Walter “Watty” Heness

Walter “Watty” Heness (often referred to as Hennessey) was was born 29 August 1854, son of Walter Heness and Sarah Johnston. Watty married Margaret Troy in 1876 in Walgett.

In 1891, Watty operated a hotel at Angledool.

He was likely one of the earliest opal miners on the Lightning Ridge opal fields, along with Jack Murray, Peter Ferguson, Bob Buckley and the Canfell brothers.

Watty’s daughter Florence married early miner Jack Murray on 30 April 1898, Watty would come to live with the Murrays in Lightning Ridge from 1922.

In 1905, Heness signed a petition for a mail service at Wallangulla.

Watty Heness worked the claim on Angledool field where Jack McNicol would later find the Pandora stone, leaving behind a pillar of dirt in which McNicol would find the famous stone.

In 1910, Heness won the “Publican’s Purse”, netting himself five pounds during the Easter celebrations, sports events and ball.

Watty Heness passed away in Granville, Sydney on 3 August, 1929 and is buried at Rookwood Necropolis. His wife Margaret Troy passed away 13 August 1916 and is buried at Lightning Ridge Cemetery.

• Walter “Watty” Heness @ Find a Grave.

• Margaret (Troy) Heness @ Find a Grave.

Article: Research by Russell Gawthorpe and Leisa Carney, edited by Russell Gawthorpe. LRHS research compiled by Len Cram and Barbara Moritz. Sources: The Opal Book, Frank Leechman, 1961, pp. 70, 204; ‘Sports at Lightning Ridge’, Walgett Spectator, 15 April 1910.