The Creswick Mine Disaster

admin • December 1, 2025

On 12th December 1882, Creswick became the location of a mining disaster which holds, to this day, the record for the deadliest mine disaster in Australia’s history.


There were 41 men who were on shift on the night of the 11th December working in the New Australasian No.2 Gold Mine. They descended 250 feet (76m) from the surface and then made their way a further 2000 feet (600m) to the face where they were mining. It was at 5.30am the next morning when a working shaft came too close to an older flooded parallel shaft – resulting in water flooding into the newer working part of the mine. 27 miners became trapped, but were able to reach a small air pocket in a space known as the No.11 jump-up. Here they stayed trapped for 2-3 days. They wrote messages on their crib pails to their families and sang together and prayed.


The rescue mission involved 2 days of frantic pumping of the floodwaters and Navy divers hurried from the ship HMVS Cerberus to help. By the time they were reached, after 3 days, 22 men had succumbed to the rising water levels and drowned. Only 5 of the 27 made it out alive.


When the funeral was held, there were many thousands in attendance – 400 people marched in the procession and another 15,000 onlookers lined the streets. 


At this time there was no such thing as workers compensation to help the 18 wives and 63 children who were left behind. So, the community set up a relief fund to assist the families. This would be the birth of workers compensation in Australia.


The Creswick Mine Disaster highlighted the need for better safety regulations in mining operations. It would remain the largest loss of life in a workplace incident in Australia for nearly 90 years, when The West Gate Bridge Collapsed in 1970.


For more information on the Creswick Mining Disaster Australasian Mining Disaster | Creswick Museum


List of the Dead

  • Christian Frederick Fisher (55) Wittenburg, Germany
  • James Carmoody (53) County Clare, Ireland
  • George Baulcomb (52 & 10 months) Maidstone, Kent, England
  • Nathaniel Trescowthick (45) Cornwall, England
  • Michael Hayes (45) Ireland
  • John Gower (44) Lyminge, Kent, England
  • William Curtis (42) Gwennap, Cornwall, England
  • James Minahan (38) County Clare, Ireland
  • William Tregloan (37 & 6 months) Marazion, Cornwall
  • Edward Campon Dargon (36) Kilkenny, Ireland
  • Anton Andersson (36) Christianstada, Finland
  • John Henry Crougey(35) Stithians, Cornwall, England
  • James Mitchell Temby (35) Redruth, Cornwall, England
  • James O’Shea also known as James Walsh (34years & 11 months) County Waterford, Ireland
  • Carl Waldemar Theodor Serrurier (34) Berlin, Prussia
  • Thomas Penbertha Chegwin (31) Redruth, Cornwall, Ireland
  • Abraham Wyatt (31) Adelaide, South Australia
  • Jabez Bellingham (28) Worcestershire England
  • Benjamin Bowen Bellingham (21) Happy Valley, Victoria.
  • John Tom Clifton (27) Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, England
  • Edward Wood (26) Oldham, Lancashire, England
  • John Thomas Hodge (18) Creswick

Survivors

  • Peter Maloney
  • John Manley died 25/1/1924
  • Tom Corbett died 31/5/1935 Creswick
  • Cornelius Quirk died Feb. 1922 Milawa
  • Patrick Bowen  died 26/3/1909 Creswick

Refresher courses available

By admin • October 19, 2026
At BeSafe Victoria, we offer four different HSR Refresher OHS Training Courses. All of them are WorkSafe approved courses. Here is what you can expect from the 4 topics… These WorkSafe-approved HSR refresher OHS training courses aim to provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to raise, and contribute to the resolution of, health and safety issues arising from exposure to 4 different groups of hazards: Plant During this program you will refresh your knowledge of: The legislative framework and the role of HSRs Designated work groups and HSR powers Risk Management How to apply the risk management cycle to risks associated with Plant Issue resolution procedures Provisional Improvement Notices Psychological Health During this program you will refresh and update your knowledge by: Understanding psychological health Identifying psychosocial hazards Knowing legal duties Understanding HSR roles and powers Applying risk management processes Assessing psychosocial risks Controlling and reducing risks Resolving workplace issues Using prevention plans and supports Gendered violence During this program you will refresh your knowledge of: HSR rights and powers under the OHS Act Gendered violence definitions and workplace examples How to identify these hazards and risks in the workplace How to address work-related gendered violence as a health and safety issue Aggression or Violence During this program you will refresh your knowledge of: The risks associated with work-related aggression and violence How to identify, prevent and control these hazards The legislative framework, legal duties and requirements Understand HSR roles and powers Risk Management Incident Investigations Audience: Although HSRs are the primary audience, managers, supervisors, health and safety committee members and anyone with an interest in health and safety may also benefit from attending this course. NB: Under the OHS Act 2004 (section 67), all elected HSRs and deputy HSRs, after completing an initial course of training, have an entitlement for each year they hold office to attend a WorkSafe-approved HSR refresher OHS training course. An employer, if requested, must allow the HSR/Deputy HSR to attend on paid time, pay the cost of the course and any other associated costs. Section 67 also allows HSRs to choose the course, in consultation with their employer. Fees: $370pp + GST Enquiries: At BeSafe, we deliver training throughout Victoria. We so list our courses on our website, but we can also book in courses on demand in any location and we can even come and deliver a course on-site at your workplace. Just get in touch: 0467 002 060 info@besafevictoria.com.au www.besafevictoria.com.au HSR Training Courses | BeSafe | Regional Victoria

HSR Conference Program Announced!

By admin • October 6, 2026
We are excited that the program has been released for the 2026 HSR Conference! The event is held across the state, with the Melbourne presentations being live streamed to four regional centres. This includes Bendigo, Morwell, Wangaratta and Ballarat. BeSafe is super excited to be hosting the Ballarat event! The conference is on Tuesday 27 th October and will kick off at 8.30am and run through to 2.45pm. It’s completely free and catered for, but you must register to attend at: VTHC HSR Conference 2026 Don’t forget that HSR’s have an entitlement to attend this course, as it is WorkSafe Victoria approved under Section 69. Numbers are limited, so register as soon as possible so you don’t miss out!  Here is what to expect on the day: The Conference topic “Extreme Weather, Extreme Risk: The Future of Occupational Health and Safety”: How extreme weather is changing workplace health and safety, the new risks workers face, and how HSRs can use their rights and powers to prevent harm. The Program 7.45- 8.30am Arrive and register 8.30 – 10am SESSION 1 Opening speakers: VTHC Secretary Luke Hilakari, WorkSafe Minister Steve Dimopoulos MP and WorkSafe CEO Cathy Henderson Presentation: Extreme Heat: combined presentation between HSRs and Dr Andrew Ireland 10:00am - 10:30am Morning tea 10:30am - 11:15am SESSION 2 Presentation: Climate-driven natural disasters: combined presentation between HSRs and Dr Andrew Watkins Q&A 11:25am - 12:15pm BREAKOUT SESSION 1: Debrief and reflections 12:15pm – 1:15pm Lunch 1:15pm – 2:45pm BREAKOUT SESSION 2: Myth busters, problem solving and campaigns activities 2:45pm Conference evaluation and certificate collection For more information, take a look at: H&S Month 2026: Victorian HSR Conference | WorkSafe Victoria HSR conference 2026 - OHS Reps