Diamond Hill was a gold mining village 5 km south of Bendigo and about 1 km west of the Spring Gully Reservoir. Its location is now inaccessible and within the water catchment area. Diamond Hill was reputedly named after a diamond shaped rock on the hill. With the development of mining companies which employed workers with families, a school was needed by 1873 and one was opened at the beginning of the next year. The mining companies included Great Comet Quartz Mining, Golden Fleece Quartz Mining, Albert Tribute, Glasgow Golconda, and Albert Gold Mining and Crushing. Mining continued beyond 1900, as recorded in the Australian handbook, 1903. The Bendigo Mining N.L. company was located nearby, adjoining Ham Street. One page double sided information sheet, produced by Department of Conservation and Environment, April 1991, detailing the mining history of the Diamond Hill area, Kangaroo Flat/Spring Gully area. On the back of the sheet: map of the Diamond Hill historic area, showing location of former mining sites. bendigo mining n.l., bendigo, mining, gold, city of greater bendigo, great comet quartz mining, golden fleece quartz mining, albert tribute, glasgow golconda, albert gold mining and crushing, golden gully, dead dog gully, german miners, british new chum, south golden carshalton, hansel mundy, morning light, mullock tailings, stamp battery,

Bendigo's Diamond Hill forms part of the southern part of Bendigo goldfields. Diamond Hill was a gold mining village 5 km south of Bendigo and about 1 km west of the Spring Gully Reservoir. Its location is now in the water catchment area. Diamond Hill was reputedly named after a diamond shaped rock on the hill. With the development of mining companies which employed workers with families, a school was needed by 1873 and one was opened at the beginning of the next year. The mining companies included Great Comet Quartz Mining, Golden Fleece Quartz Mining, Albert Tribute and Albert Gold Mining and Crushing. Mining continued beyond 1900. This book discusses history of the area from Dream Time to first European contact, focusing on the associated mining in the area. "Gold. Blood, Sweat and Fear. Bendigo's Diamond Hill and its gullies" by James A Lerk. Published by JA and ERS Lerk. Published in 2016. Soft cover book. Front cover has sepia image of miners in mine. Back cover is black with assortment of handwritten documents/invoices. Title written in gold and dark brown. Title also on spine. Printed in Bendigo, Australia. 252 pp. Folded Bendigo map folded inside back cover. Contains both text and black and white images. Has index. gold, diamond hill, miners, mining

Koch's Pioneer Gold Mine: Koch's Pioneer Quartz Mining and Crushing Company was officially registered on June 30th., 1871 (Government Gazette No. 45, 1871). It operated at Long Gully, the first Manager was Andrew Lewis. Nominal capital was 90,000 pounds in thirty thousand shares of 3 pounds each. The initial partnership in a quartz crushing plant between Henry Koch, Simon Albert and Charles Wallin was dissolved in 1860 with Koch becoming the sole owner. In 1866 the crushing plant consisted of a 50 hp engine and 48 stamping heads capable of crushing 600 tons of quartz per week. By 1902 there were 72 stamps and this was by far the largest crushing plant in the area, serving many quartz mines. Henry Koch (1800-1889) was a German sailor who signed off when his ship reached Melbourne in 1851. Having heard of the gold discovery he proceeded to Bendigo where he was initially employed in puddling in the Myers Flat area. He was soon employed and then made partner in a quartz crushing plant that he became sole owner of in 1860. He was also landlord at the British and American Hotel and the Silver Mines Hotel. HE also started the Perseverance United gold claim. He married Anna Maria Theresia Heinz in 1857. In 1872 he sold the crushing plant for 75,000 pounds and took his family back to Germany. He resumed his trade as a ship builder although he maintained many Bendigo mining interests.Draftsman's drawing Confidence, Cornish, Kochs & Windmill Hill Long and Transverse Sections. Forms part of the Margaret Roberts Collection of mining records.bendigo, margaret roberts, gold, map, mine, margaret roberts collection, confidence cornish kochs & windmill hill

