Historical information
The illuminated address given to Thomas Weekley on his retirement from the Great Extended Hustlers Gold Mine, was presented to the Bendigo Historical Society by a descendant of Thomas in 2014, during a commemoration of the Great Extended Hustlers mine accident of 1914, where seven men were killed. The mine disaster occurred on May 2, 1914, when a dynamite explosion killed seven miners waiting at a plat to ascend the mine. The exact cause of the explosion was unknown, and the subsequent inquiry found no one to blame. The accident is commemorated at the Hustlers Reef Gold Mining Reserve, Bendigo, on the former site of the mine.
Physical description
Illuminated address presented to Thomas Weekley mine manager of The Great Extended Hustlers Mine Bendigo 14th November 1895, on his departure from the mine to take up a position in Coolgardie. Brown timber frame with gold borders and decorated with colourful Victorian blue and brown decoration. Inside this is flowers and foliage include pink roses, lilies, irises. Address states: "Dear Sir, on the eve of your departure to Western Australian to take charge of the Menzies Proprietary Mine, Coolgardie, we the undersigned on behalf of the employees of the Great extended Hustlers Mine, Bendigo of which you have been manager for upwards of ten years, desire to express our deep regret at the parting with you and to express a hope that the change upon which you have decided may provide in every way beneficial. WE have great pleasure in bearing testimony to the efficiency displayed by you as manager and are assured that the safety of the men under your duties, whist the interest of the shareholders had at all times your earnest consideration. We trsut that in your new sphere you may be thoroughly successful and that you will find many friends as true as those who you leave behind . With the best wishes for the health and happens of yourself, Mrs Weekley and family. We are, dear friends (on behalf of fellow employees) yours faithfully, E Guest, T Redpath, R Cooper.
