Have you ever heard of a town that was once bustling with life, a place where coal mining fueled a community? That’s Jumbunna, nestled in the South Gippsland hills, near Korumburra. The whispers of Jumbunna’s past echo through its abandoned buildings and overgrown streets.
The name Jumbunna, taken from the Bunnerong language, means ‘a place to meet and talk’. It’s a fitting name for a town that once thrived on the industry of coal mining. The Jumbunna Coal Company was formed in 1890, and soon, Jumbunna became a thriving town. Imagine the sight of a hundred horse-drawn carts delivering coal from the mines, a sight witnessed by the townsfolk. This town was a hub of activity, with bakeries, butchers, stores, hotels, and even tennis courts. There was also a school, a church, and a mechanics’ institute. Jumbunna was truly a thriving community during its heyday.
Jumbunna’s fortunes changed when a 17-month miners’ strike shut down all mines in 1903. The economic impact was devastating, leading to a decline in population and businesses. The railway line, which was crucial for transporting coal to Melbourne, was closed in 1954.
Today, Jumbunna is a quiet village with just a handful of families. But if you visit, you can still see remnants of its past – the general store building, now a heritage building, and the foundations of the mines. Jumbunna may be a shadow of its former self, but its story reminds us of the importance of coal mining in Australia’s history and the impact it had on communities like this one.