Ballara and Heightville are an important part of our mining heritage and now volunteers have given them some much needed love and attention.
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The ghost mining towns near Fountain Springs, 60km from Mount Isa, have long been abandoned but now their heritage has been substantially added to after some terrific work by the Mount Isa Landcare and Ballara Mining Heritage Trail Committee.
After the Queensland Heritage Council described the mining complex as "extraordinary", the Ballara Project has tidied up the area and added significant new signage and walking paths after a weekend working bee.
Committee chairman Gary Baker, thanked the volunteers that came out for the weekend working bee.
"Fantastic to have this project finished. It excites me to see the culmination of 20 years of research and effort finished with the heritage listing of the site and signing," Mr Baker said.
"Many, many thanks to all of you for your help in seeing the project happen. Mark (Van Ryt)... for your great assistance in organising the camp and hands to help. Always wonderful to have your helping hand. Charles (Curry)... for your efforts in the finance and on site with installing the signs and paths. Paul (Johnson)... Thanks for your efforts on site and assisting the group. Mark, can you relay my great thanks to Lee and Jo for the catering. Without them we would have difficulties I believe. It really helped to have someone else worry about the food and showers. Also, let Chad and Greg know I greatly appreciate their efforts in installing all the signs and path ways."
Mount Isa Landcare secretary Mark Van Ryt added his congratulations to Gary and Wendy Baker.
"A very well organised and designed installation," Mr Van Ryt said.
"Another great tourism asset built entirely by local volunteers."
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