'Messrs. George Phillips and Richard Williams erected a water wheel crushing machine near the site of the Old Albert shaft at Diamond Hill'. ( Bendigo Advertiser 4th June, 1890). The lack of water available for the venture from the water race caused much controversy in the following years. There was only enough water available in July 1890, to allow the company to operate three head of a ten head stamper. The site of the water wheel is still visible on the side of the water race at Diamond Hill. Mr. Geo Phillips held 1000 shares in the float of the Kangaroo Hydraulic Crushing & Gold Mining Company. He was one of the largest shareholders. (Victorian Government Gazette 72 Page 2260, 1893) Black and white photocopy. Image shows the Phillip's Water Wheel on Diamond Hill, Bendigo, date unknown but must be in 1890's. Three men and a dog standing in front of a weatherboard shed, brick chimney on side. Large water wheel on left hand side of image. Three images, 2008, showing former site of water wheel on channel, after heavy rain in district caused dry channel to run. mining, sandhurst, phillip's hydraulic waterwheel, stafford gold mine, diamond hill, george phillips, richard williams

The site of the water wheel is still visible on the side of the water race at Diamond Hill, Bendigo. Messrs. George Phillips and Richard Williams erected a water wheel crushing machine near the site of the Old Albert shaft at Diamond Hill'. ( Bendigo Advertiser 4th June, 1890). The lack of water available for the venture from the water race caused much controversy in the following years. There was only enough water available in July 1890, to allow the company to operate three head of a ten head stamper. Mr. Geo Phillips held 1000 shares in the float of the Kangaroo Hydraulic Crushing & Gold Mining Company. He was one of the largest shareholders. (Victorian Government Gazette 72 Page 2260, 1893) Black and white photocopy of original. Image shows the Phillip's Water Wheel on Diamond Hill, Bendigo. Weatherboard building on right hand side of image, brick chimney on side of building. Large water wheel in cutting directly alongside building. Two men standing in between water wheel and building, one man standing on landing of waterwheel.mining, sandhurst, phillip's hydraulic waterwheel, stafford gold mine, diamond hill, george phillips, richard williams

One page document. On top of page 'Wattle Gully Mine, Chewton, Mining and Equipment' Document details the main shaft, concentrating plant, drainage water, compressed air and ventilation. Machinery mentioned: Ingersoll -Rand compressor; Ruston-Hornby diesel engine and Jaques jaw crusher.bendigo, mining, wattle gully gold mine chewton

The initial partnership in a quartz crushing plant between Henry Koch, Simon Albert and Charles Wallin was dissolved in 1860 with Koch becoming the sole owner. In 1866 the crushing plant consisted of a 50 hp engine and 48 stamping heads capable of crushing 600 tons of quartz per week. By 1902 there were 72 stamps and this was by far the largest crushing plant in the area, serving many quartz mines. Henry Koch (1800-1889) was a German sailor who signed off when his ship reached Melbourne in 1851. Having heard of the gold discovery he proceeded to Bendigo where he was initially employed in puddling in the Myers Flat area. He was soon employed and then made partner in a quartz crushing plant that he became sole owner of in 1860. He was also landlord at the British and American Hotel and the Silver Mines Hotel. HE also started the Perseverance United gold claim. He married Anna Maria Theresia Heinz in 1857. In 1872 he sold the crushing plant for 75,000 pounds and took his family back to Germany. He resumed his trade as a ship builder although he maintained many Bendigo mining interests.Envelope containing a negative of Koch's Pioneer Crushing Battery. Image shows large building, chimney on left. Negative not scanned.bendigo, mining, koch's pioneer crushing battery

