Life on the gold fields

BallaratBendigo/CastlemaineKalgoorieOphir

List of major goldfields

A. Walking along the Burke and Wills track 18 hours and 51 min.

B. Food water to last two days. 1 rifle with 18 cartridges and 1 knife for food and protection

C. When I get there I will buy a diggers kit and more food and water and a tent.

D. Dangers that I might face are bushrangers, Snakes , sickness

Bendigo

Time line of gold discoveryIn Australia

1823Government Surveyor James McBrien discovers traces of gold in the Fish River, east of Bathurst.

1839Explorer and geologist Paul de Strzelecki discovers small amounts of gold in silicate near Hartley in the Blue Mountains

1840Willam Campbell finds gold on his sheep run in Strathloddon

1850Start of gold rush

1851First payable gold discovered in NSW

1854Eureka- gold miners rebel because of mining conditions

1855Establishmentof Sydney mint

20th of February 1859To my dearest family,I hope you are all finding yourselves well. The journey to Bendigo was long

and tiring. I find my self fortunate that I did not encounter any bushrangers along the

trail although the snakes were a common sight among the trees and the rocks, one had to be very careful where one sat. Finely arriving in Bendigo I am very weary, I take refuge under a very large Gum tree with some other weary travellers.

Always thinking of youJoshua

letters

After finding my own position I started to pan for gold. Diggers are everywhere here. All trying to find their fortune. The day was long and the work very tiring and hard. So far it has been disappointing here for me. Many have found gold so it gives me hope to keep on

searching.Always thinking of youJoshua

22 of February 1850To my dearest family,I rose with the sun and saw the most beautiful

sunrise. After breakfast I walked through the town to find where all the stores were and to hear the most recent news on the gold diggings. I bought a spade, pan, pail, brush and tent. I also got a gold miners licence. Everything was so costly.

24 of February 1850 To my dearest family,This morning there was no sun to rise to, for it

has been raining almost continuously. It is getting very muddy and I am considering that today I might have to give the panning a miss. My body is feeling very weary as I have not had sufficient rest since coming to Bendigo. Today there is not as many diggers around, they must be all waiting for the rain to settle a little before going into the fields again.

Everything is so expensive here, equipment, food, clothing, I hope I have brought sufficient

funds with me to last until I find gold.I hope you all find yourselves well.Missing youJoshua

28th of February 1850To my dearest FamilyI have received the news of my brother’s ill

health, I hope he is now well. The weather here has become sunny again and quite hot. I am working very hard panning for gold. I am very excited because I have found some flakes of gold, it has payed for some of my food I am eating well and in good heath. The days are long and tiring. Missing you heaps, Joshua

2nd of march 1850 To my dearest familyI can not believe it! I have found flakes of gold

again. It looks as though my luck may be changing, I have been able to buy new equipment more pails, clothing and food

Are you all still as well as I am. If my luck continues in my fortune, I hope to see you all soon.

Always thinking of you Joshua

4th of march 1850To my dearest family I had a lucky escape today I nearly got bitten by a

snake. I was walking by the river when a large brown snake came out from behind a bush I had to stand very still as the snake slide

by me only about a foot away. It went slithering into a near by scrub. For the rest of the day as I panned for gold I kept an eye out for the snake, he did not come back. Thinking of you Joshua

6th of march 1850To my dearest familyThe hard work has payed off, I spent the day

working hard panning and digging with hot sun beating down on me. I have spent many a day wondering whether me coming here was worth the trouble, but I am happy to say that you can now start packing your bags for I have found nuggets of gold. Come down and rejoice in my fortune and lets sing We’re in the money. Seeing you soon Joshua

CreditsCreated by Josh T Assistance From Christine TantiAnd Daniel TantiLyrics to We’re in the moneyWe're in the money; we're in the money; We've got a lot of what it takes to get

along!

We're in the money, why look the sky is sunny,

Old Man Depression say you know you’ve done us wrong.

Say you never see a headline about breadline today no sir.

And when we see the landlord.

Thank You For Listening

To my Project

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Were-money-Gold

http://www.primaryschool.com.au/humansocietyresults.php?kla=Human%20Society

Bibliography