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Edward StringerPrint Page Print this page

The plaque commemorates Edward (Ned) Stringer, who discovered gold at Walhalla in 1862. Ned`s remains were re-interred in Toongabbie Cemetery in 1892. 

In December of 1862, a party of four prospectors were working their way south down the Thomson River from Fulton`s Creek. On December 26th, three who had persevered began prospecting up a creek that flowed into the Thomson River from a steep valley to the east, several kilometeres south of Fulton`s Creek.

They named it Stringer`s Creek in honour of Ned Stringer, the assumed name of Edward Randel, one of the prospectors and a "ticket-of-leave" man, or former convict. When they found very encouraging signs of gold at a fork in the creek, Stringer promptly left to register a claim before the mining registrar at Bald Hills on 12th January, 1863.

Although he eventually was to receive a £100 reward for his part in discovering the goldfield, Ned Stringer had little opportunity to enjoy the fruits of his find. Diagnosed as suffering from tuberculosis, he travelled eastward to Sale for treatment in September of 1863, and died at Toongabbie on September 25th during his return trip to Walhalla.

Location

Address:Cemetery Road, Toongabbie Cemetery, Toongabbie, 3856
State:VIC
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -38.064581
Long: 146.617621
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Plaque
Monument Theme:People
Sub-Theme:Industry

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:Saturday 18th April, 1970
Front Inscription

    EDWARD STRINGER 
Discover Of Gold At Walhalla
          December 1862
Died – Toongabbie, 1863
         Aged 44 years
Re-Interred Here In March, 1892

“Here Lies He Who Sought The Midas Seam,
Where Valkyries Played Hosts
Beside His Crystal Stream
In The Valley Of The Ghosts”

       Erected By
Traralgon & District Historical Society
         And 
E.R.St.John
                   21-11-1976

Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au