The Mine Hooter

Mount Morgan Mine Brick

Location: Morgan Street, traffic island between the Mount Morgan Historical Museum and the Leichhardt Hotel.

Background: Made in 1919, the Mine Hooter was used by the Mount Morgan Mine throughout the many years of its life. Serving as a familiar sound to the residents of Mount Morgan, the sound of the hooter could not be missed. On a typical day, it blew at 6.30am (three blasts), 7.30am (two blasts), 8.00am, 10.00am, 10.10am, 12.00 noon, 12.30pm, 4.00pm,4.30pm, 7.30pm, 11.00pm (two blasts) 12.00 midnight and
3.30am.

Over the years, the hooter signified the time, tragedy, good news, and joy. The mine hooter was blown to mark the shifts and meal breaks, a lost miner, serious accidents - to warn the hospital to prepare, and for town fires. It also was blown as a mark of respect to remember the fallen on Remembrance and Armistice Days, and to also herald in the New Year.

Quick fact: On midnight on each New Year’s Eve, the operator would have a free hand and exercise the right - often seeing the mine hooter blow in all sorts of combinations for several minutes.