General News
19 March, 2026
Stars of Hard Hill rusted on for life
WEDDERBURN Detector Jamboree at Hard Hill Tourist Reserve was a tribute to the great figures of the gold revival in the area.
The long weekend event saw the unveiling of seven stunning works by Mara Metal Art – the Legacy of Legend Silhouette Sculpture project – honouring contributions to the Jamboree, the region’s gold history and eucalyptus heritage.
More than 200 people took part in events over the weekend, which included a token hunt and senior and junior gold panning competitions.
One of the sculptures honoured Wedderburn detector business owner Barrie Johnson, the founder of the Jamboree in 2001.
Rohan Johnson, who unveiled his late father’s image, said it was moving to see him commemorated in such a way.
Rohan and his three sisters – Kathy Turnbull, Karen Macdonald and Janine Jackson – were on hand with other family members on Saturday, thrilled that their father’s legacy would be preserved for future generations.
Another sculpture was of long-time Jamboree sponsor John Gladdis, who arrived on Saturday unaware that he was the subject of one of the works.
“It’s bit humbling,” he said, posing with his alter ego.
His son Andrew, who has continued the family’s support of the event, was also depicted. Tom Calvert, who introduced the junior gold panning competition, and his son Dylan, who still mentors the young participants, were honoured.
Another artwork depicted the three teenage Wedderburn High School students who discovered the 86-ounce (2.5kg) Beggary Lump on a detector excursion in 1980.
Neil Fazzani was one of the three boys, and the only one present on Saturday.
Adam Turner declined an invitation to attend, and the third, Jim Hard, was unable to be contacted.
The final two sculptures honoured the late Arthur Martin, who was designated as a Victorian Living Treasure in 1986 for his contributions to Wedderburn’s community and tourism, and Robbie Collins, who installed a working eucalyptus stew pot at Hard Hill to revive Martin’s dream.
The Jamboree was the last to be organised by local duo Robyn Vella and Karen Fazzani, with a commemorative T-shirt produced to celebrate “The Last Hurrah”.
Mrs Vella was presented with life membership of Wedderburn Tourism for her efforts to promote visitation in the area.
Around the Hard Hill site, people tested out new detectors, panned for gold and watched the competitions. One visitor, was looking for a new detector that would not pick up his titanium knees and interfere with his search for treasure.
“I want to hear the gold – with most detectors I hear my knees,” he lamented.
In the end, he found what he wanted.
Karen Fazzani, who heads Wedderburn Tourism, said the recent leap in the price of gold had encouraged more amateur detectors to the area.
RESULTS
Senior Token Hunt – Connor Dearden (221 participants)
Junior Token Hunt (48 participants) - April Hall 1, Kayla Thompson 2, Kayla Thompson 3. Senior Gold Panning (47 participants) - Gerard Scoble 1, Tyler Dixon 2, Peter Vosper3.
Junior Gold Panning (35 participants) - 3 to 7 years: Brooks Slotegraaf 1, Aurora Cain 2, Aurora Dixon 3. 8 to 10 years: Adam Sammons 1, Alex Milgate 2, James Milgate 3.
11 to 13 years: Diesel Hore 1, Jett Riddle 2, James Sammons 3. 14 to 16 years: Corey Parker 1, Kiara Seja 2, Kayla Thompson 3.
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