After years of searching, Syd Pearson’s luck finally changed when he discovered a massive 4.3kg gold nugget in the Victorian gold fields. The 68-year-old garbage man from Maryborough was overjoyed by this incredible find, which turned out to be worth nearly $300,000. Pearson had been searching for treasure for 37 years, and his persistence had finally paid off in a big way.
SYD Pearson can vividly recall the moment he struck gold in the vast gold fields of Victoria. Walking around a small area behind Dunolly last December, the 68-year-old was alerted by the distinct sound coming from his metal detector. After carefully excavating the area, he was thrilled to uncover a massive 4.3kg gold nugget, one of the largest ever found in Victoria’s goldfields. With hands trembling in excitement, the garbage man from Maryborough brushed off the dirt to reveal his incredible discovery. “I took a break to have a cigarette and make a cup of tea, but I didn’t even need to stir it,” Mr Pearson shared with a grin.
After placing the stone in his toolbox, he hurried home to share the exciting discovery with his wife. To pay homage to her, he lovingly named the stone Lady Catherine. Now, this stone has made its mark in Victoria’s history of mining, becoming a part of the state’s modern-day gold rush. Located amidst Avoca, Castlemaine, and Wedderburn, the ‘Golden Triangle’ continues to draw in countless prospectors hoping for their own stroke of luck.
The gold found in this area is considered to be extremely pure, at about 96 percent purity, making it one of the purest in the world. To legally claim any gold discovered, prospectors only need to obtain a $22 permit. The president of the Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria, Olly Oleszek, mentioned to the Herald Sun that Mr. Pearson’s nugget was just one of two found in the past six months. This nugget is among the largest discovered in the last ten years, with even larger rocks still waiting to be unearthed.
Mr. Pearson and his partner Jason have been on the hunt for gold nuggets for many years, embracing the hunt that began over a century ago without any plans to stop. Pearson compared their search to fishing, always chasing after that next big discovery. The Lady Catherine, their prized find, has now been purchased by a private collector in the US, with Pearson keeping two replicas to cherish. One of the replicas now stands proudly at the Melbourne Museum for all to see. Reflecting on his years of searching, Pearson shared his determination and persistence in seeking out the ultimate treasure. In a thrilling twist, Pearson recently unearthed a massive 2-kilogram nugget worth $140,000 in Central Victoria, showcasing the endless possibilities of the quest for gold. Similarly, miners in Western Australia struck gold, unearthing over $10 million worth in just four days, proving that the excitement and rewards of gold hunting are still very much alive. The thrill of discovering big gold nuggets continues, as adventurers explore new territories in the outback of Western Australia, hoping to strike it rich with their next remarkable find.
