The site of renowned painter’s 1854 work Warrenheip Hills near Ballarat was believed to have been lost, but George Hook found it by talking to local experts and knowing where the artist may have made some changes. 

Mr Hook described his moment of discovery in a talk on Wednesday, when he came across the pool as it is now. 

“I was immediately convinced I had found that site where he stood to make the sketch on which the famous painting is based,” he said. 

“It was a thrilling moment realising that only he and I knew exactly where he had been sketching on the afternoon of the 5th of February 1854.” 

The rockpool – empty at the moment – is on land controlled by Central Highlands Water, and the organisation is working with the Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation to preserve the site.