Maddingley Brown Coal
Background
At the end of World War Two, Australian Paper Manufacturers found it could not source enough reasonably sourced coal to keep its boilers going at Melbourne, Fairfield and Broadford. Maddingley Brown Coal Pty Ltd, am open cut mine, was an A.M.P. enterprise.[1]
History
In 1957 the open cut mine was producing 10,000 tons of col per week, and selling any excess to A.M.P's requirements. The Bacchus Marsh coal had a moisture content of 59 percent.[2]
To properly develop the mine the Parwan was diverted to a new man made course. The natural creek course meandered through the flats in a way that made open-cut working on a large scale difficult. For fire prevention and dust suppression an extensive water reticulation system covered the whole of the working area. At Cut NO. 2 a six million gallon reservoir, situated 180 feet above the surface of the coal, acted as a storage for underground water pumped from the cut.[3]
Site
Maddingley, Bacchus Marsh
Innovations
Community Involvement
Works Produced
Workplace Relations
In 1957 there had been no serious accident at Maddingley Brown Coal Pty Ltd. This was put down to the excellent understanding between management and workers. The works committee had three representatives of the men and three of the management. They met monthly and discussed problems, safety considerations and ideas affection operations or working conditions, A welfare scheme, to which both employees and company contribute, gave workers a sense of security.[4]
The People
In 1957 Maddingley Brown Coal employed around 100 people.[5]
In 1957 the Chairman was John G. Wilosn, and the Directors were Sir Norman Brookes, John D. Brookes, John J.C. Gardiner, James C. Hercules, R.B. Jeffries, and John H. Fitts. The consulting engineer was Gordon Moffat, and the manager was Cr William P. McBride.[6]
Legacies
In 1957 it was envisaged that that as operations proceeded the final surface of the land would be resoiled and graded, leaving ultimately an artificial lake so contrived that is could be a beauty sport of the district.[7]
See also
Notes
References
Further Reading
External Links
--Clare K.Gervasoni 13:34, 8 September 2015 (AEST)