Albert Richardson was a mining historian who wrote widely on the mines of the Bendigo Goldfield. The park opposite the Goldmines Hotel in Marong Road, is named in his honour. Five page document, hand written by Albert Richardson on lined foolscap and edited with cross-outs and insertions, . The mines along the Hustlers line of reef and the Sheepshead line of reef are described. Mines listed on Hustlers line of reef: Fortuna Hustlers (1888 - 1913), shaft 2,240 feet at rear of Buckell and Jeffrey's offices; Royal Hustlers Reserve No. 2 - two shafts 'City" 860 feet, now covered by R.S.L. building Pall Mall, steel poppet legs 60 ft high and 'Park Shaft" at rear of Camp Hill School, 1,775 feet, steel poppet legs 60 feet high; Hustlers Hill Group first worked by Jonathan Harris in 1853 and bounded by Valentine, Anderson and Ironbark Creek to the north and Milroy Street to the east, one of first areas worked for quartz reefing. It with Garden Gully line west and Victoria Hill Ironbark, formed by far the richest cross section of the Bendigo Goldfield. Great Extended Hustlers (1865-1921) close to intersection of Anderson Street and Hustlers Road, mullock heap against road and shored up around shaft, steel poppet legs now at Wattle Gully mine, Chewton, large winding machine, air compressor south of shaft and 36 head crushing battery. Hustlers Reef (Old Hustlers) and Hustlers Reef No. 1, two shafts, main 2,210 feet, about 220 yards east of Moran Street and against Fenton Street. , No. 1 shaft 1,140 feet and about 155 yards east of Moran Street. Lansell's Comet, Lightining Hill line, 2.100 feet, on Comet Hill approx 70 yards west of Holmes Road, near Comet Creek, steel poppet legs. United Hustlers and Redan (1876-1918), main Redan, 1,830 feet about 155 yards west of Sandhurst Roead, in line with Comet Hill State School, this hill known as Redan Hill. North, or New Hustlers, once known as Agnew Hustlers, wooden poppet legs, south side, Kneebone Street, Eaglehawk. Derby line, Johnson's No. 3, South Johnson's (east shaft of Collman and Tacchi) 439 feet on west wide of Woods Street, south of Wetherall Street. Paddy's Gully Line, south to north, some shafts - Lansell's 'Sandhurst" ('Needle") Eaglehawk Road shaft 2,425 feet, about 50 yards east of Needle Loops, a brick square sided chimney with Cleopatra Needle top. British American, 789 feet, just south of Holdsworth Road. Collman and Tacchi, main shaft 2,588 feet, 60 yards west of Eaglehawk Road, California Gully. Deborah Line of Reef, The Deborah (1932-1954) shaft 2.017 feet, west of Adams Road and south of Abel Street, Quarry Hill. North Deborah (1937 - 1954) shaft 1,151 feet, Breen Street, Quarry Hill, steel poppet legs. Central Deborah (1939-1954) shaft 1,347 feet Sheepshead line of reef, Lansell's South Red, White and Blue, shaft 2,124 feet, north east of Bellevue Road and 220 yards east of Adams Road. The New Red, White and Blue Consolidated (Big Blue) main shaft 2,416 feet. Lansell's Bendigo Battery 105 head, north of 'Big Blue" on his freehold lease, commenced crushing on 24th February 1895. After closing was erected as the Showground's Industrial Hall, July 1926. North Red, White and Blue, burnt down February 1926, new company 1934, closed 1938. Document is part of the Albert Richardson Collection of Bendigo mining history. bendigo, gold mining, deborah line of reef, sheepshead line of reef, hustlers line of reef, royal hustlers reserve mine, hustlers hill group of mines, great extended hustlers, hustlers reef no. 1, lightning hill line, old comet, collman and tacchi, lansell's comet, north deborah, central deborah, dhrrpdhrsf linr og trrg, new red, white and blue consolidated mine, big blue, lansell's bendigo battery, north red, white and blue mine, albert richardson collection

Six page typed document, signed by Albert Richardson, and a handwritten copy of same. Written on top right of typed document: 'These recommendations all adopted by General Meeting Bendigo and District Tourist Association, 30.11.1967' Document describes the 'Central Nell Gwynne area, situated at West Bendigo, approximately 150 yards north of main Calder Highway to Mildura, local section Marong Road, which is a public purposes reserve under Section 14 of the Land's Act 1958. The steel poppet legs donated by the late Jack Barker to the City Council for preservation be a permanent reminder of the gold mining era and containing the engine beds and 20 head crushing battery foundation, be developed as a mining museum for tourists, educational and historical purposes'bendigo, mining, central nell gwynne

