The Mount Morgan Argus Volume 18, Issue 1

MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS

EUREKA! ANOTHER GOLDEN MOMENT FOR THE MOUNT MORGAN MINE

The word “eureka” has been synonymous with gold discoveries all over the world, as it should be, when considering that the person who is attributed to first using this phrase was the multi-talented Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, astronomer and inventor, Archimedes, who was trying to solve a goldrelated problem.

For Archimedes, the “eureka moment” came while using the public bath, for Heritage Minerals, the “eureka moment” came with the announcement that the Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund (NAIF) had provided

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a $66 million loan which would enable the rebirth of the Mount Morgan Mine, just over 30 years after its closure in 1990.

The NAIF announcement follows on from the Queensland Government’s commitment in November 2022 for an undisclosed sum from its Invested in Queensland Program. The NAIF decision was made in December 2022, but only announced on 17 January 2023.

The two lots of funding will help capitalize the Mount Morgan Tailings Processing and Rehabilitation Project, which has been on the books since early 2021. Heritage Minerals has also received strong support from the Rockhampton Regional Council.

Mount Morgan Mine Manager and Senior Site Executive, Mr Shane Charlton said the project was now moving rapidly to financial close, and all the necessary approvals were in hand.

“Heritage Minerals has recently started to plan an array of early works in preparation for the forthcoming construction phase,” Mr Charlton said.

Mr Charlton said early earthworks were planned after March, with the construction phase starting after June 2023. The construction phase will last for 14 months with commissioning and operations starting about 22 months after the commencement of early work.

Heritage Minerals Chief Executive Officer, Malcolm Paterson said the company’s plans for the environmental rehabilitation of the old mine site, which operated as a mine between 1882 to 1990, funded by the recovery of gold and copper from the mine tailings, was expected to support jobs for many years to come.

The bulk of the jobs will be during the construction phase via the contractors that will be engaged for the project. No contracts have been awarded to date. About 150 people will be employed for operations.

“The Mount Morgan mine created so much wealth and prosperity and had wide-ranging impacts, including providing the impetus for the establishment of BP (British Petroleum) and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Australia’s oldest medical research institute,” Mr Paterson said.

He said Heritage Minerals was excited about the path ahead – working with government and industry partners to re-commercialise the Mount Morgan Mine and simultaneously reduce ongoing impacts from the mine site which flow into water courses ultimately discharging into the Great Barrier Reef.

The NAIF loan will be used to build a tailings processing plant and associated infrastructure, and to allow for rehabilitation of the site.

The proposed plant at Mount Morgan will treat two million tonnes of tailings a year. A new water treatment plant to be built as part of the project would improve water quality in the Dee River.

Minister for Resources and Northern Australia

Madeleine King said the project was forecast to create 250 new direct construction jobs and up to 150 operational jobs, with further indirect jobs promised alongside economic and social benefits for the wider Rockhampton region totalling an estimated $849 million.

“This much-needed project will create jobs and invigorate economic activity in the region,” Minister King said.

“It is an excellent example of renewal in the resources industry.”

The recovery of gold and copper from tailings will help meet increasing demand for the resources required for the clean energy transition while also improving environmental outcomes for the region and industry.

Continued on Page 3

Above: Shane Charlton and Malcoom Paterson from Heritage Minerals met with High School Principal, Dan Petersen

MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS DISCLAIMER

Mount Morgan Argus is

Mount Morgan Promotion

publishers. MMPAD

by external sources.

MMPAD Executive

NAIF CEO Craig Doyle said that with the Queensland Government also supporting the project, he was confident the proponents would deliver the infrastructure to ensure the region secures the forecast public benefit.

Mayor Tony Williams welcomed the Federal Government support and the commitments made late in 2022 from the State Government and said he is now eager to see work begin.

“Mount Morgan has a long history of supporting Queensland through jobs and economic prosperity, this funding will ensure that continues for years to come,” Mayor Williams said.

“I thank Minister Madeleine King for her announcement today and cannot wait to see the rivers of gold that will flow from this community once again.”

“Heritage Minerals are on track to start construction later this year, and we will be working closely with Advance Rockhampton and appropriate State and Federal Government authorities to assist local employment opportunities, tourism activities and other economic development initiatives,” Mayor Williams said.

Divisional Councillor Cherie Rutherford said today’s announcement will come with a great deal of excitement for residents.

“This site is an iconic piece of history to Queensland that many have attempted to revive and, now with this funding secured, Heritage Minerals is one step

closer to breathing new life into Mount Morgan,” Cr Rutherford said.

