Mabel Gertrude Gold Mine, Morley's Find, Riverina Station, Menzies Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Mabel Gertrude Gold Mine	Mine
Morley's Find	- not defined -
Riverina Station	- not defined -
Menzies Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

Little in the way of information about women was found as part of this project. This is simply because mining was not accepted as suitable for women in the early Twentieth Century. It is really only in the last few decades, mining companies in Australia, have actively sought women for roles at their mines. In times past, occasionally a woman would be found running a business like the local pub out on the goldfield. Generally most women stayed away from the goldfields altogether. Those that were living on a goldfield, tended to housework and looking after children, while their husband worked the mine.

The Mabel Gertrude was the exception, probably the only one in Western Australia in the late 1930's, where a gold mine was owned and operated by a woman. The lady's name was Mabel Taylor. The mine was named after her mother- Mabel Gertrude.

The deposit was found by Mrs Taylor's husband and a prospecting mate in 1937, and they initially worked the mine. However Mr Taylor died in 1938. Mrs Taylor employed two miners, and operated the three head battery on the lease herself. She learned about batteries and engines on the job. She lived in a small house 50 yards from the mine. The source felt compelled to state she still found time to complete housework and cook meals- just to make sure people did not think she was completely weird. The picture in this source of Mabel indicates a strong willed woman. One time, the tyres blew out on her truck, on the way back from Kalgoorlie, and she walked the last 60 miles back to the mine. Mabel took out about 800 ounces from the mine to 1940.

The mine closed over the war years and was then sold to Mabel Gillespie. She owned the mine until at least the mid 1950's. It is unclear how active Mrs Gillespie was with the mine operations, as the crushings are often listed under her husband Don Gillespie.

The battery was sold and re-erected at Darlot in 1947. The stamps were too light for the ore at Mabel Gertrude. Instead after the war, ore was sent to the Lady Harriett battery at Menzies for treatment.

It is noted a rich patch was uncovered in 1947 near the southern boundary of the lease. The stone was studded with pieces of gold. It had been found 30 feet below the surface on the Hanging Wall in an enrichment zone. It yielded about 100 ounces. GML 1081U. There was much barren or low grade kaolin and schist between the quartz lenses at the mine.

The mine was still active in 1955, having crushed 112 tonnes yielding 453 ounces worth 6480 pounds in its last crushing under the Gillespie's. An option over the mine was then taken by Uranium Oxide NL and Austral Mining Co NL, but no information could be found for activity at the mine under these entities.

Mabel Gertrude is one kilometre west of the Two Chinamen Gold Mine which borders the Riverina-Lake Ballard Road. The site consists of a north-south line of mullock, some shafts, possibly building foundations or machinery can be seen, and an old tank.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References