Part of Hunter’s River: (or the Coal River) surveyed by Lieutenant Charles Jeffries, Commander of H. M. G. Brig. Kangaroo.

  This is a linen copy of the Jeffries 1816 chart held in the State Library of New South Wales. The original is held in the Hydrographic Office, Taunton United Kingdom, under the following title: E186  Aust Folio 1   Part of the hunters River, 1816  (High Street, (Watt St)  Lighthouse (Beacon) also three mine entrances … More Part of Hunter’s River: (or the Coal River) surveyed by Lieutenant Charles Jeffries, Commander of H. M. G. Brig. Kangaroo.

The Newcastle Fortifications (24 May 1881)

THE NEWCASTLE FORTIFICATIONS. (BY OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.) http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13484259 The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 24 May 1881 Page 6 of 10 ******************************************************************* THE NEWCASTLE FORTIFICATIONS. (BY OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.)   On Saturday last Colonel P. H. Scratchley, R.E., C.M.G., and Colonel C. F. Roberts, visited Newcastle for the purpose of inspecting the hill known as Signal … More The Newcastle Fortifications (24 May 1881)

The Convict Coal Mines of Newcastle (Coast Series 3 Filmshoot Backgrounder)

When was coal first identified here? And by who? Australia’s first discoveries of coal were in 1791 (unoffically) and 1796 and 1797 (officially, by unnamed fishermen and Lieutenant John Shortland respectively), leading to the first export (1799) and first profit (1801) of a natural resource in this country. 1791 Coal River (Mulubinba) and Government Domain … More The Convict Coal Mines of Newcastle (Coast Series 3 Filmshoot Backgrounder)

Newcastle Coal Mining & Government Mines 1796-1820s

Newcastle Coal Mining & Government Mines – 1796- 1820s By Dr Ann Hardy – April 2014 University of Newcastle’s Coal River Working Party There is confusion about the early coal mines of Newcastle and although the Australian Agricultural Company mines are well documented there is little research on the government coal mines (particularly the coal … More Newcastle Coal Mining & Government Mines 1796-1820s

Convict Era Tunnel (c1816) and Brick Culvert (c1850s)

During his presentation at the 2012 National Trust Forum on Innovation and Invention Mr Bill Jordan introduced us to a convict era tunnel dating from around 1816 that lies beneath Church Street, Newcastle (Australia). He believes that it is the oldest example of Australian civil engineering works still in use to this day and quite … More Convict Era Tunnel (c1816) and Brick Culvert (c1850s)

Lord Mayor’s Round Table

The History Channel (through WTFN Productions in Melbourne) is currently in pre-production for ten (10) half hour TV shows entitled “Tony Robinson Walks.”  This TV series will identify little known compelling stories illustrating our unique Australian character and feature Tony Robinson, star of the Time Team, The Worst Jobs in History, and Blitz Street. Newcastle … More Lord Mayor’s Round Table

The Newcastle Fortifications – SMH 24 May 1881

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13484259 The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 24 May 1881  Page 6 of 10 THE NEWCASTLE FORTIFICATIONS. (BY OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.) On Saturday last Colonel P. H. Scratchley, R.E., C.M.G., and Colonel C. F. Roberts, visited Newcastle for the purpose of inspecting the hill known as Signal Hill, near Nobby’s, upon which the fort recommended by … More The Newcastle Fortifications – SMH 24 May 1881

Conservation for Rare Fort Scratchley Plan 1879

Delivery of Rare Fort Scratchley Plan This week the Fort Scratchley Historical Society sent us an important and rare plan of the Fort works dating from 1879 for emergency conservation work. Fort Scratchley Representative on the Coal River Working Party, Mr Bill Hanley delivered the plan to us after Monday’s meeting. We were asked to … More Conservation for Rare Fort Scratchley Plan 1879