This postcard depicts the set-up of an abandoned gold mine. This includes a water wheel and other mining implements next to a creek. The postcard inscription indicates that this image is of the remains of the Wallaby Reef battery and water wheel. Wallaby Reef was discovered in 1864, and a prospecting claim established a four head battery and water wheel. Quartz was mined there, with gold also discovered at this location at a later date. By 1878 the mine was no longer resulting in rich deposits, this resulted in the miners moving their search for gold closer to the river where they were able to access more gold. This was in approximately 1879. In 1882 a rich deposit was found. In 1908 the battery was closed, and the mine finished. This photo was taken in 1920 and shows the deterioration of the site since its closure. Gold mining was crucial to the development of the Beechworth area. It has strong research and historical value because the clarity of the photo shows all the minute details of the mining equipment. The text on the back also indicates the mine is the Wallaby Mine, which was used for 45 years to find gold and quartz. Therefore, due to the location being quickly abandoned, this site is a rich location for historical study on gold mining during the 1900s. It can provide important information on the types of tools utilised and the impact of the mining on the environment.Black and white postcard photograph on card.8169 Be / Also near Wallaby Reef Workings / Relics of Rechabite Reef (locality) workings. / Shaft in bed of creek. Wheel used to drive sheadd (?) / stamp battery too I believe near B'worth 1920?beechworth, mining, gold mining, quartz mining, wallaby reef mine, mine battery head

Three page typed copy of notes for signs on Victoria Hill. Mentions items to be seen at Victoria Hill. Sign posts listed are for: Ballerstedt's First open Cut, Quartz Veins (Spurs), Prospecting Shafts 1929, Engine beds for Lansell's big 180 Mine, 20 Head Crushing Battery Stampers, concrete dam, Victoria Quartz Mine, Foundations of steel poppet legs of the Victoria Quartz Mine, Victoria Quartz Dams, Rae's Open Cut, Site where the quartz was roasted, Anticlinal Arch , coloured rock formations, primitive tunnels, Adit, Engine bed for Great Central Victoria, Prospecting Tunnels, Great Central Victoria (Midway). Notes prepared by Albert Richardson.document, victoria hill, notes on signs for victoria hill, gold mines hotel, ballerstedt's first open cut, quartz veins (spurs), prospecting shafts 1929, engine beds for lansell's big 180 mine, 20 head crushing battery stampers, concrete dam, victoria quartz mine, foundations of steel poppet legs of the victoria quartz mine, victoria quartz dams, rae's open cut, site where the quartz was roasted, anticlinal arch , coloured rock formations, primitive tunnels, adit, engine bed for great central victoria, prospecting tunnels, great central victoria (midway), a richardson

Titled Old Long Gully From Rae's Hill to McGowan St. LG. West Side - Jack Read Painter etc, Norris Bros Black Shop, Norris Bros Wood Yard & Chaff Mills, Iron Bark East Gold Mine, Sunday School, Tennis Courts Sunday School & Church, LG Fire Brigade, Creeth Street, Mine Managers Residence, Shop, Shop Mrs Hocking, Chinese Laundry, Allpress the Baker, Greenfell the Butcher, Hairdresser Beckinsall was the Fire Brigade Hotel, Dick White the Saddler, Store, Hotel Rose of Australia, Woodyard, Blacksmith Shop Wagon Repairer, Hotel Kocks (Pioneer Hotel), 2 China Shops owned by Chinese, Hotel Silver mines Hotel, Police Station, Grocers Shop (per? Reef Mine Hotel) E Bryant, Mine Windmill, Church Residence, Minister. East Side - Hopetoun Band R, Manchester Arms Hotel, Minister House, Church, IOR Hall, Shop Lollies Icecream, Boot Maker & Repairer, Back Smith Shop, Shop Childrens Wear, Butchers Shop, Creeth Street, Grocers Shop, Lolly Shop & Soft Drinks, Boot Maker & Repairer, Residence (Davey's), Lollie Shop (Fields), Dressmaker, LG Post Office (M Webb), Millars Bakers Shop, Butcher Shop, Mechanics Institute Books & Paper & Billiard Room, Connell the Baker, Dr SElby, Pentreath Organ Builder & Tuner, Blacksmith Shop, Hexagon Toilet, Kocks Machine Shop, Kocks Mine Office, Kocks Material Shop, Police Station, Dyson's Dam Warm waer, Air Station, Mine Battery stone crusher 80 head approx, Kocks Mine, Needle Mine. Some notes written at the end - Norm Shotples used to have Barber Shop - he has gone to Queensland, Violet Street started off as the German School, Wells Street used to run through Victorian Consol ? the other side, Comet Hill would like a visit. Contact Helen Gorlay at Violet Street would line to some video. Alan has good info on the Long Gully School. Betty has book. Views of Bendigo. Frank Cusack - Bendigo Trust. Bendigo School Hisking? School, Violet Street. Older levels lo?ing at Architecture.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - old long gully from rae's hill to mcgowan st, jack read, norris bros, iron bark east gold mine, long gully fire brigade, mrs hicking, allpress, greenfell, beckinsall, dick white, rose of australia, hopetoun band r, manchester arms hotel, ior hall, davey's, fields, m webb, millars, mechanics institute & billiard room, kocks pioneer hoel, silver mines hotel, e bryant, windmill mine, pere? reef mine hotel, connell, dr selby, pentreath, kocks machine shop, kocks mine office, kocks material shop, dyson's dam, kocks mine, needle mine, norm shotples, german school, victoria consols, helen gorlay, long gully school, frank cusack, bendigo trust