“With a plan to environmentally rehabilitate the mine while extracting the gold, it’s a win-win for the entire community.”

“We know that proponents have tried in the past to get this project up and running so to see this next step now come to fruition is a massive win for both the community and the mine itself.”

“A sustainable water supply and now permanent jobs on the horizon, it won’t be long until Mount Morgan will be reaping the rewards,” Cr Rutherford said.

Heritage Minerals has also commissioned a one-hour documentary by the Busby Film Company which will capture the history of the mine using a range of media and firsthand accounts from former employees and locals. The production will map the history of the mine and Mount Morgan and is set to conclude with the first gold pour, which has been brought closer by the recent announcements.

Company owner, Brendan Busby said the documentary which started in late 2021 was taking shape, although fitting the Mount Morgan Mine story into a one-hour documentary was the greatest challenge.

“The more we uncover, the more we are overwhelmed with so many stories,” Brendan said

With well-known Queensland duo, Busby Marou providing the musical score and Australian

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Mount Morgan Tailings Processing and Rehabilitation Project, Community Information Session

Heritage Minerals has received key government approvals and secured funding to enable the Mount Morgan Tailings Processing and Rehabilitation Project to progress to the early works and construction stage.

Heritage Minerals would like to invite interested members of the community to attend a Community Information Session.

The Mount Morgan Rotary Club will provide a Sausage Sizzle from 6.00 pm

The Community Information Session will allow Heritage Minerals to provide the community with an update on what has been achieved to date and the next project activities.

Mount Morgan School of Arts Hall

22 February 2023 @ 6.30 pm

poet, Rupert McCall providing the narration, the documentary is sure to be memorable.

“The projection of the first gold bar been poured is for me the ultimate payoff and having our key characters there to witness this very special moment is worth the wait,” Brendan said.

The documentary is fittingly titled, Ironstone Mountain. Community Meeting

Heritage Minerals has already proved its support of the community, sponsoring several community events such as Wattle Day, the Mount Morgan Show and the Golden Mount Festival.

Following the State Government Announcement in November, both Shane Charlton and Malcolm Paterson met with Mount Morgan State High School Principal, Mr Dan Petersen.

“This meeting was to discuss opportunities to help the youth of Mount Morgan and school-based training possibilities.

Mount Morgan residents and jobseekers will have an opportunity to seek answers to any concerns they have at a public information session to be held on Wednesday, 22 February at the Mount Morgan School of Arts. The meeting will start at 6.30 pm. Rotary will provide a sausage sizzle prior to the information session.

Mr Charlton said Heritage Minerals had received enormous community support to assist in progressing the project to this stage.

“The Heritage Minerals team is excited to share its plans and to hear back from the Mount Morgan community about issues relating to jobs, the environment, tourism, and infrastructure,” he said.

WATER TRUCKING COSTS SUBSIDISED

The Palaszczuk Government is pouring $10.8 million into helping Rockhampton Regional Council continue to truck drinking water from Gracemere to Mount Morgan.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Local Government

Steven Miles said the funding would keep this essential service on the road while a pipeline from Gracemere to Mount Morgan was built.

“Since March 2021, Mount Morgan has been on strict level six water restrictions and relying on their water supply being carted from Gracemere,” Mr Miles said.

“The Palaszczuk Government is providing a Special Assistance Package of up to $10.8 million to council to cover the cost of water carting into next year, when the pipeline is expected to be completed.

Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Tony Williams said council had started preliminary works on this permanent solution for the region’s water security.

“While we plan and build a new water pipeline from Gracemere to Mount Morgan, this new funding will help ensure we can continue to supply drinking water to the Mount Morgan community,” Mayor Williams said.

“This is essential for the people of Mount Morgan as works progress towards a permanent water supply.

“This is a great example of State and local government working together to back regional communities like Mount Morgan.”

Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke welcomed the funding.

“The Mount Morgan community deserves secure access to water supply. This funding and the construction of the pipeline ensures that,” Mr O’Rourke said.

“It also means Rockhampton Regional Council won’t be required to continue funding the carting of water.”

The funding will be available to Rockhampton Regional Council over the 2022-23 and 2023-24 financial years.

In an interview with ABC Capricornia’s Paul Culliver, Mayor Tony Williams said that while the dam was at 40 percent, that Council would not consider pumping from it, until the dam had had a good flush.

