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!
Lightning Ridge is a community of nicknames and monikers, abbreviations and exaggerations. We have included 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: Ted Bishop, “Long Ben” Burren, Bill de Boer, Charlie Dunstan, Victor Duplain, Peter Ferguson, Walter “Watty” Heness, Jack Holden, Albert Holley, Tommy Lewis, Otto Marquet, Charles Middleton, Jim Murray, Jim Steadman, Billy Studman
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.
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
From the Old Town to Nettleton to the New Town, business people have kept Lightning Ridge alive. This category includes those who had stores in the street, ran businesses on the side, and also the managers and workers of pastoral stations surrounding Lightning Ridge.
Also: Frank Doucutt, Mandy Khan, Charles Nyghyah, Sid Sharkey, William Sim, Walter “Watty” Vause
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!
