On 2 August 1851, gold was first discovered near Ballarat, Victoria, leading to the Victorian gold rush. The discovery of gold in the 1850s and 60s was the most significant event in the evolution of the state of Victoria. Fuelled by extravagant stories of wealth gained at the 1849 Californian gold rush, gold fever hit … Continue reading
On December 3rd 1854, the Eureka Stockade, commonly seen as the birth of Australian democracy, took place. It was the result of built up dissatisfaction amongst miners in Australia. The stockade was built on Bakery Hill, in Ballarat, and was manned by 150 miners on December 3 when 276 police attacked, resulting in the deaths … Continue reading