AFTER trying his hand at gold detecting on a property in McIntyre, Eddie Sydor says he caught the bug and hasn’t stopped.
Since then, he has moved to Inglewood to continue prospecting in local areas. “I moved here, brought a detector and learnt what to do and kept going,” he said, “it took me six months to find anything, but I enjoyed being out in nature, so it didn’t matter.”
Eddie and his dog, Lizzie go out prospecting four to five days a week, depending on the weather. “I don’t go out if it’s too cold, I’ve got a mate that’s willing to go out in it but it’s not for me,” Eddie said.
He also postpones his detecting on windy days as he says the wind noise makes hearing the signals too hard.
Eddie is one of many Loddon prospectors and the release this month of a new Loddon Valley gold prospecting guide by the shire council aims to increase the number of locals and visitors to the region.
“A lot of folks will pour over maps and stress about where to look but I like to start in the same spots and expand from there,” he says.
The new guide has tipped on accessible prospecting areas at Wedderburn, Inglewood, Kingower, Wehla, Rheola Tarnagulla, Llanelly and Waanyarra.
As for Eddie, when he isn’t busy prospecting, he helps cook lunch at the Inglewood Community Centre, he also spends time with the Gem Club in Bendigo, which he is on the committee for.
Eddie says his reason for continuing with prospecting is he “just likes finding gold,” he also enjoys the exercise and learning that come with detecting.
“I often send photos of me out with the detector to friends, saying just out in my open-air office again,” he said.
“I’ve learnt a lot from prospecting and it’s something I really enjoy doing.”