Australian Agricultural Company (A.A. Co.)
The township of Weston, NSW, named for the pioneering Weston family, was born from the Australian Agricultural Company’s (A.A. Co.) development of the Hebburn No. 1 colliery in 1902, with its first tunnel sunk near Oaks Creek. The A.A. Co. acquired 4,457 acres of coal-rich land south of Weston, including 1,320 acres of freehold from the Hebblewhite family after test bores confirmed high-quality coal seams first identified in the 1880s by geologist Mr. Harper.
The Hebburn Colliery developed rapidly, with a dam holding five million gallons built across Oaks Creek to power steam-driven operations and the construction of key infrastructure. Miners lived in tents, families persevered through hardship, and the promise of steady work fueled growth - giving rise to the Hebburn and Weston Estates. The Hebburn Collieries, No. 1 and No. 2, were the heartbeat of Weston, driving its economy and shaping its identity until their closure: Hebburn No.1 in 1958 and Hebburn No.2 in 1972. This page honours the miners’ legacy, their sacrifices, and Weston's enduring community spirit.
Above: Bridge over Oaks Creek. Hebburn Colliery, Weston NSW c. 1903 - 1920
' Australian Agricultural Company's Hebburn Colliery'
~ Photographer: William Henry Weston. 17000027
~ Picture Maitland - Maitland City Library
James Weston: Town Founder and Convict Pioneer
James Weston (b. 23 Dec 1800) was one of 167 convicts transported on the ship Adrian from England on 13 April 1830, arriving in New South Wales on 20 August 1830 after conviction at Sussex Assizes for a 14-year sentence (initially death, commuted). Born in England, he married Lucy Hyland in Burwash, Sussex, on 26 July 1825; she followed him to Australia, where they had two children: Jane (b. 1832) and James (b. 1840). Assigned to farming properties in the Hunter Valley and Cassilis under Alexander Busby and John Jones, James earned his Ticket of Leave in 1836, Passport in 1843, and Certificate of Freedom in 1843. Post-sentence, he farmed at Cassilis and Coonabarabran before moving to Maitland. In 1856, he purchased 640 acres in the Parish of Heddon near Swamp Creek (see map below), establishing a homestead with vineyard and orchard. The township of Weston, NSW, is named after him. James died in 1883, leaving his estate to James Jr. and Jane (m. John Swanson). More information on James Weston can be found at Convict Records
James Weston's 640 acres are described as being in:
Portion No 260, Parish of Heddon, County of Northumberland.
Bounded:
on the east by Government Road
on the south by what later became Cessnock Road (to the Esplanade) and then by a straight line through Chinaman's Hollow
on the west by the line at the left edge of the map
on the north by what later became Gingers Lane
Source: New South Wales. Department of Lands. (1957). Parish of Heddon, County of Northumberland Land District of Maitland, City of Maitland & Municipality of Greater Cessnock, Eastern Division, N.S.W. Retrieved August 29, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/ nla.obj-1480107900
~ Peter Williams
Above: Edith Weston (nee Fielder), the wife of James Weston Jr. c.1900-1905
Edith Weston (1842-1917) is photographed at the bridge near the old Weston family homestead in Government Road, Weston NSW.
~ Photographer: William Henry Weston 17000088
~Picture Maitland - Maitland City Library
Above: The Weston Family, including Edith on the left. c. 1900-1905
~ Photographer: William Henry Weston 17000088
~Picture Maitland - Maitland City Library
Above: James Weston Jr. and wife Edith, together with Jane Swanson, James Weston's sister, and other family members, all seated on cane chairs celebrating the Golden Wedding Anniversary of James and Edith.
~ Ean Smith, IGUIWAS
Newcastle Morning Herald / 22 Dec 1903
HEBBURN.
ELECTRIC LIGHT
A preliminary test was made with the new electric plant which has recently been erected at the Hebburn Colliery. The power house is a very large brick building fitted up with the latest and best electric plant procurable. There are six ordinary lights equally distributed round the walls of the building which showed a brilliant light. There were also two other lights of 250 candle-power which reflected a very powerful light. These two large lights are to be placed on the screens eventually. The whole of the pit-top is to be fitted up with electric lights, and the coal-cutting machines are also to be driven by the same power. - Mr. Scott, manager, Mr. Turnbull, engineer, and Mr. A. F. Hall, surveyor, were among those present on the occasion.
~ Via Ed Tonks
Above: Portion of A. A. Co. Hebburn Dam
~ Coalfields Heritage Group
Above: Hebburn dam and the township of Hebburn
~ Coalfields Heritage Group
Above: Hebburn Estate - Rough Tent Structure
George Perris (right of sign) and Jack Coxhall (sleeveless shirt).
The sign reads:
'Preparing for Xmas Departure. The Drop Inn. G. Perris Manager. Good Bye Little Girl Good Bye.'
To the right of Jack Coxhall is believed to be Mary (Molly) and Charlie Perris with their surviving twin daughter Jean. Jean's twin sister, Mary, died in a tragic accident at just three years of age.
~ Mrs Norma Wyper, Maitland NSW ~ Lynette Bowtell
Above: Hebburn No.1 Staff Cricket Team - No names or date
~ Ean Smith
~ JOHN DELANEY
The following excerpts were taken from John Delaney: A HISTORY OF THE GRETA COAL MEASURES, Hebburn No.1.
BRIEF HISTORY:
...A benefit to the Australian Agricultural Company was that in addition to its previous land grants, the company was to have a further 1960 acres on the banks of the Coal River (Hunter River) at Newcastle, to provide in part, water frontage for the shipment of coal and other produce. Another important benefit was that the Government guaranteed the Australian Agricultural Company a monopoly of all coal produced, except that from coal lands previously granted...Read more...
.....In the middle of 1831 Sir Edward Parry the then Australian Agricultural Company's superintendent (or agent) reported to his English board of directors that two shafts had been driven; a steam engine was erected; a wharf had been constructed 13 feet above the high-water mark to allow the loading of coal into the ships. Ventilation in the mine was made through the two shafts and using brattice. Coal was sent to the wharf from the mine on an inclined skip rail track. Quite outstanding progress for the time.
By 1840 convicts had been phased out from working the Newcastle coal mines, and miners were brought from England to replace them.
...James and Alexander Brown, two brothers, in the early 1840's had opened a small coal mine near East Maitland to supply the new steamer ships plying between Sydney and Morpeth, the port for the Hunter and Maitland districts. Such trade made inroads into the Australian Agricultural Company's coal business. The Company requested the NSW Government to take action to prosecute this breach of the coal monopoly. J. & A. Brown were found to be guilty, but damages were set at only one shilling, ($0.10). With such an indication and trend the Australian Agricultural Company shortly afterwards relinquished its rights to a "coal monopoly". This move did not remove the Australian Agricultural Company from its very strong position and dominance in the coal trade. It continued to work several mines at Newcastle. The "Sea-Pit" Colliery operated by the Company for many years was very successful and profitable.
Following Mr T.W. Edgeworth David's (later Professor) report on the Greta Coal Seams in the 1887 Mines Department Annual Report, and the very obvious success of the East Greta Coal Mining Company in the early 1890's, the Australian Agricultural Company kept a close watch and review of this new South Maitland coalfield. The Australian Agricultural Company's "Sea-Pit" mine like many other Newcastle District worked collieries was then ageing. There was difficulty in further expansion in the Newcastle region and this new area offered good opportunity to supplement the Company's production output.
Charles J. Hebblewhite, whilst giving evidence at the NSW Parliamentary inquiry concerning the Stanford Railway construction application, (Act assented 25th July 1900), stated that he had sunk two bores on his estate to prove the existence of coal. One bore had found a 15 feet thick coal seam at a depth of 66 feet. The other bore at a depth of 87 feet met a 12 feet thick coal seam.
The Australian Agricultural Company in early 1901 purchased the Hebblewhite estate of 1280 acres in the Parish of Stanford with a view to opening a new colliery.
Meanwhile another group, the Aberdare Collieries of NSW had been formed on the 24th January 1901. This company had taken up a large lease of over 12,000 acres and which included the original Silkstone lease of 1996 acres. The Aberdare Collieries of NSW Company sought permission from the NSW Government to construct a railway from a point on the new Stanford Railway to Cessnock township. Authority was granted by the "Aberdare Railway Act" dated 27th December 1901. Whilst the Aberdare Collieries of NSW Company had acquired the original Silkstone lease, the Silkstone Railway survey was not followed. Instead a route for a rail track was made. This new altered rail line meant that Hebburn No.1 Colliery would not be served by this new railway. Consequently the Australian Agricultural Company signified to the Aberdare Collieries of NSW Company that provided the railway route was altered to give their new colliery rail access, it was willing to become a half owner of the new Aberdare Railway. The proposal was accepted, and the new railway was commenced in early 1902. The Australian Agricultural Company at this same period had also purchased the lease rights for some 900 acres of the original Silkstone lease from the Aberdare Collieries of NSW Company.
During the period the Aberdare Railway construction was in progress, the Australian Agricultural Company had a huge dam built on the creek, which drains from Mt. Tumbleby and later runs through the area now known as Chinaman's Hollow. Clay from the Aberdare Railway cuttings was carted by horse and dray, and was utilised in the batter walls. The dam, which was said to hold 50,000,000 gallons, was so necessary to provide a guaranteed water supply for the steam required for haulage motors, electricity generation plant, and in the Company's own railway locomotives. Later, because of its financial interest in the Aberdare Railway, it supplied water for the East Greta Coal Mining Company's locomotives at Weston railway station. The elevated water tank, now long disused, still standing close to Weston township shopping centre, has the brand, "A.A. Co" proudly flaunted on its steel walls...
...The Newcastle Morning Herald newspaper in its issue dated 5th January 1904 published an interview made by a reporter with Mr Edwin "Ned" Pepper, an early mining shaft sinker, bore-driver, in the Newcastle, Greta and South Maitland areas. Mr Pepper claimed that he was engaged by the Australian Agricultural Company in early 1901 to sink four bores on the Hebblewhite Estate. Later the Company contracted him to drive in the tunnel, that became known as Hebburn No. 2 "Sore-eye" Colliery. (Author's note: This small tunnel, although early named Hebburn No. 2 Colliery should not be confused with the very much more important Hebburn No. 2 Colliery, the sinking of which commenced in 1918)...
