Site History

Theodore Ballerstedt and his father, Christopher, arrived in Sandhurst (Bendigo) in 1853 from the goldfields of California and purchased the site from the Crown in 1857. In 1858, Ballerstedt made improvements including a small mill and house. In 1869, he tendered for a two-storey addition to Fortuna. Around the same period, the stables, billiard room, a lookout tower and Roman baths were constructed. In 1871 Ballerstedt sold the house, mine and associated works to George Lansell.

At the peak of the mining era, Fortuna was owned by ‘The Quartz King’, George Lansell. During his time at Fortuna, Lansell owned 13 mines and directed a further 73 mines.

The wealth Lansell generated from the mines funded the continuous expansion of the mansion and grounds. The mansion was built in a number of architectural styles, namely Victorian Italianate and Victorian Free Classical, with Federation influences. The landscape featured up to seven ornamental lakes in the early 1870s, including the larger lake which remains today.

It is understood that the lakes were originally used as disposal points for tailings produced in the gold processing activities at the site. A rose garden and (scale replica) Pompeii fountain were also added to the grounds at this time.

From 1942 to 1986 the Army occupied the site. During this period, additional buildings were constructed and existing buildings were modified for re-use. One of the more notable changes to the landscape included the filling of six of the seven ornamental lakes to create recreational areas.

Between 1986 and 1996 there was a great deal of uncertainty about the continued status of the incumbent unit occupying the site, the Army Survey Regiment. In 1996 it was disbanded and some army personnel decided to keep their positions at Fortuna but in a Defence civilian capacity.

DIGO was established in 2000 and occupied the site, using it for various photographic processing and printing purposes, including the storage and use of photographic chemicals. The Army accommodation buildings and reproduction buildings (to the west) have remained inactive for most of this period.