Mount Isa-based workers Sam Verlaano and Dan Kropp uncovered a 1916 dog tag they believed had been buried in the Cloncurry riverbed for 100 years.

The duo found their latest discovery while traveling across the region searching old mine sites and riverbeds hoping to find gold, gem stones or minerals.

Mr Verlaano said the most interesting part of fossicking was finding bits of history, like the dog tag.

“We hoped to donate the dog tag to the Cloncurry museum as it was found in the Cloncurry Shire and also maybe someone might know a bit more information about it,” he said.

“We have also uncovered old coins from 50 to 200 years old, a topaz gemstone, belt buckles, a 1920s cordial bottle and horseshoes.”

The pair started fossicking four months ago to fill in their spare time around work hours, with the hope to discover gold.

“This area has quite a history of prospecting for gold and that was what got us out in the field to start with,” Verlaano said.

“So many people have been out here before us so I think we were about 100 years too late.

“We have never been disappointed about our discoveries, we knew it was a long shot finding gold out here considering how many people had been here before us.

“But during our journey we uncovered old hidden relics which sparked our interest more.

“We also met a few older locals who had been fossicking in this area for about 30 years and they had some great knowledge as to where to search.”

Now leaving the North West and returning home to Victoria, the duo hope to continue their passion for fossicking and will travel around searching old, abandoned buildings.

A separate discovery was made in North West Queensland with a colt being uncovered in the Cloncurry riverbed by a local woman. See story on page five.