Mick Cullen

Michael “Mick” Cullen (1871–1954) was a miner and stockman at Lightning Ridge. Born in Tamworth, New South Wales, to Jeremiah and Ellen Cullen, he was the younger brother of Tom Cullen. Mick partnered with Sarah Rachel Jane Dodd, with whom he had three daughters.

Before opal mining, Mick worked as a stockman and horse breaker, and served in the Second World War (service number N391509). He also travelled with a circus as a clown, though a war injury put an end to his circus antics.

In Lightning Ridge, Mick looked after the caravan park, worked at Sandy Randell’s Walk-in Mine, and ran a museum. His home was a round tin hut, later purchased and relocated to Dubbo in 2003. He was also a member of the local Mullock Heap Boys band.

Mick mined for opal with his brother Tom, and also worked alongside author Ion Idriess.

He died at Uralla, New South Wales, on 11 May 1954, aged 83, and was buried at Walgett.

• Mick Cullen @ Find a Grave.

Article: Research by Leisa Carney, edited by Russell Gawthorpe. LRHS research compiled by Len Cram and Barbara Moritz. Sources: Lightning Flash Newspaper, 13 February 1975, 19 January 1978; Lightning Ridge - The Home of the Black Opal: Unique to the World, Gan Bruce, 1983, p. 123.