The rush to the Jimna Gold Fields began in 1868, the main field being Yabba and Jimna Creeks covering an area of 10 sq. miles and gazetted 25th July, 1868.  By October,1868 new discoveries known as "Mortimors Scrub Paddock", "Gooroomjam", "Monorambie Creek" and "German Gully" attracted some 400 miners. At the time there were never fewer than 600 miners on the Yabba and Jimna fields and the number on occasions rose to 1,000 including many Chinese working mainly Alluvial Deposits.

The largest recording of miners was 4,000 at Jimna and Sandy Creeks in 1870. When the Alluvial deposits became depleted approximately 1893 "Quartz Mining" began with two Mills, one at Mt. Rollman and the other "Whites" situated on the site of the old Jimna Township near Sunday Creek Field Study Centre.

On Yabba gold field the principal mines were the "Jimna Gold Mining Co." and the "Jimna King". Main reefs were "The Empress", "Mortimors" and the "Victory". The largest Nugget weighed 8 Dwts 16 Grs. found at "Monorambie".

In 1904 the Warden reported that the fields were almost deserted giving a living to only a few miners. The Depression years of the 1930's saw another short lived attempt to work the reefs, more recent leases taken out were "Golden Slipper", "Layd May" and "Agricola" of which buildings still remain.

 During 1940-48, 2.8kg. of Gold was won from the "United Sultana Claim". Over the past 40 years mining has declined with "Stumpy Green" being the last full time miner. 

The yellow gleam of gold brought excitement, adventure and European settlement to many a lonely bush gully. By many a campfire the stories of hardship, humour and tragedy became the threads which made the cloth of our history.

Like the flash of a small diamond, the strong pioneer spirit shines through from a story, an account, a Bush Ballad, or from an elderly person whose memory reaches back to the days of horse and wooden wheels, nights when campfire light, Slush-lamp or kerosene "Hurrican Lantern" provided the only light at sunset.