Ernie Sherman

Ernest Gregory “Ernie” Sherman was born 22 August 1876, in Bridford, Devon, England. He arrived in Australia in 1896 and began opal mining at White Cliffs. He was a prominent opal buyer, starting business in White Cliffs in 1896.

Ernie began making visits to Lightning Ridge in 1908-1909, and was buying and cutting opal in the Nettleton settlement. 

In 1908, Ernie Sherman was the first buyer of the Flame Queen from miners Phillips, Bradley and Hegarty for £93 (about $15,000 in today’s money). 

In 1916, Ernie stood in briefly as caretaker postmaster at the Nettleton post office branch in the absence of Watty Vause.

Ernie Sherman passed away on 24 December 1953 in Banstead, Surrey, England.  

Ernie Sherman’s son, Ernest Gregory “Greg” Sherman was born 1922, and took over the family business after Ernie Sherman’s passing. Greg’s sons Peter and Warwick joined the business in the 1970s, Peter remains CEO of the company to date, following Warwick’s retirement in 1999. 

Shermans Way at Lightning Ridge, running from the Bore Baths towards Collarenebri is named for Ernie Sherman.

Memorial plaque commemorating Ernie Sherman’s life and contributions at the Lightning Ridge Historical Society, Lightning Ridge.

Article: Research by Leisa Carney, edited by Russell Gawthorpe. LRHS research compiled by Len Cram and Barbara Moritz. Sources: Walgett Spectator, 24 September 1909, 24 February 1911, 11 March 1911, 24 June 1910, 6 June 1912, 12 February 1914, 12 March 1914, 23 October 1913, 15 December 1921, 13 June 1929; Lightning Ridge: The Land of Black Opals, Ion L. Idriess, 1940, chapter XXVI, They Struck Opal!, E. F. Murphy, 1948, p. 154; The Opal Book, Frank Leechman, 1961, pp. 182-183; The Lightning Ridge Book, Stuart Lloyd, 1967, p. 15; Lightning Ridge - The Home of the Black Opal: Unique to the World, Gan Bruce, 1983, p. 61; Lightning Flash Newspaper, 30 January 1986; Discover Opals: Before and Beyond 2000 with Surface Indications, Stephen Aracic, 1996, p. 235; ‘The Sherman Family’, opal.academy; ‘History: Sherman Opals’, shermanopals.com.au.