McIntyre sites

SITE NO. & NAME: 29.0 MATRIX REEF WORKINGS 29.1 NO. 1 GULLY DIGGINGS 29.2 NO. 2 GULLY DIGGINGS 29.3 NO. 3 GULLY DIGGINGS 29.4 ST. JOHN’S PATCH DIGGINGS

LOCATION: MCINTYRES, NEAR RHEOLA

HI NO: 29.0 H7624-0167 29.1 H7624-0168 29.2 H7624-0169 29.3 H7624-0170 29.4 H7624-0171

DIRECTIONS: McIntyres is located 4.6 km south-south-west of Rheola. Matrix Reef and No. 1 to 3 Gullies are on the north side of Dunolly-Wedderburn Road. St. Johns Patch is on the south side of the same road.

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Sites 29.0 to 29.2--Unreserved Crown Land/Historic Reserve Sites 29.3 and 29.4--Freehold Land

HISTORY:

April 1853 to 1857. McIntyres Diggings. These goldfields (McIntyres-Rheola-Orville) spread out along the north- south road between Kingower and Mt. Moliagul ... originally opened by diggers from Korong soon after the discovery of gold at Moliagul at the end of 1852. Kingower Diggings began in the spring of 1853, but what became known as McIntyre’s Wet Diggings, about seven miles south of Kingower, was almost certainly opened before this, and a newspaper note in April 1853 read “A large number of diggers at McIntyre’s, are said to be doing tolerably well”. A notice in The Melbourne Herald in 22 July 1854 said “Parties are doing well at McIntyre’s Two Mile Hut, about seven miles from here (Kingower), on Moliagul Road. These are the “Old McIntyre Diggings”, very wet, with a granite bottom and requiring chain pumps”. The “Old McIntyre Diggings” suggest, as a number of vague, early reports do also, that the place has been worked since 1853, if not earlier ... A note in June 1855 said that 800 ounces of gold had been found in a chain of nuggets in shallow sinkings at McIntyre’s, but otherwise the field, which Fraser’s survey, January 1856, shows as about a mile of workings along the Orville Creek at what was later St. John’s Patch, received little attention until some large 1 nuggets were found in 1857.

March 1857. McIntyres. 801 ounces found in a small neck of gully leading from the Granite Hill to the old Wet Sinkings (almost certainly No. 2 gully, one of three or four coming down from the high hills on the west side of the 2 road).

March 1857. Discovery of 805 ounce nugget by Charles McCartin and Patrick Mulcahy at a depth of one foot in No. 3 1 Gully, McIntyres (Wet Diggings).

March 1857. Discovery of the McEnvoy nugget (1068 ounces (or 810 ounces)) on the surface near Matrix Reef at McIntyres by Nicholas McAvoy and Walter Palmer; 20,000 pounds worth of gold obtained from shallow sinkings on 4 the reef where it outcropped on the surface including 227, 136, 107, 57 and 26 ounce nuggets found near the reef.

May 1857. McIntyres. Large gold specimen weighing 1848 ounce, and another of 1284 ounces, on top of the main 5 hill at McIntyre’s, in what was later called the Matrix Reef ... also large nugget found in No. 3 Gully.

1858. McIntyres. These discoveries brought a large population to McIntyre’s, other places were opened in the vicinity, and the area about two miles north of the station, then as later called Rheola was prospected. Bonnar and party in 1858 sank holes without result in what was later called Clelland’s Gully, and in the following year Paper Gully, an eastern tributary of Rheola Flat, was opened. The first and only gold workings on Berlin Flat was the 6 Man-o-War Rush in 1861, and it was seven years before this field was opened.

90 McIntyre sites

December 1859. Korong Division The population is as follows: Location Alluvial Quartz Trade European Chinese Korong 1650 50 160 1560 300 Kingower 258 66 46 370 - Jordan’s and Jericho 66 100 26 180 12 Synnotts 86 - 3 25 - Fenton’s 22 - 3 25 - M’Intyre’s 222 4 4 50 180 Totals 2304 220 243 2215 55 The following table shows the machines at work (W) and idle(I): Location Puddling (W) (I) Steam engine (W) (I) Crushing (W) (I) Korong 30 12 1 2 1 2 Kingower 8 1 2 - 1 - Jericho - 1 1 - 1 - Synott’s 1 - - - - - M’Intyres 2 2 - - - - M’Intyres. Here a good deal of excitement was lately caused, owing to one party having obtained about 20lb. weight of gold (including a nugget weighing 10lb) in a shallow hole in No 3 Gully. The old ground is being well worked by 7 Chinese. The Amalgamated Company on Marshall’s Reef is now down 100 feet, but has not yet struck the reef.

March 1860. From McIntyre Diggings I have received several notifications of ground having been taken up that was abandoned more than twelve months previous, and which is supposed to have been very superficially worked in the 8 first instance.

May 1860. McIntyre’s. The Eclipse and Marshall’s Reefs are both being prospected. The latter yielded stone about seventeen months ago, seldom, if ever, equalled in richness; since which time it has been regularly prospected, without the shareholders meeting with any encouragement. In alluvial mining nothing worthy of note has been discovered for a 9 considerable period.

January 1861 (Korong Division): Locality Entire Popn Alluvial Quartz Sq miles Puddling Steam Horse Chinese Miners Miners occupied machines crushing power miners mining machines Inglewood 10,500 1,000 3,000 11-1/2 32 9 128 - Glenalbyn 1,700 900 100 1 16 wkng/ - - {In all 5 idle {about Kingower 400 120 100 2 - 1 crshng/ 17 {50 but 1 pumpng {very Korong 1,500 400 100 6 scattered 26 wkng/ 2 wkng/ 32 {much 24 idle 1 idle {scattered Fenton’s & Sinnot’s 50 20 - 1/2 1 - - { McIntyre’s 200 28 10 3 3 - - { Jericho & Jordan’s 150 80 40 1-1/2 1 wkng - - { Total 14,500 2,548 3,500 25-1/2 108 14 177 50 McIntyre’s. The registration of the reefs at this place has not expired. I have therefore nothing new to report on this 10 part of the division.

April 1861. At McIntyre’s, some of the quartz reefs which had been previously abandoned, and which are now held as extended claims, give very fair promise of proving remunerative, although they have not, as yet, had time to have 11 the stone properly tested.

May 1861. At McIntyre’s the claimholders I spoke of in my last on Marshall’s Reef are still persevering in their attempt to discern the lost run of the gold, which, some time ago, was found on the surface in such extraordinary quantities, but abandoned in consequence of the original finders being unable, after considerable labour, to trace its 12 course.

91 McIntyre sites

March 1864 (Korong Division): The total number is thus distributed: New Inglewood 4,500 Old Inglewood 150 Korong 1,500 Jericho 250 Kingower 750 McIntyre’s 300 Sinnott’s 100 Burke’s Flat 100 Loddon 600 13 Total 8,250

September 1864 (Korong Division): The total number is thus distributed: New Inglewood 1,500 Old Inglewood 20 Korong 400 Jericho 50 Kingower 250 McIntyre’s 20 Sinnott’s 20 Bourke’s Flat 70 Loddon and Kingarra 400 Caledonian Flat 70 McIntyre’s is almost deserted. No one working there except the men on the ground which was reserved from sale at 14 the last Government auction.

September 1865 (Korong Division): The total number of miners is thus distributed: New Inglewood 550 Old Inglewood 50 Korong 425 Jericho 75 Kingower 205 McIntyre’s 50 Sinnott’s 50 Bourke’s Flat 70 Caledonian Flat 45 Commissioner’s Flat 65 15 Loddon and Kingarra 100

December 1866 (Korong Division): The total number of miners is thus distributed: New Inglewood 510 Old Inglewood 45 Thompson’s Gully 12 Korong 430 Jericho 75 Kingower 120 McIntyre’s 35 Sinnott’s 60 Bourke’s Flat 48 Commissioner’s Flat 10 16 Loddon and Kingarra 70

92 McIntyre sites

March 1867 (Korong Division) The total number of miners is thus distributed: New Inglewood 400 Old Inglewood 30 Thompson’s Gully 10 Korong 400 Jericho 50 Kingower 80 McIntyre’s 20 Sinnott’s 100 Bourke’s Flat 30 Commissioner’s Flat 5 17 Loddon and Kingarra 50

September 1875 (Inglewood Division). There have been several small rushes to the belt of made ground on the Hard Hills, between McIntyre’s and Berlin, and some nuggets weighing from 6 oz to 30 oz have been discovered ... The 18 mining population in this division is steadily decreasing, and the majority of miners are not making wages.

December 1878. Inglewood Division. At McIntyre’s, the Dalmatia Gold Mining Company is erecting machinery, 19 and the Maximilian Gold Mining Company is still sinking the shaft.

March 1879. McIntyre’s. The Dalmatia Company has erected machinery and raised some quartz, but is unable to 20 crush from want of water. On the adjoining claim the Maximilian Company is still sinking.

June 1880. Inglewood Division. The Dalmatia Gold Mining Company, at McIntyre’s, was obliged to stop sinking 21 on account of water becoming too heavy. They have, however, commenced to cross-cut at the 136-foot level.

December 1880. Inglewood Division. The Dalmatian Company, at McIntyre’s, has stopped work (the mine being on 22 the market), owing, it is said, to want of adequate pumping machinery.

1910. The Matrix Mine, at McIntyre’s Hill, has extended the main tunnel to 465 feet, and won 538 oz. of gold. The party is working a belt of indicator country. At times this tunnel carries three distinct lines of indicators, which for 23 about 200 feet have been profitable.

24 1911. O’Brien and party, at McIntyres, has been working on a belt of indicator country.

25 1912. The Matrix Company, at McIntyres has been developing the bottom levels.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 29.0. Matrix Reef workings. (Reef opened c.1857 and was worked intermittently until c.1880. The adit was extended in 1910). Reef workings. Bulk of reef workings lie on the south face of a steep hill. Workings commence (southern end of line) with a collapsed adit which has a small intact mullock heap. Above the adit (north) is a large intact mullock heap which has four short dumping lines. The large mullock heap is associated with a narrow, 35 metre long, open cut/stope. Three open shafts are found on western side of the open cut/stope, two open shafts at its north end and there is another open shaft at its southern end, east side. Some of the shafts are still ringed by mullock and retain remains of their wooden collars (bush timber). Near one of the shafts, on the western side of the open cut/stope are the remains of a stone blacksmith’s forge. The line of workings continues north from the open cut/stope and consists of fairly dispersed shallow shafts/small mullock heaps and the occasional costean or shallow trenching. At the summit of the hill is a small mullock heap. Its associated open shaft has a fairly intact (sawn timber) collar. Just north of this shaft are two long costeans. After these features, the workings peter out. 100 metres east of the open cut/stope are the ruins of a galvanised iron hut. The building has collapsed. All that stands is a large brick and stone fireplace.

Site 29.1. No. 1 Gully (Gully opened mid 1850s).

93 McIntyre sites

50 metre wide band of well defined alluvial workings (shallow sinkings and paddocking) survive in the gully north of the Wedderburn-Dunolly Road. The band of surviving workings run for some 200 metres until they reach freehold land.

Site 29.2. No. 2 Gully (Gully opened mid 1850s). Recent alluvial mining operations/reclamation work has removed all traces of the old shallow workings.

Site 29.3. No. 3 Gully (Gully opened mid 1850s). Gully has been cleared for grazing purposes. No alluvial sinkings are visible from the road.

Site 29.4. St. John’s Patch (Opened mid 1850s, now being re-worked). Recent alluvial mining has removed most of the old shallow workings.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Matrix Reef workings have very good integrity. One of the few places in Central Victoria to escape the attention of the Mines Department’s shaft filling (bulldozing) operations. All the alluvial workings, except for No. 1 Gully diggings (Site 29.1) have been severely disturbed by recent mining.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Sites 29.2, 29.3 and 29.4 have very little integrity and hence low cultural significance.

Site 29.0 has: • Scientific Significance, because of the impressive and evocative range of undisturbed shallow reef workings (open stopes, shallow open cutting and open shafts). One of the few places left on Crown Land in Central Victoria where the remains of intensive shallow quartz reefing have escaped being flattened/filled in by later re-mining, or by the Mines Department’s 1950s-1970s shaft filling program.

Sites 29.0 and 29.1 have: • Cumulative Significance, because the sites demonstrate the relationship between quartz reefing and alluvial mining.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp292-296 2 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp292-296 3 P. Milner, 1990, p107 4 P. Milner, 1990, p107 5 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp292-296 6 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp292-296 7 Mining Surveyors Reports, December 1859 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1860 9 Mining Surveyors Reports, May 1860 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1861 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1861 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, May 1861 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1864 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1864 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1865 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1866 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1867 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1875 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1878 20 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1879 21 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1880 22 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1880

94 McIntyre sites

23 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1910 24 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1911, pp130-31 25 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1912, p107

95 Orville sites

SITE NO. & NAME: 30.0 HUMBUG HILLS/HARD HILLS DIGGINGS 30.1 POSSUM HILL DIGGINGS 30.2 GUYS RUSHDIGGINGS 30.3 CEMENT WORKINGS

LOCATION: ORVILLE, NEAR RHEOLA

VHR NO: 30.0 H1228

HI NO: 30.0 H7624-0172 30.1 H7624-0173 30.2 H7624-0174 30.3 H7624-0175

DIRECTIONS: Site 30.0. Humbug Hills/Hard Hills. 2 km south of Rheola, 1 km east of Dunolly- Wedderburn Road. Site 30.1. Possum Hill Diggings. 4.5 km south-south-east of Rheola, junction of McIntyre-Inglewood and Dunolly-Orville Roads. Site 30.2. Guys Rush. 4.24 km south-east of Rheloa, 1.25 km south of Rheola- Llanelly Road. Site 30.3. Cement workings. 1.6 km east of Guy’s Rush, south of Rhela-Llanelly Road.

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

1858. Rheola--latter site of Berlin Field. These discoveries brought a large population to McIntyre’s, other places were opened in the vicinity, and the area about two miles north of the station, then as later called Rheola was prospected. Bonnar and party in 1858 sank holes without result in what was later called Clelland’s Gully, and in the following year Paper Gully, an eastern tributary of Rheola Flat, was opened. The first and only gold workings on 1 Berlin Flat was the Man-o-War Rush in 1861, and it was seven years before this field was opened.

1868. Berlin Diggings. The original discovery of what the discoverer called Byr Lyn, but which the diggers immediately called Berlin, was the opening of Clelland’s Gully by Alexander Clelland on 21 August 1868, from which he received an official reward of £100. Mr Know Orme, the warden, wrote to the Secretary of Mines about the opening of the Berlin field, “the Berlin diggings are distant about twelve miles westward of Inglewood, and four from Kingower, and are on Kingdaraar Creek, which flows into the Loddon after a course of about twenty miles. The population of the 15th instant about 400. The sinking is from two to four feet, and the gold is found most irregularly, and at most uncertain depths, viz. from an inch or two to about four feet. Clelland’s Gully runs east and west and gold has been obtained here for about three- eights of a mile in length, and, on the average about fifty or sixty feet in width at present. Fortunate Gully runs nearly north and south, and gold has been found there for about a quarter of a mile in length by a breadth of about forty feet at present. Clelland found a 60 oz. nugget in his first shaft at Berlin, and John Catto, with Dennis Courtney, opened Fortunate Gully, which was rushed on about 19 September. These events were followed by the opening of: Powers Gully (SSW of Berlin), Gilmour’s Gully (north of Clellands). Large nuggets were found in each and there were soon 2000 men on the field (October 1868); Christmas Flat, near McIntyre’s station, was opened, Langham’s Flat soon after, and the rush spread to the main flats in Catto’s and John’s paddocks, between Clelland’s Gully and Langham Flat (Dec 1868). Between Clelland’s discovery and the end of December 1868, 340 2 nuggets from 440 oz. down to one oz. were unearthed.

March 1869. Tylers Rush. Area north of Christmas Flat known as Tyler’s, where William Tyler, an old Warwickshire man, had kept a hotel since 1853, and Berlin rush thereafter was often referred to as Tyler’s Rush. In 3 1869 or thereabouts there were rushes to Humbug Hills, south of the station, and near Orville Creek.

December 1874. Hard Hill Rush. About a half-mile south of Christmas Flat ... This was known as the Hard Hill 4 Rush and declined in June 1875.

96 Orville sites

December 1874. Korong Division. At the Hard Hills, near Berlin, a rush has taken place, and some good prospects have been obtained at a depth of 40 feet. The sinking is in made ground, on some small hills near the banks of the creek, and, being principally cement, is very hard. As much as 11 oz. has been got off the bottom of one shaft. Some 5 300 miners are on the ground, the whole of which is now pegged out.

97 Orville sites

March 1875. Inglewood and Wedderburn Divisions (George Watton Moore). In alluvial there has been but little 6 doing, and the small rush at Hard Hills, Berlin, has not increased either in area or population.

June 1875. Inglewood and Wedderburn Divisions (George Watton Moore). Alluvial mining has also been dull. The rush to Hard Hills has ceased, and most of the miners who were not previously residents of Berlin have left the 7 district.

September 1875 (Inglewood Division). There have been several small rushes to the belt of made ground on the Hard Hills, between McIntyre’s and Berlin, and some nuggets weighing from 6 oz to 30 oz have been discovered ... The 8 mining population in this division is steadily decreasing, and the majority of miners are not making wages.

September 1875. Moonlight Hill rushed (South-east of Guy’s Rush), and later in the month “2nd Hill”, further removed from Moonlight was discovered. Soon after this Possum Hill, that became the main centre of the rushes, was opened ... The discovery took place less than a mile north-east of McIntyres, good gold was found, and the rush, known as Orville Rush attracted thousands, spreading from the old Hard Hills at McIntyres (worked 1859-61) east through Possum Hill, Moonlight Hill to Billy the Mailman’s Hill, and was pegged nearly to Irishtown. By May 1876 there was “an immense spread of calico”, many stores, and twenty-eight licensed hotels on the rush ... Morgan’s and Harrop’s Hills, Long Gully, One Speck Hill, Gibraltar Hill, and McGee’s (were opened). By the end of 1876 the 9 5000-odd population had shrunk to 200.

March 1876. (Inglewood Division) I have visited the New Rush, Hard Hills, about 2-1/2 miles distant from Berlin, and 14 miles from Inglewood. The rush, so far as I could judge, seemed to be in a very prosperous condition; substantial stores are being erected, postal communication has been established, and a police force has been stationed there. The number of miners on the rush is from 2,000 to 3,000. There is a great scarcity of water, the price charged being twopence per 10 bucket.

September 1876 (Inglewood Division). During the past quarter mining in this division has not been attended with very encouraging results. The Berlin goldfield is, so far as mining is concerned, almost abandoned. The rush at Orville, commonly known as “Possum Hill”; is fast declining, there being at present not more than twenty claims 11 yielding ordinary wages; results and the population are fast decreasing.

12 1878. Another rush to the Berlin Hard Hills.

1879. Lamont’s Rush. Opening of lead known as Wait & Hope, but was then called Lamont’s Rush. There was also 13 a rush at this time to Potter’s Gully, near John Goss’ land.

14 1884. Guy’s Rush was prospected by Kish Guy.

March 1885. Inglewood Division. Three nuggets are reported to have been found, weighing respectively 43oz, 12oz. 15 and 8oz., the first one being found at Guy’s Rush, near Rheola (Berlin), and the other two at Old Inglewood.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 30.0. Humbug Hills/Hard Hills (main period of cement workings was late 1860s to early 1880s). Line of shallow workings (depressions and small mounds) along an old cemented lead. The old workings are currently being re-mined.

Site 30.1. Possum Hill Diggings (main period of cement workings was late 1860s to early 1880s). Long band of undisturbed shallow workings (depressions and small mounds). The main concentration of the workings are on the east side of the road. The workings with their small white mounds are a landscape feature.

Site 30.2. Guy’s Rush (commenced 1884). Three distinct patches of shallow workings (depressions and small mounds) along an old cemented lead. The workings are not visible from the road.

Site 30.3. Cement Workings (main period of cement workings was late 1860s to early 1880s). Narrow band of shallow workings (depressions and small mounds). Approximately 400 metres of the workings still survive at the northern end of the lead, the rest of the workings have been levelled for pastoral land.

98 Orville sites

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Only the Possum Hill cement workings have high integrity. The other cement diggings are currently being re-mined or are not visible from a public road.

99 Orville sites

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Sites 30.0, 30.2 and 30.3 have poor integrity and little historical significance and hence little cultural significance.

Site 30.1 has: • Social Significance, the narrow band of densely distributed small mullock heaps form an unusual landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site 30.0--Listed Victorian Heritage Register. Sites 30.0-30.3--Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp292-296 2 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp292-296 3 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp292-296 4 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp292-296 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1874 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1875 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1875 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1875 9 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp292-296 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1876 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1876 12 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp292-296 13 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp292-296 14 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp292-296 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1885

100 Rheola sites

SITE NO. & NAME: 31.0 WHITE PATCH DIGGINGS 31.1 CHRISTMAS FLAT DIGGINGS 31.2 CHAPEL GULLY/TYLERS FLAT DIGGINGS 31.3 SLAUGHTERYARD/BULLFROG GULLIES 31.4 RHEOLA HILL HISTORIC RESERVE 31.5 BERLIN FLAT 31.6 CATTOS UPPER PADDOCK 31.7 FORTUNATE GULLY 31.8 CLELLANDS GULLY 31.9 GILMOURS GULLY DIGGINGS 31.10 LANGHAM’S FLAT DIGGINGS

LOCATION: RHEOLA

HI NO: 31.0 H7624-0176 31.1 H7624-0177 31.2 H7624-0178 31.3 H7624-0179 31.4 H7624-0180 31.5 H7624-0181 31.6 H7624-0182 31.7 H7624-0183 31.8 H7624-0184 31.9 H7624-0185 31.10 H7624-0186

DIRECTIONS: Site 31.0. White Patch. 2.3 km south-west of Rheola, north side of Bealiba-Rheola Road. Site 31.1. Christmas Flat. 3/4 km south-west of Rheola, west side of Wedderburn- Dunolly Road. Site 31.2. Chapel Gully/Tylers Flat, Rheola; east side of Wedderburn-Dunolly Road. Site 31.3. Slaughteryard/Bullfrog Glys. 1.5 km north-east of Rheola, north side of Rheola-Arnold Road. Site 31.4. Rheola Hill, Rheola; west side of Wedderburn-Dunolly Road. Site 31.5: Berlin Flat. 1.6 km north of Rheola, east side of Wedderburn-Dunolly Road. Site 31.6. Cattos Upper Paddock. 2.5 km north-north-west of Rheola, east of Wedderburn-Rheola Rd. Site 31.7. Fortunate Gully. 2 km north-west of Rheola, south side of Yoraths Road. Site 31.8. Clellands Gully. 2.5 km north-west of Rheola, north side of Yoraths Road. Site 31.9. Gilmours Gully. 2.9 km north-west of Rheola, west side of Yoraths Road. Site 31.10. Langhams Flat. 3 km north-north-west of Rheola, east side of Wedderburn-Dunolly Road.

MUNICIPALITY: Site 31.9--Pyrenees Shire Sites 31.0-31.8--Loddon shire Site 31.10--Loddon shire

LAND STATUS: Sites 31.0, 31.1, 31.3, 31.5, 31.6, 31.7 and 31.8 Site 31.2--Water Frontage Reserve/Historic Reserve Site 31.4--Unreserved Crown Land/Historic Reserve Sites 31.9 and 31.10--State Park

HISTORY:

1858. Rheola--later site of Berlin Field. These discoveries brought a large population to McIntyre’s, other places were opened in the vicinity, and the area about two miles north of the station, then as later called Rheola was prospected. Bonnar and party in 1858 sank holes without result in what was later called Clelland’s Gully, and in the following year Paper Gully, an eastern tributary of Rheola Flat, was opened. The first and only gold workings on Berlin Flat was the Man-o-War Rush in 1 1861, and it was seven years before this field was opened.

101 Rheola sites

1868 August to September: Berlin Diggings. The original discovery of what the discoverer called Byr Lyn, but which the diggers immediately called Berlin, was the opening of Clelland’s Gully by Alexander Clelland on 21 August 1868, from which he received an official reward of £100. Mr Know Orme, the warden, wrote to the Secretary of Mines about the opening of the Berlin field, “the Berlin diggings are distant about twelve miles westward of Inglewood, and four from Kingower, and are on Kingdaraar Creek, which flows into the Loddon after a course of about twenty miles. The population of the 15th instant about 400.

102 Rheola sites

The sinking is from two to four feet, and the gold is found most irregularly, and at most uncertain depths, viz., from an inch or two to about four feet. Clelland’s Gully runs east and west and gold has been obtained here for about three-eights of a mile in length, and, on the average about fifty or sixty feet in width at present. Fortunate Gully runs nearly north and south, and gold has been found there for about a quarter of a mile in length by a breadth of about forty feet at present. Clelland found a 60 oz. nugget in his first shaft at Berlin, and John Catto, with 2 Dennis Courtney, opened Fortunate Gully, which was rushed on about 19 September”.

September 1868 Korong Division. The Berlin rush is still progressing; nuggets from 3 to 5lbs. in weight are of 3 common occurrence.

October 1868. Powers Gully (SSW of Berlin), Gilmour’s Gully (north of Clellands). Large nuggets were found in 4 each and there were soon 2000 men on the field.

December 1868. Korong Division. The Berlin rush has been a great success; I have registered ten prospecting claims 5 in that locality. Cleland, Fortunate, and Gilmore Gullies have equalled in richness any goldfield in the colony.

December 1868. Christmas Flat, near McIntyre’s station, was opened, Langham’s Flat soon after, and the rush spread to the main flats in Catto’s and John’s paddocks, between Clelland’s Gully and Langham Flat. Between 6 Clelland’s discovery and the end of December 1868, 340 nuggets from 440 oz. down to one oz. were unearthed.

1868-73. Reports from Berlin Rush were mostly in the nature of long lists of large nuggets (eg. “Viscount Canterbury” 1114 oz., “Viscountess of Canterbury” 912 oz.--both in John’s Paddock). Ah Chang and party 7 discovered the largest piece of gold found at Berlin the Precious Nugget--1717 oz gross weight.

March 1869. Korong Division (R. Mason). Quartz. In this branch of mining there is a large deficiency in the amount of gold returned, principally caused by the want of water and the superior attractions of the Berlin rush. Alluvial. The Berlin rush continues to be the leading feature in mining in this division. The total number of persons on the ground is estimated at 2,000, and reports of new ground being opened, and large nuggets discovered, are 8 frequently occurring.

March 1869. Tylers Rush. The rush spread to the area north of Christmas Flat known as Tyler’s, where William Tyler, an old Warwickshire man, had kept a hotel since 1853, and Berlin rush thereafter was often referred to as 9 Tyler’s Rush.

June 1869. Korong Division (R. Mason) Berlin is till extending. The last rush was to Tyler’s Bridge, about one mile 10 south-east, being a continuance of the same watershed to Sandy Creek.

September 1869. Korong Division (R. Mason) Alluvial mining. This branch of mining has been very successful during the quarter, the number of miners having nearly doubled itself, and also the quantity of gold produced, without reference to that which has been sent to other districts from Berlin. Hitherto most of the gold has been found in the 11 dry formation, and now that washing has commenced still larger returns may be expected.

March 1870. Korong Subdivision (R. Mason). By a notice published in the Government Gazette of the 18th March 1870, page 468, the Division of Korong has been divided into two subdivisions, which in these reports are called respectively the Korong and Berlin Subdivisions. Mining generally in this division is in a very depressed state. The principal reefs are unworked, and the dry season 12 has operated against the progress of alluvial workings.

June 1870. Korong Division (Henry J Hughes) Alluvial mining. The population of Berlin has decreased very considerably during the quarter, and, although gold is being found by a few in very large quantities, many miners will 13 shortly have to leave unless new ground be opened up.

September 1870. Korong Division (Henry J Hughes). During the past quarter the population at Berlin has decreased, and the yield of gold from that portion of the division has greatly fallen off; although large nuggets are occasionally found on the private property of Mr. Catto and Mr. Johns, there are numbers of miners there not earning 5s. a 14 week.

103 Rheola sites

December 1870. Korong Division. A slight rush set into Christmas Flat and some fine gold was obtained, as well as nuggets of 1 lb. weight and under, and it is expected that the ground will be entirely turned over, as it is a continuation of Tyler’s. In the latter part of the quarter a rush took place to a spot called Craigie Lea, close to Korong, and some gold was 15 obtained by several, and it is not impossible that many miners will leave Berlin for that locality after the holidays.

16 1871 to 1874. After 1871 the nuggets became scarcer, and the rush slowly declined to 400 diggers in 1874.

March 1871. Korong Division. During the past quarter alluvial mining has been attended with the best results, as regards the gross yield of gold obtained; but considering the number of men employed at that branch of mining, as compared with the number engaged on the reefs, it would certainly appear that reefing, after all, is the most profitable. Alluvial mining. At Berlin, where nearly all the alluvial gold comes from, the population has remained unchanged with respect of the number mining, as, whilst many have left, new arrivals from other parts (from Spring Creek especially) have taken their places. Christmas Flat, Berlin, has lately been the centre of attraction, and has slightly depopulated the other portions of the Berlin goldfield. Besides the nugget found by Brown and Collins, weighing 197 oz. 14 dwts., others of 5 lbs. weight and under, together with fine gold, have rewarded the workers at Christmas Flat, which place, more than two years ago, was prospected, as was thought, thoroughly, and then almost entirely deserted as being 17 unremunerative.

June 1871. Korong Division, Alluvial mining. At Berlin, a few brilliant discoveries have taken place. In Catto’s paddock, a party of Chinese found, in April, a nugget weighing 718 oz 5 dwts., and in the same paddock Gardiner and Co. obtained, in May, 246 oz 16 dwts. in weight; several smaller nuggets, varying from 1 oz. to 12lbs. have also been 18 got. The Crown Lands at Christmas Flat, Berlin, have also given good yields to a few.

September 1871. Korong Division (Henry J Hughes) Alluvial mining. At Berlin the yield of gold has been much 19 smaller than during the previous quarter; there are, some parties prospecting for reefs.

March 1872. (Korong Division) With regard to alluvial mining there is very little to be said, except that at Berlin many miners have left, and the Deep Lead, Daly Lead, and New Guinea Companies have suspended operations 20 pending the formation of companies with sufficient capital to thoroughly test the ground held by them respectively.

June 1872 (Korong Division). During the past quarter little worthy of special remark has occurred in this branch of mining. On Berlin gold is still being obtained, but not in quantities sufficient to support the population on that 21 portion of the division.

September 1873. Korong Division. During the past month a number of miners from Avoca Forest have returned to the old ground at Berlin, with profitable results; and some parties have commenced paddocking the shallow and wet 22 ground with the intention of working through out the summer.

December 1874. Korong Division. There has also been a little excitement at Lingham’s Flat, Berlin, in consequence of 23 the owner of the prospecting claim having got a 96-oz. nugget, in shallow sinking, with decomposed granite bottom.

June 1875. Inglewood and Wedderburn Divisions (George Watton Moore). There has been little doing in quartz mining during the past quarter. No crushings have taken place at Inglewood, and but one small one at Wehla. Alluvial mining has also been dull. The rush to Hard Hills has ceased, and most of the miners who were not 24 previously residents of Berlin have left the district.

September 1876 (Inglewood Division). During the past quarter mining in this division has not been attended with 25 very encouraging results. The Berlin goldfield is, so far as mining is concerned, almost abandoned.

September 1878 Inglewood Division. A small rush has set in near the old Berlin Diggings, but there appears to be 26 only room for a limited number of miners.

104 Rheola sites

March 1882 (Inglewood Division). In alluvial, Berlin still from time to time reminds us of its golden reputation, a very nice nugget, weighting 109 oz 6 dwt pure gold of best quality, having been unearthed there in the early part of 27 February.

105 Rheola sites

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

All the surveyed sites form part of the Berlin goldfield. This nugget field, one of Victoria’s richest, was opened in 1868 and the field’s main production period ran from this time until 1876. The first reference to any quartz reefing at Berlin is in 1871.