“We are still looking to Mother Nature to fill the dam - it needs a good flush through it as there is a bluegreen algae bloom in it and there hasn’t been a flow through for some time.

“The water quality is very poor and we would be treating the water with chemicals and the quality wouldn’t be what we would like.

“We’ve got to do some more work at the treatment plant as well to bnring that back online.

Mayor Williams said Council was working through the tender process at the moment with the successful tenderer being announced soon.

“We we thinking of using a mobile treatment plant if we got heavy rain and a good wet season, but that hasn’t eventuated so we are just working through a number of scenarios as we work our way through the project,” he said.

Despite the funding the Mayor said there was still the potential for the Council to still be out of pocket.

“The funding will takes us through till the end of the next financial year (2024). The trucking costs have increased over that time - with wages and fuel costs having crept up over the time we’ve been carting water. I am sure the government will be receptive for futher funding to make sure we are not out of pocket at the end of the day,” he said.

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NEXT STEPS START FOR MOUNT MORGAN MINE CLEAN-UP

Tenders for the latest work to continue to make safe the historic former Mount Morgan mine site in Central Queensland are being assessed, after having closed on 24 January 2023.

The successful specialist contractor will dismantle several derelict and unsafe buildings as well as retrieving artifacts for a future heritage display. Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the contract should be awarded soon, with work expected to start after the wet season in about February, creating up to 10 jobs.

“Queensland has a rich resources history, and the industry has created jobs and prosperity around the state for a couple of centuries,” he said.

“However, the older closed or abandoned sites have left a legacy of impacts that has to be managed safely. This contract is just the latest phase of the government’s long-term project to make the site safe and preserve valuable mining heritage at the same time.”

The Palaszczuk Government’s expert abandoned mines team has been managing the site for almost 30 years.

Since 2017 they have been working to identify and remove hazardous heritage-listed buildings, recording features of buildings and contents, including 3D imagery, for historical records.

The department notified the local community about the project in 2017.

The Government also continues to work with Heritage Minerals on its proposed project to reprocessing tailings. The buildings that will be removed are the Old Workshops (pictured above) and the Pyrite Cell, pictured below.

The Old Workshops were constructed in 1912 - 1913 to serve as the major workshop for the mine. The building accommodated a foundry, machine shop, blacksmith’s shop, fitting shop and boiler shop. It is a large building with single and twin posts and timber trusses supporting a long gabled roof. The pyrite cell building (below), plant and associated infrastructure (1968 - the same year as the Peko-Wallsend merger) were designed to produce pyrite, but the collapse of the pyrite market resulted in this not being used. The flotation cells in this building were then put back into general mill service and reverted to their original name as No. 4 and 5 Bank Agitair Cells. Photos supplied by Dept. of Resources.

WHY MAKE POTTERY IN MOUNT MORGAN?

I ran into some locals outside the newsagent last week; they were looking at my new car signage for Wild Mount Morgan Clay. They asked if the photo of the mine was a recent one aged or an old photo. As I explained about the wild clay and my business one of them asked ‘a bit risky isn’t it starting a pottery business when there are others in Rockhampton and the famous Byfield Pottery?’.

It was a good question but thankfully one I had reflected on when planning workshops and products made from our local clay. The answer is explored in my new magazine ‘wild pottery’ which is free to subscribe to.

As an artist passionate about sustainability and historical connection, I am in the process of creating a creative retreat for anyone who wants to explore native clay and primitive or alternative ways to fire it without commercial products or equipment. This makes the business unique from other potteries, both in the mindset and process of creating ceramics. It also maintains the link between the natural Mount Morgan environment and community.

It is fantastic to see the enthusiasm from the local community for these workshops. It was a real privilege to have Nancy (pictured right) participate in last year’s Guinea Fowl handbuilding workshop. She had booked because the day was the anniversary of her mum’s passing, and wanted to celebrate her life. She named her Guinea Fowl after her late mother and it now sits pride of place in her garden.

To my delight another of the workshop participants was inspired to look for clay in her own yard and showed me the results: a beautiful rich chocolate clay with plasticity (ability to flex and hold its shape) that I look forward to firing to see how it fares.

The wonderful thing about having different colour clays is that they can be made into slip (liquified clay) and painted onto completed ceramics as decoration particularly when glazes cannot be used. I couldn’t help but think how perfectly it would be used for the Native American Wedding Pottery Workshop on Valentine’s Day. This wedding pottery is traditionally made from a terracotta, white and chocolate clay; two people design a half with their own motif and join them together into one vessel.

