Minmi, New South Wales

Minmi Newcastle, New South Wales
Population	732 (2006 census)
• Density	407/km2 (1,053/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	2287
Area	1.8 km2 (0.7 sq mi)
Location	19 km (12 mi) WNW of Newcastle
LGA(s)	City of Newcastle
Parish	Hexham
State electorate(s)	Cessnock
Federal Division(s)	Newcastle

Minmi /ˈmɪnˌmaɪ/ is an outer western suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, located 19 kilometres (12 mi) from Newcastle's central business district. It is part of the City of Newcastle local government area.

Minmi was an important coal mining centre in the second half of the nineteenth century, particularly under the ownership and management of J & A Brown.

Minmi's mines were connected by a private railway line across the Hexham Swamp to J & A Brown's loading facilities on the Hunter River at Hexham. J & A Brown's engineering workshops were also located at Hexham.

The following information is largely taken from a sign in Minmi Park (see photo in image gallery below).

Before white settlement the Pambalong aborigines had occupied the Minmi area for thousands of years. By 1893 there was no trace of the tribe in the district.

1835 – Coal discovered by Harry Styles

1848 – First coal mines opened by Turner Brothers

1850s – Coal mining by Eales and Brown Brothers

1860s – J & A Brown acquire all land and mining rights in Minmi.

1861 – Public education begins. The first miners' union formed.

1877 – Back Creek tunnel opened. First Minmi race day.

1878 – New school opens with 300 students. Police station established.

1882 – John Brown – Manager of J & A Brown.

1884 – First soccer game in Newcastle – Minmi Rangers versus Lambton

1890s – Progress Association established

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