In 1931 Australia was in the grip of the Depression when Ion Idriess wrote to all the State and Territory Mining heads regarding his guide Prospecting for Gold, encouraging them to produce localised information to help create work and wealth. The public success of his book pushed several States to create their our guides with more details on their own State facilities and results.
This book was prepared by George Brown for the Victorian Department of Mines in 1932, and sought to gain public interest in local prospecting. Sections include Working Alluvial Deposits, the Geological formations of Victoria, Gold Deposits, Quartz Reefs, the Ballarat Indicators, and detailed notes on gold finds throughout Victoria; areas still rich for the grey nomad or professional prospector. The book includes much practical information on Miner's Rights, By-Laws and Leases.