February 6....

1862

There was much rejoicing from the mothers around the district for the Eddington State School opened on this day, finally keeping the kids out of mischief and off the paddocks.

February 5...

1869

The now-famous Welcome Stranger nugget, the largest nugget in the world, was found near Black Reef in Bulldog Gully at Moligul by Richard Oates and John Deeson.

Full details and fabulous photos HERE.


No, I may be old but I'm not quite ancient enough to have been around at the time to take a few happy snaps myself.

February 4...

1914

During a charity carnival sports event on the sports oval in Dunolly a quoit dislodged a gold nugget weighing an ounce, with a rush quickly following to peg out the virgin ground in all directions.
The sports carnival was abandoned.


Ask your parents what a quoit is, kiddies.

February 3...

1930

 It was reported:

The Dunolly water supply almost exhausted and can only be used in an emergency, thermometer readings between 98-104 degrees F, rainfall in January only 8 points compared to the previous year’s which was 64 points.

Laanecoorie Reservoir wasn't quite this full at the time...

February 2...

1895

A great many people arrived in Dunolly to listen to a lecture by Signor Bragato, the famed Government viticulture expert but he failed to arrive.
Details HERE.

Wonder if they looked for him down there....?

February 1....

1858

A Murder on the gold diggings was reported with the lynching mob destroying most of the sly grog shanties at Havelock searching for the murderer.
A Billard table and skittle alley were smashed to pieces.
Full details and vivid descriptions HERE.

Oh, look!

A chimney...

January 31....

1961

A new steriliser was installed at Dunolly & District Hospital at the cost of 659 pounds.
The doctors residence and nurses’ quarters are currently being renovated.

January 30...

1894

A meeting was held to form a sports committee at Goldsborough;  the decision was made to hold sports at Painswick Park with a Grand Ball in the railway goods shed at night with proceeds to be divided between the library and the Dunolly & District Hospital.

These are obviously the railway sheds at Dunolly not Goldsborough.

But you get the idea.

January 29...

1900

The Foundation Sports Day races and events were held in Dunolly by the local ANA branch, with a large attendance and 25 pounds taken at the gate.

January 28....

1865

It was reported far and wide that the Dunolly District Hospital was to be incorporated under the charitable institutions act.