There are a number of other adult workshops coming up; the Head and Shoulders Clay Sculptural Workshop - the 28 January workshop was fully booked. There will also be a Painting Workshop for those keen to learn panoramic oil painting outdoors in February.

For those school aged children wanting to explore hand-building clay and hopefully in the near future pottery wheel throwing, the After School Pottery Club starts first week back at school every Friday 3.305.30 with afternoon tea included. Discounts apply

for ten weeks of classes. Seniors will soon have a creative social outlet weekdays with an affordable pottery morning. For all details and enquiries please go to www.wildmountmorganclay.au or phone Louise Jones on 0427 314 410.

HIGH SCHOOL ENROLMENTS INCREASE

Mount Morgan State High School’s (MMSHS) year has started off with an enrolment increase from 210 in 2022 and 201 in 2021 to 235 this year.

MMSHS Principal, Mr Dan Petersen said years nine and 11 were the school’s biggest cohort with 44 students each.

In 2022, the school trialled an early start for Year 11 and 12 students.

“We received very positive feedback from students, staff and the school community,” Mr Petersen said. “The early starts give us flexibility with both our teaching and non-teaching staff,” he said.

The Year 11 and 12 students start lessons early for four days a week and have Thursdays as an “off-campus” day to engage in further study and employment opportunities inlcuding TAFE, university, traineeships, apprenticeships, work experience and part-time work.

Also on the agenda for 2023 is the refurbishment of the amenities block which will take place in the first half of 2023. Tenders are currently open for this project.

The amenities block has not had any significant work since it was buildt in the late 1960’s.

PHONE LIZZY ON 0408 262 505

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Phone: 0439 727 609

FAX: 4938 2885

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Dawson Green - Mount Morgan Local NO JOB TOO SMALL! Most Home Repairs - Doors, Windows, Walls, Gates, Patch & Paint

CALL DAWSON ON 0413 825 787 Email - hdgreen@bigpond.com

I will not accept jobs over $3,300.00

Angela Douglas: 0401 953 882

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PROUDLY SERVING MOUNT MORGAN FOR OVER FORTY YEARS

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Phone Des: 0447 275 402

Sandi Wood (nee Inslay) from Mount Morgan was born and raised within the Mount and is well aware of the needs of the Mount Morgan community.

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Tilt Truck Service, Excavator

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Sandi is Mount Morgan’s funeral consultant and is available for all funeral advice.

LIBRARY NEWS

Celebrate International Book Giving Day

As well as being Valentine’s Day, 14 February is now also pretty well-known as Library Lover’s Day, celebrating libraries and library staff, and all the wonderful services and resources they provide to enrich our daily lives. But did you know that since 2012, 14 February has also been designated as International Book Giving Day? The aim of this special day is to get books into the hands of as many children as possible, and to increase children’s enthusiasm for books and reading.

And because at RRC libraries, we love nothing more than doing just that, we will be celebrating 2023 International Book Giving Day on Tuesday, 14 February with a giant FREE book giveaway day for children aged 0-5 years.

Just call in to Southside, Northside or Gracemere libraries between 9.00 am and 4.30 pm that day with your child(ren) so they can pick a book from the many titles on offer, including books by popular authors such as Dr Seuss, Lynley Dodd, Aaron Blabey, Lauren Child and Nick Bland.

As the Mount Morgan library is closed on the day itself, Tuesday 14 February – we will be having a slightly belated International Book Giving Day the very next day, Wednesday, 15 February, with the same great range of books available.

So if you’re up to 5 years of age, get your grown-up - whether it’s mum, dad, grandparent, sibling, guardian or carer - to bring you along to the library, where you can look through all the titles to pick out the perfect one for you!

And if you’re not already a library member, get your parent or guardian grown-up to register you

on the day – all new members up to 5 years of age get a free kit of First 5 Forever resources when they join, so you’ll have even more library and literacy goodies to enjoy!

So pop the date in your calendar now, and we look forward to sharing the love (and the books!)

with you at your local library. Books provided through RRC Libraries’ First 5 Forever program funding. First 5 Forever is an initiative of the Queensland Government, coordinated by State Library of Queensland and delivered in partnership with local government.

MOUNT MORGAN LIBRARY OPENING HOURS

Mondays and Fridays - 9 am to 5 pm Wednesdays - 9 am to 5.30 pm Saturday - 9 am to 12 noon

Closed Tuesdays and Thursdays

Closed for lunch 1-2 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Happy New Year Mount Morgan community! Australia Day

On Australia Day we acknowledged and celebrated the contribution of every person to this land, from our indigenous people to the new immigrants who will become citizens.

