"Preserve The Past: Empowering Metal Detecting For Real Heritage Conservation"
"Preserve The Past: Empowering Metal Detecting For Real Heritage Conservation"
The issue
To all the passionate Metal Detectorists and supporters of Australian History out there, we need YOUR HELP NOW!!
I would like to bring something very important to your attention and an issue that could potentially affect us all. Just for enjoying metal detecting OR potentially finding something over 75 years old, we are ALL now at risk of being bullied and intimidated by fines of over $115,000 or even 12 months imprisonment by Heritage Victoria!
My background Information...
My name is Luke Phillips, I live in Victoria and for the past 6 years I have operated and ran the Dig It Detecting Facebook Group, Facebook Page, Instagram account and of course YouTube Channel. I am a Recognised Australian Minelab Detexpert and Coiltek Coils Ambassador and as many will know an extremely passionate metal detectorist who not only unearths history through my finds, but shares every bit along the way with my two young sons and the world! I am a current member of two historical societies with whom I also share my finds and present speeches on relevant items of history found throughout our local area. I also offer any land owner to metal detect their private property and donate back anything found for them to keep. I believe all history big or small that is unearthed is important to a site and should if possible remain with that site. My whole time metal detecting my intentions have only been honest and open, whilst enjoying a fantastic hobby.
Here's where it starts...
(Original text below posted to the Dig It Detecting Facebook Group 19/1/2024)
Back in November 2022 I was first contacted by Heritage Victoria, stating that what I was doing metal detecting was not allowed. And before I go any further I will mention that in my 6 years detecting, I have never detected or removed artefacts from any known Heritage Listed Sites...EVER!! As we all know how serious that can be! Instead I have always done what I felt to be the right thing and gained permission from landowners to metal detect their own private properties. (With no Heritage Listings) Or by simply visiting and metal detecting public open spaces. Such as parks, recreation reserves, or marked out crown land in known gold areas. Just like everyone does to enjoy the wonderful hobby of detecting.
Heritage Victoria told me back in 2022 though that I had to stop doing my metal detecting. In their words, me researching and targeting sites to metal detect was not ok by their rules. However I wouldn't be charged at that time because they felt I was unaware (and I was) of the 75 year rule disclosed in the 400 odd page Heritage Act of 2017. (75 year rule explained more below)
Here's where it gets tricky and what they believe I am doing wrong...
*Heritage Victoria states that any land or archaeological site in Victoria that are 75 years or more are protected under the Heritage act 2017. Including sites that are NOT on any formal Heritage list!
*Heritage Victoria also states that any archaeological sites that are less than 75 years may be declared a site of archaeological value and if declared are subject to the exact same provisions of the Heritage act 2017 as sites that are 75 years or more.
Or put simply...Heritage Victoria owns all the ground and we shouldn't be metal detecting anywhere in their eyes. Or removing through the hobby of detecting, any potential artefacts that are 75 years or older at any site, heritage listed or not! They even state as a landowner you cannot give consent for someone to come and detect or remove anything from your very own private property, just in case Heritage Victoria deems that site potentially valuable for future...although most likely after its been built on or destroyed like usual. I also wonder what happens when a farmer digs a new dam and unearths a heap of old coins or relics that he didn't even know was buried there? Is he now liable to be prosecuted by Heritage Victoria and his property declared of archaeological value?
As mentioned above, I first learnt of this 75 year heritage act information back in Nov 2022 but strongly felt then and still feel now, that I am not doing anything wrong for me to be targeted or singled out for the detecting that I do. And let's be truthful here...there are tens of thousands of us metal detectorists out there across Australia hunting and exploring daily the exact same sites as I detect and explore myself. Not to mention finding and saving much the same items of history if not exactly the same. Go figure!!
So the criminal that I am, I have of course continued on enjoying the hobby of metal detecting and sharing my adventures. Until just recently 18/1/24 when I received a second email from Heritage Victoria And Department Of Transport & Planning. Stating that what I am still doing regarding my metal detecting and prospecting is no longer allowed and I must cease immediately or face prosecution.
