TOOMBON MINE SITE

DONNELLYS CREEK TOOMBON, BAW BAW SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

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  • History

    TOOMBON MINE SITE - History

    Heritage Inventory History of Site: A reef was first worked on Mt Lookout in 1864 by a prospector named Jessop. In 1868, two residence leases were taken up at Mt Lookout under the new 42nd section of the Lands Act, and the original prospectors of BB Creek worked the land as a market garden known as The Farm. Jessop persevered with his reef for years, sinking shafts and driving tunnels and 'obtaining such encouraging results that he underwent great privations rather than relinquish his hold on the ground, in consequence of which,' according to a report in 1871, 'he died about twelve months ago.' He did not live to see the success of the reef which would be worked variously as Jessop's, Fleming's, the Aberfeldy, Lily of the Valley, and Toombon. Just after Jessop's death it was announced that, 'A new reef on the Aberfeldy, containing fine gold, and of considerable width, has been taken up within the last week - situated four miles below the crossing of the Gippsland road.' Fleming was the discoverer, and a rush ensued. In 1871, Fleming's party was cutting a race in preparation for a battery, and the next year, as the Aberfeldy Co., they erected a 'powerful' water-powered battery of ten heads near the mouth of their tunnel. The returns were not much good and the shareholders were in disagreement about how best to develop the mine, so its performance during the 'seventies was. 
    
    In 1881 the Toombon GMC was formed and a new main shaft commenced north of the road. The next year, a Langland's Cornish boiler, 33-hp steam engine, double winding drum, and pumping gear were installed near the shaft. A good-looking reef was struck in 1883, causing many new claims to be pegged out in the vicinity. In 1886, the Toombon Co.'s battery was increased to twenty heads, powered by a larger (40-ft) waterwheel, but with an auxiliary steam engine of 35 horsepower. The Toombon mine closed down in 1898, having reached a depth of nearly 1,000 ft. With a total yield of 50,844 oz from 61,888 tons, it had been the largest gold-producer in the Aberfeldy-Donnelly's Creek district. Another Toombon Co. was formed in 1934 to re-open the mine. Thirty thousand pounds was spent on clearing out the main shaft and winzes, but poor prospects closed the mine in 1940. Of the plant installed in the 'thirties, only the water tube boiler remains.
    
    References: Ainsworth Bailey & Bailey, p. 10Baragwanath, pp. 10-11KennyMining Surveyors' Reports (Jericho Division), September 1872, September 1879, June 1881; (Stringer's Creek Subdivision), June & September 1872, March 1874, ; (Aberfeldy Subdivision), 1876-83; (Donnelly's Creek Division), September 1875, December 1882, September 1886Supple et al, after Milner (1989/1).

    Heritage Inventory Description

    TOOMBON MINE SITE - Heritage Inventory Description

    Toombon mine. Upper level mine workings, mining machinery - at the top of the dump, and level with the shaft collar, are foundations for a horizontal engine and winding drum, the remains of a Babcock and Wilcox water tube boiler and a metal chimney stack made from the fire tube of a Cornish boiler. On the level above and to the east of the shaft is an arrangement of foundation bolts which were probably used for other winding and pumping machinery. Lower level mine workings - the shaft is plugged at the 180-ft level and connects with the main adit, the entrance of which is situated at creek level between Donnelly's Creek Road and the main street of Toombon. Below the adit is a second dump and fragments of a tramway formation along the northern margin of the creek. This connected the mine to the battery site at the other end of the township.Mine manager's house - the chimney and some walls from what was probably the mine manager's house are located at the base of the mullock dump adjacent to the Donnelly's Creek Road where it crosses Toombon Creek./nHeritage Inventory Significance: The site has:Historical significance - Toombon mine was the principal mine in the Aberfeldy/Donnelly's Creek Mining Division.Scientific significance - rarity and intact nature of the mining relics.Network values - relics represent a sequence of uses from 1870 to the 1930s.SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: National EstateHeritage Inventory Site Features: Upper level mine workings, mining machinery Lower level mine workingsMine manager's house Further information sourced June 2022- The upper site consists of a large mullock dump above a tight turn on Donnellys Creek Road. A walking track leads from the road to the top of the dump. On top are substantial concrete machinery footings, a meshed main shaft, a tall steel chimney and remains of a multi-tubular boiler. Above the shaft a large landing has been excavated into the bedrock. This formerly housed the winder shed. Lower down and a short height above road level is a large house site with three stone chimney ruins. The lower site mentioned in the Site Card (lower adit) appears to be on private property and a locked gate and signage has been installed on the former eastern leg of the Toombon Walk.
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