...The Aberdare Railway construction had reached Weston in December 1902, and the first locomotive arrived on Tuesday 20th January 1903. The first train of coal produced from the Hebburn Colliery lease was despatched by the railway on Friday 24th May 1903. This coal was sent from the Sore-eye Tunnel workings. This small tunnel working had its own rail sidings and a separate entry junction points to the Aberdare Railway. Both Hebburn tunnel workings were being driven at the same time with the main pit-top and rail sidings yard at the Hebburn No. 1 Colliery location. Eventually the workings were linked underground. The Sore-eye pit-top, screens, rail sidings, and the connection to the Aberdare Railway are said to have been all disconnected, dismantled and removed during 1908...
...The Australian Agricultural Company continued to honour the agreement made in August 1903, that the East Greta Coal Mining Company should provide the locomotive power, the personnel manning, the management and the administration for the operation of passenger, coal and goods trains haulage services on the Aberdare Railway...
...Almost from the commencement of operations at Hebburn No. 1 Colliery, the mine had generated its own electricity. The Cessnock Eagle newspaper in its issue dated 24th July 1916 reports that Hebburn Limited had submitted a proposal to Cessnock Shire Council that for a fee of £110-0-0 ($220.00) per annum, it would erect 10 electric street lights in Aberdare Street [now Cessnock Road], Weston and 10 lights in Station Street, Weston. When this agreement was ratified, electricity for lighting and domestic power was also made available to householders. At this period, the power supplied was direct current electricity.
A unique condition in the 1916 agreement with the Cessnock Shire Council on town lighting was that Hebburn Limited did not have to illuminate Weston Street lights on moonlight nights. From my own experience this condition still applied in 1945. When electricity was supplied straight from Hebburn No. 2 Colliery powerhouse in February 1938 to Weston township, about two-thirds of the customers were changed from direct current to alternating current electricity. This caused some problems to the local storekeepers in that both current type appliances were required to be stocked. This position was maintained until July 1957 when the Government instrumentality, Hunter Valley County Council, was created to control and supply electricity to the homes and street lighting in Weston township...
...On 22nd November 1918, a new company, South Maitland Railways Limited was incorporated. This new company was to own, control, administer and operate all rail track, locomotives and equipment constructed under the Silkstone Railways Act, Stanford Railways Act and the Aberdare Railways Act...
...Similar to other major coal companies, the expansion to larger markets and greater coal sales was a natural progression for Hebburn Limited. The influx of Huddart Parker Limited capital, and that company's close association with Victorian business interests soon required increased production. To meet this demand, Hebburn Limited decided to open another colliery on mining lease 79, Parish of Stanford, on the foothills of Mount Tomalpin (Tumbleby). Mining operations at this new mine (Hebburn No. 2 Colliery) commenced on the 28th November 1918...
~ Excerpts taken from John Delaney: A HISTORY OF THE GRETA COAL MEASURES, Hebburn No.1.
Above: Aberdare Railway - workers constructing the railway line near junction.
~Hunter Photo Bank
By 1903, the railway line was up and running, carting coal from Hebburn to the world. It wasn’t just tracks—it was Weston’s lifeline, linking miners to markets and putting bread on the table for families in the Hebburn Estate.
'The railway being constructed from Aberdare Junction to Cessnock township, under the provisions of the Aberdare Railway Act, dated 27th December 1901, had reached Hebburn Colliery on Tuesday 20th January 1903. The first trainload of Hebburn coal production was despatched on Friday 24th May 1903.' [John Delaney. A HISTORY OF THE GRETA COAL MEASURES: Hebburn No. 1 Colliery]
MAP SHOWING RAILWAY BRANCHES, HEBBURN NO.1 & HEBBURN NO.2 COLLIERIES - WESTON NSW
Above: Map showing the location of the railway branches, Hebburn No.1 Colliery and dam, and Hebburn No.2 Colliery in relation to the township of Weston NSW.
From: ANDREWS, Brian Robert, COAL, RAILWAYS AND MINES, THE RAILWAYS AND COLLIERIES OF THE GRETA AND SOUTH MAITLAND COALFIELDS. Volume 2, p.544.
~ Published with the permission of Brian Robert Andrews
Above : Hebburn Colliery and dam
~ Newcastle Region Library
Above: Hebburn No. 1 Colliery, Weston NSW, 1954 - Aerial view, notated
~ Ean Smith Collection
MINERS SUPPORT KURRI KURRI HOSPITAL
Above: Opening day, Kurri Kurri Cottage Hospital
20 Aug 1904
~Coalfields Heritage Centre
The following extracted from the website :
http://www.coalandcommunity.com/kurri-kurri-district-hospital.php
A public meeting was held on April 30th 1904 in Lewis' Hall with the intention of discussing raising funds to start the first district hospital in Kurri Kurri. It was attended by mining delegates from Abermain, Pelaw Main, Stanford Merthyr and Heddon Greta Collieries, as well as local residents, and businessmen. A building was available for lease for use as a Cottage Hospital, which would operate as a temporary hospital until a new hospital could be built. A Government subsidy was available, leaving the miners to raise the amount of £125. Prior to the official opening a conference of colliery employees determined that a building fund levy of threepence per fortnight should be imposed upon all miners for maintenance of the institution. Read more...
The temporary hospital operated out of a small cottage located at the corner of Alexandra and Rawson Streets, Kurri Kurri. The building could accommodate five patients, the matron and an assistant. It was owned by Mr. Waugh of Bulli and rented for 15/- ($1.50) per week and had formerly been the residence of Dr. Thrower. A management committee and a Ladies Hospital Committee were formed. While the main role of the Ladies Committee was to serve tea and sandwiches at hospital meetings and functions, they were also the main organisers of all fundraising activities including balls, social events and concerts. The Ladies Hospital Committee raised £8.2s to allow the hospital to have funds in the bank before it was even opened.
The official opening of the hospital was 20th Aug. 1904. The first Matron was Mrs Elizabeth Griffiths but she resigned shortly afterwards and Miss Agnes Macready was appointed. Dr. Latham, Dr. Fisher and Dr. Thrower were the first Honorary Medical Officers. On the 30th December 1904 the hospital was registered under the Hospital Act and was then eligible to receive a subsidy based on the subscriptions received during the first year. The subsidy amounted to £140.
The hospital survived its first year through financial subscriptions from the Miners' Lodges and an A. A. Company subsidy of £15.17s. The Lodges' contributions were:
Abermain £7.16s from 280 employees
Heddon Greta £8.18s from 120 employees
Pelaw Main £18.2s from 500 employees
Stanford Merthyr £18.6s from 250 employees
Hebburn £15.17s from 250 employees.'
Australian Town and Country Journal, 10 May 1905
Strike at Hebburn Colliery.
A meeting of the Hebburn Miners' Lodge was held on Sunday at Kurri Kurri, when a letter was received from Mr. James Curley, general secretary of the federation, urging that the decision of the District Board be carried out, and that the terms offered by the A.A. Company, be accepted.
It also pointed out that strenuous efforts had been made by the deputation to the management to have the reduction set aside. Some modification had been secured, and he advised that the terms be accepted. The meeting decided not to consider Mr. Curey's letter.
The miners having decided not to accept the proposed reductions, work was stopped at the mine on Monday. Mr. Harle, the company's manager, on being asked if the stoppage would interfere with existing contracts, stated that they had a clause which held all contracts in abeyance should any trouble arise at the pits. They were, therefore, prepared to shut down the mine indefinitely until the men either accepted the terms or fresh men were engaged. The latter feature had so far not been considered in any way by the management. The horses, however, have been removed from the pit, and sent out to the paddocks. Some of the men withdrew their tools on Monday morning.
Above: Hebburn Colliery from the railway
~ Mr Bill Fairfull ~ Coalfields Local History Association
The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912), Wed 24 May 1905
THE HEBBURN COLLIERY STRIKE.
WEST MAITLAND, Sunday.
The employees of the Hebburn Colliery have declined to resume work on the reduced rates pending a decision of the Miners' Lodge of the district on their case.
All efforts to induce the men to take a rational view of the situation have failed. Meetings are held regularly, and any oficer of the lodge failing in attendance is suspended by the men.
The majority of the employees are married men with families, and it is hard to conceive how they will be able to remain idle in view of the fact that none of the storekeepers can afford to give extended credit.
As the town of Weston depends mainly on the maintenance of work at Hebburn the position of the storekeepers there who have already given credit is a serious one. The employees content themselves with meeting in groups to discuss the trouble.
Above: Hebburn No.1 Colliery, Weston NSW, 1907 - Hebburn Heapsted
~ Ean Smith Collection
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW: 1842 - 1954) , Thu 29 Aug 1907
THE HEBBURN STRIKE.
ACTION. MINERS’ FEDERATION.
NEWCASTLE, Wednesday.
The position at Hebburn colliery was discussed at a meeting of the committee of management of the Colliery Employees’ federation to-day.
The president, Mr. P. Bowling, submitted a report, giving details of the events which led up to the cessation of work by employees at that colliery. A resolution endorsing the notion of the president in advising the men to cease work unless the machines were withdrawn, was carried.
A motion that a joint inspection of the Hebburn colliery be made by the Government district Inspector, the district school Inspector, the local Inspector of collieries, and Messrs. Bowling and Curley, officers of the federation, was adopted.
HEBBURN COLLIERY - STAFF HOUSING
Above : Hebburn Coal Wagons, Staff housing and Mt Tomalpin or 'Tumbleby'.
~Newcastle Regional Library
Above: Hebburn Colliery, Weston NSW
Mine Managers Residence & Office
~ Ean Smith Collection
Above: Hebburn Colliery, Weston NSW
Staff Housing
~ Ean Smith Collection
JEFFREY SMALL COAL HANDLING SYSTEM
Above: Jeffrey Small Coal Handling System
This lay just to the west of the colliery offices. Built June 1907
ANDREWS, Brian Robert, 'Coal, Railways and Mines: The Railways and Collieries of the Greta and South Maitland Coalfields' Vol. 2, pp520-23
~ UNE Coal & Cultural Collection, ~ Peter Williams
[See section: The Aftermath]
Above: Small Coal Handling Tunnel. Interior of the facility.
The top was covered in coal coming down from the overhead conveyors.
~ UNE Coal & Cultural Collection
THE MINERS
Above: Hebburn Colliery Miners, Weston NSW
~ Ean Smith Collection
The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA (1889-1931) Thu 21 Mar 1907
THE HEBBURN COLLIERY STRIKE. THE MEN RESUME WORK
STRAIGHT TALK BY A UNION PRESIDENT.
Sydney. March 29.
