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"Stan Bone is a third-generation gold miner who operated two of the last independent gold mines in Smiths Gully, Victoria: the One Tree Hill and the Black Cameron mines. Following in the footsteps of his father, uncle, and grandfather, who all lived and mined in Smiths Gully, Stan may be the last living link to Victoria's Gold Rush. This is his story."

Our hobbies are being severely restricted by people who are ignorant about the very things they are restricting.! Speak Up people EVERY TIME any of our mining and recreational rights to our own land is threatened.!

A mate on Cape York FNQ send me this.. He thought I might be interested.. It's a lease agreement on a cattle station which has produced a lot of gold.. And still is.. The exploration permit area we were looking at earlier this year isn't too far away from these lots.. It's the first time I've seen a cattle station lease land to prospectors.. And It's yours to go wild on for one year, you can even put up a fence if you're paranoid.. Also unlike an EPM area you can build a structure for the time you're there.. This is compared to other cattle stations on the cape that'll tell you to bugger off before you even ask permission for a looksee.. In my mind this could be a way forward.. Also according to old matey, another station in the area is looking at how Palmer Station will go with this arrangement.. Hopefully the idea will catch on up here.. Also, the season passes they mention as an added incentive are worth $3000 per year.. They allow you to hunt in the public area for two dry seasons.. https://www.palmerville.com.au/property/1/ps101---palmerville-station-camp-grounds--101-whites-creek-road-palmer-qld?fbclid=IwY2xjawGueBhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHcWckaE0QRuwFhIPDFhJyl_aivWlsecxmBmMjEPFF-bwdPPABRYynA35SQ_aem_vVa7So52YKYDNyPYw90Jsg

Hi teammates, Lately I have been looking at Geoview and always wonder in what circumstances would you go apply for SPL or P lease respectively? I have seen a place on Trove and was able to locate the area---where there was a dead P near or around it. In similar cases I also noticed there were SPLs on it too. Just wonder why the guy applied for P not SPL? Kind regards, Ethan

This bushwalk was done about 2001 with a work mate that was about 20 years younger than me. He got killed at work when a faulty High Voltage Circuit breaker unit malfunction and exploded when he was restoring it for service six years ago. The location of the walk is in the Victorian High Country. My WorkMate The Target of the walk Half Way Up Both of us at the TOP Looking the Other Way That is all, but we did many walks along those ridges and gullies way back then. Hope you enjoyed the photos.

https://www.ramint.gov.au/publications/royal-australian-mint-unveils-bluey-commemorative-coin-collection-real-life Other side

Reg Wilson is a bit of a legend in Australian detecting circles and has kept a comprehensive photo collection of his finds over 4 or 5 decades. Now everyone likes gold images and stories - and there are plenty here! I've been offered existing topics to post on, but I believe the topic deserves its own thread to do it full justice. All images are those of Reg Wilson unless otherwise attributed. The album consists of hundreds of photographs of not only gold, but many gold detecting industry characters, some of whom are no longer with us, but who all contributed in their own unique ways to the great gold chase we still enjoy today. Firstly, a bit of background. Reg first shot to international fame with the finding of this 98 ounce piece which he named the "Orange Roughie" in 1987, decades later to be fraudulently rebirthed as the "Washington Nugget" By no means his first find, Reg was already a successful detector operator and at the time was testing a prototype GT 16000 for Minelab's wizz kid engineer Bruce Candy: Photo: Australian Sun Herald L to R: Bruce Candy, the late Doug Robertson, Ian Jacques, Reg, John Hider Smith. Reg recalled: "The man standing next to Bruce Candy is the late Doug Robertson, who with his brother Bruce worked the aluvials below the famous and fabulously rich Matrix reef at McIntyres. They had an old Matilda tank with a blade attached to clear Mallee scrub. Between them they had a wealth of knowledge of the northern Victorian gold fields. (Doug's name may have been Robinson. Memory is a bit foggy)" Ian, Reg and John were prototype SD 2000 testers in Victoria, AU and were collectively known as the "Beagle Boys" a name bestowed upon them by Dave Chappel, the publican of the Railway Hotel Dunolly. On any Friday night huge nuggets, some weighing well over a hundred ounces could be seen displayed on the bar. 120oz from Longbush. Found all on its own, finder anonymous: The playing cards and US currency indicate that the nugget has just been purchased by the late "Rattlesnake" John Fickett, a US gold buyer who bought many of the big pieces back then: Ian Jacques and Reg with 44 oz 1989: Ian Jacques with his SD 2000 prototype late 80's. Real prospectors don't use bungees All for now, but at least we've made a start - - -

Hi guys. I came across this & thought it may be of interest & be good info if you are considering a detecting trip down under. D4G

Hi , I saw youtubes some prospectors using caravans, some do tents. I wonder what are the pros and cons for each? I imagine it would be difficult to go with off road caravans as many places are not easy to get in, then why they use caravans? What do you use? Any thoughts or experience?? I hate flies there btw. ?

