An update from the AusIMM Illawarra Branch Mineral Heritage Subcommittee
Jetty Mine, 1905.
Background
A Mineral Heritage Subcommittee (MHSC) was created within the AusIMM Illawarra Branch for the specific purpose of recording and preserving heritage aspects of local mining and metallurgy. Con Martin and Alan Hargraves were two of the Branch members who were key drivers in the formation of the Mineral Heritage Subcommittee. The initial meeting was held on 10 March 1987.
Con Martin and Alan Hargraves were keen to prepare a history of coal mining in Australia and a working group was formed for that purpose.
Publications
A book History of Coal Mining in Australia was completed by four of the MHSC members: C.H. Martin, A.J. Hargraves, R.J. Kininmonth and S.M.C. Saywell, which was published by the AusIMM as Monograph 21 (Martin et al 1996).
See: https://www.ausimm.com/publications/monograph/monograph-21---history-of-coal-mining-in-australia/
The collation of heritage material led to an interest in preparing more documents for publication. A long term chairman of the MHSC, Stuart Saywell, wrote three booklets:
- Discovery of Coal in Australia (original printed in 1996, reprinted in 2022)
- Old Bulli Colliery Disaster (original printed in 2005, reprinted in 2022)
- The Mount Kembla – Historical Story (printed in 2008)
An annual Mount Kembla candlelight ceremony is held in the evening on the anniversary day of the disaster (31 July 1902) where the above booklet is freely distributed.
The contents of the last two of these booklets were published as Bulletin articles. Other Bulletin heritage related articles prepared by MHSC members include:
- Heritage in New South Wales Coalfields
- Port Kembla No2 Colliery Pit Pony Stables
- Coke making in the Illawarra.
Booklets are re-printed on a needs basis.
Four members of the MHSC produced the first part of a two-book series A history of the prospecting and development of coal mining in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven in 2010. These members are Ron Cairns, Editor; Geoff Mould, Don Reynolds and Arthur Murray.
The second part, A history of the prospecting and development of coal mining in the Illawarra, Southern Highlands and Burragorang Valley, was written by Ron Cairns, Editor, Graham Pryor and Andy Hubscher and published in 2017.
Short articles on mining history are also written for inclusion in a local publication and as a regular article in a retired miners’ association magazine.
Bulli Coal Company jetty circa 1887.
Book sales
Our books can be purchased online as printed books or e-books via the AusIMM website.
Locally, the books can be purchased at the Coal Services Mines Rescue facility at 558 Princes Highway, Woonona and the books and booklets can be purchased at the Visit Wollongong Gateway Centre at Bulli Tops. Visit Wollongong is a tourist centre that was previously known as Destination Wollongong.
The MHSC has enjoyed enthusiastic support from the management and staff of the Mines Rescue facility and the local Council run tourist centre known as Visit Wollongong. That ongoing support is greatly appreciated.
Media
The MHSC initiated a joint venture with Why Documentaries to produce a documentary on the history of coalmining in the Illawarra. That venture resulted in release of the acclaimed DVD “Beneath Black Skies” in 2009. See trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zrHb3dbF8I
An “Illawarra Heritage Trail” website has been established to record the history of mining and associated industries in the Illawarra. This website is maintained by two MHSC members, Dr Geoff Kelly and Ron Cairns, who meet weekly to develop information for more “sites” and then upload them onto the website. This website is funded with $10,000 from the Illawarra Branch and $5,000 each from the BlueScope-WIN Network Community Partners program and South32 Illawarra Metallurgical Coal. Visit: www.illawarra-heritage-trail.com.au
Mt Kembla Pioneer Shale Mine - the first in Australia.
Heritage protection
Preservation of the former Mount Kembla Colliery pit top site is being conducted in conjunction with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Wollongong City Council. Two particular sites for preservation are the former stables for pit ponies used at this mine and a brick furnace shaft chimney that was used to ventilate the mine.