The finer details of the email Heritage Victoria and Department Of Planning sent to me are all shown below for you to read (with the exception of me blanking out my own personal details)
However I have absolutely nothing to hide here and still feel I have done nothing wrong but metal detect? If I did feel that something was amiss and I was guilty of stepping on or knowingly detecting known heritage listed sites that would be a whole other story! I also wouldn't be posting this recent email and information to a group of 12k members, nor would I be sharing regular videos to youtube of sites I visit or the finds I unearth. AlI I have wanted to achieve over the years is to help out and inspire others to detect, whilst trying to build a good reputation for the Dig It Detecting Name.
What really gets me annoyed the most here though, is not only that I feel I've done nothing wrong...but as many will know, I have never been shy to share what I find through metal detecting or the history attached to it. In hopes of encouraging or exciting others to get out there to learn and enjoy also. My whole time detecting I have shared, shown, donated and spoken about my finds through historical society speeches and loved every aspect of metal detecting. But this recent email now just brings a disheartening feeling to what I have enjoyed doing most so far in life...
I know right, make waves then prepare to get splashed...but this is just crap!
So to everyone here reading that has supported myself, my family and the Dig It Detecting name up until this point I thank you so much...although now ask that you help support us on our biggest venture yet...Taking on Heritage Victoria's illogical legislation for what I and so many others feel to be unjust.
I have always strongly believed in standing up for yourself and what you know is right in life, so this is one battle I will be fighting! Just for enjoying metal detecting and potentially finding something over 75 years old, we are now all at risk of being bullied and intimidated by fines of over $100,000 or even 12 months imprisonment. I dont know how that sits with you reading this...but I certainly won't be pushed around and backed into a corner by threats like these!
From this point I will be gaining recommendations and references from all of the amazing people I have met throughout our metal detecting community and made friends with over the years. Hopefully to help show the character of person I am and the best intentions I have always shown regarding the metal detecting I do. Not to mention try to share this story as far as I can to help gain awareness of this situation. Plus support and momentum in what I believe may be a long road ahead.
I don't see this recent email being an attack on just my metal detecting either...but I feel the whole detecting community in general. As it's what we all love doing and all are currently doing! This could just lead into setting a precedent for future metal detecting/prospecting restrictions throughout all of Australia as well…think about it!!
Also to note. The first series of our decimal currency will soon fit the 75 year bracket set by Heritage Victoria's rules. So in the very near future, if you or I find a 1966 two cent piece buried in the ground, will that land then be declarable as an archaeological site? There needs to be a serious refinement of the legislation and the authoritve manner in which the department is applying this legislation.
Have Heritage Victoria also considered the flow on effects for all small businesses right across Australia because of this. This will jeopardise the metal detecting industry, the tourism and travel industry and especially for small towns! Because ask yourself this... How many times have you spent money at a local Milk bar of the small town you were passing through at the time to go metal detecting or prospecting? How often did you book accommodation in that area to stay a night or two? or even having to fuel up the car?
Some of these small towns and isolated areas without metal detecting, you possibly never would have even visited, let alone spent money there. We all know it's true and we all know that without metal detecting and the amount of travelling we do, we know this will have an impact on these smaller rural town communities and industries.
The list of impacts this law has is endless when you really stop and think about it!!
And tell me this…how are we supposed to explain to our next upcoming generation, why no one bothered to stand up for our rights to enjoy such a wonderful recreational hobby as metal detecting that whilst at it, helps uncover and preserve all our history? Whilst also being such an important beneficial mental health outlet for many doing so!
Heritage Victoria's attempt to ban metal detecting seriously threatens our connection to the past, as metal detectors are valuable tools in uncovering hidden artifacts and preserving our cultural heritage.
Join us in urging Heritage Victoria to reconsider and support responsible metal detecting, ensuring that our history is not left to decay in the ground, but instead bringing to light for future generations to cherish and learn from through metal detecting and prospecting.
Sign the petition today and help stand for the preservation of our rich and diverse history! This is not just standing up for our rights but our next generations too!
Check out Dig It Detecting Facebook Page or YouTube Channel to learn, read or see more.
Thankyou for your time.