Share certificate issued by New Gippsland Boulder Mine - operating at Errinundra and receipt for Herbert, Eric W. Receipt is for amount of four pounds - signed by Bird, W. Prospectus was printed in 1934 at office of Snowy River Mail - 4 page booklet. Gold, copper and silver were the target minerals.The crusher from the Boulder Mine is now at the Slab Hut in Orbost. The first Gippsland Boulder Co.,was at Boulder Creek – 13 miles north of Club Terrace, within 2 miles of Errinundra River. The company registered in January 1898 and commenced crushing in September with a 10-head battery. In the first nine months’ yields totalled 1,418 oz from 972 tons.There was a tramway between the mine workings and the battery.The crusher from the Boulder Mine is now adjacent to the Slab Hut in Orbost. This document is a reference for gold mining and exploration in the Far East Gippsland area. The Herbert family has resided in Orbost since the late 19th century.Copy of New Gippsland Boulder Mine share certificate and receipt 1940. Framed in small black wooden frame.certificate-share-new-gippsland-boulder-mine mineralogy mining boulder-creek

Framed sign relating to a 40 head crushing battery and winding plate of the model of the Band and Albion Consuls Gold Mining Company Ballarat, which was originally loaned by the Exhibition Commissioners to the Ballarat School of Mines Museum. band and albion consuls gold mining company, ballarat exhibition, ballarat school of mines museum

