The gold rush of 1851 transformed Australia as thousands flocked to the goldfields near Ballart, drastically changing the environment. This drew a multicultural population and tensions rose over mining fees without representation. These tensions culminated in the 1854 Eureka Rebellion where miners were killed fighting troops. This became a milestone in democracy as it established rights and representation for citizens, shaping Australia's national identity.

1. How has this moment in history shaped
Australia's identity?
Author: Michelle Shanks
Image retrieved from http://www.businessday.com.au/small-business/entrepreneur/gold-fever-how-to-be-a-gold-prospector-20120323-1voxh.html

2. 
In 1851 Gold was discovered in the valleys and creeks surrounding
the present day site of Ballart. Within weeks this pristine
Aboriginal resting area and colonial pastoral region was inundated
by thousands of people digging for gold. The Australian gold rush
had begun. How would your search for gold change the natural
environment?
Image retrieved from http://www.egold.net.au/objects/DEG000188.htm

3. 
As news of gold quickly spread, people from all over the world
flocked to a new life on the goldfields to find their fortunes. Ballart
became the new frontier, where tens of thousands of diggers
worked their claims. A wide variety of cultural backgrounds and
nationalities were represented, turning the Victorian goldfields into
Australia's first multicultural community.
How have cultural attitudes & tolerance changed over time?
Image retrieved from http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn-gold-rush

4. 
Much of Victoria was crown land therefore gold could not be mined
without government permission. A goldfield licencing fee of 30
shillings per month was introduced and the diggers had to pay their
dues on demand, yet they had no voice in the administration of the
goldfields. How do you think this made the miners feel?
Image 1 retrieved from http://the-great-australian-goldrush.wikispaces.com/The+Eureka+Stockade
Image 2 retrieved from http://wiki.prov.vic.gov.au/index.php/File:Gold_license.jpg

5. 
Between 1851 and 1854 tensions were building on the
goldfields. Clashes between authorities and miners
became more frequent with significant discontent
brewing over the injustice of the goldfield licencing
system. The miners set about petitioning the government
to revoke the licence fees and held a large protest rally
that began a movement for political change.
Image retrieved fromhttp://www.ballaratreformleague.org.au/chewton.htm

6. 
On August 1st 1853 the ‘Bendigo Goldfields Petition’ was presented
to Lieutenant-Governor Charles Joseph La Trobe. Over five
thousand miners from across the Victorian goldfields had signed the
petition which stretched for more than 13 metres in length. In
response Sir Charles Hotham proposed increasing the cost of a
miner’s licence and ordered more frequent licence inspections.
Image retrieved from http://www.monstermeeting.net/archives/the-diggers-flag/

7. 
Simmering tensions exploded in October 1854
when young Scottish digger James Scobie was
killed during a brawl outside the Eureka Hotel in
Ballarat. Police corruption was suspected when the
accused culprits were acquitted, triggering a
violent protest in which the hotel was burnt to the
ground.
Image retrieved from http://www.igougo.com/journal-j68916-Ballarat-Ballarats_Gold_History_and_Culture.html

8. 
Image retrieved from http://www.ballaratreformleague.org.au/
On November 11, an estimated crowd of over 10,000
miners gathered at Bakery Hill, directly opposite the
government encampment. The diggers formed the
Ballarat Reform League and proposed a series of
changes to the political system. Why do you think the
charter wanted manhood suffrage and short duration of
parliament?

9. 
In November 1854, the Ballarat Reform League was formed and
several thousand miners adopted a program of radical reform to
bring change on the goldfields and to claim political rights. Relations
between the miners and the government continued to deteriorate and
at the end of November, under the leadership of Peter Lalor, they
unfurled the Southern Cross Flag and swore to defend their rights
and liberties.
What does the Eureka flag stand for today?
Image retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eureka_Flag

10. 
Early on Sunday 3rd December 1854 a battle took place at Ballarat
between miners and government troops at the Eureka Stockade.
Approximately 30 miners and five soldiers died in the fighting and
Peter Lalor was badly wounded. How has this rebellion become a
symbol of democratic protest and a milestone in the
political history of the colony of Victoria?
Image retrieved from http://bytesdaily.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/ned-kelly-part-2.html