The trouble at the Hebburn colliery has been settled for the present. In response to a telegram from the secretary of the lodge, Mr. Peter Bowling (president of Northern Colliery Employes' Federation) arrived yesterday, and accompanied a deputation to the under-manager of the pit, who informed them that the manager would return today. In the meantime the money which was stopped from the men's pay on Friday was made up.
The men were told to go to work, and the whole question in dispute would be referred to the conference to be held between the manager and the lodge officials during the week. Work was resumed this morning.
In announcing the decision to the lodge. Mr. Bowling gave the men a little straight talk. "Understand." he said, "we will no longer allow the 'tail to wag the dog.' For too long, hundreds of men have had to submit to the dictation of a few, but clearly understand that is a thing of the past. You joined the union so that your differences could be ours, and so that your troubles could be settled in a constitutional manner.
If you don't intend to abide by the decision of the majority-if you only want to be union men when it suits you-your place is outside the door of the hall, and the federation doesn't want you."
These remarks were loudly applauded.
Above: Postcard depicting a Jeffrey Coal cutting machine in use at Hebburn Colliery c.1907-1908
~ Ed Tonks Collection
The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 12 July 1907
HEBBURN STRIKE SETTLED. OWNERS' TERMS ACCEPTED, MINERS INCENSED WITH WHEELERS.
KURRI KURRI, Thursday:
Another deputation Interviewed Mr. Harle, manager of the Hebburn colliery, this morning. Mr. Harle refused to Investigate any cases of alleged shortage of wages, stating that his offer to do so if they returned to work had not been previously accepted. He stated also that the wheelers must resume work on a fixed dally wage. Read more...
The deputation asked for an alternative proposal, to which Mr. Harle finally agreed, and drafted an agreement, to be signed by the wheelers, as follows:- "We agree to accept the tonnage rates existing at this colliery for wheeling, and in the event of our not making the shift wage, through shortage of skips, shortage of men to wheel off, or any other cause whatever, we agree to accept the wages as made on contract only, and under no conditions will we stop the pit if our wages on contract fall below the ruling shift wage. All wheelers empty locked In the colliery to be on contract rates only."
In the event of this agreement not being favourably received, Mr. Harle offered to employ all wheelers on shift work at the shift wages ruling at the time.
The deputation took these proposals back to a meeting of the lodge, and a strenuous argument ensued. A number of the miners resented the power of the wheelers to throw the pit idle by strikes, and this view was forcibly voiced by Mr. James Thomson, check weighman, who declared that the attitude of the wheelers in the varlous lodges had caused repeated strikes, and that now, instead of the executive officers of the lodge or the majority of the lodge ruling, it was the tail ruling the head. He predicted that the time would come when the wheelers would have to be expelled from the Colliery Employees' Federation, and said that had he been in the manager's place he would have been just as incensed as Mr. Harle was at the repeated stoppages of the pit.
Finally the wheelers agreed to accept the contract rates, and sign the agreement drafted, provided that they were reimbursed for the alleged shortage of wages at the last pay. The lodge decided to investigate the claims, and guarantee legitimate claims.
It is expected work will be resumed tomorrow.
Above: Hebburn Miners receiving strike pay near the Criterion Hotel.
Note the man above working on the construction of the Olympia Hall (completed by 1914).
~ Ean Smith Collection
Above: Postcard - Inspecting coal fall at Hebburn Colliery, Weston NSW c.1908
~ Ean Smith Collection
Above: 7.am shift surface hands Hebburn No.1 Colliery about 1909
~ Ean Smith Collection
Above: Hebburn Colliery Miners c.1909
~ Ean Smith Collection
Above: Bywash and bridge, A.A. Co.'s Dam, Hebburn NSW
~Ean Smith Collection
Above: Bywash. Hebburn Colliery, New South Wales in flood
~ Australian National University
Above: On Hebburn Colliery Dam Spillway, Weston NSW
~ Ean Smith Collection
Above: Picnic Day at Hebburn Dam
~ Coalfields Heritage Group
MINERS' AGGREGATE MEETING - WESTON NSW 6 JUN 1913
Above: The Aberdare Hotel, Weston NSW - 6 Jun 1913. Licensee at this time was Alexander George Jewell.
A Miners' aggregate meeting was held 6 Jun 1913 opposite the hotel in a paddock next to the
Allies Open Air Picture Theatre.
~ Ed Tonks Collection
Above: Miners' Aggregate Meeting Weston NSW - 6 Jun 1913
The meeting was held in a paddock next to the Allies Open Air Picture Theatre and opposite the Aberdare Hotel.
Note those taking vantage points on the wall and up in the tree.
~ Ed Tonks Collection
A WESTON SURF CARNIVAL
Above: Newcastle lifesavers posing with reels in front of the Criterion Hotel, Weston NSW in 1914.
They were attending the Weston Surf Carnival held at the Hebburn Colliery Dam.
~ Newcastle Library - Hunter Photo Bank
See article: A Weston Surf Carnival
THE 1917 STRIKE
The 1917 Australian General Strike is considered one of Australia's largest and most significant industrial conflicts. It highlighted the tensions between workers, employers, and the government during a period marked by economic hardship and political divisions. It was triggered by the introduction of a new timecard system at the Eveleigh Railway Workshops and Randwick Tramsheds in Sydney. This system aimed to monitor worker productivity, and its introduction led to widespread discontent and ultimately, a strike that spread across various industries and states.
The 1917 strike at Hebburn Colliery was a significant event in the broader 1917 coal strike. It stemmed from a dispute over proposed wage reductions by the A.A. Company. The miners at Hebburn, along with those at other collieries, refused to accept the proposed cuts, leading to a work stoppage. The company responded by stating they were prepared to shut down the mine indefinitely until the men either accepted the terms or new workers were engaged. The strike had a significant impact on coal production and supply in the region.
Above: Police guarding the Hebburn Colliery during the 1917 strike.
~ Ed Tonks Collection
The 1917 strike saw Hebburn miners dig in their heels, demanding fair pay and safer conditions. It was a rough time—families went without, but the mateship in Weston held strong. They stood together, proving this coal mining town had backbone.
Northern Times (Newcastle, NSW: 1857 - 1918) / Tue 27 Mar 1917
Question of Distribution.
MEN DISCUSS POSITION.
Equal distribution of skips through the various sections of Hebburn Colliery was contended for at a meeting of Hebburn miners yesterday, over which the chairman of the lodge (Mr. Wardle) presided. The discussion arose out of the report of a deputation that had interviewed the manager regarding an allegation that skips were kept back for special places when men on day shift were short. There was also a grievance as to the number of skips put in at various sections, it being alleged that men on tops received an ample number, whereas men on machine-cut coal were given fewer than half that number.
The chairman reported that the manager said he would try to regulate this. With regard to Lynn's, the endless rope would soon be dealing with these, and about 159 or 200 more skips would be available. In the dip crosscuts (east) the heading would be broken through in about three weeks. The complaint that new starters were being put on at wheeling when there were old hands "on the grass" was laid before the manager, and he bad assured them that any old hand could have this work in preference to new hands, if they would take it. He had denied that skips were kept back from day shift men to make them available tor specials: he contended that it would be obviously absurd for him to do this, and have to pay 3d a ton more for the coal from specials than he would have to pay for day-shift coal.
The secretary (Mr. T. Hadfield) supplemented the president's report. Touching on a complaint by a member who had been refused temporary work because it was alleged that the Mechanics Union objected, the manager had asked the engineer what had taken place, and he had denied promising work to any member.
The member who had laid the complaint denied the engineer's statement, and it was resolved that he be present when the deputation again interviewed the manager on the matter…
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW: 1876 - 1954) / Wed 25 Apr 1917
THREATS OF STRIKES.
Just before the luncheon adjournment, when a certain Hebburn claim was mentioned, one of the men's assessors on the board made a remark, which evoked from his Honor a statement that he resented particularly, the assessor's suggestions of pressure on account of a threat of the men to strike, "I will not have it," he continued. "If the men of Hebburn break their word, I shall not be influenced in the conduct of my business for that reason. If the assessors encourage them, that will not influence me either. I shall. do my work as well as l can, but I shall not listen to any assessor who urges me to do particular work because there is a likelihood of a breach of faith on the part of the men."
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate / Wed 18 July 1917
HEBBURN COLLIERY.
Hebburn Colliery was idle yesterday as the result of a dispute at the pit-top after the men had assembled for work. The dispute arose in connection with the contract wheelers' tonnage. The sheet made out by the checkweighmen in some instances varied from 20 to 70 tons to the one submitted by the company. The men then decided to return home, and a deputation was appointed to meet the manager yesterday afternoon. The deputation comprised the lodge officers and representative wheelers. After a brief interview a very satisfactory settlement was arrived at, and work will be resumed this morning.
The Maitland Weekly Mercury (NSW: 1894 - 1931) / Sat 8 Sept 1917
HEBBURN COAL.
40 WAGGONS FOR GOVERNMENT.
CESSNOCK. Friday.
Four trains of best coal of about forty waggons each were removed from Hebburn Colliery this morning for the use of the Government. Government locos were used. Men on strike congregated at the railway crossing and raised their hats to the trains as they went by, but there was no disorder.
Bendigo Advertiser (Vic.: 1855 - 1918) / Fri 12 Oct 1917
THE STRIKE.
ALL COLLIERIES WORKING.
MAITLAND TROUBLES ENDED.
SYDNEY.--The trouble at the Northern collieries has been settled in favor of the men, consequently all the South Maitland miners will resume on Monday.
The Government has given instructions to that effect.
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW: 1876 - 1954) / Fri 22 Sept 1922
WESTON.
…Hebburn Colliery was idle yesterday consequent on trouble about the electric lamps. The wheelers complained that a number of lamps became lightless before a shift was half over. The management stated that the lamps were in a bad state through faulty packing when they were received, but efforts were being made to remedy the defects as soon as possible. The work of repair should be expedited, as the trouble is becoming acute.
HEBBURN NO.1 COAL DRY CLEANING PLANT ~ 1928
Above: The Coal Dry Cleaning Plant under construction by Hebburn Limited, on the western side of the Hebburn No.1 Colliery Dam in early 1928.
~ A. Shoebridge, John Shoebridge Collection.
Above: The Coal Dry Cleaning Plant under construction by Hebburn Limited, on the western side of the Hebburn No.1 Colliery Dam in June 1928.
~ A. Shoebridge, John Shoebridge Collection.
