People with information or stories about the gold mining era at the historic Mountain Maid Gold Mine in Copeland Tops State Conservation Area near Gloucester are encouraged to share their stories and play a part in ensuring the history of this area lives on.

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Barrington Tops Area Manager, Terry Evans said that people with knowledge and stories about the 1876 – 1979 gold mining days can help keep the history of this colourful bygone era alive.

Mr Evans said the NPWS has managed the historic Mountain Maid Mine as part of Copeland Tops State Conservation Area since 2003 and considerable work has been carried out to prepare the site for re-use as a unique tourist destination.

“This includes the preparation of a draft Conservation Management Plan, site risk assessments, installation of walking tracks and footbridges, upgrade of the Mountain Maid walking track, maintenance to historic structures,’ said Mr Evans.

“The next phase will be the development of information materials such as signs and brochures to enable visitors travel back in time for a snap shot into the lives of the people who once lived and worked at the mine.

“NPWS is interested in any information that people may have about the area particularly photographs, newspaper articles and stories from people who have previously worked and lived in the area,” said Mr Evans.

Anyone with information to share, or would like to be a part of this interesting project should contact Ranger Juanita McCarthy at the NPWS Barrington Tops Area Office, 59 Church Street, Gloucester, telephone 6538 5302.