My Dad tried his hardest for many years to get me into detecting but with a busy lifestyle including a young family and a high maintenance job meant that the time I had to myself was slim so I had no chance to go out and detect with him.

On the 12th of April 2017 my Dad passed away due to cancer. This was an incredibly sad time however he had passed down his cherished Minelab GPX4000 and I realised I should invest some of my time into spending a day detecting in remembrance of my Dad. I decided to buy a 14” Elite Coiltek coil and I haven’t looked back since.

I have been on many adventures with my Dads Best Friend and my detecting buddy. He has taught me so much about prospecting which made me love it.

One day I went out to the grounds in Avoca where I found my first ever 5g Nugget …. This was when I realised what I had been missing out on and the true meaning of having Gold Fever. This first trip started my love and passion for detecting, since then I have found a numerous number of nuggets and treasure throughout my prospecting journey.

One day I decided to detect in a mine shaft within the Golden Triangle. I started my day like any other prospecting adventure … turned on my machine and started swinging. The detector went off and I fell to my knees and started digging… 150mm down I finally found something and quickly pulled it out, as soon as I looked at it I had a little tear …. I knew it would be special.

I was so intrigued to find out what this lantern does. I asked every detecting company, and no one knew what it was. I then decided to undertake a deep investigation to find out what I had found. I spent hours online reading many articles until I finally found the answer, I was so shocked.

It turned out to be an early English brass bicycle lamp established by Joseph Lucas, Ltd. Which was made in Birmingham in 1875. This model known as the No.153 Lucas Calcia Toura.

These lanterns were extremely dangerous and If the mixture was not correct they would explode.

The excitement of finding something like this leaves me speechless. The stories that I have found on my investigation tell that the lantern was imported from Birmingham England and ending up in country Victoria.

I have been told that it could be sold for around $2000 in the shape that it is in. To me this is priceless, and I will have it for many years. I am still shocked to have found it and every day I can still remember the feeling of excitement that the great lantern gave me.

I am truly blessed that I made time to start this hobby and I can’t wait to see what else is found on my prospecting adventure.