Early Miners' Reunion
The 22nd annual Miners' Reunion was held last Friday 6 March on a wet and soggy day that certainly did not dampen the spirits of the guests. Newmont Waihi Gold invited around 70 miners who worked at the Martha Mine, the Victoria Battery, the refinery or attended the School of Mines before the underground operation closed in 1952. Some travelled from as far away as Whangarei, Taupo and Hastings.
This year some of the Oral History Project interviewees were also invited. The Oral History Project was initiated after the 2004 Miners' Reunion, with a view to capturing the many stories and memories shared each year at the reunion. To date 55 oral histories have been recorded.
Another interesting historic angle has cropped up this year. The date of the Miners' Reunion coincided with the visit of French PhD student Anthony Byledbal. Anthony is writing his thesis on The New Zealand Tunnelling Company during the First World War in France, featuring the Waihi miner-soldiers at Arras and the front line trenches as featured in Update February 24 2009.
The reunion started with a cuppa at the Waihi Memorial RSA before boarding coaches for a tour of the mine and process plant. The buses drove right in for a (dry) close up look at the Cornish Pumphouse and around the east of town to renew memories for 'East Enders' - some of their tales can not be repeated here! Then it was back to the RSA for lunch and a chance to catch up with each other. Each of the invited guests received a complimentary copy of the Cornish Pumphouse book 'On the Move'.
It is almost 57 years since the early mining operation closed but camaraderie is still strong. The retired miners enjoy swapping yarns with their mates and with staff from the current operations, comparing pre-1952 mining practices with those of today.
Dick Spurr (left) in discussion with Sue Baker Wilson and Anthony Byledbal. Sue is co-ordinating the connection between Waihi miners and the First World War tunnellers in France. This is the subject of Anthony's intense research.
Gavin Meadows and Terry Prestidge compare notes about the Cornish Pumphouse book 'On the Move'.
Brothers Barry (Buzz), Paul and (seated) Pat Roycroft. Their father Jim served with the NZ Tunnelling Company in France during the Great War. Pat worked underground at Martha and Buzz is a participant in Newmont's Oral History Project. A further Roycroft generation at the mine this year was Paul's daughter Ritchelle, who worked with the External Affairs team during her summer university break.
Brothers Niheta and Richard Tukaki. Niheta worked in the original Martha Mine and Richard in the current Martha. Richard was there at the first gold pour in 1988 and both are participants in the Oral History Project. Niheta and Richard's brothers and father also worked in the original Martha operation.
Chris Mitchell accompanied his father Bert, now living in Auckland, to the reunion.
From left, Bruce Douglas, Beverley Buchanan, Colin Buchanan and Iris Douglas. Beverley and Iris are sisters. Their father and grandfather both worked in the Martha Mine. Bruce worked in the Martha Mine pre-1952 at the workshop. Both Bruce and Colin have contributed to the Oral History Project. Both men's fathers worked in the timber industry, supplying wood to the underground mines in Waihi and Thames.
Maree Lawrence with her father Bill, the most senior guest at the reunion. Maree is the sculptress who created the bronze miner statue in Miners' Square, Seddon Street.
Doug and Wally Kingsford both worked at the Victoria Battery and are well known as competitive cyclists. Their brother Rod and their father also worked in the mining industry.
