Gold Rush

In 1851, after gold was discovered, the whole country caught ‘gold fever’. Men left their jobs, homes and families to join the rush to the goldfields. They went first to New south Wales, then Victoria, Queensland and finally to all the colonies of Australia. They were joined by thousands of men from Europe, America and Asia. Within ten years the population more than doubled.Australia was never the same again!

Entertainment on the Goldfields

On the goldfields there were many activities such as camp fires, sport, toys and games for children, Sundays and special days and parades

Riots, Robberies and Rebellions on the Goldfields

The riots and robberies started because of the bushrangers. Many of the bushrangers didn’t have a gold licence and refused to get one. This stared the fights with the soldiers. 22 people died and 18 were injured.

My Questions about the Gold Rush

How did this effect the community ?

This effected the community because many families left their jobs and homes to search for Gold. One of the main effects of the gold rushes was that men who worked on the farms, sheep and cattle stations simply downed their tools and left. Workers, owners, stockmen, jackaroos left their jobs to look or for gold. Often women and children were left to tend the stations their husbands left behind. As a result, Aboriginal labour became more popular.

I got some these answers from a book called “Daily Life on the Goldfields”, written by “Kimberly Webber” and from a website called http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_did_the_discovery_of_gold_affect_Australia, written by “On the Wallaby”.

What was the daily life on the Goldfields ?

Their daily life on the Goldfields were to find gold, food, shelter, their entertainment and clothes. In 1851 the population of Victoria was approximately 80,000, and a decade later it had risen to over 500,000 then by 1851 there was a population of 430,000 and in 1871 there was a population of 1.7million. Because of this massive rise in population the ‘tent’ towns were replaced by permanent towns and the tents were replaced with wood and canvas huts. With these towns came many jobs other than just mining. The major increase in population also had a great need for an increase of police to keep order on the goldfields.

I got some these answers from a book called “Daily Life on the Goldfields”, written by “Kimberly Webber” and from a website called http://s2yh2qy.edu.glogster.com/daily-life-in-the-goldfields/, written by s2yh2qv.

Who discovered the Gold Rush ?Edward Hammond Hargraves discovered the first Gold Rush in Australia and went to all the colonies of Australia and to USA to spread the news. Eight months later, gold was found in Victoria.

I got some these answers from a book called “History of the Gold Rush in Australia”, written by “Nancy Kessing” and from a website called http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_gold_rushes.

What made the law and order on the Goldfields ?

The law and order was made because many miners didn’t find gold and travelled back. With thousands of people arriving every day at new goldfields, it was important that some form of law and order was maintained. At first, diggers organised their own forms of justice. Then the stage government sent police and military officers to the goldfields to take control. A Goldfields commission was set up to administer the diggers, Miners’ licences were introduced to pay for this system.

I got some these answers from a book called “Law and Order on the Goldfields”, written by “Kimberly Webber”.

When did the Gold Rush Start and End?

The Gold Rush started in 1850’s and 1860’s in Summerhill Creek and Ballarat. It ended in the 1930’s.

I got some these answers from a book called “History of the Gold Rush in Australia”, written by “Nancy Kessing” and from a website called http://wiki.answers.com/Q/When_did_the_Australian_gold_rush_end

How has it shaped the Australian Identity?

Australia was changed forever be the hundreds of thousands of diggers and their families, from Australia and overseas, who went to the goldfields to look for gold. More goods and services were needed to deal with the larger population. The gold they found also bought wealth to Australia.

I got some these answers from a book called “Everyday life on the Goldfields ”, written by “Ann Parry”

Thank You For Your Time

By Jeanelle D’mello