We are all Australians.

We all share a stake in our future. We all have responsibilities to each other.

Australia is a vibrant, thriving country because we have successfully blended our Indigenous heritage, our British inheritance, and our multicultural achievement.

Our history has been complex, and we should reflect upon the sacrifices many have made, the challenges we have faced, losses felt and the adversity we have overcome to stand here as Australians.

We also take a moment to think about how lucky we are.

Australia Day is a proud day for the many thousands of people who will join our multicultural family and become Australian citizens.

To all our new friends and neighbours, I say welcome. This year, I attended Central Highlands Regional Council’s Emerald citizenship ceremony to welcome our newest Australian citizens into the local community.

I’m sure they will agree with me that Australia is the best country in the world. Happy Australia Day.

Heritage Minerals

The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) will provide a $66 million loan to Heritage Minerals in Mount Morgan.

The project is expected to deliver a regional income growth effect of $849 million, deliver an estimated reduction in Mount Morgan unemployment to 6.7 per cent, $50 million in local procurement and generate $116.6 million in corporate income tax.

Mount Morgan has a long history of supporting Queensland through jobs and economic prosperity and this funding will ensure that continues for years to come.

The project plans to environmentally rehabilitate the mine while extracting the gold. The project is expected to support 250 jobs in construction, 150 direct operating jobs and more than 2,400 indirect jobs.

MOUNT MORGAN CITIZEN’S CLUB

Submitted by Kirra Swain - Secretary

Mount Morgan Soldiers Rooms Update.

Welcome to 2023, and boy are we hitting the ground running! We have had our first meeting for the year, and our members are brimming with enthusiasm to get stuck into fundraising, running events, and delivering quality services to our community. In our next article, we will have a calendar of events and services so you can mark them in your diary.

We currently have a raffle running, with $1 tickets for sale at Mount Morgan Hot Bread, with the major prize being an original painting, donated by renowned local artist, Nicholai Von Tonslamann. Why not grab a pie and a ticket next time you’re up town. Many thanks to Nicholai and our local bakery.

Also keep an eye out for the cute miniature church donation box located at the counter of Wattle Bee Next NewsXpress. We really appreciate their support with our fundraising efforts. If you are unable to make it into either, our fundraising page that accepts online donations can be reached here :-mycause.com.au/ page/297958/save-our-history

DANCE Upcoming at 7 pm on Saturday evening, 18 February, we will be holding a fundraiser dance at The Soldiers Rooms. With live music, line dancing, raffles, bar and refreshments available, we always have a great time. $10 entry for adults, and $3 for children.

HIRE - The Soldiers Rooms is available for events, and we have chairs and trestle tables available for events elsewhere.

For Bookings call 0419 605 662 for availability. Members receive discounted rates.

NEXT MEETING Sunday, 26 February at 10:30am at the Soldiers Rooms. New members welcome. To get in touch, email mountmorgansoldiersrooms@gmail. com. Like and follow “Mount Morgan Soldiers Rooms” and “Mount Morgan Arts Precinct” on FaceBook to keep up to date.

TUCKSHOP LADY RETIRES

MOUNT MORGAN BUSINESS AND SERVICES DIRECTORY

Mount Morgan Promotion and Development Inc is continually updating its Business and Services Directory used at the Mount Morgan Visitior Information (Explore) Centre and Railway Museum. If you have any new contact details that you would like to include or if you are unsure if you are listed, please contact MMPAD on 4938 2312, 0492 885 350 or email: mmpad@mountmorgan.org.au This information is provided to local residents and visitors.

After almost four years serving at Mount Morgan High School Tuckshop Kristina Whittaker is hanging up her apron and retiring.

The High School staff surprised Kris with a morning tea last week to say thank you for the years she has dedicated to feeding the staff and students.

Kris has always been passionate about the school and feeding the students and everyone has loved her home baked treats.

Kris had a strong relationship with the students and they always showed her the upmost respect.

Kris said she was going to miss seeing everyone and has loved the friendships she has made along the way

VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE NEEDED

Mount Morgan Railway Museum and Explore Centre

Do you have an interest in local history? Or perhaps would like to be involved in town promotions? Mount Morgan Promotion and Development Inc would like to warmly welcome all interested individuals to become a part of the team! Workforce Australia and Centrelink Mutual Obligations also available. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Eve-lyn at MMPAD on 4938 2312 or email mmpad@mountmorgan.org.au.

