Mining the Landscape
Mining the Landscape: Coal in the Illawarra
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.
▾ Special Event: Connections & Recollections with Mr Ray Tolhurst
▾ Special Event: Panel Discussion
▾ 360 degree Image of Exhibition
Special Event: Connections & Recollections with Mr Ray Tolhurst
UOW School of Civil, Mining & Environmental Engineering casual lecturer and honorary fellow, Mr Raymond Tolhurst, has family connections to Illawarra mining industry dating back to the mid 1800s and the commencement of Bulli mine.
In this presentation Mr Tolhurst expanded on the information displayed in the timeline for UOW Library’s exhibition 'Mining the Landscape: Coal in the Illawarra', with personal insights and anecdotes around family traditions, disaster stories, and the development of local communities due to these mines.
Special Event: Panel Discussion
A panel discussion chaired by Associate Professor Di Kelly about the University of Wollongong's inception and development, and the heritage that is essentially owed to local industry.
The panel included Ron Cairns, Associate Professor Paul Carr, Dr Jan Nemcik, Professor Naj Aziz, Bob (Robert) Kinninmonth.
360 degree Image of Exhibition
Mining the Landscape: Coal in the Illawarra Exhibition #theta360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA