About the Coalface Experience

The Collinsville Coalface Experience was opened in October 2004, on the 50th anniversary of the Collinsville Mine disaster. The Coalface Experience serves as a reminder, not only to those who died in the 1954 disaster, but also to all those who have commited their lives to mining.

The Coalface Experience begins with a video introducing the audience to the life of a coal miner and their families. Featuring interviews with locals, the film highlights the union spirit so strongly felt in small coal mining towns like Collinsville. Throughout the Coalface Experience there are multimedia displays about different aspects of coal mining, from the Pit Ponies to modern safety methods. As you move through the exhibit you will gain a personal understanding of the hardships and rewards found in the coal mining industry. The final display of the Experience, a ‘pepper’s ghost’ film, re-enacts the 1954 mine disaster, bringing to life the men who lost their lives.

Stage 2 of the Experience focuses on the development of safety across the decades. The exhibit draws information from around Australia and the world to paint a picture of the importance of safety underground. The stage features an interactive ‘touch screen’ display highlighting the different dangers found in mining. There is also a film which demonstrates to the audience the ways that everyday miners ensure their personal safety underground.