Gabanintha..Short History

Before recent endeavours Reward, Yellow Rock and now Australian Vanadiam, Gabanintha had a vibrant history. Named after a mine in the area in 1895, the gold rush came in 1897.The town site was gazetted at that time (now abandoned). It boasted 2 hotels, a Post Office, general store, a barber shop and a group of dwellings. Major mines were Mountain View, Tumbulgum and New Brew among others.
Up to 1906 the District grew and had its own cricket team and racing club. The Union had a sub office (AWA) and was particularly interested in shaft ventilation, Asian carters and camp hygiene (unlike the adjoining goldfields Cue goldfields there was hardly any dysentery or typhoid).

Perhaps the most dramatic event was that of Peter Peterson, of Swedish background, Who fell 75 feet down a shaft. That was unlucky but his luck was in as there was 8 feet of water at the bottom. However he started to drown but was rescued by his mates. Peter was put off the Tumbulgum mine the following year (1901). at 3am there was an explosion in his tent. The inquest, held in the hotel, found he had placed a plug of dynamite in his mouth and with cap and fuse decapitated himself. He had been at Gabanintha since the beginning 9 years earlier and was well known and respected.

As well as gold, Gabanintha was also know for copper. A smelter was built but did not survive for the lack of firewood. Gabanintha was worked out in the 1920s. In 1938 it had somewhat of a revival with the treatment of tailings up to 1944. Looks like now a new period for the District with this time..Vanadium.