SHARLOTTE Bourne struck gold by winning the under 16s category at this year’s Australian Annual Gold Panning Championships in Blackwood on March 2.
Only turning 12 a couple months ago, Sharlotte found herself competing against many 14 and 15 year olds in this year’s competition.
Sharlotte said there weren’t any major differences in how the competitions worked this year compared to when she won in under 12s last year.
“The only real difference was bigger buckets with more dirt,” she said.
“I still put in a little bit of extra preparation this year.”
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Sharlotte was first introduced to the hobby at the age of five by her Dad, Clint Bourne, and the two of them began competing in 2020.
Mr Bourne also competed in Blackwood this year and came second in the men’s competition.
Mr Bourne also discovered gold panning at a young age and made it into a career through becoming a prospector.
“I’ve always liked it as a kid and checked out Eldorado where I met some people out on the creek and it just went from there,” he said.
The aim of the competition is to pan the most amount of gold in the least amount of time without making mistakes.
Mr Bourne said he enjoys coming back to the competition every year.
“It’s a family orientated event of likeminded people and it’s a really good atmosphere,” he said.
One of the main aspects that both Sharlotte and Mr Bourne enjoy the most is the competitive nature.
“I just enjoy getting into it and winning,” Sharlotte said.
“It’s something to prove amongst the panners, to see who’s faster,” Mr Bourne said.
Mr Bourne attributes much of his success in this year’s competition to his specialised pan that he has from Sweden that many of the skilled panners use, which he hopes to teach Sharlotte how to use.
“This pan holds the world record and all the titles are won with a pan like this as well, whereas Sharlotte and the under 16s use a more traditional pan,” Mr Bourne said.
“I want to learn how to use that pan, then I’ll definitely win,” Sharlotte said.
After winning the competition, Mr Bourne and Sharlotte's mum, Sammy Halliday, said Sharlotte couldn’t wipe the smile of her face.
“We’re very proud, she messaged me and said ‘I did it Mum’,” Ms Halliday said.
“For her to be so young and to win in the under 16s is a huge achievement, she will be the girl to beat next year.”
Both Mr Bourne and Sharlotte hope to continue competing in the future, with their sights set on qualifying for the world championships that will take place in New Zealand in 2026.
