Great Selection of Gold Pans on display

How does it work ?

Each contestant in the various heats is given a 15 kilogram bucket of washed gravel with between 5 and 12 flakes of gold disbursed throughout. The idea is to pan off the gravel without losing any pieces of gold. Penalties apply for every piece of gold that is lost.

You get to keep all of the gold that you find in the competition - and the gold is real.

For those who have never tried panning for gold, this is an opportunity to take a lesson, practice in the panning tanks, and then come and join the fun.

All category winners and place-getters will be awarded prizes.

Regulations

• Any type of gold pan can be used providing it is under 50cm outside measurement, side to side and no more than 15cm deep.
• Riffles must be no more than 15mm high.
• Gold pan can only be made of one material eg metal, plastic, fiberglass etc.
• No screws or other attachments are permitted.
• Judges decision is final.

Events

• 9.30 am Republic Gold : Juniors: under 12
• 10:00 am Consolidated Tin Juniors : 12 - 16
• 10:30 am Coiltek Novices : Women
• 11:00 am Nth Qld Miners Den Novices : Men
• 11:30 am Vital "Metals Gols Rush"
• 12:00 Noon - NQMA Skilled : Women
• 12:30 pm NQMA skilled : Men
• 1:30 pm Fascinating Facets Veterans
• 2:00 pm Minelab Open Championship
• 3:00 pm Northern Gulf Resources Team Competition
  

Nth Queensland Gold Panning Championships 2006

NQ Gold Panning a big success!

Gold Panning Championships, August 12th
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The Championships were held Saturday August 12th in the grounds adjacent to the Mareeba Heritage
Museum in Mareeba. The event was a huge success with a good crowd enjoying the day immensely.

Over $3500 in cash and prizes was contested in nine separate panning events. The Lustenberger family
were hard to beat in any event they entered as was Tim Land and Stewart Foster. Tim Land took out the Veterans and won a Gemstone Globe donated by Fascinating Facets Atherton, valued at $750.00.

The highlight of the day was an exhibition by the Australian gold panning champion Mr. Marcus Binks
from Bendigo Victoria. Marcus was unbeatable on the day and a worthy champion.

Marcus took out the Men's skilled event and local champion Christine Lustenberger took out the Ladies
Skilled event. Marcus also took out the Open event with Christine only 21 seconds behind.

The Mareeba Shire Mayor Mick Borzi presented prizes and the NQMA Perpetual Trophy to the two top contestants. During the presentation the Mayor invited NQMA to use the same venue and make the
NQ gold Panning Championship an annual event held at the Heritage Museum. NQMA President
Ralph De Lacey commented that this will have to be formally decided by NQMA members at the next
meeting, but at this stage all those members present at the event agreed it was a good idea.

                    Results:

9.30  AM  JUNIORS - U12 COMPETITION     1st Laura Lustenberger, 2nd Jessica Foster,
                                                          3rd Zoe Collins

10.00 AM  JUNIORS 12 - 16 COMPETITION  1st Tanya Lustenberger, 2nd Alex Byrne,
                                                          3rd Glenn Helmuth

10.30 AM  NOVICES - WOMEN  1st Bronwyn Cummings, 2nd Laura Lustenberger, 3rd Silvia Rath

11.00 AM  NOVICES - MEN       1st Alex Byrne, 2nd Ray Wallace, 3rd Craig Herbert

11.30 AM "The Gold Rush" - stake your claim and find the treasure

12.00       SKILLED - WOMEN    1st Christine Lustenberger, 2nd Alenke Marksel, Silvia Rath

12.30 PM  SKILLED - MEN         1st Marcus Binks, 2nd Tim Land, 3rd Stuart Foster

1.00  PM   LUNCH

1.30  PM   VETERANS (Over 60) 1st Tim Land, 2nd Stuart Foster, 3rd Ray Fraser

2.00  PM   OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 1st Marcus Binks, 2nd Christine Lustenberger 3rd Tim Land

3.00  PM   TEAMS CHALLENGE    1st Wannabes, 2nd NQMA, 3rd No Idea

4.00  PM   PRESENTATIONS

Many thanks to all helpers, donors and sponsors.

View slide show 3.8Mb

Past events

Nth Queensland Gold Panning Championships
Mount Surprise August 27th and 28th 2005

Hosted by Pete & Pam Blackburn of Mount Surprise Gems
Many prizes donated by Minelab Electronics, Coiltek, Nth Qld Miners Den
Aurum Australis and many others.

When does it start?

Panning events will commence on Saturday 9th at 9am. During the day there will be metal detecting workshops, gem fossicking and tailgaters. Information stands will be provided by Telstra and the Mines Department. Plenty of food will be available during the days. On Saturday night there will be a BBQ Campfire and Bar.
Sunday the 28th will see the finals of the Championships. A novelty team event is planned as the last event of the day, and will be followed by the presentation of the trophies by Mr. Peter Wilson, Registrar of Mines.

Accommodation at Mount Surprise is available and any inquires can be directed to Pam at Mount Surprise Gems on 4062 3065 or Jo at the Bedrock Village Caravan Park on 4062 3193

Categories

• Men's Skilled
• Ladies Skilled
• Men's Beginner
• Ladies Beginner
• Youth 12-16yrs
• Children under 12yrs
• Veteran
• Open
• Novelty

Nominations

Nomination Fees:   $15.- per adult category,   Children 16 years and under $8.-

Team entry is a novelty event and should consist of Captain plus 4 members.

Early Bird Special if nominating before 10th of August, save $3.- per entry

Nomination forms available from Pete & Pam Blackburn of Mount Surprise Gems on 4062 3065 or Jo at the Bedrock Village Caravan Park on 4062 3193

Nth Qld Miners Den 65 Anderson St. Cairns Ph. 07 40 51 4413

Metal Detector Display   

by Nth Qld Miners Den

Display and demonstration of some of the latest detecting technology and accessories

• Minelab GP 3500
• Sovereign GT
• Minelab Quattro
• Magellan eXplorist GPS
• UHF hand held radios
• EPIRB
• Walco Picks                                                    
• Super Magnets
• Coiltek Coils
• Nugget Finder Coils
• The Outback Prospector unleashing the
• GP series instructional DVD's by Aurum Australis