Gold. It was the driving force behind the establishment of Gaffneys Creek. Gaffneys Creek Reserve marks a place rich in history, nestled in a steep valley. It invites us to reflect on the past.
Let’s journey back to 1859. Terence “Red” Gaffney searched for gold. He came from the Big River area. The Jones brothers soon followed. They discovered rich alluvial gold at Raspberry Creek.
Imagine this valley bustling with prospectors. Small villages appeared. Paradise Point, Drummond Point, View Point, Raspberry Point and Castle Point all sprung up. The Government Surveyor later amalgamated them. He named the area Lauraville after his wife. In 1900, Lauraville was renamed Gaffneys Creek.
Each settlement thrived. By 1865, four hotels served the population. Two settlements boasted banks. Drummonds Point had a police station and post office. Raspberry Point had a Catholic church. Castle Point an Anglican church. View Point even had a brewery. A school opened in 1867 showing that this was a permanent settlement.
Alluvial mining gave way to reef mining. However, most mines didn’t match the success of the nearby A1 Mine. By the turn of the century, Gaffneys Creek’s population dwindled.
In 1980, the original valley settlements became a Conservation Area. Early miners’ cottages, a hall, stone retaining walls and a hotel were included. Sadly, the hotel burned down in 1993.
The Gaffneys Creek Hotel was destroyed by fire in 1993. Two escaped prisoners hid there. They were assisted by a prison guard.
Bushfires threatened Gaffneys Creek in 2006. Some residents bravely defended their homes. Not much of the town remains today. Only a couple of houses and two historic gold-era cottages survived. The community hall was destroyed. The A1 Mine Settlement and Ten Mile were also burnt.
The population of Gaffneys Creek has declined significantly over the years. In 1865, it was 1000. By 1871, it dropped to 502. In 1911, it was 274. By 1954, only 91 people lived here.
Today, Gaffneys Creek is a locality off the Mansfield-Woods Point Road. It sits about 110km east-northeast of Melbourne. The elevation is approximately 605m above sea level. It’s located within the State Forest.
This area offers more than just history. A very small cricket ground sits beside Gaffneys Creek. It’s level and covered in mown grass. The reserve is surrounded by steep mountains.
Consider Gaffneys Creek Reserve. It is not just a place. It’s a reminder of dreams and resilience. Gold may no longer dominate the landscape. Yet, the spirit of those early prospectors remains etched in the valley.