The Ballarat School of Mines is a predecessor organisation of Federation University Australia.Black and white photographThis building was officially opened on 4th July, 1978 by E.J.T. Tippett, M.B.E. in whose honour the library was named thus commemorating dedicated service since 1934 as a member of the Council of the School of Mines and Industries Ballarat Stamp Battery The stamp battery for treating gold ores was first intriduced in California. A heavy iron stamp is raised on a cam and let fall so that its weight causes the quartz which is held in the mortar box. This three head battery was installed in the mining laboratory of The School of Mines, Ballarat in 1898 and crused many hundreds of tons of quartz. It was reected on this site to commeorate the centenary of the School of Mines in 1870. School of Mines & Industries Ballarat Established - 1870 Stage one of The Vocational Skills Centre was officially opened by The Hon. Robert Fordham M.P. Minister of Education on 29th April 1983 P.R. Shiells K.J. Flecknoe Principal President The School of Mines and Industries Ballarat Established - 1870 This plaque commemorates the opening of the Hairdressing School on 9 March 1983 by Peter Cutter, B. Comms, M. Ed. General Manager - Programs, TAFE Board School of Mines and Industries Ballarat Ltd Land Laboratory officially opened by Dr D.F. Smith Director of Agriculture on 12th November 1980. School of Mines & Industries Ballarat Amenities Building was officially opened by His excellency The Hon. Sir Henry Winneke K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., O.B.E.. K. St. J., O.C., Governor of Victoria on 7th October 1981 G.H. Beanland K.J. Beanland Principal President This room is known as the Yates Geological Centre in recognition of a professional lifetime of service from 1920=1962 as' head of Geology in The SChool of Mines and Industries Ballarat by Harold Yates M.Sc Plaque presented by former students This stone was laid by The Hon. Alexr J. Peacock Minister of Public Instruction April 14th 1899 Abdrew Anderson, Presidentbuildings, ballarat school of mines, smb campus, premier of victoria, plaque, e.j.t. tippett library, tippett learning research centre, smb library, ballarat school of mines library, e.j. tippett, smb foundation stone, smb stamp battery plaque, geology centre - yates, yates geological centre, smb amenities building opening, smb land laborarory opening, smb hairdressing school opening, smb vocational centre (stage 1) opening, smb e.j. tippett library opening, former ballarat gaol national trust plaque, former ballarat supreme court national trust plaque, smb buildings - administration national trust plaque, foundation of technical education in australia, ballarat school of mines foundation stone, yates geology centre, amenities building, land laboratory, former ballarat gaol, former ballarat supreme court, courthouse theatre, stamp battery, stamper battery, centenary, anniversary, mortar box, peter shiells, ken flecknoe, vocatonal skills centre, haidressing school, peter cutter, museum building, former wesley church, henry winneke, graham beanland, harold yates, alexander peacock, andrew anderson, a building, administration building

The Golden King Mine poppet-head stands at the school’s Yan Yean Road exit gate. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p23 Early Yarambat - Tanck's Corner Its early settlers, who in the 1840s were amongst the first non-Aboriginal people in the area, found life tough as they grazed their sheep and cattle. Yarrambat was then known as Tanck’s Corner or Reynolds Corner, after wood carter, Frederick Tanck, who owned land north of Ironbark Road, at the corner of Yan Yean Road, and Thomas Reynolds, owner of the opposite property. After Reynolds sold his land, the corner became known as Tanck’s Corner. In 1929 the district’s name was changed to Yarrambat, believed to mean ‘high hill’ in the Wurundjeri language. Tanck’s Corner was in the centre of gold-bearing country and the district is honeycombed with old tunnels and shafts. However although gold played a dominant role for decades, there was insufficient to develop a substantial township. Meat and agricultural produce made a greater impact. Until the mid-20th century the only substantial building was the primary school. The first gold rush occurred around 1860, the second after 1900; then during the Depression, the Government paid men to pan for gold. The first rush attracted hundreds of Chinese people to Smugglers Gully, who constructed round diggings to keep away spirits. Alluvial miners lived along the Plenty River in tents or humpies - some fenced with gardens - and some miners distilled their own ‘plonk’. It was a wild time and bushrangers - and later gangster Squizzy Taylor - were said to hide4 in the old Pioneer Tunnel in Dunne’s Gully between Heard Avenue and Pioneer Road. Mines opposite Tanck’s Corner included Beer’s Line, Golden Crown and Golden Stairs. Some of the big mines had batteries and stampers to process quartz. At first there was plenty of alluvial gold, as much as two ounces to the ton. At times gold was exposed after heavy rains so fossickers panned for gold around orchard irrigation trenches. Gold was mined until 1984 when Yarrambat’s last operating goldmine, the Golden King Mine, in North Oatlands Road, closed. The Clayton family operated it full-time, making a comfortable living and in the 1960s it was the only private family gold mine in Victoria.5 Gold was such an important part of Yarrambat’s history that a gold poppet-head is the Yarrambat Primary School’s logo. The Golden King Mine poppet-head stands at the school’s Yan Yean Road exit gate. However this school was built in 1988. The original school No 2054, at the corner of Ironbark and Yan Yean Roads, was opened in 1878 and modified to its present form in the 1920s. In 2000 it was relocated to the Heritage Museum at Yarrambat Park.7 The school, whose first head teacher was Charles Planner, consisted of one room with a three-roomed residence. The school was also the community centre. On Saturday nights it was crammed for dances or euchre parties, community singing or other social events. On Sundays, services for different denominations took turns each week. However the school had its teething problems. Parents accused Charles Planner of neglecting his duties and the school closed several times. When it closed in 1892, only church services continued. Social activities moved elsewhere, such as the tennis club to the Stuchbery tennis court opposite. A sports day and woodchop on Boxing Day around 1900 was held at the Evelyn Hill Hotel, also called Evelyn Arms and Tunnel Hill Hotel, on the Greensborough–Diamond Creek Road. An annual agricultural show in Diamond Creek paraded through the town, and New Year’s Day picnics at the Yan Yean Reservoir included highland dancing and competitions. Also popular were the Indian hawkers who visited every three months, selling trinkets, clothing and other items. One called Jimmy ‘Allem dem Bedi’, gave presents and told stories, played draughts and sold delicious curries he cooked over his camp fire at night.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, golden king mine, tanck's corner, yarrambat primary school

Black and white photo: mine site with poppet head, mine buildings at rear right . Trestles and cables carrying rectangular bins across open land. Large mound of material behind main building. Trees and weatherboard building in foreground. On back written in ball point pen and underlined ' flying Fox' Central Blue Mine to Crushing Battery 1912 'mine, gold, central blue, bendigo, mines and mining, surface equipment, place, mining, surface equipment, flying fox, poppet head

Copy of a newspaper article titled Old battery to charge-up tunnel tourism. Date written on the paper is 11/1/85. The Thompson's Foundry Battery was re-erected in the Parkin's Reef Reserve after being used at Bola Creek near the NSW border. A team of volunteers and a Grant had it moved to Maldon where it was set up and the area made attractive for tourists.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - 10 head battery, thompson's foundry battery, parkin's reef reserve, conservation forests and lands department, carman's tunnel, north british mine, parkins reef, carman's tunnel committee, dr doug kemsley, prospectors' and miners' association of victoria, mr ken garden

Copy of an article from the Bendigo Weekly titled Discover Bendigo The Mine Flooding Crisis - Finale of the Victoria Quartz by James Lerk. The lack of suitable machinery, insufficient knowledge of where the water was coming from, need for Government support, and the pegged price of gold, all contributed to the cessation of deep mining. The Victoria Quartz decided to allow tributers for work the upper levels. By 1913, the Company found it uneconomic to allow the tributers to continue working the upper levels and the poppet head and machinery were sold. During the Great Depression Ernest Smith, Davic Holden, Jack Harrison and David Patullo worked above the water line and did well enough to help their families from the worst effects of the Great Depression. Later Dave Patullo continued to work at the Victoria Quartz while the other three obtained employment in other mines. The article has a photo of David Patullo.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - the mine flooding crisis - finale of the victoria quartz, bendigo weekly, james lerk, victoria quartz mine, brough smyth, bendigo advertiser, victoria quartz company, great depression, ernest smith, david holden, jack harrison, david patullo, government battery eaglehawk

Black and white photograph of 6 head stamp battery. No other mining equipment/structures evident in image. man standing in front of battery. Possibly remnant from South New Moon Mine site, Eaglehawk. Written on back '1954'gold mines, mining equipment, south new moon mine site

Cast iron mercury bucket, used to hold mercury, potentially in the process of recovering minute pieces of gold mixed in soil and sediments. See research page for description of one process of using mercury to extract gold.gold mines, mining equipment, mercury bucket, miners used mercury in a number of ways to amalgamate gold, with each mill or battery operator having their preferred method depending on the nature of the ore. by the late 1850s the most common way of crushing goldbearing quartz ores or consolidated alluvial cements was in a stamp battery. the battery featured heavy iron stamp heads held in a frame, with each head often weighing up to 500 pounds (226 kg) or more (see msv 1880, page 45) (birrell 2005). stamp heads were lifted and dropped by a rotating overhead cam shaft driven by a steam engine or water wheel. ore was fed into a large cast-iron battery box, mixed with a steady stream of water, and pulverised by the stamp heads. in some batteries, mercury was placed in the base of the boxes to amalgamate with freed gold. the violent agitation of the mercury in the mortar box, however, could cause the mercury to break into myriad tiny globules that were carried away by the water with the tailings, thus losing a certain amount of gold in the process (thompson 1867; ritchie & hooker 1997). the water and sand slurry was splashed by the falling stamps from the box through fine mesh screens and onto inclined wooden tables below the mortar box (figure 2). the tables were covered with copper sheets or plates coated with mercury, which caught and amalgamated with a portion of the gold. the grey putty-like amalgam was periodically scraped off the sheets and retorted in a furnace to collect the gold and recover the mercury for reuse. mercury was inevitably lost from the plates, while poor maintenance resulted in further losses of gold and mercury in the tailings. mercury use and loss from gold mining in 19th century victoria. peter davies1, susan lawrence, and jodi turnbull, department of archaeology and history, la trobe university.

