Bass MP Jordan Crugnale with Parks Victoria Regional Manager Kerri Villiers, veteran volunteer George Scott, Bass Labor candidate Chris Buckingham, Wonthaggi miner Reg Wilson, Friends of the State Coal Mine President Garry ‘Moz’ Wilson, long-time volunteers Coral Jones and Michael Bohmer and a big group of mine friends, volunteers and supporters last Friday. Photos: Dyonn Dimmock
By Catherine Watson
IT'S BEEN a long haul for Friends of the State Coal Mine but on Friday they got the news they had been waiting for: work will begin this month to restore the underground mine ride.
There were smiles and cheers when Bass MP Jordan Crugnale announced that the State Government is funding $2.4 million to finish the drift car project.
Friday’s announcement is in addition to the $1.5 million provided in 2023, which has been used for critical safety works on the main entrance and tunnel shaft.
Friends president Garry ‘Moz’ Wilson said it was exciting news and a great reward for the efforts of so local people over many years.
IT'S BEEN a long haul for Friends of the State Coal Mine but on Friday they got the news they had been waiting for: work will begin this month to restore the underground mine ride.
There were smiles and cheers when Bass MP Jordan Crugnale announced that the State Government is funding $2.4 million to finish the drift car project.
Friday’s announcement is in addition to the $1.5 million provided in 2023, which has been used for critical safety works on the main entrance and tunnel shaft.
Friends president Garry ‘Moz’ Wilson said it was exciting news and a great reward for the efforts of so local people over many years.
Happy times: Jordan Crugnale with former miner Reg Wilson. While it’s been a long haul for the Friends to get to this stage, events will move quickly from here.
Work to bring the tunnel up to modern safety standards will start on April 27 with contractors Mancala Services on site.
The work is expected to take three months, and tours will stop during that time. The timing is ideal after the summer and Easter holidays.
While the heritage park is operated by Parks Victoria, it depends on the efforts of the Friends group to provide tour guides, maintain the gardens, buildings and equipment, and raise funds to help preserve the site.
For many, the connection is personal: they are the sons, daughters, grandchildren and neighbours of the miners who once worked underground.
While there’s lots to see at the State Coal Mine Historic Park the underground tours were undoubtedly the highlight. Tourists rode a custom-made skip down the tunnel to hear stories of life underground from the Friends.
The tours began in 1982, and by 2020 were attracting more than 10,000 visitors a year.
When Covid struck, the tours stopped, like so much else. By the time normal life resumed, mechanical failures had sidelined the skip, which was sent to Bendigo for repairs but failed to meet updated safety regulations.
There were fears that without the tours, Wonthaggi’s only tourist attraction would have to close.
Tours resumed in 2024, but were restricted to the able-bodied as visitors faced a steep walk in and out of the mine.
Ms Crugnale said the new funding would restore the rail “drift car”, a specially built mine cart and the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere, which is used to transport visitors below.
“People of all ages including school groups can now be part of one of the only historic coal mines in the Southern Hemisphere.
“A collective cheer for the Friends of the State Coal Mine, Parks Victoria team and our legendary local former miners who are all so passionate, committed and totally embedded into keeping the mine history alive.”
Moz Wilson said there would be plenty happening at the State Coal Mine over Easter and invited locals to join in the celebrations. Visit the Friends on Facebook for details.
Work to bring the tunnel up to modern safety standards will start on April 27 with contractors Mancala Services on site.
The work is expected to take three months, and tours will stop during that time. The timing is ideal after the summer and Easter holidays.
While the heritage park is operated by Parks Victoria, it depends on the efforts of the Friends group to provide tour guides, maintain the gardens, buildings and equipment, and raise funds to help preserve the site.
For many, the connection is personal: they are the sons, daughters, grandchildren and neighbours of the miners who once worked underground.
While there’s lots to see at the State Coal Mine Historic Park the underground tours were undoubtedly the highlight. Tourists rode a custom-made skip down the tunnel to hear stories of life underground from the Friends.
The tours began in 1982, and by 2020 were attracting more than 10,000 visitors a year.
When Covid struck, the tours stopped, like so much else. By the time normal life resumed, mechanical failures had sidelined the skip, which was sent to Bendigo for repairs but failed to meet updated safety regulations.
There were fears that without the tours, Wonthaggi’s only tourist attraction would have to close.
Tours resumed in 2024, but were restricted to the able-bodied as visitors faced a steep walk in and out of the mine.
Ms Crugnale said the new funding would restore the rail “drift car”, a specially built mine cart and the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere, which is used to transport visitors below.
“People of all ages including school groups can now be part of one of the only historic coal mines in the Southern Hemisphere.
“A collective cheer for the Friends of the State Coal Mine, Parks Victoria team and our legendary local former miners who are all so passionate, committed and totally embedded into keeping the mine history alive.”
Moz Wilson said there would be plenty happening at the State Coal Mine over Easter and invited locals to join in the celebrations. Visit the Friends on Facebook for details.