Gold miners and a mine head, Gulgong area
Source: Mitchell Library, SLNSW
Mattie Orlovich married Catherine Maria Gates in Mudgee in 1872. (NSW BDM 2683/1872). Their children included:
- MARIETTA ("Queen") - born 1873; married George Rohrmann; died 6 Sept 1933.
- JOHN MATTHEW - born 1876 (NSW BDM 15604/1876); died 21 June 1960.
- SYDNEY Alberto - born 1878 (NSW BDM 24227/1878); died 29 January 1938.
- TERRISINA GRACE - born 1880 (NSW BDM 19095/1880)
- GRACE G A - born 1883 (NSW BDM 24049/1883)
- KATHERINE T (Katie Irene) - born 1886 (NSW BDM 27312/1886); married Frederick William Ballingall Lincoln; died 29 Nov 1961.
NEWS ITEMS
1872 - MARRIAGE.
By Order, M. ORLOVICH, Director.
At St John's Church, Mudgee, by the Rev. James Gunther, MATTHEW ORLOVICH, of Gulgong, storekeeper, to CATHERINE MARIA GATES, daughter of Samuel and Maria Gates, late of Cook's River, Sydney.
1872 - POLICE COURT
Orlovitch v Budge - Case of alleged trespass. Complainant was a PUBLICAN and BUTCHER in one of Mr. Rouse's paddocks and defendant was a RIVAL BUTCHER, had served some of his customers with meat. This being contrary to the rule laid down by private property holders, who sell exclusive right of trading to a particular person. The Bench being undecided in opinion, no decision was given.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 136, 4 December 1872.
1873 - ADVERTISEMENT
Enterprise Gold Mining Company - Rouse’s Paddock - A SPECIAL MEETING of the Share Holders of the above Company will be held on January 23.By Order, M. ORLOVICH, Director.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 150, January 22, 1873
1873 - ADVERTISEMENT
ROUSE’S PADDOCK - THE Shareholders of No. 20, 21, 22 and 23 are requested to attend the Meeting without fail on SATURDAY, 8th instant at 3 o’clock at the Paddock Hotel.
M. ORLOVICH
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 154, February 5, 1873
1873 - POLICE COURT
Stealing a Purse – Ah Wong charged with stealing a purse containing £3/11/6 from the dwelling of Robert McLean residing at Caledonian Lead. Detective Hannan made the arrest. Ah Wong said he had been cooking for Matthew Orlovich but he was cooking for Mr. McLean, had purse in his possession, Remanded.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 162, March 5, 1873
1873 - BIRTHS.
On the 12th March, at her residence, Paddock Hotel, Rouse's Paddock, Gulgong, Mrs. Matteo Orlovich of a daughter.
1873 - GULGONG GENERAL CEMETERY - FENCING COMMITTEE
THE following Gentlemen have been appointed to collect Subscriptions:-- Herbert Street, Black Lead, Church Hill and all places North of MAIN STREET – Messrs. Graham, Dillon, Cooke, Alum and O’Neill.
- QUEEN STREET and others South – Messrs. Donaldson, Craigen, Plunkett, McDonald and Binder.
- Rouse’s Paddock – Mr. Orlovich.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 170, April 2, 1873
1873 - POLICE COURT
Wages - Michael Gillday v Orlovich, Ferris, Rouse & King £15 for working at a copper mine, Verdict £7/10/ - against King with £1/8/6 costs.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 181, May 10, 1873
1873 - POLICE COURT
Orlovich v McVeay – board and lodgingSource: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 191, June 4, 1873
The members of the Loyal Happy Valley Lodge, of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Manchester Unity, celebrated their second anniversary yesterday by holding a grand picnic. The place selected for the picnic was a valley lying under the southerly side of the range as it falls toward what was termed the Coming Event Lead. The brothers of the order arrived at the Lodge Room at 9.30 a.m. and having arrayed themselves in the regalia of the order formed procession and marched down Medley Street and then turned up Belmore Street and visited the Hospital. This was to show their sympathy with the benevolent objects. A very liberal collection was made and three cheers given. The procession returned down Belmore Street and then marched up Herbert Street, attracting much attention, not only on account of the exquisite and costly bunting they displayed but the music from a fine band.. Returning to Queen Street they marched over the Red Hill to the ground selected for the sports. There was one publican’s and luncheon booth under the superintendence of Host Orlovich of Rouse’s paddock. There was also a dancing booth where the young people had an opportunity of tripping the light fantastic to their hearts content. There was also fruit stalls.