Site 31.0. White Patch. Patches of shallow alluvial sinkings which are very overgrown with reeds and other plants. The shallow sinkings are very difficult to see from the road.

Site 31.1. Christmas Flat Patches of shallow alluvial sinkings which are very overgrown with reeds and other plants. The shallow sinkings are very difficult to see from the road.

Site 31.2. Chapel Gully/Tylers Flat. Re-worked shallow alluvial landscape (shaft depressions, small mounds and paddocks) which is relatively free of reeds and other plants.

Site 31.3. Slaughteryard/Bullfrog Gullies. Both gullies have very poorly preserved, and widely dispersed, shallow sinkings. Both gullies are extremely scrubby.

Site 31.4. Rheola Hill. To be recorded.

Site 31.5. Berlin Flat. Little survives of the old alluvial landscape as most of the flat has been reclaimed for pastoral purposes. Some modern alluvial mining taking place.

Site 31.6. Cattos Upper Paddock. Re-worked alluvial landscape with little trace of the old shallow sinkings. Visible from the road are several large heaps and an area which has been sluiced (or open cut) to bedrock.

Site 31.7. Fortunate Gully. Little sign of the old alluvial sinkings.

Site 31.8. Clellands Gully. This gully has recently been re-mined and there is little sign of any of the old gold workings.

Site 31.9. Gilmours Gully. The head of Gilmour Gully still retains a wide band of relatively undisturbed, and fairly visible, shallow alluvial sinkings (shaft depressions and small mounds).

Site 31.10. Langhams Flat. Wide band of relatively deep alluvial sinkings that runs parallel to the Wedderburn-Dunolly Road. The band has a core of almost continuous sinkings (shaft depressions and small heaps) fringed by more dispersed workings. The alluvial landscape is relatively free of scrub and other low plants and is visible from the main road. Workings cover and area approximately 1 km by 400 metres.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: The majority of shallow alluvial gold mining locations that made up the Berlin goldfield (now Rheola) are poorly preserved and difficult to see. The exception to this is Langhams Flat.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Despite having some historical importance due to being part of the famous Berlin nugget goldfield, sites 31.0, 31.1, 31.3, 31.5, 31.6, 31.7, 31.8 and 31.9 have poor integrity and hence low cultural significance.

Site 31.2 has: • Scientific Significance, because of the survival of a band of re-worked alluvial ground.

Sites 31.10 has:

106 Rheola sites

• Scientific Significance, because of the survival of wide band of well preserved alluvial sinkings.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp292-296 2 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp292-296 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1868 4 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp292-296 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1868 6 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp292-296 7 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp292-296 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1869 9 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp292-296 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1869 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1870 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1870 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1870 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1870 16 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp292-296 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1871 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1871 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1871 20 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1872 21 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1872 22 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1873 23 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1874 24 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1875 25 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1876 26 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1878 27 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1882

107 Bald Hill Ranges

SITE NO. & NAME: 32.0 BALD HILL REEF WORKINGS

LOCATION: BALD HILL RANGES, NEAR RHEOLA

HI NO: H7624-0187

DIRECTIONS: 2.6 km north-east of Rheola, western end of Bald Hills Range, head of Paper Gully

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest

HISTORY:

No references found.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 32.0. Bald Hills Reef workings (Reef was most probably opened up during the late 19th century). Reef workings. Workings have not been bulldozed and include four open shafts with small mullock paddocks, some shallow open cutting and a small stone retained dam. Near the workings is a clump of “century” cactus.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Good.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: • Scientific value, because of the undisturbed state of the reef workings and hence their ability to demonstrate small scale quartz mining.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

108 Kingower sites

SITE NO. & NAME: 33.0 LEVERS GULLY DIGGINGS 33.1 HARD GULLY PUDDLER AND DAM SITE 33.2 “HAND OF FAITH” NUGGET SITE 33.3 “BLANCHE BARKLY” NUGGET SITE 33.4 BILLY GOAT GULLY DAM PUDDLER 33.5 BILLY GOAT GULLY DAM EUCY DISTILLERY 33.6 STOCKYARD GULLY DIGGINGS 33.7 LONG GULLY DIGGINGS 33.8 FRENCHMAN’S GULLY DIGGINGS 33.9 IRONBARK GULLY DIGGINGS

LOCATION: KINGOWER

HI NO: 33.0 H7624-0188 33.1 H7624-0189 33.2 H7624-0190 33.3 H7624-0191 33.4 H7624-0192 33.5 H7624-0192 33.6 H7624-0193 33.7 H7624-0194 33.8 H7624-0195 33.9 H7624-0196

DIRECTIONS: Site 33.0. Lever’s Gully. Gully immediately east of Union Reef, 0.9 km north-west of Kingower Site 33.1. Puddler and dam. Hard Gully, Kingower Township Site 33.2. “Hand of Faith” nugget site, Hard Gully, Kingower Township Site 33.3. “Blanche Barkley” nugget site, Kingower Township Site 33.4 and 33.5. Billygoat Gully Dam. 1.25 km east of Kingower, immediately north of Inglewood-Rheola Road Site 33.6. Stockyard Gully. 0.75 km north of Kingower, west of Kingower-Kurting Road. Gully crosses Eastern Track just after the tracks intersection with Gilmores Track. Site 33.7. Long Gully. 1.3 km north of Kingower, crosses eastern track 3/4 km from the junction with Gilmores Track Site 33.8. Frenchman’s Gully. 1.9 km north of Kingower, runs along the western side of Eastern Track Site 33.9. Ironbark Gully. 3 km south-east of Kingower, junction of Ironbark Exit and Ironbark Dam Track

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Site 33.0, 33.6, 33.7 and 33.8--State Park Site 33.1 and 33.9--State Forest Site 33.2 and 33.3--Unreserved Crown Land Site 33.4 and 33.5--Water Reserve/Unreserved Crown Land

HISTORY:

History. Kingower. The “Blanche Barkly”, which is the third largest nugget to be found in Victoria, weighing 1,743 ounces, was dug up seven miles from Inglewood at Kingower ... the discovery of the massive 60 lb. nugget “Hand of 1 Faith” which was found at the rear of the old Kingower school house.

September 1853. Kingower Goldfield. Kingower goldfield, one of the richest nugget fields in the State, was discovered by Captain John G. Mechosk (called Mechoski) in August or September 1853, after his discovery of Tarrangower goldfield in June that year. He had a party of eleven hired men ... The diggings at Mt Moliagul and Korong had been open nearly a year when Kingower field, on the road between the two places, was discovered. Commissioner Bull ... on 19 December 1853, wrote in an official report ... “I expect the population of Moliagul will resort here in the summer. On the day following I learn that twenty or thirty drays had passed McIntyre’s, all travelling in one direction. Mr Rede received my instructions

109 Kingower sites to take the diggings under his charge, and the name I have assigned to them is that of the run on which they are, viz., Kingower”. The original discovery took place on the main flat, and almost immediately there began the finding of large nuggets that made Kingower a celebrated place. A Commissioners’ Camp was erected in 1854 and about 4000 diggers rushed 2 there.

110 Kingower sites

February 1854. Kingower. New rich leads were discovered at Lever’s Gully, Long Gully, Timm’s Gully, Evan’s Gully, Poverty, Red Clay Gully, Scatterbrain, Frenchman’s and Pickard’s Gullies, but despite the nuggets the lack of 3 water drove the diggers away, and by August Kingower was almost deserted.

June 1855. Kingower. Nugget bed gains yielding prodigiously: 912 ounces of nuggets together in Long Gully and two 4 others weighing 357 oz. Also opened in 1855 were Potters and Black Jack gullies.

1856. Kingower. Stockyard Gully and Scrubby Gully; also Smith’s Gully, about two miles towards McIntyre’s; and McKenzie’s Gully south of the town where three Aberdeen men unearthed 893 ounces of gold in three large pieces. 5 Billy Goat and Porcupine were also occupied in 1856.

1857. Another large rush to Kingower ... and gold was found in Hard Gully and Ironbark. Tumbler’s Hill was a favourite spot, Slaughteryard Hill was rushed, a town was being built, and on 27 August a nugget weighing 1743 ounces was dug up by Robert and James Ambrose of Gravesend and Samuel and Charles Napier of New Brunswick. 6 It was named the Blanche Barkly after the Governor’s daughter.

1858. There was a rush at Kingower to Evan’s Gully in July; Ironbark Gully was rushed in September, and 7 McKenzie’s Gully was also rushed.

8 1859. Kingower. Pipeclay, Sawpit Gully and Paper Gully rushed.

December 1859. Korong Division. The population is as follows: Location Alluvial Quartz Trade European Chinese Korong 1650 50 160 1560 300 Kingower 258 66 46 370 - Jordan’s and Jericho 66 100 26 180 12 Synnotts 86 - 3 25 - Fenton’s 22 - 3 25 - M’Intyre’s 222 4 4 50 180 Totals 2304 220 243 2215 55 Kingower. Digging has assumed a better aspect here during the month, in consequence of payable ground having been discovered adjoining the old workings of Hard Hill Gully and Tumbler’s Hill. A rush has also taken place at Sawpit Gully, and the prospectors obtained a specimen, containing over 40 oz. of gold, previous to bottoming their shaft, which is only 8 feet deep. This gully is parallel to M’Kenzie’s Gully, on the west side, and shows indications of being highly auriferous. Quartz-mining is attracting far more attention here just now than it has done during the last four years, and several prospecting parties are sinking shafts in search of auriferous quartz. It is generally very difficult to trace the gold at such places as Korong and Kingower diggings, and consequently it is almost an impossibility to work them out. The miners require to be possessed of great perseverance and hope here, in 9 comparison to those at almost any other gold field of half the richness.

March 1860 (Korong Division). I have this month registered three prospect claims for alluvial workings ... The third situate in Scrubby Gully, Old Kingower: the prospect declared was nugget 4 oz 11-1/2 dwt and fine gold. The alluvial sinking at Glenalbyn (Kingower) has been steadily progressing and increasing since my last report. Two days’ rain last week enabled the alluvial miners in Old Kingower to set to work, and although only for a short time, several nuggets have been discovered, varying from 1 to 17 oz, and mostly in shallow ground from 3 to 10 feet 10 sinking.

April 1860 (Korong Division) Kingower. The few alluvial miners are mostly engaged in surfacing new ground adjoining Tumbler’s Hill and McKenzie’s Gully. At the latter place several good finds have taken place. The largest 11 nugget I know of weighed 96 oz, others of far greater weight are reported as having been got.

May 1860 (Korong Division). Kingower. The majority of the alluvial miners have been more fortunate than usual, several small patches of remunerative surfacing, and shallow ground having been opened adjoining the old workings, but nothing worthy of causing a rush has been discovered. Quartz mining is still receiving a fair amount of labour and 12 capital from the few inhabitants.

November 1860 (Korong Division). 13 The population is as follows: Kingower. Alluvial ... 1,500.

111 Kingower sites

112 Kingower sites

January 1861 (Korong Division). Locality Entire Popn Alluvial Quartz Sq miles Puddling Steam Horse Chinese Miners Miners occupied machines crushing power miners mining machines Inglewood 10,500 1,000 3,000 11-1/2 32 9 128 - Glenalbyn 1,700 900 100 1 16 wkng/ - - {In all 5 idle {about Kingower 400 120 100 2 - 1 crshng/ 17 {50 but 1 pumpng {very Korong 1,500 400 100 6 scattered 26 wkng/ 2 wkng/ 32 {much 24 idle 1 idle {scatt- Fenton’s & Sinnot’s 50 20 - 1/2 1 - - {ered McIntyre’s 200 28 10 3 3 - - { Jericho & Jordan’s 150 80 40 1-1/2 1 wkng - - { Total 14,500 2,548 3,500 25-1/2 108 14 177 50 Kingower. In Old Kingower a lucky miner has caused a sensation by turning up a nugget of 18 oz amongst a quantity of fine gold; the sinking is only 3 feet; there are not above 100 miners at this place; on account of the known patchy 14 nature of the ground the chances are few.

February 1861 (Korong Division) Kingower. Old Kingower remains very much in the same state as it did on my last 15 report.

April 1861 (Korong Division). The alluvial sinkings at Old Kingower and Glenalbyn have, this month, obtained several more nuggets, although not so large as reported previously; many of the miners have taken up claims on Old Inglewood rush. A small rush took place in Scrubby Gully at the commencement of the month, in consequence of some good heavy 16 gold having been found in a prospecting claim, but since that time many of the parties have left disappointed.

May 1861 (Korong Division). The alluvial diggings at Old Kingower and Glenalbyn have not been so prosperous as they were last month, although several nuggets have been obtained; this is owing, I presume to the thinness of the population, as most of the miners from these places are now working at the Deep Lead, Old Inglewood. 17 The discovery of good gold in a claim at Scrubby Gully, mentioned in my last, has been confined to the claim.

Feb 3 1864. Report on a Rush at Glenalbyn. Glenalbyn, about 2 miles north of Kingower, between 600 and 700 18 miners had marked claims. The ground is new.

March 1864 (Korong Division). The total number is thus distributed: New Inglewood 4,500 Old Inglewood 150 Korong 1,500 Jericho 250 Kingower 750 McIntyre’s 300 Sinnott’s 100 Burke’s Flat 100 Loddon 600 19 Total 8,250

June 1864 (Korong Division). The total number is thus distributed: New Inglewood 4,400 Old Inglewood 100 Korong 1,500 Jericho 300 Kingower 850 McIntyre’s 300 Sinnott’s 100 Burke’s Flat 200 Loddon 600

113 Kingower sites

Caledonian Flat 100 Total 8,450

114 Kingower sites

In Kingower, alluvial mining has been receiving more attention during this quarter, than it did for some months previously. I attribute this in a great measure to the fact of about one hundred Chinamen having arrived from Bendigo, and commenced working the shallow ground, in which they were so successful that many others were induced to follow their example, and the result has been satisfactory to the majority. There have not been as many nuggets as usual found during the quarter. An instance, however, of the careless way in which the ground was worked in former days occurred during last month: the wife of a miner, in Kingower, had thrown the contents of a wash hand- basin outside her door, and shortly afterwards perceived something glittering where the water had fallen; on 20 examination this proved to be an eighteen ounce nugget, pure and free from any foreign substance.

September 1864 (Korong Division). The total number is thus distributed: New Inglewood 1,500 Old Inglewood 20 Korong 400 Jericho 50 Kingower 250 McIntyre’s 20 Sinnott’s 20 Bourke’s Flat 70 Loddon and Kingarra 400 Caledonian Flat 70 A great deal of the ground which was abandoned at Kingower has lately been taken up for quartz mining; this rush was occasioned by a piece of gold weighing nearly 7 oz. being picked up near the mouth of a shaft which had been 21 abandoned about eighteen months previously.

December 1864 (Korong Division). Kingower has not produced this quarter any of those surface nuggets which I 22 have generally to report, nor have the quartz reefs in that locality yielded satisfactory results.

June 1865 (Korong Division). At Kingower, for the months of April and May, I have nothing specially to report, but at the end of the later month Dunmore and party took up a claim near the cemetery at Kingower, and discovered at a depth of 30 feet a stratum of gravel, which yielded some nuggets the size of a pea; on driving they found a nugget 11 23 oz in weight. There are now working on this ground about 150 persons.

September 1865 (Korong Division). The total number of miners is thus distributed: New Inglewood 550 Old Inglewood 50 Korong 425 Jericho 75 Kingower 205 McIntyre’s 50 Sinnott’s 50 Bourke’s Flat 70 Caledonian Flat 45 Commissioner’s Flat 65 Loddon and Kingarra 100 24 Kingower. From this field I have nothing of importance to report.

March 1867 (Korong Division). The total number of miners is thus distributed: New Inglewood 400 Old Inglewood 30 Thompson’s Gully 10 Korong 400 Jericho 50 Kingower 80 McIntyre’s 20 Sinnott’s 100 Bourke’s Flat 30 Commissioner’s Flat 5

115 Kingower sites

Loddon and Kingarra 50 25 Kingower - Nothing doing; population decreasing.

26 1871. Kingower. Uncle Tom’s Gully opened.

116 Kingower sites

December 1882 (Inglewood Division). The successful working of the Maxwell’s leasehold has given increased confidence to quartz miners in and around Inglewood, and great hopes are entertained of several reefs at Kingower, 27 hitherto but partially tried and all but neglected for a number of years.

September 1884. Inglewood Division. A nugget was found by the son of Mr. Webb, of Kingower, about one mile 28 from that place, at Billy Goat Gully, weighing 48 oz.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Kingower, one of the richest nugget fields in Victoria, was discovered in 1853. The field had declined in importance by 1870. From then on, the field was revitalised on occasions by the discovery of a large nugget. The last of the large nugget discoveries was the “Hand of Faith” in the early 1980s.

Site 33.0. Lever’s Gully (Probably dates to Kingower principal mining period--1857 to 1870). Shallow alluvial sinkings. At the base of Union Reef Hill, east side, is gully which has had the guts of its channel “puddled-out”. Running along the western side of the eroded channel is a wide band of relatively undisturbed, well- defined shallow sinkings.

Site 33.1. Hard Gully, Kingower Township (Puddler probably dates to the 20th century). Puddler and dam. 200 metres down Gap Road, west side, is a shallow water dam. On the western end of the dam’s low embankment is a well preserved puddling machine site. The puddler’s inner mound is raised, but has no pivot post, and the puddling trench is deep, with sheer sides. The puddler has a diameter of 22 feet, and has a 20 metre long bank of wash extending from its western side. The puddler is completely obscured by low bushes. The surrounding alluvial ground has been extensively “strip mined” and reclaimed.

Site 33.2. “Hand of Faith” nugget (early 1980s). Discovery site. 170 metres up Ironbark Road. On the west side is a signpost erected to mark the location of the “Hand of Faith” nugget.

Site 33.3. Kingower Township, area where the “Blanche Barkly” was discovered. (Discovered in 1857, third largest nugget to be found in Victoria, weighing 1,743 ounces). Junction of Levers and Hard Gullies, north side of Inglewood-Rheola Road. In a cleared paddock can be seen a small patch of re-worked alluvial ground (small mounds and heaps and some paddocking).

Sites 33.4. Billygoat Gully Dam (Puddler most probably date to 19th century). Immediately north of the Inglewood-Rheola road is a very large dam known as Billy Goat Dam. Puddler. Near the middle of the dam’s high embankment is a very weathered puddling machine site. Only the southern half of the puddler survives in a state where the mound and puddling trench can be distinguished. The puddler is obscured by low bushes. Running north from the puddler is a long, but narrow, bank of wash. There are some traces of shallow sinkings in the gully immediately below (north) the dam, then the gully enters reclaimed freehold land.

Sites 33.5. Billygoat Gully Dam (Probably operated in the 1930s). Eucalyptus distillery. On the slope above the eastern end of the dam’s embankment is a eucalyptus distillery site. All that survives of the distillery is the crane’s wooden post (bush timber) and the two vats. The top halves of both vats are made up of cut-off section s of a 6-1/2 ft diameter iron boiler, the bottom halves appear to be brick coated with rough concrete. Piles of ash lay in the vicinity of the vats. There is enough evidence to suggest that the boiler was located on the south side of the vats.

Site 33.6. Stockyard Gully (Probably dates to Kingower principal mining period--1857 to 1870). Shallow alluvial sinkings. 75 metre wide band of relatively undisturbed shallow sinkings running east from Easterly Track. The workings are not easily seen (or walked) due to dense scrub.

Site 33.7. Long Gully (Tailings have been cyanided--c.1897 to 1940s). Dam and tailings dump--750 metres from the junction with Gilmores Track, Eastern Track runs across the embankment of a large water dam. On the southern end of the dam’s embankment is a small dump of treated tailings. Alluvial workings. The shallow alluvial sinkings in Long Gully below this dam have been badly disturbed by “strip mining” and reclamation work.

Site 33.8. Frenchman’s Gully (Puddler probably dates to 19th century).

117 Kingower sites

Dam and puddler. 450 metres along Eastern Track from the Long Gully water dam, west side of the track, is a large water dam. This dam has a large accumulation of wash below its embankment. On the western end of the dam’s embankment is a very weathered puddler--it is only just possible to distinguish the inner mound and puddling trench. Despite the poor state of preservation, the puddler still has its 12 inch diameter (bush timber) pivot post. The puddler’s outlet channel has recently been excavated by gold fossickers exposing some wooden slabbing. Alluvial workings. The shallow sinkings below the dam are extensive, but are not very visible. The sinkings are quite dispersed and covered by thick scrub. Above the dam, the gully has been “puddled out”.

Site 33.9. Ironbark Gully (Puddler probably dates to 19th century). Water dam and puddler. Ironbark Dam is located at the junction of Ironbark Exit and Ironbark Dam Tracks. At the dam there is a picnic area containing one table and a BBQ. Near the picnic table, western end of the dam’s embankment, is a very weathered puddling machine site. The puddler’s inner mound and puddling trench are beginning to merge. The puddler has a diameter of 22 ft, no visible pivot post, and has a 7 metre wide, 1-1/2 metre high, bank of wash. [Note--since the recording, the puddler has been destroyed].

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Only Hard Gully and Ironbark Gully Dam puddlers have sufficient integrity to warrant being considered for protection.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Sites 33.6, 33.7, 33.8 and 33.9 have poor integrity and little historical significance and hence low cultural significance.

Sites 33.2 and 33.3 have: • Historical Significance--sites of major nugget discoveries.

Site 33.0 has: • Scientific Significance, due to the preservation of some relatively undisturbed shallow alluvial sinkings and hence the sites ability to demonstrate this type of mining.

Site 33.1 has: • Scientific Significance--a well preserved puddler in the heart of Kingower township, close to the discovery site of “Blanche Barkly” and “Hand of Faith” gold nuggets.

Sites 33.4 and 33.5 have: • Scientific Significance, due to the site’s ability to demonstrate the re-use of an old mining dam.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 Alan M Nixon, 1982, Inglewood Gold, p19-20 2 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp287-291 3 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp287-291 4 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp287-291 5 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp287-291 6 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp287-291 7 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp287-291 8 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp287-291 9 Mining Surveyors Reports, December 1859 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1860 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1860 12 Mining Surveyors Reports, May 1860 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, November 1860 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1861 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, February 1861 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1861 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, May 1861 18 Burrabungle, Korong Historical Society, 1988 - Extracts from newspapers

118 Kingower sites

19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1864 20 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1864 21 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1864 22 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1864 23 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1865 24 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1865 25 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1867 26 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp287-291 27 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1882 28 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1884

119 John Preston’s hut, Kingower

SITE NO. & NAME: 34.0 JOHN PRESTON’S HUT

LOCATION: HUMBUG GULLY, KINGOWER

HI NO: H7624-0197

DIRECTIONS: Kingower, west of Brenanah Road

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: State Park

HISTORY:

According to Mark Gilmore (local DCNR Forest Officer) the hut was built and occupied (in the 1930s) by John Preston, an “English gentleman”.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 34.0. John Preston’s hut. Hut. Remains of a mud brick hut measuring 25 ft x 12 ft. There is a 10 ft high stone fireplace at one end of the building and a 7 ft square entrance porch at the other end. Near the porch are the remains of some decorative concrete pillars. Cellar. Near the entrance porch is a wood-lined underground cellar measuring approximately 10 ft x 6 ft. Dunny. North-east of the hut is the mud brick base of a dunny, complete with the rusty remains of a tin urinal. Blacksmithy. Near the dunny is an anvil stump surrounded by scraps of iron. Smokehouse. North-west of the dunny is the mud brick base of a 7 ft square smoke-room. An 11 ft flue depression runs from the smoke house to a small hearth. There is an extensive scatter of domestic artefacts scattered around the hut and outbuildings.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Good--has considerable archaeological potential because the site has yet to be discovered by treasure hunters.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: • Scientific Significance, because of the site’s intactness (including both structural remains and archaeological deposits). • Social Significance--John Preston is part of the folklore of Kingower.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

120 Union Reef sites, Kingower

SITE NO. & NAME: 35.0 UNION REEF WO RKINGS 35.1 NATIONIAL QUARTZ MINING CO.’S BATTERY SITE 35.2 UNION REEF DAM PUDDLER 35.3 COBB AND CO. WELL

LOCATION: UNION REEF, KINGOWER

HI NO: 35.0 H7624-0198 35.1 H7624-0199 35.2 H7624-0199 35.3 H7624-0200

DIRECTIONS: Site 35.0. Union Reef. 0.9 km north-west of Kingower, east side of Brenanah Road Sites 35.1 and 35.2. Battery site/puddler and dam are adjacent the east side of Brenanah Road Site 35.3. Cobb and Co. well, opposite side of road to the puddler and dam

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Sites 35.0 to 35.3--State Park

HISTORY:

September 1853. Kingower Goldfield. Kingower goldfield, one of the richest nugget fields in the State, was discovered by Captain John G. Mechosk (called Mechoski) in August or September 1853, after his discovery of Tarrangower goldfield in June that year. He had a party of eleven hired men ... The diggings at Mt Moliagul and Korong had been open nearly a year when Kingower field, on the road between the two places, was discovered. Commissioner Bull ... on 19 December 1853, wrote in an official report ... “I expect the population of Moliagul will resort here in the summer. On the day following I learn that twenty or thirty drays had passed McIntyre’s, all travelling in one direction. Mr Rede received my instructions to take the diggings under his charge, and the name I have assigned to them is that of the run on which they are, viz., Kingower”. The original discovery took place on the main flat, and almost immediately there began the finding of large nuggets that made Kingower a celebrated place. A Commissioners Camp was erected in 1854 and about 4000 diggers rushed 1 there.

2 Early 1855. Kingower. Rich Union Reef discovered. c.1856. Lane’s Reef, Inglewood. The reef is about 1/2 mile east of Specimen Hill and about one mile from the township ... Discovered by Mr Z Lane ... initially he took out only about one ton of stone, but from that he obtained 73 ounces of gold. Lane did little prospecting and soon abandoned the reef ... c.1857, taken up by Thompson, Martin, Charles Faye, C. Fernandez and Frank Handson. These men continued to prospect for some time before getting payable gold, but finally they got it and a large rush set in, the reef being taken up for fully 1/2 mile. A crushing plant had been erected at Kingower and quartz could be carted and crushed at a cost of £10 per ton which was considered a great boon in those days. The reef was now worked and prospected energetically for about 3 12 months and a considerable amount of gold was obtained.

Aug 1859. Korong Division: Inglewood. The first crushing of quartz from this field took place during the month at Kingower. About two and three-quarters tons of quartz were crushed, and yielded 13 oz. 14 dwt. 11 gr. This was taken from the surface of the Inglewood Reef, and, as many of the richest specimens were not crushed, the 4 yield may be considered very satisfactory.

December 1859. Korong Division. The following table shows the machines at work (W) and idle(I): Location Puddling (W) (I) Steam engine (W) (I) Crushing (W) (I) Korong 30 12 1 2 1 2 Kingower 8 1 2 - 1 - Jericho - 1 1 - 1 - Synott’s 1 - - - - - M’Intyres 2 2 - - - -

121 Union Reef sites, Kingower

Kingower. Quartz-mining is attracting far more attention here just now than it has done during the last four years, and several prospecting parties are sinking shafts in search of auriferous quartz. About 500 yards have been marked off along the courses of the Union Reef. The sinking is supposed from 300 to 400 feet: the great thickness and solidity of the payable reef now being worked by the Amalgamated Company’s claim, adjoining, is sufficient inducement to warrant an outlay to a considerable amount on the ground marked off.

122 Union Reef sites, Kingower

The Amalgamated Company on this reef continues to procure good stone along the ground which had been previously worked. They employ at present about 20 men in raising quartz. The blacksmith’s has been employed underground during the month without causing the least inconvenience to the working, and it saved time formerly lost in sending 5 tools to the surface for repairs.

January 1860. (Korong Division). At Kingower the Union Reef is still yielding good returns, owing to the large body of quartz. New veins are occasionally discovered where nothing payable was supposed to exist, but until such time as more powerful machinery is employed, and the whole mass of quartz extracted and crushed, it will not be worked 6 to the advantage it is capable of yielding.

March 1860. (Korong Division). At Kingower the reefs have not made much progress since my last report, and the 7 machines there are principally engaged in crushing cement, &c., obtained in Glenalbyn.

April 1860. (Korong Division). The price charged for crushing quartz at Jericho and Kingower (the only places where crushing is being done at present within the division), is from 20s to 25s per ton. At Kingower, the Union Reef is yielding payable quartz, and preparations are going on for the purpose of testing its value to a greater depth; but the great influx of water, combined with the hardness of the rock, renders it a very slow 8 process.

May 1860. (Korong Division). Kingower. Quartz mining is still receiving a fair amount of labour and capital from the few inhabitants. On the Union Reef, but very little quartz has been raised for some time, the claimholders being with few exceptions engaged in sinking for a second lode. The Amalgamated Company on this reef has sold their interest therein, and the new owners have made application for a lease of the ground. The depth attained in the claim is 216 feet ... A prospecting party is engaged on a reef, from which gold was obtained several years ago, situate about 9 half a mile south from the Union Reef.

January 1861 (Korong Division). Locality Entire Popn Alluvial Quartz Sq miles Puddling Steam Horse Chinese Miners Miners occupied machines crushing power miners mining machines Inglewood 10,500 1,000 3,000 11-1/2 32 9 128 - Glenalbyn 1,700 900 100 1 16 wkng/ - - {In all 5 idle {about Kingower 400 120 100 2 - 1 crshng/ 17 {50 but 1 pumpng {very Korong 1,500 400 100 6 scattered 26 wkng/ 2 wkng/ 32 {much 24 idle 1 idle {scatt- Fenton’s & Sinnot’s 50 20 - 1/2 1 - - {ered McIntyre’s 200 28 10 3 3 - - { Jericho & Jordan’s 150 80 40 1-1/2 1 wkng - - { Total 14,500 2,548 3,500 25-1/2 108 14 177 50 Kingower. Quartz reefs here are progressing very slowly only one or two claims being at work on these on the summit of the hill. The Engine Company, with several claims to the north, is contemplating forming into a company. These claims have 10 an enormous quantity of water, and it is found too expensive to work the claims individually.

March 1864. (Korong Division). Kingower quartz reefs are also at a standstill, although the alluvial sinking at 11 Glenalbyn seems to prove highly satisfactory to those who have “struck” it.

June 1869. Korong Division (R. Mason) Kingower. The National Quartz Mining Company has laid down a portion 12 of their powerful crushing plant on the Union Reef.

September 1869. Korong Division (R. Mason). The National Quartz Mining Company at Kingower is now erecting 13 steam engines, etc.

June 1870. Korong Division (Henry J Hughes). The National Company, Kingower, is still prospecting the mine, and 14 has obtained good samples, although the crushings did not average what was expected.

123 Union Reef sites, Kingower

March 1871. Korong Division. At Kingower the Kingower Quartz Mining Company is still actively engaged 15 preparing the mine for prospecting for the run of stone which at one time yielded so well.

June 1871. Korong Division. At Kingower, the Kingower Quartz Mining Company, registered, have put in various 16 drives at the 150 and 170 foot levels.

September 1871. Korong Division (Henry J Hughes). At Kingower, the Kingower Company has not, as yet, met 17 with the success anticipated.

June 1872. (Korong Division). From Korong and Kingower no returns have been received, but at the former place 18 there are over two hundred tons at grass, waiting for the mill to start.

December 1882 (Inglewood Division). The successful working of the Maxwell’s leasehold has given increased confidence to quartz miners in and around Inglewood, and great hopes are entertained of several reefs at Kingower, 19 hitherto but partially tried and all but neglected for a number of years.

September 1883 (Inglewood Division). In the outlying localities some good progress has been made, notably by the 20 Union Company at Kingower, whose mining plant is now one of the best in the division.

December 1883. (Inglewood Division). At Kingower the Union Company’s trial crushing of mixed stone ran 4 dwt 21 8.32 gr of gold per ton.

December 1889. (Inglewood Division). There is very little of importance to report as regards mining, as most of the claims are at a standstill. Beard and party, at Kingower, have opened up a payable reef, which it is expected will yield 22 2 oz to the ton.

