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

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

Ten strips of black and white negatives, a total of thirty eight photographs of Fortuna villa taken by the father of the donor in the late 1980's. The negatives are in a Kodak yellow folder.bendigo, buildings, fortuna villa

Black and white photograph of Fortuna Villa mining sites, showing on foreground water dam, poppet head and chimney, Victoria Hill on the left. There are two copies one sepia colour.bendigo, mining, fortuna mine sites

Large black and white aerial photo taken looking north, foreground Fortuna Villa, on right side site where now is St John hospital, top left garden gully oval. There are three copies (one sepia colour).bendigo, streetscape, aerial view

Black and white photograph. Image shows lattice work metal poppet head, with elevated tramway leading to poppet head. Mine chimney on RH side, building extreme right Number 31 written top centre.bendigo, mining, comet mine

Black and white photograph of mine site. Metal poppet head in centre, engine room buildings on LH side. Brick chimney extreme left. Large mullock/sand heap on RH side. Mine dam in foreground, three geese floating in water. In front of poppet head, horse drawn wooden cartbendigo, mining, hercules and energetic mine

Black and white photograph ( copy) showing Lansell's Fortuna Villa in centre, lake in front. Elaborate gardens and steps leading to lake. On left hand side, mining chimney and elevated tramway leading to sheds. Large chimney on LH side. RH side of image: poppet head, tramways and mining chimneys (needle). Three poppet heads visible in background.bendigo, mining, fortuna mine sites