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NEW CHUM BATTERY
DEGREAVES CREEK OMEO, EAST GIPPSLAND SHIRE

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Statement of Significance
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Statement of Significance

The New Chum Gold Battery Site consists of a 15ft diameter iron waterwheel and the remains of a 4-head stamping battery. The wheel, which still retains its brass fittings, spokes and buckets has collapsed and now lies on top of the stamping battery. There is evidence of several hut platforms near the battery.

The New Chum Gold Battery Site is of historical, and scientific importance to the State of Victoria.

The New Chum Gold Battery Site is historically and scientifically important as a characteristic and well preserved example of an important form of gold mining. The iron-framed water wheel is very rare, with only one other known survivor (at the Morning Star battery at Donnelly's Creek). The New Chum waterwheel and battery was installed in 1898 to crush stone obtained from reefs on Bluey's Creek, a tributary of the Upper Tambo River.

Gold mining sites are of crucial importance for the pivotal role they have played since 1851 in the development of Victoria. As well as being a significant producer of Victoria's nineteenth century wealth, with its intensive use of machinery, played an important role in the development of Victorian manufacturing industry. The abandoned mining machinery at the Degreaves Creek battery site is historically important for its evocation of the adventurousness, hardship, and isolation that was part of mining life in the high country areas of the State.

The New Chum Gold Battery Site is archaeologically important for its potential to yield artefacts and evidence which will be able to provide significant information about the technological history of gold mining.

[Source: Victorian Heritage Register]

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- History
  
  NEW CHUM BATTERY - History
  Heritage Inventory History of Site: The site forms part of the Little Mt Tambo goldfield, a minor field dating to the mid-1890s when gold was found at Bluey's Creek, a tributary of the Upper Tambo River some 50 km from Omeo. In 1898, Walterson and Denham installed a 4-head battery and iron waterwheel (ex-Riley's Creek goldfield) at De Greaves Creek. According to report, they were obtaining an average of 3 oz to the ton from their mine.
  
  Heritage Inventory Description
  
  NEW CHUM BATTERY - Heritage Inventory Description
  
  Battery - collapsed battery of 4-head of stamps. Waterwheel - iron waterwheel with brass fittings has collapsed onto stampers. Race - a water race runs into the battery site. Huts - several hut platforms.
  
  Heritage Inventory Significance: National EstateScientific significance?rarity and intactnessVHR STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCEThe New Chum Gold Battery Site consists of a 15ft diameter iron waterwheel and the remains of a 4-head stamping battery. The wheel, which still retains its brass fittings, spokes and buckets has collapsed and now lies on top of the stamping battery. There is evidence of several hut platforms near the battery. The New Chum Gold Battery Site is of historical, and scientific importance to the State of Victoria.The New Chum Gold Battery Site is historically and scientifically important asa characteristic and well preserved example of an important form of gold mining. The iron-framed water wheel is very rare, with only one other known survivor (at the Morning Star battery at Donnelly's Creek). The New Chum waterwheel and battery was installed in 1898 to crush stone obtained from reefs on Bluey's Creek, a tributary of the Upper Tambo River. Gold mining sites are of crucial importance for the pivotal role they have played since 1851 in the development of Victoria. As well as being a significant producer of Victoria's nineteenth century wealth, with its intensive use of machinery, played an important role in the development of Victorian manufacturing industry. The abandoned mining machinery at the Greens Creek battery site is historically important for its evocation of the adventurousness, hardship, andisolation that was part of mining life in the high country areas of the State.The New Chum Gold Battery Site is archaeologically important for its potentialto yield artefacts and evidence which will be able to provide significant information about the technological history of gold mining.
  
  Heritage Inventory Site Features: Battery?Collapsed battery of 4 head of stamps. The timber frame of the battery has gone, presumably burnt. No manufacture mark is discernible on the battery box or cam shaft. Waterwheel?An iron waterwheel with brass fittings has collapsed onto the stampers. The waterwheel is 15 ft in diameter, with 8 spokes and 34 curved buckets, each measuring 2+ ft wide and 1+ ft deep. The ring gear around the perimeter of the waterwheel is 6 inches wide. The waterwheel pit has been cut into the bedrock and a silted-up tailrace runs from the pit. A wooden tailrace extends from underneath the wheel to the creek nearby.Race?A water race runs to the battery site from the south-east, along the side of the slope near De Greaves Track, for about 1 km. Huts?Several hut platforms are visible along the track near the battery site.
- Show:
- NEW CHUM GOLD BATTERY SITE
  
  Victorian Heritage Register H1271
- DE GREAVES CREEK GOLD MINING SITE
  
  Victorian Heritage Inventory
- NEW CHUM BATTERY
  
  Victorian Heritage Inventory