THE OPAL GOUGERS

[Terry]

Thanks Heather, Sue, Matt, Wazza & Shelley

It's still not too late to have another go for a young bloke like you Matt.
Although finding gold is a bit harder that it used to be; I still think it's a better bet than opal Mate.
But I could be biased.

Cheers

Terry

[r.magnay]

Ah Terry, as usual a great write, I have seen the colour and can completely understand...(not in my claim though sadly), but I would think that even those who have never seen opal in the ground, have when they read this. I am a little concerned that it was night time while you were digging out the pocket.....I have heard what happens to 'night workers'....

(To those not familiar with the workings of opal mining, night workers is the name given to claim jumpers or thieves who go down someone else's claim and poach the opal. Makes for a very short life if you get caught 'ey Terry.)

[Terry]

Thanks Ross

Your right we didn't take too kindly to to the night shift.
Problem wasn't to bad in the 60s. but we never took any chances and always checked after a shot just in case, even if there appeared to be no chance - you have to believe in miracles if you're a gouger.
several of the parcels we found we ended up gauging them out at night.

I tell you one day about a small miracle at the Jewelers shop. ( a field at Coober, for those who may not know)

Cheers

Terry

[Heather]

I'm intrigued. I want to hear about this Jeweller's shop.

As a teenager i fossicked at Coober Pedy. Didn't find anything but bought a couple of cheap stones - I've still got them.

[Catherine Lee]

Yep, what they all said Terry - love the poem and the subject (my birthstone also) and extra special to read your story.

[r.magnay]

I was in Coober Pedy a couple of weeks ago Terry, I spent the night at one of my old mates camps on my way home from Alice, they reckon the old place is getting pretty slow now, not a lot working and even less coming up. We did have a Chinese opal buyer pestering us while I was there, he wanted to know if I had any opal to sell...I said I wish.
Though I have spent quite a bit of time at Coober, I have never mined there in my own right, I have helped a couple of mates at times and though I did a bit at Mintabie, it was really only very small time....with smaller results!
I am not all that familiar with the fields by name, apart from the well known ones, like the 14 mile for example.(Come to think of it I think there is a sign on the highway directing you to that one now.) If you haven't been there for awhile you would notice a lot of changes the fields all have fences and gates between them and the highway now for a start!
I do recall hearing the 'Jewelers shop' mentioned before though, I look forward to reading your experience with it.

[Terry]

I used to go over buying when I was doing a bit of cutting Ross but haven't been over for years, although I'm still in contact with my old partner (hard to believe from fifty years ago - no wonder I've got a few aches these days) he rings me every year without fail for my birthday. We were young blokes then and both arrived around the same time in about 61or 2, I left in 68. It was a amuch different place in those days.

A few names that spring to mind include: The Jewelers Shop, Crowders, The eight, six and seven miles, the Olympic, the Jungle. the Shell Patch, Ryans & new Ryans, the Flat and new Flat, The Craters, 10, 9, 14, 15, 2, & 4 mile, Flat Hill, just to mention a few.

I have been trying to make up my mind whether to write a poem or a yarn about the Jewelers Shop story - Decisions, Decisions.
There are so many stories I could tell about those years.

Cheer mate

Terry

[Terry]

Thanks Catherine