After the sports everyone marched back to the lodge room and separated. In the evening they met at Mr. Selff’s hotel where an elegant supper was served. There were estimated to be more than a thousand persons on the ground during the day and the amusements consisted of cricket, foot racing for children and racing for symbols by brothers of the order and dancing. We understand Mr. David Buchanan visited the lodge and participated in the proceedings towards the close of the meeting.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, April 7, 1874
1874 - Retiring from Business
The undersigned, being about to retire from business, a good opportunity is now afforded to any one desirous of investing his money profitably in a STORE, BUTCHER’S SHOP and PUBLIC HOUSE all doing a good business. Apply to the Premises, Perseverance Lead, on Mr. Richard Rouse’s ground to MATTIO ORLOVICH
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, June 27, 1874
1874 - Retiring from Business
Selling his Butcher’s Shop and Public House. Apply on the Premises, Perseverance Lead on Richard Rouse’s. MATTIO ORLOVICH.
Source: The Home Rule Pilot, No 3, 20 June 1874
Wanted a Good Gook, apply to Mattio Orlovich, PERSEVERANCE HOTEL
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, July 9, 1874
1874 - Notice
Mr. Orlovich having received instructions for Richard Rouse, Esq. to Open His Paddock at the Home Rule On Friday at 2 p.m. All Applications for Claims will be received by the undersigned
MATTIO ORLOVICH, Perseverance Lead.Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, August 25, 1874
By our advertising column it will be seen that Mr. M. Orlovich will open Mr. Rouse’s paddock.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, August 27, 1874
1874 - Gulgong Mining Report
There are nine claims in Mr. Rouse’s private ground on good gold. The shareholders in No 9 obtained a prospect of 14 penny weight to a tin dish on Monday. The shareholders in No. 11 have rock and water to contend with. Mr. Rouse has very generously placed an engine at their disposal free of charge, as soon as his shearing is finished. There are large paddocks of washdirt awaiting to be washed, there is a waiting time of 3 weeks at Mr. Orlovich’s machine.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, September 10, 1874
1874 - ADVERTISEMENT
Wanted A good cook. Apply to M. Orlovich, Paddock Hotel, Perseverance Lead.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, September 17, 1874
1874 - Notice
Mr. Orlovich having received instructions for Richard Rouse, Esq. to Open His Paddock at the Home Rule On Friday at 2 p.m. All Applications for Claims will be received by the undersignedMATTIO ORLOVICH, Perseverance Lead.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, September 17, 1874
1875 - The Perseverance
At this lead, Mr Orlovich some time since at a cost of nearly 500 pounds, erected two splendid puddling machines with every necessary appliance and one diamond washing machine; also without exception the finest dam in the district, which when full would cover over six acres and contain water from one to twelve feet deep. There is now just sufficient water to try a prospect. The miners are not idle, but on the contrary are all busy and stacking their wash dirt.
No 1 have a large paddock of wash and are still adding to it.
No 3,4 and 5 have a small paddock and are still raising more.
No 7 and 8 are sinking and are down 70 feet.
No 9 are raising good payable wash.
No 10 and 11 are down a depth of 70 feet but have two formidable enemies to contend, viz rock and water.
A few weeks since the party working No 1 claim obtained 16 small diamonds and Guard and party some few more.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, February 6, 1875
1908 - MR. MATTO ORLOVICH.
Source: Leader (Orange, NSW : 1899 - 1945) Mon 30 Nov 1908 Page 2
1875 - PERSEVERANCE
On the Perseverance large quantities of washdirt have been stacked during the drought, owing to the insufficiency of water in the dams, but the heavy rains which have fallen within the last few days have again set the puddling machines to work all over the gold-fields. Mr Orlovich has a diamond-washing machine attached to his puddling machines on the Perserverance, and one or two of the mining parties have obtained several small gems.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Fri 12 Feb 1875 Page 10
1876 - MITCHELL'S CREEK
1875 - FRAZER'S LEAD
Things are wonderfully improved at Frazer’s Lead since the rain storm of Tuesday. The puddling dam of Mr Orlovich filled in about half an hour. There are estimated to be about 4000 loads of dirt waiting to be washed on Frazer’s Lead.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, April 6, 1875
Perseverance and Frazer's Lead
Source: Geological Map of the Gulgong Goldfields, SLNSW
1875 - PERSEVERANCE
All the old ground on the Perseverance is again being taken up in large blocks with a view to its more efficient working by aid of machinery. Patrick Ryan, Patrick Mallen, Daniel and Andrew Tinan, Thomas Skelly Snr. and Thomas Skelly Jnr, have applied for a lease of 6 acres and have fixed their datum post at the north-east corner of the extended claim applied for by Orlovich and party.Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, June 1, 1875
1875 - Fire Brigade Meeting
The members held their usual weekly meeting, with over 40 members in attendance...
