HEATHER. Old Jack McDonald, up there, he used to work in the mines, when they had a candle in their hat.
Yambulla?
HEATHER. Probably, it was out here. Couldn't tell you for sure.
PETER. He mined all up through the hills around here. I used to pick him up with his push bike, in the bus and drop him off up near Craig Cattell's (Stoney Creek) and he'd go up into the hills and spend the day there and come back out.
So, that's gold. Fossiking for gold?
HEATHER. Yes.
PETER. He knew where all the old mines were and he was an old prospector.
*** Excerpt from Heather and Peter Matthews' interview in 'The Forgotten Corner Interviews'.

Men have been searching for gold in the Towamba district from the time of early settlement. Hills, creeks, rivers and suitable soils and rock combined in several places and small and sometimes, large deposits were discovered. In 1899, gold was discovered at Yambulla, south-west of Towamba, in amounts large enough to draw men and their families to the area. Mines opened up and a township grew but the gold petered out early in the new century. From time to time other mines have opened up in other locations in the district but not enough to bring lasting prosperity. However, hope is always there.

Woolingubrah Inn Photo K.Clery

"Woolingubrah" is an Aboriginal word for "Windy Place". This is aptly named as the homestead block is situated on a rather exposed flat peak of the Big Jack range of mountains. About 200 yards from the homestead you can gaze down on the Rocky Hall area and see the Pacific Ocean through a break in the mountain range. The house was built as an Inn at the time of the Kiandra Gold Rush of the 1860's. Mr. Nicholson built what was called the Mountain Hut Hotel and sometimes called the Half Way Hotel at "Woolingubrah" in 1860. It consisted of a bar, dining room, kitchen and 6 bedrooms. The original section which is still well preserved was imported in pre-fabricated sections from America, transported from Eden and erected on the site. (It arrived at Eden by coastal steamer in October 1860 and transported by bullock wagon to the existing site and by November that same year, it was operating as an Inn. K.Clery) "Woolingubrah" was on the only track from the coast (Tathra, Merimbula and Eden ports) to Monaro and beyond for emigrants exploring and scrutinising the land, or on their way to the Kiandra gold rush, foreign to anything that they had experienced before in their mother country. The Big Jack Mountain Bridle Track, came up through "Hillview" with the road branching near "Woolingubrah", one going via Archer's Flat to Bombala, the other going to Taylor's Flat, Bibbenluke, etc. It was more than 30 years later that the Tantawanglo Mountain Road was constructed. The timber in the building has been identified as American in origin and from markings on the wall studs it is clear that it was prefabricated. It is probably only one of 3 such buildings still in existence in Australia. Source: State Forests "Woolingubrah Inn" pamphlet.

Excerpt from 'The Towamba District, It's Resources and Capabilities'.
'Pambula Voice' November 3, 1893.
"A little inconvenience is caused in times of flood when the river becomes very swift and dangerous but as a rule it goes down quickly. In addition to its vast and almost unlimited dairy capabilities gold has been found in payable quantities in various parts of the Towamba district and a large area of land is held by the government as a gold field reserve."

'Pambula Voice' January 14, 1898
ROCKY HALL
There has been no sensation or developments out at the " Klondyke the second". Several of the leading claims have suspended work pending the arrival of foreign capitalists. It's a wonder that "Mr. Tomahawk" or " Chips" has not visited the field ere this as if bent upon speculation. I know of some splendid investments where £10,000 could be expended less advantageously.

Newspaper Unknown. March 19, 1913
Our gold mine is at present quiescent, as timbering and general fitting up are going on. Certainly some splendid specimens have been taken out of the solid. I should say, from what I have seen, the reef is certainly worth trying. But development work is monstrously expensive.

Newspaper unknown
April 7, 1913
TOWAMBA
The mine on the ridge above Ferny Flat is making decided progress. The shaft is now timbered, a windlass erected, fall, etc., for making work convenient. The further they go down the better the gold is showing in the stone and is quite promising enough to be given a trial.

'Magnet' August 23, 1930
* Silver lead ore at New Station, near Wyndham.

'Magnet' March 28, 1931
Honeysuckle Flat - reference made by Rev. W. B. Clark in 1852 that gold existed there - is believed to be near Wyndham - gold was obtained on this flat which was on the old teamster's route between Eden and Monaro.

'Magnet' January 23, 1932
Molybdenite re discovered at Wangrabelle, 2 miles from Mr. W. Stevens's residence. Discovered first in 1912 but war stopped it because men went to war. Same happened to Yambulla.

