Charters Towers Miners’ Memorial Walk to spark interest and reflection
A new tourist attraction has officially opened, dedicated to honouring those who lost their lives in mine, mill, and quarry accidents while seeking their fortune on the Charters Towers Goldfields.
The Charters Towers Miners’ Memorial Walk, which is linked to the current Mosman Street walking track, includes an elevated boardwalk to a viewing platform over an old mineshaft (historical Wyndham No.3), replica poppet head structures, signage, and interpretive panels.
Charters Towers Regional Council Mayor Frank Beveridge who officially opened the Memorial, said it was great to see such strong support from the community on something that serves as both a tourist attraction for the region, as well as honouring the many lives lost during the Gold Rush.
“Charters Towers has an extremely rich gold mining heritage, with gold first being discovered in 1871, sparking a gold rush”, said Cr Beveridge.
“For over 150 years, many lives have been lost to mining-related accidents in the Charters Towers region.
“This Memorial Walk provides a place of remembrance, a place to reflect, and a place to showcase the life and prosperity the gold rush brought to our great region.
The walk, spanning 54 meters and winding through poppet head structures is designed to be interactive.
The interpretive panels provide educative material, as well as a list of lives lost, and the viewing platform includes a safety glass panel, allowing safe viewing into the mine shaft.
The attraction, located at the Mosman Street Road Reserve is now open to the public.
“Council was fortunate enough to receive funding from both the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, and the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland Program which enabled us to deliver this exciting new project”, said Cr Beveridge.
“As the excitement from the grand opening fades, it is important to remember that while the safety record of Queensland mines has greatly improved in recent times, unfortunately, fatalities remain an ongoing concern”, said Cr Beveridge
“I hope that this memorial not only provides an attraction, provoking interest in the history of the region, but also sparks a moment of reflection for the lives lost and the lessons learned from each and every accident, disaster, and fatality.
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Photo: Cr Alan Barr, Malcolm MacDonald, Bob Katter MP, Cr Frank Beveridge, Cr Julie Mathews, Cr Kate Hastie & Cr Graham Lohmann.