1903. At Bourke’s Flat, Wehla and Kingower, work is confined to the treatment of old accumulations of tailings by 23 the cyanide process.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 35.0. Union Reef. Worked by various claimholders from the late 1850s, then by a succession of mining companies including Amalgamated Co. (c.1860), National Quartz Mining Co. (1869-1870), Kingower Quartz Mining Co. (c.1871), and the Union Co. (c.1883). The last company was reputed to have one of the finest mining plants in the Inglewood Division. Reef workings. The quartz workings are located on the top of a hill, east side of Brenanah Road. The workings have been bulldozed and the most prominent feature is a small, partly filled, open cut or stope.

Site 35.1. National Quartz mining Co. (1869-1870). Mine site. At the base of the hill, 200 metres south of the open cut, is a small, but largely intact mullock heap. On the west side of the mullock heap is a spread of red (hand-made) bricks, building stone and mortar which probably represents a bulldozed machinery site. Tailings pond. South of the mullock heap is the remains of a 30 metre wide, 1.5 metre high, tailings (sludge) pond.

Site 35.2. Puddler and dam (Presumably the puddler post dates the quartz mining operations--an 1890s/early 20th century puddling machine site). Water dam and puddler. On the west side of the mullock heap, just before Brenanah Road, is a small dry dam. Presumably this dam was constructed as part of the Union Co.’s crushing plant. On the dam’s embankment is a puddling machine site. The puddler is well defined (inner mound raised and puddling trench deep, with sheer sides), buts its eastern side has been disturbed by the growth of a large eucalyptus tree. The puddler has a diameter of 22 feet, no pivot post is visible, but there are traces of slabbing. There is little wash associated with the puddler.

Site 35.3. Cobb and Co. well (According to locals built in the nineteenth century to provide water for animals travelling along the Kingower-Wedderburn main road). Well. 11 ft diameter stone-lined well. The well is at least 10 ft deep and is currently fenced.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Puddler in good condition, as is the Cobb and Co. well. Mine workings and battery site have low integrity.

124 Union Reef sites, Kingower

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 35.0 has: • Scientific Significance, despite bulldozing the open cut/stope is still relatively undisturbed and hence capable of demonstrating this type of mining.

Site 35.0, 35.1 and 35.2 have: • Cumulative Value, because the site contains a range of features which help paint a picture of the different mining activities that took place on the hill.

Site 35.2 has: • Scientific Significance due to the intactness of the puddling machine site. Also shows the re-use of an old mine site.

Site 35.3 has: • Social Significance. The well is part of the folklore of the area.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp287-291 2 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp287-291 3 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp41-44 4 Mining Surveyors Reports, August 1859 5 Mining Surveyors Reports, December 1859 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports - January 1860 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1860 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1860 9 Mining Surveyors Reports, May 1860 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1861 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1864 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1869 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1870 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1871 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1871 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1871 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1872 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1882 20 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1883 21 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1883 22 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1889 23 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1903, p71

125 Bonaccord Reef sites, Kingower

SITE NO. & NAME: 36.0 BONACCORD MINE AND BATTERY SITE 36.1 BONACCORD REEF DAM PUDDLER

LOCATION: BONACCORD REEF, LONG GULLY, KINGOWER

HI NO: 36.0 H7624-0207 36.1 H7624-0208

DIRECTIONS: 0.9 km north of Kingower, west side of Eastern Track

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: State Park

HISTORY:

September 1853. Kingower Goldfield. Kingower goldfield, one of the richest nugget fields in the State, was discovered by Captain John G. Mechosk (called Mechoski) in August or September 1853, after his discovery of Tarrangower goldfield in June that year. He had a party of eleven hired men ... The diggings at Mt Moliagul and Korong had been open nearly a year when Kingower field, on the road between the two places, was discovered. Commissioner Bull ... on 19 December 1853, wrote in an official report ... “I expect the population of Moliagul will resort here in the summer. On the day following I learn that twenty or thirty drays had passed McIntyre’s, all travelling in one direction. Mr Rede received my instructions to take the diggings under his charge, and the name I have assigned to them is that of the run on which they are, viz., Kingower”. The original discovery took place on the main flat, and almost immediately there began the finding of large nuggets that made Kingower a celebrated place. A Commissioners’ Camp was erected in 1854 and about 4000 diggers rushed 1 there.

2 Early 1855. Kingower. Rich Union Reef discovered.

December 1859 (Korong Division). Quartz-mining is attracting far more attention here just now than it has done 3 during the last four years, and several prospecting parties are sinking shafts in search of auriferous quartz.

April 1860 (Korong Division). From the Bonaccord Reef, Long Gully, a lot of 20 tons was crushed, which yielded 4 about 1 oz per ton. I expect a great depth will have to be attained previous to the discovery of any main reef.

May 1860 (Korong Division). Kingower. The prospectors of the Bonaccord Reef are still obtaining gold, but not in 5 paying quantities.

6 March 1897. Splendid gold obtained by W. Hutchinson from his claim on the Bon Accord Reef at Kingower.

1903. At Bourke’s Flat, Wehla and Kingower, work is confined to the treatment of old accumulations of tailings by 7 the cyanide process.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 36.0. Bonaccord Reef. (Battery may have operated during the 1860s. Cyaniding of tailings commenced in the Mining Division c.1897). Reef workings. Line of shallow workings located on a hill, west side of Eastern Track. The quartz workings have been bulldozed and now mainly comprise isolated small mullock heaps, filled shafts and some shallow trenching. At the southern end of the quartz workings is a narrow open cut and a partly bulldozed mullock heap. Battery site. In the gully below the narrow open cut is a small sludge pond and a dry water dam. On the other side of the gully (to east of water dam) is another sludge dam. The eastern end of this sludge pond is currently being quarried. Near the quarried end of the sludge pond are two up-rooted stamper mortar blocks. 25 metres south-west of the stamper mortar blocks is a small stone structure which might well be what base of a circular stone chimney stack. There is a third sludge pond located on the track that leads from Eastern Track to the quarried end of the second sludge pond.

126 Bonaccord Reef sites, Kingower

Site 36.1. Puddler (Presumably the puddler post-dates the mining operations--a late 19th/early 20th century puddling machine site). Puddler. Below the water dam’s embankment, on the edge of the second sludge pond, is a very weathered puddling machine site. There is no pivot post and very little wash associated with the puddler.

127 Bonaccord Reef sites, Kingower

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 36.0 and 36.1 have: • Cumulative Scientific Significance, because together the sites have a range of features that illustrate the various mining activities that took place on the reef.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp287-291 2 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp287-291 3 Mining Surveyors Reports, December 1859 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1860 5 Mining Surveyors Reports, May 1860 6 St Arnaud Mercury, 3 March 1897 7 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1903, p71

128 Glenalbyn sites, Kingower

SITE NO. & NAME: 37.0 HIELEMAN’S GULLY AND LEAD DIGGINGS 37.1 EVAN’S GULLY/LEAD DIGGINGS

LOCATION: GLENALBYN, NEAR KINGOWER

HI NO: 37.0 H7624-0209 37.1 H7624-0210

DIRECTIONS: Site 37.0. Hieleman’s Gully /Lead—2 km north-north-west of Kingower, west of Eastern Track Site 37.1. Evans Gully/Lead--continuation of Hieleman’s Gully/Lead, crosses Parsons Road

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Site 37.0--State Park Site 37.1--Freehold Land

HISTORY:

March 1860. (Korong Division). The alluvial sinking at Glenalbyn (Kingower) has been steadily progressing and increasing since my last report. Evans’ Gully has this month again produced a good many nuggets, the largest I have seen being 152 oz. Many of the parties are now erecting dams in anticipation of rain, for the purpose of washing the dirt already obtained, a great quantity of which is now lying ready to be puddled ... At Kingower the reefs have not made much progress since my 1 last report, and the machines there are principally engaged in crushing cement, &c., obtained in Glenalbyn.

January 1861 (Korong Division). Locality Entire Popn Alluvial Quartz Sq miles Puddling Steam Horse Chinese Miners Miners occupied machines crushing power miners mining machines Inglewood 10,500 1,000 3,000 11-1/2 32 9 128 - Glenalbyn 1,700 900 100 1 16 wkng/ - - {In all 5 idle {about Kingower 400 120 100 2 - 1 crshng/ 17 {50 but 1 pumpng {very Korong 1,500 400 100 6 scattered 26 wkng/ 2 wkng/ 32 {much 24 idle 1 idle {scatt- Fenton’s & Sinnot’s 50 20 - 1/2 1 - - {ered McIntyre’s 200 28 10 3 3 - - { Jericho & Jordan’s 150 80 40 1-1/2 1 wkng - - { Total 14,500 2,548 3,500 25-1/2 108 14 177 50 Hall’s rush has been very much depopulated during the last month, as will be seen by annexed returns; the gold found 2 here is extracted by the crushing machine at Old Kingower, being mostly found in a hard cement.

February 1861. (Korong Division) Kingower. At Evan’s Gully, Glenalbyn, however, the report of the nuggets found has attracted a good many. I annex a list of the nuggets found at Evan’s Gully, that I am personally aware of, although, I am of opinion that many more have been discovered that have not been reported. I have, at the request of the Warden, selected and marked off a plan for business sites, so as not to allow the erection of stores, &c., to interfere with mining operations. The continuation of Evan’s Gully, inside the boundary of the Rev. W. Hall’s pre-emptive right, has not proved remunerative, and is consequently abandoned. List of nuggets found at Evan’s Gully, Glenalbyn: 782 oz, 493 oz, 224 oz, 198 oz, 77 oz, 57 oz, 54 oz, several small 3 ones various weights, from 4 to 10 oz (totalling 200 oz).

April 1861. (Korong Division). The alluvial sinkings at Old Kingower and Glenalbyn have, this month, obtained several more nuggets, although not so large as reported previously; many of the miners have taken up claims on Old 4 Inglewood rush.

129 Glenalbyn sites, Kingower

May 1861. (Korong Division). The alluvial diggings at Old Kingower and Glenalbyn have not been so prosperous as they were last month, although several nuggets have been obtained; this is owing, I presume to the thinness of the 5 population, as most of the miners from these places are now working at the Deep Lead, Old Inglewood.

130 Glenalbyn sites, Kingower

March 1864. (Korong Division) Kingower. Quartz reefs are also at a standstill, although the alluvial sinking at Glenalbyn seems to prove highly satisfactory to those who have “struck” it. There are at present twelve payable golden holes at work, but it is almost impossible to get any true returns. These holes are all outside the private property. One party of men informed me that about four days ago they found three nuggets, weighting respectively 21, 27, and 24 oz. and yesterday one of 28 oz. The miners inside of Mr Hall’s fence have not been so fortunate, for although several nuggets have been found, I have not heard of any over 1 oz weight. (Note. On the 26th January, 1864, Mr Mining Surveyor Robertson forwarded to the Honorable the Minister of Mines a report, stating that a rush had taken place to a spot near Glenalbyn. There were between 600 and 700 miners on the ground. The prospectors shaft was about 46 feet deep and was sunk through sandstone and pipe-clay, and the wash-dirt (about 1 foot in thickness) was found on a stratum of decomposed granite. Two nuggets were obtained from the bottom of the prospector’s shaft, one weighting 4 oz, and the other 3 oz. Glenalbyn is situated about two 6 miles north of Kingower, and the ground in that neighbourhood is patchy).

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 37.0. Hieleman’s Gully /Lead (Part of Glenalbyn Diggings c.1859/ early 1860). Cement workings. To the west of Eastern Track, north of a large block of Freehold Land is a narrow band of workings (filled shafts, small pebble mounds and shallow open cutting) along an old cemented lead. Shallow alluvial workings. To the west of the cement workings, running in same direction is a gully that contains a wide band of relatively well preserved, intense, and fairly visible, shallow sinkings (small mounds and shaft depressions). 150 metres north of the track that runs across the gully is a very weathered puddling machine site--it is just possible to distinguish part of the puddling trench and the outlet channel. On the south-east side of the puddler is a large bank of wash.

Site 37.1. Evans Gully/Lead (Part of Glenalbyn Diggings c.1859/ early 1860). Shallow alluvial and cement workings. Continuation of Hieleman’s Gully/Lead. A line of moderately deep shafts, 7 often timbered at the top, with moderately sized mounds spread along the line of the lead.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Hieleman’s Gully/Lead workings have some integrity.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Despite having some significance as a location of a significant gold rush, Site 37.1 has poor integrity and hence low cultural significance.

Site 37.0 has: • Scientific Significance, as the site has relatively well preserved cement and shallow alluvial sinkings. The intactness of the sites makes it quite rare and interesting.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1860 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1861 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, February 1861 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1861 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, May 1861 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1864 7 Milner, P. 1989, p91

131 Blind Creek sites

SITE NO. & NAME: 38.0 CHILIAN MILL, OCHRE MINE

LOCATION: BLIND CREEK, HOPE VALLEY CREEK, NEAR KINGOWER

HI NO: H7624-0211

DIRECTIONS: 3.9 km north-west of Kingower, west of Kingower-Brenanah Road.

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: State Park

HISTORY:

The remains ... chilean wheel used for commercial ochre crushing operation at the turn of the century (Kneebone pers. 1 comment).

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Chilian milll/Ochre mining. (Difficult to date but a turn of the century date is possible. The absence of rusty cans/decaying batteries suggests that it is not a 1930s site). Chilian mill. 11 ft diameter, brick constructed, crushing mill. The bricks are red, hand-made, and set in a hard lime mortar. The milling trench, which is concrete rendered, is 1-1/2 ft wide and at least 1 ft deep. The inner mound still retains a section of a pivot post. Drying or roasting pit. To the north of the mill (approximately 7 metres away) is a largely buried small brick pit. An underground channel appears to run from this pit to the remains of a larger concrete-lined pit. This second pit has a deposit of very slummy material. The structure may have functioned as a roaster or perhaps a drying oven. Dam. A small water dam lies to the south-west of the mill.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: The mill is in good condition despite some scavenging of the bricks.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: • Scientific Significance, because the site is a rare survivor of an unusual (for the goldfields area) mining industry.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 Kooyoora State Park Proposed Management Plan, Nov 1991

132 Wehla quartz mining sites

SITE NO. & NAME: 39.0 PRINCE OF WALES/GERMAN REEF OPEN CUT AND BATTERY SITE 39.1 FRENCHMAN’S AND PETTICOAT REEF WORKINGS 39.2 BLACK REEF MINE SITE 39.3 TAILINGS DUMP

LOCATION: PRINCE OF WALES LINE OF REEF, WEHLA

HI NO: 39.0 H7624-0212 39.1 H7624-0213 39.2 H7624-0214 39.3 H7624-0215

DIRECTIONS: Site 39.0. Wehla, south-east of the junction of Logan-Wehla-Rheloa Road and Wehla- Jordan Road Site 39.1. Wehla, 1.0 km south of Prince of Wales open cut (Site 39.0) Site 39.2. Wehla, 1.6 km south of Prince of Wales Open cut (Site 39.0), east side of Wehla-Jordan Road Site 39.3. Wehla, north -west of junction of Logan-Wehla-Rheola Road and Wehla- Wedderburn Road

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Sites 39.0 and 39.1--Unreserved Crown Land/Historic Reserve Site 39.2--State Forest Site 39.3--Freehold Land

HISTORY:

1857. Jordan’s Rush. Gold was first discovered at Wehla Goldfield sometime in 1853, but the first record of gold digging in the area was “Jordan’s Rush” in April 1857 ... Jordans Rush and almost immediately the area over the hill further north, at what the diggers called Jericho, was rushed. It was a small field, but in parts very rich, and there was 1 a wild rush of about 5000 diggers.

2 1858. Quartz reefs were discovered at the end of 1858.

Dec 1859 Korong Division. The population is as follows: Location Alluvial Quartz Trade European Chinese Korong 1650 50 160 1560 300 Kingower 258 66 46 370 - Jordan’s and Jericho 66 100 26 180 12 Synnotts 86 - 3 25 - Fenton’s 22 - 3 25 - M’Intyre’s 222 4 4 50 180 Totals 2304 220 243 2215 55 The following table shows the machines at work (W) and idle(I): Location Puddling (W) (I) Steam engine (W) (I) Crushing (W) (I) Korong 30 12 1 2 1 2 Kingower 8 1 2 - 1 - Jericho - 1 1 - 1 - Synott’s 1 - - - - - M’Intyres 2 2 - - - - Jericho. On Black Reef six claims are at work, but I do not think they are turning out payable quartz at the present. Two claims are amalgamated, for the purpose of sinking a deep shaft. Several claims, whose terms of registration will expire soon, are likely to be re-worked. On Petticoat Reef no quartz is being raised, only one claim being unregistered, or abandoned. The prospectors, after working the first vein, have commenced a new shaft to the eastward, in strong hopes of striking a main reef, but, as they require to blast the rock from the surface, it will take months to make much progress. I do not think many shareholders along this line of reef will resume working their claims until such times as the prospectors get the reef.

133 Wehla quartz mining sites

The Staffordshire Reef is being tried by two parties. The vein is very narrow, and considerable time is required to procure a ton. German and Bruce’s Reefs are rather improving. Good payable quartz has been obtained in a shaft lately bottomed on the latter but, like other good patches found here, is only of small extent ... During the month 50 tons of quartz have been crushed. Although the machine embraces the latest improvements, as used at Bendigo, etc., it does not 3 meet approval from all the Jericho miners, and other amalgamators are now being added.

134 Wehla quartz mining sites

April 1860. (Korong Division). The price charged for crushing quartz at Jericho and Kingower (the only places where crushing is being done at present within the division), is from 20s to 25s per ton. At Jordan’s and Jericho a few of the abandoned claims have been reoccupied. The German Reef has yielded a large 4 amount of quartz during the month, and some good returns are expected.

May 1860. (Korong Division ). Jericho. Here several of the quartz claims formerly abandoned, are being prospected again. The German Reef is the only one from which payable quartz is being obtained, and nothing rich has ever been obtained on it, but the quartz is generally easily got out, and averages about 1 oz per ton. Nothing is done at alluvial 5 mining, except by three or four men.

1861 to 1913. Wehla. By June 1861 the various reefs had been found and the Granite Company has a 15 head battery driven by a 20 horsepower engine; the first crushing of 30 tons had returned 220 ounces of gold and a further 2,000 tons of stone was at grass. Mining continued here in a major way until 1874, by which time between 48,000 and 60,000 ounces of gold had been obtained. Reef mining continued in a sporadic fashion and with poor results until 6 1913.

January 1861. (Korong Division): Locality Entire Popn Alluvial Quartz Sq miles Puddling Steam Horse Chinese Miners Miners occupied machines crushing power miners mining machines Inglewood 10,500 1,000 3,000 11-1/2 32 9 128 - Glenalbyn 1,700 900 100 1 16 wkng/ - - {In all 5 idle {about Kingower 400 120 100 2 - 1 crshng/ 17 {50 but 1 pumpng {very Korong 1,500 400 100 6 scattered 26 wkng/ 2 wkng/ 32 {much 24 idle 1 idle {scattered Fenton’s & Sinnot’s 50 20 - 1/2 1 - - { McIntyre’s 200 28 10 3 3 - - { Jericho & Jordan’s 150 80 40 1-1/2 1 wkng - - { Total 14,500 2,548 3,500 25-1/2 108 14 177 50 Aggregate value of mining plant: steam machinery, £17,500; puddling whims, &c., by horse and hand, £4000. Total, £21,500. Jericho and Jordan’s: I have nothing new to report in this locality to what I said last month, with the exception that 7 one or two claims are producing stone slightly better than formerly.

April 1861. (Korong Division). In Jericho, the quartz reefs are now yielding steady profitable returns; during the last month the average yield of gold on the several reefs has been from 2 to 3 oz per ton, and the thickness of the reefs themselves average 9 to 10 feet. Johnston and party, who have applied for a lease of part of an abandoned reef are about putting up an effective 8 crushing machine and machinery for raising quartz.

May 1861. (Korong Division). The quartz reefs in Jericho are still proving remunerative and have rather advanced since my last report. The great width of the reefs in this place enables the shareholders to work comparatively poor quartz to advantage. The different reefs yielding an average of 1 and 2 oz, and sometimes as much as 2-1/2 oz per 9 ton.

1864. By 1864 Jericho was “a Cousin Jack town of respectable dimensions”. It was surveyed and sold in 1866 and 10 became known as Wehla. Some large nuggets were found there.

March 1865. (Korong Division). With the exception of the Granite Company on the German Reef, very little quartz mining. From the favourable returns however of the latter company, several applications have been made for 11 abandoned ground, for the purpose of giving it another trial.

June 1870. Korong Division (Henry J Hughes) The British Sovereign Company, Wehla, who have been engaged sinking a shaft, in order to test the reef at a lower level, struck a well defined lode showing gold at a depth of 310 feet 12 from the surface, and have thus upset the theory that the Wehla reefs are merely surface blocks.

135 Wehla quartz mining sites

September 1870. Korong Division (Henry J Hughes). At Wehla, the Prince of Wales Company and the British Sovereign are progressing, the former driving to the east to intersect a second reef, and the latter driving along the 13 course of the lode at the 310-foot level, from which level a trail crushing will be taken shortly.

136 Wehla quartz mining sites

March 1871. Korong Division. At Wehla the New Prince of Wales Company, after having expended much money, have stopped work, in consequence of the difficulty experienced in collecting calls; but, on the other hand, the British Sovereign Company has purchased a very powerful crushing plant, and, has proved the mine to a depth of 310 feet to 14 be payable, intend commencing crushing shortly.

June 1871. Korong Division. At Wehla, the Prince of Wales Company has given up work altogether, and sold off the plant. The British and Sovereign Company will have new machinery ready for working order in about a week, and 15 plenty of stone is raised, ready for crushing.

March 1872 (Korong Division). At Jordan’s the British Sovereign will, upon the obtaining water to supply the 16 boilers, resume work.

June 1872 (Korong Division). On Wehla the British Sovereign Company has been slabbing up shaft and preparing for 17 a pumping and winding engine.

September 1873. (Korong Division). Fone’s Reef, at Burke’s Flat, is looking well; also Brown’s and Prince of Wales 18 Companies at Wehla.

December 1873. (Korong Division) Brown’s Company, at Wehla, is getting good returns, and sinking a new engine- 19 shaft for machinery.

June 1875. Inglewood and Wedderburn Divisions (George Watton Moore). There has been little doing in quartz 20 mining during the past quarter. No crushings have taken place at Inglewood, and but one small one at Wehla.

December 1881. (Inglewood Division). Quartz prospecting has been pushed on with energy, notwithstanding the lack of capital and other disadvantages. Several new companies are in course of formation to work well-known reefs 21 at Inglewood and Wehla.

March 1882. (Inglewood Division). Those in and around Wehla are again beginning to attract attention, and no doubt, 22 with the advent of suitable machinery, the payable nature of the stone in that locality will be tested to advantage.

September 1883. (Inglewood Division). At Wehla, also, the company bearing that name, having been remodelled, is 23 pushing forward operations with energy.

24 December 1883. (Inglewood Division). The Wehla Company’s operations are being energetically pushed on.

December 1886. (Inglewood Division). The Wehla Gold Mining Company has erected a new winding and pumping 25 plant with new engine and battery, and they expect to be in full working order at an early date.

September 1887. (Inglewood Division). Active steps are being taken to open up, at Wehla, the old mine known as 26 Catto’s.

December 1887. (Inglewood Division). Active operations are continuing in the Wehla G.M. Company; they are now 27 down 290 feet.

March 1888. (Inglewood Division). Very encouraging reports reach me in reference to the Wehla claim. They have 28 sunk their shaft 117 feet below No. 3 level.

June 1888. (Inglewood Division). The Wehla Gold Mining Company is busy sinking; the shaft is down 316 feet; 29 they intend to go deeper.

September 1888. (Inglewood Division). The last quarter has certainly not been marked by much excitement in this mining community ... the only [reports] I have received being those of the United Buchanan’s, Wehla, New Jersey, 30 Unity, and the Old Inglewood Deep Lead gold mining companies.

December 1888. (Inglewood Division). It is a matter of regret that, with known gold-bearing reefs on every hand, so little real mining is being done in this division. I can only hear of work being done during last quarter in the following

137 Wehla quartz mining sites mines, viz., The Morning Star, Buchanan’s, Old Inglewood, Deep Lead, Wehla, St Clair, and Ancient Briton. In my 31 opinion, mining in this district will never be a success until the shafts are sunk to a depth of at least 1,000 feet.

138 Wehla quartz mining sites

32 September 1889. (Inglewood Division). The Wehla Company has been compelled to suspend operations.

33 1890s. Wehla. Another rush when a deep lead was discovered on the east side of the town.

34 1897-1899. Wehla. Salisbury treated the dumps by the cyanide process and obtained over 3,500 ounces of gold.

1903. At Bourke’s Flat, Wehla and Kingower, work is confined to the treatment of old accumulations of tailings by 35 the cyanide process.

36 1908. At Wehla, the Prince of Wales mine has received some attention with poor results.

37 1909. The Prince of Wales Company, after several attempts, has unwatered the old shaft to 300 feet.

1910. At Wehla the Prince of Wales Company sunk a shaft to 407 feet ... This mine has not come up to 38 expectations.

1911. The Prince of Wales Co. has been driving on the course of a fair sized bodies of stone, well mineralised, 39 containing a little gold, but not payable.

1912. Wehla. The St. John’s mine has been restarted, a winding plant put up, and preparations made for an early 40 start to bail out the old shaft.

1912. Prince of Wales mine, Wehla by A.M.Howitt. The Prince of Wales mine is situated in the township of Wehla, on Jericho Creek, midway between the railway townships of Wedderburn and Bealiba. The present lease is No 5447 (area 26a. 0r. 10p.), which takes in the old workings of the Prince of Wales and Adelaide shoots, besides a smaller reef to the east known as the Scotchman’s line. The Prince of Wales reef was first worked about the year 1860, so I am informed; at that time claims were limited to a frontage of 24 feet, but very rich yields were obtained and the reef was mined for a great width, as is now evidenced by the subsided and open chasm along the line. In 1865, Mr. Nicholls was manager of the mine, and did a large amount of work at the levels above 150 feet on ore which is said to have been very rich, yielding coarse nuggetty gold, one stone giving 80 oz. of gold. Subsequently Mr. Cato deepened the main shaft, which had been sunk to 150 feet by Mr Nicholls, and carried it 41 down to a depth of 300 feet, the water being managed with a 6-in lift.

1913. Wehla. The St. John’s Company at Wehla erected a small winding plant on the old shaft, and took out a little 42 payable stone.

43 1914. Wehla. Nothing is being done by companies.

44 1915. Wehla. No mining of importance is being done.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 39.0. Prince of Wales Reef, Wehla. (The reefs at Wehla were opened in 1858 and were worked intermittently until c.1915). Open cut. A large, partly collapsed open cut is located 150 metres north-east of the junction of Logan and Bealiba Roads. The open cut measures approximately 130 metres x 20 metres and is 10 metres deep. There has been a considerable amount of rubbish dumped into the open cut. The open cut also contains a small mullock dump. Shaft. There is an open shaft at the north end of the open cut. Battery site. On the slope below (east) the northern end of the open cut is a bulldozed and flattened battery site (spread of red brick rubble and mortar and a few iron mounting bolts). In the gully below the battery site is a silted water dam. On the slope between the dam and battery site are the remains of several, largely quarried sludge ponds.

Site 39.1. Frenchman’s/Petticoat Reefs, Wehla (The reefs at Wehla were opened in 1858 and were worked intermittently until c.1915). Shallow reef workings. Line of largely bulldozed quartz workings run south from Prince of Wales Reef open cut. Little of note along this line except for some small mullock heaps, some costeaning and a relatively intact small open

139 Wehla quartz mining sites cut. The open cut measuring approximately 20 metres x 3 metres, 5 metres deep and has a collapsed adit on its eastern side.

140 Wehla quartz mining sites

Site 39.2. Black Reef, Wehla. (The reefs at Wehla were opened in 1858 and worked intermittently until c.1915). Mine site. Located on the east side of Bealiba-Wehla Road is a small intact mullock heap. The heap (approximately 30 metres x 15 metres, and 6 metres high) has three short dumping lines. One of the dumping lines still retains some of its wooden tramway posts. The shaft has been filled and no machinery foundations were found. Water dam /treated tailings dump. 100 m west of the Black Reef mullock heap is a large water dam. On the southern end of the dam’s embankment is a small dump (20 metres diameter, 1.5 metres high) of treated tailings. Camp sites. Below the dam, and before Bealiba-Wehla Road are at least two small stone fireplaces.

Site 39.3. Tailings Dump (possible site of Salisbury’s cyaniding operations, c.1897). Tailings dump. North of the Wehla Road, and right up to the margins of a tributary of Wehla Creek there is a large 45 and intact mound of battery sand which probably marks the site of Salisbury’s cyaniding operation.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Open cut/stope still quite prominent but its integrity has been diminished by extensive rubbish dumping. The reef workings south of the open cut have been largely bulldozed. The Black Reef mine site has an intact mullock heap.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Sites 39.0 to 39.2 have: • Cumulative Significance--part of a network of sites (39.0, 39.1, 39.2 and 40.1) which documents different aspects of alluvial and quartz mining.

Site 39.3 has little integrity and hence low cultural significance.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299 2 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299 3 Mining Surveyors Reports, December 1859 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1860 5 Mining Surveyors Reports, May 1860 6 Milner, P, 1989, p79 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1861 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1861 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, May 1861 10 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1865 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1870 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1870 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1871 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1871 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1872 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1872 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1873 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1873 20 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1875 21 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1881 22 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1882 23 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1883 24 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1883 25 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1886 26 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1887 27 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1887 28 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1888

141 Wehla quartz mining sites

29 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1888 30 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1888 31 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1888 32 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1889 33 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299 34 Milner, P, 1989, p79 35 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1903, p71 36 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1908, p116 37 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1909 38 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1910 39 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1911, pp130-31 40 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1912, p107 41 Records of Geological Survey of Victoria, Vol 3, part 2, 1912, pp134-135 42 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1913, p104 43 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1914, p93 44 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1915, pp43-44 45 Milner 1990, p77

142 Whela alluvial sites

SITE NO. & NAME: 40.0 SHALLOW ALLUVIAL DIGGINGS (1) 40.1 SHALLOW ALLUVIAL DIGGINGS (2)

LOCATION: OLD LEAD, WEHLA

HI NO: 40.0 H7624-0216 40.1 H7624-0217

DIRECTIONS: Wehla, two patches of workings still survive along the Old Lead at Wehla. Site 40.0 is located between the Logan-Wehla-Rheola Road and Wehla Road; and Site 40.1 runs parallel to the eastern side of the Wehla-Bealiba Road

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Site 40.0--Freehold Land Site 40.1--State Forest

HISTORY:

1853. Wehla-Jordans Goldfield. Gold was first discovered at Wehla Goldfield sometime in 1853, but the first record of gold digging in the area was 1 “Jordan’s Rush” in April 1857.

1857. Jordan’s Rush. Gold was first discovered at Wehla Goldfield sometime in 1853, but the first record of gold digging in the area was “Jordan’s Rush” in April 1857 ... Jordans Rush and almost immediately the area over the hill further north, at what the diggers called Jericho, was rushed. It was a small field, but in parts very rich, and there was 2 a wild rush of about 5000 diggers.

April 1857. Jordans Rush … and almost immediately the area over the hill further north, at what the diggers called 3 Jericho, was rushed. It was a small field, but in parts very rich, and there was a wild rush of about 5000 diggers.

4 1858. Quartz reefs were discovered at the end of 1858.

December 1859. Korong Division. The population is as follows: Location Alluvial Quartz Trade European Chinese Korong 1650 50 160 1560 300 Kingower 258 66 46 370 - Jordan’s and Jericho 66 100 26 180 12 Synnotts 86 - 3 25 - Fenton’s 22 - 3 25 - M’Intyre’s 222 4 4 50 180 Jordan’s and Jericho. These diggings are still in a very dull state, owing to most of the payable quartz leaders have 5 been worked out.

