NEW AUSTRALASIAN 2 MINE

15 DEEP LEAD LANE CRESWICK, HEPBURN SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

NEW AUSTRALASIAN 2 MINE

Statement of Significance

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  • History

    NEW AUSTRALASIAN 2 MINE - History

    Heritage Inventory History of Site: The following history was extracted from The Berry Deep Leads: an historical assessment, CF&L, October 1986, Charles Fahey. The Australasian Company began prospecting in 1867 and the first return of gold was reported in the September quarter of 1868. From 1868 to 1875 the company obtained at least 19,000 ounces of gold. By 1876, the mine was in financial difficulties and its creditors - including Peter Lalor - secured a high court judgement against the company, and sold off its plant claim.The Australasian claim was purchased from the Bank of Australia by two Ballarat speculators - Edward Morey and George Hawthorn - for £3,200. Morey and Hawthorn floated the New Australasian as a public company. To get at the gold a second shaft was sunk and extensive plant erected. The company erected a 65ft high brick stack (set on bluestone foundations) and a 72ft high poppet head. Aerial tramways run from the poppet head to the mullock heap and to the puddling machines. A contemporary observer wrote that the huge props required to support the various platforms and machines presents the 'appearance of small forest of timber'.In the early 1880s the New Australian mine was a substantial producer of gold and paid out handsome dividends. The mine closed in 1888 producing around 88,000 ounces of gold, paid out £98,250 in dividends on £11,250 in calls. The company expended in this time £373,267. At the turn of the century, the Victorian Railways removed much of the pebbles from the Australasian site.The New Australasian mine was the scene of the most tragic accident in the history of Victorian gold mining. At 4.45am, Tuesday 12 December 1882, H. Reeves and W. Mason struck water overhead in the southern drive. They rushed along the drive and at the shaft they warned the plateman, before escaping up the incline. In the ensuing flood 29 miners were trapped and when all available engine power had been employed in reducing the water level (at 50,000 gallons per minute) only five of the 27 imprisoned miners were brought safely to the surface. The 22 men who perished left 17 widows and 75 dependent children. An accident on the scale of 1882 did not occur again on the Berry Deep Leads, but mining continued to be an essentially dangerous occupation. Indeed the incident rate rose as the yields declined and miners worked as tributers. In 1884 one quarter of the Creswick miners applied for accident relief from the union; in 1891 almost 40% of miners sought relief. In the 1890s, as the mines were concentrated on the northern water saturated leads, foul air became the major health problem. This problem reached a head when Alex Cowie was overcome with foul air and suffocated in 1897. Machinery By 1878 plant at the new shaft included: a 16 inch cylinder 30hp engine for pumping and puddling, and a 22 inch cylinder engine (4 ft stroke) for winding; two boilers, 30 ft x 6½ft, one of which was fitted with galloway tubes. Significance The New Australasian mine was the scene of the most tragic accident in the history of Victorian gold mining. As a gold producer the mine is also of local importance, being the richest gold producer in the Creswick district.

    Heritage Inventory Description

    NEW AUSTRALASIAN 2 MINE - Heritage Inventory Description

    Mullock - Large. Remnant of pebble dump. Shaft - Filled, slight depression and surrounded by picket fence. Stone cairn - The cairn is located to the east of the shaft. It was unveiled by John Cain, premier 1982. Near the cairn is a small interpretation shelter providing information on the mine disaster./n

    Heritage Inventory Significance: The site has:Historical significance - The New Australasian mine was the scene of the most tragic accident in the history of Victorian gold miningSocial value - Historic Reserve and interpretation facilitiesNetwork values - part of Berry network of significant sitesSIGNIFICANCE RANKING: National Estate

    Recorded by: J. Harrington & David Bannear Date Recorded: 00SEP1994

    Heritage Inventory Site Features: Mullock heapPebble dumpShaftStone cairn

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