Mining

It was mining that opened up the area and sustained the Cassilis township for some years. The quest for wealth, as gold, though a rare metal and useful in some processes, but not really as beneficial and therefore in truth not as valuable as iron ore, mainly underpins wealth. Has pushed people into places that would otherwise have been left much as nature made them.

Apart from being a destructive and rapine industry as all mining is, it was difficult in the Cassilis area because of droughts. Periods of water shortages had miners leave the area as the mines closed down due to lack of water, which is actually more precious than gold as well. Then restart again when the rains came and replenished that which was required to process the ore and become the steam that drove the mechanisms required for crushing, drilling and other tasks.

[quote Keith Streames 1979]

The second phase of mining activity on the Long Gully gold fields was one of great excitement and lead to the formation of the two major gold mining and treatment companies in the region.

In the 1880's, alluvial mining was predominant through Long Gully along Grays Creek, with upward of 100 miners sluicing. By 1885 however, water shortages reduced the population to less than 40, and by 1890 alluvial mining in Long Gully was insignificant.

In 1885, Forsyth's "Lone Hand" mine opened in Long Gully. This is considered the beginning of the important quartz mining phase in the Cassilis area. It lead to the rich finds on Markey's Line and elsewhere, and the development of increasingly comprehensive mills and treatment works in the region.

By September 1887, forty claims had been registered on Bald Hill Creek and at Long Gully where the township of Cassilis was established.

[end quote Keith Streames 1979]

Mining cleared the land without thought for erosion. There were no environmental safeguards, only tearing the gold from the bowels of the earth was thought about, discussed and enacted. The owners of the mining companies, who lived in the cities became wealthier and the miners and ancillary workers and suppliers thought they could make a great deal of money, but this wasn't realised by most of those who lived in the area where the mine tunnels led to the gold bearing ore. It was a hard time. Hope kept people in the area, and kept people cutting down the trees on the hills round the mine.

This timber from the forest on the hills fuelled the boilers and shored up the tunnels underground, keeping the miners safe in most cases. The hills were bared and at the mercy of the elements, ravaged without any consideration for the future well being of the area or the effects upon other areas further downstream.

Trees a crowd

Sunday was great..especially the scones, tea cakes and coffee.
Here is our team having Smoko after all the hole digging and tree planting at the Cassilis Recreation Reserve and Historic Cemetery.

More to come.

Cassilis Cemetery

The Cassilis Cemetery would have been a snapshot of the history of the town, which no longer exists, other than by a name on the map. Like so many towns that grew like mushrooms out of the ground fertilised by the gold found in an area. Cassilis appeared. Not as a township at first, but with hope people named it. Mining was often intermittent, because there was little water. Certainly no permanent water, exacerbated by an unpredictable and unreliable rainfall. There was nothing glamorous about the mining boom in the area, and this was further dulled by the dangerous work and harsh living conditions that those early miners and other workers endured to collect a wage.

The Cassilis historic cemetery is on the other side of the parking area of the Cassilis recreation reserve. This is fortunate, because it gives the visitor to the small amphitheatre like cleft between the hills more to look at and enjoy. Both these public facilities are a feature of the area. The trust of the former and committee of the latter are working together ensuring that the both these become more relevant for the visitors from outside the region and small communities that surround them.

Members of the Cassilis Cemetery Trust taking
delivery of the new mower.

The current trust members have managed to secure some funding that will save them costs for maintenance of the cemetery and allow them to perform other tasks.

Many forebears of local families are buried in the cemetery and probably enjoyed days upon the reserve where they could share a day with their families and in some small way include those who had perished from the many causes of death which occur in a mining community of bygone days.

The recent memorials show that there are still many people who would like to visit and remember there loved ones in the peace and quiet of the hills, in the company of residual memories of others in the ambiance of the small picturesque valley. It is a quiet place and maintained and encouraged to be so.

Some aspects of the Cassilis Historic Cemetery

The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal has bestowed a grant upon the Cassilis cemetery. The grant is for the purpose of replacing trees which have died of extreme old age and been removed for reasons of safety and aesthetics and to plant trees that will produce shade and demonstrate the diversity of the community who interred the tangible remains of their loved ones into this ground.

