MORNING STAR MINE & MACHINERY SITE

The Morning Star Gold Battery Site consists of a metal pitchback waterwheel. The waterwheel is a remnant of a ore a crushing battery which was installed during the period 1904-10 and was one of a number of mills put in to serve mines working along Morning Star Creek. The site is badly obscured by blackberry bushes.

How is it significant?

The Morning Star Gold Battery Site is of historical and scientific importance to the State of Victoria.

Why is it significant?

The Morning Star Gold Battery Site is historically and scientifically important as a characteristic and well preserved example of an important form of gold mining. The waterwheel is the only recorded one of its type surviving in Victoria. Gold mining sites are of crucial importance for the pivotal role they have played since 1851 in the development of Victoria. As well as being a significant producer of Victoria's nineteenth century wealth, with its intensive use of machinery, played an important role in the development of Victorian manufacturing industry. The abandoned mining machinery at the Morning Star battery site is historically important for its evocation of the adventurousness, hardship, and isolation that was part of mining life in the high country areas of the State.

The Morning Star Gold Battery Site is archaeologically important for its potential to yield artefacts and evidence which will be able to provide significant information about the technological history of gold mining.

[Source: Victorian Heritage Register]

Group

Mining and Mineral Processing

Category

Mine Machinery & relics