After a relentless search spanning nearly four decades, Syd Pearson’s perseverance paid off when he stumbled upon a massive 4.3kg gold nugget in the Victorian goldfields. The 68-year-old Maryborough garbage man was overjoyed by his incredible discovery, which he had been dreaming of for years. Initially unaware of its value, the rock is now estimated to be worth almost $300,000.
SYD Pearson can vividly recall the moment he hit the jackpot in the vast gold fields of Victoria. Walking across a small area behind Dunolly last December, the 68-year-old heard his metal detector buzzing with excitement. With his pick axe in hand, he chipped away at the ground until he felt a satisfying “clunk.” Trembling with anticipation, the garbage man from Maryborough brushed away the dirt to reveal a massive 4.3kg nugget of gold – one of the largest ever found in Victoria’s historic goldfields. “I lit up a cigarette and brewed a cup of tea, but I didn’t even have to stir it,” Mr. Pearson chuckled.
After placing the stone in his toolbox, he excitedly drove home to share the news with his wife. He affectionately named the stone Lady Catherine as a tribute to her. Lady Catherine has since become a significant part of Victoria’s history of prospecting, adding to the vibrant story of the state’s modern-day gold rush. Situated between Avoca, Castlemaine, and Wedderburn, the ‘Golden Triangle’ has attracted countless enthusiasts hoping to find their own fortune.
Approximately 96 percent of the gold found in this area is some of the purest on Earth. Prospectors can secure the rights to any gold they find by obtaining a $22 permit. Olly Oleszek, the president of the Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria, mentioned to the Herald Sun that Mr. Pearson recently uncovered one of two significant nuggets in the past six months. This nugget is one of the largest found in the last ten years, indicating that even larger ones might still be waiting to be discovered underground.
For years, Mr. Pearson and Jason have been searching for gold nuggets, following in the footsteps of those who first started the rush 166 years ago. Mr. Pearson compares it to fishing, always chasing after that next big catch. The iconic Lady Catherine has now been sold to a private buyer in the US, but not before Mr. Pearson had two replicas made for himself, one of which is now on display at the Melbourne Museum. “I always had this dream of finding a huge nugget. I kept at it, never giving up on the hunt.”
