A tribute to workers at Australia’s oldest operating mine, which features 100-year-old coal mining relics, has been given new life by volunteers.
The Helensburgh mine on the New South Wales south coast, which produces coking coal for Australian steelmakers, and exports millions of tonnes a year, was established by the Metropolitan Colliery in 1888.
Mine trucks or “skips”, once drawn by pit ponies to transport coal underground, form part of a public monument known as the Miners Tribute in the town’s Charles Harper Park.
But when the skips were falling into disrepair, locals passionate about the town’s coal mining history rallied to save them.
The Miners Tribute
Charles Harper Park is named after the man who discovered coal in the region, precipitating the township in 1883.
The mine’s importance to Helensburgh’s past and present cannot be overestimated. Today, it employs 450 people and generates $121 million for the local economy annually.
“The active mine operates day-to-day bringing money to the town, and the history books are all talking about mines and coal whether people like it or not,” said Keith Hawkins, treasurer of the Helensburgh Lions Club and a Probus Club member.
“I am only a resident of six years, but you can see mining was an important thing back in its time,” he said.
In 1998 The Miners Tribute, consisting of two heritage coal skips, was established in the park.
But after two decades of exposure to the elements, the 100-year-old skips were showing signs of their age.
“Dennis Weatherall [a Lions Club member] had been trying for years to get the old coal skips replaced but unfortunately, he passed away before doing so,” Mr Hawkins said.
“We thought the town was losing all its heritage buildings, there is hardly anything here, and these trucks were worth saving.
“It’s important to preserve anything you can because once it’s gone, it’s gone.”
Once pulled by pit ponies
Led by Mr Hawkins, members of the Lions Club, Men’s Shed, Probus Club, local council, and Metropolitan Colliery spent the past 18 months investing their time and energy into the cause of restoring the monument.
Metropolitan Colliery procured two replacement skips when Mr Hawkins reached out to the company.
“I thought, ‘OK, one last go’, and they found a couple of old skips,” he said.
Metropolitan Colliery’s Kane Organ said the skips once played an important role in the mine but had been phased out in the 1950s.
“From 1888 to 1955 the primary method of moving coal underground was by skips, which were pulled by draught horses along railway tracks,” he said.
At one stage up to 160 horses were employed underground.
However, mechanisation replaced the need for horses in 1955. Since then all coal has been moved to the surface by conveyor belt.
“The wagon project is such a simple idea but such a powerful symbol of the importance of mining to our town both in the past and for many years to come,” Mr Organ said.
Reflecting a town’s history
Once the replacement skips had been sourced, the local Men’s Shed’s avid volunteers neatly restored them and added features.
“Metrop [Metropolitan Colliery] did the heavy lifting for us from the mine to the Men’s Shed,” Mr Hawkins said.
“They paid for the upkeep and painting of the trucks, which also went to the Men’s Shed.”
Last month the refurbished skips were returned to the site to reflect the town’s rich coal history for locals and travellers alike.
“Wollongong council finally agreed it was important to retain the heritage and have helped in the restoration for the historical pride of this town,” Mr Hawkins said.
A spokesperson for the council commended the efforts of the collaboration to reinstate the tribute to the Helensburgh mining community.
“Wollongong City Council is pleased to see the coal mining monument at Charles Harper Park restored,” they said, adding that the council worked with stakeholders to provide support to maintain monuments where it could.
“It’s a part of our history here in Helensburgh and hopefully these coal trucks bring back a bit of respect to the mining community,“ Mr Hawkins said.
Signs of a mining town
Carole Harris, a resident of Helensburgh for 23 years, remembers the days of the old miners’ trucks.
“Everyone thought the trucks [forming the monument] were a good idea because we don’t get to see them here. They see them down the coal mine of course,” she said.
Ms Harris thinks the trucks look great now and is pleased with the plaque.
“I am reminded that Helensburgh is a mining town when I see them,” she said.
“And, of course, when you go towards the mine you see old miners’ cottages that are still there.
“They are beautiful too and I hope they don’t ever go.”
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