The project financed by the grant has already attracted other suppliers who have donated trees, shrubs and plants that will enhance the natural focus of the cemetery as being a tranquil place for those who wish to use the cemetery as a place where they can contemplate and enjoy the memories of time and events shared with their loved ones. It is becoming a place where peace can be found, and tranquility embraced.

As stated above, the Cassilis Cemetery board of trustees have received a grant from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal organisation to replace trees lost and to complement and enhance the Cassilis Cemetery. The funds are provided in collaboration with the R. E. Ross Trust.

The Board of Trustees is grateful for the assistance from these organisations. The cemetery is more a place of tranquillity, restful contemplation and celebration of life, for all members of the local communities and visitors alike. It's a place where any who visit can enjoy the simple pleasure of being alive and consider a history and those who were part of it, to get a better understanding of the impacts that are being made today.

The cemetery is an area used by people from all walks of life and socioeconomic environments who have a interest in history, genealogy and the plain curious who would like to glance over or delve deeper into the areas past.

The grant assists the board of trustees not only to maintain the history which is left and viewable, but also that which is imaginable and no less real. It also allows features that were lost to be replaced and new purpose to be generated.

So it begins.

Many in the local communities and visitors see the Cassilis cemetery as a venue. Not merely to visit the departed, but much as the original residents did; to be in a place with meaning for the living. A place where past is in tandem with the present and death in tandem with life. This appears to be the way it was from stories told. An example of which is Chinese families bringing food to the departed to sustain them on their journey.

Hence the recreation reserve is cheek by jowl with the cemetery. All members of the past and present, with varied interests and employment, meeting together in a common environment that shows an interest in life and living, side by side with an acceptance of mortality. The latter required to enrich the life experience.

The current board of trustees has been pleased to allow the cemetery to host the textile sculpture of Chaco Kato in recent times and be a place holder for other such events.

This seems to be in keeping with the definitions of action and purpose of the cemetery as decreed by those who requested it's creation in the first instance. Using the location as a portal through which those whom they love, departed to reach what they aspire to attain. It seems to be a sacred trust of purpose. To ensure those interred are not left alone and apart from the living. But rather part of the celebrations and in view of people moving ever on through life. The living knowing the comfort of being in the spiritual presence of the departed, who have a connection to this place.

Two as one. 

Places to experience the magic.

Wider community cooperation along with tireless dedication by the Cassilis residents, committee and trust of both Cassilis Recreation Reserve and Historic Cemetery respectively, has blossomed into new creative energy to further improve the amenities and beautification of the area.

Testing out one of the new seats
installed at the Cassilis Cemetery

These already picturesque and historic public places set amongst ancient and beautiful trees within this pioneering landscape is having a makeover, designed to bring further delights to the community and visitors alike.

Consultation between the Cassilis Cemetery Trust, Recreation Reserve Committee and local authorities, such as the D.S.E , DOH & CS, Crown Land Management and the Shire of East Gippsland is producing an exciting and creative agenda that will enhance this valuable East Gippsland asset.

President of the Cassilis Recreation Reserve Committee Ms Alison Smith said, “the project is going extremely well, especially the tree planting sponsored by locals which will add beauty, colour and shelter at the reserve. Each semi-mature tree will have the sponsors personal dedication and tree type inscribed on a plaque and attached to each. We already have some inscriptions of wise words and poetry displayed for all to see.”

The committee and trust of these public areas has been inspired and productive with their fund raising efforts and working with local authorities, private enterprise and the arts community of East Gippsland.

If a bit more money is raised by Christmas the recreation reserve could have a shelter, to be shared with the cemetery, on the site to display interpretive information, and can and no doubt will also be used for events such as Art & Music, in an arboretum like setting.

Alison quipped, “As I am the youngest member of the committee my fellow members are perfectly happy to let me dig the holes for the tree planting. However, if anyone wishes to participate and perhaps sponsor a tree we still have some available and they can help plant it.”

