'Oxy' Nugent was a well known local identity around the Andamoola region and was contracted in the 1930s to sink wells to
supplement the water around Andamooka Station and thereby open up some new stock routes.
He and his wife were camped close to where the town park now stands when boundary riders Sam Brooks and
Roy Shephard called in for a 'cuppa' and a visit as they travelled around.
When they left they headed north up Treloar's Hill but shortly returned to show 'Oxy' some coloured stones they
had found along the way. When they were seen by the manager of Andamooka Station, Mr Foulis, he identified them as opal, similar
to that found further north at Coober Pedy.
Alan Treloar, the station storekeeper, and another boundary rider, Paddy Evans, began mining the area and had a free run until the
strike became popular knowledge and other miners moved in.
This additional activity put even more strain on the limited water rexources and a dispute between the station owners and
miners resulted in a well being sunk in 1947 to supply local needs. This well is still used and can be seen opposite the
Andamooka Hotel.
Accommodation and more information, including a walking trail brochure, is available from the Andamooka Dukes' Bottlehouse
Motel on 08 8672 7007.
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