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, 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 dividends. References provided. Document forms part of research referred to in Albert Richardson's paper 2264.70.bendigo, mining, new chum railway gold mine

The New Red White and Blue Mine, Sheepshead line of reef, was located in Thistle Street, Golden Square. It was also known as the 'Big Blue'. The mine was formed in 1888, by the amalgamation of the Union and New Red White and Blue. The area of the claim was 32 acres; 781 yards along the line of reef. The main shaft was one of the largest on the field. It had a tall set of steel poppet legs, with a big slope at the front. High landing brace connected to crushing battery close to engine house. The main shaft was the original 'Union" (Albert Richardson notes) and the No. 3 shaft the old New Red White and Blue. Two-page document plus map showing location of the New Red, White and Blue Consolidated mine on the Sheepshead Line of Reef. Information on the mine is given in the following areas: location plant, early history, its role as a leading mine, its prominence, its closure, gold production. References are provided. Document forms part of research referred to in Albert Richardson's paper 2264.70.bendigo, mining, new red white and blue mine

Copy of 3-page handwritten document by Albert Richardson. Written on top of page one: 'Mining Report Historical Society 6.7.67. Historical Records of Bendigo Mines' which outlines a project undertaken by Albert and the Historical Society to write a description of each Bendigo mine, showing location, plant, gold gained, depth of shaft etc. The objective was to publish this information in a book for 'educational and historical purpose'. The paper further describes a public meeting to outline the BHS proposal to 'preserve a gold mine with all equipment both surface and underground, a crushing battery, a windlass, a whip and a whim to be stored, as far as possible in correct position. For tourists, local residents and educational purposes this should illustrate what Bendigo workers in Bendigo foundries and Bendigo citizens generally, achieved in making this city a world-famous gold mining centre. That Victoria Hill be made available and developed for the benefit of tourists and local residents' Members of the BHS involved: J. Hattam President, E. Clarke, Neil Murray, A. LLewellyn.bendigo, mining, bendigo gold mines

Gold was discovered on Victoria Hill in 1854 and by 1861, 1,200,000 ounces of gold had been extracted from the site. The first claim was bought for 80 pounds by Prussian immigrant Christopher Ballerstedt and his son Theodore. Christopher Ballerstedt was nicknamed the "Father of the Hill" and was the first to prove that gold reefs extended below the surface. His 200-foot plus mine shafts yielded quartz rich with gold, inspired other miners, and were instrumental in Bendigo becoming the world's deepest and richest goldfield. The site still features relics of nineteenth century mining including quartz crushing machinery and the foundations of George Lansell’s 180 mine. These features are characteristic of Bendigo’s mining history and represent two prominent nineteenth century miners, Christopher Ballerstedt and George Lansell, who held important roles in the development of Bendigo. Victoria Hill Quartz Gold Mines are registered as a site of significance. The site is of historical, archaeological and scientific importance to Victoria. The mines represent the symbolic heart of Bendigo’s gold mining history and the importance that mining played in wealth creation and the development of Victoria. The diggings reserve is accessed from the rear of Albert Richardson Reserve located at 40-56 Marong Road, Ironbark. The site has steep and unformed paths and is closed to the public at dusk. It is important to stay to the paths to avoid the diggings. Interpretive signs help visitors to appreciate the importance of the site and the remaining relics of Bendigo’s mining history.Victoria Hill Ironbark, Bendigo. Photos of the poppet head, sand heap, tailings, shafts and tunnels. Before development into a tourist attraction.history, bendigo, victoria hill, ironbark, diggings

Handwritten copy of Bendigo Advertiser report 15/8/1910. '' Mining Intelligence''. 'return from New Shenandoah very poor. Crushing material drawn from eastern formation at 280 feet. Water - 'Bailing of water is occupying attention in the other mines, but very little progress is being made'. Document from Albert Richardson Collection of mining history.gold, drainage problems, new chum drainage association, bailing of water, bendigo advertiser 15/8/1910 page 2, new shenandoah, albert richardson