Three pages numbered 18/19, 20/21 and 22/23 titled Victoria Hill. First page has some information on Victoria Hill, a sketch of W Rae's Home and Rae's Open cut. The second page has a map of the Victoria Hill Area showing streets and the New Chum Anticline, a sketch of Ballerstedt's Open Cut and a Key to Victoria Hill Area Map. The third page mentions the Victoria Quartz mine, Tributors and quartz roasting. It also has sketch of a 20 Head Crushing Battery, Victoria Hill.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - victoria hill, gold mines hotel, christopher ballerstedt, theodore ballerstedt, ballerstedt's open cut, lansell's 180 mine, little 180 mine, new chum syncline battery, victoria reef quartz mining co, victoria quartz, new chum drainage scheme, a roberts and sons, tributors, william rae's bon accord mine and open cut, william rae, adventure and advance open cuts, central nell gwynne, heinz butcher shop

3 Pages titled Victoria Hill. On one side is a sketch of W Rae's Home built in the early 1870's and Rae's Open Cut. Mentioned is a short history of Victoria Hill and the mine of Christopher Ballerstadt and his son Theodore. The remains of a 20 head crushing battery, which was originally the ten head crusher of the Little 180 Mine remains. It later became the twenty head New Chum Syncline Battery. Water became a problem and the New Chum Drainage Scheme was introduced and the cost of pumping and bailing was shared between the mines.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - victoria hill, gold mines hotel, christopher ballerstedt, theodore ballerstadt, ballerstadt's open cut, lansell's 180 mine, little 180 mine, new chum syncline battery, victoria reef quartz mining co, victoria quartz, new chum drainage system, w rae's home, rae's open cut

Black and white photograph. Brick chimney, C.I building, poppet head with tramway, square chimney in centre. Chimneys and poppet heads in distance. Inscriptions: Hand written in ink in bottom margin 'View from Old Chum Hill - 1890's. In foreground 'Lazarus Engine, Horse & Battery', ' Lansell's '222' '. 'New Chum Mines in background'. History of object: James Lerk 18.2.2000 'Correctly labelled on front of photo'.place, mining site

10-head stamper battery for crushing ore..An interesting collection of photographs, the connection to Greensborough remains a mystery. Digital copy of 2 black and white photographs, two of 30 photos of mining operations.Photos have no markings or dates. Donor unknown.tasmania, mines and mining

Wattle Gully Mine holds a pivotal position in the history of the State's quartz mining industry. The rich strike at Wattle Gully mine in 1937 helped revive the State's gold mining industry that had been in the doldrums since the First World War. Wattle Gully, and a handful of other 'new' companies - the Maude and Yellow Girl, Morning Star, A 1, and North Deborah - were the flagships of the revived industry and sustained the State's gold production for some 30 years. Wattle Gully mine, with a yield of 350,000 ounces, was the richest mine of its era. By 1940, the Wattle Gully Company had paid out £207,000 in dividends to its shareholders. The company continued to mine profitably through the Second World War, though it struggled due to a shortage of manpower. After the war, the mine continued to develop - in the early 1950s new plant including a winding engine, steel poppet head, and twenty-head battery was added. The plant was obtained from the Central Nell Gwynne Company, Bendigo. On 13 March 1969, the Wattle Gully Company closed down the mine, laying off 62 men. Since 1970 Wattle Gully mine has worked intermittently. Recent additions to the mine's infrastructure has been a new ore processing plant and a decline tunnel. The ore processing plant was operated by Newmont mining from 1987 to 1990 and subsequently operated by Consolidated Victorian Mines and Duketon Goldfields. The mine site has retained evidence of its development since 1937 with its most recent periods of equipment upgrades in the 1950s and 1980s being documented by buildings, structures and intact and working machinery. Heritage Council Victoria: https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/2380 Black and white photograph: view of engine room. Wattle Gully Gold Mine winding gear, two winding wheels in centre of image.gold mining, underground, wattle gully gold mine, chewton, winding gear

