Living in a Casino - Lightning Ridge

[Harlequin]

Having lived and mined in Lightning Ridge for 20 years I thought some of you might be interested in what it's like to live in what could be called the last great frontier town. Lightning Ridge is so different from what you expect of an isolated country town. It is truly like living in a casino - there is an air of expectancy and excitement in the very air ! You can come wearing thongs and leave wearing RM Williams. I hadn't been in The Ridge long when a helicopter flew over our camp. I was chatting with an American friend who had been living there for some years. (It's a VERY friendly town).
"Mines Department survey I queried?" trying to show that I knew a little about mining.
"O no," was the quick reply," that belongs to 2 miners: last year they couldn't afford a chicken between them for Christmas Dinner they were so broke. All their money went into diesel and survival food. Then they struck a pocket of gems. They took out around $40 million!" And that's not an isolated incident of rags to riches.
My camp was built around a 25ft mine shaft (see earlier post) and the toilet was a long drop: so long that we were concerned that guests would be nervous about using it. I overcame this by fitting a seat belt to the seat. She who must be obeyed stopped me from putting a 'Fasten Seat Belt' sign on the door- said I was being childish.
Our power was primarily solar which charged the batteries during the day and a back-up wind generator which which ran 24/7.
Top of the agenda was to get a garden going. Me, when I get the urge to garden I lie down till the urge passes but it was garden first. Planting out pots was easy enough but the trees - that was another matter altogether. There was about 6 inches of soil then a band of shin cracker so named that crow bars and picks easily slipped off the smooth surface and you can guess where they hit. Once through the the shin cracker you are on to sandstone:heavy going. My neighbour offered to plant some gelly but even though the opal band was 25ft down the shock wave could still crack or even shatter valuable stones so I thanked him and we sat down, had a beer and discussed the problem. (It's a REAL friendly town).
I hope this long post is not boring you.

Harlequin

 

[LC76]

You have my attention..... Please don't stop.

 

[DropBear]

Do tell more

Pictures help also...

 

[jamie]

enjoying this so far mate

 

[Jaros]

Today 6:56 pm

Black opal is very valuable. So, you might ask, what sort of security do miners have to protect their opal and cash? My American friend, Virgil, had a really valuable mine at The Rocks (an opal field at The Coocoran - a major opal field.) he lived on site in a caravan. I asked him a similar question and in reply he took me into his van. he shut the door then pointed to the floor. All I could see was a mat. He pulled it back and there was a trap door. If he was attacked he locked the door, climbed down the trap door into a drive (tunnel) under the van. Carrying his stash he could run through the drive for about 50 metres and then up a ladder into a lump of box trees where his ute was parked. After a couple of close calls he contracted an armed security service from out of town to come and watch his mine at night.(Not cheap!) They arrived on the Friday night and were just settling in when they noticed someone climbing out of his mine. They immediately challenged and were answered with a volley of shots. It was on for young and old as three men exited the mine, ran for their vehicle firing as they ran. The police caught up with them on the way bcd into town but a very expensive city lawyer flew in and had them released.
People who steal opal from mines are called,'Ratters'. Two mining friends, Peter and John, had a claim at Tyrone's Luck next to The Rocks. Mates of theirs had been propping a pillar which they knew contained good opal. When mining, your roof is sandstone but you must use your common sense and prop the roof - often by leaving natural pillars supporting the roof. If this pillars contain opal then we use timber logs. If you are careless and greedy and the roof gives way you could wake up dead! Well these miners ha been propping around this last valuable pillar for two weeks and finished late on a Wednesday. The next day they were going to be celebrating but when they turned up early the next morning the pillar was gone. Bloody Ratters! A good rule is 'keep your eyes open and your mouth shut!' (A good rule for prospectors as well). But being a Ratter was not always healthy. Some Ratters just disappeared- gone- vanished! Car still there- van still there but no Ratter. Did I mention that there are literally thousands of abandoned mine shafts in the area. Now what made me think of that?
We couldn't afford expensive security but we had Shenaid - a beautiful Pit Bull. When miners came to the camp to sell opal (I was also a buyer) they wouldn't get out of the car because She was standing quietly on the verandah eyeing them off. She belonged to my son and one day I agreed to take her to the Vet for something or other and it wasn't till I got there I realised I would have to tell the Vet what she was (A banned canine) Came my turn and I sheepishly approached the desk. But just in time I remembered what I had to say in such a situation..
"And what is her name and what breed is she?" Errrr, her name is Shenaid. Her mother was a pedigree golden Labrador and the
father was - a very good friend.).She just smiled and took her in.

Harlequin

 

[Simmo]

Good job Jaros.

 

[Baldy]

Fair dimcom did you read the post..? Before you posted..ertoosp..