miners were forced to dig deeper to obtain usable specimens, or as mines ran dry completely, the population began to decline. By 1891, Maldon was reduced to 1,600 inhabitants. Mining of small claims continued through the 20th century, together with sluicing of gullies and tailings. In the 1980s, several new ventures commenced, including an open cut mine at Union Hill. Maldon proved to be one of Victoria's richest quartz-mining centres, though with poorer alluvial results than others such as Castlemaine or Ballarat. Quartz mining extended southward through Sandy Creek to Newstead, along to Mia Mia and Muckleford, eastward to Fentimen’s and Smith’s Reefs, and even to near the peak of Mount Tarrangower. In all, over seventy reefs were proven to contain gold deposits. Maldon was known as a poor man’s diggings, with many excellent yields from very small claims. The Maldon Magistrates' Court closed on 1 November 1981, not having been visited by a Magistrate since 1972. The Victorian Blue Light Youth Camp was established in 1987 and ran to September 2022. Modern times Today, Maldon's population is more or less stable at around 1,500 people. The town was declared "Australia's first notable town" in 1966 by the National Trust of Victoria, who explained that:The township displays overall historical and architectural importance, particularly in its gold town buildings. The significance lies in the variety of building styles, and the area of mining is of interest with one mine still open to the public. Maldon boasts that it is largely unchanged since the 1850s, and has attracted considerable interest from tourists for its 19th-century atmosphere. Maldon is now sustained by its appeal as a retreat and retirement venue for artists and writers, as well as by the tourist trade. The town holds several annual fairs, including a Winter Fair, Easter Fair, Art Show, and Folk Festival. Notable landmarks include the Beehive Chimney, Mount Tarrengower and the fire tower, Lake Cairn Curran, and the Maldon railway station. Maldon has its own newspaper, the Tarrangower Times, which was first published in 1858 and is the oldest continuously published newspaper in Victoria. The Maldon Museum and Archives Association displays a large collection of local artifacts and also operates a family-history research centre. The Museum is located in the former Maldon Shire Hall located in the Shire Gardens on High Street. The Maldon Vintage Machinery Museum houses stationary engines, farming implements, mining exhibits, fire pumps,