969 to 1971.When he joined the Bendigo Branch in 1966 he began compiling a history of the Bendigo mines. He spent many long hours researching at the Bendigo Mines Department, summarising mine records. He gathered relevant mining material wherever it could be obtained. He devoted most of his spare time and energy to the Society, conducting tours of the goldfields, writing articles and presenting talks to various organisations. His first and foremost interest lay in Victoria Hill. He examined mining reports and early newspaper articles to document its history. He envisaged the once fabulously rich hill as becoming a tourist attraction and campaigned vigorously to achieve this. In 1971 his dream was realised, when, with the help of South Bendigo Rotary Club 'The Hill' was cleaned up and historical site4s sign-posted. In 1972 the Bendigo Trust produced a booklet on Victoria Hill. Albert Richardson is acknowledged as the person ' on whose work and writings the text of this booklet has been based' The park adjoining Victoria Hill was named the Albert Richardson Reserve in his honour. Four newspaper clippings on mining, focusing on Albert Richardson's life; his passion for mining history and more generally, the work of engine drivers on the Bendigo goldfield. Clippings taken from the 'Bendigo Weekly' 2016, dated September 29 'Learner Drivers' , October 7 'Becoming qualified', October 14 'Steam power in his veins' and November 11 ' Victoria Hill over the decades'. All articles written by James Lerk in a series titled 'Discover Bendigo'. albert richardson, engine driver, mining, bendigo, boiler, engine room, mining cage, albert richardson reserve, victoria hill, george ellis, south bendigo rotary club

CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY AS ENGINE DRIVER FOR MINING PURPOSES, PRESENTED TO ARTHUR ALLEN. WE CERTIFY THAT YOU HAVE THIS DAY PASSED THE EXAMINATION TO QUALIFY TO FULFIL THE DUTIES OF SECOND CLASS ENGINEER DRIVER ON THE PURSANCE OF MINES ACTS. GRANT YOU THIS CERTIFICATE.OF COMPETANCY WHICH ENTITLES YOUTO DRIVE ANY ENGINE WITHOUT A CONDENSER FOR MINING PURPOSE EXCEPT A WINDING ENGINE AND TO TAKE CHARGE OF ANY STEAM BOILERCERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY AS ENGINE DRIVER FOR MINING PURPOSES, PRESENTED TO ARTHUR ALLEN BY BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR ENGINE DRIVERS.local history, document, certificates, mining

Letter, 26 June 1931, 'Dear Herb', signed by Harris (unclear) with two quotes attached to bale water from the Monument Gold Mine and Deborah Gold Mines. Monument Gold Mining Co. Incoming water is four thousand gallons per day, baling in three shifts, the 'water would be off the bottom plat in three weeks' Cost - firewood 60, engine drivers wage 40, stokers, 28, total 128 pounds. Deborah Gold Mine. Baling three shifts, the water would be off the bottom plat at the outside, in two weeks. Cost firewood 40, engine drivers wage 26, stokers 18, total 84 pounds. Signed H.E. Jones, Mine Manager. `bendigo, gold mining, mccoll rankin and stanistreet, bendigo gold mining, monument hill gold mine, deborah gold mine, h.e. jones, mine manager, engine driver