Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP4 black and white transparencyeldorado dredge, gold mining

Cocks Pioneer Mine El Dorado, Power Station No. 2 was established in 1914 and located near junction of Reid's and Clear Creeks, Byawatha. Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold & Tin Mine Company was formed in 1899. The company's first power station, located at the eastern end of the valley began operating with its 340 Kilowatt steam-powered generator. By 1909, from 2,500,000 cubic yards worked, reported recovery was 17,284 ounces of gold and 224 tons of tin ore. By 1909, Cocks Pioneer’s power plant had become inadequate and uneconomical. The barge was floated downstream about a mile, but lost time caused the operations to cease. Following testing, a new mine was established by diverting Reid's Creek at a cost of £25,000. Settling dams were built, one of which held 1,935,900 cubic feet. Sold earth banks, built against a wall of stringy bark saplings constructed and laced with vertical props, were built. In 1914, the company was reformed as Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL, another power station was constructed at the western end of the township, near the junction of Clear and Reid's Creeks. From 6,800,000 cubic yards of material processed, the returns were 64,397 ounces of gold and 855 ton of tin. Cocks Pioneer mine then moved the barge downs stream and continued sluicing. In 1929 Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold and Tin Mining Company ceased operations due to a drop in values. Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL carried on large-scale hydraulic sluicing operations until 1941. Handwritten on front: 'THE POWER STN COCKS, PIONEER MINE, ELDORADO' / 'THELMA STUDIO / [underlined] WANGARATTA'mining, gold, tin, cocks pioneer, power, sluicing, el dorado, eldorado, byawatha, thelma studios, wangaratta, gold mining, tin mining, reid's creek, clear creek

Gold fob chain with three medalets attached, all engraved on the reverse, one from the residents of Byawatha, another from the residents of Springhurst and District with the third unknown. All presented to Gunner Frederick LUCKIE 10622 born 22/7/1896 at Eldorado. He was a railway employee prior to enlisting on 4/8/1915 and assigned to 2 Field Artillery Brigade. He was hospitalised on 21/8/1917 suffering from Trench Fever, returned to Australia and discharged on 1/2/1918. He is buried at Eldorado and listed on the Shire of Wangaratta Roll of Honour on display at Eldorado Memorial Hall. Engraved jewellery was frequently presented to returning soldiers by local shire councils and ‘Welcome Home’ committees during the First World War. Also known as ‘Tribute’ jewellery, presented in public ceremonies or dinners and often reported in the local press. Gold fob chain with three gold medallions attached. All three medallions have an image of a soldier with rifle with inscription engraved on reverse side.Presented to Gunner F Luckie f luckie, ww1, eldorado, 2 fab, medallions