Thomas Phillips

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Charles A. Doudiet, Eureka Riot 17th Octobe, 1854, watercolour, on paper.
Courtesy Art Gallery of Ballarat, purchased by the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery with the assistance of many donors, 1996.

Background

Thomas James Phillips was born at Launceston, Cornwell, England. He settled in South Australia in 1848. He married Elizabeth Cooper on 06 February 1855 at Adelaide, and the couple had 12 children.[1]

Thomas Phillips died at Red Streak, North Creswick aged 86 years. He was buried at Creswick Cemetery[2] on 18 November 1919.</rfe>

Goldfields Involvement, 1854

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.[3]

Post 1854 Experiences

In 1854 Thomas Phillips returned to Burra Burra, South Australia. He then lived in Ballarat for 18 years, followed by Yam Creek, Northern Territory. He returned to Ballarat then went to Creswick with his family. He 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.[4]

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.[5]

Obituary

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 Creswick on Monday night at the age of 86. 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.[6]

Newsworthy

At the Town Hall, Ballarat, on Saturday evening Mr. Thomas Phillips, a former president of the Creswick branch of the Australian Mine Employee' Association, was presented by the members with an illuminated address in recognition of his long and honorable services. The mayor {Councillor "W. P. Northcott), who is hon. treasurer of the branch, entertained the gathering.[7]
Among those present at the unveiling of the honor roll at North Creswick Methodist Church on Sun lay last was Mr Thomas Phillips, a very old identity of Creswick and at one time one of the leading light of the now defunct Creswick Miners' Association. Speaking to Sir Alexander Peacock at the conclusion of the service, he said:— "That honor roll makes me feel proud to see it there. I am the oldest member of the church and I have five grandsons at the war." Mr Phillips has passed his eightieth milestone in life and still takes an active interest in the North Creswick Methodist church.[8]

See also

Creswick

Eureka Hotel

Further Reading

References

  1. Creswick Advertiser, 18 November 1919.
  2. Creswick Advertiser, 18 November 1919.
  3. Creswick Advertiser, 18 November 1919.
  4. Creswick Advertiser, 18 November 1919.
  5. copy of illumination held by descendants.
  6. Adelaide Daily Herald, 20 November 1919.
  7. Adelaide Daily Herald, 22 October 1913.
  8. Creswick Advertiser, 4 January 1918.

External links

Grave location - http://search.cemsearch.com.au:8008/mapguide/Creswick/Public/index.php