CALEDONIA GOLD MINE

50-60 TILLS DRIVE WONGA PARK, MANNINGHAM CITY

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

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  • History

    CALEDONIA GOLD MINE - History

    Contextual History:History of Place:
    Heritage Inventory History of Site:
    The Caledonia mine was operated from c.1904-1914 employing up to 250 men at a time when Warrandyte mining was in decline. It was earlier worked as the New Haven mine (c.1903). The mine was the richest in Warrandyte. The main shaft was sunk to 620ft, with drives on a number of levels. The mine gave good returns until 1908 when it was hampered by excessive water. Assistance from the government in 1909 was to no avail and the machinery and equipment were sold. Its closure meant the end of large-scale gold mining at Warrandyte.
    
    1904: A new company called the Caledonia has been floated to further test the ground originally held by the Newhaven Co-operative party main shaft has been sunk 80ft and machinery and poppet heads erected thereon.
    1905: Caledonia Co., Warrandyte, succeeded in striking payable stone new boiler added and shaft deepened to 223ft.
    1905: Caledonia mine situated one mile northeast of the township of Warrandyte, on a flat on the east side of the Yarra. Engine shaft sunk to 110 feet. Baling done by steam winch and vertical boiler. Upton's shaft, 150ft deep, is 300ft north of engine shaft 190ft south of engine shaft is whip shaft, 110ft deep on Yarra bank, still further south, is Grant's shaft. Other reefs that have been worked in the locality include the Yarra Tunnel mine (on the same reef, south), the Pig Tail (now called Hornabrook's Reward) and the Victory mine, right in township of Warrandyte.
    1906: Caledonia Co. continues to do well added an further battery of 10 heads of stampers and substantial pumping machinery winding winch has been discarded in favour of one much larger. At adjoining mine, North Caledonia Co., winding and pumping machinery has been erected and a good deal of prospecting works done. South Caledonia Co. erecting winding machinery. Caledonia Consols Co. has augmented its plant with a battery, sunk shaft to greater depths, intersected the lode, and put through several bulk crushings, with unpayable results second shaft is being in course of being sunk. New Victory Co. started work on Victory line of reef plant, comprising winding pumping and crushing machinery, has been overhauled—a little prospecting was done, then mine was closed down. North Victory also shut down after little or no work, other than sinking a shaft about 100ft and erecting winding machinery. At Caledonia Reward Company’s mine, plant was limited to pumping machinery, driven by an oil engine.
    1907: The principal company, Caledonia Gold Mines, has done excellent work. North Caledonia mine, which adjoins the Caledonia, has ceased work. Prospecting of Caledonia Consols mine proved disappointing. South Caledonia Co. ceased work although winding plant was erected and main shaft deepened, very little work was done in advance of the early days. Caledonia Reward Co. have shut down their mine.
    1909: Caledonia mine is idle pumping machinery has been moved from the mine. Several parties employed in working alluvial ground at Captain Selby's paddock.
    1911: Caledonia Co. is prospecting the western country of the Caledonia lode system.
    1912: Caledonia Consolidated Co. equipped mine with winch winding plant.
    1913: Caledonia Consolidated Co. erecting a winding plant at old main shaft workings.
    1914: Caledonia Consolidated Co. again closed down.

    Heritage Inventory Description

    CALEDONIA GOLD MINE - Heritage Inventory Description

    Mine workings: Collapsed adit and largely filled glory hole. Mullock heap: Large heap on freehold land. Mining machinery: relocated boiler on freehold land.

    Heritage Inventory Significance: Site to be protected and nominated to the Victorian Heritage Inventory Historical significance: The mine was the richest in Warrandyte and its closure in 1914 marked the end of large-scale gold mining at Warrandyte. Scientific significance: Still retains some features

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