Handwritten copy of mining accident. Wire Ropes in Mines. Accident at Gt. Northern - Bdg'n 8/6/1899 Page 14. Mining Accident at Windmill Hill. Geo. Watson of Cal. Gully was hauling a truck of dirt, and whilst engine was in motion, he started to wipe the crank with a piece of waste. His arm got caught between the conrod & crank and was badly crushed. He managed to free it and stop the engine before the cage got to the wheels. He was taken to hospital. Bones fractured in one or two places. Document from Albert Richardson Collection of mining history. Document from Albert Richardson Collection of mining history.document, gold, windmill hill, windmill hill, mining accident at windmill hill, gt northern, bdg'n 8/6/1899 page 14, geo watson, albert richardson

handwritten notes from the Annual Report. Mines mentioned ae: Central Nell Gwynne, Deborah, New Chum Syncline and the South Virginia. Carshalton B. M. L. closed down. Also mentioned are District Gold Statistics for alluvial and quartz mining, No. of men employed in mining in Bendigo. Also mentioned are tons crushed, gold yield, fees rec'd, concessions allowed and free trial crushings at the State Battery for Bendigo and Eaglehawk. The London price of gold per ounce is mentioned and also the number of 1st class and 2nd class e' driver Certificate issued for the years 1937 and 1938.Albert Richardsondocument, gold, mining reports, annual repport inc gold & mineral statistics etc 1938, central nell gwynne, deborah, new chum yncline, south virginia, carshalton b m l, state battery

Carbon copy of notes, with typed copy of same, on The Sea Gold Mining Amalgamated Company N. L. on the Garden Gully Line of Reef. Notes include size of lease, office, locality of shaft, sill and depth of shaft, plant, first & last crushing, Prominence, call and dividends, gold yield, best gold and underground connections. Signed by A Richards. Written at the top of page: Original to Mr R Leach, Manager, Allan's Music . Notes prepared by Albert Richardson.document, gold, the sea gold mining amal coy n l, the sea gold mining amalgamated company n. l., notes on the sea gold mining amalgamated company n. l., mccoll & rankin, mines dept plan 1937, annals of bendigo mining sections, g brown bendigo goldfield 1936, wood & mcnair s'brokers 1912, v pabst bendigo goldfields central area 1917, mines dept records, a richardson

Hand written note: From 'The Federal Australian' Extracts from Mining Notes (Sandhurst). 16/2/1882. Quote:- 'Duchess of Edinburgh has decided to purchase Mr. S Albert's crushing plant for 4000 pounds, payable in four years. This company has a good yield for the fortnight and a dividend of 6d.mine, gold, duchess of edinbough, duchess of edinburgh, quote from 'the federal australian', mr s albert

BHS CollectionHandwritten notes by Albert Richardson (also typed copy) from Bendigo Advertiser Report Monday June 2nd 1873. Notes mention Engineers and Engine-drivers Association meeting at Royal Hotel on 31/5/1873. Threat of strike if 8 hour day not granted. Names companies who had agreed to the 8 hours, wages and no reduction in wages.gold, mining reports, mining reports, enginedrivers & eight hours day, bendigo advertiser 2/6/1873, engineers and enginedrivers association, royal hotel, young chum co, comet co, robin hood co, fraser's crushing engine, rainbow tribute, garden gully united, new chum & belle vue ext'd, richard heales tribute, ellesmere coy, koch's & hildebrandt, south garden gully drainage coy, napoleon tribute, victoria gold mines coy, golden empire, lazarus mine