The Coal Dry Cleaning Plant photographs above, and the following excerpts are from: ANDREWS, Brian Robert, 'Coal, Railways and Mines: The Railways and Collieries of the Greta and South Maitland Coalfields' Volume 2. Read more...
Page 528:
"Coal Dry Cleaning Plant
In 1928 Hebburn Limited constructed a Coal Dry Cleaning Plant at its Hebburn No 1 Colliery to clean the small coal produced at its two Hebburn Collieries.
The Coal Dry Cleaning Plant was located on the western side of the dam at Hebburn No 1 Colliery and was connected to the Hebburn No 2 Colliery Branch Railway by a triangle allowing access direct off the Branch Railway for propelling the trains into the dead end. Trains of coal could be worked direct to the dead end and shunted into the empty sidings."
Pages 528 to 531:
"Coal Dry Cleaning Plant Sidings
After leaving Hebburn No 2 Colliery Branch Railway, the Running Road continued past the Coal Dry Cleaning Plant to terminate in a dead end. Two loop sidings were formed from the Running Road for storing the uncleaned and clean coal and were known as Nos 1 and 2 Sidings.
The No 1 Siding was constructed adjacent to the Running Road and left the Running Road approximately one train length from the dead end in the trailing position. After passing through the Coal Dry Cleaning Plant joined into the Running Road approximately one train length from the Coal Dry Cleaning Plant. The No 2 Sidings branched from No 1 Siding joining the latter siding approximately at its midpoint on each side of the Coal Dry Cleaning Plant.
Wagons of coal were delivered from the collieries to the Coal Dry Cleaning Plant where the doors of the wagons were dropped allowing the coal to discharge into a hopper below rail level. A bucket elevator lifted the coal into the Coal Dry Cleaning Plant for processing. After processing the coal was loaded into rail wagons for distribution.
With opening of the Coal Preparation Plant at Hebburn No 2 Colliery, the Coal Drying Plant was abandoned and dismantled."
~ With special thanks to Peter Williams
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW: 1876 - 1954) / Thu 13 Sept 1928
WESTON
Mr. J. Ellis presided at the usual meeting of the Weston Progress Association on Tuesday evening. Kearsley Shire Council in reference to the proposed installation of fire alarms at Weston, that the Fire Commissioners would consider Weston’s claim for two alarms with the estimates for 1929. Tarro Shire Council acknowledged letter of complaint re the state of tho road at Chinaman's Hollow, on the Weston-Abermain road, and advised that repairs would be carried out. Read more...
A complaint re street lighting was received from a resident of Aberdare-street, and the matter was left to the exceutive to inspect the plan, and take necessary acton to improve the lighting.
The dangerous turn at Hector's butcher's shop, Kurri Kurri, was discussed, The silent cop was said to be in such a position that drivers could not turn around it without running into the gutter.
The question of Kurri Kurri Hospital not having received its share anf deposits from Caledonian Collieries Ltd. was discussed and referred to Kearsley Shire Council for inquiry.
Complaints were received that Hebburn, Limited, was not keeping its promise with the matter of new consumers of electricity being charged 10s deposit and old consumers no deposit, Cases were cited in which old consumers, desiring extra power, which necessitated an extra meter, being forced to pay the extra 10s deposit before the work was carried out. In cases of complaints for faulty registration of meters, the association understood that the meters would be examined by the company, and if found to be in order a charge of 10s would be made, but if faulty the cost would be borne by the company; but it was stated that the amount was being charged before any investigation was made. These matters were referred to Hebburn, Limited, for inquiry and [ ? ].
WHO KILLED NORMAN BROWN?
'Eighty years on, nobody knows who pulled the trigger. '
First produced for ABC TV in 1986, this program contains rare oral testimony which has never been broadcast before.
From the early years, the collieries were a focal point for coal mining disputes and strikes, particularly during the mid-20th century. These were driven by hazardous working conditions, economic pressures, and strong union activity. Some newspaper reports of those disputes are noted on this page and the links below lead to additional articles. The 1917 strike, the Lockout, Rothbury and 1943 strike highlight the economic and social disruptions caused by labor unrest, while the broader context of the 1949 Australian coal strike underscores the regional and political dimensions of such conflicts. Hebburn No.1 mine closed in 1958 while the closure of Hebburn No.2 in 1972 marked the end of an era. The Hebburn coal mining legacy shaped Weston’s resilient community identity, leading the town to reinvent itself to survive. Mining's memories lingered though, and as with all memories over long periods of time, recollections may vary, but for those who shared their stories of mining's more turbulent times, the emotions remained.
~ ABC News (Australia)
Above: Miners at Hebburn Colliery
Jack Coxhell is in front with fuse around his neck. Bill Varty (1881-1955) is 8th from the right. Bill Varty was a councillor on Kearsly Shire - many years as president.
~ Coalfields Heritage Group
The Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW: 1876 - 1954) / Thu 11 July 1929
DECLARED BLACK
WESTON ELECTRICITY
A peculiar position has arisen at Weston, when the electric light, which was cut off for some time, has been restored by Hebburn Ltd. The local unionists have decided to declare the light black, will not use it, and are arranging to see that no one else uses it. In some instances the lights were switched on, but the householders, on receipt of a reminder of the conditions to be observed, turned them off again.
Persons in touch with the general position, at Weston and the Hebburn Collieries, will understand what the unionists think of the light being supplied from power generated under condition that are not satisfactory to unionists. Coal had to be produced from one or hoth mines for the boilers, and the contention of the miners is that it was not produced by men who had the right to handle coal in the circumstances in accordance with union rules.
It is stated that reasonable methods will be adopted to prevent the use of the light and power in Weston and if these methods fail, others will be adopted to ensure compliance with the directions of the unions concerned.
HEBBURN MINERS BAND
Above: Hebburn Miners Band
~ Hunter Photo Bank
Weston came alive with music and sports. There were fabulous functions at the Olympia, while the Hebburn Colliery Band performed at marches, processions and possibly picnics at the Hebburn dam, while the Weston Bears Football Club, born in 1907, gave the men a chance to cheer and forget the daily grind of the mines. See Sport & Recreation. Founded in February 1908, Hebburn Colliery Band were active until 1925. They also went by Hebburn Colliery Brass Band and Hebburn Miners Band. [Cessnock City Library]
Above: Hebburn Colliery Band
~ Cessnock City Library
Above: Hebburn Brass Band - Weston NSW
~ Ean Smith Collection
The Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW: 1894-1939), Mon 11 Feb 1935
HEBBURN COLLIERIES
Hebburn No. 1 worked again today.
Hebburn No. 2 was Idle.
Both collieries have been working Intermittently, and owing to the system in operation of sharing the work the pays of the miners are small.
Smith's Weekly (Sydney, NSW: 1919 - 1950) / Sat 20 Apr 1940
HOW THE MINERS LIVE
Free Soup and Haircuts
-But No Beer
From a Cessnock Correspondent
THE Australia-wide coal strike is now in its sixth week. How much longer can the miners hold out? Read more...
On the largest coalfield in Australia-South Maitland (N.S.W.), which includes Cessnock, Kurri Kurri, Weston, Abermain, Bellbird, Paxton, Kitchener, Kearsley and Neath—this is how the miners are to-day faring.
NO money is coming into miners’ homes. Sustenance is obtained by a credit docket issued by the Miners' Federation on the local storekeepers.
The single man receives a docket to the value of 12/- weekly, and the married man 25/-, plus an allowance for each child.
South Maitland is losing a wages bill of approximately £50,000 a fortnight while the strike is on. This has been a blow to local traders.
Since the men have ceased work, many have been preparing their plots of ground for vegetables. Most of the houses have a fifth of an acre of ground around them. Now that the long drought has broken, men and women are busy planting. After the rain seedmen and sellers of plants did more trade than they have ever done before in such a short period.
The spell from work in the mine has given the men the opportunity to put a coat of paint on their houses and throughout the district there has been great activity by the amateur painters.
The "Black Pint" has gone out of existence. This is the pint of beer most miners have before going home from the mine. This is marked on the slate and is paid for on pay day. Since the strike the slates in the hotels have been wiped clean. Tick is off. During the week the hotels are empty. They liven up on Wednesday and Saturday, when the men saunter in to listen to race broadcasts, but there is little drinking.
Committees have been formed to assist those in indigent circumstances. Relief committees sought assistance from the farmers in the district. Vegetables were collected and brought to depots for distribution among the needy.
Fishing On Lake Macquarie
Boot-repairing depots were started in Cessnock and Aberdare. These depots are kept husy throughout the week repairing boots for men, women, and children. There is no charge for the work. The material is supplied from funds collected by the relief committees,
Many of the contract workers have week-end resorts on the fishing grounds about Lake Macquarie. There has been an exodus to Lake Macquarie of many of these men and their families from all over the coalfields. They can augment their food docket by fishing. Other parties are in the fishing grounds to send supplies back to the coalfields.
Parties of men travel to Broke, Singleton, and the districts nearby, where rabbits abound. The supplies are brought back and distributed to those in the greatest want.
Hair-dressing salons have been opened and the mineworker and his sons are able to get a haircut free of cost.
Women and the girls must go without the permanent wave until the strike is ended, however. Women's auxiliary of the miners are doing a great job of work. They have a depot where sewing machines are busy making up and repairing clothing for miners children . These women make it their business to find out where there is any sickness. They then visit the home and clean up, wash the children, even prepare a meal if necessary. Now that the drought has broken, they are making arrangements to instal soup kitchens near the schools, so that those in need can have a bowl of hot soup at midday.
There is one section of the mine workers thoroughly enjoying the strike. They do not care how long It lasts. These are the pit horses. They can be seen prancing around in the paddocks adjacent to the collieries. They are sleek and happy. A strike brings the sunshine into the lives of these friends of man. Otherwise they never see the sun.
Unemployment Hits Finances
Daily the men congregate in groups and discuss the strike and hazard as to its length. Many express resentment at the hard things said about the miners. The miners have heen granted the 40-hour week and an increase for day wage men of 10 per cent on wages. The only kick the miner appears to have is that he should have been given a 20 per cent increase for the day wage men. This would have made the fortnightly pay up to 11 shifts, previously worked before the granting of the 40-hour week.
Unemployment in some of the other industries is seriously affecting the miners' leaders in financing the strike. Each fortnight £40000 has to be found to redeem the dockets being handled by the storekeepers. One docket has been issued since the strike, and another is due at the end of this week. Promises have been made to the storekeepers that one docket will be redeemed before the new docket is issued.