Wattle Gully Mine holds a pivotal position in the history of the State's quartz mining industry. The rich strike at Wattle Gully mine in 1937 helped revive the State's gold mining industry that had been in the doldrums since the First World War. Wattle Gully, and a handful of other 'new' companies - the Maude and Yellow Girl, Morning Star, A 1, and North Deborah - were the flagships of the revived industry and sustained the State's gold production for some 30 years. Wattle Gully mine, with a yield of 350,000 ounces, was the richest mine of its era. By 1940, the Wattle Gully Company had paid out £207,000 in dividends to its shareholders. The company continued to mine profitably through the Second World War, though it struggled due to a shortage of manpower. After the war, the mine continued to develop - in the early 1950s new plant including a winding engine, steel poppet head, and twenty-head battery was added. The plant was obtained from the Central Nell Gwynne Company, Bendigo. On 13 March 1969, the Wattle Gully Company closed down the mine, laying off 62 men. Since 1970 Wattle Gully mine has worked intermittently. Recent additions to the mine's infrastructure has been a new ore processing plant and a decline tunnel. The ore processing plant was operated by Newmont mining from 1987 to 1990 and subsequently operated by Consolidated Victorian Mines and Duketon Goldfields. The mine site has retained evidence of its development since 1937 with its most recent periods of equipment upgrades in the 1950s and 1980s being documented by buildings, structures and intact and working machinery. Heritage Council Victoria: https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/2380 Black and white photograph: view of engine room. Wattle Gully Gold Mine winding gear, two winding wheels in centre of image.gold mining, underground, wattle gully gold mine, chewton, winding gear

Wattle Gully Mine holds a pivotal position in the history of the State's quartz mining industry. The rich strike at Wattle Gully mine in 1937 helped revive the State's gold mining industry that had been in the doldrums since the First World War. Wattle Gully, and a handful of other 'new' companies - the Maude and Yellow Girl, Morning Star, A 1, and North Deborah - were the flagships of the revived industry and sustained the State's gold production for some 30 years. Wattle Gully mine, with a yield of 350,000 ounces, was the richest mine of its era. By 1940, the Wattle Gully Company had paid out £207,000 in dividends to its shareholders. The company continued to mine profitably through the Second World War, though it struggled due to a shortage of manpower. After the war, the mine continued to develop - in the early 1950s new plant including a winding engine, steel poppet head, and twenty-head battery was added. The plant was obtained from the Central Nell Gwynne Company, Bendigo. On 13 March 1969, the Wattle Gully Company closed down the mine, laying off 62 men. Since 1970 Wattle Gully mine has worked intermittently. Recent additions to the mine's infrastructure has been a new ore processing plant and a decline tunnel. The ore processing plant was operated by Newmont mining from 1987 to 1990 and subsequently operated by Consolidated Victorian Mines and Duketon Goldfields. The mine site has retained evidence of its development since 1937 with its most recent periods of equipment upgrades in the 1950s and 1980s being documented by buildings, structures and intact and working machinery. Heritage Council Victoria: https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/2380 Black and white photograph: view of Wattle Gully mine site with ore bins, poppet head and mining sheds. Eucalypt trees in centre of image. gold mining, underground, wattle gully gold mine, chewton, ore bins, poppet head, mine sheds

