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Richard Oates Print Page 
The Welcome Stranger is the biggest alluvial gold nugget found, which had a calculated refined weight of 3,123 oz 6 dwts 9 gr (71.018 kg). It measured 61 by 31 cm (24 by 12 in) and was discovered by Cornish prospectors John Deason and Richard Oates on 5 February 1869 at Moliagul, Victoria, Australia, about 9 miles (14.6 kilometres) north-west of Dunolly. Deason, Oates and a few friends took the nugget to the London Chartered Bank of Australia, in Dunolly, which advanced them £9,000. Deason and Oates were finally paid an estimated £9,381 for their nugget, which became known as the "Welcome Stranger."
Richard Oates was born about 1827 in Cornwall. After the 1869 find Oates returned to the United Kingdom and married. He returned with his wife to Australia and they had four children. The Oates family purchased 800 acres (3.2 km2) of land at Marong, Victoria in 1895 and Oates farmed until his death in the settlement in 1906, aged 79 years.
Location
| Address: | Cemetery Road, Marong Cemetery , Marong , 3515 |
|---|---|
| State: | VIC |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -36.758179 Long: 144.126328 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Monument |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Industry |
Dedication
IN MEMORY OF RICHARD OATES
Born St Just, Cornwall 1827
Laid to rest in this cemetery 1906
Co-finder of the Welcome Stranger
The World`s largest alluvial golf nugget
Erected By
Cornish Association of Bendigo & District
George A Ellis President
Leanne Lloyd Secretary
Robert Lloyd Treasurer