MOUNT MORGAN BRANCH UPDATE

Submitted by Arlene Roberts - President

Hello Ladies welcome. Well how quickly this year is going as we are already in February.Our branch is planning many functions this year.

To start the year off we are going to celebrate International Women’s Day on 5 March 2023 at the dam. This has been held for the last couple of years and it has been enjoyed by those in attendance so we are going to have it again.

This year it will be held on the 5 March as this is a weekend. If not it would be the 8 March which does not work in with ladies who work and that includes our International Officer Tammy Alden who will be hosting the function.This will be open to any lady who would like to come along and enjoy meeting other ladies,have a cuppa and a chat and just enjoy the morning.So ladies if you would like to come along, we would love to see you there.

This year we have decided that we would like to invite ladies to come along to a social morning of craft and cooking. We will open the door and we will have crafts on offer or you can bring your own. The cooking will be announced on the day.

As many of you are aware Q.C.W.A. has a cooking sector called Country Kitchen’s which showcases many aspects of cooking and nutrition but in a really enjoyable way like adding less added sugar while maintaining the same enjoyable taste. One of the five key messages Country Kitchens promotes is eat more fruit and vegetables. This is being showcased in age care facilities, schools and even work places and is being enjoyed by the participants.

Ladies these functions showcase community spirit, fun, friendship and sharing skills. So you will find it is very enjoyable. We can take on board any suggestions so please come along. If a workshop is requested we will organise that as well.

So we will be kick starting these social functions on the 27 March at the Green Shed at 9.30 and on the fourth Monday of each month. Unfortunately we have to cancel our Debutant Ball last year due to members having work commitments.

If you are interested our cookbooks they are available at the Mount Morgan Explore Centre and by contacting the branch. We have four cookbooks for sale and we are working on more. These books have been very popular.

Last year we introduced a gardening section where we swap plants or plant cuttings. We do this as a social aspect part of our meeting days. This year we may even introduce a guest speaker to talk on the plants. It is really interesting when you hear about the plants that were first grown in Mount Morgan that are known throughout the country. Each year

we donate to several things in our town and we sell raffle tickets and hold functions to help us to do these things, including Bursaries for our Mount Morgan Central State School students, items needed by our local hospital and domestic violence packs. We also have a project that we are very proud of which is for ANZAC. Day.

Our branch has always been involved in improving living conditions, helping to improve health and education and we would like to do so well into the future.

Our project for part of our International work is to create Birthing Kits .This is very important to help to save the lives of mothers and babies.

We are always happy to welcome new members.Well ladies keep your eyes open for our list of upcoming functions for 2023. We are looking at having several functions to bring ladies together from all areas within our community.

To become involved contact Arlene on 0428 457 461.

DEE RIVER OLDIES

Our January Morning Tea had Le-Ann Nitz, a Diabetic Educator as the guest speaker. Making members aware of what to keep a lookout for when managing diabetes was informative.

Louise Jones from Wild Mount Morgan Clay also gave our members an introduction to her business in town. Business cards were available for any members interested.

Our guest speaker for our February Morning Tea will be Peter Cook from the Capricorn Coast Historical Society. The group will have an interesting presentation for our members.

Check out 'Save the Date' on the last page of the Argus for the dates of our February and March Meetings and Morning Teas.

Our first bus trip for the year is on Friday, 17 March 2023. We travel down to Bauhinia House, North Rockhampton to join in the St Patrick's Day celebrations.

The cost is $50 which includes Morning Tea and Lunch served on the day. The bus leaves the Morgan Street bus stop at 8.30 am. To secure your seat, money is to be paid at our February Morning Tea on Wednesday, 22 February 2023.

Looking forward to what 2023 has to offer. Stay happy and healthy.

Submitted by the Steering Committee - Carol Glover 4938 1995 or Colleen Constable 0427 161 131.

Have something you need printed? or laminated?

Come down and see the friendly people at MMPAD. Contact us on 4938 2312 for prices or for further information visit us at the Railway Museum.

Dear Home Owners/Landlords

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A GOLDEN HISTORYJOURNEY

Visit to Mount Rissen Gold Mine - Circa 1888 to 1931

The old mine site is located on State Land just outside Mount Morgan heading towards Rockhampton, locality of Leyden's Hill. It is approximately 400 meters off the Burnett Highway near the head of a ravine in rugged overgrown country. The early history of the mine has not been recorded, but appears to have started about 1888 by

The Good Hope Mining Syndicate. Within the next two or three years an Adit was driven 54 meters (Adit - a horizontal shaft for the purpose of access or drainage). A Winz was then sunk 22 about meters and a vertical shaft was put down, apparently for ventilation. (Winz is a shaft or inclined passage leading from one level to another) The mine was abandoned before 1891 leading to the conclusion that it was not very productive.