Light brown covered booklet 'Bulletins of the Geological Survey of Victoria issued by W Dickson, Secretary for Mines, Under the Authority of the Hon. S Barnes M L A Minister of Mines. No 41 The Confidence Group of Mines, Bendigo with Plans and Sections by H S Whitelaw, Field Geologist, dated 1918. Mines mentioned are: Confidence Extended Mine, Confidence Tribute Company and the Central Windmill Hill Mine. Mentioned in the report are crushings and gold yield, details of levels, names of leases along the reef. Extracts from Mine Manager's Half-yearly Reports, 1878-1915 of tons crushed and gold yield. Plans and sections of the Confidence Extended Mine on the Garden Gully Line of Reefs are: Plate I General Plan of All Levels, Plans of Levels Plate No II, Plans of Levels Plate No III, Transverse Section Plate No IV, Longitudinal Section Plate No V, and Central Windmill Hill Mine Transverse Section Plate No VI. Plates signed by H S Whitelaw 17 & 18/6/16 and 20/7/16. Booklet if part of the Albert Richardson Collection. book, bendigo, mining reports, mining reports, the confidence group of mines bulletin no 41, confidence extended mine, confidence tribute company, central windmill hill mine, department of mines, bulletins of the geological survey of victoria, w dickson, the hon s barnes, h s whitelaw, h j green, mr robert eddy, mr w h cundy, j foster, c j thompson

Here on the Garden Gully Line were Bell and Watson’s, the Cornish United, the Victory and George Lansell’s pride, the Pandora. Here too, was the enormously rich Kentish Mine from which its owner, J.B.Watson, was credited with taking some thirteen tons of gold, then worth £1,500,000. At this time, John Boyd Watson was well on the way to becoming not only the richest man in Sandhurst, but probably in the colony. (Extract from North West Victoria Historic Mine Sites, David Bannear, Heritage Victoria, 1991.)Handwritten extracts by Albert Richardson, with typed copy of same, from the Kentish Mine Manager, J. J. Jewell's Report. Extracts dated 1-11-1894 and 9-3-1894. Report mentions crushings and gold yield at the Old Carlisle Shaft and crushings and gold yield from The 'Central' mullock. (b) mentions the baling of water and the Carlisle Shaft, formerly Nth Garden Shaft.document, gold, mining reports, mining reports, kentish mine manager's report, j j jewell, old carlisle shaft, w griffiths & party, nth garden shaft, j cock & party, the 'central'

KING OF PRUSSIA MINE WHIPSTICK ROAD EAGLEHAWK NORTH, GREATER BENDIGO CITY Place ID 8444 Location WHIPSTICK ROAD EAGLEHAWK NORTH, GREATER BENDIGO CITY Municipality GREATER BENDIGO CITY Heritage Listing Victorian Heritage Inventory Level of significance Heritage Inventory Site Heritage Inventory (HI) Number H7724-0141Brief handwritten notes by Albert Richardson, with typed copy of same, on the King of Prussia Mine on the Lightning Hill Line. Notes give the depth, crushings, gold yield, commenced 1876 and closed 1877.gold, mining reports, mining reports, kinf of prussia mine, b m l production statistics

Notes from Macartney's GoldField Registry 1870 Page 73. Sullivan & Sons was the richest claim. Also crushings and yield from the Royal Oak Co 1871 - 1893. Bendigo G. M. Co. (First Public Coy. Document from the Albert Richardson Collection. document, gold, mining reports, mining reports, windmill hill claims, sullivan & sons, macartney's g'field registry 1870 page 73, royal oak co, bendigo g m co, first public coy

Handwritten notes by Albert Richardson, with typed copy, from the Golden Age Mine Manager, S. Richards, Reports Aug 6th 1907, Sep 3 1907 and Jan 8 1907. Reports mention testing Air Compressor, supplying air to mines north, mine idle on account of no water for boilers. Also a M. D. Report mentioning crushings, gold yield, depth of shaft, Calls and Dividends.document, gold, mining reports, mining reports, golden age mine manager's report, s richards, m d report, j r extended