When the miners return to work they will be called upon to repay the cost of the dockets. After the strike in 1939 the men were levied five per cent of their wages until the strike relief had been liquidated. Contract men who are the big earners in the mining industry, will pay back much more than they receive. This will be an even greater levy on the single man who is a contract worker. His docket is only worth 12/- a week but he will have to pay the five ner cent from his larger wages. The lower paid man who is married and has children will pay five per cent from his small wage.
The social side of the strike is not being overlooked. Concert parties have been organised. There is plenty of good talent on the coalfields. Dances are often held and everything is being done to brighten the lives of those who have been most aftected by the coal strike.
News (Adelaide SA 1923-1954), Tue 8 Jun 1943
MINERS STRIKE AS PROTEST ON BUTTER RATION
SYDNEY. -
Hebburn No. 1 Colliery in the North is idle today as a protest against the butter rationing. The miners contend that the 8oz. weekly is insufficient, particularly as they have to eat cut lunches and cannot supplement their rations as many other workers do, by eating at canteens and cafes.
Wongawilli, in the south, is also idle. The president of the Southern Miners (Mr. F. Lowden) said today that Wongawilli miners had taken the day off for their monthly meeting, in accordance with their usual custom. Among decisions of the meeting was one to protest against the butter rationing, and a conference will be sought with the authorities with a view to having it increased.
Abermain No. 2 miners, although working today, are sending a demand to the Minister for Trade and Customs (Senator Keane) for a double butter ration.
The Northern Miners' executive has been asked to forward their protest.
The general secretary of the Miners' Federation (Mr. Grant) said today that 8 oz. was insufficient butter ration for miners, and their claim for a double ration was justified.
Conceding that whatever commodities were available had to be shared as equally as possible, he said miners' work was entirely different from that in other industries. The miner needed the vitamins contained in butter, and the mainstay of their cribs was sandwiches.
"Miners have no canteens to augment their butter supplies," he said. "At least double butter ration should be given to everyman working in a coal mine."
Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga, NSW: 1911- 1954), Sat 19 June 1943
COALFIELDS TROUBLE. STOPPAGE FOLLOWS CALL UP
CESSNOCK, Friday: Following [reca-it] trouble on the northern coalfields two young employees of Hebburn No. 1 Colliery were today called into military service
The whole of the employees, numbering 530, Immediately ceased work as a protest and 1250 tons of production were lost. According to them the men called up were not responsible for the strike on June 8 against butter rationing.
STAFF AT HEBBURN NO.1 COLLIERY
Above: Staff at Hebburn No.1 Colliery
3rd Row far left: George Hall . Front Row far left: George Richardson
~ Ean Smith
Northern Star (Lismore, NSW: 1876 - 1954), Fri 19 Nov 1943
MINERS DEFY UNION
SYDNEY, Thursday.
Included in the six collieries idle on the New South Wales coalfields to-day was Hebburn No. 1 in the north where, in the first strike against union dicipline, the men stopped work in protest against the action of their lodge in fining wheelers following a recent stoppage.
To-day's production loss in estimated at more than 6100 tons.
The Newcastle Sun (NSW: 1918 - 1954) , Wed 9 Feb 1944
NEW DISPUTE AT HEBBURN No. 1 COLLIERY
The withdrawal of the lamps of seven wheelers at Hebburn No, 1 Colliery today caused the Immediate declaration of a stoppage.
The hold-up affected 430 men and caused a coal production loss for the day of 1250 tons.
The lamps allegedly belonged to wheelers who walked out yesterday afternoon rather than carry out a company direction.
They were told to take in skips to bring out prop ends. They resented the instruction because they said miners were not getting their darg (dally quota) in the particular section. Use of the skips to bring out the prop ends would, they contended, further restrict production. The men left the mine as a protest against the direction.
This morning when they reported for work their lamps were not on the racks. Many men left the pithead before 7 a.m.
'Withdrawal of the lamps was tantamount to the management blowing the no-work whistle.' said the lodge secretary (Mr. W. Beaney). 'The lodge has notified the management that until the lamps are available there can be no negotiation in the dispute.
John Delaney: A HISTORY OF THE GRETA COAL MEASURES, Hebburn No.1.
Hebburn No. 1 Colliery ceased its underground mining operations on the 13th June 1958. [Some men were kept on for a time working on pit top.] The workshops and the wagon repair section were retained and were utilised to make repairs on the Hebburn Collieries Pty. Ltd. wooden coal hopper rail wagon fleet...
The pit-top at Hebburn No. 1 Colliery and all the structures, including the wagons repair workshops, were demolished in March 1980. The railway to Hebburn No. 2 Colliery had been removed and sold for scrap earlier, following the closure of Hebburn No. 2 mine in June 1972. The rail sidings at Hebburn No. 1 were also removed, and this site, with the exception of the large dam were returned to its natural state and look.
Above: Power station, bath house under demolition, from wagon repair shop, Hebburn No.1 Colliery - 3 Feb 1980.
~ Ed Tonks
Above: Remains of the boiler house and bath house at Hebburn No.1 Colliery - 29 April 1980.
~ Ed Tonks
Above: The former wagon repair facility at
Hebburn No1 Colliery - 29 April 1980.
~ Ed Tonks
Above: The grated portal of Hebburn No.1 Colliery -Oct 1978.
'It was quite eerie hearing water lapping inbye.'
~ Ed Tonks
Above and right: Remains of the brick wall for the Jeffrey small coal handling system at Hebburn No1 Colliery - 29 April 1980.
On the other side were the remains of the reclaim tunnel associated with this system. Brian Robert Andrews' books on the Railways and Collieries of the South Maitland Coalfield, Vol.2, pages 521 and 522, contain photos relative to this Hebburn Colliery feature. [See previously in this Hebburn No.1 section.]
~ Ed Tonks
HEBBURN DAM DROWNINGS
Above: Hebburn Colliery Dam
Mount Tomalpin (Tumbleby) in the distance.
~ Peter Zaichenko
The Hebburn Dam, associated with the colliery, was a local recreation spot as detailed earlier, but also the site of tragic drownings. At least eight people are known to have lost their lives there between 1910 and 1949. They were:
Harry Burdas Shepherd Aged 10 d. 10 Jan 1910
Walter Christopher Long Aged 43 d. 28 Jan 1912
Clyde William Peters Aged 12 d. 3 Dec 1918
John Dent Aged 26 d. 31 Dec 1927 (See photo following)
Norman Clyde Eade Aged 13 d. 1 Sep 1941
Neville Richard Austin Aged 15 d. 24 Jan1943
Norman James Pember Aged 16 d. 24 Dec 1946
Kenneth Charles Sault Aged 10 d. 21 Jan 1949
In 1925, there was also a drowning at the colliery brickworks. The brickworks lay between the Southern Explosives site and Weston Station:
Leonard George Jeans Aged 9 d. 1 Jul 1925.
Leonard Jeans drowned in the dam used by the brickworks. There were two separate reports of this drowning, the first suggested Leonard George Jeans died near the chitter dump on the Hebburn Estate and the second and most probably correct was in the dam on the property of the colliery brickworks adjacent to Weston station.
~ Ean Smith
Above: John (Jack) Dent 1902-1927, 2nd from left. He died whilst swimming in the Hebburn Colliery Dam in Weston, NSW, Australia on New years eve 1927.
Back L-R: William Renner Dent (1872-1954); his son John (Jack) Dent (1902-1927); George Stanton Grant (1903-1951); William Grant (1901-1976). Front: William Renner Grant (1907-1983).
This photograph was taken at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, England in 1927 just before the four younger men on the right emigrated to Weston in New South Wales, Australia.
~ John Forster
The following link provides a valuable insight into underground mining:
UNDERGROUND COAL, MATERIALS & MAN TRANSPORTATION, NORTHERN NSW COALFIELDS
by Brian R Andrews
EDITORIAL: 'The transport of coal, materials and miners in underground locations is rarely observed by the public, but frequently involves large scale rail systems. Horse-drawn, endless rope, direct and locomotive haulage systems operated over extensive distances in underground mines.
In this issue of Light Railways, Brian Andrews reviews the historical development of underground transport systems in the Northern Coalfields of New South Wales. Backed by outstanding drawings and photographs, he provides a fascinating introduction to the varied and complex transport systems employed by the major collieries of the region.'
~ Light Railway Research Society of Australia Inc.
No. 103 Vol. XXV JANUARY 1989 ISSN 0 727 8101
With excerpts from:
John Delaney, A HISTORY OF THE GRETA COAL MEASURES: Hebburn No.2 Colliery
Above: Hebburn No.2 Colliery with part of their dam visible in the foreground
~ Cessnock City Library Collection
Hebburn No. 2 Colliery, located approximately 4.8 km south of Weston was established in 1918 by the Hebburn Coal Company. With special thanks to Coalfields Local History Association for the following excerpts from:
John Delaney, A HISTORY OF THE GRETA COAL MEASURES: Hebburn No. 2 Colliery.
COMMENCED OPERATIONS:
'Hebburn Limited made application to the Lands Department on the 23rd February 1916 for the surface rights to 56 acres on mining lease No. 79, Parish of Stanford for the purpose of erecting pit-top building structures and a colliery rail yard of wagon standage sidings. In the first part of 1916, Hebburn Limited placed an order on Hoskins Brothers steelworks to supply steel rails to lay a railway branch track and for the new colliery to be sidings. In August, 1918 it negotiated contracts with Country Concrete Company and others for the construction of new pit-top buildings.
The 1918 Mines Department Annual Report informs that on the 28th November 1918, Hebburn Limited had commenced the sinking of two shafts. These shafts were completed in September 1921...
RAIL CONNECTION:
'The single track railway connecting Hebburn No. 2 Colliery sidings yard to the Hebburn No. 1. layout is reported to have been completed on the 11th November 1918. The 3 miles 33 chains (5.46 kms) rail link was completely on Hebburn Limited held land and did not require special Parliamentary authority for its construction. The railway haulage was made by the Hebburn Limited locomotive. The first train of Hebburn No. 2 Colliery coal production was transported on 1st December 1921. Read more...
The whole Hebburn No. 2 Colliery yard was a huge crescent or new moon shape. Coming from the Hebburn Limited branch railway from the north-easterly direction turning and curving right up into the 3 dead-end sidings in the south-eastern corner. In the original Hebburn No. 2 lay-out 3 curved sidings ran underneath the loading facilities, which lay roughly in the centre of the length, and all converging at each end. At the most south-eastern part of the colliery yard, the 3 dead-end sidings continued on. A "run-around" loop laid parallel to the loaded vehicle standage, allowed the inwards train, after the locomotive had reversed ends, to be propelled into any of the 3 dead-end empty vehicles standage. From these sidings the empty vehicles were gravitated to the standage siding area at the western end of the pit-top.