Metal Detecting/Prospecting Australian Survey
Dig It Detecting Facebook Page
4,619
The issue
To all the passionate Metal Detectorists and supporters of Australian History out there, we need YOUR HELP NOW!!
I would like to bring something very important to your attention and an issue that could potentially affect us all. Just for enjoying metal detecting OR potentially finding something over 75 years old, we are ALL now at risk of being bullied and intimidated by fines of over $115,000 or even 12 months imprisonment by Heritage Victoria!
My background Information...
My name is Luke Phillips, I live in Victoria and for the past 6 years I have operated and ran the Dig It Detecting Facebook Group, Facebook Page, Instagram account and of course YouTube Channel. I am a Recognised Australian Minelab Detexpert and Coiltek Coils Ambassador and as many will know an extremely passionate metal detectorist who not only unearths history through my finds, but shares every bit along the way with my two young sons and the world! I am a current member of two historical societies with whom I also share my finds and present speeches on relevant items of history found throughout our local area. I also offer any land owner to metal detect their private property and donate back anything found for them to keep. I believe all history big or small that is unearthed is important to a site and should if possible remain with that site. My whole time metal detecting my intentions have only been honest and open, whilst enjoying a fantastic hobby.
Here's where it starts...
(Original text below posted to the Dig It Detecting Facebook Group 19/1/2024)
Back in November 2022 I was first contacted by Heritage Victoria, stating that what I was doing metal detecting was not allowed. And before I go any further I will mention that in my 6 years detecting, I have never detected or removed artefacts from any known Heritage Listed Sites...EVER!! As we all know how serious that can be! Instead I have always done what I felt to be the right thing and gained permission from landowners to metal detect their own private properties. (With no Heritage Listings) Or by simply visiting and metal detecting public open spaces. Such as parks, recreation reserves, or marked out crown land in known gold areas. Just like everyone does to enjoy the wonderful hobby of detecting.
Heritage Victoria told me back in 2022 though that I had to stop doing my metal detecting. In their words, me researching and targeting sites to metal detect was not ok by their rules. However I wouldn't be charged at that time because they felt I was unaware (and I was) of the 75 year rule disclosed in the 400 odd page Heritage Act of 2017. (75 year rule explained more below)
Here's where it gets tricky and what they believe I am doing wrong...
*Heritage Victoria states that any land or archaeological site in Victoria that are 75 years or more are protected under the Heritage act 2017. Including sites that are NOT on any formal Heritage list!
*Heritage Victoria also states that any archaeological sites that are less than 75 years may be declared a site of archaeological value and if declared are subject to the exact same provisions of the Heritage act 2017 as sites that are 75 years or more.
Or put simply...Heritage Victoria owns all the ground and we shouldn't be metal detecting anywhere in their eyes. Or removing through the hobby of detecting, any potential artefacts that are 75 years or older at any site, heritage listed or not! They even state as a landowner you cannot give consent for someone to come and detect or remove anything from your very own private property, just in case Heritage Victoria deems that site potentially valuable for future...although most likely after its been built on or destroyed like usual. I also wonder what happens when a farmer digs a new dam and unearths a heap of old coins or relics that he didn't even know was buried there? Is he now liable to be prosecuted by Heritage Victoria and his property declared of archaeological value?
As mentioned above, I first learnt of this 75 year heritage act information back in Nov 2022 but strongly felt then and still feel now, that I am not doing anything wrong for me to be targeted or singled out for the detecting that I do. And let's be truthful here...there are tens of thousands of us metal detectorists out there across Australia hunting and exploring daily the exact same sites as I detect and explore myself. Not to mention finding and saving much the same items of history if not exactly the same. Go figure!!
So the criminal that I am, I have of course continued on enjoying the hobby of metal detecting and sharing my adventures. Until just recently 18/1/24 when I received a second email from Heritage Victoria And Department Of Transport & Planning. Stating that what I am still doing regarding my metal detecting and prospecting is no longer allowed and I must cease immediately or face prosecution.
