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

This particular specimen was recovered from the Lal Lal Coal and Iron Mine in Victoria, 19km from Ballarat. Brown Coal was discovered here in 1857, just alongside the Geelong to Ballarat Railway line. This discovery of lignite (brown coal) was the first in Victoria, which would bring important benefits to the region and state, both of which had previously been reliant on coal imports. In the 1860s, iron ore was found just 5km from Lal Lal, and the area was converted into an Iron Ore Mine. The Lal Lal Iron Mining Company took over operations in 1874, who then peaked iron production in 1884. This mine continued operations until June 1884, when the blast furnace was extinguished and never recommenced. The blast furnace at Lal Lal is considered one of the most important and highly significant sites ion early industrial history in Australia, as it is the only remaining best furnace from the nineteenth century in the Southern Hemisphere. The furnace ruins are 17 metres high, and are clearly visible today on Iron Mine Road, Lal Lal, near the Bungal Dam. This specimen of Lignite (brown coal) is significant, as it was mined from the area where brown coal was first discovered in Victoria, leading to an important and controversial future of the mining and use of brown coal in this State. The Victorian Heritage Database has listed the Lal Lal Coal Mine with local significance, with their Statement of Significance stating: "The Lal Lal coal mine is historically significant as the site of the first discovery of lignite (brown coal) in Victoria, and one that promised important benefits to regional and state industries that were reliant on coal imports at the time. The significance of the stie is reduced by the poor state of preservation of the coal mining and processing fabric". 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.A hand-sized light-weight, soft and combustable sedimentary rock specimen, that is dark brown in colour. The specimen has jagged edges, as though parts of the rock have crumbled away. Brown coal, or Lignite, is formed naturally from compressed peat, and is typically found in natural basins. The stages to the formation of coal ('coalification') begin with plant material and wood, which will decay if it is not subjected to deep burial or heating, and turn into Peat. Peat, when sufficiently compressed naturally, will turn into Brown Coal (Lignite), and finally into Black Coal (sub-bituminous, bituminous and anthracite). Each successive stage has a higher energy content and lower water content. It is brownish-black in colour. Brown Coal has a high moisture content, between 50 and 75 percent, and a low carbon content. Some Brown Coals may be stratified, with layers of plant matter, which means little coalification has occurred beyond the peat natural processing stage. When Brown Coal is submerged in dilute nitric acid or boiling potassium hydroxide solution, it reacts to produce a reddish solution, of which higher-ranked coals do not. When brown coal is pulverised and burned in boilers, the steam is used to drive turbines, which generates electricity. It is the lowest rank of coal, as when burned, it creates a relatively low heat content, which in turn does not create a great output of steam. burke museum, beechworth, indigo shire, beechworth museum, geological, geological specimen, mineralogy, brown coal, brown coal specimen, lignite, lal lal, lal lal coal mine, lal lal iron mine, ballarat, blast furnace

Bituminous coal is the most common type of coal, abundantly found in ancient coal deposits which can be dated back millions of years. Often referred to as soft or black coal, this specimen exhibits a high carbon content, ranging from 76-86%. It also holds a relatively high energy density (27 MJ/kg) meaning that it releases significant amounts of energy when burned. Bituminous coal is most commonly used for electricity generation, as well as in the production of steel. This particular piece of coal was collected as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria in the nineteenth century. It originates from Cape Paterson, a seaside village located in South Gippsland, Victoria (located on Bunurong Country). The discovery of bituminous coal in this locality was first made in 1826 by explorer William Hovell. More discoveries were gradually made over the following decades and in 1859 the Victorian Coal Company commenced the first active coal mining operations in the state by sinking a number of shafts and bores near the area of Cape Paterson. Evidence of this coal-focused past can be found today at the State Coal Mine Museum in the nearby town of Wonthaggi. This specimen is significant as it was collected from the locality of Cape Paterson in Victoria, an area that has since become historically instrumental in the mining of coal and other substances in the state of Victoria. 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. A solid hand-sized piece of bituminous coal with a shiny black-grey surface and jagged edges.Existing Label: BITUMINOUS COAL / Locality: Cape / Patterson, VIC. burke museum, beechworth, geological, geological specimen, state coal mine museum, wonthaggi coal mine, victorian coal company, bituminous coal, coal victoria, coal energy generation, william hovell, cape paterson, coal specimen