As production increased at Hebburn No. 2 Colliery additional loading sidings were required, and attained by extending the run-around loop and the construction of another siding for both empty and loaded vehicle standage. This reconstruction necessitated a new running road at Hebburn No. 2 Colliery to be laid on the northern side of the nest of sidings within the crescent shape. Frequently after this alteration, empty vehicles were propelled in train loads from Hebburn "Flat" at Weston all the way to Hebburn No. 2 Colliery. Under this new system if the train was hauled from Hebburn Flat, the inwards train on arriving at Hebburn No. 2 Colliery ran up one of the 3 dead-end sidings, then to be propelled back into the loading sidings.
When Hebburn No. 2 Colliery development was commenced in November 1918, the first mineworkers and shaft sinkers, like at other early pits attracted a "tent" or "calico" community at the site. With the competition for mine-workers amongst several new mines, like Pelton, Kalingo, Paxton, Aberdare Central, etc., Hebburn Limited had to find a means to overcome the isolation of Hebburn No. 2 Colliery. One enticement was the company's offer to provide free transport from Weston to the new mine.
To achieve this transport offer, Hebburn Limited during November 1923 purchased two disused NSW Government Tramways cars in Sydney, at a cost of £150-0-0 ($300.00) each. After being reconditioned and repaired the cars were used for the miners' transport. A third tramway car was purchased on the 24th September 1924.
Above: Map showing the location of the railway branches, Hebburn No.1 Colliery and dam, and Hebburn No.2 Colliery in relation to the township of Weston NSW.
From: ANDREWS, Brian Robert, COAL, RAILWAYS AND MINES, THE RAILWAYS AND COLLIERIES OF THE GRETA AND SOUTH MAITLAND COALFIELDS. Volume 2, p.544.
~ Published with the permission of Brian Robert Andrews
RAIL WAGONS:
'Hebburn No. 2 Colliery shared the use of the wagons of the fleet belonging to the Hebburn Limited Company. These wagons have been fully described on page 236. When Elrington Colliery commenced operations, because of Hebburn Limited shareholding, it was not long before the wagons of both companies were intermingled, and commonly used.'
PIT-HORSES:
'Hebburn No. 2 Colliery utilised pit-horses underground. 1935 Colliery records research showed that the early stables had been erected at a cost of £1,800-0-0 ($3,600.00). The structure was constructed of timber, clad on the roof and some side walls with galvanised corrugated iron. At the date shown, it housed 20 horses purchased at a total value of £400-0-0 ($800.00).'
ENTRY:
Hebburn No. 2 Colliery was entered by two shafts, both of which were 733 feet in depth. The main shaft was 22 feet in diameter. As well as being the main haulage shaft, it was also utilised as the down-cast airway. The second shaft was 17 feet in diameter and was used as the up-cast airway. Shafts were said to be some 40 yards apart. Read more...
The shafts were sunk by day-labour with Ted Seward as the ganger in charge. (Author's note: Ted Seward was Bill Seward's father). The shafts were sunk by blasting and picking. "Sullivan's" air drills were used to bore the holes for blasting.
Robert A. Harle, Hebburn Limited superintendent, on 14th February 1917 purchased a second-hand steam winding engine for £600-0-0 ($1,200.00) from the "Sea-Pit" for use in the shaft sinking. This steam engine had raised a cradle, which transported the "sinkers" to the shaft level being driven. For the conveyance of materials, both up and down, such as fill or spoil disposal from the shaft digging, etc., or the bricks and timber used in the shaft wall construction, all was moved in a bucket lifted by a rope, through a hole in the centre of the cradle. The shaft workings were lit by a 600 candle power light in each.
Both shafts were brick lined. Bricks had come from East Maitland kilns. Timber inserts were placed in the bricked shaft wall every 10 feet to carry heavy steel rails vertically. Later claws on the cages used these rails to stabilise the raising or lowering movements. The shafts were sunk a further 19 feet below the seam floor level to allow space underneath the cages for the counter-balance ropes.
The 1920 Mines Department Annual Report records that ventilation in the shaft sinking operation was provided by small "forcing fans" in each. In this same year a small 7½ kW direct current electricity generation plant was installed at Hebburn No. 2 Colliery.
On the 26th November 1921, when both shafts at Hebburn No. 2 mine had been completed, the sinking gear was despatched to Metropolitan Colliery south of Sydney. Huddart Parker Limited had had a financial interest in Metropolitan Colliery as a separate company. The day-labour workers or more commonly known as the shaft-sinkers were offered employment in the new Hebburn No. 2 Colliery, but not all accepted.'
Above: Poppet heads at Hebburn No.2
~ Falk Family Collection
MINE HAULAGE:
A. Goninan and Company of Newcastle erected the 75 feet high steel lattice poppet heads over the two shafts at Hebburn No. 2 Colliery. Morrison and Bearby of Newcastle had supplied the cages. The main shaft had two single deck cages each to carry two skips, and which were installed in October 1921. The steam winding engine plus the cable had been supplied and installed by Yates and Thom. This engine had a 30 inches diameter cylinder with a 6 feet stroke and operated two 12 feet diameter drums, one for each cage. Read more...
The up-cast air shaft also had a smaller poppet head to carry a single cage. Here again the poppet head was erected by A. Goninan and Company, and the cage was supplied by Morrison and Bearby. The winding engine for this single cage was again supplied and installed by Yates and Thom. This engine had a 27 inches diameter cylinder with a 5 feet stroke and operated a single 10 feet diameter drum.
When the mine opened steam was supplied by two Babcock and Wilcox boilers and one Lancashire boiler. The three boilers worked at a pressure of 150 pounds per square inch.
In the first years of operation, and as the main underground headings were being driven, pit-horses were used to move the skips. 200 small skips had been supplied by A. Goninan and Company by the time the mine had commenced producing coal in December 1921.
As further headings were driven and working places developed, two endless rope haulages, electrically driven, were installed in 1925. On the 15th June 1927, A. Goninan and Company of Newcastle supplied 500 new 2 tons capacity steel skips at a price of £11-11-0 ($23.10) per skip. When the main underground heading due south had by about 1935 reached the lease boundary, a direct haulage rope driven by a 250 horse powered electric motor was installed on this particular heading. Subsequently in the mid 1940's the previous endless ropes haulages were altered to become "main and tail" haulage, and was driven by an 80 horse powered electric motor.
On the 17th September 1940 Hebburn Limited ordered 7 battery operated underground locomotives, as well as 40 larger skips. Records researched show that the sizes of these larger skips as being 8 feet long by 5 feet 6 inches wide by 4 feet 6 inches high. The battery powered locomotives hauled a set of 9 skips to bottom of the pit shaft. The skips were raised in the cage, two at a time, side by side. When mechanisation reached a peak, 17 locomotives were involved in the underground haulage. On the pit-top surface, a transport was used to move the skips sideways. These large skips were unloaded in a rotary tippler onto the Marcus conveyor shaker screens.
In early 1962 the Australian Civil Engineering Company (A.C.E.) was engaged by Hebburn Limited to drive underground a rising drift or tunnel through the conglomerate for the purpose of constructing coal holding bins below the surface. With the introduction of the continuous miner, the "Joy 1 C.M.", it became essential to erect a conveyor belt system to quickly transport and clear the coal production from the working area. The 1967 Mines Department's Annual Report informs that the new conveyor system comprised 5 trunk conveyors and was installed in August 1967. This system replaced the previous battery locomotives haulage to the pit bottom. Due to having a colliery shaft exit and its limited volume handling, it was necessary to hold and store and later reload into the larger skips to be raised to the surface. Consequently underground coal holding bins were essential in the haulage scheme.
The 1922 Mines Department Annual Report records that Hebburn No. 2 Colliery was bailing pit-water from the mine in a large vessel under the cage.
Above: Hebburn No.2 Colliery, Weston NSW - 1960s
~ Barry Howard Collection
Northern Star (Lismore, NSW: 1876 - 1954), Fri 9 Nov 1923
HEBBURN COLLIERY STRIKE.
NEWCASTLE, Thursday.
The engine-drivers and firemen employed in the Hebburn No. 2 colliery will cease work at midnight. The president of the association states that owing to the white-anting tactics adopted by the Miners' Federation this drastic action is being taken with regret.
About 300 men will be affected.
MINERS' COTTAGES AND YOUNG RESIDENTS - HEBBURN ESTATE
Above: Miners cottages and young residents
Hebburn Estate
~ Glennis (Wilkinson) Gray ~ Coalfields Heritage Group
HEBBURN NO.2 COLLIERY SCHOOL
Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW: 1894-1939) / Wed 13 Oct 1926
HEBBURN NO. 2 SCHOOL.
OFFICIAL OPENING LIKELY.
It is almost certain that there will be an official opening of the new Hebburn No. 2 Public School; though it has been announced that there would not be such. It is believed the function will take place on Saturday.
Mr. McLean came to Hebburn No.2 from Camberwell School, 9 miles along the main Singleton-Maitland road. He had been in charge there two years.
The new building is on the best. site in the village. One misses the date which usually appears under the title of schools. The title is there in black letters on a warm brown, but no date. There is a protecting verandah, but no weather-shed.
In the l main school room, there are desks to accommodate 34 pupils, though there is space for more desks—50 is the capacity. The interior is painted white and a cheerful light blue. Five large windows are let into the north ond south walls. The present enrolment is 24.
In addition to the efforts of Mr. George Booth, M.L.A., Amos Hindley (manger of the mine), Mr. and Mrs, Leonard Waples, Mr. and Mrs. W. Bright and Messrs. J. O'Neill and Newport were prominent.
The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1930), Sat 7 Jan 1928
1000 MINERS ON STRIKE
Two More Collieries Cease Work
DISPUTE OVER WORKING CONDITIONS
WESTON. Friday- Over 1000 men are now idle owing to a dispute at Hebburn No. 2 Colliery.
Hebburn No. 1 and Elrington have gone out in sympathy. Read more...
A combined meeting of the three lodges was adjourned till Sunday.
The manager states that if the men wish to return to work they will have to do so under the conditions operating when they laid the pit idle on December 20.
The men allege that a principle of working conditions is involved, and that the dispute was caused through an attack on established principles.
