The gold rush

The discovery of gold in New South Wales in early 1851 has been described as the ‘discovery that changed a nation’. Shortly after, gold was also found in the newly-independent colony of Victoria.

By the end of 1852, approximately 90,000 people had travelled to Victoria from all parts of Australia and around the world to search for gold.

The Eureka rebellion is remembered as a great democratic moment in Australia’s history. Government troops could be very rough with the gold diggers when collecting licence fees to dig for gold. On 11 November 1854, approximately 10,000 people gathered at Bakery Hill, Ballarat, to adopt a charter of basic democratic rights, including the removal of expensive gold licences, and the ability to vote for representatives to the Victorian Parliament.

Following this, the ‘Eureka Stockade’ was built at the Eureka diggings. It was here that the diggers swore by a rebel flag (featuring the Southern Cross) to stand by each other and fight to defend their rights and liberties. On the morning of 3 December 1854, government officials sent soldiers to attack the stockade. Following a short battle, the gold diggers were overpowered and about 30 were killed.

The rebel leaders were put on trial for high treason, but no jury would convict them. A Royal Commission found the government was at fault and many of the miners’ demands were met, including their wish for political representation. Within a year, Peter Lalor, the leader of the rebels, became a member of the Victorian Parliament.

Over the years, the Eureka rebellion has become a symbol of protest and belief in a ‘fair go’.

The gold rush changed Australia in many ways. During the gold rush years, the non-Indigenous population of Australia increased from approximately 430,000 in 1851 to 1.7 million in 1871. The first railways and telegraphs were built in the 1850s to link the growing populations.

Large gold deposits were found in all colonies except South Australia. The economy was flourishing and gold overtook wool as Australia’s most valuable export. By around 1890, Australia had one of the highest standards of living in the world.