11. 
Thirteen miners were brought to trial accused of high treason.
However, as popular opinion labelled the men as heroes the
juries refused to convict them. Governor Hotham set up a Royal
commission that looked at the reasons for the rebellion and
eventually abolished the licence, replacing it with a Miner’s Right.
This fee cost one pound a year and gave the miners the right to
mine gold and entitled its bearer to a vote in parliamentary
elections.
Image retreieved from
Image retrieved from http://www.hereticpress.com/Tuohy.html

12. 
The Eureka Rebellion demonstrated the refusal of citizens to be
dominated by unfair government and laws. It was an important step
in the establishment of democratic principles including 'taxation
with representation' and the right of each person to have a say in
how they are governed.
Why are our rights and freedoms granted to us by our
Constitutions so important?
Image retrieved fromhttp://www.monash.edu.au/news/show/interpreting-the-constitution

13. 
The themes underlying the discontent on the Ballarat
Goldfields still carry meaning in contemporary Australia;
issues of freedom, human rights, democracy and national
identity. In 2012 Australia commemorates and celebrates
the 158th anniversary of Eureka and its legacy
the Australian spirit.
Why is it important to understand and
conserve our cultural heritage?
Image retrieved from http://eurekaballarat.com/eureka/eureka-precinct.aspx

14. 
http://www.aec.gov.au/elections/australian_electoral_history/Reform_present.htm
http://aso.gov.au/titles/documentaries/riot-or-revolution/clip1/
http://aso.gov.au/titles/tv/peachs-gold-eureka/clip2/
http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn-gold-rush
http://www.ballaratreformleague.org.au/
http://www.ballaratreformleague.org.au/chewton.htm
http://www.businessday.com.au/small-business/entrepreneur/gold-fever-how-to-be-a-gold-prospector-20120323-
1voxh.html
http://bytesdaily.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/ned-kelly-part-2.html
http://www.convictcreations.com/history/lessons/eureka.html
http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/property-titles-and-maps/managing-crown-land/leasing-of-crown-land
http://www.egold.net.au/objects/DEG000188.htm
http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/co/Commonwealth_of_Australia_Constitution_Act
http://ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/explore-history/rebels-outlaws/law-enforcement/peter-lalor
http://eurekaballarat.com/eureka/eureka-precinct.aspx
http://eurekaballarat.com/eureka/eureka-quotes.aspx
Year 5 – The impact of significant development or event on a colony; for
example, frontier conflict, the gold rushes, the Eureka Stockade, internal
exploration, the advent of rail, the expansion of farming, drought.
(ACHHK095)
The following websites were used in the creation of this WebStory:

15. 
Year 5 – The impact of significant development or event on a colony; for
example, frontier conflict, the gold rushes, the Eureka Stockade, internal
exploration, the advent of rail, the expansion of farming, drought.
(ACHHK095)
The following websites were used in the creation of this WebStory:
http://familymatters.blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/2010/10/26/did-you-ancestor-sign-the-bendigo-goldfields-petition/
http://www.hereticpress.com/Dogstar/History/Bentley.html
http://lrrpublic.cli.det.nsw.edu.au/lrrSecure/Sites/LRRView/7569/index.htm
http://www.mininghistory.asn.au/mining-history/victorias-mining-history
http://www.monash.edu.au/news/show/interpreting-the-constitution
http://www.monstermeeting.net/archives/the-diggers-flag/
http://www.monstermeeting.net/information/
http://www.peo.gov.au/kidsview/menu.html
http://prov.vic.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/eureka-on-trial/murder-of-james-scobie
http://www.sbs.com.au/gold/story.php?topicid=5
http://www.sbs.com.au/gold/story.php?storyid=124
http://the-great-australian-goldrush.wikispaces.com/The+Eureka+Stockade
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eureka_Flag
http://wiki.prov.vic.gov.au/index.php/File:Gold_license.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kry-xiVYMJc&feature=related