The Fortuna Villa is an expansive Victorian mansion built entirely on the profits of Bendigo's lucrative gold reefs. Established by the wealthy Ballerstedt family in the 1860s, it was purchased and expanded in the 1870s by George Lansell, who was to become one of Australia's wealthiest men. Fortuna villa and gardens were once occupied and cared for by the Australia Army Survey Regiments since 1942 for over thirty years.Classification Report and Notes on the history of Fortuna from the National Trust to the Bendigo Council 20th October 2008; tourist brochure for Fortuna; it includes photographs and detailed history of George Lansell's involvement in the property and his mining history.history, national trust bendigo collection, bendigo, fortuna, george lansell, mining

MERLE HALL COLLECTION: ROSALIND PARK CREATIVE VILLAGE BENDIGO Project and Final Reports 3858.13 PDF File 11th August 1997 - three pages From: Merle Hall, Secretary Arts Bendigo To: Mike (final Media Release probably the Bendigo Advertiser) Content: Media Release two pages and a poem read out by Mosaic Artist Maery Gabriel (Hall) 'Reflections from Rosalind Park' Date Unknown: First invitation mail-out for C.V.T. Presentation and notes. Invitations to Felicity Kingerlee, Rod, Orr, Jane Cleary, Ian Stewart (Flora Hill Secondary College), Marion Stewart (White Hills Secondary College), Marion Wright, G. Maddams (& staff), Frank Ham, Tony Morris (Astronomy chap), Trevor Tonking (Cont. Ed.), Bernard smith and others at City of Bendigo, All A.B. Committee. Included are handwritten notes. Date Unknown: Two page document entitled: Enhancing the livable environment. Document contains details of the project, aims etc. 14th March 1995 To: The Greater City of Bendigo From Arts Bendigo Content: Two pages, a formal proposal for the involvement of the City of Greater Bendigo in the Creative Village project of the V.A.C. It contains information on Background, Concept,Implementation,Expected outcomes, Summary, Appendix 1 and 2 (Examples of the work of the artist). Date Unknown From John L. Content: one page of notes on similar projects and involvement by Arts Bendigo. The title of the document is Creative Village - Enhancing the Livable Environment. 5th Septemberh 1995 To: Members of the community who contributed ideas and suggestions From Arts Bendigo Ann Buzza and Merle Hall. Content: Invitation to attend a meeting with the Creative Village Team to view the Team's full report and explanation of designs etc. 9-10 June To: Participants in the Maery Hall Workshop From Arts Bendigo Ann Buzza and Merle Hall. Content: Location - ceramic department, Fine Arts building, Latrobe University Bendigo; acces information and what to bring to the workshop. Date Unknown To: City of Greater Bendigo Content: Arts Bendigo committment to the guidelines discussed with the relevent Council officers. Date Unknown To: City of Greater Bendigo From Arts Bendigo Content: Title - Historic Mining Mosaic Pavement at rosalind Park Poppet Head. A report on the project so far. Typed and ewritten notes. 28 July To: Public From Arts Bendigo Merle Hall. Content: Public invite to mark the completion of the project. June 1997 To: Public Content: A copy of Bendigo Heritage Mosaic City of Greater Bendigo plaque. 2nd September To: Attention Leanne McDonnell, Bendigo Advertiser From Arts Bendigo Merle Hall. Content: Media Release on 'The Laying Begins' Date Unknown To: Potential Donors From Arts Bendigo Merle Hall, sponsorship committee. Content: Description of the project titled 'Exciting Addition to Bendigo's Central Area. Date Unknown To: Potential Donors From Arts Bendigo Merle Hall, sponsorship committee. Content: Description of the project titled 'Exciting Addition to Bendigo's Central Area. Date Unknown List of LEAP team members for the project. Date Unknown To: Emma Power From Arts Bendigo Secretary Merle Hall. Content: three pages of information on the project (1. Intoduction 2. Small leaflet, prepared for visitors to the team 3. General outline of the project and the background on the Creative Village Team. 19-21 July To: All schools of the Bendigo area From: Merle Hall Secretary Arts Bendigo Content: