Outback pair strike, gold

Press, 29 July 1980, Page 1

Outback pair strike, gold

NZPA Perth A mystery couple who discovered what is believed to be the biggest gold nugget found since the 1930 s were back in Western Australia’s goldfields yesterday looking for a bigger one. Friends of the elderly retired couple were having the 13.3 kg nugget officially analysed yesterday. The Perth couple, both in their 60s. found the giant at a secret outback prospecting camp near Kalgoorlie; it was flown to Perth late last week and left with friends.

The nugget was shown on television at the weekend and also photographed under heavy security at the offices of a Sunday newspaper. '■ The few people who have seen it said it probably contained more than 400 ounces of pure gold with a value . about $250,000. , However, sold as a specimen it could fetch up to $1 million. All-that is known-about

the finders is that they .have seven children (the youngest is 20) and worked as cleaning contractors before they retired last year. The wife, who is 63. said before she returned to the goldfields that the couple had just managed to scrape enough money together on their retirement to buy a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

When she appeared with the nugget on television, she was heavily disguised in false wig and glasses. One of the options being considered by the finders is to send it on a worldwide exhibition tour, but they expect to sell it as a specimen. The woman was anxious to get back to the couple’s secret spot in the goldfields and her only comment was: “Now we can do so much for our kids.”

The nugget is believed to be the biggest found anywhere in the world since 1931. when the famous “Golden Eagle" was turned up in Larkinville, south-west of Kalgoorlie.