MAY 2019 (3)     THE QUARTZ KING OF BENDIGO

George Lansell (1823-1906) and his two brothers were originally English tradesmen immigrants to SA, in 1853. The following year, they walked to the Bendigo goldfields, setting up as butchers, soap and candle makers.

The early alluvial gold mining of the Bendigo fields was changing to shaft mining, digging down to gold bearing reefs. For this, capital was needed and thus a multitude of small mining companies formed, mined for a time, most then failing, with their investors losing their money. But enough found gold and became profitable, to provide hope and encouragement.

George was soon persuaded to begin investing in the newly forming mining companies, from 1855. His first investments failed, he lost money, and refocused on his original businesses.

In 1865 George re-entered mining and with substantial investment was able to dictate the mining practices of his companies. His approach, of mining ever deeper than had been reached before, was so successful that he became known as the Quartz King of Bendigo. He soon became a millionaire. For a time, he may have been the richest man in the world.

In 1871 Lansell purchased the Ballerstedt mines, equipment, machinery and mansion from the now  deceased Christopher’s son, for 30,000 pounds. Although this was a large sum for the times, it demonstrated Lansell’s sound judgement: under his direction, the 180 Mine was extended down to over 3000 feet, becoming the deepest mine in the southern hemisphere at the time. By 1889, it was estimated that Ballerstadt and Lansell, over the time of the mine’s operation, had taken out at least a million pounds worth of gold from it.

By 1872, aged 49, George married, but the heirs for his growing fortune that he hoped for, did not eventuate, which was a major disappointment by the time his wife died a few years later.

George also diversified into other investments. In the 1870’s, for instance, he bought land in Melbourne, around what had been the temporary Government House (pending the building of the permanent one). He subdivided this land, in what became Toorak, naming Lansell Road and St Georges Road. He maintained a Melbourne residence in the area, though his main home was in Bendigo.

Lansell had become famous in Bendigo for encouraging and supporting the gold mining industry and its miners, but by 1880 was unhappy and disillusioned. He felt sentiment in Bendigo had turned against him as mining  fluctuated, and as a new widower, returned to England and settled in London, where he married for a second time.

Bendigo’s fortunes had languished in the 1880’s. Many citizens came to associate this with Lansell’s departure. In 1887 a petition was prepared, in the form of an illuminated letter, asking him to return and restore the good times for the city.

Letter begging Lansell to return to Bendigo

Thus, he returned, with wife and, by now, three young children, as well as various members of his wife’s family. A further three Lansell children were born after the family returned to Bendigo.

Eventually, he was director of 38 mining companies, and was said to have links with every gold mine in Bendigo.

George Lansell travelled extensively, from the 1870’s, and extended his Fortuna Villa residence greatly, embellishing it as his fancy was inspired by his travels. Likewise it was filled with unusual items acquired on those travels. The surrounds did not miss out, being extensively landscaped and developed with features like ornamental lakes, a classical fountain, enclosed Roman style baths.

Tailings heaps from 180 Mine turned into landscaped gardens

During our tour of Fortuna, we were told that George bought a Rolls Royce motor car, in the early years of motoring. However, his first excursion in this terrified him so much that he never went out in it again.

Although pressured to do so, George Lansell never attempted to enter public life, such as becoming a member of Parliament, although one of his sons later did.

Statue of George Lansell in central Bendigo

George died in 1906. A statue commemorating his life and contributions to Bendigo was put up in 1908, near what is the modern day Visitor Centre in Pall Mall – the main street through the centre of the town.

Edith Lansell remained at Fortuna until her death in 1933.