'Magnet' July 2, 1932
* Bimbaya Goldfield - (Mr. Frank Ramsey's battery)

'Magnet' September 3, 1932
LOCAL MINES:
Yowaka field. Gahan.
Brass Knocker Mine. Falkner.
Sugarloaf Field. Nethercote.

'Magnet' March 1933
Mr. Dickie and Mr. McLeod discovered the Sugarloaf gold mine at Nethercote about 10 - 12 miles from Eden, 40 oz. of gold to the ton. Recently Mr. C. Wiles bought the mine with others. The company will be known as the 'Towamba Goldmining Company Ltd.' The mine has high potential. A road will be made from Nethercote Creek. A battery is to be erected on Spear's Creek. Such are prospects that £20,000 has been spent on equipment

'Magnet' December 9, 1933
PERICOE
* Gold already discovered at Letts Mountain.

'Magnet' January 6, 1934
NEW GOLD FIND
Considerable interest has been created by the discovery recently made near the Letts Mountain to Wog Wog road of a gold bearing reef of exceptional richness. The find was made by Messers Ken and Les Quigg with whom Messers Harry Tasker and Jas. Laing are associated as applicants for the prospectors gold mining lease. The Quigg brothers who are experienced miners say that they have never seen a more promising discovery. The gold is found in a seam about twelve inches in width, is coarse and of first class quality. The country carries a number of other reefs and there are indications that several at least are auriferous. The prospectors' claim is within a stone's throw from the road which is accessible by car and is within two hundred or three hundred yards off the Wog Wog River.
Adjoining the prospector's lease is a lease of similar area applied for by Pambula's indefatigable mines developer Mr. James Robertson. Next is an area applied for by Messers Alf Tasker Jnr., and Tom Legge who have discovered gold bearing stone of a richness equal to that first found by the fortunate prospectors. Another area applied for as a gold mining lease is held by Messers Alf Tasker Snr., and Alf Tasker Jnr., who are hopeful that they will find on it an extension of the nearby reefs that have been proved to be gold bearing.
The ridge as above as indicated is easily accessible by car is in quite new country so far as reefing is concerned and appears to be well worth the attention of bonifide gold seekers. A former resident of the district states that 40 years or so ago numerous Chinese made a living by washing gold from the bed of the Wog Wog river and that many Australian miners prospected the neighbourhood in their search for the parent reef but without success. Apparently it has been the good fortune of the present prospectors to make a discovery of potential far reaching importance and they are the recipients of innumerable good wishes for their unbounded success.

'Magnet' November 17, 1934
DISTRICT MINING
New Hopes of Revival
Mr. Bedford, one of the best known geologists in Australia, is busy making a report on the whole Pambula Goldfield and as far as is known at present, his report is most favourable, says "The Voice". Mr James Robertson, whose connection with mining has hitherto not been as profitable as his enterprise deserves, is responsible for securing Mr. Bedford's services and both the general public and the many mining enthusiasts throughout the district would join him in wishing for a successful outcome.
Mr. Robertson has also induced the Reverend Father O'Reilly and party to visit the district with the result that they have taken up several leases at Yambulla, have applied for several new leases at Pambula, and have also taken an option over the Wolumla Goldfield. Amongst those interested with Fr. O'Reilly are Sir Walter Kingsmill an Engineer Commander Hogan. As the result of these visits there is every likelihood of a big company being formed to work the fields on a large scale.
We are informed (as our contemporary) that the owners of the Brass Knocker mine are now working night shift.

'Magnet' November 24, 1934
Messers Squire, Robertson and H. A. Kraanstuyver are opening up the old Jingera Gold Mine and have two or three men at work there.

'Magnet' March 9, 1935
* Certain Melbourne visitors are displaying unusual interest in the idle silver mines at Letts Creek (near Pericoe). The mines were in activity about forty years ago. Investigations and tests are still being made at Yambulla Goldfields also.

'Magnet' June 29, 1935
* Mr. Fred Clements, a Bombala district mining man of wide experience and Mr. John McLeod of Mila have applied for a mining prospecting area in the Parish of Nungatta.

'Magnet' September 21, 1935
*Much interest is being taken in the Whipstick mines. A meeting of the board of directors was held last week.

'Magnet' November 23, 1935
*Messers Percy Maxwell and Jack Slattery (not 'Towamba Jack') are engaged in prospecting for gold in country at the head of Maxwell's Swamp where some gold bearing stone was found several years ago.