The Corrimal No.1 Shaft Headframe remains listed as an archaeological item having both ‘state and regional significance’ within the Wollongong Local Environmental Plan 1990. This timber headframe is one of only two still in existence in NSW. In 1991 the then owner of the site, BHP Illawarra Coal, repaired the headframe which was in danger of collapsing. The headframe is sited on Sydney Water Catchment.
As the No.1 Shaft site was badly overgrown by saplings and trees, our Subcommittee was aware that if a bushfire broke out in the area, the headframe would most likely be irreparably damaged. An approach was made to the local Commander of the Rural Fire Service for assistance in creating a firebreak around the shaft. This was carried out last year and much appreciated by the MHSC.
The Old Bulli Colliery Mine Explosion Monument was deteriorating due to corrosion, movement caused by adjacent tree roots and a general lack of maintenance. One of the MHSC’s members assisted the Monument Restoration Committee. Funds were obtained from the Miners Trust (miners’ union) to give the monument and adjacent area a complete overhaul. The 23 March 1887 date of the explosion is commemorated annually with a memorial service held in the adjacent church. Members of the MHSC participate in this event.
An explosion at Mount Kembla coal mine on 31 July 1902 caused the loss of life of 96 men and boys. This is regarded as the worst loss of life in any industrial incident in Australia’s history. A “96 Candles Ceremony” memorial is held during the evening on each anniversary date and this is sponsored by the local mining company South32 Illawarra Metallurgical Coal. There is a monument bearing the 96 names, now located in the grounds of the Mount Kembla church. Members of this MHSC erected a memorial next door and participated in building a memorial walking trail which helps preserve our mining history through community participation.
Mt Kembla Church and mine disaster memorial.
Other activities
- A plaque at Thirroul railway station highlighting the discovery of coal nearby was renewed.
- Local mining monuments and mining relics are monitored for any deterioration.
- Recording and storage of old mine plans, some of which date back to the late 1800s.
- Recording and storage of mining-related reference books.
- Cataloguing of mining industry and related industry photographs.
- Recording mine entries and shafts of mines from Metropolitan Colliery in the north to Yellow Rock Colliery in the south.
- Visits by members to old mine sites to photograph remains of tunnels, old machinery and relics, and record these.
- Recorded and photographed remains of five ocean jetty sites that were utilised to ship locally produced coal to Sydney and other destinations.
- Advertise upcoming seminars, mining related meetings and social events.
- Provided information to local city council for historical information to be displayed on plaques along the Grand Pacific Walk.
- Appointment of a Heritage Liaison Officer in this Subcommittee with the role of liaising between the Subcommittee and local councils and state government departments.
- Provided information to The Vale Golf Club at Russell Vale where each tee off point has a plaque erected that explains local colliery information.
- Providing general mining-related information to various groups or individuals who contact us via the Illawarra Heritage Trail website.
Mt Kembla Memorial Pathway.
Future projects
- The concept of a Mining Heritage Centre with museum status in the Mount Kembla village area is being pursued. Mount Kembla is a former mining village that is steeped in history. It is proposed that this heritage centre would relocate to the heritage listed main office building of Nebo Colliery when mining ceases at Dendrobium Colliery by South32 Illawarra Metallurgical Coal which is the current operator of this site.
- Assist with the relocation and updating of name plaques from the Bulli Miners Cottage to the Old Bulli Mine Explosion monument site.
- Involvement in heritage protection at residential development of the Coal Cliff and Corrimal Coke Works sites.
- Continue to add sites to the Illawarra Heritage Trail website.
- Continue visits to old mine sites.
Meetings
Meetings are held every two months at the Coal Services - Mines Rescue facility that kindly provides a meeting room and sells our books on a consignment basis.
Achievements
In 2017, the MHSC was awarded the “Institute or Minerals Sector Service Award” by the AusIMM.
In 2019, Ron Cairns was awarded an AusIMM Institute Service Award.
In 2020, Bob Kininmonth was granted the Beryl Jacka Award for “his extraordinary and sustained service” to The AusIMM.
During the 36 years that the MHSC has operated there have been changes in personnel, however, the fact that there are so many active members is a testimony to the fact that Heritage issues are of interest to AusIMM members and to the wider community.