Collection of Bendigo mining company reports researched by Albert Richardson: a. Two page handwritten document (copy) detailing key information regarding the Old Chum Company, New Chum line of reef, Bendigo. Sections include: gold extracted from tons of ore 1871 - 1872, shaft timbering, flag flew when dividends declared, engine room, pumps, mine crushed at 'Endeavour' and 'Fortuna'. Reference on top of first page: M.D. Early History of Old Chum, 1872. b. Five page handwritten document (copy) detailing information on the North Johnson Gold Mine on the Garden Gully line of reef, Bendigo. Information includes size of lease, locality, plant, poppet legs, history, gold produced, total gold yield, dividends, underground connections and references. The North Johnson's mine was connected underground to the Johnson's No. 1 and Johnson's No. 2. c. Four page typed document (copy) of information on the New Moon Gold Mine, Garden Gully line of reef, Eaglehawk. Information includes: locality, history, registered, production, size of lease, battery machine lease, plant, winding engine, ropes, air compressors, cages, rock breaker, 71 head crushing battery, early history, gold obtained. Signature on last page of 10451.15c: A. Richardson, 29 Harrison St., Bendigo. victoria quartz gold mine, new chum line of reef, shaft, locality, poppet legs, engine house, blacksmith, mine dams, early history, gold production, united devonshire gold mine, mine sill, duke of edinburgh mine, red white and blue extended, south new moon, garden gully reef

Bendigo mining company reports, researched by Albert Richardson: a. Three page handwritten report (copy) with information about the New Chum United Gold Mine, on the New Chum line of reef. Written on top right hand corner, front page, ' A.M.S. 1899, pages 58 and 59'. Information includes the history of the mine, location, length of lease and reference is also made to Ballerstedt, Lansell and Ellesmere No. 1. b. Two page handwritten document with information on the New Chum Syncline Gold Mine on the Nell Gwynne line of reef. Information includes: depth of shaft, when formed, when ceasing operations, locality, plant, total gold yielded and references. c. Eight page handwritten report on the New Chum Railway Gold Mine, on the New Chum line of reef. Information includes, depth of shaft, size of lease, locality, plant, mullock heap, gold obtained, total gold production and dividends. d. Two page handwritten document on the New Chum Consolidated Gold Mine. Information includes, shaft, first worked, company formed, dividends, crushing battery, poppet legs, dividends and winze. victoria quartz gold mine, new chum line of reef, shaft, locality, poppet legs, engine house, blacksmith, mine dams, early history, gold production, new chum united gold mine, new chum railway, new chum syncline, nell gwynne line of reef

Gold was discovered on Victoria Hill in 1854 and by 1861, 1,200,000 ounces of gold had been extracted from the site. The first claim was bought for 80 pounds by Prussian immigrant Christopher Ballerstedt and his son Theodore. Christopher Ballerstedt was nicknamed the "Father of the Hill" and was the first to prove that gold reefs extended below the surface. His 200-foot plus mine shafts yielded quartz rich with gold, inspired other miners, and were instrumental in Bendigo becoming the world's deepest and richest goldfield. The site still features relics of nineteenth century mining including quartz crushing machinery and the foundations of George Lansell’s 180 mine. These features are characteristic of Bendigo’s mining history and represent two prominent nineteenth century miners, Christopher Ballerstedt and George Lansell, who held important roles in the development of Bendigo. Victoria Hill Quartz Gold Mines are registered as a site of significance. The site is of historical, archaeological and scientific importance to Victoria. The mines represent the symbolic heart of Bendigo’s gold mining history and the importance that mining played in wealth creation and the development of Victoria. The diggings reserve is accessed from the rear of Albert Richardson Reserve located on Marong Road. The site has steep and unformed paths and is closed to the public at dusk. It is important to stay to the paths to avoid the diggings. Interpretive signs help visitors to appreciate the importance of the site and the remaining relics of Bendigo’s mining history. (City of Great Bendigo: https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/things-do/gardens-and-natural-reserves/victoria-hill-diggingsPlan of Victoria Reef showing lease numbers and some lease holder names. Printed on top right hand corner of plan: 'Surface Plan Victoria Reef'. Scale described underneath. On outside of plan, on label with blue border: '15 BE 225 Victoria Reef Surface Plan' Leaseholder names include: Advance Co; Koch and Jaggasser; Ballerstedt; Gibbs and Wells; Rae; and Victoria Quartz. Victoria Reef Surface plan is part of the Margaret Roberts Collection. 'Thomas Forbes, Mining Surveyor, November 6th, 1866', hand written on plan, underneath title.gold mining, gold, margaret roberts collection, advance co, koch and jaggasser, ballerstedt, gibbs and wells, rae, victoria quartz, victoria reef, victoria hill