It was later held as the Wallaroo Lease but no serious attempts seem to have been made to work the deposit until it was taken up in 1920 by Mr H

G Williams and party under the new name of " Williams's Fancy " Between 1920 and 1921 a fair bit of reconditioning work was carried out but it appears no ore was bought to the surface.

In February 1931, The Sunbeam Syndicate took up the ground and commenced operations. Unfortunately they were ill advised as far as working the mine was concerned and they spent 1200 Pounds for which very little additional information regarding the deposit was gained. Sampling of the exposed quartz reef indicated that the average yield was a little over one oz of gold per tonne of ore, but records do not indicate any further crushing.

Thanks to Mount Morgan local, Jim Sealy for guiding me to the mine site and the book Gold and Ghosts by D.W. de Havelland for the historical information.

Above:

CENTRAL SCHOOL P&C UPDATE

We have an active P&C to raise funds, apply for grants, and help provide better facilities, resources and experiences for our students.

We are always in need of new members however, and with 2023 now in full swing, would like to invite parents and carers to come and check us out.

Meetings are held once a month, brief and to the point as we all have busy lives, but it is amazing what we can achieve with dedicated people.

The reality is though, that for large events like fetes, etc, we need more people to commit to helping, so if this is something you would like your child to experience in their school life, please step forward.

Our next P&C meeting will be our AGM, on at 3:15pm, Monday, 6 March, at the Staffroom. Email mountmorgancsspnc@gmail.com for a Membership

Application or contact us via our FB page, Mount Morgan Central P&C.

Submitted by Kirra Swain - President

Sunday, 5 March is Clean Up Australia Day Call

Submitted by Eric Stevenson, Mount Morgan Outdoors.

The mine and a relic mine ore cart (right) abandoned just down from the tailings pile in a gully. It appears that a part of the cart is missing. It is intended in the near future to preserve the cart in place, or retrieve for display in town for the future.

From Glen to Gold - a journey of discovery

Over my recent Christmas holiday, I had the opportunity to read Gail Grant’s (above) From Glen to Gold, which was released late last year. Initially, I thought to myself “what have I let myself in for?” as I have read several family history books and found them to be drier than sawdust – and that’s coming from an avid reader!

Happily, I can say that this was not the case! From Glen to Gold recounts the story of the pioneering Grant family (Gail’s husband, Hugh’s family – of Grant and Simpson, a Rockhampton Law firm). What Gail has achieved is the creation of a family history in the form of an historical novel.

Like all historical novels, From Glen to Gold, spans centuries – covering events such as the Battle of Culloden, the Ballarat Gold Rush and Eureka Rebellion, El Alamein and the Kokoda Trail. The book has connections to Mount Morgan with Hugh Grant’s ancestor having served at Mayor of the town in the early 1900’s. As an avid genealogist, Gail has spent the better part of 12 years researching and writing From Glen to Gold. She started researching family history when tracing one’s lineage was the “rage”.

In an interview with Gail, she comments that from the outset she knew that the process of research and writing was not going to be a short one.

“I am fairly particular and often I would find something

interesting and write about it - ending up with lots of gems,” she said.

It was Gail’s editor Ian Demack who persuaded her to turn her family research and fact into a historical novel and this has made all the difference. The Grant family’s lineage is extensive, entrepreneurial and impressive and required some international research as well – where she was ably assisted by Hugh. Eight trips in all to Scotland.

“Hugh knew which questions in relation to property valuations, rentals, titles deeds and leases and this additional fact gave my story a hugh lift,” Gail said. The research not only involved looking through old papers but also reading a lot of history books which Gail says was not a hardship. She also read masses of diaries written by immigrants about their journeys. The extensive and meticulous research is evident in every chapter of the novel. Gail’s penmanship is such that, you’re happy when the real-life characters are and you feel sad when the historical ancestors are suffering. From Glen to Gold recreates and preserves the history of a family who has contributed so much in Scotland and in Australia.

While over 400 pages in length, From Glen to Gold is definitely worth reading. These are available in Mount Morgan at the Mount Morgan Explore Centre and Wattle Bee Next. Submitted by Eve-lyn Rogers.

