The fictional village of Kerosene Creek, or something quite like it, once existed. The location of Forgetting Business was inspired by the 19th century industrial village of Joadga in the NSW southern highlands, across the highway and equidistant from Mittagong and Berrima. https://www.joadjatown.com.au/
Joadja has an interesting history. Some say that that prior to European settlement, the area was occupied by the Tharawal people, but there is some dispute about who were the original owners. In my novel Forgetting Business, I placed the fictional valley in Ngunnawal country.
In the 1840s a local grazier discovered the kerosene-rich shale, identified as Torbanite, and began trying to mine it, but the inaccessibility of the valley made it all but impossible to transport the shale to the Sydney refineries. In 1877 a company was formed to exploit the shale deposits. They built a refinery in the valley and a railway line to Mittagong and imported experienced shale miners and their families from Scotland. (I have included some historic photos on the Forgetting Business page.)
By 1879, the population of Joadja was around 400 and the town had a post office, a general store, a butcher’s and a bakery and a school of arts, as well as a state primary school. Its kerosene and by-products such as candle tallow, soaps and cleaning products were distributed world wide.
When the company introduced a mechanical coal cutter, the annual shale output reached 28,000 tons, with the result that the deposits were mined out by 1893.
The town steadily declined, and efforts were made to diversify the economy with orchards and cattle. Mining ceased around 1900 and the land was sold soon after. By the 1920s it was a ghost town. The steep tracks for the spectacular rack-and-pinion railway were removed and recycled, though you can still see its ghostly shadow up the mountainside.
Although my village of Kerosene Creek and the town of Joadja bear many similarities in geography and history, the plot of the novel is entirely fictional and none of the characters are based on real people.
Today, the Joadja brand still lives, through the Joadja winery and the Joadja whisky distillery, operated by the Jimenez family. In addition to operating tours of the historic town, these Spanish whisky makers grow their own barley in the rich earth of the valley, use the pristine water from the natural spring, and mature the spirits in ex-Pedro Ximinez barrels. https://www.joadjadistillery.com.au
The town is open to visitors at unpredictable times decided by the caretakers. They put on a guided tour in a home-made articulated vehicle, followed by a whisky tasting. Keep an eye out for announcements https://www.joadjatown.com.au