January 1861. (Korong Division). Locality Entire Popn Alluvial Quartz Sq miles Puddling Steam Horse Chinese Miners Miners occupied machines crushing power miners mining machines Inglewood 10,500 1,000 3,000 11-1/2 32 9 128 - Glenalbyn 1,700 900 100 1 16 wkng/ - - {In all 5 idle {about Kingower 400 120 100 2 - 1 crshng/ 17 {50 but 1 pumpng {very Korong 1,500 400 100 6 scattered 26 wkng/ 2 wkng/ 32 {much 24 idle 1 idle {scattered Fenton’s & Sinnot’s 50 20 - 1/2 1 - - { McIntyre’s 200 28 10 3 3 - - { Jericho & Jordan’s 150 80 40 1-1/2 1 wkng - - {

143 Whela alluvial sites

Total 14,500 2,548 3,500 25-1/2 108 14 177 50 Jericho and Jordan’s … I have nothing new to report in this locality to what I said last month, with the exception that 6 one or two claims are producing stone slightly better than formerly.

1864. By 1864 Jericho was “a Cousin Jack town of respectable dimensions”. It was surveyed and sold in 1866 and 7 became known as Wehla. Some large nuggets were found there.

March 1865. (Korong Division). At Jericho and Jordan’s no alluvial mining is at present carried on; and, with the 8 exception of the Granite Company on the German Reef, very little quartz mining.

9 1872. Wilton and Party discovered the “Spondulix” nugget, 155 oz, at Eureka Gully, between Berlin and Wehla.

10 1878. Rush when Chinese found gold near Collins’ paddock between Berlin and Wehla.

11 1890s. Wehla. Another rush when a deep lead was discovered on the east side of the town.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 40.0. Old Lead Diggings (Rushed in 1857). Shallow alluvial sinkings. Between the Wehla Road and the Logan-Wehla Road there is a narrow line of relatively 12 undisturbed shallow workings running roughly north-south across an open grassy paddock.

Site 40.1. Old Lead Diggings (Rushed in 1857). Shallow alluvial sinkings. Running along the east side of Bealiba-Wehla Road, and below (west) the Frenchmans/Petticoat reef workings, is a relatively well preserved band of shallow alluvial sinkings (small mounds and shaft depressions). The sinkings are free of low scrub and are quite visible from the road. No puddlers or house sites were found.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Both patches of shallow alluvial sinkings are relatively undisturbed. Site 40.1 runs through a bush setting and a visible from the Bealiba-Wehla Road.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 40.1 has: • Scientific Significance, because of the relatively undisturbed and visible nature of the shallow alluvial sinking that runs along the eastern side of the Wehla-Bealiba Road. As the workings run parallel to the road it is possible to gain an impression of both the width and length of the lead.

Site 40.1 has: • Cumulative Significance. Part of a network of sites (39.0, 39.1, 39.2 and 40.1) which document different aspects of alluvial and quartz mining. The shallow workings also occur in an attractive bush setting.

Site 40.0 has low integrity compared to Site 40.1 and hence has only local heritage significance.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299 2 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299 3 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299 4 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299 5 Mining Surveyors Reports, December 1859 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1861 7 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1865 9 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299

144 Whela alluvial sites

10 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299 11 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299 12 Milner 1990, p77

145 Jordan quartz mining sites

SITE NO. & NAME: 41.0 GOLDEN GATE MINE

LOCATION: JORDAN, NEAR WEHLA

HI NO: H7624-0218

DIRECTIONS: 2.6 km south-south-east of Wehla, east side of Wehla-Bealiba Road

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Reserved Forest

HISTORY:

1857. Jordan’s Rush. Gold was first discovered at Wehla Goldfield sometime in 1853, but the first record of gold digging in the area was “Jordan’s Rush” in April 1857 ... Jordans Rush and almost immediately the area over the hill further north, at what the diggers called Jericho, was rushed. It was a small field, but in parts very rich, and there was 1 a wild rush of about 5000 diggers.

April 1857. Jordans Rush and almost immediately the area over the hill further north, at what the diggers called 2 Jericho, was rushed. It was a small field, but in parts very rich, and there was a wild rush of about 5000 diggers.

3 1858. Quartz reefs were discovered at the end of 1858.

December 1859. Korong Division. The population is as follows: Location Alluvial Quartz Trade European Chinese Korong 1650 50 160 1560 300 Kingower 258 66 46 370 - Jordan’s and Jericho 66 100 26 180 12 Synnotts 86 - 3 25 - Fenton’s 22 - 3 25 - M’Intyre’s 222 4 4 50 180 Totals 2304 220 243 2215 55 The following table shows the machines at work (W) and idle(I): Location Puddling (W) (I) Steam engine (W) (I) Crushing (W) (I) Korong 30 12 1 2 1 2 Kingower 8 1 2 - 1 - Jericho - 1 1 - 1 - Synott’s 1 - - - - - M’Intyres 2 2 - - - - Jordan’s. These diggings are still in a very dull state, owing to most of the payable quartz leaders have been worked out. Considerable expense will have to be incurred in sinking to test the value of the underlying reefs. On Milkman’s Reef the prospectors have attained a depth of 70 feet, and are now on third body of quartz, which contains payable gold. Other five claims are in full work, at depths varying from 50 to 80 feet, without obtaining anything payable. On Patterson’s Reef only the prospectors’ claim is being worked. Phillip’s Reef is being abandoned for the present, the prospectors having registered their claim. It is the only claim on that reef which paid anything--2oz. to 3 1/2 oz. 4 per ton, and that from the surface leader.

5 April 1860 (Korong Division). At Jordan’s and Jericho a few of the abandoned claims have been reoccupied.

May 1860 (Korong Division). The Milkman’s Reef, at Jordan’s, is re-occupied, after being registered for a period of 6 six months.

146 Jordan quartz mining sites

January 1861 (Korong Division). Locality Entire Popn Alluvial Quartz Sq miles Puddling Steam Horse Chinese Miners Miners occupied machines crushing power miners mining machines Inglewood 10,500 1,000 3,000 11-1/2 32 9 128 - Glenalbyn 1,700 900 100 1 16 wkng/ - - {In all 5 idle {about Kingower 400 120 100 2 - 1 crshng/ 17 {50 but 1 pumpng {very Korong 1,500 400 100 6 scattered 26 wkng/ 2 wkng/ 32 {much 24 idle 1 idle {scattered Fenton’s & Sinnot’s 50 20 - 1/2 1 - - { McIntyre’s 200 28 10 3 3 - - { Jericho & Jordan’s 150 80 40 1-1/2 1 wkng - - { Total 14,500 2,548 3,500 25-1/2 108 14 177 50 Jericho and Jordan’s - I have nothing new to report in this locality to what I said last month, with the exception that 7 one or two claims are producing stone slightly better than formerly.

April 1861 (Korong Division). One quartz reef, situate St John’s Reef, Jordan’s diggings, near Jericho; prospect produced 52 oz 18 dwt from 19 tons 8 13 cwt 2 qr of quartz.

May 1861 (Korong Division). The reefs at Jordan’s remain in the same state as mentioned in my last, viz., little or 9 nothing doing on them.

References to Golden Gate mine.

1912. Golden Gate Mine, Wehla ... by A. M. Howitt. The mine is situated one mile and a half south of the township of Wehla, on the Wehla-Bealiba Road. The area is held under lease 5529 (47a. 0r. 10p.), and embraces the workings known as the Little Nell and Bismark, which are both situated on the same line of reef ... The main dyke is closely associated with the main auriferous shoots at Wehla, where the gold bearing reefs were wide spurry quartz formations in a series of slate beds along the workings of the Prince of Wales, Frenchman’s, Petticoat, and Black reef shoots which are all on the main line which has been faulted to the east, going south, as stated above. Bismark Workings. The Bismark portion of the line is now being mined by a tribute party whose deepest workings are at 84 feet from the surface in the Bismark main shaft, where there is a drive 25 feet or so in length with stopes behind south and above. There are several shafts, mostly on the underlay ... Besides this there is a small amount of stoping done around the North Bismark shaft. The Little Nell Workings. Southwards and across the gully are the workings of the Little Nell, which are at present inaccessible but are shortly to be examined by the company ... the deepest shaft is sunk to 90 feet and stopings are reported to extend from a depth of 80 feet to the surface on a reef formation from 6 inches to 4 feet wide and nearly vertical to westerly in dip. Magazine Reef. In conclusion another reef in the lease may be noted; it strikes N. 18deg. W. and dips 70 deg. W. in eastern beds. Yields. Yields from the Bismark workings near the surface are said to have been as high as 2 oz. of gold per ton. The following returns give the value of the whole formation in bulk, including big and small quartz spurs with included mullock taken 4 feet wide in places. June 1909: 48 tons for 17 oz 16dwt. July 1909 73 tons for 18 oz. 7 dwt. ... The company has 10-head battery on the mine, which is at present being kept going by the tribute party. Splendid timber 10 for all mining uses is readily obtained.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 41.0. Golden Gate mine (Battery crushing in 1909). Battery site. 800 metres along (south) Bealiba-Wehla Road from the Black Reef mullock dump, west side of the road, are three adjoining shallow sludge ponds. Most of the tailings from these ponds have been quarried. Immediately above the sludge ponds, north-west corner, is an arrangement of largely buried bedlogs and a spread of red brick rubble which probably marks the site of the battery. Open cut. Above the battery site is a shallow open cut (150 metres x 30 metres).

147 Jordan quartz mining sites

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity and little historical significance and hence low cultural significance.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299 2 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299 3 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299 4 Mining Surveyors Reports, December 1859 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1860 6 Mining Surveyors Reports, May 1860 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1861 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1861 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, May 1861 10 Records of Geological Survey of Victoria, Vol 3, Part 2, 1912, pp 136-139

148 Jordan Diggings

SITE NO. & NAME: 42.0 SHALLOW ALLUVIAL DIGGINGS

LOCATION: JORDAN DIGGINGS, NEAR WEHLA

HI NO: H7624-0219

DIRECTIONS: 4.6 km south of Wehla, south-east of the junction of Wehla-Bealiba Road and Webbs Lane

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Reserved Forest

HISTORY:

1853. Wehla-Jordans Goldfield. Gold was first discovered at Wehla Goldfield sometime in 1853, but the first record of gold digging in the area was 1 “Jordan’s Rush” in April 1857.

1857. Jordan’s Rush. Gold was first discovered at Wehla Goldfield sometime in 1853, but the first record of gold digging in the area was “Jordan’s Rush” in April 1857 ... Jordans Rush and almost immediately the area over the hill further north, at what the diggers called Jericho, was rushed. It was a small field, but in parts very rich, and there was 2 a wild rush of about 5000 diggers.

April 1857. Jordans Rush and almost immediately the area over the hill further north, at what the diggers called 3 Jericho, was rushed. It was a small field, but in parts very rich, and there was a wild rush of about 5000 diggers.

4 1858. Quartz reefs were discovered at the end of 1858.

December 1859 Korong Division. The population is as follows: Location Alluvial Quartz Trade European Chinese Korong 1650 50 160 1560 300 Kingower 258 66 46 370 - Jordan’s and Jericho 66 100 26 180 12 Synnotts 86 - 3 25 - Fenton’s 22 - 3 25 - M’Intyre’s 222 4 4 50 180 Jordan’s and Jericho. These diggings are still in a very dull state, owing to most of the payable quartz leaders have 5 been worked out. Considerable expense will have to be incurred in sinking to test the value of the underlying reefs.

6 1860. 307 ounce nugget found in Skippers Gully.

April 1860. (Korong Division). At Jordan’s and Jericho a few of the abandoned claims have been reoccupied ... At Skipper’s Gully (Jordan’s) one party obtained about 26 lbs weight of gold in nuggets, which will most likely lead to 7 the discovery of more auriferous ground in the neighbourhood.

January 1861. (Korong Division). Locality Entire Popn Alluvial Quartz Sq miles Puddling Steam Horse Chinese Miners Miners occupied machines crushing power miners mining machines Inglewood 10,500 1,000 3,000 11-1/2 32 9 128 - Glenalbyn 1,700 900 100 1 16 wkng/ - - {In all 5 idle {about Kingower 400 120 100 2 - 1 crshng/ 17 {50 but 1 pumpng {very Korong 1,500 400 100 6 scattered 26 wkng/ 2 wkng/ 32 {much 24 idle 1 idle {scattered Fenton’s & Sinnot’s 50 20 - 1/2 1 - - {

149 Jordan Diggings

McIntyre’s 200 28 10 3 3 - - { Jericho & Jordan’s 150 80 40 1-1/2 1 wkng - - { Total 14,500 2,548 3,500 25-1/2 108 14 177 50 Jericho and Jordan’s. I have nothing new to report in this locality to what I said last month, with the exception that 8 one or two claims are producing stone slightly better than formerly.

May 1861. (Korong Division). The reefs at Jordan’s remain in the same state as mentioned in my last, viz., little or 9 nothing doing on them.

1864. By 1864 Jericho was “a Cousin Jack town of respectable dimensions”. It was surveyed and sold in 1866 and 10 became known as Wehla. Some large nuggets were found there.

March 1865. (Korong Division). At Jericho and Jordan’s no alluvial mining is at present carried on; and, with the 11 exception of the Granite Company on the German Reef, very little quartz mining.

September 1868. (Korong Division). A small rush took place near Thompson’s Gully, but not yet of sufficient importance for a special report. The Berlin rush is still progressing; nuggets from 3 to 5 lbs. in weight are of common occurrence. Jones’ Gully, near Jordan’s, and about two miles south-west of Berlin, was rushed to-day (30th 12 September). The prospect obtained was 1 oz. to the load.

June 1878. Inglewood Division. A patch was struck at Jordan last week, creating a small rush, the gold being found 13 close to the surface.

December 1881. (Inglewood Division). Quartz prospecting has been pushed on with energy, notwithstanding the lack of capital and other disadvantages. Several new companies are in course of formation to work well-known reefs 14 at Inglewood and Wehla.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 42.0. Jordan Diggings. (Rushed in 1857 the old sinkings were “strip mined” in 1992). Alluvial workings. A very extensive and essentially undisturbed area of moderately shallow workings and low mounds along a gully on the fall from the reef workings to the north; running approximately north south and crossing 15 both Webb’s Lane and the Bealiba-Wehla Road. There is some disturbance of these workings at the northern end. Since of survey by Dr. P Milner in 1990 most of the alluvial workings in this area have been re-mined and rehabilitated.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor, the area has been re-mined and rehabilitated.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has little cultural significance.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299 2 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299 3 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299 4 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299 5 Mining Surveyors Reports, December 1859 6 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1860 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1861 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, May 1861 10 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1865

150 Jordan Diggings

12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1868 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June1878 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1881 15 Milner 1990, p89

151 Fentons

SITE NO. & NAME: 43.0 NEW YEAR’S HILL DIGGINGS 43.1 FENTON’S DIGGINGS

LOCATION: FENTON’S

HI NO: 43.0 H7624-0220 43.1 H7624-0221

DIRECTIONS: Site 43.0. 6.5 km north-west of Wehla, east side of Burkes Flat-Wedderburn Road Site 43.1. 9.25 km north-west of Wehla, east side of Logan-Wedderburn Road

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

Late 1858. Fentons Rush. Another diggings opened in late 1858 in this area was Fenton’s Creek, that began with a rush to a cemented hill about two miles south of John Fenton’s Spring Hill P.R. in December. There were about 700 men at this rush ... 1859. New Year‘s Hill was opened in Jan 1859, and Biddy’s Hill and other places near the 1 junction of the Avoca and Fenton’s Creek were worked.

Late 1858. Another diggings opened in late 1858 in this area was Fenton’s Creek, that began with a rush to a cemented hill about two miles south of John Fenton’s Spring Hill P.R. in December. There were about 700 men at 2 this rush.

1859. New Year ‘s Hill was opened in January 1859, and Biddy’s Hill and other places near the junction of the 3 Avoca and Fenton’s Creek were worked.

December 1859. Korong Division. The population is as follows: Location Alluvial Quartz Trade European Chinese Korong 1650 50 160 1560 300 Kingower 258 66 46 370 - Jordan’s and Jericho 66 100 26 180 12 Synnotts 86 - 3 25 - Fenton’s 22 - 3 25 - M’Intyre’s 222 4 4 50 180 Totals 2304 220 243 2215 55 4 Fentons. These diggings are gradually declining. Only a few parties and the original prospectors remain.

April 1860. (Korong Division). Fenton’s and Synnott’s diggings are extremely dull, the few miners remaining being 5 chiefly employed in the old workings.

May 1860. (Korong Division ) Fenton and Synnott’s. These diggings remain almost deserted, there being no new 6 discoveries in the neighbourhood.

January 1861. (Korong Division). Locality Entire Popn Alluvial Quartz Sq miles Puddling Steam Horse Chinese Miners Miners occupied machines crushing power miners mining machines Inglewood 10,500 1,000 3,000 11-1/2 32 9 128 - Glenalbyn 1,700 900 100 1 16 wkng/ - - {In all 5 idle {about Kingower 400 120 100 2 - 1 crshng/ 17 {50 but 1 pumpng {very Korong 1,500 400 100 6 scattered 26 wkng/ 2 wkng/ 32 {much 24 idle 1 idle {scatte- Fenton’s & Sinnot’s 50 20 - 1/2 1 - - {red McIntyre’s 200 28 10 3 3 - - {

152 Fentons

Jericho & Jordan’s 150 80 40 1-1/2 1 wkng - - { 7 Total 14,500 2,548 3,50025-1/2 108 14 177 50

153 Fentons

February 1861. (Korong Division). The gully in which the Government Prospecting Party (Wick’s and party), reported to have discovered payable gold, is entirely deserted, not having provided remunerative; it is situated about 8 three-quarters of a mile from Fenton’s Nine-mile Hut, and nine miles S 80°W from the township of Wedderburn.

9 1869. A mining plant was erected at Dodd’s Hill, Fenton’s, in 1869 after a deep lead was discovered there.

1872. There was a large rush to the Fenton’s Creek area, about half-way between Fenton’s and the Avoca River in the winter of 1872, to Avoca Forest Rush, about three miles north-west of Cameron’s Avoca Forest station. The original discovery of gold here was made by Joseph Norris and party in May 1872, in a north and south gully called Berwick Flat and two tributary gullies on the east side. By November 1872 there were 1200 people collected on the 10 rush, with a street of shops along the main lead, but the ground was rather poor.

May 1873. Gold was found east of the range towards Fenton’s Creek, and the cement hills south of the rush, opened 11 at the time of Fenton’s Creek Rush, were worked again.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 43.0. New Years Hill Diggings, Fenton s Diggings (opened in 1859, did not develop into a major goldfield). Reasonably intact diggings over the crown of a small hill; moderately to medium sized mounds; most shafts almost 12 filled; some rubbish.

Site 43.1. Fenton’s Diggings (opened in 1859, did not develop into a major goldfield). Reasonably intact diggings extending over sloping ground behind a group of farm buildings; small to moderately sized 13 mounds, and shafts partially filled either with rusty iron or other rubbish.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Low

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The sites have poor integrity and little historical importance and hence low cultural significance.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299-301 2 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299-301 3 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299-301 4 Mining Surveyors Reports, December 1859 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1860 6 Mining Surveyors Reports, May 1860 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1861 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, February 1861 9 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299-301 10 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299-301 11 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299-301 12 Milner, P. 1989, p64 13 Milner, P. 1989, p62

154 Fones Reef, Burkes Flat

SITE NO. & NAME: 44.0 BURKES FLAT GOLD MINING COMPANY

LOCATION: FONES REEF, BURKES FLAT

HI NO: H7624-0222

DIRECTIONS: Burkes Flat, east side of the main road

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Unreserved Crown Land

HISTORY:

October 1858. Many left Synotts for the rush following the discovery of gold at Burke’s Flat in October 1858. This locality, a few miles east of Synott’s, was opened by Burke, O’Connor and Malony, at a “made hill” on a plain “of singular appearance”, and there were 2000 there in November. It was rather a poor diggings, but there were further discoveries and rushes to Italian Gully and elsewhere between 1868 and 1873. c.1859. Quartz reefs were discovered soon after the rush, and the rush, and the place assumed the appearance of a 1 township by 1868, with a post office, church, schools and stores.

March 1864. (Korong Division). The total number is thus distributed: New Inglewood 4,500 Old Inglewood 150 Korong 1,500 Jericho 250 Kingower 750 McIntyre’s 300 Sinnott’s 100 Burke’s Flat 100 Loddon 600 Total 8,250

Burke’s flat, which is about 5 miles from Jericho, seems to be steadily though slowly progressing, and several new 2 claims have been taken up in that locality.

June 1864 (Korong Division). The total number is thus distributed: New Inglewood 4,400 Old Inglewood 100 Korong 1,500 Jericho 300 Kingower 850 McIntyre’s 300 Sinnott’s 100 Burke’s Flat 200 Loddon 600 Caledonian Flat 100 Total 8,450 Burke’s Flat is steadily persevering, but the distance which quartz has to be carted for crushing detracts materially 3 from the profits--there being no machine nearer than from five to six miles.

March 1865. (Korong Division). Burke’s Flat Reefs continue to yield an average of from 1-1/2 to 2 oz per ton, but not as yet having erected machinery of their own, the heavy item of cartage still makes a material difference in their 4 net profits.

June 1865 (Korong Division). The Jericho gold fields are not yielding much, with the exception of the Granite 5 Company and Burke’s Flat Crushing. The machine returns are nil.

155 Fones Reef, Burkes Flat

September 1865. (Korong Division). At Burke’s Flat the reefs are improving; 17 tons from the Black Reef produced 6 nearly 30 oz of gold; there are now about 150 tons of stone ready for the mill.

December 1866. (Korong Division). At Burke’s Flat two new reefs have been discovered during the past quarter, 7 from which payable prospects have been obtained.

156 Fones Reef, Burkes Flat

8 March 1867 (Korong Division). Burke’s Flat. Very little doing.

June 1867. Korong Division (W.G.Couchman) Burke’s Flat. Morley and Fone have twenty-five men employed 9 raising payable stone.

March 1868. Korong Division (Robert Mason). Quartz crushed during the quarter by/from: Unity Co. March Reef Lady Darling March Reef, Hope and Anchor, United, Exhibition, Bird-in Hand, Potter’s Hill, Reality, Bendigo, Morning Star, Jersey, Commissioner’s Flat, Rising Sun, Daly Lead Duke of Cornwall Old Inglewood Reef, Maxwell’s, Vulcan, City of Bath, Leicester, European, Nelson, Potter’s Hill, Duke of Cornwall, Reality Prince of Wales Jericho Morly and Fone Morning Star, Jericho

Burke’s Flat. This portion of the division is very much improved. The Morning Star Reef and Morley and Fone’s, 10 are giving splendid results; the latter company employ about 40 men.

June 1868. Korong Division (Robert Mason). Quartz crushed during the quarter by/from: Unity March Reef Duke of Cornwall Vulcan, Daly, Maxwell’s, Morning Star, Tara Hall No. 1 Lady Darling Independent Company, City of Bath, No. 5 and 6 Jersey, Potter’s Hill, Bird-in Hand, Jersey Gold Mining Co., No. 3 North Morning Star, Daly, No. 5, 4 and 7 Morning Star, Rising Sun Baragwanath and Co. Poverty Reef Prince of Wales Jericho Morley and Fone Burke’s Flat, Morning Star, David’s, Greek’s, Liliputian (all at Burkes Flat)

The reefs in the vicinity of Burke’s Flat still continue to improve, and this portion of the division is at present in the 11 most prosperous circumstances.

June 1869. Korong Division (R. Mason) Burke’s Flat. The Liliputian, Deadlock, and Evening Star Reefs are 12 returning good dividends. This portion of the division is steadily improving.

September 1870. Korong Division (Henry J Hughes). The Lilliputian Company, Burke’s Flat, gave a return of 255 13 oz. from 350 tons crushed.

December 1870. Korong Division Quartz mining. The only company that has given a good yield as the Lilliputian, Burke’s Flat. All the other companies are progressive, sinking or driving in search of stone, which is known to be 14 payable, if it can be met with before the shareholders’ patience and money are exhausted.

March 1871. Korong Division. At Burke’s Flat the Lilliputian Company still continues to give handsome returns, and to take the lead in the district; the reef, at a depth of 200 feet, being three feet wide, and the stone all through 15 averaging 14 dwts. to the load.

June 1871. Korong Division. At Burke’s Flat, the Lilliputian Company is somewhat under its average, but it yet gives 12 dwts 22.6 grs. per ton, with good appearance, and more machinery is determined on; and, at the same place, 16 the Deadlock Company exhibits better returns than last quarter.

September 1871. Korong Division (Henry J Hughes). At Burke’s Flat, the Lilliputian Company has had no crushing, 17 the owners of the mine having ceased work pending the reconstruction of the company.

18 March 1872. (Korong Division). At Burke’s Flat, Fones’ Claim will soon be having regular crushings.

157 Fones Reef, Burkes Flat

June 1872. (Korong Division). At Burke’s Flat, Fones’ Quartz Mining Company has sunk the shaft to a depth of 19 260 feet, 60 feet of which was done during the quarter.

September 1872. (Korong Division). Burke’s Flat and Korong are likely to again furnish monthly yields of gold, very 20 fair stone having been raised at both places from permanent reefs, some of which is now being crushed.

158 Fones Reef, Burkes Flat

September 1873. Korong Division. Fone’s Reef, at Burke’s Flat, is looking well; also Brown’s and prince of Wales 21 Companies at Wehla.

December 1873. Korong Division. Fone’s Company, at Burke’s Flat, is sinking the shaft deeper, and have plenty of 22 quartz in reserve; they are getting good returns.

March 1874. Korong Division (Mr. George Watton Moore). The Fone’s Gold Mining Co., Burke’s Flat, have has some fair crushings from stone obtained at a depth of 375 feet, and they have cut the reef at 425 feet, and are 23 employing 43 men.

September 1874. Korong Division. Fone’s Company, Burke’s Flat, are progressing well; the reef appears to be 24 increasing in width and richness at the depth of 470 feet, and shows large quantities of gold-bearing pyrites.

March 1875. Inglewood and Wedderburn Divisions (George Watton Moore). In Quartz. The March Reef Company, Inglewood, has been compelled to suspend operations; and Fone’s at Burke’s Flat, is the only company which has 25 had satisfactory crushings.

March 1876. I am informed that the “Tributers” Claim to Fownes’ Company, Burke’s Flat, is paying; this is a quartz 26 claim, and is situated about 20 miles from Inglewood.

March 1880. Inglewood Division. The chief features of interest in quartz mining have been the excellent yields from 27 several crushings by Fone’s Company, at Burke’s Flat.

June 1880. Inglewood Division. The crushings from the Fone’s Company, at Burke’s Flat, continue to yield most 28 satisfactory returns, quite fulfilling expectations formed during the preceding quarter.

September 1880. Inglewood Division. The Burke’s Flat Gold Mining Company, from the claim on the Lilliputian 29 Reef, crushed 620 tons, with an average yield of 11 dwts., the quartz coming from a depth of 647 feet.

December 1880. Inglewood Division. Fone’s Company, at Burke’s Flat, encouraged by good steady returns (about 30 100 oz. per fortnight), intends erecting additional crushing plant.

March 1881. Inglewood Division. The Burke’s Flat Gold Mining Company (Fone’s) continues to obtain excellent 31 returns. The mine is now the deepest in this division, having obtained a depth of 650 feet.

June 1881. Inglewood Division. The Burke’s Flat Quartz Mining Company, although not in full work, during the 32 quarter crushed 409 tons of stone, with the returns of 11 dwts per ton.

September 1881. Inglewood Division. The fortnightly returns from the Burke’s Flat Q. M. Company continue excellent ... no falling off having taken place. Some additional machinery is at present on the ground for immediate 33 erection.

June 1882. (Inglewood Division). The Burke’s Flat Gold Mining Company’s mine, the deepest in the division, gives 34 its steady fortnightly yields as heretofore.

December 1882. (Inglewood Division). Very little stone has been crushed at the local battery during the quarter; the 35 greater portion of quartz gold, viz., over 526 oz, has come from the Burke’s Flat Gold Mining Co. (Fone’s).

September 1883. (Inglewood Division). The returns from the Burke’s Flat Gold Mining Company have also been 36 highly satisfactory.

March 1884 (Inglewood Division). The returns from quartz mining operations carried on during the quarter show a slightly increased yield of gold. The majority of the companies on the Maxwell, Jersey, Columbian, and other lines were, however, either sinking or driving to cut the various reefs, consequently the yield, in comparison with the number of miners employed, is exceedingly light. The following are the only crushings reported:

159 Fones Reef, Burkes Flat

Maxwell’s Company 1,088 tons 1,384 oz Burke’s Flat Gold Mining Company 820 tons 276 oz Union Company, Kingower 300 tons 90 oz Several companies have been successfully floated during the quarter, and work commenced on their leaseholds, whilst 37 other ventures more or less promising are now being offered to the public.

160 Fones Reef, Burkes Flat

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 44.0. Burke’s Flat Gold Mining Company. (This company appears to have operated from 1880 to c.1884, formerly the Fone’s Gold Mining Co.). Battery probably erected in 1880. Mine currently being worked by Tivmoss Investments Pty Ltd.). Tailings dump and water dam. Massive mound of tailings on the east side of the road. Behind this dump is a large silted water dam covered by reeds. Battery. To the north of the dam is a modern galvanised iron building. This building has been erected over the remains of an old battery. Running along the side of the building are the remains of a large brick engine bed which measures 18-1/2 ft x 4-1/2 ft, standing 3 ft. The brick bed has two inch iron mounting bolts. Nearby, are the outlines of some buried brick foundations and circular chimney stack base. At the rear of the building (north end) are well preserved wooden bearers and mortar blocks for two battery boxes. The most intact bearer is 16 ft long and 1 ft square. The wooden stamper foundations for each of the battery boxes are not the usual 2 ft square upright blocks (three in number) but are single masses of timber laid on their sides measuring 6 ft by 2 ft square. A section of the battery’s loading ramp also survives.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Site has poor integrity. Most of the components of the once large mine, eg. mullock heap and mining machinery foundations have been bulldozed. Only the battery has survived the demolition process and even this relic has a mining building erected over it.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The mine site has: • Historical significance, one of the principal quartz mines to have operated in the Inglewood Mining Division during the nineteenth century.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299-301 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1864 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1864 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1865 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1865 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1865 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1866 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1867 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1867 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1868 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1868 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1870 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1870 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1871 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1871 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1871 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1872 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1872 20 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1872 21 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1873 22 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1873 23 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1874 24 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1874 25 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1875 26 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1876

161 Fones Reef, Burkes Flat

27 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1880 28 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1880 29 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1880 30 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1880 31 Mining Surveyors’ reports, March 1881 32 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1881 33 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1881 34 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1882 35 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1882 36 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1883 37 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1884

162 Synnotts Diggings

SITE NO. & NAME: 45.0 SYNNOTTS DIGGINGS

LOCATION: SYNNOTT’S DIGGINGS

HI NO: H7624-0223

DIRECTIONS: 3.5 km west of Burkes Flat, east side of Logan-Emu Road

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Water Supply Reserve

HISTORY:

May 1858. Synotts’ Gold Diggings. Soon after the rushes to Bealiba and Wehla a number of new discoveries were made north of Bealiba, on the east side of the Avoca River. Gold was first found in May 1858 by Joseph Norris and 1 Joe Seaton on a hill just south of Avoca Forest station, which was then owned by the Synotts.

May 1858. Discovery of gold. The prospecting claim was then called “Barracks Diggings”, but the rush became known as Synotts. The main hill here was Canadian Hill, but the rush, where about 2000 congregated at its peak in 2 October 1858, with a street of stores on the banks of the Avoca, soon dwindled to a few Chinese in 1859.

December 1858. Emu Diggings. A great number of diggers left Synott’s and Burke’s Flat rushes in December 1858 for Four Mile Flat, known then and today as Emu, which place, like Burke’s Flat, in 1867 became a reefing centre, 3 around the activity on the Isabelle Reef.

Dec 1859 Korong Division. The population is as follows: Location Alluvial Quartz Trade European Chinese Korong 1650 50 160 1560 300 Kingower 258 66 46 370 - Jordan’s and Jericho 66 100 26 180 12 Synnotts 86 - 3 25 - Fenton’s 22 - 3 25 - M’Intyre’s 222 4 4 50 180 Totals 2304 220 243 2215 55 The following table shows the machines at work (W) and idle(I): Location Puddling (W) (I) Steam engine (W) (I) Crushing (W) (I) Korong 30 12 1 2 1 2 Kingower 8 1 2 - 1 - Jericho - 1 1 - 1 - Synott’s 1 - - - - - M’Intyres 2 2 - - - - Synnott’s. These diggings are in a very dull state, but will likely receive a larger population in the summer months, 4 owing to the good supply of water which they command, in comparison to other field.

