The Ridge

Lightning Ridge is the largest Australian opal field. The fame and riches of black opal lure small-time prospectors from around the world: adventurers and gamblers, runaways from families or the law… Although stories of overnight millionaires abound, people in reality only expect to survive on the Ridge, and dream about the million dollar gemstone. Often the losers choose to stay on, the lifestyle more important than the presence of opal. Mining is a man’s game, and The Ridge is a man’s town. Like most mining communities there is alcohol, drugs, gambling and domestic violence. The majority of women in town are wives with kids, stuck at home with little to do but dream of a better life. Through the lives of Ron and Anna, their friend Barry, and his neighbours Ken and Bruce, we experience the unique lifestyle on the opal fields; the high hopes and shattered dreams; the rough and hard lifestyle; the boredom and discontent.