Explore the history behind the region’s golden past as part of the highly anticipated The Alchemy of Gold event, which will take place in Castlemaine from May 16 to 18.
The three-day forum will bring together more than 40 experts, historians and community members to explore how the discovery of gold in Victoria in the 1850s reshaped the state economically, environmentally, socially and politically.
Part of the National Trust’s Australian Heritage Festival, The Alchemy of Gold is a series of lectures, workshops and field visits that will take place in and around Castlemaine.
The event is facilitated by Castlemaine Historical Society Inc, Castlemaine Society, Chewton Domain Society, Maldon Museum, and the Castlemaine Pioneers and Old Residents Association.
The Express met with organising committee member Roger Archbold, one of the featured speakers, Chewton-based historian Kacey Sinclair, and one of the workshop facilitators, Castlemaine artist Clayton Tremlett, to discuss what participants could expect.
Roger said the event offered an inspiring and thought-provoking program designed to illuminate the Victorian goldfields’ rich history and its transformative impact on the state.
Historian Kacey Sinclair will talk on ‘When Women Speak: New ways to see the goldfields through the letters and testimonies of women’ – shedding light on the individuals who helped shape Australia’s past.
Many will know Kacey from her involvement in honouring the life of Castlemaine’s Fanny Finch – one of the first European women to vote in a political election in Australia.
Since that time Kacey has gone on to research the lives of countless women on the goldfields as part of her PhD.
“This is such an important event. With some recent populations booms, a lot of people probably are not really aware of our goldfields history: the people who reshaped the region and the impacts of this on country and Dja Dja Wurrung people,” she said.
“Following the discovery of gold, Castlemaine was slated to be the next big city. When the alluvial gold was exhausted, the town quietened significantly, but you were left with a very diverse community of people.
“There is a renewed interest in goldfields history, especially in the stories and legacies of the hidden and silenced. For locals, this event is an opportunity to better understand the very landscape we call home while for visitors, it’s an opportunity to better understand the microhistories that helped shaped Victoria,” she said.
Castlemaine printmaker, painter and educator Clayton Tremlett will be conducting a workshop called ‘All That Glitters: Art of Gold Leafing’.
Clayton’s work delves deeply into Australian history, often reinterpreting its narratives through extensive research.
“I’ve always had a fascination with the gold rush and gold, but also with the characters of the time,” he said.
“All That Glitters workshop attendees will have the opportunity to bring a small item of significance to gild.”
And glitter the event will, with the talented Dean Smith from Newstead, who creates museum-quality replicas of significant gold nuggets, having crafted a replica of the ‘Hand of Faith’ nugget to be showcased at the forum.
At 874.82 ounces or 27.21kgs, the Hand of Faith is reported to be the world’s largest gold nugget found by using a metal detector.
Roger said the nugget had a fascinating story in itself and highlighted the fact the allure of gold was still alive and well, with modern day gold hunters frequently scouring the region for any specimens the pioneering prospectors overlooked.
“The nugget was found by Kevin Hillier using a metal detector near Kingower, Victoria, on September 26, 1980.
“It is said that he actually had a dream about the nugget weeks before making the discovery. He jotted down his dream and a sketch of the nugget and asked a friend to witness his musings,” Roger said.
“The nugget, which resembles a hand, was discovered in an vertical position, with Hillier’s pick striking the tip, before he carefully unearthed the remainder of the giant find.”
To discover more stories like this make sure you get your ticket to The Alchemy of Gold.
Pre-booking is essential. With strong interest and limited capacity, walk-ins will not be accepted.
To find out more and book visit www.thealchemyofgold.com.au