For further information call Howard on 03 5159 4328

Or Email: Charlie ariestao[at]skymesh.com.au

By Howard Reddish

Edna Gale Remembered.

Edna Gale, well known and widely respected Swifts Creek and Cassilis identity, who passed away in 2004 aged 92 years of age. Has been honoured with a commemorative plaque prominently placed at the Cassilis Recreation Reserve, which along with other community projects she wholeheartedly supported.

Pat Oram, Christine and Howard Reddish

Edna, nominated by local Councillor Jack Richardson for citizen of the year recognition while she lived, has always been in the thoughts of and posthumously recognised by members of her local community.

Edna's dearest friend and companion of almost 70 years, Pat Oram was present at the unveiling at the beautiful historic Cassilis Recreation Reserve.

As well as poetry Edna painted and was a dedicated connoisseur of Pat’s wonderful home brew yet had time enough to be an activist for the disenfranchised. Edna wrote many letters and was a stalwart of and a champion for the local community. She was a scrutiniser and attempted enforcer of promises made by those who craved and secured public office at all levels of government by the generosity of public vote.

At a casual gathering of recent times a notable ex-politician was asked if he remembered Edna Gale … he replied “How could one forget her?”

According to Howard Reddish, a personal friend and spokesperson for the Cassilis Recreation Reserve Committee of Management said, “We admired her wit but feared her wrath, she was a solid advocate from and for this community and we loved her dearly. 

She lived a long wonderful and creative life; although at times she was a pain in the “arts” for those foolish enough to deal lightly with her causes expecting impunity,” Howard said.

Pat Oram who knew Edna best had the honour of unveiling the plaque.

By Howard Reddish

Cassilis Recreation Reserve

Looking out from the gate at the Cassilis Recreation Reserve

This is the five acres 3 roods and sixteen perches which is the Cassilis Recreation Reserve. Also known as the Jernkee Recreation Reserve and the Jirnkee Cassilis Recreation Reserve.

It was recommended that this area: [quote] "in the position defined by the technical description herewith be temporarily reserved in the parish of Jirnkee as a site for Public Recreation, also excepted from occupation for residence or business under any miners right or business licence." [end quote] Dated 1896

Obviously there were even then, in the late 1800's some far sighted visionaries and we reap the reward of their consideration.

The recreation reserve is visited by people from all over the world as well as local residents. The adjacent cemetery draws the visitor, and the ambiance of the place soothes all who enter this small wrinkle between the hills that frame Cassilis.



The trees being planted at the reserve, supplied by Hidden Valley Trees in Harrietville, are for summer shade and autumn colour. This is a project that has brought all the community together to give an area already beautiful more depth and diversity.

People of and from the local community planting trees.

Please click on the tree legend below to see it more clearly. The colour coding is along the lines of what the autumn colours of the trees will be.

Update: August 2012

The first tree to blossom is, much as expected the Manchurian Pear. Other ornamental pears are starting to show bud swell.

More trees have been planted and a new legend will have to replace the old one above to show their location and type. Photographs of the trees will follow, so watch this space.

The new plantings consist of walnut, pear and trees. It is the intention of the committee that the trees in the  Cassilis Recreation Reserve will, as well as supply shade and shelter, also give the visitor an opportunity to pick fruit and nuts. This will create interest, along with the birds and wildlife, who will also share the area and the produce, and by so doing, create even greater and more diverse interest for the the visitor to that area.

Spring 2012

Click on the picture to enlarge it.

It's spring. The ornamental pears planted by the tree sponsors and the Cassilis Recreation Reserve Committee of Management are showing their finery, their interpretation of the season, the quickening. The red maples are starting to fire up as are the trident maples. The staggered flowering of the various trees means there will be blossom heralding the spring for a longer period of time.

If the autumn leaves are similarly staggered we will be well pleased, because the seasons are not just a day or a week, they are an evolution of many factors moving into each other.

Like all living things, trees will help us to see what's going on, and show seasonal conditions far more accurately than a calendar.