In 1871, the Villa and the associated ‘180 Mine’ on the New Chum Reef was bought by George Lansell who had become successful in his gold mining interests and investments. With his continuing success in deep mining, Lansell undertook major extensions to his home, and in fact continued this expansion and decoration of Fortuna until his death almost 40 years later. Fortuna Villa remains remarkably intact as a house even though it has served as a busy workplace for 65 years. Stained glass, elaborate ceilings, grand cedar and blackwood staircase, solid marble baths, extensive acid-etched glasswork (conservatory) are some of the architectural features that contribute to the outstanding ‘feel’ of the structure. The Fortuna grounds cover some 7.57 ha. and feature an ornamental lake, garden, a ‘Roman-Bath’ and the ‘Pompeii Fountain’. The original quartz-crushing battery building, stables and coach house remain close to the main villa. The magnificent villa itself is the aspirational centerpiece to this remarkable property. It is set in botanic-style gardens featuring established trees. George Lansell’s historic talisman has hosted some iconic characters itself, including leaders and diplomats, Dame Nellie Melba and even HRH the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh.Fortuna Villa Tour Guide, seven pages - Photos, History and guide with description for each room or aspect. Chronology on back cover.history, bendigo, fortuna, george lansell

Letter addressed to D. McClure, M.L.A., June 11th, 1980 from Western Mining Corporation Limted. Letter outlines the plan to 'use a commercial elevator rather than a winding system for placing tourists into the underground exhibition'. Western Mining Corporation intended to make a donation to fund this venture but 'the money involved is rather more than we had in mind'. The original quote was $45,000 but is going to be in the range of $200,000 to $300,000. A two page file note on a telephone conversation between Daryl McClure and J.O. Reynolds of WMC re the Central Deborah Gold Mine is appended to the letter.bendigo, gold mining, central deborah gold mine, bendigo, central deborah gold mine, gold mining, western mining corporation, daryl mcclure, j. reynolds, arvi parbo.

Letter addressed to Sir Arvi Parbo, Western Mining Corporation, Melbourne, from J.M. Lalor, Exploration Manager, Minerals WMC, regarding support sought by the Bendigo Trust to develop an underground tourist mine at Bendigo. J.H Lalor seeks the support of Western Mining,'either by contgributing money or equipment' to develop the Central Deborah Gold mine as a tourist destination.bendigo, gold mining, central deborah gold mine, bendigo, gold mining, tourism, central deborah gold mine, de-watering, western mining corporation., sir arvi parbo, j.m. lalor, daryl mcclure, bendigo trust

Three page document detailing information on the Great Southern Gold Mine on the Garden Gully line of reef. The main shaft was located in Quarry Hill, approximately 120 yards south east of Gladstone Street and 66 yards from Peel Street. The main shaft was 2,546 feet plus winze of 180 ft. The poppet legs were wooden with a tall row landing brace. Large pithead pulleys. Boilers of the Cornish flue type by Roberts and Sons Bendigo. Winding engine by A. Harkness & Co., Bendigo. The plant was a 'splendid example of workmanship in Bendigo Foundries. The winding engine capable of hauling from more than 4,000 feet.' The company was formed in 1876 and disposed of its assets to Bear Bros. In 1918, the last crushing was in 1924.bendigo, mining, great southern gold mine

Two page typed document detailing information of the North Johnson's Mine on the Garden Gully line of reef. The mine was located in California Gully, the shaft is approximately 66 yards north of Thomas Street. The shaft was 3,480 ft deep and sunk with the line of reef. This company, together with its northern neighbour the Rose of Denmark, first became a prominent gold producer in 1867. For its size, one of the richest mines in Bendigo.bendigo, mining, north johnsons mine

Four page typed document with information on the Great Extended Hustlers mine on the Hustlers line of reef. Formed in 1865 closed down in 1925. The mine was located a little to the south of the intersection of Hustlers Road and Anderson Street, North Bendigo. The mine plant and overall history of the mine is detailed in the document. The poppet head was steel, 70 ft high. Rear legs set on top of low mullock heap. Gold was first discovered here in 1853 by Jonathan Harris, who was later joined by two coloured men to whom he later sold out. They in turn sold out to a one armed man, J. Hustler and Messrs Latham and Watson. The poppet heads of the Great Extended Hustlers were later removed and the extra 15 ft of the front lets cut to the Stanfield mine at Long Gully. From there to the Wattle Gully Mine at Chewton.bendigo, mining, great extended hustlers