"Frivolous Stoppages"
Mr. C. M. M'Donald, president of the Northern Collieries' Association,
states:—
"In view of the unprecedented slackness of trade in the coal industry, an effort is being made to solve the problems of intermittency, and sectional stoppages at the pits.
With this object, a conference is being convened.
The Newcastle Sun (NSW: 1918 - 1954), Wed 3 Feb 1943
HEBBURN ONLY COLLIERY IDLE IN NORTH
After two days of continuous production at every colliery in the north, Hebburn No. 2 broke the sequence today.
The trouble was over the alleged failure of the management to observe the make-up clause of the Judge Drake-Brockman award.
Two men are involved. They were short paid on Friday, according to the lodge secretary (Mr. J. Logan), who added that the practice of short payment was continuing.
Mr. Logan said that the manager made an inspection yesterday, but failed to grant an increase. The matter was brought under the notice of the northern executive last week, together with a request that it should be referred to the Reference Board.
Mr. Logan said he had not heard of any development. Today he contacted the executive again in an effort to have the hearing expedited.
Hebburn No. 2 employs 400 men and produces 1100 tons a day.
Above: Weston Branch Unemployed Relief Workers marching past Edwards Wine Saloon corner of Government Rd. and Cessnock Rd. Weston NSW.
The man front row left is Jim Comerford and the man in the hat front row centre is thought to be Louis 'Joe' Falk of Ninth St., Weston who was a winding driver at Hebburn 2.
Jim Comerford was born 9 Sep 1913 at Glencraig, Dunfermline, Scotland and arrived in Australia about 1922. He was elected to the Northern Miners' Board of Management in 1941 (the youngest ever elected to the Central Council). He served his first term as lodge president at Richmond Main in 1946. [Peter Williams]
~ Coalfields Local History Association
Maitland Mercury (NSW: 1939 - 1955), Tue 16 Mar 1943
SETTLEMENT OF HEBBURN DISPUTE
Ал announcement has been made that the terms of settlement of the strike at Hebburn No. 2 Colliery had been agreed uроп. This news followed a conference between Miners' Federation officials and the superintent of the Hebburn Collieries, Mr. B. McKenzle.
The agreement was reached at an informal discussion during an adjournment of the sltting of the Maitland Coal Reference Board.
Mr, Connett, chairman of the board, said: "In consideration of the lodge reafirmlng the principle of the Canberra code, and giving an assurance that any wage employees will proceed immediately to their working places after descending the shaft, the company, without prejudice, undertakes to make the payments to 38 shiftmen which are in dispute. It must be agreed that day wage employees who do not immediatly proceed to their work shall have an appropriate deduction made from "their wаgеs.”
It was stated by the northern miners’ president, Mr. H. S. Scanlon, that terrms of the settlement had been forwarded to Hebburn No. 2 miners lodge, with an instruction to the men to begin work today.
Daily Examiner (Grafton, NSW: 1915 - 1954), Thu 29 Apr 1943
Coal Commissioner's View Of Strikes At Hebburn
SYDNEY, Wed.- The quantity of coal lost at Hebburn No. 2 mine through stoppages this year would keep the Commonwealth railways operating for six months or provide gas for the people of Melbourne for seven weeks.
This was stated tonight by the Commonwealth Coal Commissioner, Mr. Mighell.
'One mine on the Maitland coal field, Hebburn No. 2, will have worked this year 31 out of a total number of 84 working days by the end of this week.' he said.
'The mine has been idle on 53 days this year. It employs about 388 men, so that the loss of 20,564 man hours is involved. It produces about 1200 tons of coal daily, so that approximately 63,600 tons have been lost from this mine alone this year.’
Mr. Mighell said he understood that on two occasions, the matter in dispute had been heard and determined by the Local Reference Board, and on each occasion a decision was given against the claims made by the employees.
One was forced to the conclusion that the fundamental cause of the trouble was personal differences of opinion between the president of the lodge and the senior officials of the federation.
ELECTRICITY POWER GENERATION
Above: Hebburn No.2 - Power House Gauges
~ Falk Family Collection
Above: AC Turbine in Hebburn No.2 Power House
~ Falk Family Collection
ELECTRICITY POWER GENERATION. Further excerpt from: John Delaney, A HISTORY OF THE GRETA COAL MEASURES: Hebburn No. 2 Colliery.
'The 1920 Mines Department Annual Report informs the first electricity generation plant installed at Hebburn No. 2 Colliery was a 7½ kW direct current unit, producing at 240 pressure volts. Research has failed to reveal the maker of this unit. Read more...
Late in 1922 the powerhouse building at Hebburn No. 2 Colliery was completed and ready for operation. This was a fine, large brick building. It housed a 1000 kW mixed pressure turbine, with both high and low pressures, plus an exciter pillar. This produced alternating current electricity at 2200 pressure volts. This generation plant was manufactured by the Swiss firm Brown Boveri. Its cost had been £8,900-0-0 ($17,800.00) "free-on-board" ship at Antwerp, Holland. British General Electric Company (B.G.E.) had supplied a "high and low" tension switchboard for installation in the new powerhouse. This switchboard had cost £1,270-0-0 ($2,540.00) "free-on-board" a ship in London. In the same ship consignment, British General Electric Company had furnished seven 15 horse powered and seven 5 horse powered electric motors for various uses at Hebburn No. 2 Colliery. The electric motors, with "switch starter controls" had cost £693-15-0 ($1,387.00) "free-on-board" the same ship.
The boilerhouse was completed on the 2nd March 1921. It was a partly brick, partly open, galvanised corrugated iron roofed structure, and when it was first completed, it housed 3 boilers. Adjoining the boilerhouse stood the remarkable, unique, free standing colliery chimney stack. (Author's note: The stack was still standing as at November 1988). This stack was constructed from strongly reinforced concrete. It was erected straight up and down, and it is 184 feet tall, and 12 feet 6 inches outside diameter, and 9 feet internal diameter. The stack was erected by the Country Concrete Company of Marrickville. Their contract price had been £2,875-0-0 ($5,750.00). Construction had commenced in March 1918. Unconfirmed information advised that the stack was completed in August 1918. This appears logical because in that month (August 1918), the Country Concrete Company won the contract to erect the fine concrete pit-top at the new Hebburn No. 2 mine. Further the sinking of the shafts began in November 1918. A Lancashire boiler is said (unsupported) to have been on site to provide steam for a second-hand steam winding engine used in the shaft sinking.
The first boiler at Hebburn No. 2 Colliery was a Lancashire boiler, 30 feet long by 8 feet diameter. In mid 1922, Hebburn No. 2 Colliery installed the two Babcock and Wilcox boilers. These two boilers were each 30 feet long and 5 feet 6 inches in diameter, and each had a heating surface of 3146 square feet. Each Babcock and Wilcox boiler had cost £1,250-0-0 ($2,500.00). During 1917 a large earth bank dam had been constructed at Hebburn No. 2 Colliery to supply water for the boilers. This was quite a large dam and laid to the south-eastern side of the latter boilerhouse and stack.
The 1924 Mines Department Annual Report informs that this was the first year that Hebburn No. 2 Colliery had underground lighting, a total of only 10 lights. A comparison of similar details in following Annual Reports shows Hebburn No. 2 Colliery had:
In 1924 88 surface lights, 10 underground lights
In 1925 88 surface lights, 35 underground lights
In 1927 100 surface lights, 70 underground lights.
By 1924 Hebburn No. 2 Colliery had increased its total miners numbers to 248. The colliery was planning to develop its underground electrically driven endless rope haulage system in some long headings. Demand for electricity from the Hebburn No. 1 Colliery had increased with the erection of the pole transmission line from the Hebburn No. 2 Colliery powerhouse, and which had been completed on the 24th October 1923. All this increased electricity demand was met by the installation on the 10th November 1924 of a 500 kW Brown Boveri generation plant producing alternating current electricity at 2200 pressure volts. This new unit plant had cost £4,260-0-0 ($8,520.00) landed at Weston. The extra switch gear for the unit had cost a further £300-0-0 ($600.00).
With the opening of Elrington Colliery in 1925, and because all its electricity requirements was supplied from Hebburn No. 2 Colliery powerhouse, plus the ever increasing demand for electrical power for domestic use in Weston township, two new Swiss made Brown Boveri generating plants were ordered. These were installed in August 1928.
The Hebburn No. 2 Colliery boilers, as well as supplying the steam for the powerhouse, also provided the steam for the shaft's winding engine. The miners workforce numbers at Hebburn No. 2 Colliery had doubled by 1928, and production consequently was much increased. To meet this increased steam demand two more boilers were added. These were John Thompson boilers with chain-grates and Fredrick stokers.
As with the first three earlier boilers, "dirty pit rubbish" such as chitter, shale and poor coal was utilised as fuel. With the five boilers in situ, all "discarded coal" from both Hebburn No. 1 and Elrington Collieries was forwarded to the Hebburn No. 2 powerhouse where it was fed by automatic machinery to the fires. About 40 tons of fuel was used daily. Two fuelmen worked each of the 3 shifts, together with a single powerhouse attendant.
In March 1935 the last two supplied John Thompson chain-grate boilers were scrapped. These were replaced by two new John Thompson "retort type stoker" boilers at a cost of £3,000-0-0 ($6,000.00). The suppliers, International Combustion Company, had especially modelled these boilers to burn "duff" as well as crushed chitter. From the early 1940's poor quality and un-saleable coal was purchased at a very cheap price from Stockrington Colliery to be used as fuel. This coal was either transported by rail or road, depending on the most suitable and economical method pertaining at the period. When transported by rail the coal traversed the Richmond Vale Railways, via the Pelaw Main - Weston Spur Link, and with a "fancy shunt" on South Maitland Railways at Weston to be placed into Hebburn No. 1 Colliery exchange sidings, and thence by the Hebburn Limited Railway. The poor quality of this fuel caused perpetual complaints from the fuelmen, because of the troubles from "clinkering". It is of interest that the residual ashes from the boilerhouse was put to good use as road construction and rail track ballast.
Hebburn No. 2 Colliery powerhouse never had a cooling tower or steam condensers. Hot water from the generators were cooled by open spray lines running out over a second dam (or pond) on the north-eastern side of the boilerhouse. This small dam was some 100 yards by 50 yards square. The spray lines blew steamy hot water about 20 feet high to cool. In later years timber louvered walls were erected on either side of the spray lines to protect passers-by.
