Redan quarries

The Redan quarries were a source of bluestone for many construction projects in Ballarat and other places in Victoria.

Location
The quarries were located in various sites around Redan. These holes have since been filled in. Identified sites include the soccer grounds at the corner of Pleasant Street and La Trobe Street, the park at the corner of Sutton Street and Winter Street, and the large block on the south east corner of Ripon Street and La Trobe Street. Other quarries, still known as the Redan quarries, were outside the area now known as Redan.

Uses of the stone
"We were yesterday afforded an illustration of what our local tradesmen can accomplish. At the workshop of Mr T. Barrett, in Dawson street south, we inspected a number of ornamental clustered columns which he is just completing for St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Geelong. The pillars are of bluestone from the Redan quarry, and are not only artistically cut, but are polished to a degree which we are informed surpasses anything previously done with the same stone. Mr Barrett Informs us that the same stone with a similar polish would have proved even more suitable tor portions of the new Town Hall than the stone which has lately been brought from Tasmania for that purpose at no small expense."
 * May 1871 - decorative stone work for St. Mary's Catholic Church, Geelong:

Quarry operations
The quarries were in operation for many years. In October 1881, the City Council met with the quarrymen to discuss problems with the operations, especially about fencing around the holes, and who would be responsible for fencing the abandoned holes: REDAN QUARRIES. Pursuant to arrangement several members of the City Council, namely, Crs Major Smith, Lewis, Salter, Morrison, and Hickman, accompanied by the city clerk and clerk of works, visited the quarries at Redan yesterday in order to confer with the quarrymen with the view of having the quarries placed under better control. The Crown lands bailiff had suggested that the quarries be placed under the control of the Government, but the council seems disinclined to comply with the suggestion. A goodly number of quarrymen assembled to meet the councillors. The first quarry inspected was the one situated at the western end of Latrobe street. Mr Hughes explained the position of the quarry, and said it was going to be fenced in. Mr Rowsell pointed out some fencing that had been done, and the feeling seemed to be that a fence should be run across the open space near the street.

Mr James Woods, who was the principal spokesman, on behalf of the quarrymen generally, said that the street had never been properly opened up. Cr Salter asked what there was to prevent new comers interfering with the quarries already at work. Mr Hughes said he thought that few would dare to do so. Mr Woods said that the quarrymen did not interfere with each other. Cr Lewis explained to the quarry men that the matter had been initiated by the Crown lands bailiff. Mr Rowsell said that the district had got the benefit of the quarrymen not having to pay licences, as if they had to pay, such an additional charge for the stone would have had to be made. Cr Salter said that so long as the quarrymen made regulations for themselves, and fenced in the quarries, the council did not wish to interfere with them, but the council did not wish to be responsible for accidents occurring through the quarries not being fenced. Major Smith intimated that whether the quarries were in the hands of the Government or not, the council would be equally responsible for accidents. A map of the quarries was then produced, and inspected. Mr Woods intimated that the quarrymen were agreeable to fence in the quarries they were working. Some demur was here taken to a proposition that the quarrymen should fence in the abandoned quarries; and Major Smith said that so long as the quarrymen were willing to fence in the quarries at which they were working, the council should meet them in a friendly spirit, and pay half the cost of fencing in the abandoned quarries. The quarrymen should not be driven away from the district. The town clerk said that all the council required was that the quarrymen should respect the regulations of the land by protecting the quarries with fencing.

The councillors then went on to visit other portions of the quarry, and it seemed that some fencing was necessary along the road side, southerly of the Chinese’ gardens, and also on the easterly side of the road at the same place. A consultation was also held with the quarrymen as to the depositing of spalls in particular places, and it seemed as if all will be amicably arranged. The councillors now know fully how to deal with the matter. At the conclusion of the business Major Smith invited all present to a hotel adjacent to “liquor up,” and it need scarcely be said that the invitation was willingly accented. The customary beverages were hastily quaffed, and as the councillors and representatives of the press drove off, the quarrymen gave a series of ringing cheers for Major Smith.

Abandoned quarries
After the stone was extracted, the abandoned holes often filled with water, and were a great danger to the community. There are many reports of deaths from people falling into the holes. A death in January 1895 put pressure on the City Council: "Another fatality of New Year’s Day, the drowning of a lad in the Redan quarry hole, shows once more the necessity of filling in the more dangerous quarries. The attention of the authorities has been again and again directed to the question, but no effective action has been taken. As the Redan quarry is not enclosed children have free access to it, and often amuse themselves by fishing in it for crayfish and playing around it. Eight or nine fatalities have occurred there already. How many more will be required to bring about the settlement of the vexed question as to who should be responsible for removing or lessening the dangers of these spots and to spur them on to action?" "Cr Shoppee drew attention at the meeting of the City Council yesterday to the case of drowning at a Redan quarry hole on New Year’s Day, and stated that he had been given to understand this was the eighth fatality that had occurred there from the same cause. He moved, “ That in consequence of the insanitary and dangerous condition of the quarry hole in Market street (now Park Street West), the attention of the Minister be again called to the fact that another case of drowning occurred on the 1st inst.; and that he be asked to have the hole filled up in accordance with section 298 of the Health Act, and that the Boards of Health be requested to assist this council in the matter.” The motion was seconded by Cr Cooke, and agreed to."