SAVE THE DATE! CLASSIFIEDS

FEB 11: Baree Markets, Baree School of Arts, Creek Street, Baree. From 8 am - 12 noon.

FEB 17: Mobile Women’s Health Clinic. Phone 4912 5100 for an appointment.

FEB 18: Fundraiser Dance - starts 7 pm. Adults $10, kids $3. Bar open, supper provided. Old time and Line Dancing and live music. The Soldiers’ Rooms, 18 Morgan Street.

FEB 21: Dee River Oldies Group - Monthly Meeting starting at 2 pm to be held in St Mary’s Hall, Gordon Street, Mount Morgan. (Behind the Anglican Church).

FEB 22: Dee River Oldies Group - Morning Tea starting at 10 am to be held in St Mary’s Hall, Gordon Street, Mount Morgan. (Behind the Anglican Church). Cost is $5. The guest speaker will be Peter Cook from the Capricorn Coast Historical Society. Raffle and lucky door prizes.

MAR 5: Clean-up Australia Day. Volunteer to help clean up by contacting MMPAD on 4938 2312. Starts at 8 am - finish at 12 noon.

MAR 5: Country Music Afternoon. Soldiers’ Rooms 18 Morgan Street. 1 - 4pm. $10 adults $2 children. Refreshments supplied. Bar Operating.

MAR 11: Baree Markets, Baree School of Arts, Creek Street, Baree. From 8 am - 12 noon.

MAR 17: Dee River Oldies Group - Bus Trip to St Patrick’s Day celebrations at Bauhinia House, Berserker. The cost is $50 and will include Morning Tea and Lunch served on the day. Money is to be paid at the February Morning Tea on 22 February, 2023. Bus leaves the bus stop in Morgan Street at 8.30 am.

MAR 18: Bush Dance at Soldiers’ Rooms. Starts 7 pm. All welcome.

MAR 21: Dee River Oldies Group - Monthly Meeting starting at 2 pm to be held in St Mary’s Hall, Gordon Street, Mount Morgan. (Behind the Anglican Church).

MAR 22: Dee River Oldies Group - Morning Tea starting at 10 am to be held in St Mary’s Hall, Gordon Street, Mount Morgan. (Behind the Anglican Church). Cost is $5. Raffle and lucky door prizes.

MAR 28: Mobile Women’s Health Clinic. Phone 4912 5100 for an appointment.

Blue Care Trash & Treasure, 21 Gordon Street.

Every Friday from 8.30 am to 12 noon. Every first Saturday of the month from 8 am to 12 noon Bags of clothing $5. Marion’s plants for sale.

Swaffield’s Property Maintenance

ABN: 68 537 641 178

Mobile: 0432 448 530

• Lawn Mowing and hedge trimming

• Yard cleanups and rubbish removal

• Wood chipping and dump runs

• House move out assistance

• Public Liability Insurance No job too big or too small!

Call Jason on 0432 448 530

LIGHT ON THE HILL CHURCH

GARAGE SALE: Saturday, 18 February. 8 am - 6 pm, 7 Lukin Street, Mount Morgan. Building supplies, household goods, large dog kennel/kids cubby, craft, art. $cheap $cheap $cheap.

FOR SALE: Action Gym - $300.00 and Davy Pressure Pump. Good con. $200. Ring Rob on 0458 033 183 .

MOUNT MORGAN MEN’S

ANNNUAL

SHED

GENERAL MEETING

22 FEBRUARY, 2023 AT 6 PM MOUNT MORGAN HOSPITAL PHONE 0429 055 165 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

MOUNT MORGAN CITIZEN’S CLUB INC

Meets on the last Sunday of each month at 10.30 am. Soldiers’ Rooms, 18 Morgan Street, Phone - John Tuxworth 0429 055 165

MOUNT MORGAN MEN’S SHED INC. Meet 9 am - 12 noon Wednesdays

Phone John on 0429 055 165

ROTARY CLUB OF MOUNT MORGAN

DINNER MEETING - THURSDAY - GRAND HOTEL 6.00 for 6.30. Interested people are encouraged to attend or send an Expression of Interest to PO Box 2, Mount Morgan

AA meeting

Mount Morgan Soldiers’ Rooms 18 Morgan St 10am - 11am every Wednesday

“The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking”

MOUNT MORGAN QCWA BRANCH

Meets every third Monday at the Green Shed - Thompson Ave 9.30 am meet for 10 am start.

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