The finer details of the email Heritage Victoria and Department Of Planning sent to me are all shown below for you to read (with the exception of me blanking out my own personal details)
However I have absolutely nothing to hide here and still feel I have done nothing wrong but metal detect? If I did feel that something was amiss and I was guilty of stepping on or knowingly detecting known heritage listed sites that would be a whole other story! I also wouldn't be posting this recent email and information to a group of 12k members, nor would I be sharing regular videos to youtube of sites I visit or the finds I unearth. AlI I have wanted to achieve over the years is to help out and inspire others to detect, whilst trying to build a good reputation for the Dig It Detecting Name.
What really gets me annoyed the most here though, is not only that I feel I've done nothing wrong...but as many will know, I have never been shy to share what I find through metal detecting or the history attached to it. In hopes of encouraging or exciting others to get out there to learn and enjoy also. My whole time detecting I have shared, shown, donated and spoken about my finds through historical society speeches and loved every aspect of metal detecting. But this recent email now just brings a disheartening feeling to what I have enjoyed doing most so far in life...
I know right, make waves then prepare to get splashed...but this is just crap!
So to everyone here reading that has supported myself, my family and the Dig It Detecting name up until this point I thank you so much...although now ask that you help support us on our biggest venture yet...Taking on Heritage Victoria's illogical legislation for what I and so many others feel to be unjust.
I have always strongly believed in standing up for yourself and what you know is right in life, so this is one battle I will be fighting! Just for enjoying metal detecting and potentially finding something over 75 years old, we are now all at risk of being bullied and intimidated by fines of over $100,000 or even 12 months imprisonment. I dont know how that sits with you reading this...but I certainly won't be pushed around and backed into a corner by threats like these!
From this point I will be gaining recommendations and references from all of the amazing people I have met throughout our metal detecting community and made friends with over the years. Hopefully to help show the character of person I am and the best intentions I have always shown regarding the metal detecting I do. Not to mention try to share this story as far as I can to help gain awareness of this situation. Plus support and momentum in what I believe may be a long road ahead.
I don't see this recent email being an attack on just my metal detecting either...but I feel the whole detecting community in general. As it's what we all love doing and all are currently doing! This could just lead into setting a precedent for future metal detecting/prospecting restrictions throughout all of Australia as well…think about it!!
Also to note. The first series of our decimal currency will soon fit the 75 year bracket set by Heritage Victoria's rules. So in the very near future, if you or I find a 1966 two cent piece buried in the ground, will that land then be declarable as an archaeological site? There needs to be a serious refinement of the legislation and the authoritve manner in which the department is applying this legislation.
Have Heritage Victoria also considered the flow on effects for all small businesses right across Australia because of this. This will jeopardise the metal detecting industry, the tourism and travel industry and especially for small towns! Because ask yourself this... How many times have you spent money at a local Milk bar of the small town you were passing through at the time to go metal detecting or prospecting? How often did you book accommodation in that area to stay a night or two? or even having to fuel up the car?
Some of these small towns and isolated areas without metal detecting, you possibly never would have even visited, let alone spent money there. We all know it's true and we all know that without metal detecting and the amount of travelling we do, we know this will have an impact on these smaller rural town communities and industries.
The list of impacts this law has is endless when you really stop and think about it!!
And tell me this…how are we supposed to explain to our next upcoming generation, why no one bothered to stand up for our rights to enjoy such a wonderful recreational hobby as metal detecting that whilst at it, helps uncover and preserve all our history? Whilst also being such an important beneficial mental health outlet for many doing so!
Heritage Victoria's attempt to ban metal detecting seriously threatens our connection to the past, as metal detectors are valuable tools in uncovering hidden artifacts and preserving our cultural heritage.
Join us in urging Heritage Victoria to reconsider and support responsible metal detecting, ensuring that our history is not left to decay in the ground, but instead bringing to light for future generations to cherish and learn from through metal detecting and prospecting.
Sign the petition today and help stand for the preservation of our rich and diverse history! This is not just standing up for our rights but our next generations too!
Check out Dig It Detecting Facebook Page or YouTube Channel to learn, read or see more.
Thankyou for your time.
Metal Detecting/Prospecting Australian Survey
Dig It Detecting Facebook Page
4,619
Supporter voices
Petition created on 20 January 2024