The mystery of the missing $50,000 Bass Coast Shire necklace

It's been 42 years since the council's mayoral chains were last photographed and there’s still no real clues as to where the trinkets ended up.

Author

Jacob Wallace
May 21, 2026

The last time Bass Coast Shire’s mayoral chains were photographed was way back in 1984, when then Mayor Brian O’Garey got a picture with Prime Minister Bob Hawke.

Since then, rumours and hearsay about the location of the missing Bass Coast Shire ceremonial regalia have been circulating local news outlets for decades.

The expensive ceremonial chain of office had been inherited by Bass Coast Shire from the Borough of Wonthaggi, which existed from 1911 to 1994.

The Borough of Wonthaggi mayoral chain was manufactured by Blashki and Sons in Rowville, and is estimated to be worth more than $50,000.

Take a look at a video explainer about the missing necklace below.