Blood Diamonds & Battlers

Shearers Strikes & Opal Rushes

The United Nations General Assembly recognized that conflict diamonds are a crucial factor in prolonging brutal wars in parts of Africa. Fortunately Australia is and always has been a stable country with strong labour rights and a uniquely egalitarian ethic.

During the Great Shearers' Strikes in the 1890s, five hundred shearers were camped just south of Winton in outback Queensland as the town was placed under marshal law. This was not only the beginning of the foundation of the Australian Labor Party, but an opportune time when disaffected men without work were willing to chance their luck; It is by no coincidence that Opalton, 100 kilometers further south, developed into a township soon afterwards.

Australian opals have almost always been mined by individuals, families and small partnerships. Since opal production began in earnest at the turn of the 20th Century numerous companies have floated over the years, in an attempt to become large scale producers, all have had limited long term economic success.

How 'bout some Dinkum Blood Red Opals!?

Red is the most sought after colour in gemstones, red on black opals are worth $10,000 per carat or $50,000 per gram. Although this sounds expensive - gem opals are a bargain - when you consider that a monochromatic stone such as a red ruby could set you back 10 times that and a red diamond 100 times that price!

 

In the 1850's the Australian 'Gold Rushes' were on and toward the close of 19th century the 'Opal Rushes' began.

On the Queensland Opal fields and just south of the border at Lightning Ridge in NSW many of the first Opal gougers were shearers and station-hands who had little or no geological knowledge, they were also joined by disaffected gold diggers.

In 1895, Banjo Patterson wrote "Waltzing Matilda" - Australia's unofiicial national anthem, whilst visiting Dagworth Station 100km north-west of Winton. The Kynuna Opal fields had been discovered only 30 km west of Dagworth Homestead a year earlier.

Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong,
Under the shade of a coolibah tree

The 'swagman' was an itinerant worker, his bed roll bundled his belongings, he likely could have specked a colourful shard or even had a dig on his foot-weary travels.

Up jumped the swagman and sprang into the billabong,
"You'll never catch me alive", said he,
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me".

Combo Waterhole, the 'billabong', where Patteron's 'swagman' met his fate is also surrounded by Opal mines. Alas the swaggie's secret spots went with him!

The Opal diggers came from all over the globe. Mostly Irish, Anglo-Saxons, Germans or Chinese in the early days. Europeans, mostly of Balkan decent, were the main inhabitants and the driving force behind the industry's greatest boom period - centered around Coober Pedy between the 1960's and 1970's.

Attracted by various ventures these tenacious individuals soon found themselves struck by 'Opal Fever 'and over time Opal mining developed into a profession.

On the world's driest continent and in its driest parts where opals are found, the bush remains a harsh and often unforgiving environment. For many it has been perilous and unprofitable, having dreamt of hitting the jackpot instead to find meager traces. Others have been lucky! They were whipped by the fire in the stone - destined to be 'Opal lovers' if not lottery winners.

The excitement and romance of the early years may not have gone forever - !Eureka! is still out there on the Opal fields. In actual fact a good patch of red on black Opals could set one up for a neat lifestyle.

Australia's magnificent outback is still home to rugged individualists or 'Little Aussie Battlers' and the Opal industry survives by their sheer tenacity. No single corporation can emulate these men and women in their pursuit nor control the natural wonder that is Opal!