When the new electric motor was installed in 1958 to drive the air shaft fan, the steam, from the boiler that supplied the steam engine, was diverted and introduced into the overall steam supply. This early steam engine was a high pressure unit with a low water gauge. It was found that this blended steam was not efficient. A fifth generator, a 2500 kW General Electric Company unit was installed in late 1958, and a sixth boiler was added. This boiler was an International Combustion Industry production, that used pulverised fuel. It had been principally designed to burn unsaleable fuel direct from the recently erected washery and coal preparation plant at Hebburn No. 2 Colliery. With this new generator installation, the 1922 installed 1000 kW mixed pressures turbine and the 1924 installed 500 kW Brown Boveri plant were retired to become stand-by units.
The Hebburn No. 2 powerhouse electricity energy was never interlocked in a grid with J. & A. Brown Abermain - Seaham Company and Caledonian Collieries powerhouses. Following the formation in 1957 of the Hunter Valley County Council, Hebburn No. 2 powerhouse supplied its surplus power into NSW State electric power grid. At the time of this introduction, Hebburn No. 2 powerhouse had an output of about 3000 kW (or 3 megawatts) and one third of this went into the State grid. After the Coal and Allied Limited purchase of Hebburn Collieries Limited from Boral Limited in 1967, a cross-country pole transmission line linked Hebburn No. 2.
As well as the powerhouses linking after the Coal and Allied take-over, a water main pipe line was run from Richmond Main Colliery across country to Hebburn No. 2 Colliery. It should be recorded that Hebburn No. 2 Colliery had always been abundantly accommodated with water supplies. Thus:
(A) Construction of colliery earth dam in 1917.
(B) A water pipe line from the large dam at Hebburn No. 1 Colliery had been laid to the Hebburn No. 2 powerhouse in early 1929.
(C) A Hunter District Water Board water main pipe line was laid from Neath Pumping Station across country to Hebburn No. 2 Colliery. Research has failed to reveal the actual date of this pipe laying. Unsupported advice suggests about the mid 1930's. (Author's note: The 1930's was certainly a time of much expansion by the "H.D.W.B." in the Cessnock District).
(D) A water pipe line was laid from Richmond Main Colliery across country after 1967.
After the closure of the Hebburn No. 2 Colliery powerhouse, the plant, boilers and equipment are said to have been scrapped and sold in the late 1970's. In their removal, some damage was occasioned to the buildings, and as a result both the powerhouse and boilerhouse structures were demolished.'
Above: Inside Hebburn Colliery Power House
~ UNE Coal and Cultural Collection
Above: Inside Hebburn Colliery Power House
~ UNE Coal and Cultural Collection
Above: Hebburn Limited, Hebburn Colliery: Light and Power Account - 7 Oct 1946
~ Kevin Parsons
HEBBURN NO.2 COLLIERY OFFICE
Above: Hebburn No.2 Colliery Office
~ Bill Ruddick Collection
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW 1842-1954), 19 April 1943
DEFIANCE BY MINERS
Judge's Surprise at Strike
Judge Drake-Brockman expressed surprise and disappointment yesterday that miners at the Hebburn No. 2 colliery were defying the Northern Coal Reference Board by remaining on strike, and that that was being done with the support and encouragement of the northern section of the Miners' Federation. Read more...
He was presiding over the Central Coal Reference Board when the dispute was brought before it. Mr. R. W. Davie, secretary of the Northern Collieries Proprietors' Association, said that the men at the Hebburn No. 2 were still on strike, although the chairman of the Northern Coal Reference Board had decided that there was no cause for dispute, and that decision had been approved by the Arbitration Court. The dispute was about "make-up payments, and if the Central Coal Reference Board continued the hearing of evidence dealing with the same matter it would, indirectly, be supporting the strike. The decision was being defied not only by a large miners lodge, but by the northern district board of management of the Miners' Federation. Actually, the miners were defying the machinery established by the Government at their own request.
OFFICIALLY ENDORSED
Mr. H. Scanlon, northern president of the Miners' Federation, said that the Hebburn No. 2 strike had been officially endorsed. The federation considered that an anomaly existed at the mine, and that men there were not able to earn the minimum rate. Judge Drake-Brockman said he had no intention of delaying the present inquiry into "make-up" and "deficiencies" generallv, even if the whole coal industry was on strike, but if the northern district of the Miners' Federation asked him to deal specially with the Hebburn No. 2 case he would not do so whilst the miners were on strike.
Referring to the claim by the Miners' Federation for a daily settlement of "make-up" pay in "deficiency" places. Judge Drake-Brockman said it seemed to him that the weakness of that proposal was that it would probably lead to daily disputes about whether certain places were "deficient" or not. He would like both miners and proprietors to give particular attention to that aspect of the case during the inquiry.
The board adjourned to 10 30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 27.
MINERS AT THE EXTENSION OF THE WASH PLANT
Above: At the extension of the wash plant Hebburn No.2
Back row L-R: Unknown; Reg Campbell; Unknown; Bob Robinson; Stan Simms
Middle row L-R: Leslie McDonald; Unknown; Unknown; John Miller; Unknown
Front row L-R: Unknown; Peter Scott ?; Harry Bond; Joe Morgan
~ Paul McDonald
The Newcastle Sun (NSW 1918-1954) , Tue 5 Dec 1944
GARNISHEE STRIKE AT HEBBURN PITS
Defying a Northern Board of Management order, Hebburn Nos. 1 and 2 miners today continued their stoppages in protest against the collection of fines by garnishees.
The garnishee issue provided the only stoppages today in the north. Three mines were idle, Including Seaham No. 2, where men struck in sympathy for the Hebburn miners. Read more...
Stoppages involved more than 900 men and caused a coal production lag of 2500 tons.
Both Hebburn Nos. 1 and 2 miners turned out for work this morning. The Hebburn No. 2 men returned early.
The sight of the returning Hebburn No. 2 miners influenced the No. 1 men. After a pit-top discussion, the men decided to resume work.
The majority of the decision was not sufficiently large, however, to ensure their resumption.
Those who had voted against the motion walked off the job and the others had no alternative but to follow.
After considering the issue of garnishee orders against a number of Hebburn No. 1 miners. the Northern Board of Management of the Miners' Federation yesterday decided to refer the matter to the Central Council for determination of a policy.
The council is meeting in Sydney today. The men's wages were garnisheed to meet payment of fines, and the action is regarded by miners as a threat to production on the field.
Yesterday's board of management meeting was attended by the Coal Liaison Officer Mr. R. James M.HR). and a report issued later said that concern had been expressed by members at the Government's attitude in enforcing fine payments by garnishee, particularly in view of the fact that production last week was probably the best for this year and because it had appeared that this production would be maintained until the Christmas holidays.
If the Government continued this attitude, board members felt it would inevitably lead to the position which had developed at the two Hebburns extending to many other mines.
The previous decision of the board, expressing resentment at garnishees and adding that industrial action would be taken to combat them was endorsed.
Unless the Government withdrew its hand in this issue industrial conflict seemed inevitable it was stated. Hebburn No. 1 and No. 2 collieries were both idle yesterday in protest against the garnishees.
COAL MINING THE MODERN WAY - 1957
In the short video above from the National Film and Sound Archive (no sound - 2.5min), footage is shown of men, horses and machinery working underground. The footage was shot in 1957 at the Awaba State Mine, Lake Macquarie, and clearly illustrates the working conditions miners and their horses endured.
~ NFSA
Above: Hebburn No.2 Colliery, Weston NSW - post 1965
~ Barry Howard Collection
Above: Rail tour to Hebburn No.2 Colliery in 1965
~ Peter Zaichnko
'SMR28 brought the train to the Hebburn Exchange Yard where the shutter locomotive took over the tour.'
[Thomas Robert Gordon Barnes]
Above: 30 Class locomotive 3013 with loaded coal train from Hebburn No.2 Colliery near Weston NSW 15 Jan 1970
'When withdrawn from service with NSWGR, 30 Class 3013 was sold to a mining company and continued to operate on the Hebburn No.2 branch west of Maitland. It is seen here with a loaded coal train near Weston on 15 January 1970.'
~ Graham Watkins
John Delaney, A HISTORY OF THE GRETA COAL MEASURES: Hebburn No. 2 Colliery:
'In 1958 Hebburn Limited was reconstituted as Hebburn Collieries Pty. Limited, and at the same date BHP Collieries Limited was also reconstituted as Elrington Collieries Pty. Ltd.
During August 1961 Bitumen Oil Refineries Australia Limited (Boral) purchased Hebburn Collieries Pty. Ltd. When Elrington Colliery became uneconomical to operate, it was closed in December 1962. Hebburn No. 2 Colliery became the only colliery in the group remaining open.
An underground drift was constructed during 1962 so that holding bins could be erected below to steady and even the flow of coal to be lifted up the shaft from the mechanised units. An exploratory drift was sunk during 1969 and 1970 with a view to working the Lower Greta (Homeville) Seam. This project was finally abandoned when it was found that on this Hebburn No. 2 lease in the Homeville Seam the roof was of very poor quality.
Hebburn No. 2 Colliery production ceased on the 30th June 1972. The powerhouse continued producing electricity until May 1976. The electricity generated from June 1972 until May 1976 was fed into the State grid. In the late 1970's the plant, boilers and equipment are said to have been scrapped and were sold. In this removal some damage was occasioned to the buildings, and as a result both the boilerhouse and powerhouse structures were demolished.
Above: Said to be the last cage up on the last day at Hebburn No.2. - 30 Jun 1972
Thought to be in photograph are Warren Barker, George 'Tiger' Donald, Bev Forster, Jim Kidd, Daryl John, Arthur 'Nicky' Reay, ? Shakespear, ?Ron King.
~ Alex Frame
Above: Aerial view of Hebburn No.2 Colliery remains - 8 Oct 1978
~ Ed Tonks
Above: Hebburn No.2 Colliery headframe: 9 Mar 1991.
By late Apr 1996, remains of pit top and headframe had been demolished.
~ Ed Tonks
Lest we forget the miners who made us who we are...
The Hebburn Collieries were more than just mines - they were the lifeblood of Weston, shaping a town built on hard work, mateship and grit. From the first tunnel sunk in 1902 to the final whistle in 1972, these collieries drove progress but came at a steep cost, as the 73 names in our memorial list remind us. Each name represents a story of sacrifice that echoes through Weston's streets today. Though the pits are now silent, their legacy lives on in the stories shared at the local club and pubs, and in the pride of a community that never gives up.