Andy Bastian

Anders Eriksen “Andy” Bastian (sometimes Bastien) was born in Nørmsted, Sønderjylland, Denmark on 23 December 1871. He migrated to Australia in 1891 and came to Lightning Ridge around 1912, previously living in Queanbeyan. Bastian was an opal miner and an avid chess player. He later worked a successful claim at the Nine Mile.

In 1930, Andy married Mary Frances Gallagher, a teacher from Colma near Coonabarabran. The couple lived at the Peak Hill goldfields and had two daughters. While Mary and the children eventually returned to Sydney, Andy continued to live and work at Lightning Ridge, returning to the field in the 1950s according to family accounts.

Andy Bastian passed away on 21 December 1960, two days before his 89th birthday, and was buried in Canberra.

• Andy Bastian @ Find a Grave.

Article: Research by Leisa Carney, edited by Russell Gawthorpe. LRHS research compiled by Len Cram and Barbara Moritz. Sources: The Lightning Ridge Book, Stuart Lloyd, 1967, p. 34; Lightning Ridge - The Home of the Black Opal: Unique to the World, Gan Bruce, 1983, p. 75; Regan’s Store ledger, 1912, 1921.