Fortuna Villa was initially commenced as a modest single storey home in 1861 next to the 180 Mine by Theodore Ballerstedt, who sold the mine and house to George Lansell in 1869. Lansell already owned the adjacent Fortuna Mine, and through deeper mining techniques greatly expanded the mine's operation, his personal wealth, and the house and grounds. Lansell was soon known as the 'Quartz King', Australia's first gold mining millionaire and credited as the driving force behind much of Bendigo's prosperity. He continuously added to and expanded the villa, decorating it extravagantly with the finest of artworks and materials, into a sprawling mansion with extensive landscaped grounds, to create a house and grounds of a size and grandeur with few rivals in Australia. After his death in 1907, his second wife Edith carried on with improvements, creating a house and grounds developed over 50 years. The attached mine also contributes to its significance, being one of the richest mines in Bendigo, and at one stage probably the deepest gold mine in the world at 3176 feet. The 1875 crushing works are attached directly to the mansion, and the mine's tailings and settling ponds (turned into ornamental lakes) represent a direct link between George Lansell's wealth and its source. Fortuna was compulsorily acquired by the Commonwealth in 1942 as the Cartographic Headquarters of the Australian Survey Corps during World War II, and many ancillary structures were added while preserving the main house and ornamental grounds. Victorian Heritage Database Report https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/68334/download-reportConservation report for the Pompeii Fountain & Adjacent Structures at "Fortuna" Chum Street, Golden Square, Victoria. Prepared for Fortuna Historical Committee. March 1996.Halina Eckersley, Architect & Conservation Planner, Kewpompeii fountain, greenhouse, fortuna lake, gardens

Originally designed in 1857 and extended to the further designs by Bendigo Architects Vahland and Getzschmann, Emil Mauermann and William Beebe the original two story house expanded over time as Lansell's fortune increased and the subsequent mansion was built adjacent to the New Chum Reef and mine from which most of his wealth was yielded. Fortuna remained in the Lansell family for twenty nine years after George died and was sold by auction for demolition in 1934 only to be saved to become a reception house. In 1942 the Army acquired a lease for wartime mapping and occupied the site until 2008. It is now in private hands with the surrounding land being divided for housing. George Lansell was commonly known as 'Australia's Quartz-King' and director of thirty-eight mines with some link with almost every mine in Bendigo.A4 size tour booklet outlining the history, use and architectural features of Fortuna Villa which was purchased by George Lansell in 1860. mayor william beebe, george lansell

Programme Bendigo Operatic Society ''Chu Chin Chow'' Opening 10th November 1961 for six Nights. The Bendigo Operatic Society Presents by Permission of Samuel French (Aust) Ltd. Chu Chin Chow A Norman Lee Production, told by Oscar Asche, Set to Music by Frederic Norton. Dramatic Personnel: Robert Watson as Abu Hasan (A Shayk of the Robbers) - Max Beckwith as Kasim Baba ( A Wealthy Merchant) - Fred Trewarne as Ali Baba (Kasim's Poor Brother) - Leonard Carr as Nur Al-Huda (Ali Baba'Son) - John Stephens as Abdullah (Kasim's Steward) - Charles Phillips as Baba Mustafa (A Cobbler) - Ferd Lorenz as Mukbill (An Auctioneer) - Peter Houston as Musab (Member of Hasan's Robber Band) - Reg Boromeo as Khuzaymah (Member of Hasan's Robber Band) - Victor White as Otbar (A Stall Keeper) - Dawn Beckwith as Zahrat Al-Kulub (Bloom of the Desert) - Carol McKenzie as Alcolom (Kasim's Head Wife) - Valerie McCracken as Marjanah (A Singing Slave) - Olive Hamilton as Mahbubah (Ali's Wife) - Joan Heard as Zanim (A Slave Dealer) - Patricia Lyon as Bostan (Mahbubah's Servant). Musical Director: Max O'Loghlen. Asst Stage manager and Ballet Mistress: Miss M. Welch. Society Pianist: Mrs. House. Synopsis of Story: The story concerns the love of Marjanah, a slave, for Nur Al-Huda, the son of Ali Baba, the poor brother of Kasim Baba, a wealthy merchant. Abu Hasan is disguised as Chu Chin Chow and plans to plunder the wealth of Kasim Baba. Zahrat Al-Kulub, a beautiful desert woman, is forced to spy for Abu Hasan because her lover is a prisoner of the thieves. Eventually she causes the death of Abu Hasan and his followersprogram, theatre, bendigo operatic society