Mining the Landscape: Coal in the Illawarra

Mining the Landscape

Exhibition

Panizzi Gallery UOW Library
6 February — 14 May, 2017

Appreciated early on for its picturesque qualities, the Illawarra landscape was also geologically resource-rich, with coal discovered at Coalcliff in 1797 by Dr George Bass. By 1849, the first mine had opened at Mount Keira and the shipping of coal through the Wollongong Harbour commenced.

Coal mining greatly impacted the establishment and settlement of communities along the Illawarra coastline, shaping the urban and industrial development of the area.

The material presented in this exhibition was primarily drawn from collections in the University Archives relating to the history of the coal industry in the Illawarra. This included items from the Illawarra Coke Company, Bellambi Coal Company, Clark family, Barraclough, Piggin and Becarevic collections, with additional objects on loan from the Illawarra Historical Society.

Online Exhibition Contents

▾ Special Event: Connections & Recollections with Mr Ray Tolhurst
▾ Special Event: Panel Discussion
▾ 360 degree Image of Exhibition