Characters
The history of Lightning Ridge is full of colourful characters, each with their own story. Explore some of the names and faces that contributed to the early days of The Ridge. The majority of the profiles below focus on influential individuals who were on the opal fields in the early years of the 20th century, usually prior to 1950. More will be added!
Naming conventions
Lightning Ridge is a community of nicknames and monikers, abbreviations and exaggerations. Each individual below has been listed with their most common or most recognised spelling — even if that spelling is wrong — to make it easier to find who you’re looking for. We have included full names, nicknames, alternative spellings, misspellings and other name variations on each profile.
Pioneers of Lightning Ridge
Those who contributed to the earliest discovery, identification and commercialisation of black opal at Lightning Ridge.
Opal miners
Hard-working and ever hopeful, opal miners are the heart and soul of Lightning Ridge. Below are profiles on some of the earliest, most significant and most interesting opal miners who have worked the Lightning Ridge fields.
Also: Jack Austin (early miner), George Bailey (early miner), Ted Bishop (“The Opal King”), Frank Brown (early opal miner, buyer, cutter), “Long Ben” Burren (built Cooper’s Cottage), Don Campbell (early miner), Bill de Boer (Dutch migrant, found the field that bears his name), Charlie Dunstan (found Dunstan’s Stone), Victor Duplain (miner, murder-suicide in 1944), “Scrub Bull” Edwards (early miner, found Frying Pan field), Peter Ferguson (early miner), “Tingha Bill” Grant (early miner), Walter Hague (early miner and veteran), Walter “Watty” Heness (early miner, father to Florence Murray), Jack Holden (found Holden’s field), Albert Holley (early miner), Tommy Lewis (early miner), Otto Marquet (“Pumpkin Flat Otto”), Charles Middleton (early miner), Jim Murray (brother of Jack), “Peggy” (one-legged opal miner from 1906), Jim Steadman (early miner), Billy Studman (early miner, disappeared in the ‘50s), Harry Walsh (early miner, discovered Walshe’s field).
Opal cutters and opal buyers
After it is mined, cut and valued, opal is destined to be sold. Opal buyers are part of the fabric of the Lightning Ridge economy, with many making significant and lasting impressions for their generosity, business acumens and personalities.
Also: Harry Abotomey (aka “Harry the Prophet).
Women on the opal fields
Early Lightning Ridge was home to many strong, resilient, resourceful and capable women, many of whom held their own in business and the community.
Storekeepers, businesspeople and station staff
Also: Roy Allport (builder), Frank Doucutt (bookkeeper for Bangate Station), W. G. Ferris (station manager of Gerongra [now Bairnkine]), Mandy Khan (storekeeper at Old Town), Charles Nyghyah (storekeeper at Cumborah, baker at Old Town), Sid Sharkey (storekeeper, entrepreneur and businessman), William Sim (surveyor and stockman, namesake of Sim’s Hill), Walter “Watty” Vause (storekeeper and postmaster at Nettleton), Bill Younger (early miner, billiard room, newsagent).
Inventors and innovators
Inventiveness, creativity and ingenuity are imperative on the opal fields. Lightning Ridge has always been a community of problem-solvers and inventors. Necessity is the mother of invention when a job must be done and resources are limited.
Circus performers
A weirdly specific but oddly satisfying category, several historic figures from Lightning Ridge either started in, or ended up in the circus.
Bush Nurses
Lightning Ridge was supported by a number of courageous members of the Bush Nursing Association in the early years.
Doctors
Health and medicine on the opal fields in the late 19th and early 20th century was very much the wild west, but thankfully Lightning Ridge had talented and resourceful medicos when they were needed!
