Jupiter Mosman

John Joseph (Jupiter) Mosman (1861-1945) was an Aboriginal Australian prospector, one of the group of four who discovered gold at Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia.

Having travelled to Ravenswood with Jupiter, Hugh Mosman became acquainted with the prospector George Clarke and together with a Mr Fraser commenced a prospecting expedition in 1871.

The party left Ravenswood working their way toward the Seventy Mile Pinnacle at Mount Leyshon, after which they swung back towards the high bluff, now known as Towers Hill, as it was an easily seen landmark.

[1] Hugh Mosman and his white companions made much money from the Charters Towers gold fields, but soon went their separate ways.

Hugh Mosman stayed longest but, after he lost his arm while using explosives, decided to retire to Sydney, taking Jupiter with him.

There Jupiter was sent to school in Newtown, and afterwards to Lyndhurst College, Sydney, where he was baptised as Roman Catholic and christened John Joseph.

[1][3] Mosman died at Eventide nursing home at Charters Towers on 5 December 1945 aged approximately 84 years.

The unveiling was conducted by local Aboriginal leader King Kiara, son of Barney, of the Dalleburra people, who wore his breastplate for the occasion.