Significant Gold Discoveries of the 1850s - How Big were the Nuggets?

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Significant Gold Discoveries of the 1850s - How big were the Nuggets?

Castlemaine Society (CASSOC) invites you to a public presentation about Victorian gold nuggets of the 1850s.

Guest Speaker Dean Smith – Museum Preparator, owner of 'Environmental Creations'.
Dean is a leading museum preparator, who replicates gold nuggets, dinosaurs, flora and fauna, and museum dioramas. He will give a public talk about the significant gold nugget discoveries of the 1850s, the lure for so many to come to the Australian Goldfields. Based on historical records, Dean will share their stories as well as covering some recent prospecting discoveries as well.

The Welcome Stranger Nugget
Did you know that the two luckiest men on Earth lived right here in the Victorian Goldfields?  Cornish miners John Deason and Richard Oates unearthed the largest alluvial gold nugget in the world in Moliagul, Victoria, 1869. The 'Welcome Stranger' nugget was so big that it had to be broken up on an anvil before it could be weighed at the bank in nearby Dunolly.  This unbelievable gold nugget was found mere inches beneath the surface! 

WHERE? Northern Arts Hotel, 359 Barker Street, Castlemaine, 3450  

WHEN? 7pm Friday 19 June 2026  

COST? $10 Supper Provided. Purchase drinks at the bar

Castlemaine Society (CASSOC)