Greetings from Sydney (And soon also Clunes)

[AusFX]

Hey everyone,
I'm Rowan, a prop maker currently residing in Sydney. I always used to love fossicking when I was a kid, growing up near Ballarat plus the fossicking trips my family used to go on to sapphire and other gem rich areas.

I joined up because my parents are now living at Clunes and I figured some prospecting would be good fun when I get back to visit them.

I'm heading there next weekend and thought I would chuck a pan in the river, see what comes up. If I get the time I might even borrow my pops metal detector and have a swing.

I'l be doing my research on the area, but if anyone has any suggestions on areas around clunes I'm all ears

If I get some time between this visit and my next I was also thinking of designing and building a sluice box.

Looking forward to checking out the forums a bit more!

-Rowan.

 

[Goldpick]

Welcome Rowan, seems we have a common interest, I too used to be into making star wars props, armour, helmets and weapons, sold most of the gear now, but was good for keeping me out of trouble.

Prospecting is also a great pastime, good for some fresh air and exercise, whilst having the chance of making some great finds. I'm sure someone will chime in on what areas around Clunes would suitable. Don't forget to get hold of a Miners Permit before heading out panning, or alternatively, there are local gold detecting tours for somthing different.

 

[Twapster]

Welcome Rowan, just had to find where Clunes is.... near Byron Bay way looks like on the map. You would be hard pressed not to want to build a Walbanker in this hobby. Good for gold and gems!

 

[loamer]

If its Clunes Vic, I was there for the Book Festival the other weekend - its where the close down the town for street book-sellers. Got some great gold books there. I was down by the old Butter factory near the bridge in the middle of town, near the park. The stream/creek had water running through it in town so I am guessing out of town as well. Great spot and very historic (old buildings better than Maldon IMO).

 

[Twapster]

lol maybe Vic it is!

 

[AusFX]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

Goldpick- Haha, nice to know I'm in good company
I'm getting a miners permit for myself and my dad before I fly down, so I should have that covered. I was thinking of doing one of the tours when I can make it down there for more than a weekend.
Twapster- I've got some designs in mind, I'm aiming to do it on a tight budget, the only things I should really need to buy is a pump and some sheet ally. The rest I should have around the workshop.
Loamer- The book festival is one of the reasons my parents decided to move there, I'll be getting them to keep an eye out for any old books on gold It's got my two favourite kinds of history, gold and film! (Mad Max and Ned Kelly were both filmed there)

 

[Retrojez]

Welcome mate,
I too am from Sydney, keen to catch up with you if you ever make it to the goldfields out west!
Cheers
Retrojez!

 

[Twapster]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

Goldpick- Haha, nice to know I'm in good company
I'm getting a miners permit for myself and my dad before I fly down, so I should have that covered. I was thinking of doing one of the tours when I can make it down there for more than a weekend.
Twapster- I've got some designs in mind, I'm aiming to do it on a tight budget, the only things I should really need to buy is a pump and some sheet ally. The rest I should have around the workshop.
Loamer- The book festival is one of the reasons my parents decided to move there, I'll be getting them to keep an eye out for any old books on gold It's got my two favourite kinds of history, gold and film! (Mad Max and Ned Kelly were both filmed there)

Yep, a $180 pump and a sheet of Ally will get you well into a really fun project! Well worth considering. I had hours of fun with the family wondering what the hell is he doing out there.

 

[AusFX]

Retrojez- I would love to meet up with some other prospectors when I can find the time!

Twapster- Any pumps you would recommend?
My family has come to accept and embrace the weird stuff I make, anything from classical designer chairs to dismembered limbs, such is the life of a prop maker

 

[Retrojez]

Keen to go for a run to stuart town on Sunday if u r keen and available? Early start but we should find some colour with the high banker? Where in Sydney r u?

 

[AusFX]

I wish I could mate, but I'll be in Clunes on sunday visiting family and doing some prospecting Thanks for the invite though! I probably wont get much of a chance for any day or weekend trips until I finish the show I'm working on.
I'm in Coogee, right near the beach. (of which I'm keen on doing some combing of when I get the hang of metal detecting )

 

[backcreek]

Ha,
When I read "prop maker" I was thinking

then I saw your avatar. :8
Welcome aboard Rowan.

 

[AusFX]

Haha thanks Backcreek. Nice props