April 1860. (Korong Division). Fenton’s and Synnott’s diggings are extremely dull, the few miners remaining being chiefly employed in the old workings. A quartz vein has been discovered between the latter place and Jordan’s, but 5 has not yet been tested to any depth sufficient to prove its being remunerative.

May 1860. (Korong Division) Fenton and Synnott’s. These diggings remain almost deserted, there being no new 6 discoveries in the neighbourhood.

September 1880. Alluvial mining has been enlivened by renewed operations at the Old Inglewood, and a rush to 7 ground about half-a-mile from Synnott’s, where a prospect of 8 dwts. to the load was recently obtained.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 45.0. Synnott’s Diggings (Rushed in 1858, currently being re-mined).

163 Synnotts Diggings

Alluvial workings. An extensive area of medium sized and sometimes large mounds with partially filled shafts on the east side of the Emu-Logan Road. The area appears to be in the process of being completely re-worked and is 8 unlikely to retain many traces of the original workings.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Due to the scale of disturbance the site has little cultural significance.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299-301 2 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299-301 3 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp299-301 4 Mining Surveyors Reports, December 1859 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1860 6 Mining Surveyors Reports, May 1860 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1880 8 Milner P, 1989, p65

164 Specimen Hill, Wedderburn

SITE NO. & NAME: 46.0 SPECIMEN HILL REEF WORKINGS 46.1 MINE SITE

LOCATION: WEDDERBURN

HI NO: 46.0 H7625-0001 46.1 H7625-0002

DIRECTIONS: Both sites are located 1.4 km north of Wedderburn, 400 metres along Specimen Reef Track from its junction with Calder Highway, south side of the track

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Unreserved Crown Land

HISTORY:

1852/53. The first reef opened or prospected on Korong was the Specimen Hill Reef. This reef is situated about one mile north of the Post Office, Wedderburn. Specimens of quartz and gold were often picked up on the surface on this hill as early as 1852 and ‘53 but no one attempted to try the reef until John Kerr and his mate sunk a round shaft to a depth of 30 feet. They struck the reef at that depth and got golden quartz from which they obtained a few ounces of gold by breaking the quartz with the poll-ends of the picks ... they abandoned the ground to try their luck elsewhere. 1 2 Late 1853. Specimen Hill Reef. John McClelland and Hector Hetherington--abandoned before striking the reef.

3 Early 1854. Specimen Hill Reef. Messrs Thomas and William Tatchell--got payable god near surface.

May 1854. Specimen Hill Reef. Taken up by Benjamin Jones who rigged a kind of primitive mill worked by horse- 4 power--averaged six ounces to the ton.

1856. Specimen Hill Reef. Adjoining ground to Jones taken up by William Jones, William Kirkhouse and Bodicum. About 16 feet from the surface William Jones and party struck very good golden stone, some of which gave as much as fifty ounces per ton, and a great rush set in on the reef and claims were taken up for fully half-a-mile along the course of the reef. The run of gold struck by Jones and party dipped to the south, and each succeeding party along the line had to sink deeper to catch the run of gold. It got poorer the further south it was followed; but several claims 5 succeeded in getting payable gold ... run of gold was passed through at 70 feet in Jones and party claim.

1856 to 1859. Specimen Hill Reef. The reef was vacant ... then it was taken up by a party principally composed of Germans. This party got fair prospects in the reef but as they had no means with which to erect machinery, they amalgamated with Messrs Tenny and Clarke who were erecting machinery on the Campbell’s Reef. In 1860 the machinery on Campbell’s Reef was finished and some stone crushed from Specimen Hill, but it fell far short of what 6 was expected and soon after, the claim and the plant on Campbell’s Reef were sold to the Lane’s Reef Company.

January 1860 (Korong Division). Throughout the whole division digging operations have been much retarded owing to the great scarcity of water, and very little alluvial mining can be carried on, unless by those who can afford to stack their washing stuff until rain sets in, or where the gold is nuggetty. Nearly all the puddling machines are idle, owing to the same cause, and great difficulties are experienced in getting sufficient for domestic use on all the old fields. Nothing worthy of note has taken place in quartz mining at Korong. The Specimen Hill Company’s crushing 7 machinery is nearly completed, and will soon commence operations.

8 1860. Specimen Hill Reef. Lane’s Reef Co. erected whim and worked reef for some 8 months.

Late 1861. Lane’s Reef Co. was wound up and all their leases, including Specimen Hill were sold with the plant, the 9 purchasers being Messrs J R Gray and Simon Waltere--were unsuccessful.

1861-1870s. Reef tried unsuccessfully by various parties, culminating with the claim being acquired by a syndicate of Melbourne men who floated it into a public company ... Crushing, pumping and winding plants were erected, and a shaft continued to a depth of 171 feet ... After 12 months the company was wound up and the plant sold off and 10 removed.

165 Specimen Hill, Wedderburn

June 1871. (Korong Division). At Wedderburn, many fresh claims have been taken up on Lane’s Reef and Specimen 11 Hill.

166 Specimen Hill, Wedderburn

September 1873. (Korong Division). Quartz mining has considerably improved at Wedderburn. The Specimen Hill plant is about completed, and they are now crushing payable quartz from the Specimen Hill and Canadian Reefs. 12 Several other reefs have been taken up in that locality and work commenced during the past quarter.

December 1873. (Korong Division). At Wedderburn the Specimen Hill Company is sinking the engine-shaft 13 deeper.

December 1874. (Korong Division). Specimen Hill, Korong, is looking well, and taking out stone which will 14 probably go an ounce to the ton.

March 1887. (Wedderburn Division). No fresh discoveries in alluvial mining during the past quarter. In quartz mining, applications for leases have been made for the following abandoned reefs: Lane’s, Specimen Hill, the Gorilla, and the Nine-mile Reef at Kilburnie. The deepest shaft on any one of these reefs is only about 140 feet. From Lane’s 15 and Specimen Hill very rich crushings--as high as 40 oz to the ton--were obtained twenty-eight years since.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 46.0. Specimen Hill Reef (First reef opened at Wedderburn in 1853. Worked intermittently since that time). Water dam--immediately south of the track is a large silted-up water dam. Open cutting--Running north from the water dam (up the side of a low hill) is a long line of narrow open cutting. Although the line of open cutting has been largely filled by mullock and domestic rubbish (including a car body) there appears to be at least three distinct excavations (each one approximately 20 to 30 metres long) which are separated by short baulks. This arrangement possibly reflects mining by adjoining small claimholders.

Site 46.1. Mining machinery site (More research required, but the concrete winder bed would certainly belong to twentieth century mining operations). Mining machinery. 20 metres downhill (west) of the line of open cutting is an excavated platform. The machinery foundations have been bulldozed flat. Visible amongst the red brick/mortar and stone rubble is the outline of a 6 ft square concrete winder bed. The winder bed has 1-1/4 inch mounting bolts. To the south of the winder bed are two rows of protruding iron mounting bolts. The site has some archaeological potential.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: The open cut has been filled in places, but enough is still visible to provide some insight on what took place. The machinery site has been flattened but has some archaeological potential.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 46.0 has: • Historical Significance, as the first reef opened or prospected (as early as 1852) in the Korong Mining Division. • Scientific Significance, due to the preservation of a long line of shallow open cutting.

Site 46.1 has: • Scientific Significance, due to the potential for buried remains.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp24-30 2 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp24-30 3 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp24-30 4 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp24-30 5 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp24-30 6 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp24-30 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports - January 1860 8 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp24-30 9 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp24-30

167 Specimen Hill, Wedderburn

10 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp24-30 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1871 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1873 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1873 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1874 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1887

168 Lanes Reef, Wedderburn

SITE NO. & NAME: 47.0 LANES REEF MINE SITE 47.1 COWKS HILL REEF WORKINGS

LOCATION: WEDDERBURN

HI NO: 47.0 H7625-0003 47.0 H7625-0004

DIRECTIONS: Site 47.0. Lanes Reef is located 1.5 km north-east of Wedderburn, 300 metres north of the western end of Wedderburn Reservoir, 15 metres west of track. Site 47.1. Cowks Hill is 400 metres north of mine site, approximately 150 metres to the west.

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Unreserved Crown Land

HISTORY: c.1856. Lane’s Reef. The reef is about 1/2 mile east of Specimen Hill and about one mile from the township. Discovered by Mr Z Lane ... initially he took out only about one ton of stone, but from that he obtained 73 ounces of 1 gold. Lane did little prospecting and soon abandoned the reef. c.1857. Lanes Reef. Taken up by Thompson, Martin, Charles Faye, C. Fernandez and Frank Handson. These men continued to prospect for some time before getting payable gold, but finally they got it and a large rush set in, the reef being taken up for fully 1/2 mile. A crushing plant had been erected at Kingower and quartz could be carted and crushed at a cost of £10 per ton which was considered a great boon in those days. The reef was now worked and prospected energetically for about 12 months and a considerable amount of gold was obtained. Many of the claims yield remarkably well for their size, no claim at that time exceeding 48 feet in length, and many only 24 feet. Amongst the most fortunate were Donaldson and Son but the richest quartz was perhaps some obtained by Mr T. W. Cosh and mate which gave as high as 90 oz. per ton. But payable gold was not traced more than 300 feet along the reef, and like Specimen Hill, the best stone was confined to the eastern side of the reef ... None of the claims paid at a greater depth 2 than 50 to 60 feet and soon as the yield fell off to 3 or 4 oz. per ton, the claims were abandoned.

1859. Lanes Reef. Mr Archibald Milne and party erected a small crushing plant near the foot of Steel’s Gully, and they prospected Lane’s Reef for some time but, although they saw considerable gold in the stone, the crushing plant 3 did not seem to save it and the party soon broke up.

1861. Lane’s Reef Company ... poor crushings ... reef and plant sold to Messrs Gray and Waltere ... they only took 4 out one small crushing.

January 1861. (Korong Division) Korong. The quartz reefs here do not wear any more encouraging aspect than they did at the time of my last report. I have heard that Lane’s Reef Company intends giving their claim another trial on a 5 more improved method of working than has hitherto been carried on.

Post 1861. Reef worked in the following years by small parties: Sutton Bros.; Cox, Cosh and others; Ingels Bros.; 6 then taken on by a Ballarat syndicate.

September 1864 (Korong Division). Quartz crushed during the quarter by/from: Granite Company’s crushing machine Jericho Harvey’s machine Inglewood Victoria machine Inglewood Albert machine Inglewood Lady Darling machine Inglewood Lane’s Reef machine Korong Union Reef machine Kingower 7 March Reef machine Inglewood

169 Lanes Reef, Wedderburn

June 1869. Korong Division (R. Mason). The Korong Company are sinking and slabbing a new engine shaft. Lane’s 8 Reef Company are progressing in a similar manner.

June 1871. Korong Division. At Wedderburn, many fresh claims have been taken up on Lane’s Reef and Specimen 9 Hill.

170 Lanes Reef, Wedderburn

March 1887. (Wedderburn Division). No fresh discoveries in alluvial mining during the past quarter. In quartz mining, applications for leases have been made for the following abandoned reefs: Lane’s, Specimen Hill, the Gorilla, and the Nine-mile Reef at Kilburnie. The deepest shaft on any one of these reefs is only about 140 feet. From Lane’s 10 and Specimen Hill very rich crushings--as high as 40 oz to the ton--were obtained twenty-eight years since.

June 1888. (Wedderburn Division). Gray’s Freehold, which has been idle for 20 years, is now in the hands of a new company. New winding and pumping gear are on the ground, and I understand that as soon as things are got into working order, this property will be worked vigorously in conjunction with lease 2920, and the line of country 11 between on Lane’s Reef.

September 1889. (Wedderburn Division). Cerelir and party, from the Old Lane’s line of reef, crushed 13 tons, which 12 yielded 21 oz.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 47.0. Lanes Reef (Use of concrete suggests that the surviving relics date to the twentieth century). Mine site. Little has escaped being flattened at this site. There is a small concrete mounting bed (4 ft x 5 ft, standing 3 ft with 1 inch mounting bolts). Approximately 15 metres west of the small bed is a filled (slightly subsided) shaft which still has the remains of a 8-1/2 ft square baling pond.

Site 47.1. Cowks Hill. (Mid to late nineteenth century). Shallow Reef workings. Line of shallow quartz workings running over a hill. All shafts have been filled and mullock heaps bulldozed. Extensive shallow open cutting and some long costeans.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The sites have poor integrity and little historical importance and hence low cultural significance.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp41-44 2 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp41-44 3 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp41-44 4 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp41-44 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1861 6 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp41-44 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1864 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1871 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1887 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1888 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1889

171 Wedderburn alluvial sites

SITE NO. & NAME: 48.0 THOMPSONS GULLY ALLUVIAL WORKINGS 48.1 STEELS GULLY DAM PUDDLER 48.2 SCHICER GULLY DAM PUDDLER 48.3 QUEENS GULLY DAM AND ALLUVIAL WORKINGS

LOCATION: WEDDERBURN

HI NO: 48.0 H7625-0005 48.1 H7625-0006 48.2 H7625-0007 48.3 H7625-0008

DIRECTIONS: Site 48.0. Thompsons Gully. 1 km north-east of Wedderburn. The gully is now mainly taken up by Wedderburn Reservoir. There are patches of shallow alluvial sinkings in the head of the gully, above the reservoir. Site 48.1. Steels Gully puddler. 1.5 km north-north-west of Wedderburn, the puddler is located 1/2 km north-west of Lanes Reef mine site. Site 48.2. Schicer Gully puddler. 1.75 km north-west of Wedderburn. The puddler is located in the gully immediately north of Cowks Hill Reef workings. Site 48.3. Queens Gully. 2.1 km north-west of Wedderburn. The gully runs in a north-west/south-east direction.

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Unreserved Crown Land

HISTORY:

1852. Wedderburn (Korong). This goldfield, bordering the Mallee, was apparently discovered by a shepherd named Brady, at David Peters’ Torpichen station, it was said on 10 May 1852 ... The first discovery was at Welshman’s Point. The first official report from the Bendigo Commissioners Camp of the Korong discovery was on 12 July 1852, and Asst. Commissioner Gilbert was sent there with a party on 18 July. He went with Squatter Lockart Morton to Mount Korong, to Peter’s Station and then to the site of Wedderburn, where twelve holes had been dug and the place called “Disappointment Gully”. He went to the Avoca Forest near Fenton’s and then returned to Bookey’s station near Sunday Morning Hill, at “Koi Yoor”. Near here six holes had been dug and gold found at what was later called Garabaldi Goldfield, but was then known as Buggins Flat. A large number of diggers from Bendigo were prospecting the area about Korong. The opening of Golden Gully by Brady and the South Australian party in May 1852 was followed by the discovery of nuggets in Queen’s Gully, about three miles up the Main Flat, by Joseph Norris and party; Steele’s Gully gold was discovered, Brady opened the upper Main Flat and had a hand in the discovery of Nursery Gully ... These nuggets, mostly from Queen’s Gully, where a seven pound piece was dug out, caused a rush of about 6000 to Korong in 1 October 1852.

1852. Wedderburn Goldfields. It may be safely asserted that gold was first obtained on what was then the Korong Goldfield in 1852. The exact date of the discovery of payable gold cannot now be ascertained but it was in the latter part of August, or the beginning of September 1852 (As Flett points this is not correct. The discovery was known at the Bendigo Camp in July 1852. Cullen, Adams, Higgs and White who received the reward for discovering the field gave the date of the discovery as May 1852). It is said that ... (a shepherd) ... Brady picked up gold near his hut but there is no proof of the fact. But whilst looking after his sheep, Brady found gold in the “cement” at Welshman’s Point, and also at Queen’s Gully. Brady had little time to prospect whilst shepherding, so having met with a party of four South Australians who were looking for “likely country” to prospect, he advised them to try in or near the places where he had found gold. The South Australians went to work at Golden Gully, one mile south of Wedderburn Police Camp, and soon got payable gold ... Some two or three weeks after the discovery of payable gold at Golden Gully, three other South Australians joined the party ... The second party did not remain long as they were on their way to Adelaide. They, however, obtained some nice nuggets which they showed to a party from Adelaide whom they met near Mt. William. The third party of South Australians consisted of nine men known to all the old residents of the district. Some of them remained and never left the district from 1852 to the present time. The party contained three brothers: T.W. Cosh, J.G. Cosh, and W W Cosh, Peter Frazer, Z.W Perryman, W White and V.T. Eldridge ... [Before this party

172 Wedderburn alluvial sites arrived, the fame of Korong had reached other gold-fields and a rush had fairly set in. There were probably four hundred people on the field and many more were arriving daily, although a goodly number were also leaving. Brady ... was the first to get gold on the Main Flat ... and ... in Nursery Gully, in December 1852. 2 The first person to get payable gold in Queen’s Gully was said to be Joseph Norris.

1852 to 1855. The population of the Korong Gold-field continued to increase from the middle of September 1852 to the middle of December when the population was between six and seven thousand. It then decreased until June 1853 when there was no more than a hundred men on the field. From June 1853 to Jan 1855 ... there was very little rain and consequently, very little water for trying the wash-dirt. The population varied from a hundred to three hundred during this time and work was mostly confined to the four principal gullies, viz. Golden Gully, Queen’s Gully, Nursery Gully and Steel’s Gully, and the upper portions of the 3 Main Flat.

1852 to 1883. Wedderburn Goldfield. Alluvial mining. Gullies and hills were opened nearly in the following order: 1852 Golden Gully, Queen’s Gully, Upper end Main Flat, Nursery Gully, Steel’s Gully 1853 Poverty Gully, Schisser Gully 1854 Cement Hill, south of Queen’s Gully, Welshman’s Point 1855 Smith’s Patch 1856 Bocca Flat, Potter’s Hill Gully, Bagerie’s Hill, Bagerie’s Gully, Ironbark Gully, Tambourine Gully, Main Flat (middle portion) 1857 Glasgow Hill, Attwood’s Gully, Farmers Gully, Jerusalem Gully, Italian Point 1858 Magpie Gully, Peep O’Day Gully 1859 Virgin Gully 1860 Silverdale Gully, Yorkshire Flat 1862 Barnes’s Gully 1864 Snake Gully 1866 Long Gully 4 1883 Maryborough Gully, Tinpot Gully

December 1859. Korong Division. The population is as follows: Location Alluvial Quartz Trade European Chinese Korong 1650 50 160 1560 300 Kingower 258 66 46 370 - Jordan’s and Jericho 66 100 26 180 12 Synnotts 86 - 3 25 - Fenton’s 22 - 3 25 - M’Intyre’s 222 4 4 50 180 5 Totals 2304 220 243 2215 492

January 1860 (Korong Division). Throughout the whole division digging operations have been much retarded owing to the great scarcity of water, and very little alluvial mining can be carried on, unless by those who can afford to stack their washing stuff until rain sets in, or where the gold is nuggetty. Nearly all the puddling machines are idle, owing to the same cause, and great difficulties are experienced in getting sufficient for domestic use on all the old fields. 6 Nothing worthy of note has taken place in quartz mining at Korong.

November 1860. (Korong Division) Korong. The miners here are principally employed in puddling with horse machines, of which are there are present about 40 at work in the different gullies. There are five (5) quartz reefs at 7 work here, and three quartz crushing machines, but not with any very great success.

January 1861 (Korong Division). Locality Entire Popn Alluvial Quartz Sq miles Puddling Steam Horse Chinese Miners Miners occupied machines crushing power miners mining machines Inglewood 10,500 1,000 3,000 11-1/2 32 9 128 - Glenalbyn 1,700 900 100 1 16 wkng/ - - {In all 5 idle {about Kingower 400 120 100 2 - 1 crshng/ 17 {50 but 1 pumpng {very Korong 1,500 400 100 6 scattered 26 wkng/ 2 wkng/ 32 {much

173 Wedderburn alluvial sites

24 idle 1 idle {scattered Fenton’s & Sinnot’s 50 20 - 1/2 1 - - { McIntyre’s 200 28 10 3 3 - - { Jericho & Jordan’s 150 80 40 1-1/2 1 wkng - - { 8 Total 14,500 2,548 3,500 25-1/2 108 14 177 50

March 1864 (Korong Division). At Korong neither the quartz reefs nor alluvial mines have obtained any gold worthy 9 of notice.

174 Wedderburn alluvial sites

September 1864 (Korong Division). At Korong, very few quartz reefs are being worked. A good deal of gold has, 10 however, been obtained from the alluvial workings, principally by Chinese miners.

December 1864. (Korong Division). The Chinese in this place still continue their mining operations with their usual perseverance, and from the amount of gold I am informed they dispose of, their industry is well rewarded. 11 The reservoir at Korong is entirely empty, and has been so for months.

March 1865. (Korong Division). The reservoir at Korong has no water in it. The bank fences and valves are all in 12 good order.

September 1865. (Korong Division) Korong. Many of the miners on this field are now turning their attention to quartz reefing ... There have been no new discoveries in alluvial; those working in the old ground appear to be making 13 a good living.

December 1866 (Korong Division). At Korong, there has been three small alluvial rushes, which, however, quickly 14 died out.

March 1867 (Korong Division). The total number of miners is thus distributed: New Inglewood 400 Old Inglewood 30 Thompson’s Gully 10 Korong 400 Jericho 50 Kingower 80 McIntyre’s 20 Sinnott’s 100 Bourke’s Flat 30 Commissioner’s Flat 5 Loddon and Kingarra 50 At Korong a few nuggets have been found, but no fresh ground opened, and the population remains about the same. 15 Kingower. Nothing doing; population decreasing.

March 1870. Korong Subdivision (R. Mason). By a notice published in the Government Gazette of the 18th March 1870, page 468, the Division of Korong has been divided into two subdivisions, which in these reports are called respectively the Korong and Berlin Subdivisions. Mining generally in this division is in a very depressed state. The principal reefs are unworked, and the dry season 16 has operated against the progress of alluvial workings.

September 1881. Wedderburn Division. Alluvial. Nothing new to report: Quartz. The prospectors of the Queens Gully Reef have struck payable gold at a depth of 40 feet. They will have a trial crushing as soon as the new owners 17 get a supply of water to enable them to start crushing.

December 1881 (Wedderburn Division) Alluvial. There is nothing fresh to report in alluvial mining for the quarter. 18 All the puddling machines have stopped working for want of water.

September 1885. Wedderburn Division. Alluvial. We have had splendid rains within the last few weeks, which have filled the dams and started some of the 19 puddling machines again.

December 1886. Wedderburn Division. During the past quarter several miners left here for the Teetulpa gold-field, South Australia. Some have already returned, and they expect the rest to follow. A few other miners are working on the railway line now being 20 constructed here; but, although the mining population has decreased, there is an improvement in the yield of gold.

September 1887 (Wedderburn Division). Alluvial mining has been carried on as usual in the vicinity of former workings, and on new ground, on an extensive flat in “green” (Allotments coloured green on the maps are open for occupation under annual grazing licences; but they may at any time, even during the currency of the licence, be entered upon for mining purposes) allotment 50, parish of Wedderburn, one mile north of Torpichen pre-emptive right. Six or

175 Wedderburn alluvial sites seven parties have continued steadily at work there, and at times a number of others, but as the gold is patchy, those who do not happen to bottom on a prospect, leave. The depth of sinking is from 8 to 15 feet; the gold is smooth and nuggetty. A good sample of shotty gold is also being got by a party in a gully on allotment 98, parish of Korong, near where the Korong Prospecting Association found small prospects, and are still at work.

176 Wedderburn alluvial sites

The unusual number of miners’ rights issued since April indicates a revival of interest in alluvial mining, and it is confidently expected that the Korong Prospecting Association, which includes some of the most experienced miners 21 in the division, will succeed in proving that there is plenty of profitable auriferous country in the division.

1903. Wedderburn. At the Wedderburn gold-field, with the exception of the Nine Mile Company, operations are 22 confined to a few small co-operative parties and a large number of fossickers.

1910. Wedderburn. A few parties have been working in various parts of this locality, but nothing permanent was met with; while dredging operations on the old lead was not payable. Cyanide. The industry still continues prosperous, and a large number of men are employed throughout the district treating alluvial slum, cleaning up the old creek beds and shallow alluvial workings. In all cases where fine gold exists 23 every care is taken to impound the slum.

1911. Wedderburn. At Wedderburn, no progress has been made beyond a few parties working in the ranges, with poor results. Cyanide. The recovery of gold by this process continues to be prosperous, and employs a large number of men throughout the district, the returns varying from 3 to 11 dwts. per load. Both lode and alluvial formations in the Maryborough District are noted, with a few exceptions, for fine gold, and, up to date, the treatment by cyanide has proved to be the cheapest and simplest method of extraction. Plants employing two to twelve men, are found working successfully on most of the old diggings, and in some cases, old heaps are being treated the second or third 24 time.

1912. Wedderburn. Wedderburn has been dull. Dredging. Four dredging plants continue to work in the district, one each at Avoca, Tarnagulla, Moliagul and 25 Wedderburn.

1913. Dredging. Only two dredging plants are working in the district, one at Moliagul and the other at Wedderburn; both are being operated by co-operative parties and are paying fair wages when in full work. Cyanide Process. A number of cyanide plants are still working on the old leads, and on new ground, paying very 26 well, and employing a good many men.

1915. Wedderburn. At Wedderburn a little reef prospecting is being done in shallow ground, and a few payable crushings have been put through the Government battery. A little gold is being found by fossickers in the old alluvial diggings. Cyanide process. A number of plants throughout the district still continue to treat old sand heaps, both from 27 batteries and alluvial, in most cases with payable returns.

March 1941. Sluicing and dredging have been restricted owing to very limited water supplies, but several prospecting parties at Dunolly, Tarnagulla, St. Arnaud, and Wedderburn are obtaining payable returns. Cyanide plants are 28 numerous in the district, and have been continuing treatment with satisfactory results.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Alluvial gold was first discovered at Wedderburn in 1852. All the gullies listed below were opened during the time of the first gold rush. After being “worked-out” the gullies became the preserve of puddlers and lonely fossickers.

Site 48.0. Thompsons Gully. Alluvial workings. At the head of Thompsons Gully, above Wedderburn Reservoir, there are a few patches of undisturbed shallow sinkings. No puddlers or camp/house sites were observed during the survey of these workings.

Site 48.1. Steels Gully puddler. Puddler and dam. A narrow channel (water race) runs south-west down Cowks Hill hill from the quartz workings. This channel terminates at a silted dam. On the eastern end of the dam’s embankment is a very weathered puddler. The weathering is so bad that it is difficult to distinguish the puddler’s inner mound from the adjoining puddling trench. The puddler has also been partly excavated by gold fossickers. This disturbance has exposed the puddler’s wooden pivot post. About half of the puddler’s large bank of wash has been quarried--its original size would have been in the order of 100 x 50 metres, 1 metre high. Alluvial workings. In the gully below the dam is a wide band of relatively undisturbed shallow sinkings. The sinkings are quite dispersed but free of scrub.

177 Wedderburn alluvial sites

Site 48.2. Schicer Gully puddler. Puddler and dam. In the gully immediately north of Cowks Hill Reef workings is a silted-up dam. This dam has a large bank of wash (50 x 20 metres, 1 metres high) on the northern end of its embankment. Associated with the wash is a very weathered puddler. As is the case for the Steels Gully puddler it is very difficult to distinguish the inner mound from the puddling trench.

Site 48.3. Queens Gully dam. Dam and bank of wash. At the head of Queens Gully is a silted gully. The dam has a large bank of wash but quarrying has obliterated all trace of the puddler. Alluvial workings. A band of shallow alluvial sinkings runs downstream (north-westerly direction) from the dam. These workings are relatively undisturbed by modern mining and free of scrub.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: All the puddlers have poor integrity. The shallow alluvial digging below the puddling machine sites in both Queens Gully and Steels Gully are relatively undisturbed and visible.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Sites 48.0 and 48.2 have poor integrity and little historical significance and hence have local cultural significance.

Site 48.3 has: • Historical Significance, because Queens Gully was one of the first spots on the Wedderburn goldfield where payable gold was obtained. This discovery, and others in nearby gullies led to a rush which peaked at some 6,000 to 7,000 people in September 1852.

Sites 48.1 and 48.3 have: • Scientific Significance, because of the survival of undisturbed shallow alluvial diggings.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp282-286 2 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp15-16 3 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), p.17 4 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), p.21 5 Mining Surveyors Reports, December 1859 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports - January 1860 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, November 1860 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1861 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1864 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1864 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1864 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1865 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1865 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1866 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1867 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1870 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1881 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1881 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1885 20 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1886 21 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1887 22 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1903, p71 23 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1910 24 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1911, pp130-31 25 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1912, p107 26 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1913, p104

178 Wedderburn alluvial sites

27 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1915, pp43-44 28 Mining and Geological Journal, March 1941, p229

179 Wedderburn Govt. battery

SITE NO. & NAME: 49.0 WEDDERBURN GOVERNMENT BATTERY

LOCATION: WEDDERBURN

HI NO: H7625-0009

DIRECTIONS: Junction of Tuntalla and Wilson Streets, Wedderburn

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Water Reserve

HISTORY:

1913. Wedderburn. A few parties have been reefing in shallow ground. Several small crushings were put through the 1 Government battery, varying from a few dwts. to 1/2oz. of gold per ton.

1915. At Wedderburn a little reef prospecting is being done in shallow ground, and a few payable crushings have been 2 put through the Government battery. A little gold is being found by fossickers in the old alluvial diggings.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 49.0. Government Battery (The battery was working by 1913). Small rectangular galvanised iron building with enclosed lean-to and front verandah. The latter is being to collapse. The roof of the building is painted green and the walls yellow. At the rear of the building is a large full water dam, small tailings pond and a small raised tailings dump. The latter is partly quarried.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Building appears to be well maintained, apart from the front verandah which is in a state of collapse.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: • Historical Significance, as a representative of a period when the Victorian government attempted to promote local prospecting through the construction of small batteries. Eight of these plants still survive today in a working condition. • Scientific Significance, one of only eight government battery still in working condition.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1913, p104 2 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1915, pp43-44

180 Hard Hill, Wedderburn

SITE NO. & NAME: 50.0 HARD HILL PUDDLER 50.1 HARD HILL CEMENT WORKINGS

LOCATION: HARD HILL, WEDDERBURN

HI NO: 50.0 H7625-0010 50.1 H7625-0011

DIRECTIONS: 1 km north-west of Wedderburn, north of Nine Mile-Wedderburn Road

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Tourism Reserve

HISTORY:

No references found to Hard Hill, Wedderburn. The puddler is a reconstruction for the Tourist Area.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

50.0. Hard Hills puddler (reconstruction for the Tourist Area). Puddler. South-west of the Wedderburn Government battery is the Hard Hill Tourist Area. On the north side of the track that runs to Hard Hill is a reconstructed puddler.

50.1. Hard Hills (Cement workings would have been opened up mid 1850s/early 1860s). Cement workings. Little trace of any early workings. The middle and the eastern edge of the area have been re- 1 developed for housing. There are several short drives and open cuts towards the summit of Hard Hill. An adit at the southern end of the hill is still open.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: The trench slabbing of the reconstructed puddler is beginning to decay. The cement workings are not extensive or particularly interesting.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site’s have: • Social Significance, because the Hard Hill sites and a nearby Eucalyptus Distillery, are curiosities that form part of a local Tourist Park.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 P. Milner, 1989, p55

181 Potters Hill sites, Wedderburn

SITE NO. & NAME: 51.0 POTTERS HILL REEF WORKINGS 51.1 SCHUMANN GULLY DAM PUDDLER 51.2 LONG GULLY DIGGINGS

LOCATION: POTTERS HILL, WEDDERBURN

HI NO: 51.0 H7625-0012 51.1 H7625-0013 51.2 H7625-0014

DIRECTIONS: Site 51.0 and 51.1. Potters Hill/Schumann Gully is located 1.8 km west of Wedderburn, north side of Nine Mile-Wedderburn Road. Site 51.2. Long Gully runs south from Nine Mile-Wedderburn Road.