In August 1896 the Minister for Lands visited the quarries to see the problem at first hand: "VISIT TO THE REDAN QUARRIES AND GARDENS. The Minister then visited the Redan quarries, which the City Council, in the interests of public health, desire to have filled in. Mr Best offered to grant the land to the council on condition that they put it in proper order."

In July 1897 a deputation met with the Secretary for Lands to follow up on the offer of the land being given to the council to control: "THE REDAN QUARRIES. A request was made to the Secretary for Lands today by a deputation from Ballarat to have the local quarry reserves handed over to the control of the corporation of that City in order that provision might be made to have them fenced in and filled up. The deputation pointed out that it was part of a plan for improving the appearance of the City by tree-planting and other means in the neighborhood of the quarries; that the promise of the fee simple of the land was given to the council by Sir John M'Intyre when he was Minister of Lands on condition that the holes were filled up; and that as the holes were not only unsightly but dangerous, and the receptacles for ail kinds of rubbish, the corporation was anxious to take advantage of the offer. Mr Morkham, in reply, said he thought a temporary reservation of the land for garden or recreation purposes would meet the requirement of the council probably better than permanent reservation or the issue of a Crown grant. He would get a full report from the Crown lands bailiff on the subject, including an opinion as to the legality of present occupation by private persons of portions of quarry lands under residence titles, and when the report was received the Minister of Lands would be asked to decide the matter." In March 1928 a truck driver had a narrow escape when his truck nearly ended up in the quarry: "WHEELS OVER EDGE OF QUARRY. Motorist's Thrilling Adventure. BALLARAT, Friday. — An extraordinary motoring adventure has experienced by Mr. Kellett this evening. He was driving past the old quarries at Redan when a piece of wire over which he ran flew up and became entangled in the steering gear. This caused the truck to swing out of the course and run towards the quarry. The driver promptly applied the brake, but by the time it acted the front part of the vehicle was projecting over the edge of the quarry. It was in this remarkable position when it suddenly burst into flames. The fire brigade was called upon and had to use about 800 feet of hose before it could play water on the truck, which was loaded with firewood. Considerable damage was done before the flames were subdued."

Filling the quarries
The council began filling the abandoned quarries in 1905 as a way of providing unemployment relief, and in September asked the Premier, Thomas Bent, for more funding: "THE REDAN QUARRIES. ANOTHER £150 PROMISED. The first drive was to the quarries at Redan, for the filling in of which a Government grant was recently made, the object, being to afford relief for the many unemployed. The quarries at the lower end of Pleasant Street were visited, and between 50 and 60 men were found at work. It was pointed out to the Premier that there was a very large area, to be filled, and that the estimate of the cost was £1300. The council had at present £1000 towards the cost, viz., £500 Government grant, £300 being spent by the Miners’ Turf Club, and £200 by themselves. The Premier was asked whether he would be disposed to grant the £300 necessary to complete the work. Mr Bent—No. he would not. Mayor Whykes remarked that it would be a decided advantage if the job could be completed. Mr Bent—Well, I won’t give another £300 to give that advantage to Ballarat. I’ll tell what I will do. If you’ll spend another £150 I’ll give £150 and make it up that way. The Mayor-—Thank you. Mr Premier. We will take that offer up."

In October 1905 it was reported: "There are now only half a dozen of the 'unemployed' at work on the Redan quarry works, as nearly all the preliminary portion of the levelling and preparatory work has been done, or at least all that portion which the City engineer considers could be done under the system of relief works. It is intended to let the filling, etc., of the quarries by contract, and those who were previously employed on the works will have the right to tender for the jobs, which will be cut up to suit small parties, so that all who were previously there can be provided for. Tenders have been called so far for three areas. There is still a lot of work to be done in cutting down the heaps at the quarries and filling some of the holes, before an attack is made on the big mullock heap in the Miners’ Racecourse. It is the intention of the council to still reserve a number of areas for the old and infirm 'unemployed,' so that these will not be thrown out of work by the adoption of the contract system. Many of the able-bodied men who have been put off consider themselves aggrieved, as they thought that the whole of the money granted by the Government and the City Council was to be spent in “relief” works. On Saturday morning an impromptu meeting of these men was held at the Burke and Wills memorial, when Mr Scott Bennett, M.L.A., was present, and the aspect of the case referred to above was put before him. Mr Bennett promised to make representations to the Premier on the question."