Wattle Gully Mine holds a pivotal position in the history of the State's quartz mining industry. The rich strike at Wattle Gully mine in 1937 helped revive the State's gold mining industry that had been in the doldrums since the First World War. Wattle Gully, and a handful of other 'new' companies - the Maude and Yellow Girl, Morning Star, A 1, and North Deborah - were the flagships of the revived industry and sustained the State's gold production for some 30 years. Wattle Gully mine, with a yield of 350,000 ounces, was the richest mine of its era. By 1940, the Wattle Gully Company had paid out £207,000 in dividends to its shareholders. The company continued to mine profitably through the Second World War, though it struggled due to a shortage of manpower. After the war, the mine continued to develop - in the early 1950s new plant including a winding engine, steel poppet head, and twenty-head battery was added. The plant was obtained from the Central Nell Gwynne Company, Bendigo. On 13 March 1969, the Wattle Gully Company closed down the mine, laying off 62 men. Since 1970 Wattle Gully mine has worked intermittently. Recent additions to the mine's infrastructure has been a new ore processing plant and a decline tunnel. The ore processing plant was operated by Newmont mining from 1987 to 1990 and subsequently operated by Consolidated Victorian Mines and Duketon Goldfields. The mine site has retained evidence of its development since 1937 with its most recent periods of equipment upgrades in the 1950s and 1980s being documented by buildings, structures and intact and working machinery. Heritage Council Victoria: https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/2380 Black and white photograph: view of Wattle Gully mine site with two elevators, centre of image. gold mining, underground, wattle gully gold mine, ore elevators

Wattle Gully Mine holds a pivotal position in the history of the State's quartz mining industry. The rich strike at Wattle Gully mine in 1937 helped revive the State's gold mining industry that had been in the doldrums since the First World War. Wattle Gully, and a handful of other 'new' companies - the Maude and Yellow Girl, Morning Star, A 1, and North Deborah - were the flagships of the revived industry and sustained the State's gold production for some 30 years. Wattle Gully mine, with a yield of 350,000 ounces, was the richest mine of its era. By 1940, the Wattle Gully Company had paid out £207,000 in dividends to its shareholders. The company continued to mine profitably through the Second World War, though it struggled due to a shortage of manpower. After the war, the mine continued to develop - in the early 1950s new plant including a winding engine, steel poppet head, and twenty-head battery was added. The plant was obtained from the Central Nell Gwynne Company, Bendigo. On 13 March 1969, the Wattle Gully Company closed down the mine, laying off 62 men. Since 1970 Wattle Gully mine has worked intermittently. Recent additions to the mine's infrastructure has been a new ore processing plant and a decline tunnel. The ore processing plant was operated by Newmont mining from 1987 to 1990 and subsequently operated by Consolidated Victorian Mines and Duketon Goldfields. The mine site has retained evidence of its development since 1937 with its most recent periods of equipment upgrades in the 1950s and 1980s being documented by buildings, structures and intact and working machinery. Heritage Council Victoria: https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/2380 Black and white photograph: landscape view of Wattle Gully mine site. Eucalypt trees in foreground, mining sheds in background. Ore bins on left hand side of image.gold mining, underground, wattle gully gold mine, mine sheds, ore bins

Wattle Gully Mine holds a pivotal position in the history of the State's quartz mining industry. The rich strike at Wattle Gully mine in 1937 helped revive the State's gold mining industry that had been in the doldrums since the First World War. Wattle Gully, and a handful of other 'new' companies - the Maude and Yellow Girl, Morning Star, A 1, and North Deborah - were the flagships of the revived industry and sustained the State's gold production for some 30 years. Wattle Gully mine, with a yield of 350,000 ounces, was the richest mine of its era. By 1940, the Wattle Gully Company had paid out £207,000 in dividends to its shareholders. The company continued to mine profitably through the Second World War, though it struggled due to a shortage of manpower. After the war, the mine continued to develop - in the early 1950s new plant including a winding engine, steel poppet head, and twenty-head battery was added. The plant was obtained from the Central Nell Gwynne Company, Bendigo. On 13 March 1969, the Wattle Gully Company closed down the mine, laying off 62 men. Since 1970 Wattle Gully mine has worked intermittently. Recent additions to the mine's infrastructure has been a new ore processing plant and a decline tunnel. The ore processing plant was operated by Newmont mining from 1987 to 1990 and subsequently operated by Consolidated Victorian Mines and Duketon Goldfields. The mine site has retained evidence of its development since 1937 with its most recent periods of equipment upgrades in the 1950s and 1980s being documented by buildings, structures and intact and working machinery. Heritage Council Victoria: https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/2380 Black and white photograph: former miner from Castlemaine, Bill Williamson, leaning on a shovel, reading newspaper clippings pinned on trifold noticeboard. One notice ' Bendigo Advertiser, 'Gold protest dig aims to strike it rich'. Photo probably taken near Chewton.Written on back of photo in blue pen: Bill Williamson, old miner from Castlemaine, (mined through depression yrs) gold mining, underground, wattle gully gold mine, mine sheds, ore bins