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Sites 51.0 and 51.2--Unreserved Crown Land Site 51.1--Freehold Land

HISTORY:

1854. Potter’s Hill Reef was discovered in July 1854 ... rich specimens were found. eg. James Bagerie obtained 150 1 oz. including one piece of 96 oz.

January 1855. Potters Hill Reef. Taken up by a party who came from Maryborough for the purpose ... This party took up six claims, each 24 feet in length along the reef, a wall of four to five feet between the claims. They sunk open cuttings the full length of each claim to a depth of fifteen to twenty feet, and although gold was occasionally seen, nothing payable was obtained at the time. There was no crushing plant nearer than Maryborough where there was a Berdan machine worked by horse-power. The stone required breaking as small as marbles before being placed in the machine and when the tailings came out there were about the size of peas, and for that style of crushing they charges £8 per ton. Getting nothing payable in the cuttings, the party sunk a shaft 80 feet ... nothing payable was found and the reef was abandoned for a considerable length of time ... During this time a number of large specimens 2 were found on the surface or just below the ground.

1861. Potters Hill Reef. Taken up by Joseph Allen and J.R Gray. On this occasion a nice prospect was obtained on the northern fall of the hill, about 400 feet from where Potter obtained his gold. The prospect was got about 4 feet below the surface and an open cutting was made about 25 feet long and 10 feet deep, but the prospects were not sufficiently good to follow and two shafts were sunk, one 80 feet and the other, 140 feet ... unsuccessful and was 3 abandoned.

1862/63. Potters Hill Reef. About 800 feet north of where Potter got his gold, and apparently on the same line of 4 reef, William Martin obtained a nice patch of about 120 ounces.

5 1872. Potters Hill Reef. Taken up by Mr J R Gray.

1883. Potters Hill Reef. Edmond King picked up a specimen containing about 2 ounces of gold about 200 feet still farther north from where Martin got his patch of gold. King sank two or three holes to a depth of 7 to 8 feet but never 6 succeeded in getting any gold.

1884. Potters Hill Reef. Messrs Gray and M’Kibbon took up the claim abandoned by King and within one foot of 7 King’s shafts they got a bucket full of quartz which gave over two ounces of gold.

1888. Potters Hill Reef. Claim again taken up by Gray and it is still held by him. Much costeaning has been done 8 and several shallow shaft have been sunk of the reef during the last two years.

1889. Potters Hill Reef. Taken up by Korong Prospecting Association. A shaft was sunk opposite to where Martin 9 obtained his gold (shaft 140 feet).

182 Potters Hill sites, Wedderburn

June 1889 (Wedderburn Division). The Korong Prospecting Association have a shaft down about 120 feet on the Potter’s Hill line of reef. They found a patch of loose quartz, weighing about 20 lbs, at a depth of from 16 to 20 feet, 10 which yielded 95 oz 10 dwt of gold.

183 Potters Hill sites, Wedderburn

September 1889 (Wedderburn Division). From the No. 2 South, Potter’s Hill line of reef, 6 tons of stone were taken 11 to Eaglewhawk for crushing, yielding 108 oz.

December 1889. (Wedderburn Division) No. 2 South (Potter’s Hill line of reef) have crushed 22 tons of stone, 12 yielding 75 oz; this stone was obtained from just below the surface.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 51.0. Potters Hill. (Discovered in 1854, the hill was worked intermittently throughout the later stages of the nineteenth century). Shallow reef workings (partly bulldozed small heaps, filled shafts and some trenching) still survive on the south slope of the hill. Workings on the north slope have been levelled by current mining operations.

Site 51.1. Schumann Gully (the puddler most probably dates to the twentieth century). Schumann’s gully flows east from Potters Hill and has been extensively “strip mined”. On freehold land, near the boundary with Crown Land, is a small silted dam. On the dam’s embankment is a badly preserved puddler--inner mound eroded and puddling trench filled with silt. The inner mound has a well preserved pivot post with iron bolt. The puddling trench still retains some of its wooden slabbing and has been excavated in places by gold fossickers. These excavations show that the puddling trench has a concrete floor.

Site 51.2. Long Gully (Mid to late nineteenth century). Immediately south of track that crosses Long Gully is a silted dam. This dam has a large bank of wash but all evidence of a puddler has disappeared. A broad band of shallow alluvial sinkings runs south from the dam. The sinkings are covered by thick scrub.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Due to recent mining, Potters Hill Reef has poor integrity. The puddler in Schumann Gully is in a poor state, but one of the few yet recorded where the iron bolt that held the puddling arm to the pivot post still survives. The alluvial sinkings in Long Gully are relatively undisturbed but are obscured by thick scrub.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 51.0 has poor integrity and little historical importance and hence low cultural significance.

Site 51.1 has: • Scientific Significance, because of the rare survival of the iron pin that held the puddling arm to the pivot post.

Site 51.1 has; • Scientific Significance, because of the intact and undisturbed nature of the shallow alluvial diggings. The significance of the site is obscured by a thick covering of scrub.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp30-35 2 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp30-35 3 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp30-35 4 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp30-35 5 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp30-35 6 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp30-35 7 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp30-35 8 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp30-35 9 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), pp30-35 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1889 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1889

184 Potters Hill sites, Wedderburn

12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1889

185 Bocca Flat sites

SITE NO. & NAME: 52.0 BOCCA FLAT 52.1 POOLE’S GULLY DAM PUDDLER 52.2 POOLE’S GULLY DAM EUCY DISTILLERY

LOCATION: BOCCA FLAT, WEDDERBURN

HI NO: 52.0 H7625-0015 52.1 H7625-0016 52.2 H7625-0017

DIRECTIONS: 52.0. 1.5 km north of Wedderburn, either side of Old Wedderburn-Boort Road 52.1 and 52.2. 1.7 km north-east of Wedderburn, east of Old Wedderburn-Boort Road

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Site 52.0--Freehold Land Sites 52.1 and 52.2--Unreserved Crown Land

HISTORY:

1852 to 1883. Gullies and hills were opened around Wedderburn nearly in the following order: 1852 Golden Gully, Queen’s Gully, Upper end Main Flat, Nursery Gully, Steel’s Gully 1853 Poverty Gully, Schisser Gully 1854 Cement Hill, south of Queen’s Gully, Welshman’s Point 1855 Smith’s Patch 1856 Bocca Flat, Potter’s Hill Gully, Bagerie’s Hill, Bagerie’s Gully, Ironbark Gully, Tambourine Gully, Main Flat (middle portion) 1857 Glasgow Hill, Attwood’s Gully, Farmers Gully, Jerusalem Gully, Italian Point 1858 Magpie Gully, Peep O’Day Gully 1859 Virgin Gully 1860 Silverdale Gully, Yorkshire Flat 1862 Barnes’s Gully 1864 Snake Gully 1866 Long Gully 1 1883 Maryborough Gully, Tinpot Gully.

September 1865 (Korong Division). At Rogers Reef, Bocca Flat, the prospectors had a crushing of 13 tons of stone, which yielded 213 oz 12 dwts of gold. About three weeks since, No. 1 South on this line of reef struck rich stone at a 2 depth of 20 feet from the surface.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 52.0. Bocca Flat (opened in 1856, has recently been re-mined). Original alluvial sinkings have been obliterated by recent re-mining. Area has little significance as a historic mining site.

Site 52.1. Pooles Gully Dam puddler (State of preservation suggests nineteenth century operation date). Puddler. Track crosses over the embankment of a small full water dam. On the edge of the track, western side, is a faint outline of a puddling machine. Associated with the puddler is a 50 metre x 10 metre, 1 metre high bank of wash.

Site 52.2. Eucalyptus distillery site (twentieth century, probably dates to 1940s/40s). Eucalyptus distillery site. On the southern end of the dam is an 8 ft high wooden (bush timber) crane post, remains of a 7 ft diameter vat and a concrete condensing channel.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: All sites are in poor condition.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Sites 52.0, 52.1 and 52.2 have poor integrity as historic mining sites and hence low cultural significance.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

186 Bocca Flat sites

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 J.R Gray, 1888 (edited by Frank Cusack in 1981), p.21 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1865

187 Sailors Gully, Wedderburn

SITE NO. & NAME: 53.0 SAILORS GULLY DIGGINGS

LOCATION: SAILORS GULLY, WEDDERBURN

HI NO: H7625-0018

DIRECTIONS: 6.5 km north-north-east of Wedderburn, east side of Wedderburn-Boort Road

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Unreserved Crown Land

HISTORY:

1 1858. Gold first discovered.

September 1886. (Wedderburn Division) Alluvial. Although the number of miners in this division remains about the same, there is a decided improvement in the yield of gold for the quarter. A “rush” took place a few days since to Sailor’s Gully, about five or six miles to the north. The sinking is about 14 to 15 feet, and hard, so that there has been 2 hardly time to test the value of the ground yet.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 53.0. Sailors Gully (Gold first discovered in 1858). Some shallow alluvial workings and low mounds at the mouth of a cross gully coming in from the west and continuing 3 along the western side of the Fernihurst-Boort Road.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Relatively undisturbed diggings.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: • Scientific Significance, because of the relatively undisturbed and visible nature of the shallow diggings.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 P. Milner 1990, p54 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1886 3 P. Milner 1990, p54

188 Nine Mile Company

SITE NO. & NAME: 54.0 NINE MILE COMPANY

LOCATION: NINE MILE REEF, NINE MILE, NEAR WEDDERBURN

VHR NO: H1237

HI NO: H7525-0002

DIRECTIONS: 12.0 km west of Wedderburn

MUNICIPALITY: Swan Hill Rural City

LAND STATUS: Unreserved Crown Land/Historic Reserve

HISTORY:

September 1879. Wedderburn Division. The rush to the Nine-mile has not turned out so well as was anticipated; 1 numbers have left; the remainder are, as far as I can learn, generally satisfied, some of them making good wages.

December 1879. Wedderburn Division. There is very little water for mining purposes, and many of the miners are gone to harvest work. Several parties have taken up claims at the Nine-mile rush, Kilburnie. The prospectors are to 2 have a trial crushing next week. I hear that the stone looks pretty well.

March 1880. Wedderburn Division. The prospectors of the Nine-mile rush had a trial crushing about six weeks since, 3 which went 1/2 oz. to the ton.

June 1880. Wedderburn Division. In quartz mining, with the exception of an application for lease at the Nine-mile 4 rush, there is nothing fresh to report.

September 1880. Wedderburn Division. The owners of the claim situate at the Nine-mile rush, Kilburnie, are 5 awaiting to obtain their lease before doing any more work.

June 1886. Wedderburn Division. Two quartz claims have been registered during the quarter, one at the Nine-mile Rush, Kilburnie, from which half an ounce to the ton was obtained some 20 years ago, but the reef was then abandoned. Fine gold is to be seen in the stone, but unless something better is found, the reef is too far from the nearest crushing plant (10 miles) to make it 6 payable.

March 1887. (Wedderburn Division). No fresh discoveries in alluvial mining during the past quarter. In quartz mining, applications for leases have been made for the following abandoned reefs: Lane’s, Specimen Hill, the Gorilla, 7 and the Nine-mile Reef at Kilburnie. The deepest shaft on any one of these reefs is only about 140 feet.

March 1899 to late 1910. In March 1899 the Nine Mile Company commenced operations and up to the end of 1910 succeeded in obtaining 16,292 ounces of gold from 42,885 tons of stone taken down to 600 feet. At this level the reef became much poorer; the farmers complained about the salty mine water and eventually the mine closed and the plant 8 was sold at auction in March 1912.

9 August 1899. Nine Mile Company, Kilburnie. Erecting 5 head battery.

10 October 1899. Nine Mile Company--10 head battery.

11 October 1900. Nine Mile Company. 10 head battery, £1,000 paid in dividends to date.

1903. Wedderburn. At the Wedderburn gold-field, with the exception of the Nine Mile Company, operations are confined to a few small co-operative parties and a large number of fossickers. During the year the Nine Mile Company supplemented their milling power, to admit of the reduce grade ore now being mined in all the stopes being worked at a profit. The stone crushed amounted to 6,050 tons, yielding 1,964 12 ounces of gold.

189 Nine Mile Company

1904. Wedderburn. Other than operations of a fossicking character, the only mine working is that of the Nine-Mile Company ... A total of 8,302 tons crushed for a yield of 1,764 ounces of gold ... Sinking the shaft is about to be 13 recommenced with the aid of a prospecting grant.

14 1905. At the Nine Mile Company’s mine ... vigorous prospecting has been carried out.

15 1906. At the Nine Mile ... good developmental work has been carried out, the main shaft sunk 150 feet.

1908. Wedderburn. The Nine Mile Company ... opened up about 500 feet of ground in driving but so far nothing has 16 been cut. Number of men employed 20.

1915. Wedderburn. At Wedderburn a little reef prospecting is being done in shallow ground, and a few payable crushings have been put through the Government battery. A little gold is being found by fossickers in the old alluvial diggings. 17 At Nine Mile, the wolfram finds are at a standstill for the want of capital.

1918. Wedderburn and District. Some prospecting was done on the wolfram lodes at Nine Mile, which are for the 18 most part small, but contain fair wolfram values.

Undated plan, Geological Survey Office at Bendigo. Nine Mile, Wedderburn. Plan shows Lease--30 chains by 10 chains and the following features: Old Man shaft--42 feet deep, located on northern boundary of lease. Mine site--located 6 chains south of Northern boundary of lease. Features shown at mine site are dam, battery, smithy, old shaft (50 ft deep) and No. 2 shaft (140 feet deep). Line of reef workings running south from the mine site--two old shafts, No 1 Shaft, shaft 80 ft deep, and trenching. 19 Open cut (large reef) crown of hill plus old shaft at southern boundary of lease.

1988. Nine Mile. Deriving its name by being located nine miles from Spring Hill station homestead, the small farming settlement expanded to a prosperous self sufficient village after the discovery of gold in the early 1870s. The eventual 20 company formed to work the quartz reef produced 18,000 ounces of gold before closing in 1912.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 54.0. Nine Mile Co. (1899 to 1910). Mining machinery. Large engine mounting bed measuring 20 ft x 5 ft and standing 5 ft high. The bed has an inner core of rough concrete which is faced with stone. Most of the stone has been scavenged. All of the mounting bolts have been ripped out. 8 ft to the west of the engine bed is a set of large wooden horses. The horses are positioned 1 ft apart. The base plates of the horses are 2 ft thick and 28 ft long, and their upper plates or bearers are 1-1/2 ft thick and 20 ft long. The bearers are supported by four sets of legs. The woodwork is in good condition. 3-3/4 ft to the west of the above is another set of wooden horses. Only the east horse still stands, the other one lies in pieces on the ground. The base plate of the in-situ horse is 1-1/2 ft square and 18 ft long. Its upper plate or bearer is 1-1/4 ft square and 11-1/2 ft long and is supported by two sets of legs. The two horses making up this set are positioned 8 ft apart. In between them is a concrete core/stone faced mounting bed. Boiler. 25 metres west of the mining machinery foundations are the remains of the battery. Between the two areas of foundations is a shell of a boiler (15 ft long x 4-3/4 ft wide). Near the shell is a linear depression which may mark the site of its original setting. Battery. Stone faced/concrete battery engine bed which measures 22 ft x 5 ft and stands 6 ft high. The bed is intact, in good condition, and has 1 inch mounting bolts. Running west from the rear of the engine bed is a loading platform. At the base of the platform are some wooden posts and narrow concrete foundations (minus wooden mortar blocks) for two battery boxes. Each battery box would have had 5-head of stamps. The concrete footings for a third battery (again 5-head) still retains traces of its 2 ft square wooden mortar blocks. An arrangement of wooden bearers between the third battery box and the engine bed suggests that provision had been made for the installation of a fourth battery box. In front (north) of the stamper foundations is the collapsed wooden framework of a shaking table. The framework measures approximately 12 ft x 8 ft, with 1 ft square timber. Associated with the shaking table is a small concrete/stone faced mounting bed. Tailings pits and sludge ponds. Below the remains of the shaking table, slightly to the west, is a large circular pit. Running west from this pit are at least three circular depressions. An open culvert runs from the open pit towards two small sludge pits. Treated tailings. North of the mining machinery and battery foundations is a large raised heap of treated tailings.

190 Nine Mile Company

Water dam. 40 metres south of the foundations is a large full water dam. Powder magazine. 90 metres south-east of the mining machinery foundations is a stone walled/sod roof structure which measures 12-1/2 ft x 10-1/2 ft. The walls are 2 ft thick, stand 5 ft and the roof is 2 ft thick. There is one opening, formed by a wooden lintel, which measures 3 ft x 5-1/2 ft. No mullock heap survives on the mine site.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: All relics are in reasonable condition except for the mining machinery engine bed and one of the wooden horses. The site’s integrity is diminished somewhat by the lack of mullock.

191 Nine Mile Company

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: • Scientific Significance, due to the survive of a range of well preserved machinery foundations. Of particular note are the survival of the two sets of wooden horses (bearers) for the winding machinery. Wooden horses have only been recorded on one other Central Victoria gold mining site (Frederick the Great, Sebastian, near Bendigo). The site also has considerable archaeological potential.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Victorian Heritage Register. Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1879 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1879 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1880 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1880 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1880 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1886 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1887 8 P. Milner, 1990, p57 9 P. Milner, 1990, p58 10 P. Milner, 1990, p58 11 P. Milner, 1990, p58 12 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1903, p71 13 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1904, p69 14 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1905, p97 15 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1906, p107 16 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1908, p116 17 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1915, pp43-44 18 Annual Report, Department of Mines, 1918, p12 19 Undated plan, Geological Survey Office at Bendigo - Nine Mile, Wedderburne. 20 Burrabungle, Mt Korong, Korong Historical Society, 1988, p.57

192 Sunday Morning Hills

SITE NO. & NAME: 55.0 SHALLOW ALLUVIAL SINKINGS 55.1 SUNDAY MORNING REEF WORKINGS 55.2 OPEN CUT/STOPE

LOCATION: SUNDAY MORNING HILLS, WEDDERBURN

HI NO: 55.0 H7624-0224 55.1 H7624-0225 55.2 H7624-0226

DIRECTIONS: Sites 55.0 and 55.1 are located 7.5 km north-west of Kingower, North of Wedderburn- Brenanah Road. Site 55.2 is located 9.3 km north-west of Kingower, north side of Sunday Morning Hills, south-east of Mount Brenanah.

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Sites 55.0 and 55.1--Reserved Forest Site 55.2 is on Freehold Land

HISTORY:

1852. Wedderburn (Korong). This goldfield, bordering the Mallee, was apparently discovered by a shepherd named Brady, at David Peters’ Torpichen station, it was said on 10 May 1852 ... The first discovery was at Welshman’s Point. The first official report from the Bendigo Commissioners Camp of the Korong discovery was on 12 July 1852, and Asst. Commissioner Gilbert was sent there with a party on 18 July. He went with Squatter Lockart Morton to Mount Korong, to Peter’s Station and then to the site of Wedderburn, where twelve holes had been dug and the place called “Disappointment Gully”. He went to the Avoca Forest near Fenton’s and then returned to Bookey’s station near Sunday Morning Hill, at “Koi Yoor”. Near here six holes had been dug and gold found at what was later called Garabaldi Goldfield, but was then known as Buggins Flat. A large number of diggers from Bendigo were prospecting 1 the area about Korong.

January 1861. (Korong Division) Quartz Reefs. Claims on the following reefs are yielding very steady returns, varying from 2 to 10 oz. to the ton of stone: Colombian, Inglewood, Vulcan, Curlew, Odin, Rose Hill, Maxwell’s, Buchanan’s Exhibition, Sunday Morning, Kentish, Dartmouth, Welcom, &c. These yields in most cases are confined to the immediate vicinity of the prospect claims, although in some cases they extend some distance either north or 2 south of the prospect party.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 55.0. Shallow alluvial diggings (One of the first gold bearing gullies discovered in the Wedderburn area). Shallow sinkings. 20 to 30 metre wide band of undisturbed shallow alluvial sinkings running along the south side of a gully.

Site 55.1. Sunday Morning Reef workings (Reef has been worked since 1861). Line of shallow open shafts and intact small mullock paddocks. At least ten open shafts, some still retain remnants of their wooden collars. Small mining lease currently being worked--one of the shafts has been re-timbered and a ladderway installed.

Site 55.2. Large open stope (Difficult to date, perhaps a crystal mine--late 19th/early 20th century ?). Stope and associated workings. Large open stope, approximately 20 metres deep, which has a 3 metre wide quartz reef visible in its northern face. The reef widens as it goes down into the stope. Near the open stope is an intact heap of quartz mullock. Adit. Below the stope is an open adit and another intact heap of quartz mullock.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: All sites have good integrity.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Sites 55.0 and 55.1 have:

193 Sunday Morning Hills

• Scientific Significance, due to their relatively undisturbed nature.

Site 55.2 has: • Scientific Significance, due to the intactness of the stope, adit and mullock heaps. The significance of the site is enhanced by the width of the quartz reef which is visible in the northern face of the stope. The surface exposure of such a width of reef is rare in the Central Victorian Goldfields.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp282-286 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1861

194 Garabaldi Diggings

SITE NO. & NAME: 56.0 GARABALDI DIGGINGS

LOCATION: BUGGINS FLAT, WEDDERBURN

HI NO: H7624-0227

DIRECTIONS: 12.7 km north-west of Kingower, west side of Wedderburn-Brenanah Road

MUNICIPALITY: Loddon Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

1852. Wedderburn (Korong). This goldfield, bordering the Mallee, was apparently discovered by a shepherd named Brady, at David Peters’ Torpichen station, it was said on 10 May 1852 ... The first discovery was at Welshman’s Point. The first official report from the Bendigo Commissioners Camp of the Korong discovery was on 12 July 1852, and Asst. Commissioner Gilbert was sent there with a party on 18 July. He went with Squatter Lockart Morton to Mount Korong, to Peter’s Station and then to the site of Wedderburn, where twelve holes had been dug and the place called “Disappointment Gully”. He went to the Avoca Forest near Fenton’s and then returned to Bookey’s station near Sunday Morning Hill, at “Koi Yoor”. Near here six holes had been dug and gold found at what was later called Garabaldi Goldfield, but was then known as Buggins Flat. A large number of diggers from Bendigo were prospecting 1 the area about Korong.

June 1861. Garibaldi Diggings. Near Fenton’s Station; high satisfactory re-working of the area in extended claims; sinkings 3 to 8 feet deep on 12 to 18 inches of wash-dirt and giving puddlers 6 dwt. per load plus some small 2 nuggets.

3 June 1869. Garibaldi Diggings. Rush in embryo for want of miners; most now at Berlin.

March 1875 to December 1889. Minimum number of miners recorded for the Garabaldi diggings was 6, maximum 4 was 42.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Garabaldi Diggings (Opened c.1852). Between the State Forest boundary and the Wedderburn-Brenanah Road, along the lower (northern) end of the lead the workings have been ploughed in; the surface of the ground is scattered with stones and some of these have been gathered into small mounds. At the top end of the lead, in the State Forest, where the Sunday Morning Hills Road crosses a shallow gully, there are a number of very shallow workings; originally perhaps no more than a foot or two of 5 sinkings.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Despite have some historical importance as a gold rush location, the Garabaldi Diggings, due to their poor state of preservation have little cultural significance.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria,pp282-286 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1861 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1869 4 P. Milner 1990, p73

195 Garabaldi Diggings

5 P. Milner 1990, p73

196 Isis Co., Stuart Mill

SITE NO. & NAME: 57.0 ISIS CO. MINE SITE 57.1 MINE WORKINGS

LOCATION: STUART MILL

HI NO: 57.0 H7524-0015 57.1 H7524-0016

DIRECTIONS: 0.6 km west of Stuart Mill, west of Strathfillan Street

MUNICIPALITY: North Grampians Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

1851. Stuart Mill/Rostrons. The first record of gold discovery in this area was contained in a report in a local paper during the rushes of 1861, which said that gold was found at the head of the Carapooee Creek in 1851, at what was correctly called Withersdean, and was reported at the time to the authorities by James Campbell of Stathfillan. After this there was no record of gold discovery in the area until 1856, when gold was found at Stuart Mill and there was a rush four miles from Rostron’s Tottington station. There were two applications for rewards for the discovery of gold at Rostron’s, for the diggings situated at the head of Reedy Creek and Sandy Creek. A party of Italians were the 1 original discoverers of gold in the alluvial hills at Stuart Mill, and worked there in 1859-1860.

1861. In April 1861 Matthew Gabriel and Michael Higgins registered the first alluvial claim in the alluvial hills at Stuart Mill (near Sanderson’s Teddington Station) ... in May Samuel Fyffe opened the Greenock Reef, the first of many to be discovered ... Andrew Stranger, in June 1861, got the first gold on the site of Stuart Mill, and caused a rush in July, at which 4000 diggers opened up seven alluvial gullies. The original town after the rush was called Albert Town, and was re-named Stuart Mill in about April 1863. After the opening of the alluvial at Stuart Mill, a 2 number of new reefs were opened and the town became a reefing one.

March 1864 (Redbank and St Arnaud South Division). Quantity of quartz crushed during the quarter, and the gold obtained therefrom: Tonnage crushed Yield oz dwt Stuart Mill Crushing Co., Lancashire Reef 150 54 Stuart Mill Crushing Co., Oxonian Reef 2 4 Stuart Mill Crushing Co., Lancashire Reef 3 5 10 Quartz mining is dull, but I have to report two new reefs, from which payable stone is being raised, one in the neighbourhood of Stuart Mill, and the other at Donkey Hill; in both cases the vein is narrow, but is getting wider as 3 the depth increases.

June 1864 (Redbank and St Arnaud South Division). Quartz crushed during the quarter by/from: Stuart Mill Quartz Crushing Company Eureka Reef & Lancashire Reef Childe Bros. machine, Stuart Mill Sailor’s Reef 4 Redbank Crushing Company Donkey Hill Reef, Pyrenees Reef & Appenine Reef.

September 1864 (Redbank & St Arnaud South subdivision): Quartz crushed during the quarter by/from: Redbank Crushing Company Pyrenees Reef, Rapphoe Reef, Appenine Reef, Liverpool Reef, Brighthelmstone Reef, Richmond Reef Stuart Mill Crushing Company Oxonian Reef, Lancashire Reef, Eureka Reef 5 McDonald’s engine Lancashire Reef, Eureka Reef

December 1864: (Redbank and St Arnaud South Subdivisions) Quartz crushed during the quarter by/from: Stuart Mill Crushing Company Eureka Reef, Oxonian Reef McDonald’s Machine, Stuart Mill Eureka Reef, Lancashire Reef 6 There is nothing of importance to report upon in this division this quarter.

197 Isis Co., Stuart Mill

March 1865 (Redbank and St Arnaud South Subdivision): Quartz crushed during the quarter by/from: Stuart Mill Crushing Company Oxonian Reef, Eureka Reef, Unexpected Reef Malcolm’s Machine, Stuart Mill Pyrenees Reef, Lancashire Reef, Eureka Reef, Oxonian Reef, Unexpected Reef.

198 Isis Co., Stuart Mill

Another new reef has been discovered near Stuart Mill, it is called the Unexpected, the width of the reef, at a depth of 7 20 feet, is 4 feet, and the yield at the trial crushing of 24 tons was 7 dwt 22 grs to the ton.

September 1865 (Redbank and St Arnaud South Subdivisions). Quartz crushed during the quarter by/from: Pyrenees Quartz Crushing Company Perseverance, Brighthelmstone, Appenines Stuart Mill Crushing Company Eureka, Unexpected, West of England, Lancashire A new reef, the West of England, has been discovered in the vicinity of Stuart Mill, the first crushing from which 8 averaged over 1 oz per ton.

December 1866 (Redbank and St Arnaud South subdivisions).

June 1876 Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivisions (William Byrne). Quartz crushed during the quarter by/from: Lancashire Reef Star of the East Reef, Stuart Mill Quartz Tailings & Cement crushed: Lancashire Reef, Stuart Mill Strathfillan Creek A new reef (the Star of the East) discovered lately at Stuart Mill, promises well. The last crushing of 17 tons having 9 yielded 3 oz. to the ton.

September 1867. Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivision. Quartz crushed during the quarter by/from: Duke of Edinburgh Quartz Mining Pyrenees Reef, Redbank Lancashire Reef Crushing Star of the East Reef, and Nuggetty Reef, Stuart Mill Quartz Tailings crushed: Lancashire Reef Quartz Crushing Tailings from Strathfillan Creek, Stuart Mill The new reef, Star of the East, Stuart Mill, still continues to yield steady returns, and is getting wider; it is now 3 feet 10 thick.

December 1876. Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivisions. Quartz crushed during the quarter by/from: Lancashire Reef Crushing Co. Star of the East Reef Stuart Mill Macoboy Reef Duke of Edinburgh (Redbank) Quartz Tailings crushed: 11 Lancashire Reef Crushing Co. Tailings from the bed of Strathfillan Creek.

March 1868. Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivision. Quartz crushed during the quarter by/from: Lancashire Reef Quartz Crushing Company, Macoboy Reef Stuart Mill Duke of Edinburgh Quartz Mining Co. Pyrenees Reef Quartz Tailings & Cement crushed: Lancashire Reef Quartz Crushing Company, Tailings from the bed of Strathfillan Creek Stuart Mill There is a large amount of stone raised and ready for crushing at the Isis Company’s claim, Stuart Mill. The small amount crushed at the Lancashire Reef Company’s mill is due to the fact of cessation of work pending alterations and 12 improvements in machinery.

June 1868. Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivisions (William Byrne). Quartz crushed during the quarter by/from: Duke of Edinburgh Pyrenees Reef Lancashire Reef (Crushing) Bangor Reef Quartz Tailings & Cement crushed: Lancashire Reef (Crushing) Tailings from Strathfillan Creek I am informed that the machinery for the Isis Gold Mining Company, Stuart Mill, will be speedily in course of erection. The late heavy rains have given an impetus to the alluvial mining in the neighbourhood of Victoria and 13 adjoining gullies.

199 Isis Co., Stuart Mill

December 1868. Redbank and St Arnaud South Subdivision. Quartz Tailings & Cement crushed: Lancashire Reef Crushing Co., Stuart Mill Tailings from Strathfillan Creek Owing to the late exceedingly dry weather, the miners in the neighbourhood of Victoria Gully have been very much in want of water. The Isis Quartz Mining Company, Stuart Mill, has finished the erection of the engine and pumping plant, and have taken contracts for sinking the shaft a further depth of 60 feet. There have been a great many applications for leases in the neighbourhood, and almost all the available ground has been marked out, containing reefs 14 that were abandoned for a long time.

March 1869. Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivisions (William Byrne). The Isis Company is erecting an 18-inch cylinder engine for the purpose of driving a battery of 12 heads; the present depth of the shaft is 180 feet. They are 15 putting in a cross-cut towards the Star of the East; the lodes they have already cut look well.

June 1869. In quartz mining the Stuartmill portion of the division takes the lead. The Isis Company has nearly completed the battery, and expects to crush in a fortnight. There are about 200 tons of very good-looking stone now raised, and as the sinking becomes deeper the thickness of the stone increases; it is now about 6 feet. Several leases 16 have been applied for and surveyed lately.

September 1869. Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivisions (Hugh St. H. Blair). Quartz mining in the neighbourhood of Stuartmill is progressing favourably, and attracting the attention of capitalists. The Isis Company ... is adding ten additional head of stamps to the plant, and when completed the company will possess one of the most effective crushing plants in the colony; the machinery is of the best description, and combines the latest improvements; each battery is provided with Brown and Stansfield’s concentrators, and the 17 company is now engaged erecting furnaces and Wheeler’s pans.

June 1870. St. Arnaud North Subdivision (P. Simpson). Seven tons of pyrites were treated by Brown and Stanfield’s 18 concentrators and Wheeler’s pans at the Isis Company’s claim.

December 1870. Redbank and St. Arnaud Subdivisions (P Simpson). Very little has been done in quartz mining this 19 quarter. The Isis claim is being carried on by a new company, the New Isis, who has let the mine on tribute.