Later in October 1905 the council argued about the best way to fill the quarries. They had received government funding to provide unemployment relief but were finding this too inefficient. They decided instead to call for tenders, but when these were called, they rejected all the applicants, and returned to having the city engineer take over the filling: THE REDAN QUARRY WORKS. "RELIEF” VERSUS "CONTRACT." TENDERS DEALT WITH. At the City Council meeting yesterday Cr Brokenshire said that there had been complaints that a large sum of money had been spent—over £20 -at the quarry relief works in paying Waller and Co. to use earth scoops. He would like to know if that was so. The Mayor said that there had been nothing of the sort done. Cr Brokenshire should not listen to these tales. Cr Brokenshire said that if there was a misunderstanding it should be cleared up. The Engineer remarked that all that was done by Waller and Co. was to plough the ground to loosen it for the men. Cr Pearse asked if it was the intention of the council to throw the work open to Brokenshire said that he did not think that it was ever intended that the usual contractors should be allowed to mop the whole job up. The Mayor said that the Premier had distinctly said that the money was granted without any restriction whatever. Cr Shoppee—That was so.Cr Brokenshire said it was never intended to give this work to the contractors, who would simply employ their own men and cut the unemployed out of the work.

The Mayor said that it had been found that many of the unemployed were not doing the work properly, and the money was simply being swallowed up. The committee of the council was thereupon called together, and it was decided to call for tenders, reserving a few areas for the inefficient workers. Cr Shoppee asked if four or six men could club together and tender, so that a few mates could work in a party. The Mayor said he recognised the difficulty in allowing the ordinary contractor to compete, as with the appliances he could simply monopolise the job. Cr Brawn said that he, as one of the committee handling the work, recognised that it was being done at so slow a rate that it would cost ????e the money voted for it. The Mayor—Three times. Cr Brawn —The committee went into the matter thoroughly and decided that the only way to conserve the money was to have the work done by contract. Cr Brokenshire thought that that the scoops should be debarred. Cr Pearse thought that this could not be done. The council had got the freehold of the quarry on condition that they were kept in a sanitary condition. This was not being done, and if more expedition was not shown the money would be all gone before the holes were half filled.

Tenders were subsequently opened for the work. Four tenders were received, all from contractors and a lengthy discussion ensued. Eventually it was decided to not accept any of them. The engineer stated that he had a trial strip taken out, and priced it, with the result that he found that the work could be done for from 8½d to 10d per cubic yard. The council who in committee on the question resolved that the unemployed should be offered the work if they would form parties of from 3 to 6 men to take up various areas, and that they be offered from 10d to 1s per cubic yard at the option of the engineer.

A month after these discussions, the death of Albert Holyoak, aged seven, who drowned in November 1905 put more pressure on the council. The coroner called for the council to take action, and council agreed to seek more financial assistance from the state government was sought to complete the work: "The state of the quarry hole at Redan where a little boy name Albert Hollyoak was drowned while cray-fishing on Wednesday last, was brought, under the notice of the finance committee of the Citl Council yesterday. Cr Pearse urged that the hole should be drained, and after a short discussion the matter was referred to the mayor and the engineer for report." "The desirability of completing the work of filling up the quarry hole in Pleasant street was suggested to the Premier last night by Mr H. Scott Bennett, who pointed out that if the work was going to be carried out more financial assistance would be needed. The Premier said that he would give the matter every consideration."

The Minister for Public Works made an inspection in August 1907: "The Redan quarries were next visited, and Mr Cameron was shown the holes filled in by the council and those requiring to be filled. The mayor pointed out that in the interests of human life it was necessary that something would he done, and if the Government would give them some money it would mean work for the unemployed. The Minister also promised to consider this matter."

In August 1914 it was again reported that the filling in of the quarries had stopped: "UNEMPLOYMENT. 'The £1000 provided by the Government for the employment of persons out of work at filling in the Redan quarries has been exhausted, and the work stopped. It is a fitting time, I think, to appeal to the Government for another grant, in view of the fact that it is desirable to keep men employed, and this is valuable, improving work.' Mayor Brokenshire in his fortnightly report to the City Council at to-night's meeting."

Deaths and accidents

 * 8 March 1884 - Patrick Dineen (8) and John Thomas Letcher (7), were drowned.
 * August 1890 - Edward Gartside (58), drowned after falling in at night.
 * 17 June 1892 - Mary E. Johannsen (21), found drowned, believed to be suicide.
 * 14 February 1901 - Ernest McDonald (21), drowned after falling into Ryan's quarry at night.
 * 7 September 1901 - Mary Jane Pratt, drowned, verdict of suicide.
 * 26 November 1904 - Ellen Williams (6), drowned.
 * 15 November 1905 - Albert Holyoak (7), drowned.
 * 2 August 1907 - Isaac Tarrant, killed after falling into a quarry at night while drunk.
 * February 1909 - Headley Paterson (9), drowned while swimming.
 * 29 September 1909 - Elizabeth Ann Vincent was arrested for offensive behaviour and threatening to throw herself into a quarry.

The quarrymen

 * Click here for a list of people known to have worked in the Redan quarries.