Originally built by Christopher Ballestedt (1796-1869) and his son Theodore. The Ballestedt's pioneered open cut and quartz mining on the Bendigo gold field. They were very successful. After Christopher's death, Theodore continued until 1871 when he sold Fortuna, their mines and equipment to George Lansell for 30,000 pounds.Two Large black and white photographs of Fortuna Villa in the early days. Also 2 portrait photos of Edith and George Lansell. bendigo, house, fortuna villa

Slide. Bendigo Street Views & Fortuna. Fortuna Lake with the Fortuna Mansion in the background.slide, bendigo, bendigo street views & fortuna., bendigo street views & fortuna.

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-reportTicket for Fortuna Villa Tour conducted by the Army Survey Regiment and the National Trust. 31/12/1985. Black printing on yellow card.fortuna villa, tour

PROPERTY MARKET Fortuna, Bendigo The Bendigo mansion property, Fortuna, for many years the home of the late Mr George Lansell, will again be offered for sale by auction. Some few years ago the property was purchased by Gold Mines of Australia Ltd., and it was used for a time for the offices of Bendigo Mines N.L. The company now has no further use for the building. As a last effort to retain this historic 52-room mansion, it will be offered as it now stands, with the spacious grounds which contain three lakes, a terrace, a rose garden, a swimming-pool, and a Roman fountain. It is hoped that it may be purchased by some organisation for use as a school, hospital, or other institution. If a sale is not effected the building will be sold immediately for demolition. This should arouse much interest as it con-tains many cedar and mahogany fittings, parquetry floors, central heating and hot-water plants. The auction sale will be held within the next few weeks by J H Curnow and Son of Little Collins street and Bendigo. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/11158857?searchTerm=fortuna%20auction%20sale Demolition Auction Sale Flyer for Fortuna under instructions from Bendigo Mines. Dated 29th and 30th June 1930. Auctioneers J H Curnow and Son. Black ink on yellow paper.fortuna villa, auction, bendigo mines

Slide. AHQ, Survey Regt, Fortuna, Bendigo. Visitors at Fortuna.slide, bendigo, ahq, survey regt, fortuna, bendigo., ahq, survey regt, fortuna, bendigo.

Slide. AHQ, Survey Regt, Fortuna, Bendigo. Information area at Fortuna.slide, bendigo, ahq, survey regt, fortuna, bendigo., ahq, survey regt, fortuna, bendigo.

A booklet produced to commemorate the 50th (Jubilee) Anniversary of the Royal Australian Survey Corps, contains an historical record of the Corps units, nominal roll of AHQ Survey Regiment unit members during the Jubilee year, photos and plans of Fortuna Villa.Booklet, 16 pages 6265.1 Front cover has black and white photo of the gated entrance to Fortuna Villa 6265.2 Front cover has an extract from the 1:100,000 map of Canberra, ACT. 6265.2 Internal contents are a reprint of 6265.1Inside of the booklet is signed by LtCol JK Nolan CO AHQ Svy Regt, later Director of the Survey Corps.royal australian survey corps, rasvy, fortuna, army survey regiment, army svy regt, asr

Colour Photo of Fortuna Bendigo in 1970, landscape type shot with Fortuna in the middle of photo, markings on rear of photo read 'Fortuna Bendigo 1970'buildings, house, fortuna, fortuna, bendigo, 1970

Slide. Bendigo Streets & Fortuna. A view of Fortuna with its decorative verandahs and windows.slide, bendigo, bendigo streets & fortuna., bendigo streets & fortuna.

Slide. Bendigo Street Views & Fortuna. Fortuna Villa with trees and the Lake in the foregroung.slide, bendigo, bendigo street views & fortuna., bendigo street views & fortuna.

Slide. AHQ, Survey Regt, Fortuna, Bendigo. More people visiting Fortuna.slide, bendigo, ahq, survey regt, fortuna, bendigo., ahq, survey regt, fortuna, bendigo.

Fortuna Villa was owned from 1855 to 1871 by Christopher and Theodore Ballerstedt, Australia’s first mining magnates. In 1871 it was purchased by George Lansell (The Quartz King) being one of Australia’s most successful and adventurous nineteenth century gold mine owners and speculators. Lansell made numerous alterations extensions to the building and remained in the Lansell family until 1935plan for new entrance vestibule to Fortuna Villa for George Lansell Esq. coloured plan detailing new entrance vestibule and open recess across the verandah, and entry steps RHS of page damaged/ tornfortuna villa, geo.lansell esq., building plan, c & t ballerstedt

Originally built by Christopher Ballestedt (1796-1869) and his son Theodore. The Ballestedt's pioneered open cut and quartz mining on the Bendigo gold field. They were very successful. After Christopher's death, Theodore continued until 1871 when he sold Fortuna, their mines and equipment to George Lansell for 30,000 pounds.Four large plans of Fortuna villa. Scale 1:50 Australian survey office - Victoria Department of Administrative services. Fortuna Bendigo - Army Survey Regiment. Dept. of Defence - Army. Terrestrial Photogrammetric Survey. Project number: 8001/2. Reg. File: 64/531. Survey File:631. Draftsman: M.A. Osciak. Surveyed by G. Tucker. Date of Survey: 14/05/79. There are 4 large such plans in a plastic bag the measurement of the plans is approx. 115cm X 80 cm.plan, bendigo, fortuna villa

