Guyong, 12 February, 1851

Using panning methods he learned on the gold-fields of California, Edward Hammond Hargraves today discovered gold at the junction of Summer Hill and Lewis Ponds Creek. He told his assistant, John Hardman Australia Lister:

"This is a memorable day in the history of New South Wales. I shall be a baronet, you will be knighted, and my old horse will be stuffed, put in a glass case, and sent to the British Museum".

Hargraves has been very confident of finding gold in the hills around Bathurst, which he has seen as bearing a close similarity to the gold-bearing country of California. A big man of 34, he has spoken openly of finding gold and claiming the reward offered by the government of New South Wales.

His big day began quietly. He had stayed at the Wellington Inn and had asked Lister, the publican's son, to be his guide. The two rode through the summer heat some 14 miles down the valley to Lewis Ponds Creek. Hargraves told Lister that there was gold under their feet, and that he would now find some. He stationed himself on a bar of rock which ran into the creek, scooped some earth into the pan and proceeded to wash it. The earth and gravel slowly washed out, Ieaving a small piece of gold at the bottom of the pan.

"Here it is", exclaimed Hargraves to the excited Lister, and proceeded to wash five more pans, all of which contained gold.