An invitation for staff and students to visit the Creative Village Team during their time in Bendigo, at the Central Library on 19-21 July 19-21 July To: The Public From: Merle Hall Secretary Arts Bendigo Content: An invitation for staff and students to visit the Creative Village Team during their time in Bendigo, at the Central Library on 19-21 July 5th October 1995 To: Mr Peter Seamer, Chief Executive Officer, City of Greater Bendigo. From Merle Hall Secretary Arts Bendigo Content: RE 'Creative village team report and ongoing plans' 14 March 1996 To: Committee of Arts Bendigo From: Ann Buzza Content: Two pages hand-written report on visit of Maery Hall ot Bendigo 14/3/96 Date Unknown To: Bernard Smith, City ogf Greater Bendigo From: Merle Hall, Secretary Arts Bendigo Content: A list of urgent requirements needed by May 24th, material list from council stock. 27 June 1996 To: The Professionals, 54 Mitchell Street Bendigo, Attention Stephen Carter From: Merle Hall, Secretary Arts Bendigo Content: Account for use of shop in Allan's walk and cheque. 2nd July 1996 To: Cr Megan Weston Mayor, city of Greater Bendigo, copy to Bernard Smith. From: Merle Hall, Secretary Arts Bendigo Content: Thank you for $3500 to match the Arts Bendigo sponsorship. 2 June 1996 To: James C donnelly and associates, 5 School Lane, Wangi Wangi. From: Merle Hall, Secretary Arts Bendigo Content: Draft cover letter including a one page draft letter and a two page submission. James Donnelly was a parent of one of the LEAP workers who were helping on the project. James donnelly had suggestions for approaching mining companys for potential sponsorship. 1st October 1996 To: Mr D. Goldsworthy, City of Greater Bendigo From: Merle Hall, Secretary Arts Bendigo Content: Historic mining Mosaic Project, Rosalind Park Poppet Head. A formal submission for the council for some essential provisions for the extension of work on this project. 1st October 1996 To: Cr M. Weston, Mayor, City of Greater Bendigo. From: Merle Hall, secretary arts Bendigo Content: Three pages including a listing of income and costs to the project. 28th October 1996 To: Arts Bendigo From: Maery Hall Artist Content: two page report on the status of the project and problems that have been faced. 19th To: Leanne (maybe the Bendigo Advertiser) From: Merle Hall, secretary arts Bendigo Content: two pages on the finished project (Bendigo's Newest attraction) 19th March 1997 To: Steve From: Merle Hall, secretary arts Bendigo Content: Asking for rough quotes for printing of brochures. Date Unknown To: The Bendigo Bank From: Merle Hall, secretary arts Bendigo Content: two pages seeking a sum of $1000 to complete the project. 28th April 1997 To: Suzi Birthisel, Sponsorship Coordinator, Bendigo bank, Fountain Court, Bendigo From: Merle Hall, secretary arts Bendigo Content: Asking for a small sum for production of coloured brochures Date Unknown To: Committee From: Merle Hall, secretary arts Bendigo Content: Suggested invitation list from 'Arts Victoria' to the Committee re the opening on 28th July of the Bendigo Heritage Mosaic. 28 July 1997 From: City of Greater Bendigo and Arts Bendigo to public Content: Invitation to a brief ceremony to mark the occasion of the completion of The Bendigo Heritage Mosaic at the Poppet Head Lookout, Rosalind Park on Monday 28 July 1997. 5th August 1999 From: Merle Hall, Secretary Arts Bendigo To: Cr. B. Ackerman, Mayor, City of Greater Bendigo. Content: A brief note from the committee of Arts Bendigo, in appreciation of your attendance and speech at the 'completion ceremony, last week. 30th October 1997 From Merle Hall, Secretary Arts Bendigo To: the National Community links Awards, Category 1 - Arts and Culture Content: Included were Nomination Form, Written Statement as required under (5), a written reference from the mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo, two pages of photographs of the project, and five copies of a brochure printed to publicise the project. 2nd Feb 1998 From Merle Hall, Secretary Arts Bendigo To: Mrs. S. Parain, President, Regional Arts Fund Content: Regional Arts Fund Application, Sections 1 to 4 requesting a grant of $5197.00