Historical information

Bethanga was established as a result of the discovery of gold. Gold was first reported in the Bethanga area in 1852. Before 1876 gold mining in the Bethanga district occurred to the north of the town and was known as the 'Talgarno diggings'. Reports of alluvial gold date back to 1852. Early gold fields were worked at Ruby Creek, Gold Creek and Jarvis Creek.
The opening of the Bethanga goldfields began with the discovery of a gold-bearing quartz reef on New Year’s Day 1876. The 'Gift' mine site is located southeast of Kurrajong Gap lookout to the west of Bethanga township.
The Great Eastern Copper Smelting Works was opened in 1878. Due to the nature of the gold-bearing quartz reef, the gold was difficult to extract, and the discovery of copper led to a change in focus. It was not until the early 1890s that an efficient technique for extracting the gold from the ore was discovered, and once again gold became the focus, with copper as a by-product. Bethanga was removed from the official list of goldfields in 1912, however some mining activity has taken place since.

Significance

This image reflects an important time in the development of Bethanga and Northeast Victoria.

Physical description

A large mounted and framed image of horse teams and their owners hauling a large boiler to the gold mine near Bethanga, Victoria.

Inscriptions & markings

On label beneath image: "North-eastern "Gold Days"/ Combined teams hauling a boiler to Bethanga Mines, 1900.
Teamsters - Mr. G. Pearce, W. Chapple, G, Bannon."
Donated by Ron Saunders and Barbara Cadman"