Jean-Paul Turcaud - University, Perth


 
 
Sunday Independent, September 5th 1976
Five years ago Perth University Student Jean-Paul Turcaud discovered one of Australia's richest goldfields.  But the lanky Frenchman has not received a single cent for his discovery.  He is still waiting recognition and reward from the big American mining concern which plans to dig up $100 million worth of gold in our North-West. 

Turcaud, a 36-year-old bachelor is putting himself through university on the $30 per week tertiary allowance.  Since he discovered the mineral deposit in the Paterson Range he has conducted a constant war of words.   First was his battle to convince mining developers he had discovered a huge mineral deposit southeast of Port Hedland.  When after more than a dozen companies looked at the site he got somebody interested he was then faced with trying to get some compensation for himself.

This week after years of frustration,, including a trip to America in personal confrontation with Newmont Pty Ltd, he told his lawyer Mr Jim Mazza to proceed with a case of breach of contract.  The company offered him $60,000 which he refused at first but then said he would accept the offer.  But then the offer was withdrawn by the company.  Turcaud lives at the Noalimba Migrant Reception Centre in Perth in a section reserved for university students.  He pedals a bicycle to and from university and spends most of his time studying.

 
"Turcaud refused to sign the indenture even though his solicitor has recommended acceptance.  Turcaud claims this offer ( 'The Indenture' )  is full of "if" clauses and not an accurate account of the discovery. Instead Turcaud has proposed a personal scholarship:

$10,000 on signing of a scholarship
$6,000 a year allowance for four years to complete a university degree
$8,000 a year allowance for three years to complete a post graduate degree."   (Sunday Independent, 1976)
 

JPT on his way to university
The pressure of study, of having to support himself,  and the mounting  legal costs of pursuing his claim against Newmont proved too much.  Turcaud returned to France, but never ceased in his claim to being the discoverer of Telfer.