Mr M Orlovich donated 10/-.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, July 20, 1875
At Rouse, Jamieson and Co's works (the company formed to work Fitty's mine) on the north bank of Mitchell's Creek, about one and a half mile from the above, the preparatory works are going ahead with great speed. Wells have been sunk and plenty of water found. Sinking in this wonderful mine (I don't know how to describe it, for it seems to be a conglomeration of all sorts of metals and stones, diamonds included, and to be a great width) is going on also, and showing well as it is opened. The engine and stampers are being got into order by Mr. G. Campbell, of Mudgee, and he is certainly making a very good-looking job of it. The machinery was erected at Avisford, some few years since, to work a reef there; but Mr. R. Rouse, one of the present shareholders and former owner of the engine, has had it removed to this place. There are two boilers combining 35-horse power and 20 stampers, 10 of which have never worked, and the others, with the engine, have done very little. The plant is very compact, and looks as if it could do some service. Mr. Campbell intends trying the pumping gear next week in conjunction with the manager of the mine. Mr. M. Orlovich. The pump is a double action one, and is calculated to work well to supply the large demand of water for the other works. The whole reflects the greatest credit on Messrs. Campbell, Orlovich, Cooney, and the others concerned. I hope to be able to give a fuller description of the machinery when it is in full swing, which, Mr. Orlovich informs me, will be in a month or six weeks.
1876 - MINES AND MINING
I should also mention that this great undertaking [see "Mitchell's Creek", above] was placed in the beginning under the exclusive management of Mr. Mattio Orlovich, who has constantly given his personal superintendence, and much is due to the excellent judgment he has manifested in the pursuit of the work. His duties, of course, have been very arduous and his attention unremitting, but notwithstanding the difficulties of the situation he has secured the approval of the proprietary and the good-will of the large number of men employed without a single exception. I may also allude to the fact that for four years, and more, Mr. Orlovich had charge of Mr. Rouse's paddock at Gulgong, managing the working of the ground, where over 500 miners were at work, settling disputes, caring for the gold, and other duties, all of which he performed with so much skill and fidelity that no difficulties arose between the owners of the ground and the miners, and satisfaction was given to all parties.
The machinery is situated upon a forty-acre lease owned by Messrs. Rouse aud Jamieson, and adjoining they have another forty acre lease, upon which there is a substantially built weatherboard hotel, 62 feet by 24 feet. There are large and convenient outbuildings and a superior stable. The house is nicely furnished and supplied with every comfort, and is doing a fair business. Adjoining, there is a township reserve, where it is in contemplation to erect a school house and a church.
Source: Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) Sat 29 Jul 1876 Page 18 1876 - MITCHELL'S CREEK
Tenders for Kaiser Gold and Copper Mining Co. Mitchell’s Creek, to cart stone.
Apply to MATTIO ORLOVICH, company’s Office, Mitchell’s Creek.
Tenders for Kaiser Gold and Copper Mining Co. Mitchell’s Creek, to cart stone.
Apply to MATTIO ORLOVICH, company’s Office, Mitchell’s Creek.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, September 23, 1876
1908 - An Old Gulgong Identity, DEATH OF MATTIO ORLOVICH.
There died at Orange on Saturday last, one who was a prominent figure in the Gulgong district in the seventies and eighties, in the person of Mr. Mattio Orlovich. Over 30 years ago, Matt, as he was familiarly called, had full charge of Mr. Rouse's Guntawang and Combandry paddocks, when the gold fever was at its height. He was warden, surveyor, puddler, storekeeper, butcher and publican combined, and when we consider that there were fully 400 miners in the Guntawang paddock alone, Matt's time was fully occupied. The late Mr. Rouse had implicit faith in Matt's honesty and consequently many thousands of pounds passed through his hands in the palmy days, when Mr. Rouse's royalty was almost incalculable. The deceased was a generous, kind-hearted fellow, one who could never refuse assisitance to the needy, and he did not parade his virtues. Matt was also a bit of a medico, but managed to get along without killing anybody, and what is more he never charged for his medical attendance. However, when the mining was on the wane, Matt's luck took a turn for the worse.
Several speculations turned out unprofitable, the result being that he was left on his uppers, and to crown his sorrow many of his friends deserted him. This compelled poor Matt to seek fresh fields and pastures new. It is many years since he left Gulgong, but he has braved all his troubles and reached the goal at last. He leaves a wife and a family of six to mourn their loss; but it is a blessing they are all grown up and a credit to their parents. The late Mr. Orlovich joined the Happy Vallev Lodge of Oddfellows in 1872, and kept himself financial right to the last, thus in some measure providing for the evil day. In May, 1883, he took over the Sportsman's Arms Hotel (now Powell's) from Mr. William Selff, and conducted that house for several years. Gulgongites will sympathise with the bereaved family in their loss, and must feel sorry to hear of Matt going to the Great Beyond.
—"Gulgong Advertiser."
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 10 Dec 1908 Page 19Mr. Matto Orlovich, aged 72 years, passed over to the great majority at the Orange Hospital, on Saturday morning. The deceased, who was a gardener by occupation, had been working in the Canoblas district for the past ten years, and was highly respected. The remains will be interred to-day in the R. C. Cemetery. E. Gain has charge of the funeral arrangements.
