20240628 I set the nav to Collinsville, a mining town that discovered coal in 1866 but it was not until 1912 that large-scale mining operations commenced. The town was originally known as Moongunya, an aboriginal word that roughly translates to place of coal, that’s if we even make it that far as we are still looking for a camp on a creek but after passing over some bridges we noticed the river inlets are all dried up so I’m thinking we have a fat chance of finding any creek with water in.
OMG you are never going to believe this story, there was Des and I pigging out on dinner at the Workers Club across the road from the camp ground when I looked up and bugger me dead their was Chris and her friend Fred about to sit down at a table beside us, we were just blown away, what the hell, I think it even Chris was taken by surprise as it took a minute for her to even register who it was.
We had a great night with live music and Chris and I even got up for a boogie, man I can’t remember the last time I danced like that.
Afterwards we returned to our van where we continued our drinking, as you can see by the case in Chris’s hand. A aboriginal guy and his wife walked passed who we meet earlier so they stopped for a chat and a laugh, I’m not sure but Chris told me the next morning it was about 2pm we finally decided to retire to our beds.
We stopped to check out the lookout thinking we might camp there the night but it was surrounded by houses so we left.
Glencore closed the mine down in 2013 after running at a loss for years the price of coal increased and the mine reopened in 2016, at that time houses were selling for as low as $65,000. Today the mine employs over 300 people, the other company operating in the area - Q Coal - have mines on the southern end of town: Sonoma mine, Drake mine, Jax mine and, in 2017, a new mine under construction called Byerwen mine.
The Main Street in Collinsville, unfortunately the old pub is closed, she looks like she in need of some repairs and there are many shops shut down, it looks like they walked out and left all the goods behind.
THE MINE HORSES' FAREWELL-There are a number of names, written in chalk, Over pegs on an old stable wall, Where collars and harness for horses once hung Horses whose names I recall. Recall with affection those four legged friends Like an awakening of forgotten dreams I stand and gaze at those names on the wall Amazed at how real it still seems. Bowler, Biddy, Blondy, Bounce, Sergeant, Silver and Mick, Dixie, Drummer, Rattler, Dan, Patch, Noble, Beauty, Maude, Teddy, the long legged bay, Banjo, Betty, Jerry, Pat, and Ruby the calico grey. Others as well who were of the age The days when the mine first started Old Robin, Captain, Nigger and Punch Forgotten and long since departed. But there's one I remember - a prince of his breed. The best that I'd ever known. His exploits were such, I will never forget He stood in a class of his own. "Sovereign" they called him - so fitting a name. He'd give of his best every day. And many's the driver he taught how to wheel With a hand full of oats for his pay. These were the beasts of burden - They made possible the coal mining trade Dismissed without true acknowledgement For the wondrous part they had played, Enslaved in tunnels of darkness, Far from the sun's warming glow. They bowed to the whims of a master In the damp of the depths down below. Only recently the era was over. I've no doubt in the papers you read The last of the horses - the legends Wharrier and the roan Mister Ed, They're out in the paddock - retired A reward so richly deserved.
Out of sight - out of mind - soon forgotten
A mural in the town depicts the role of the Pitt Pony in the history of mining.
By the late 1980s it was clear that the beloved Pit Ponies were no longer needed underground and the last two horses, and Mr Ed, were retired in 1990. Collinsville remembers the role of the Pit Ponies to this date, and celebrates their part in history as a miner's best friend through the Pit Pony Sculpture and annual Pit Pony Festival.
This marmoreal is dedicated to the miners that have been killed in the district's mines over the years.
Collinsville’s Darkest Day- On, October the 13th, 1954, tragedy struck the small mining town. An outburst of "Black Damp", or carbon dioxide, poured through the No. I State Mine, killing seven men and two pit ponies at about 5:50pm, on the afternoon shift with a total of 40 men at work that day. The news quickly spread through the town as family and fellow miners rushed to the pit head to attempt a rescue. Although rescue efforts began immediately, there was inadequate rescue equipment available and no communication underground.
The miners were buried the following day in graves dug by their mates, 2000 people attended the funeral, marching 3 kilometres from Anzac Hall to the cemetery.
Model of a pit pony and miners working - inside the Coalface Museum
The Mural is dedicated to the Pioneer Picture Palace in 1938. Murals pasted throughout the town-Paul Hamilton (born 19 June 1967), a former Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and Australian.
Sir Peter Roylance Delamothe (29 June 1904 – 26 October 1973) was an ophthalmologist surgeon and member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.
The shape up shed, just what I need and it’s all free.
I love some of the quirky signs I find in these little outback towns.
Collinsville is a lovely little town with a ton of interesting history and definitely worth a visit.
A Mining Town’s History
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