The Monster Specimen: A Veritable Wall of Gold 5 Billion Years in the Making 150 Years of Discovery

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Malcolm Drinkwater

The Monster Specimen

A Veritable Wall of Gold 5 Billion Years in the Making 150 Years of Discovery

Malcolm Drinkwater

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English

Woodslane
16 April 2024

History; Regional & national history

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The following aims to commemorate the date for discovery of the World’s largest single mass of Gold at Hill End on 19th October, 1872. To be precise the 150th or sesquicentenary for the unearthing of this monumental find that since or before has had no rival. The October celebration seemed to be a natural flow on event from the one I organised and in 1985. John Holtermann and his brothers also attended this ‘Holtermann Centenary Festival held over Easter 1985 recognising 100 years since Holtermann’s death on 29th April 1985.

The Beyers and Holtermann Specimen as it is correctly known was 3,000 ounces of gold in one lump. There is much more as yet untold information about its discovery and the domino effect created to benefit Australia. A true to scale replica of the Beyers and Holtermann Specimen for the public to admire and pose with for a photo is located at the entry to the History Hill Museum.

I can advise I have spent over 50 years researching and writing to ensure the information is correct including over 40 years association with Holtermann descendants. Be assured, I have done the hard yards being employed to lecture on gold during the 1980s and 1990s at the Mining and Geological Museum, The Earth Exchange and The Royal Australian Mint Museum in Sydney to name a few. I also appeared on The Midday Show and as far back as 1983 on what was the Good Morning Sydney with Maureen Duvall Show a forerunner for the morning talk shows. This one is on YouTube although I didn’t put it there. In one week I was on all four Sydney television stations, regarded as an expert Hill End, gold and Holtermann. Since then my main focus has been a museum. For me this sesquicentenary event represents a once in a lifetime final presentation. In theory, research, documenting preserving and displaying history is a self gratifying enjoyable pursuit. Unfortunately reality breeds a dark side, especially when your focus is that of correcting other historians work. For some unknown reason, they don’t like that. Does tend to make a person a tad unpopular, but this is not about being popular it’s about weaving through past events to give credit where credit is due. To ensure our past is as correct as possible. No blame game, a task in ensuring the story is correct and along the way highlight new information with new players who deserve recognition for their efforts. Past events recorded as proven spot on representations for accurate descriptions were not always as it happened. The following version is based upon a lifetime commitment and association with Hill End, gold, people and any trace element that might just have a bearing on a better outcome.

By: Malcolm Drinkwater
Imprint: Woodslane
Country of Publication: Australia
ISBN: 9780645541700
ISBN 10: 0645541702
Pages: 146
Publication Date: 16 April 2024
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active