The start of this year 2024 has been life changing for myself and my family, but not in a bad way. Overcoming personal hurdles, unwanted hurdles and even unforeseen hurdles…
It first started with a letter from Heritage Victoria. Next my first ever medical surgery to go through and recover from. Then a few days later I was to learn my work of 3 years was closing down and my job to be made redundant. Meaning that after my surgery recovery, I would have no work to return to and would be financially worse off even more so than prior.
So I won't lie, yes the first two months of this year have been pretty tough!!
Throughout all of these sudden unexpected challenges though I have tried to keep up the best smile and best positive attitude that I could. However that has only been made possible because of the incredible overwhelming support that has been holding me up though it all.
Receiving multiple emails, weekly phone calls, text messages, even visits at home with cake and coffee for a chat. Plus engaging with the most amazing legal representation anyone could ask for�
I really can't begin to tell you just how truly thankful I am for all of this❤️
Just recently though it looks like all of these negatives mentioned are now turning around into positives. Tuesday 27-2-2024 I was happy to receive a very positive response from Heritage Victoria.
Heritage Victoria has recognised the passion that I and all of you have for our historical heritage and I am working with Heritage Victoria and my lawyer in coming up with a positive way forward that will ensure that: a) there is good guidance for detectorists, b) we can continue our passion in a responsible way, and c) heritage is protected, as it should be.
You will see more information on our page over time, so keep watching the Dig It Detecting Facebook page. Initially you will see a message on the top of the Dig It Detecting page that helps provide information for thousands of us out there and was also outlined within my original proposal correspondence email to Heritage Victoria.
I honestly feel that creating the best collaborative approach between Heritage Victoria and our Metal Detecting Community for present plus future generations to come is the best outcome for all of us and what I will be continuing pursuing and working towards to achieve.
Steps For Me To Take Now.
As mentioned above. I will now be updating the Dig It Detecting Facebook Group with a general post. This post will also be pinned to the top of the group for any new members to view and read in future.
I will also continue to engage with Heritage Victoria in clarifying what my/our obligations are as metal detectorists and hopefully educating our community at the same time. Just as I have done with so many other aspects surrounding my metal detecting activities in past years.
(Update On Metal Detecting Petition & Survey. With Following Steps For Me Take In Future)
Metal Detecting Petition.
On the 21-1-2024 I set up and started running “Preserve The Past” Metal Detecting Petition Online at Change.Org.
Running this Petition I feel has been a huge success and has had a lot of impact, quickly gaining over 4277 signatures to date.
That is also 88 sheets of supporting signatures alone, plus 97 pages of supportive comments all printed off if ever needed for reference. Some comments that were quite hard to read too I must say. Really hitting home! Because as I was reading through the supportive comments, I really got a grasp of just how much this situation touched and affected every individual out there. Also showing me just how important it was to work harder every day for our best outcome.
We even had signatures coming in from all across the world. China, Japan, Malaysia, Germany, United States...just to name a few.
https://www.change.org/PreserveThePastEmpoweringMetalDetectingForRealHeritageConservation
The Petition I feel though has now served its intended purpose and will be finalised by me in coming weeks then removed. If you did not get the chance to add your details to this petition and you would like to, then please be sure to check out and fill in our Metal Detecting Survey. (More explained below)
Metal Detecting Survey Australia.
On the 15-2-2024 I set up and started running the Metal Detecting Survey Australia. This survey once again has been a huge success so far since starting and with over 500 entries now, I am starting to collect enough data to build some very interesting graphs. Showing some very interesting statistics throughout our metal detecting community. Statistics and graphs that I will keep putting together and share at a later date when possible.
If you have not yet filled in our survey, please be sure to do so. Every bit helps.
https://forms.office.com/r/T8C4T7s3jG
Meeting With Local MP Member Update.
As many will know I had set up and attended a meeting with my Local MP to explain the situation regarding Heritage Victoria. This meeting was very successful, with a two-hour interview explaining everything involved.
Conclusion To Date. 24-3-2024
I would once again like to say a huge thankyou to everyone who has supported myself and this most important cause for the past month…it's been a ride so far!
I would never have been able to push through to this point without all your support though...but just remember it's not over yet!!
I would also like to add. One of the hardest things for me was to come forward and make this situation public knowledge about Dig It Detecting. Because of course I never wanted to upset anyone, nor damage the reputation that I have worked so hard to achieve over the past 7 years within this amazing community.
There has been little, to no doubt, ever shown towards me as we proceeded over the past month with all of this though. Instead just overwhelming support from everyone. Which I really can't begin to tell you just how much that meant and will always mean to me.
One of the hardest times of my life, but it's because of you that got me through so far❤️ Standing together is what keeps us strong! Thank you so much again everyone��⛏️��