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Grawin, Glengarry, Sheepyard Opal FieldsLast modified: July 3, 2009 - 11:47 AM
Many visitors take a break from fossicking in the fields to chat with locals at the unique pubs scattered through the opal fields. "The Club in the Scrub", the Glengarry Hilton and The Sheepyard Inn provide rustic relief from the harsh sun and heavy work from opal mining. They are great harbours of knowledge and the characters that enjoy the pub make for entertaining company. Visitors are always welcome to join in the many special festivities at Easter, June long weekend, October long weekend and Melbourne Cup Eve in November. The Grawin Miners Supplies was opened by Amos Kirk in 1982 to save the miners the long trip to the Ridge to get mining equipment. It was started in a dirt floor open shed selling gas, fuel and tools. Amos then took on the mail run and assisted in building the Post Office becasue the mail was haphazzardly organised with the letters being kept in a 44 gallon drum for the miners to sort themselves. Due to ill health Amos sold the business to Ray & Judy Hugo in 1994 and it has progressed to a modern shop selling gas, fuel, mining equipment, fresh bread, meat, milk and vegetables and a large range of frozen goods. The store also houses a public phone and phone cards and a fax service. The Club in the Scrub is a registered club with a family atmosphere, entertainment, sports and a nine hole golf course. The Glengarry Hilton has been providing cold refreshment to the area for over 30 years. It has a friendly casual atmosphere which makes visitors feel instantly welcome. Clean overnight accommodation is available at a very reasonable rate. Sheepyard Inn
Today, this field has a delightful, relaxed atmosphere where visitros are welcomed with old-world hospitality. The shopkeeper doubles as postman, goods supplier, information officer and listener.
Glengarry and Grawin have airstrips that are maintained by the local miners and if you wish to use this facility, contact the Glengarry Hilton. Sweeney's Art and Craft Cottage has become an integral part of the community, with members from all over the opal fields in the area contributing their various arts and crafts making this an essential stop-off on a visit to the fields, located conveniently opposite the Glengarry Hilton. Since the first discovery of opal in the area people have come and gone in tides with each new strike, seeking their fortune in search of "the rainbow in the rock". Opal was first found in 1908 near Hammond's Hill. Then in 1920 there was great excitement when an opal the size of a man's fist was found at Richard's Hill. The opal weighed almost 11 pounds (450 grams) and was named the "Light of the World". With no new strikes happening the area became quiet again with people moving away until the first discovery at Glengarry in 1970, of a rich new seam of opal in Millionaires Gully. The next major rush of people to the area stated on Melbourne Cup day in 1985, when a couple wandering among the paddocks found opal near some old sheep yards. The latest strike called Shields Mulga Rush was found in early 2000, by a local miner and his son. It is being said that because of the quality and amount of opal being found in the area, the new rush should continue for a long time yet. You are sure to enjoy your trip to the opal fields, be sure to carry water and enjoy life at a real place. Contact details | ||||||||||||
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