There are 17 opal fields in Australia. This opal bearing stone was found in Lightning Ridge, NSW over what is known as the Great Australian Basin. This basin was formed and covers an area of 1.7 million square kilometers in eastern Australia in the Cretaceous period. This basin used to contain an inland sea, which provided an environment where silcrete eventually formed when water levels changed. This eventually seeped into other structures, and eventually hardened and formed opal. Lightning Ridge has a population of around 2000 people, with about 80 000 visitors every year. It is a historic mining town, and is known for its deposits of a rare black opal. Mining started in the area in the late 1800s, early 1900s when the black opal was discovered. This opal-bearing stone is of social and historical significance. It is from Lightning Ridge, which is well-known for being a large producer of opal stones, most famously black opal. The history of the period dates back to 140 million years, with the discovery of black opal in the early 1900s causing interest in the area. 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.***A palm-sized solid mineral specimen in shades of beige and light orange*** silica based? burke museum, beechworth, geological, geological specimen, opal, opal fields, australia, lightning ridge, new south wales, great australian basin, cretaceous, silcrete, black opal, mining

It is made up of andalusite. Andalusite is a rock-forming mineral, sometimes found in granite or schist. It is often used to make glass, ceramic products, chemicals, and heat-resistant bricks as it can withstand high temperatures without changing. The chiastolite contains particles of graphite, which arranges in geometric patterns. When crystal growth occurs in the rock, the granite particles concentrate at crystal interfaces and can result in cross shapes. These ‘cross stones’ have been valued and used for their spiritual or religious meaning and used as charms, gems, or amulets. Chiastolite was first discovered in 1754, seen in a description in a published book by a palaeontologist, Franciscan priest, and Spanish author, Jose Torrubia. Deposits have been found in Australia, France, the USA, Chile, Canada, Spain, Brazil, Sri Lanka, and Russia. Deposits have been found in Western Australia and South Australia. This particular specimen was found in Bimbowrie, South Australia. Other chiastolite specimens have been found in Bimbowrie, along with jasper, quartz, and aventurine in the form of rolled pebbles or schist. This chiastolite specimen is socially and historically significant. It is a very rare sort of andalusite mineral. It is from one of only two locations where it is regularly found in Australia. The carbon cross has made it an important religious symbol in the past. Its ability to withstand high temperatures has made it a common ingredient in heat-resistant bricks and ceramics today. 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.A metamorphic mineral consisting of andalusite, with a cross shaped graphite pattern in colours of grey, brown and yellowburke museum, beechworth, geological, geological specimen, andalusite, chiastolite, geometric, cross stone, spiritual, religious, australia, south australia, bimbowrie, quartz, jasper, aventurine, schist

This specimen is a copper-carbonate malachite mineral. It is often found as crystalline aggregates or crusts, which have a banded agate-like appearance while also commonly found as botryoidal clusters of radiating crystals. Malachite is often bright green in colour, with dark green and blackish blooms or stripes/bands throughout the mineral. This particular specimen was recovered from the Burra Burra Copper Mine located Burra, South Australia. By the 1860's, South Australia was known as the "Copper Kingdom" due to its large amount of copper mines and huge success in the copper mining industry. Burra Burra was no exception to this phenomena, as this mining company was greatly famous and successful, being nicknamed the "Monster Mine". It was first established in 1848 and was the largest metal mine in Australia up until 1860. This specimen is significant as it highlights the historic use and value of malachite and the rarity of the mineral. Malachite is a rare gemstone which has been used in various ways historically. It has been cut and sculpted into beads for jewellery use as its rich colour and distinct yet unique patterns have made it a well sought after gemstone. Its' continued use over time only heightens the value and significance of this mineral.A hand-sized solid copper-carbonate hydroxide mineral specimen in shades of blue, green and copper tones throughout.MALACHITE / (Copper carbonite) / Locality: Burra, South Aust. | Malachite / Burra Burra / South Australia / (good specimen) / needs a wash / BBburke museum, burke museum collection, beechworth museum, beechworth, geological specimen, geological, mineral, mineraology, copper carbonate, malachite, burra burra mine, copper mining

Shells were collected by Edgar lavell and son, alan.The fossils paint a vivid picture of life below a sea that once covered parts of East Gippsland. They reflect the geological history of the area.Square shaped wooden display case with glass front. Holds a collection of fossil shells on cork. Shells are from the Middle Miocene Age.shells natural-history middle-miocene fossils

