Abernethy, New South Wales

Abernethy
City of Cessnock, New South Wales

Remains of old Aberdare South Colliery
Coordinates 32°52′38″S 151°23′47″E / 32.87722°S 151.39639°E / -32.87722; 151.39639Coordinates: 32°52′38″S 151°23′47″E / 32.87722°S 151.39639°E / -32.87722; 151.39639
Population 211 (2011 census)[1]
Postcode(s) 2325
LGA(s) City of Cessnock
State electorate(s) Cessnock
Federal Division(s) Hunter
Suburbs around Abernethy:
Kearsley Erlington
Kitchener Abernethy
Quorrobolong

Abernethy is a small town in the City of Cessnock, in the Hunter Region in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Abernethy is located 8 kilometres south-east of the town of Cessnock, NSW and is adjacent to Werakata National Park and the Aberdare State Forest. The town was founded near a coal mine and some of the historic buildings remain (including the Abernethy Hotel which now operates as a guest house).

Mining history

The town's origins lie in the establishment of the Aberdare South Colliery which was operated by Caledonian Collieries Limited.[2] The town was laid out in 1906 and the mine commenced operation in 1913. The mine closed in 1927.[3]

Some structures of the old Colliery are still present on the site including the winder house, the chimney stack and dam.

Bushfire in 2002

On 19 October 2002, a large bushfire in Abernethy claimed the life of Sydney businessman Ronald Gillett, destroyed six homes and damaged many more.

A 2004 inquest found that the fire was deliberately lit "by persons unknown". A subsequent inquest reached a similar conclusion in 2008.[4] In February 2010, Police announced a $100,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the arsonist.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Abernethy (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
  2. ↑ "The South Maitland Railway Collieries". Retrieved 2011-03-09.
  3. ↑ "NSW Department of Planning - Major Projects - Austar Coal Mining Project [Socio Economic Assessment]" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-03-09.
  4. ↑ Ryan, Stephen (21 October 2008), "Coroner criticises first inquest into fatal bushfire", Newcastle Herald, retrieved 2011-03-03
  5. ↑ "NSW Police- $100,000 reward for information about Abernethy bushfire". February 2010. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
  • "They called it Siberia : the story of the South Maitland 'coal rush', Aberdare South Colliery and Abernethy village" by Neville Robinson (NLA Catalogue Ref)

External links

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