Four page typed document with map, detailing the history and plant of the New Moon Gold Mine on the Garden Gully line of reef. The mine was located approximately one mile north of Eaglehawk Town Hall. The depth of the shaft was 2,400 ft. The mine was first formed in 1867. The signalling system in the mine was electric with a telephone service which connected the engine driver with the plat chamber. At most mines, when the men were below the surface, the men could signal to the driver, but he could not communicate with them. Total gold production from the mine was 230,601 ozs.bendigo, mining, new moon mine

Two page typed document with map, detailing information on the South New Moon Gold Mine on the Garden Gully line of reef. Information includes the location, depth of shaft, steel poppet lets, engine house, air compressor, battery, company ownership, battery. The shaft The 'Walker and Coy' winding engine of the later company together with poppet heads was removed later to the South Virginia comnpany between Napier and Market Street, Eaglehawk. Gold production from both companies who owned the mine was 257,498 ozs'.bendigo, mining, south new moon gold mine

Two page typed document plus location map. The Central Nell Gwynne gold mine was located off Happy Valley Road, first turn to the left from Marong Road, and up on the hill. The shaft depth was 1,912 ft. The original plant had small wooden poppet legs and a steam winch which were replaced, in 1935/36 by steel poppet legs obtained from the Virginia mine at Eaglehawk. Features and history of the plant are described including the winding engine, air compressor, boilers, and crushing battery. The dividends and gold production fighures are given. The total yield of gold was 61,884 ozs.bendigo, mining, central nell gwynne

Two page document with location map. The Fortuna Hustlers Gold mine was located close to the railway goods shed (Discovery Centre location) in an area occupied by Buckell and Jeffrey's office and yards. (now carpark of Marketplace shopping centre). It commenced operation in August 1888 and closed in December 1913.The depth of the shaft was 2,240ft. Features of the plant described are: the winding engine, the air compressor, boilers, baling tanks, poppet legs, engine house. The winding engine later worked at the Tambour Major at Specimen Hill; Birds Reef at Kangaroo Flat, Hercules No. 1 on top of Danger Hill and the North Virginia mine at Eaglehawk.bendigo, mining, fortuna hustlers mine

Two page typed document plus location map. The location of the Central Red, White and Blue mine was on the north-west corner of Barnard and Honeysuckle Streets, Golden Square. The mine was formed in 1910 and ceased operations in 1936. Features of the mine are described: the winding engine, boilers, air compressor, poppet legs, engine house, crushing battery, gold produced and where obtained from. 'The rich gold yields which made this mine so prominent in its early years, was obtained from a large reef at the 318 feet level, some yields reached as high as 15 oz to the ton'.

Three page typed document plus map showing location of the Garden Gully United Mine. The history and features of the mine operation are described and include: the locality of the shafts, winding engine, air compressor, crushing battery, engine house, gold obtained and dividends and gold production. The lookout tower in Rosalind Park was formerly the poppet legs of the Garden Gully United Gold Mining Company. Albert Richardson writes: ' a fitting tribute to Bendigo's most famous goldmine. The four legged lookout tower, was originally the six legged poppet legs of the Garden Gully United.bendigo, mining, garden gully united mine., garden gully united mine, gold mining, poppet legs, rosalind park

Three page typed document plus map. Document details location and history of the New Chum Railway Mine, Golden Square and includes: depth of shaft, size of lease, locality, poppet legs, winding engine, engine houses,crushing battery, best gold obtained, prominence, and total gold production and dividendds. References provided. Document forms part of research referred to in Albert Richardson's paper 2264.70.bendigo, mining, new chum railway gold mine

One page document, plus map, with information on the Lady Barkly Mine, New Chum line of reef, Eaglehawk. The location, early history, prominence, and gold production are described. References given on bottom of document. Document forms part of research referred to in Albert Richardson's paper 2264.70.bendigo, mining, lady barkly mine eaglehawk