Historical information

The Pioneer Miners’ Monument marks the very first finding of gold at Poverty Point in 1851. The quartz structure features
a replica of the 62.8kg Welcome Nugget – the world’s largest at the time, found in Ballarat in 1858. The original was once
displayed, and local mothers would sit their babies on top for luck. The artwork tells the story of gold discovery with plaques and dates of some of the more famous gold nuggets finds in Ballarat and is a reminder that these gold discoveries changed the world for Australians.

Significance

The monument is of aesthetic and historical significance to the people of Ballarat

Physical description

Fitted copper miniature poppet head set atop a rough made plinth in Quartz and concrete mortar. A copy of the Welcome Nugget (Ballarat) is affixed to the front of the memorial. Includes several plaques listing the nuggets, the companies involved, the shop that paid for the last repair.

Inscriptions & markings

THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED/ BY THE BALLARAT HISTORICAL/ SOCIETY TO COMMEMORATE THE/ FINDING OF GOLD AT POVERTY/ POINT 21ST AUGUST 1851 AND IS/ DEDECATED TO THE MEMORY OF/ PIONEER MINERS OF BALLARAT