Hi teammates, Just wonder when we pick up prospecting areas do we need to be aware of native title and Aboriginal heritage areas? Thanks, Ethan

The annual Australian Kangaroo includes a popular 1oz coin which in 2024 features an exceptional design that investors will eye as a new classic. Key features: 99.99% pure gold...2024 kangaroo design...Special ‘P125’ anniversary mintmark...Australian legal tender...Authentication feature.

The passing of a friend unfortunately has led to me taking ownership of a modified Tdi Pro. My machine is mounted on an Anderson shaft and is factory spec. My old mate had his machine modified to smooth out the threshold and to add some sensitivity. The specifics related to the modifications are not known by me, other than that they were conducted by 'Luke'..Oz Digger.. This happened some time ago. So the modified machine is probably not a keeper, I don't want two Tdi Pro machines.. The opportunity to do a comparison cannot and should not be ignored. My intention is to focus on small gold performance, the threshold smoothness, the ability to use gain, basic performance and handling characteristics under different circumstances. The machines will use the same fully charged battery pack, same coil, same targets, same test location and conditions on the same day etc. Trying to minimise external variations. I'll start with the usual useless air test. Later I'll follow up with in ground testing on the actual goldfields in mineralized soil. Test coils will be with a small coil and a large coil. Targets will be gold only. The 1 grain ingot, the half gram gold coin, a half sovereign gold coin. Some real small sub gram nuggets to see how small we can go.. There is a process involved so I'll take my time and do it right. Any specific questions or suggestions, speak now or forever hold you peace.. I'm only doing this once. Once it sold it will be too late to revisit.. All the best.

Metal detectorist facing $115,000 fine, jail time over little-known rule (msn.com)

Bonanzas gold finds in Victoria from the 1850s. The following is from ProspectingAustraliaForum ...........Link........

Came across this Monument way back in the early 1980s got a signal about 75 yards away from it. I started digging a hole with high hopes. That hole was the deepest that I have ever dug for a target. 2½ feet deep and all I got was an old axe head. The photo show some of the ground type I search in Maryborough Vic. Aus.

I explored this area over 60 years ago and have done many trips since and hopefully a few more in the near future. Way back we did it with no guided tour as it was an abandoned mine at the time. Old post of mine...........Old Post....

From the producers of Aussie Gold Hunters: We are all very saddened to share the news that Neville Perry, who starred in Aussie Gold Hunters, died last Monday of complications from his ongoing battle with cancer. Neville was a lovable fan favourite of the series and also a treasured member of the wider Electric Pictures and Warner Bros. Discovery families. In accordance with Nev’s wishes, we prepared a video with him, that we would like to share now. Our condolences and love go out to Neville's family, friends and fans. xx https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1443269763210814

In my effort to know more about gold and how much is actually produced every year I came across this article. It seems to me the price of gold has NOTHING to do with the amount of gold available to buy. Look at all of these ounces of new gold added to the supply chain each year and tell me how this commodity's price is determined by supply. Top 10 Australian Gold Mines (investingnews.com) And in a related story: 10 Largest Gold Mines in the World by Production (investingnews.com)

I recently heard a reference to a story about an Australian man who found over a million dollars in gold ore in his backyard. Does anyone know if that is true? Thanks!

After doing the dishes and the floor ? I was told too clean up my shed. I did not get too far as I found a bucket full of my reject coins that I had not needed for my albums or give to kids on halloween trick or treat. Size of 1¢, 2¢, Halfpenny and Penny photo.

A link to channel 9 news article for the girls 15 Oct 2023 https://www.9news.com.au/national/gold-diggers-the-female-prospectors-chasing-riches-in-the-outback/8d43d590-e044-4d89-a0c2-6d5a8c76cb2b

This was found at Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, Australia. The crystals are deep red in colour. One side of the rock is green ( hard to see in the picture).

If only we could go back in time.

Hope you enjoy these two YouTube Video