March 1871. Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivision. Quartz mining is still depressed in this division, the Isis 20 being almost the only company now at work. The mine is being steadily opened out by the tributors.

June 1871. Redbank and St Arnaud South Subdivisions. The New Isis tributors are engaged in sinking and driving, 21 with much better prospects.

September 1871 (Redbank and St Arnaud South Subdivisions). The New Isis tributers are stoping out at the 300-foot 22 level, and sinking shaft on underlie.

March 1872 (Redbank and St Arnaud South subdivisions). The tributers of the New Isis Company are working on 23 the underlie at a depth of about 330 feet.

June 1872 (Redbank and St Arnaud South Subdivision). The prospects of the New Isis Company’s mine continue 24 good.

September 1872 (Redbank and St Arnaud South subdivision). The stone at the New Isis Company’s claim has not 25 been quite so good, but is looking well again.

December 1872 (Redbank and St Arnaud South subdivisions). Work is at present suspended on the New Isis 26 Company’s claim, but will shortly be resumed. The mine has I believe been re-let on tribute.

March 1873 (Redbank and St Arnaud South subdivisions). At the New Isis Company’s claim it will be seen that there is a falling off in the quantity of quartz crushed ... Work has been resumed on the Eureka Reef, a larger lease over 27 which has been applied for.

September 1873. Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivisions. The New Isis Company is getting out stone from the No 6., or 386-foot level.

200 Isis Co., Stuart Mill

28 The Eureka Company is cross-cutting for the reef.

201 Isis Co., Stuart Mill

December 1873. Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivisions. At the New Isis claim the tributers have thrown up work. Northwards of their workings there is, I understand, a new make of stone showing gold freely. The mine will 29 stand idle pending the erection of additional machinery.

March 1874. Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivision. At the New Isis they are working at the 176 foot level northwards. 30 At the Eureka Reef, winding machinery is being erected.

June 1874. Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivisions. The New Isis Company is extending their drives south, and taking out stone at a depth of 140 feet. 31 At the Eureka Reef stone is being raised from above the water-level during repairs to the machinery.

September 1874. Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivisions. The New Isis Company is driving south at 140-foot level, Oxonian Reef, and stoping. They are also preparing to work the Star of the East Reef again. Poppet-heads have 32 been erected, and the old shaft re-timbered to a depth of 50 feet.

December 1874. Redbank and St Arnaud South Subdivisions. At the New Isis operations during the past quarter have been confined to extending the 140-foot level, Oxonian Reef. 33 At the Eureka Reef they are engaged above the water level; reef 4 inches thick.

June 1875. St. Arnaud South Subdivision (W.G. Couchman). At Stuartmill the Isis Company has two parties of 34 tributers at work, but no yields of any consequence have been obtained.

June 1876. The New Isis Company has been sinking the underlie shaft to a depth of 276 feet, and is now draining the mine with a view to working in the lower levels. The Good Samaritan and Lancashire Reefs continue to be worked, but there are no yields of importance to be 35 recorded.

September 1876. The New Isis Company has worked out the payable stone at the shallow levels, and has stopped operations for the present, with a view to form a new company and to sink a new main shaft, so as to cut the stone at 36 a much greater depth than has hitherto been attained.

December 1876. The whole of the plant of the New Isis Company has been sold; the crushing engine and batteries have been purchased by the Sandhurst and St Arnaud Tribute Company, and are now in course of erection at their 37 mine, St Arnaud.

March 1877. Wilson’s Hill. The Sandhurst and St Arnaud Chrysolite Tribute Company has been engaged braking out stone from the 600-foot level ... This company has purchased the machinery of the New Isis Company, Stuart 38 Mill, which they are going to add to that which they have already erected.

September 1881. St. Arnaud South Subdivision. There is nothing doing in quartz mining ... A lease has been taken up at Stuart Mill of the ground formerly held by the Isis Company, and a new company is about to be formed to work 39 the ground.

March 1882 (St Arnaud South Subdivision). At Stuart Mill a company has recently been formed, called the “Violet Company”, to work the Isis Reef, which is included in the ground leased to W. Swanton. They are about to commence sinking a new shaft to cut the reef below the level worked by the Isis Company, who last held the 40 ground.

June 1882 [St Arnaud South Subdivision]. The Violet Company, Stuart Mill, is sinking the main shaft by contract, 10 feet by 3 feet in the clear. It has already been sunk to a depth of 73 feet from the surface. The contract is let to 150 feet, but it is thought probable the company will have to obtain machinery before they reach that depth, on account of 41 water.

June 1885. St. Arnaud South Subdivision. A gold-mining lease has been applied for at Stuart Mill, which ground was originally held by the Isis Company; and I am informed that a diamond drill is to be sent to test the reef at lower 42 levels.

202 Isis Co., Stuart Mill

September 1885. St Arnaud Subdivision. Nothing to record ... except that, at Stuart Mill, on the Isis Reef, a diamond 43 drill is being used to cut the reef at a depth of from 500 to 600 feet from the surface.

December 1885. St. Arnaud South Subdivision. The Government diamond drill is working on the Isis Reef, at Stuart 44 Mill ... The bore is now down 380 feet from the surface.

45 March 1897. Splendid looking stone is being got out of Eureka Reef by Mr. Schlichting.

1903. To the south of the Isis, old ruins mark the position of a mine known as the Lancashire. The works have been 46 taken to 100 feet on narrow stone, said to have been very rich near the surface.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 57.0. Isis Co. mine site (Main period of mining was 1860s/70s). Shaft and machinery site. On the west side of Strathfillan Creek is a large excavated platform. On the north end of this platform, by the side of a large pepper tree is a subsiding shaft. Running uphill from the pepper tree is a long linear flue depression. The scatter of bricks in the vicinity of the depression suggests that the flue once led to a brick chimney stack. Eight metres south of the shaft is flattened machinery site (20 metre x 10 metre low mound of brick rubble, mortar and stone). Amongst the rubble can be seen sections of stone foundations.

Site 57.1. Mine workings (Main period of mining was 1860s/70s). Mine site. 40 metres south of the above is the remains of a once large mullock heap. Near the mullock heap is a mound of brick rubble and a collapsed adit.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Mine sites have been badly disturbed. Possibility of buried remains at Isis mine.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: • Historical Significance, as the location of Stuart Mill’s most successful quartz gold mining operations. • Scientific Significance, due to the possibility for archaeological remains.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria, pp448-451 2 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria, pp448-451 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1864

4 Mining Surveyor’s Reports, June 1864 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1864 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1864 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1865 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1865 9 Mining Surveyors; Reports, June 1867 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1867 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1867 12 Mining Surveyors Reports, March 1868 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1868 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec1868 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1869 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1869 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1870 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1870

203 Isis Co., Stuart Mill

20 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1871 21 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1871 22 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1871 23 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1872 24 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1872 25 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1872 26 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1872 27 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1873 28 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1873 29 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1873 30 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1874 31 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1874 32 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1874 33 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1874 34 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1875 35 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1876 36 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1876 37 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1876 38 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1877 39 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1881 40 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1882 41 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1882 42 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1885 43 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1885 44 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1885 45 St Arnuad Mercury, Jan 6 1897 46 1903, The Pyrenees Goldfields, No 2, Geological Survey of Victoria

204 Cement mining sites, Stuart Mill

SITE NO. & NAME: 58.0 CEMENT LEAD DIGGINGS (1) 58.1 CEMENT LEAD DIGGINGS (2)

LOCATION: STUART MILL

HI NO: 58.0 H7524-0017 58.1 H7524-0018

DIRECTIONS: Site 58.0. There are two patches of workings on the east side of Strahfillan Creek, both are located east of the Tedddington Road. The largest patch of workings is located 1.5 km south-south-west of Stuart Mill, and the other smaller patch is 3 km south-west from the town. Site 58.1. Line of shafts along an old cemented lead is located 8 km south-west of Stuart Mill, west of Sunraysia Highway.

MUNICIPALITY: North Grampians Shire

LAND STATUS: State Park

HISTORY:

1851. Stuart Mill/Rostrons. The first record of gold discovery in this area was contained in a report in a local paper during the rushes of 1861, which said that gold was found at the head of the Carapooee Creek in 1851, at what was correctly called Withersdean, and was reported at the time to the authorities by James Campbell of Stathfillan. After this there was no record of gold discovery in the area until 1856, when gold was found at Stuart Mill and there was a rush four miles from Rostron’s Tottington station. There were two applications for rewards for the discovery of gold at Rostron’s, for the diggings situated at the head of Reedy Creek and Sandy Creek. A party of Italians were the 1 original discoverers of gold in the alluvial hills at Stuart Mill, and worked there in 1859-1860.

1861. In April 1861 Matthew Gabriel and Michael Higgins registered the first alluvial claim in the alluvial hills at Stuart Mill (near Sanderson’s Teddington Station) ... in May Samuel Fyffe opened the Greenock Reef, the first of many to be discovered ... Andrew Stranger, in June 1861, got the first gold on the site of Stuart Mill, and caused a rush in July, at which 4000 diggers opened up seven alluvial gullies. The original town after the rush was called Albert Town, and was re-named Stuart Mill in about April 1863. After the opening of the alluvial at Stuart Mill, a 2 number of new reefs were opened and the town became a reefing one.

September 1871 (Redbank and St Arnaud South Subdivisions). In a gully near the Hard Hills, between Redbank and 3 Stuart Mill, a nugget was found, in 14 feet sinking, of about 4lbs weight; of this about 30 oz were pure gold.

June 1876. Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivisions (William Byrne). Quartz Tailings & Cement crushed: 4 Lancashire Reef, Stuart Mill Strathfillan Creek

September 1867. Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivision Quartz Tailings crushed: 5 Lancashire Reef Quartz Crushing Tailings from Strathfillan Creek, Stuart Mill

March 1868. Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivision. Quartz Tailings & Cement crushed: Lancashire Reef Quartz Crushing Company Tailings from the bed of Strathfillan Creek 6 Stuart Mill

June 1868. Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivisions (William Byrne). Quartz Tailings & Cement crushed: 7 Lancashire Reef (Crushing) Tailings from Strathfillan Creek

205 Cement mining sites, Stuart Mill

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 58.0. Cement workings near Strathfillan Creek. (Discovered 1859/1860. Main period of mining would have been the 1860s). Majority of workings along the old cemented leads at Stuart Mill have been either badly disturbed or completely obliterated by gravel quarrying operations.

206 Cement mining sites, Stuart Mill

Site 58.1. Cement workings near Sunraysia Highway. (Discovered 1859/1860. Main period of mining would have been the 1860s). Shallow cement sinking. 400 metre long band of deep sinkings along an old cemented lead. All the shafts appear to be open and are ringed by small mounds of mullock. Shafts are mostly rectangular in shape, approximately 5 to 10 metres deep, and some still retain traces of wooden collars. Shafts are spaced from 10 to 15 metres apart and a rough estimate put their number at around eighty.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 58.0 has poor integrity and little historical significance and hence low cultural significance.

Site 58.1 has: • Scientific Significance, because of the intactness of the cement workings (open shafts with wooden collars and small heaps). The survival of such a relatively well preserved line of workings along an old cemented lead is very rare in Central Victoria.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria, pp448-451 2 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria, pp448-451 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1871 4 Mining Surveyors; Reports, June 1867 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1867 6 Mining Surveyors Reports, March 1868 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1868

207 Victoria and associated gullies

SITE NO. & NAME: 59.0 PUDDLER AND DAM (1) 59.1 PUDDLER AND DAM (2) 59.2 SLUICING DAM 59.3 SHALLOW ALLUVIAL DIGGINGS

LOCATION: VICTORIA AND ASSOCIATED GULLIES, STUART MILL

HI NO: 59.0 H7524-0019 59.1 H7524-0020 59.2 H7524-0021 59.3 H7524-0022

DIRECTIONS: Site 59.0. 7.2 km south-east of Stuart Mill, west of Cherry Tree Track. Site 59.1. 7.6 km south-east of Stuart Mill, junction of Mount Separation and Victoria Gully Tracks. Site 59.2. 6.1 km south-south-east of Stuart Mill, west of Victoria Gully Track. Site 59.3. 4.1 km south-east of Stuart Mill, west of Sunraysia Highway.

MUNICIPALITY: North Grampians Shire

LAND STATUS: Sites 59.0 to 59.2--State Park Site 59.3--Gravel Reserve

HISTORY:

1861. In April 1861 Matthew Gabriel and Michael Higgins registered the first alluvial claim in the alluvial hills at Stuart Mill (near Sanderson’s Teddington Station) ... in May Samuel Fyffe opened the Greenock Reef, the first of many to be discovered ... Andrew Stranger, in June 1861, got the first gold on the site of Stuart Mill, and caused a rush in July, at which 4000 diggers opened up seven alluvial gullies. The original town after the rush was called Albert Town, and was re-named Stuart Mill in about April 1863. After the opening of the alluvial at Stuart Mill, a 1 number of new reefs were opened and the town became a reefing one.

1861. Soon after the opening of Redbank and Hines diggings, fresh discoveries were made on the west side of Peter’s Road, near the Cherry Tree Creek. Sing Song Gully here was opened by Hunter and Party, and Union Flat by a 2 German party.

April 1861 (St Arnaud Division). At Sing Song Gully, 1-1/2 miles west of the Ten-mile-hut, Hunter and party obtained a prospect of 2 dwt to the bucket, also two small pieces weighting respectively 2 and 3 dwt from the bottom of their shaft, sinking four feet; on the following morning a rush took place when 60 or 70 holes were bottomed, but 3 with the exception of one claim, in no other has gold been found.

March 1864 (Redbank and St Arnaud South Division). The total number is thus distributed: Redbank 300 Hines 70 Donkey Hill 60 Moonambel 100 Emerald Flat 50 Victoria Gully 140 4 Stuart Mill 80

September 1864 (Redbank & St Arnaud South subdivision). The total number is thus distributed: Redbank 250 Hines 30 Donkey Hill 40 Moonambel 60 Emerald Flat 30 Victoria & adjoining gullies 120 Forest Hut 40 Stuart Mill 80

208 Victoria and associated gullies

5 Darling Flat 300

June 1865 (Redbank and St Arnaud South Subdivisions). Very little has been done in alluvial mining lately, in consequence of the scarcity of water in these subdivisions. This applies more especially to Victoria Gully and the 6 other gullies situated between Hinds and Stuart Mill, where the gold is extracted principally by sluicing.

September 1865 (Redbank and St Arnaud South Subdivisions). The total number of miners is thus distributed: Redbank 250 Hines 30 Donkey Hill 40 Moonambel 60 Victoria, and adjoining gullies 80 Forest Hut 40 Stuart Mill 80 7 Darling Flat 200

December 1866 (Redbank and St Arnaud South subdivisions). The total number of miners is thus distributed: Redbank 130 Hines 20 Donkey Hill 40 Moonambel 40 Victoria & adjoining gullies 50 Forest Hut 20 Stuart Mill 30 8 Darling Flat 40

March 1868. Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivision. It is expected that the heavy rains which have fallen within the last few days will give an impetus to surface operations and shallow sinking in the neighbourhood of Victoria 9 Gully, near Stuart Mill, the miners in that locality having been very badly off for water for some months past.

June 1868. Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivisions (William Byrne). The late heavy rains have given an impetus 10 to the alluvial mining in the neighbourhood of Victoria and adjoining gullies.

December 1868. Redbank and St Arnaud South Subdivision. Owing to the late exceedingly dry weather, the miners in 11 the neighbourhood of Victoria Gully have been very much in want of water.

June 1869 (William Byrne). The recent heavy rains have proved a great boon to those working the shallow ground in 12 the neighbourhood of Victoria Gully, the miners having in many cases stored great quantities of wash-dirt.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Victoria and associated gullies. There are patches and bands of shallow alluvial sinkings in most of the gullies that drain into the west side of Cherry Tree Creek. The following sites are only a sample of what exists in the area.

Site 59.0. Puddler, dam and associated alluvial workings (surfacing and sinkings). All features probably date to the mid to late nineteenth century. Puddler and dam. 400 metres up (west) the first gully along Cherry Tree Track from its junction with Mount Separation Track is a small breached dam. On the southern end of the dam’s embankment is a very weathered puddler. The puddler’s inner mound and puddling trench are only just distinguishable and no pivot post is visible. There are several mounds of wash lying around the dam. Alluvial sinkings. A well defined, but quite narrow band of shallow sinkings, runs west from the dam and puddler. At the head of the gully the workings become more intense and are associated with some hillslope surfacing and shallow open cutting.

Site 59.1. Puddler and dam (probably dates to the mid to late nineteenth century). Puddler and dam. There is a large full water dam located at the junction of Mount Separation and Victoria Gully Tracks. On the southern end of the dam’s embankment is a relatively well preserved puddler--its inner

209 Victoria and associated gullies mound/puddling trench is still well defined with relatively sheer sides. The puddler’s pivot post still survives. The puddler is obscured by a large fallen tree. The dam is ringed by large mounds of wash.

Site 59.2. Sluicing dam (probably dates to the mid to late nineteenth century). Sluicing dam. At the head of Victoria Gully, in the most southerly arm of the gully, is a large silted dam. The dam’s embankment is approximately 90 metres long and two metres high. At both ends of the embankment are large excavated paddocks, presumably associated with the construction of the dam. The embankment has been breached. In the gully above the dam are patches of shallow alluvial sinkings.

Site 59.3. Shallow alluvial workings (surfacing and sinkings). Probably dates to the mid to late nineteenth century. Shallow alluvial sinkings. Running west from the north end of Cherry Tree Track is a narrow band of well defined shallow sinkings. The band runs for some 250 metres before getting lost in a wide scrubby flat. The gully slope, on the north side, has been surfaced.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: All the sites have good integrity.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Sites 59.0 to 59.3 have : • Accumulative Scientific Significance--not only are the sites relatively undisturbed, but together they demonstrate different types of shallow alluvial mining. The significance of this group of alluvial sites is increased by the inclusion of the nearby cemented lead workings (Site 58.1) into the network.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria, pp448-451 2 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria, pp446-447 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1861 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1864

5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1864 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1865 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1865 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1866 9 Mining Surveyors Reports, March 1868 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1868 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec1868 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869

210 Greenock Reef, Stuart Mill

SITE NO. & NAME: 60.0 GREENOCK REEF CO. BATTERY SITE

LOCATION: GREENOCK REEF, STUART MILL

HI NO: H7524-0023

DIRECTIONS: Greenock Reef. 2.7 km north-west of Stuart Mill, east side of Sunraysia Highway.

MUNICIPALITY: North Grampians Shire

LAND STATUS: Water Reserve/Historic Reserve

HISTORY:

1861. In April 1861 Matthew Gabriel and Michael Higgins registered the first alluvial claim in the alluvial hills at Stuart Mill (near Sanderson’s Teddington Station) ... in May Samuel Fyffe opened the Greenock Reef, the first of many to be discovered ... Andrew Stranger, in June 1861, got the first gold on the site of Stuart Mill, and caused a rush in July, at which 4000 diggers opened up seven alluvial gullies. The original town after the rush was called Albert Town, and was re-named Stuart Mill in about April 1863. After the opening of the alluvial at Stuart Mill, a 1 number of new reefs were opened and the town became a reefing one.

March 1864 (St Arnaud North Division). The total number is thus distributed: Rostron’s 35 Peter’s, Dogbury & vicinity 830 New Bendigo 70 Greenock Reef 25 2 St Arnaud (Proper) 127

June 1864 (St Arnaud North Subdivision). The total number is thus distributed: St Arnaud 149 New Bendigo 54 Forty-feet 8 Sawpit Gully 18 Armenian Gully 10 Gap Gully 7 Emu 12 Rostron’s 60 Scrub Gully 6 Bristol Reef 14 Canadian Reef 4 Greenock Reef & n’borhood 23 Quartz crushed during the quarter by/from: Yarra’s engine (from sundry small workings around) Butcher’s engine ditto St Arnaud United Wilson’s Hill Chrysolite Company Chrysolite Hill Greenock Reef Prospecting Co., No. 1 & 2 South Main & Cross Reefs Benson and Sutherland Spinster Reef The Greenock reefers are getting from 1/2 oz to over 3 oz to the ton, and doing well. They do not, that I am aware of, 3 pass any selective process on their quartz.

211 Greenock Reef, Stuart Mill

September 1864 (St Arnaud North Subdivision). The total number is thus distributed: Douglas Hill 10 Silver & Sebastopol Reef 32 Sawpit Gully Reef 4 Frieberg 10 Master’s Reef 2 Sindersky’s Working 4 Yarrow’s engine 3 Chapman & others, Chrysolite Hill 14 Frenchman’s 11 Carapoole Bank 7 Forty-feet by Peters’s 30 Bristol Reef 4 Butcher’s Engine 7 Shuring’s Reef 10 Gap Gully 175 New Bendigo 57 Wagner’s Hill 2 Peevor’s Flat (Moggs) 14 Cochrane’s Hill 6 Tunnel Hill 6 St Arnaud 2 Brigg’s Hill 10 Greenock Reef 10 Spinster & Sailor’s Reef 4 Peter’s 205 Dogbury 45 Emu 6 Rostron’s 50 Four-mile Gully 4 Doctor’s Gully 4 4 The Greenock and neighbouring reefs, near Stuart Mill, sustain their yields above par.

December 1864 (St Arnaud North Subdivision). The total number is thus distributed: Scrub Rush 40 Silver Reefs 30 Sawpit Gully 8 Freyberg 15 Master’s Reef 2 Sanderske’s Reef 4 Chrysolite Hill 21 Bristol Reef 8 Schewring’s Reef 10 Gap Gully 40 Armenian Gully 4 New Bendigo 80 Wagner’s Hill (Mogg’s) 3 Peevor’s Flat (Mogg’s) 6 Douglas Hill 3 Frenchman’s 8 Bell’s Hill, Carapooree 12 Forty-feet Peter’s 14 Butcher’s Engine 7 Wier’s Hill 8 Brigg’s Hill 8 Greenock and Pioneer reefs 17 Spinster and Sailor’s reefs 4 Peter’s 304

212 Greenock Reef, Stuart Mill

Dogbury 19 Emu 4 Rostron’s 8 Salter’s Hill 12 Banshee 12 Quartz crushed during the quarter by/from: Silver Mining Association Bristol Reef, Sebastopol Reef Freyberg Clark’s Reef Butcher’s & Company crushing Sundry claims Stuart Mill Crushing Company Greenock or Sailor’s reefs, Pioneer Reef 5 Chrysolite Company Chrysolite claim.

March 1865 (St Arnaud North Subdivision). The total number is thus distributed: Silver & Sebastopol Reefs 30 Sawpit Reef 2 Freyberg Company’s Works 17 Master’s Reef 3 Sanderske’s Reef 34 Chrysolite Hill 30 Bristol Reef 16 Schewring’s Reef 10 Gap Gully 19 Tunnel Hill 6 Carapoore banks 8 Karney’s 2 Armenian Gully 6 New Bendigo 54 Cochrane's Hill 10 Butcher’s Engine 4 Warwickshire Reef 4 Bell Rock 2 McCredie’s Engine 4 Greenock Reef 15 Spinster Reef 4 Pioneer Reef 2 Bell’s Hill 4 Frenchman’s Hill 12 Salter’s Hill 10 Peter’s Diggings 282 Bald Hills 4 Scrub Rush 6 Wier’s Hill 4 Dogbury 25 Banshee 10 Emu 17 Douglas Hill 24 Forty-feet 10 Brigg’s Hill 20 Quartz crushed during the quarter by/from: Silver Mining Association Sebastopol Reef Master’s and Party Edwards’ Reef Butcher’s and Company Crushing Various reefs Dower and Sawpit Reef Rimmer and Co. Ballarat Reef Sundry parties Bristol Reef Chrysolite Company Various reefs Sundry parties Greenock Reef 6 Benson and Partner Spinster’s Reef.

September 1865 (St Arnaud North subdivision).

213 Greenock Reef, Stuart Mill

The total number of miners is thus distributed: Greenock and Spinster Reefs 17 Carapooee Hills above Edelsten’s 79 Rostron’s Diggings & Four-mile Gy 10 Peters’s Diggings 50 Sheaoak, Dogbury 46 Butcher’s and McCredie’s 13 Armenian and Gap gullies 33 Chrysolite Hill 14 Emu 11 St Arnaud United 23 Blink Bonny and Strathalbyn reefs 30 Stuart’s Hill 44 New Bendigo and Rush 250 Quartz crushed during the quarter by/from: Prospectors and No. 1 South Greenock Reef Freyberg Company's machine Their own and others Chapman and Co. Public crushers Chrysolite Company Their own and others 7 Silver Mining Association Stuart’s Hill

214 Greenock Reef, Stuart Mill

March 1867 St. Arnaud North Subdivision (Mr. John Phillips). Distribution of miners: Bristol and Gap Reef 36 Bell Rock and neighbourhood 27 Jerjaw, Queen Mary, and neighbourhood 34 Sebastopol and Stewart’s Hill 31 Blink Bonny and neighbourhood 16 Wilson’s Hill and Chrysolite 35 Greenock Reef and neighborhood 7 McCredie’s and Butcher’s engine 9 John Bull Creek 30 Gap and Armenian Gullies 15 New Bendigo 145 Carapooee Creek, bottom and top 31 8 Emu Diggings 10

September 1867. St. Arnaud North Subdivision. The Bell Rock, the Bristol Reef, the Rising Star, the Greenock Reef, and perhaps other mines, may be regarded as good and permanent; the Jerejaw, Chance, Blink Bonny, Hopeful, and 9 Emu mines, coming in the rear with promise.

December 1867. St. Arnaud North Subdivision. Quartz crushed during the quarter by/from: McMahon's Lease Bristol Reef Golden’s Lease Shewring’s Reef Bell Rock Tribute Bell Rock Reef Chrysolite Tribute Chrysolite Reefs Bristol Reef Bristol Main Reef Grand Junction Blink Bonny Reef Leith Walk Warwickshire Reef Freiberg (silver) Trinidad and Walker’s Reef Rising Star Chrysolite Hill Reefs Wilson’s Hill Western Reef, Frenchman’s Reef, and Eastern Reef Greenock Reef Prospectors Greenock Reef Nicholl’s Lease Bristol Reef Caledonian Caledonian Reef and Fishhook Reef Mathews and Co. Chance Reef Perry and Co. Hopeful Reef 10 Carr’s Lease Gap Reef

March 1868. St Arnaud North Subdivision. The Greenock men have been raising quartz of their usual good yield, but 11 they have not crushed anything during the quarter, owing to repairs to machinery.

March 1869. St. Arnaud North Subdivision (John Phillips). There is nothing of special interest to notice in the working or success of the established mines of the locality. The Bell Rock, Bristol Reef, Wilson’s Hill, Walker’s, 12 Trinidad, Chrysolite Hill, Greenock Reef and Isabelle Reef being pursued steadily, with fair yields.

March 1870. St. Arnaud North Subdivision. On the Greenock Reef the leaseholders are busily engaged erecting 13 powerful machinery for pumping, winding and crushing purposes, which is now approaching completion.

June 1870. St. Arnaud North Subdivision (P. Simpson). At the Greenock Reef the company are still engaged in erecting machinery. The aggregate horse-power of steam engines (three in number) will be 100. The pumping and winding machinery is covered in, and the battery, a fine one of 20 stamps, will be covered in shortly. When complete, the machinery will include Brown and Stanfield’s patent concentrators and Wheeler’s pans. At 205 feet the main shaft driving east the reef was cut at 70 feet and 90 feet, the 14 former a leader only. The reef is about 5 feet in width. They are also obtaining good surfacing.

September 1870. St. Arnaud North Subdivision. At the Greenock Reef mining operations have just been 15 suspended.

215 Greenock Reef, Stuart Mill

December 1870. St. Arnaud North Subdivision. The Greenock Reef has changed hands. It is now worked by the 16 Phoenix Company. At the 200-ft level it is driven 110 feet south and 100 feet north of shaft.

216 Greenock Reef, Stuart Mill

June 1871. St. Arnaud North Subdivision. From the Blink Bonny Reef excellent yields are being obtained ... The width of the reef at the water level is from 6 inches to 1 foot. A fourteen horse-power engine, with Cornish boiler, is being erected on the claim and the battery of ten stamp-heads has been removed here from the Greenock Reef. This will, I think, increase prosperity in the Mallee; a great disadvantage has been the distance to cart quartz. 17 The tributors of the Phoenix Company have been sinking their shaft to 270 feet.

September 1871. (St Arnaud North Subdivision). The Phoenix Company, Greenock Reef, is driving at the 275-foot 18 level. A new reef has been discovered at Bolangun, which has attracted a few miners to that neighbourhood again.

March 1872. (St Arnaud North subdivision). The Phoenix Company’s Leases, Greenock Reef, have been purchased 19 by Messrs Malcolm and Sutherland, who are making preparations for working them again.

June 1872. (St Arnaud North subdivision). Messrs Malcolm and Co., Greenock Reef, are driving from main shaft north ... They are also working at the junction of their leases, at a depth of about 40 feet; the stone is good ... The 20 Phoenix Company’s machinery is now, I believe, all removed.

September 1872. (St Arnaud North Subdivision). Messrs Malcolm and Sutherland are engaged in steadily opening 21 their mine on the Greenock Reef, from the surface and from the 180-foot level.

June 1873. St. Arnaud North Subdivision (Mr. P. Simpson). At the Greenock Reef work is being carried on above 22 the water-level with fair prospects.

23 December 1873. St. Arnaud North Subdivision. The Greenock Reef is now being worked on tribute.

24 June 1874. St. Arnaud North Subdivision. The Greenock Company is raising stone from the 200-foot level.

September 1874. St. Arnaud North Subdivision. At the Greenock Reef a winze has been sunk from the 200-foot 25 level to the 260-foot.

December 1874. St Arnaud North Subdivision. The Phoenix Company, Greenock Reef, is working the stopes from 26 the 260-feet level.

27 June 1876. Greenock Reef Company is sinking a shaft on the underlie of the reef, and has erected a new pump.

September 1876 (St Arnaud North Subdivision). The Greenock Reef Company has been sinking the shaft deeper with the underlie of the reef ... the shaft is now 305 feet in depth, and the stone looks very promising for continued 28 good yields.

March 1877 (St Arnaud South Subdivision). The Greenock Reef Gold Mining Company, Greenock Reef, during the 29 last quarter has crushed 261 tons of quartz ... for a yield of 222 oz 10 dwts of gold.

June 1877. (St Arnaud South Subdivision) Mining operations still continue in a very stagnant state in this subdivision. 30 The Greenock Company has been breaking out stone from the stopes at the 360-foot level.

June 1879. The Greenock Q.G.M. Company has fallen off in its yield of gold for this quarter; a crushing of 50 tons 31 of stone gave an average yield of 10 dwts.

May 1897. Clarke and Duncan Douglas crushed at Swanton’s battery 5 tons for 18 oz locality Old Christina Reef, 32 between Stuart Mill and Greenock Reef.

