The history of Waratah holds a pre-eminent position in Tasmania. In 1871 James ‘Philosopher’ Smith discovered tin at the Mt Bischoff site and the mine established in 1881.
This discovery heralded the opening of western Tasmania as a mineral province and the operations at Queenstown, Zeehan, Rosebery, Hellyer, and the rest of the west coast followed. An economic dawning for a state built on convicts, farming, and the extermination of the indigenous inhabitants. It effectively prevented the annexure of Tasmania to Victoria which had been mooted due the dire financial situation the state was in post the convict era.
During the time of its operation the Bischoff tin mine produced some 62,000 tons, enabled the formation of the town and employed 2000 personnel, and was the richest tin mine in the world. The initial Bischoff mining operations were powered by numerous water wheels to drive the ore crushing stamper mills.
In 1883 the mine became the first industrial plant in Australia to be lit by electric light and two years later provided illumination to the mine offices, mine manager’s house, the St James Church and the first street lighting in Australia.
The Mt Bischoff mine.
In 1907 the Bischoff Powerhouse (the second Hydro station in Tasmania after Duck Reach in Launceston) was constructed on the Waratah River below the Ringtail Falls and operated until the 1950’s. This was a remarkable development and inexorably connected to the simultaneously constructed Waratah Reservoir in 1880. Without the Reservoir there would have been no Powerhouse and indeed no mine production via the early water races and waterwheels.
On the 4 December 2021 it will be 150 years since that state-changing discovery by the Philosopher.
Now that should be a generational anniversary to be celebrated by everyone in the state, but particularly by the residents of the historical township of Waratah.
Sooo……. what is being planned by the state government? It should be monumental and a hallmark feature of the upcoming election campaign.
Answer: zip, zilch, zero, nothing, nought!!!
Perhaps the election candidates for all parties plus the independents might consider supporting the following as a suitable commemoration of this inexorable mining connection to the ongoing wealth of the state.
- Rehabilitate the dam wall of the Waratah Reservoir to the pre-existing height of the original 1880 structure.
- Place a Philosopher Smith statue on the renewed wall complete with relevant story boards, photos, and examples of ore boulders – tin, copper, zinc, iron, and gold.
- In conjunction with the above, the installation of an appropriate plaque and Yarning Circle recognising the original inhabitants of the region – the Tarkinener – created and designed by local descendants.
- The holding of an anniversary ceremony in the Atheneum Hall in the township, attended by the then Premier and associated State Development, Mining, Heritage, Water, and Aboriginal Ministers, and relevant adjacent Council Mayors/Officers.
- Provision of memorial gifts, including an appropriate history booklet, for all residents and attendees of the ceremony.
- ???? = and anything else that the Waratah community decides.
OVER TO YOU – ALL ELECTION CANDIDATES !!!
And once you have done the above ensure that this happens, please.
John Powell was Born in Rushworth Victoria; educated at Dandenong High School and Monash University; National Service during the Vietnam War; employed in oil/gas, water, and the resources sectors; proud Celt; protector of environment and Aboriginal heritages; stubborn and resolute.
JOHN POWELL: Waratah Renewable Hub.
