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Talisman Mine

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Corner of Talisman Track and Argyle Road, Carisbrook VIC 3464

Explore other locations around this area using our interactive map

Features

  • Historic mine
  • Machinery foundations
  • Mullock heaps
  • Shafts (filled in)
  • Adit (mostly caved in)
  • Bushland
The Talisman Mine is located within the Craigie State Forest between Maryborough, Carisbrook and Craigie, and is easily accessed via Talisman Track.


There are many interesting historical features remaining at the site, including machinery foundations, multiple shafts which are now filled in, an adit which has almost completely caved in (a small opening remains at the top, through which you can see the tunnel heading into the ground), and multiple large mullock heaps.


This is a great area for bushwalking and gold prospecting - but please note that while prospecting is permitted in the surrounding State Forest, historic sites such as this one must not be disturbed. 

Dogs are permitted within the Craigie State Forest, but must be kept on a lead.                              

Historical accounts of the Talisman Mine

There have been several reports regarding the Talisman Mine in newspapers over the years, which offer interesting insights into the mine's timeline and operations.

The following text was printed in the Critic (Adelaide, SA: 1897-1924) on Saturday 23rd Oct 1897:
Source: http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/211398696

Talisman, Craigie (Vic.) has completed shaft sinking, and is opening out for the reef. This line gave splendid yields in the early days, when every bit of stone down to water level went to the mill. Reef making strong underfoot, so the Craigie has a great chance of doing well. No market yet for these shares, but the Melb. crowd behind the co. will no doubt soon introduce them with a flourish. 

The following text was printed in The Argus (Melbourne, VIC: 1848-1957) on Tuesday 28th Dec 1897:
Source: http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9784694

Talisman, Craigie, 23rd. -W. xcut advd. 10ft. total 107; passed through two small leaders; face still wet. N. drive, off E. xcut, driven 9ft.; lode 6in wide; nice laminated stone. S. drive, off E. xcut, driven 10ft.; lode 12in., nice laminated stone showing the gold.

The following text was printed in the Talbot Leader (VIC: 1914-1918) on Saturday 25th Apr 1914:
Source: http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/119808827

The Talisman Mine, Craigie - Williams and Rewell are reported to be obtaining excellent returns from their mine. This is being worked principally for the sand, which gives splendid results under treatment by cyanide.

The following text was printed in the Maryborough and Dunolly Advertiser (VIC: 1914-1918) on Wednesday 7th Feb 1917:
Source: http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/90584885

OBITUARY

MR. W. M. REWELL.

One of the best known figures in the mining world was removed by death soon after midnight on Sunday, in Mr. William Maldon Rewell, surviving partner of the firm of Williams and Rewell, who have been active in mining and cyanide operations in Maryborough and other districts during the last 15 years.

Deceased was a native of Victoria, having been born 54 years ago at Welshman's Reef, between Maldon and Newstead. After folIowing various occupations as a youth, he took to mining and was for a period manager of the South Parkins Reef mine at Maldon. He left this position and threw in his lot with the late Mr. H. Williams, in order to take up the cyanide industry.

The partners' initial venture at Joyce's Creek, caused litigation. Mr. Rewell had knowledge that a large deposit of sand there, washed down from Maldon, could be successfully treated by cyanide. A neighboring landowner lodged an objection, but the cyaniders right was upheld. The great success of this venture caused an extension of the partners sphere of operations.

Maryborough district proved a fruitful field, and the firm of Williams and Rewell has plants at work at the Duke United, North Main Leads, Burnt Creek, Carisbrook (formerly Hamilton and McCann), and Alma.

The outbreak of war prevented the late Mr. Rewell from putting up an up-to-date working plant at the Talisman Mine at Craigie. The firm had already spent over £10,000 in developmental work there. A considerable quantity of-machinery was purchased not very long ago from Robinson's Foundry, Maryborough, for the purpose of working Lisle's Reef, Maldon, but Mr. Rewell's illness precluded him from giving the project his personal attention. The firm also has cyanide works at Rutherglen (under the management of Mr. Edward Rewell), and at Egerton.

Several mining concerns in New South Wales were in charge of Mr. George Rewell, now in charge of the Craigie works, Mr. J. S. Stevens, of Maryborough, a nephew of deceased, is general manager of the district cyanide works.

The late Mr. Rewell leaves a widow and a family of six sons and five daughters, the ages of the children ranging from 27 years to 10 years. Mrs. Rewell is at present seriously ill with pneumonia, and the widespread sympathy felt for the family is deepened by the fact.

The remains of the late Mr. Rewell were interred at Maldon cemetery yesterday. There was a large attendance, thoroughly representative of Maldon, Maryborough, and district mining activities. Many floral tributes were received, including those from the Oswald Estate proprietary, and employees, and a beautiful wreath from the employees of the Maryborough district. Another wreath was from M. W. Hitchcock, of Tasmania, who is now managing several English investments in that State. The Rev. Price, Baptist minister, read the burial service. The pall-bearers were Messrs. R. Brown, J. Waterson, ?. Cook, R. Dickson, R. Chisholm, and T. Brooks. The Rechabite service was also read by Mr. T. Dickson.

The following text was printed in The Ballarat Star (VIC: 1865-1924) on Friday 25th Apr 1919:
Source: http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/213876165

THEFT FROM A MINE.

At the Police Court, Robert James Dubbin was sentenced by Mr P. W O'Grady. P.M., to six weeks' imprisonment for stealing valves from the Talisman Mine, Craigie, the property of Mr George Deebie. Constable Waters found the valves beneath a load of wood which. Dubbin was bringing into Maryborough.

The following text was printed in The Argus (Melbourne, VIC: 1848-1957) on Monday 29th Nov 1937:
Source: http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/11128140

WORK AT TALISMAN

A message from Maryborough (V.) states that plant and buildings are being erected by Gold and Tin Development N.L. for the reopening of the Talisman mine between Mosquito and Craigie. This is regarded locally as one of the most promising quartz propositions in the district. Unwaterlng operations will take some time. It is estimated that there is 170ft. of water in the shaft.


PROSPECTORS AND MINERS ASSOCIATION VICTORIA


Established in 1980, the Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria is a voluntary body created to protect the rights and opportunities of those who wish to prospect, fossick or mine in the State of Victoria, Australia.

You can support the PMAV in their fight to uphold these rights by becoming a member. You'll also gain access to exclusive publications, field days, prospecting tips, discounts and competitions.

Check out the PMAV website for more information.

GEOLOGICAL MAP OF THE MARYBOROUGH GOLD FIELD, EARLY 20TH CENTURY


Geological map of the Maryborough gold field which shows historical features in superb detail, including reefs, leads, gullies/flats, and old workings. Originally published by the Department of Crown Lands and Survey, early 20th century. High quality, durable A1 print in a satin finish. Large, 594 x 891 mm. Go to online shop.



DID YOU KNOW...

  • Evidence of the mid-late 1800's gold rush can be found throughout the Victorian goldfields in the form of abandoned mine shafts and tunnels, mullock heaps, buildings and ruins, circular puddling troughs, remains of cyanide vats, and quartz kilns.
  • Gold prospecting is the recreational act of searching for natural gold deposits in the ground using tools such as gold detectors, gold pans and gold sluices. The Goldfields region of Victoria is a popular destination for gold prospectors, with many of the world's largest alluvial gold nuggets found in the area!
 

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