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

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

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

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. Paul Maker on left hand side of image is operating a small rock drill. John Jeffrey on right hand side is observing the procedure. gold mining, central deborah gold mine, rock drill, underground

The Napoleon (BML) gold mine (1932) was located beside McDougall Road, Golden Gully, between Martin and Hattam Street. It had a depth of 921 feet. It was one of the latest and most lavish of Bendigo's mines. Plant and equipment were electrically driven. The four-compartment shaft, extra large by goldfield's standards, measured 17 feet 6 inches by 5 feet 2 inches and was cement lined below 900 feet instead of being red gum boxed as was the usual practice. The workshop was equipped to carry out all repairs for the equally lavish BML mines on the Nell Gwynne and Carshalton reefs. (The Gold Mines of Bendigo, Book 2, Arthur Victor Palmer)Significant to mining history of Bendigo.Black and white photograph of a stamper head being lowered into position on the battery site of the Napoleon Reef Gold Mine. A wooden gantry supports the battery head as it being lowered, a man is standing on top of the stamper head. Concrete foundations are visible in immediate background. napoleon gold mine, napoleon reef gold mine

The Napoleon (BML) gold mine (1932) was located near McDougall Road, Golden Gully, between Martin and Hattam Street. It had a depth of 921 feet. It was one of the latest and most lavish of Bendigo's mines. Plant and equipment were electrically driven. The four-compartment shaft, extra large by goldfield's standards, measured 17 feet 6 inches by 5 feet 2 inches and was cement lined below 900 feet instead of being red gum boxed as was the usual practice. The workshop was equipped to carry out all repairs for the equally lavish BML mines on the Nell Gwynne and Carshalton reefs. (The Gold Mines of Bendigo, Book 2, Arthur Victor Palmer) 'Napoleon BML Mines No Liability have issued a report for the fortnight ended September 5, where it states that the development scheme has been formulated and necessary equipment is being ordered. The Napoleon main shaft, (about 1700 feet south of the old Napoleon shaft) will be a four compartment shaft (17ft 6 inches by ft 2 inches inside the timber). aLevels will be opened at approximately 100 ft vertical intervals and cross-cuts extended approximately 125 ft each side of centre country to explore a cross-section across the anticline opposite to the shaft. At every fifth level, main drives will be extended north to connect with the old Napoleon shaft and south approximately 1800 ft. At the latter point, another cross-section of the anticline will be explored by rising and cross-cutting. The old Napoleon will be unwatered and on the 500ft and 1000 ft levels main drives will be driven to connect with main levels from the Napoleon main shaft to the south as well as being driven north 1800 ft where another cross-section of the anticline will be explored. Cross-sections further north and south may be developed as desired and also at intermediate points if necessary. Clearing and grading of the main shaft site are now in progress and the erection of the office and store building is proceeding. The design of engine room, change house and machine shops is now in hand and erection will proceed as soon as working plans and specifications are prepared.' The main shaft has been commenced at 3ft and advanced 10 ft. to 13 ft. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10975478?searchTerm=napoleon%20bml (The Argus, 8th. September 1934, 'Mining' page 18) Significant to mining history of Bendigo.Black and white photograph of a stamper head being lowered into position on the battery site of the Napoleon Reef Gold Mine. A wooden gantry supports the battery head as it being lowered. Three large concrete foundations are visible in immediate background, two of which have stampers already in position, the third stamper is being lowered onto the final foundation. In immediate foreground, 'boxing' is erected for future concrete pours. napoleon gold mine, napoleon reef gold mine