The Loch Ard got its name from ”Loch Ard” a loch that lies west of Aberfoyle, and east of Loch Lomond. It means "high lake" in Scottish Gaelic. The vessel belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many vessels from England to Australia. The Loch Ard was built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curdle and Co. in 1873, the vessel was a three-masted square-rigged iron sailing ship that measured 79.87 meters in length, 11.58 m in width, and 7 m in depth with a gross tonnage of 1693 tons with a mainmast that measured a massive 45.7 m in height. Loch Ard made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its fateful voyage. Loch Ard left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of 29-year-old Captain Gibbs, who was newly married. The ship was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. Onboard were straw hats, umbrella, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionery, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were other items included that were intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. Then at 3 am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land. But the Loch Ard was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4 am the fog lifted and a lookout aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head-on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and Loch Ard's bow swung back towards land. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold its position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time the ship was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves subsequently broke over the ship and the top deck became loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of Loch Ard and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as Loch Ard Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael a passenger had raced onto the deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke the open case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a complete state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom then returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached Loch Ard Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the Loch Ard tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of Loch Ard still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some items were washed up into Loch Ard Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced in March 1982. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton majolica peacock- one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne 1880 International Exhibition. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck, it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artifact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The collections object is to also give us a snapshot into history so we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes of the time. The collections historically significance is that it is associated unfortunately with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. Rectangular piece of cream coloured marble fireplace surround, with an embedded section of wrought iron in one end. Recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard. Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, loch ard, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, glenample station, mutton bird island, loch ard gorge, marble fireplace, wrought iron, fireplace surround

These birds’ eggs were collected by Charles Brittlebank before 1910 but at this stage it is not known from which area they came. English-born Charles Brittlebank was a naturalist interested in ornithology, geology and mycology. He was the Government Plant Pathologist for Victoria from 1913 to 1924. He was the first to discover evidence of glaciation in the Werribee Gorge and published many papers on this subject and other aspects of natural history. It is not known when Charles Brittlebank was in the Warrnambool area or the origin of the birds’ eggs but it a very interesting (and perhaps rare) historical collection. .1 Birds’ Eggs - There are 27 eggs, either whole or partial specimens, contained in a box with home–made cardboard partitions. Ten are intact and the rest are broken. Eight are white and the remainder are speckled. The eggs are resting on a turquoise-coloured piece of material .2 Nest – This is woven from hair and fine twigs and is filled with white wool-like fragments .3 Letter – These are two sheets of writing paper with handwritten information in blue ink. .4 Envelope - This is a small envelope which contained the sheets of paper (.3 above) and the front has handwritten material in blue ink..3 ‘To whom it may concern – I hereby declare that these eggs were collected before 1910, and were part of a collection of the late Charles Brittlebank which is now in the Melbourne Museum. Fred. A. Shirrefs.’ .4 ‘To whom it may concern’ charles brittlebank, history of warrnambool

Catelogue of flora and fauna of the 1960s in the Kiewa Region.A collection of papers including: 1. Three poems. 2. The ''Three Floras of Bogong'Oct 1964. 3. 'SEC Bird Life within and adjacent to the Kiewa Works area' recorded between 1963 and 1964. 4. 'General Geology of the Kiewa Area' June 1963. 5. Victorian Department of Agriculture, 'Tobacco', Notes for Students/Geology/Maize Culture/The Buffalo Dam Project/Stamped with 'Hoys Passenger Service Pty Ltd'. 6, SEC Kiewa Region, Forestry and Conservation.No. 5. - Stamped with 'Hoys Passenger Service Pty Ltd'flora, bogong, birds, geology, kiewa valley, tobacco, forestry and conservation, secv

alan gardiner collection, maps

Produced b Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Branches. The Minister of the Department was the Honourable Donald R Downe and the Deputy Minister was Darrell D HiltzLarge coloured map depicting different areas and deposits. Includes a legend, symbols used, mineral abbreviations and alteration abbreviations.Symbolsnova scotia, kejimkujik lake, geological survey, cartography, mine and energy branches, donald r downe, minister, darrell d hiltz, deputy mnister, south mountain batholith project, legend, symbols

Produced b Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Branches. The Minister of the Department was the Honourable Donald R Downe and the Deputy Minister was Darrell D HiltzLarge coloured map depicting different areas and deposits. Includes a legend, symbols used, mineral abbreviations and alteration abbreviations.Symbols