33 Jan 1899. Federal mine purchasing the 5 head battery at the Greenock.

34 Feb 1899. Federal Co. Engine and battery erected.

217 Greenock Reef, Stuart Mill

1903. Greenock Reef. It is said that £46,000 worth of gold from 1-oz. stone was obtained from shallow “makes” here by different parties ... To the east of this line a party is at work on a line known as the Devonshire. The stone is 35 said to have averaged 1 oz. to the ton, and the works, I believe, are down 120 feet.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 60.0. Greenock Reef battery site (Greenock Reef Co. erected a 20-head battery in 1870). Battery site. Remains of a battery are located on a nine metre square excavated platform. Running along the eastern end of the platform are the remnants of a stone faced loading ramp. Most of the stone work of the ramp has been bulldozed and now covers the stamper foundations. On the south side of the platform is a large mound of brick and mortar rubble and some largely buried stone footings. Tailings adit. 100 metres south of the battery site is a collapsed adit or culvert associated with some in-situ wooden bedlogs. The adit was probably used to drain tailings to a pond which has been destroyed by the new route for the Sunraysia Highway. Water race and dam. A water race runs down hill from the adit and terminates at a small water dam. Reef workings. Workings have been bulldozed.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor, but the battery site has some archaeological potential.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: • Scientific significance, because the site still retains battery foundations and other features related to its operation.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria, pp448-451 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1864 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1864 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1864 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1864 6 Mining Surveyors’ Report, March 5 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1865 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1867 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1867 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1867 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1868 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1869 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1870 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1870 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1870 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1870 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1871 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1871 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1972 20 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1872 21 Mining Surveyor’s’ Reports, September 1872 22 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1873 23 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1873 24 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1874 25 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1874 26 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1874 27 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1876 28 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1876

218 Greenock Reef, Stuart Mill

29 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1877 30 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1877 31 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1879 32 St Arnuad Mercury, May 12, 1897 33 St Arnuad Mercury, 18 Jan 1899 34 St Arnuad Mercury, 8 Feb 1899 35 1903, The Pyrenees Goldfields, No 2, Geological Survey of Victoria

219 Devonshire Reef sites, Stuart Mill

SITE NO. & NAME: 61.0 LLYOD’S WHIP SHAFT 61.1 MUD BRICK STRUCTURE

LOCATION: DEVONSHIRE REEF, STUART MILL

VHR NO: 61.0 H1274

HI NO: 61.0 H7524-0024 61.1 H7524-0025

DIRECTIONS: Site 61.0. Whip shaft. 2.5 km north-west of Stuart Mill, east side of Sunraysia Highway Site 61.1. Brick kiln/oven. 2.2 km north-west of Stuart Mill, east side of Sunraysia Highway

MUNICIPALITY: North Grampians Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest

HISTORY:

1 December 1873. St. Arnaud North Subdivision. The Devon Reef, east of Greenock, has been taken upon lease.

1903. Greenock Reef. It is said that £46,000 worth of gold from 1-oz. stone was obtained from shallow “makes” here by different parties ... To the east of this line a party is at work on a line known as the Devonshire. The stone is 2 said to have averaged 1 oz. to the ton, and the works, I believe, are down 120 feet.

November 1993. According to local Stuart Mill resident Tony Llyod, the whip and mine was operated by his father 3 “about 50 years ago” ... He identified the reef as the Devonshire.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 61.0. Whip shaft (Operated by Mr. Leo Lloyd in the 1930s). Whip. On top of a partly bulldozed small mullock paddock is a well preserved whip. The 10 ft long bush-timber whip pole is supported by two vertical wooden posts. At the end of the whip pole is a 1-1/2 ft long, 3 inch wide, slot for the haulage pulley. The shaft below the pulley slot has been filled. Running north from the shaft site are the remains of a wooden tramway. At the end of the tramway is a small (5 metre long, 2 metres high) mullock heap. To the rear of the whip, at ground level, are some wooden posts (presumably for second pulley) and a narrow depression marking the route of the horse.

Site 61.1. Mud brick structure (Local opinion varies from oven or smokehouse to small brick kiln. The problem with all these interpretations is the window in the rear wall is a feature not usually found in structures built for making brick or cooking things. Perhaps the original structure has been modified. Locals also tend towards the view that the Chinese built and operated the structure during the nineteenth century). Mud brick structure. Located in a strip of bush between two blocks of cleared freehold land is a small, roughly A- framed, mud brick structure. In the corners of the building there are also some red bricks. The mud brick structure measures 9 ft x 8 ft, stands 7 ft high and rests on stone footings. The northern (front) end of the structure has a narrow arched entrance which is 2 ft wide and 4 ft high. At the other end of the structure is a smaller opening which measures 1-1/4 ft wide and 3 ft high. At the base of the opening is a nine inch stone sill. The opening is set 1 ft above the footings. The walls inside the structure are blackened by fire and there is a small, six inch diameter chimney opening (above the small opening) at the southern end. Apart from a very small dam, a scatter of red bricks, there is nothing in the vicinity of the structure which provides any insight into its function.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Both structures are in good condition.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 61.1 has: • Historical Significance, because the mud brick structure appears to be of considerable age but as yet its original function has not been determined. There is a possibility that it may have been constructed and used by Chinese people.

220 Devonshire Reef sites, Stuart Mill

Site 61.0 has: • Scientific Significance, because of the intactness and therefore rarity of the site. Horse-powered haulage whips were once extremely common on all goldfields, this is the first relatively intact whip to be recorded in Central Victoria, and possibly for the State.

221 Devonshire Reef sites, Stuart Mill

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1873 2 1903, The Pyrenees Goldfields, No 2, Geological Survey of Victoria 3 Pers. Comm.

222 Federal Company, Stuart Mill

SITE NO. & NAME: 62.0 FEDERAL CO. MINE SITE

LOCATION: FEDERAL REEF, STUART MILL

HI NO: H7524-0026

DIRECTIONS: 3.8 km north-north-west of Stuart Mill, Sunraysia Highway has destroyed part of the mine site

MUNICIPALITY: North Grampians Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest/Historic Reserve

HISTORY:

September 1897. A meeting of directors of the Federal Quartz Gold Mining Co., Stuart Mill ... company to be 1 registered.

2 October 1897. Federal Gold Mining Co., Stuart Mill--erecting blacksmith shop and other necessary buildings.

3 January 1899. Federal Co. (Stuart Mill) is arranging for the erection of a 5 to 10 head battery.

4 January 1899. Federal mine purchasing the 5 head battery at the Greenock.

5 February 1899. Federal Co.--engine and battery erected.

1903. Greenock Reef. It is said that £46,000 worth of gold from 1-oz. stone was obtained from shallow “makes” here by different parties ... To the east of this line a party is at work on a line known as the Devonshire. The stone is said to have averaged 1 oz. to the ton, and the works, I believe, are down 120 feet ... A line of shallow works takes us to a good set of poppet legs that mark the Federal Company, which sunk a good shaft to a depth of 200 feet, opened 6 the formation it went for, and crushed therefrom 100 tons for a return of 25 oz. of gold.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 62.0. Federal Co. mine site (Battery erected in 1899). Mine site. On the west side of the Sunraysia Highway is a mullock heap. The highway has destroyed most of the mullock heap and associated machinery site. Sludge pond and tailings. In the gully below the mullock heap, north side, is a drain that runs to a small sludge pond. On the south side of the sludge pond is a small dump of tailings.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity and little historical significance and hence low cultural significance.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 St Arnuad Mercury, 15 Sept 1897 2 St Arnuad Mercury, 6 Oct 1897 3 St Arnuad Mercury, 11 Jan 1899 4 St Arnuad Mercury, 18 Jan 1899 5 St Arnuad Mercury, 8 Feb 1899 6 1903, The Pyrenees Goldfields, No 2, Geological Survey of Victoria

223 Battery/Cyanide works, Stuart Mill

SITE NO. & NAME: 63.0 BATTERY SITE 63.1 TAILINGS DUMP/CYANIDE VATS 63.2 REEF WORKINGS

LOCATION: STUART MILL

HI NO: 63.0 H7524-0027 63.1 H7524-0028 63.2 H7524-0029

DIRECTIONS: Site 63.0 and 63.1 are located 2 km north-north-west of Stuart Mill, east side of Sunraysia Highway. The reef workings (Site 63.2) are 300 metres to the south.

MUNICIPALITY: North Grampians Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest/Historic Reserve

HISTORY:

May 1897. Stuart Mill. Duncan Douglas crushed at Swanton’s battery 5 tons for 18 oz, locality Old Christina Reef, 1 between Stuart Mill and Greenock Reef.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 63.0. Battery site (Maybe the site of Swanton’s battery which was operating in 1897). Battery site. Site is dominated by the remains of a 25 ft long, 8 ft wide, stone boiler setting. On the eastern side of the boiler setting is a scatter of ripped up bed logs. The area of the stamper foundations has been excavated. Sludge pond. Downhill (north) from the battery, slightly to the east is a small quarried sludge pond.

Site 63.1. Cyanide works (Cyaniding commenced in the Mining Division c.1897). Tailings dump and cyanide works. Downhill (slightly to the west) from the battery site is a raised treated tailings dump which is approximately 30 metres wide and 1.5 metres high. On top of the heap are three buried 19 ft diameter galvanised iron cyanide vats. In the gully below the dump is a small water dam. Tailings dump. Uphill or south of the battery is another raised dump of treated tailings (measuring approx 50 x 30 metres, 2 metres high).

63.2. Reef workings (Old Christina Reef, late nineteenth century). Reef workings. 300 metres south of the battery side is a line of bulldozed small mullock heaps.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 63.2 has poor integrity and little historical significance and hence low cultural significance.

Sites 63.0 and 63.1 have: • Historical Significance, because together the two sites represent a sequence of uses (quartz crushing and cyaniding) over time.

• Scientific Significance, because of the survival of a battery foundations and cyanide works.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 St Arnuad Mercury, May 12, 1897

224 Railton Tunnel

SITE NO. & NAME: 64.0 RAILTON TUNNEL

LOCATION: STUART MILL

HI NO: H7524-0030

DIRECTIONS: 4.75 km north-west of Stuart Mill, .8 km west of Sunraysia Highway

MUNICIPALITY: North Grampians Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest

HISTORY:

According Mr Ken Hull (former Operations Area Supervisor, Department of Conservation and Natural Resource) the adit was dug by “Susso or unemployed workers” during the early 1930s. The men were only paid if they were doing something so they dug this tunnel.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Railton Tunnel (c.1930s). Open adit with small intact mullock heap. The mullock heap is 11 metres wide and 2 metres high.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Adit is in good condition.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: • Scientific Significance, because of the good condition of the tunnel.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

225 Wattle Flat sites, Stuart Mill

SITE NO. & NAME: 65.0 WATTLE FLAT ALLUVIAL DIGGINGS 65.1 WATTLE FLAT WATER RACE

LOCATION: ROSTRONS, NEAR STUART MILL

HI NO: 65.0 H7524-0031 65.1 H7524-0097

DIRECTIONS: Wattle Flat is located 3.1 km west-north-west of Stuart Mill, south of Rostron-Stuart Mill Road. Follow Wattle Flat Track. The water race comes from the head of the gully runs into the flat, travelling along the western side.

MUNICIPALITY: North Grampians Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest

HISTORY:

1851. Stuart Mill. Rostrons The first record of gold discovery in this area was contained in a report in a local paper during the rushes of 1861, which said that gold was found at the head of the Carapooee Creek in 1851, at what was correctly called Withersdean, and was reported at the time to the authorities by James Campbell of Stathfillan. After this there was no record of gold discovery in the area until 1856, when gold was found at Stuart Mill and there was a rush four miles from Rostron’s Tottington station. There were two applications for rewards for the discovery of gold at Rostron’s, for the diggings situated at the head of Reedy Creek and Sandy Creek. A party of Italians were the original discoverers of 1 gold in the alluvial hills at Stuart Mill, and worked there in 1859-1860.

2 1873. About the last rush ... (in Stuart Mill-Rostrons area) ... was to Wattle Flat near Rostron’s in 1873.

3 March 1873. (St Arnaud North subdivision). A small rush has taken place to Wattle Flat, near Rostron’s.

September 1873. St. Arnaud North Subdivision. A small rush at Wattle Flat still continues, but the yields are 4 generally very poor.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 65.0. Wattle Flat Diggings (Wattle Flat was the scene of Stuart Mill’s last alluvial rush in 1873). Shallow alluvial workings. Narrow band of sinkings (shaft depressions and small mounds) along both sides of eroding channel. The sinkings are denser on the west side of the channel; on the east side they are quite dispersed and relatively deep.

Site 65.1. Water Race (Wattle Flat was the scene of Stuart Mill’s last alluvial rush in 1873). Water race. The race runs down the west side of the gully that feeds into the top ( south end) of Wattle Flat. The race picks up water from the head of the gully and conveys it to a small dam. In places the race has been retained by sections of dry stone walling.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Both sites are in good condition.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Sites 65.0 and 65.1 have: • Scientific Significance, due to their intactness and ability to demonstrate shallow alluvial mining.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria, pp448-451

226 Wattle Flat sites, Stuart Mill

2 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria, pp448-451 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1873 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1873

227 Puddler sites, Rostrons

SITE NO. & NAME: 66.0 PUDDLER NO 1 66.1 PUDDLER NO 2 66.2 PUDDLER NO 3 AND WATER RACE 66.3 PUDDLER NO 4 AND LARGE DAM 66.4 PUDDLER NO 5

LOCATION: ROSTRONS

HI NO: 66.0 H7524-0032 66.1 H7524-0033 66.2 H7524-0034 66.3 H7524-0035 66.4 H7524-0036

DIRECTIONS: Site 66.0. Puddler No 1. 5.0 km north-west of Stuart Mill, 1.0 km along (south) Centre Road from its junction with Rostrons-Stuart Mill Road. Site 66.1. Puddler No 2. 7.8 km north-west of Stuart Mill, 0.8 km south along Centre Road from its junction with Collison Road. West side of the road. Site 66.2. Puddler No 3. 5.7 km north-west of Stuart Mill, junction of Rostron-Stuart Mill and Boundary Road. Site 66.3. Puddler No 4. 5.8 km north-west of Stuart Mill, north of Rostron-Stuart Mill Road. Site 66.4. Puddler No 5. 6.1 km north-west of Stuart Mill, west of Boundary Road.

MUNICIPALITY: Northern Grampians Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest

HISTORY:

1851. Stuart Mill. Rostrons. The first record of gold discovery in this area was contained in a report in a local paper during the rushes of 1861, which said that gold was found at the head of the Carapooee Creek in 1851, at what was correctly called Withersdean, and was reported at the time to the authorities by James Campbell of Stathfillan. After this there was no record of gold discovery in the area until 1856, when gold was found at Stuart Mill and there was a rush four miles from Rostron’s Tottington station. There were two applications for rewards for the discovery of gold at Rostron’s, for the diggings situated at the head of Reedy Creek and Sandy Creek. A party of Italians were the original discoverers of 1 gold in the alluvial hills at Stuart Mill, and worked there in 1859-1860.

2 1863. Sandy Creek was rushed.

1864. In May 1864 there was a rush to a place called (after the Governor) Darling Flat, on Reedy Creek, near 3 Rostron’s, about four miles north of Navarre. This was soon deserted, but good gold was struck in August.

March 1864 (St Arnaud North Division). The total number is thus distributed: Rostron’s 35 Peter’s, Dogbury & vicinity 830 New Bendigo 70 Greenock Reef 25 4 St Arnaud (Proper) 127

228 Puddler sites, Rostrons

June 1864: (St Arnaud North Subdivision) The total number is thus distributed: St Arnaud 149 New Bendigo 54 Forty-feet 8 Sawpit Gully 18 Armenian Gully 10 Gap Gully 7 Emu 12 Rostron’s 60 Scrub Gully 6 Bristol Reef 14 Canadian Reef 4 5 Greenock Reef & n’borhood 23

September 1864 (Redbank & St Arnaud South subdivision). The total number is thus distributed: Redbank 250 Hines 30 Donkey Hill 40 Moonambel 60 Emerald Flat 30 Victoria & adjoining gullies 120 Forest Hut 40 Stuart Mill 80 Darling Flat 300 About a month ago, a rush took place to Darling Flat, near Rostron’s; but, as the ground has not proved so 6 remunerative as was expected, the population is now reduced to about 300 miners in that locality.

September 1864 (St Arnaud North Subdivision). The total number is thus distributed: Douglas Hill 10 Silver & Sebastopol Reef 32 Sawpit Gully Reef 4 Frieberg 10 Master’s Reef 2 Sindersky’s Working 4 Yarrow’s engine 3 Chapman & others, Chrysolite Hill 14 Frenchman’s 11 Carapoole Bank 7 Forty-feet by Peters’s 30 Bristol Reef 4 Butcher’s Engine 7 Shuring’s Reef 10 Gap Gully 175 New Bendigo 57 Wagner’s Hill 2 Peevor’s Flat (Moggs) 14 Cochrane’s Hill 6 Tunnel Hill 6 St Arnaud 2 Brigg’s Hill 10 Greenock Reef 10 Spinster & Sailor’s Reef 4 Peter’s 205 Dogbury 45 Emu 6 Rostron’s 50 Four-mile Gully 4

229 Puddler sites, Rostrons

Doctor’s Gully 4 Note. On the 31st August, Mr Mining Surveyor Phillips forwarded a report to the Honourable the Minister of Mines, stating that two rushes had taken place; the particulars of one of which were as follow: depth of sinking, 30 feet; dry sinking, in cement, with very large waterworn quartz boulders; thickness of wash-dirt, 5 feet; average yield half an ounce of gold to the ton or load, sample not very coarse but shotty gold ... The workings were called Mogg’s Diggings. On the 14th September, Mr Mining Surveyor Phillips ... reported as follows: “The rush at Mogg’s is being dispelled, in consequence of few or none, excepting the prospectors, bottoming on gold ... The miners are passing 7 forth, and back between this and Darling Flat”.

September 1864 (St Arnaud North Subdivision). The workings in Darling Flat have quite a normal appearance, there being some 20 persons carrying on business. I am gold there are 100 claims affording a living to the workers, and some paying well ... The gold is rough and nuggetty, wash-dirt 1 to 3 feet thick, depth of sinking rarely exceeding 20 feet. The number of people is stated, by 3 or 4 persons to be 1000, but there is a baker, who has a better chance of 8 knowing than men of other business, who states 600.

230 Puddler sites, Rostrons

December 1864 (St Arnaud North Subdivision). The total number is thus distributed: Scrub Rush 40 Silver Reefs 30 Sawpit Gully 8 Freyberg 15 Master’s Reef 2 Sanderske’s Reef 4 Chrysolite Hill 21 Bristol Reef 8 Schewring’s Reef 10 Gap Gully 40 Armenian Gully 4 New Bendigo 80 Wagner’s Hill (Mogg’s) 3 Peevor’s Flat (Mogg’s) 6 Douglas Hill 3 Frenchman’s 8 Bell’s Hill, Carapooree 12 Forty-feet Peter’s 14 Butcher’s Engine 7 Wier’s Hill 8 Brigg’s Hill 8 Greenock and Pioneer reefs 17 Spinster and Sailor’s reefs 4 Peter’s 304 Dogbury 19 Emu 4 Rostron’s 8 Salter’s Hill 12 Banshee 12 9 Darling Flat is extending north-west, the last claim being registered as in my division.

December 1864. (Redbank and St Arnaud South Subdivisions). Darling Flat still continues to yield remunerative 10 wages.

December 1864 (St Arnaud North Subdivision). Darling Flat is extending north-west, the last claim being registered as 11 in my division.

March 1865 (Redbank and St Arnaud South Subdivision). Owing to the continued scarcity of water, alluvial mining remains dull. This is particularly the case at Darling Flat, where large paddocks of dirt are heaped up, which cannot 12 be tried till the first rains set in.

231 Puddler sites, Rostrons

June 1865 (St Arnaud North subdivision). The total number is thus distributed: Butcher’s and McCredie’s Engines 9 Armenian Gully 20 Bald Hills 6 Banshee 14 Brigg’s Hill 18 Bell’s Hill 4 Chrysolite 13 Dogbury 24 Carapooee 7 Scrub Rush 6 Douglas Hill 21 Wier’s Hill 4 Emu 16 Blink Bonny Reef 16 Switzer’s Gully 24 Frieberg Company’s 18 Frenchman’s Hill 10 Gap Gully 24 Geyer’s Gully 4 Greenock Reef 18 Karney’s 3 Master’s Claim 4 New Bendigo 118 Peters’s 250 Tunnel Hill 6 Warwickshire Reef 4 Wilson’s Gully 20 Rimmer’s Lease 6 Rostron’s and Higgins’s 5 Rostron’s Diggings 19 Silver Mining Association 18 Sawpit Gully and Reef 4 Sanderske’s Lease 6 St Arnaud United 11 Spinster Reef 2 13 Salter’s Hill 11

September 1865 (St Arnaud North subdivision). The total number of miners is thus distributed: Greenock and Spinster Reefs 17 Carapooee Hills above Edelsten’s 79 Rostron’s Diggings & Four-mile Gy 10 Peters’s Diggings 50 Sheaoak, Dogbury 46 Butcher’s and McCredie’s 13 Armenian and Gap gullies 33 Chrysolite Hill 14 Emu 11 St Arnaud United 23 Blink Bonny and Strathalbyn reefs 30 Stuart’s Hill 44 New Bendigo and Rush 250 Those who have not a share in the new rush are gone, many of them sheep-shearing, dam-making and fencing for squatters. The gold that awaits their return, all around the NW end of the Pyrenees, will take no harm, even if they stop away first to assist the purchasers of the rich land now being surveyed within a few miles, the following of 14 which will be more generally beneficial than gold digging.

September 1865 (Redbank and St Arnaud South Subdivisions).

232 Puddler sites, Rostrons

The total number of miners is thus distributed: Redbank 250 Hines 30 Donkey Hill 40 Moonambel 60 Victoria, and adjoining gullies 80 Forest Hut 40 Stuart Mill 80 15 Darling Flat 200

December 1866 (Redbank and St Arnaud South subdivisions). The total number of miners is thus distributed: Redbank 130 Hines 20 Donkey Hill 40 Moonambel 40 Victoria & adjoining gullies 50 Forest Hut 20 Stuart Mill 30 16 Darling Flat 40

1867. In April 1867 two diggers named Galbraith and Edgar prospected what was known as “Avon Diggings”, near 17 Rostrons Station ... The Queen Mary Diggings, near Avon, were opened in 1867.

March 1867 (Redbank and St Arnaud South subdivisions). The total number of miners is thus distributed: Redbank 120 Hines 20 Donkey Hill 30 Moonambel 40 Victoria, and adjoining gullies 60 Forest Hut 20 Stuart Mill 30 18 Darling Flat 10

233 Puddler sites, Rostrons

June 1869. Korong Division (R. Mason) Alluvial mining. Berlin is till extending. The last rush was to Tyler’s Bridge, about one mile south-east, being a continuance of the same watershed to Sandy Creek. Gladstone rush, Thompson’s Gully rush, Simpson’s Creek rush, and Garibaldi rush, are only in embryo, for want of miners. The 19 alluvial leads of this division appear to be radiating in every direction from the granite hills to the plains.

1870. There began a new series of rushes, following discoveries of new ground on Sandy Creek in April and Middle 20 Creek in October. Gold was also discovered in John Bull Creek.

June 1870. Redbank and St Arnaud South Subdivisions (Hugh St. H. Blair). The chief feature of the quarter has been the discovery of alluvial gold at Sandy Creek ... There are still about four hundred miners on the ground; gold has been found in several of the tributary gullies. No lead has as yet been traced into the main fault. The general condition of the miners is at present far from prosperous; but I believe the prospecting now going on in the neighbourhood will ultimately lead to good, as the country is intersected with quartz reefs, and the general 21 appearance is such as would lead to the belief of the existence of a payable goldfield.

September 1870. (Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivisions). Alluvial mining operations have been greatly retarded by the late floods. At Sandy Creek gold has been obtained about two miles north of the prospecting claims, 22 but the heavy rains have in a great measure prevented the miners from thoroughly testing the ground.

December 1870. Redbank and St. Arnaud Subdivisions (P Simpson) The Sandy Creek rush does not extend, but it 23 well supports the number who are engaged there.

1870/71. New rushes to Sandy Creek. There began a new series of rushes, following discoveries of new ground on Sandy Creek in April and Middle Creek in October. Gold was also discovered in John Bull Creek. In 1871 a new goldfield called Fowler’s Lead started south of the old one at Sandy Creek, and a small village that 24 started was called Canterbury.

December 1871 (Redbank and St Arnaud South Subdivisions). In the earlier part of the quarter a considerable rush again set in to Sandy Creek, between one and two miles south of the original rush. It has greatly fallen off, but there is still a good number of miners on the ground. The depth of sinking is about 60 feet. Half an ounce to the load has been obtained, but 7 or 8 dwts is an average. Work is suspended on the Darling Flat Reef, owing, I believe, to the reef pinching out, and also to the poverty of the stone at the lower levels. The company evidently still has faith in the 25 reef, as I understand they intend resuming work shortly.

March 1872 (Redbank and St Arnaud South subdivisions). At Sandy Creek the old diggings are almost deserted. The 26 new rush to the south continues about the same as last quarter.

September 1872 (Redbank and St Arnaud South subdivision). The Darling Flat Reef is again taken up. 27 Fowler’s Lead, at head of Sandy Creek, continues to support a good number of miners.

December 1872 (Redbank and St Arnaud South subdivisions). A new reef has been opened close to the Darling Flat Reef, with excellent results ... It is intended to erect crushing machinery thereon sometime during the coming 28 quarter.

29 1873. About the last rush ... (in Stuart Mill-Rostrons area) ... was to Wattle Flat near Rostron’s in 1873.

30 March 1873 (St Arnaud North subdivision). A small rush has taken place to Wattle Flat, near Rostron’s.

March 1873. (Redbank and St Arnaud South subdivisions). Work is at present suspended on Scott and Co.’s Amalgamated claims (the prospecting claim of No. 1N), Rubbly Reef, Darling Flat, during the forming of dam and erection of crushing machinery, a special site for which has been obtained. The tables will show that excellent stone is still obtained. Leases and claims have been marked out on this line of reef for over half a mile north and a quarter of a mile south of the prospectors. The claims immediately north and south of Scott and Co.’s are either getting out good stone or have good prospects. None will be crushed until the machinery alluded to above has been erected. At Fowler’s Lead, Canterbury, a trial of the ground near the upper end, on the line of the lead, and which has hitherto 31 proved unproductive, is being made.

234 Puddler sites, Rostrons

June 1873. Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivision (Mr. P. Simpson) Scott and Co., Rubbly Reef, Darling Flat, 32 have been engaged in the erection of crushing machinery, which is almost completed.

235 Puddler sites, Rostrons

September 1873 (Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivisions). A battery of eight stamps has been completed at Darling Flat, and the stone is being crushed from the Rubbly Reef. The Ram Quartz Mining Company is sinking on the supposed line of reef north. The Goldfinch Company (No.2 South) is sinking a new shaft more to the west, to cut the reef between 200 feet and 33 300 feet. At No 1 South claim a plumb shaft is also being sunk.

March 1874 (Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivision). The Ram Company, Darling Flat, are now down 30 feet with their new shaft. At Scott’s claim, Rubbly Reef, stone has been taken out in which gold is visible. 34 The Remarkable Company, Sandy Creek, has sunk 95 feet.

June 1874 (Redbank and St. Arnaud South Subdivisions). The Darling Flat Company, Rubbly Reef, has stopped work, pending amalgamation with adjoining companies. The Ram Company has not been successful, and the claim is abandoned. The others companies on the Rubbly line of reef have suspended work for the present. A new reef--Finlayson’s--has been discovered at Darling Flat. Some excellent specimens have been obtained from the 35 surface.

December 1874 (Redbank and St Arnaud South Subdivisions). Work has been given up at the Darling Flats Reef, and 36 the machinery advertised for sale.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 66.0. Puddler No 1. (Survival of slabbing suggests late 1890s/20th century date). Puddler. On the western end of the dam’s embankment is a well preserved 22 ft diameter puddling machine site. The puddling trench is deep, has sheer sides. Scattered around the puddler sections of the side slabbing. Presumably these have been pulled out by fossickers looking for gold. The pivot post has also been removed from the inner mound. The outlet channel still retains a well preserved timber shoot. Associated with the puddler is a 10 metre wide, 2 metre high bank of wash. Shallow alluvial sinkings. The sinkings in the gully below the puddler, running to the Rostrons Road, are undisturbed and visible from Centre Raod. There is a working alluvial claim in the gully above the puddler/dam.

Site 66.1. Puddler No 2. (Middle Creek). Weathered state of the puddler suggests it last operated during the nineteenth century. Puddler. Weathered 20 ft diameter puddling machine site: the inner mound has eroded badly, nearly filling the puddling trench. The weathering has exposed a the pivot post. The puddler has an unusual feature in that its builder(s) used a hollow log for the outlet channel.

Site 66.2. Puddler No 3. (Weathered state of the puddler suggests it last operated during the nineteenth century). Puddler. Located at the head of the gully is a large, partly silted, dam. On the north end of the dam’s embankment is a very weathered puddler. The inner mound has eroded away filling the puddling trench. The puddler now is no more than a circular depression. Lots of wash associated with the puddler. Water race. A 75 metre long water race runs north from the dam. This race runs to a large breached dam in the next gully (Site 66.3). Alluvial sinkings. A band of well defined shallow sinkings runs along the north side of Rostron-Stuart Mill road, between Centre and Boundary Roads.

Site 66.3. Puddler No 4 (Weathered state of the puddler suggests it last operated during the nineteenth century). Large dam. The dam has a well defined 50 metre long, 3 metre high, embankment. The embankment has been breached. This dam is connected, via a water race, to a dam in the next gully to the north (Site 66.2). Puddler. Below the south end of the embankment is a weathered puddling machine site. The inner mound and puddling trench are still relatively well defined. No pivot post and very little wash. The outlet channel drains into an eroded (or perhaps sluiced) gully. Alluvial sinkings. An undisturbed band of shallow alluvial workings runs up the gully from the puddler. The alluvial workings peter out near Boundary Road.

Site 66.4. Puddler No 5 (Weathered state of the puddler suggests it last operated during the nineteenth century). Puddler and dam. A small silted dam is located at the head of a gully, near the eastern side of Boundary Road. The puddler has a diameter of 18 ft, and has been badly eroded by water coming from a breach in the dam. The inner mound is still visible, but not pivot post is present.

236 Puddler sites, Rostrons

Alluvial sinkings. A band of undisturbed shallow sinkings runs down the gully and peters out once meeting with the main channel.

237 Puddler sites, Rostrons

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: All sites are in reasonable condition, except for Site 66.4.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 66.4 has poor integrity and hence low cultural significance.

Sites 66.0, 66.1, 66.2 and 66.3 have: • Scientific Significance, due to their ability to demonstrate puddling technology and shallow alluvial mining. The significance of Site 66.1 and Sites 66.2/66.3 are enhanced by the fact that they have some unusual features, the former, has a hollow log for an outlet channel, and the latter sites, have a water race which connects the two puddling dams.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

1 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria, pp448-451 2 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria, pp448-451 3 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria, pp448-451 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1864 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1864 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1864 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1864 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1864 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1864 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1864 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1864 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1865 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1865 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1865 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1865 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1866 17 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria, pp448-451 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1867 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869 20 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria, pp448-451 21 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1870 22 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1870 23 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1870 24 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria, pp448-451 25 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1871 26 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1872 27 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1872 28 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1872 29 James Flett, 1979, The History Of Gold Discovery in Victoria, pp448-451 30 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1873 31 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1873 32 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1873 33 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1873 34 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1874 35 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1874 36 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Dec 1874

238 Puddling machine sites, Stuart Mill

SITE NO. & NAME: 67.0 PUDDLER NO 1 67.1 PUDDLER NO 2

LOCATION: STUART MILL

HI NO: H7524-0037 H7524-0038

DIRECTIONS: Site 67.0. Puddler No 1 is located 6.5 km north of Stuart Mill, south of Murray’s Road, near the southern boundary with Crown Land. Site 67.1. Puddler No 2 is located 200 metres north-north-east of Puddler No 1.

MUNICIPALITY: Northern Grampians Shire

LAND STATUS: Site 67.0--Freehold Land Site 67.1--State Forest/Historic Reserve

HISTORY:

No reference to these particular sites were found.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 67.0. Puddler No 1 (Weathered state of the puddler suggests it last operated during the nineteenth century). Puddler. The puddler is located on the southern boundary of a block of grazed land. The puddler is very weathered puddler: it is only just possible to distinguish the inner mound from the puddling trench.

Site 67.1. Puddler No 2 (Survival of slabbing suggests late 19th/20th century date). Puddler. The puddler is located 200 metres north-north-east of Puddler No 1. Although the puddler is very weathered it still has some in-situ wooden slabbing in the puddling trench. The puddler has a diameter of 18 ft and still has its central pivot post. Next to the puddler is a small dam. There is very little wash associated with the puddler.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Only Site 67.1 has any integrity.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 67.0 has poor integrity and little historical significance and hence low cultural significance.

Site 67.1 has: • Scientific Significance, due to its intactness. One of the few puddlers to be recorded in Central Victoria which still has in-situ slabbing in the puddling trench.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: September 1993.

239 Puddling machine sites, Stuart Mill

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