Albert Richardson's father was G. Richardson, the Engine Driver at the Fortuna Hustler's Mine. Maroon hard cover booklet. On front cover on affixed paper: 'Wages earned at Fortuna Hustler's Mine, Aug 1906 - Jan 1907'. Inside front cover: George A.G. Richardson, off Revere St.' and 'started to work at Fortuna Hustlers Feb 25th 1899 sh 1907'. Child's pencil drawing of a man on front page. Long Gully Bendigo written in pencil across front page. Royal Historical Society of Victoria, Bendigo Branch, stamp. Example: first entries in Time Book for 9/06 (August 1906) is L. Phillips, Manager, no hourly rate given; G. Richardson, Engine Driver, 8/4d per day; T. Coates Engine Driver, 8/4d; H. (?) Kelly, Engine Driver 8/4d; T. Berryman, blacksmith 10/-. Names of miners, occupation, days worked, total number of days worked, rate per day and total amount paid are listed in the Time Book. George A. Richardson, off Revere St.fortuna hustler's mine, gold mining, bendigo goldfield, a. richardson, engine driver, wages book, wage rates, 1906, 1907

Slide. AHQ, Survey Regt, Fortuna, Bendigo. Fortuna lake in foreground with a building at rear.slide, bendigo, ahq, survey regt, fortuna, bendigo., ahq, survey regt, fortuna, bendigo.

Photograph taken in the Sergeants Mess, Fortuna Villa circa 1972-1975 whilst LTCOL DR Ridge was the Commanding Officer of the Army Survey Regiment and SSGT G Haswell was a stores NCO. WO2 Szentirmay (in the background) was a Lithographic Technical Warrant Officer. 4233 LTCOL DR Ridge was commissioned from the ranks and served from 1946 - 1975, he was Commanding Officer of the Army Survey Regiment from 1972-1975. 310207 SSGT G Haswell served 1950- 1978 after a British Army career, 14613 WO2 T Szentirmay BEM served 1958-1980 after an Eastern European Army career.Black and White photograph of LTCOL DR Ridge and SSGT G Haswell Circa 1972-1975 taken at the Sergeants Mess at Fortuna Villa, Bendigoroyal australian survey corps, rasvy, fortuna, army survey regiment, army svy regt, asr

Fortuna Villa was owned from 1855 to 1871 by Christopher and Theodore Ballerstedt, Australia’s first mining magnates. In 1871 it was purchased by George Lansell (The Quartz King) being one of Australia’s most successful and adventurous nineteenth century gold mine owners and speculators. Lansell made numerous alterations extensions to the building and remained in the Lansell family until 1935Plan for the addition and necessary modifications of a staircase to Fortuna Villa, the residence of George Lansell Esq. Coloured plan Plan is damaged missing several sections on the LHS of the plan and has water damage in lower LH cornerfortuna villa, lansell, stair case

Slide. Bendigo Street Views & Fortuna. A view of Fortuna Villa with shrubs and trees around the grounds.slide, bendigo, bendigo street views & fortuna., bendigo street views & fortuna.

Document ( part missing ) Fortuna Glimpses #3, Eventful Years, the 1870's at Fortuna Villa.place, fortuna, history, bendigo, fortuna, george lansell, lansell

Poster - 50th Anniversary - Army Survey Regiment (Fortuna), 13/3/1992. Ceremonial Parade, QEO; Open Day - Fortuna Villa; Australian Army Band in Concert - Fortuna Lakeside. Logo and background Fortuna 'sketch' plus details of above activities.organization, military, army survey regiment (fortuna)

DVD. Fortuna photos.

Flyer with a small sketch of Fortuna inviting people to have their say about Fortuna - and its Future. Comments can be made on the 'Fortuna Charter' blogsite on the web and also a postal address.bendigo, clubs, have your say about fortuna - and it's future!, villa fortuna action group inc.

Small typed document with some information on Fortuna -'Bendigo and Vicinity' - Fortuna. Mention of George Lansell, Theodore Ballerstedt.bendigo, house, fortuna villa, george lansell, theodore ballerstedt, 180 gold mine, fortuna, sir henry lock, the marquis of normanby, earl of hopetoun.

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE (Advertiser) RE FORTUNA 1970. 2822.5a-The Advertiser article dated 7..11.2008 -The ghosts of Fortuna.Bendigo Advertiserbendigo, house, fortuna villa, ghosts of fortuna, george lansell, col sprenger, mr. peacock

Slide. Bendigo Street Views & Fortuna. Fortuna lake in the foreground with trees and shrubs, with the Villa showing in the centre and on the left.slide, bendigo, bendigo street views & fortuna., bendigo street views & fortuna.

Colour photo: spire at Fortuna on RH side, garden on LH side. On back of photo ' Fortuna garden 1990'bendigo, house, fortuna villa

Six pages coloured booklet titled: Discover and explore the history of the magnificent Fortuna Villa. Your tour guide to the history of Fortuna Villa. On the front cover a sepia coloured photograph of Fortuna Villa and five small coloured photographs of the interior and exterior. On the back cover a Fortuna villa chronology.buildings, house, fortuna villa

Fortuna, Chum Street, Bendigoslide, bendigo, fortuna, fortuna

Sand dumps near Fortunaslide, bendigo, fortuna, sand dumps fortuna

Sand dumps near Fortuna.slide, bendigo, fortuna, sand dumps near fortuna