Orm Long

Ormond James “Orm” Long was born on 31 March 1907 in Mount Perry, Queensland, the son of Hurtle Long and Sarah Elizabeth Deer.

Orm first came to Lightning Ridge in 1952 and settled permanently in 1954. He was an experienced miner and an exceptionally hard worker. He mined on his own, hauling opal dirt in 44 gallon drums using a car or lorry.

A World War II veteran, Orm served in the Royal Australian Air Force from 1940 to 1944. He lost his sight in 1961 as a result of a war injury.

He was among four innovators credited with developing the first successful design for a dry puddling or rumbling machine, used to break up opal dirt and erode the loose material, leaving behind the opal.

Orm Long died on 4 July 1986 at the age of 79. He is buried in the Catholic section of Lightning Ridge Cemetery.

• Orm Long @ 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, pp. 19, 175; The Lightning Flash Newspaper, 17 July 1986; LRHS recorded oral history and family records.