Buried Rivers of Gold - Victorian Heritage Mine at 40-170 Allendale-Reservoir Rd, Broomfield
Lewer’s Freehold Co. operated at Broomfield Gully on the Lewer's Lead and formed on 22 July 1872.
At this time, Thomas Phillips returned to Creswick after 18 years at Burra Burra, S.A and a stint in NT and worked at the Lewer's Freehold No. 4 mine, then Baron Rothschild, Cameron's Freehold, Dykes Freehold, No. 2 Australasian, Davies Freehold, Australasian and Eaglehawk and the North Star.
In 1853 Thomas Phillips was gold mining in Ballarat. He was camping at Specimen Hill where he met Peter Lalor and John Lalor. With his mate, William Symonds, he worked on the Ballarat goldfield up to the Eureka Stockade riot. Thomas Phillips saw the burning of James Bentley's Eureka Hotel, and the burning of gold licenses on Bakery Hill on 29 November 1854. He did not take part in the Eureka Stockade battle but was gunshot distance of the Eureka Stockade.
Mr. Thomas Phillips, one of the founders, and for many years described as the "father the Amalgamated Miners' Association of Victoria (now the Federated Mining Employees' Association), died at his home in Red Streak, Creswick on Monday night at the age of 86. He was buried at Creswick Cemetery on 18 November 1919. He was twice president of the Creswick branch, and was trustee for Victoria, from 1888 to 1913, and treasurer for Victoria since 1906. He was for many years a steward of the North Creswick Methodist Church.
Federated Mining Employees' Association
Creswick Branch No. 3
To Mr Thomas Phillips
Ex-President
Dear Sir.
It was with feelings of very great regret the Committee of the above Branch accepted your resignation as Trustee in consequence of advancing years.
We feel we cannot allow you to retire from office without expressing our sincere appreciation of the faithful service you have rendered during the period of 25 years in the investment and conservation of our fund.
A staunch unionist, your discreet advocacy of our rights at all times when assailed is gratefully remembered by us, whilst the fair and just consideration always shown to out employers has been such that no industrial disputes have occurred in our district since the inception of the Branch.
That the eventide of the lives of yourself and your good wife may be filled with peace and happiness is the earnest wish of
Yous in unity.
Frederick Wilding
William P. Northcote
L. Elshary.
Creswick,
Oct 18 1913.