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First official reports of the finding of gold in Australia by J McBrien. The information was suppressed.
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Geologists P E Strzelecki and Rev W B Clarke find gold near Hartley.
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Transportation of convicts to NSW ceased.
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Gold discovered in California (announced in December 1848).
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Californian gold rush. A great many Australians sailed for California.
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Governor Fitzroy approached the Colonial Office, advocating a policy for the exploitation of mineral resources. He requested a geologist, which led to the appointment of Samuel Stutchbury. This gave approval for the mining of mineral resources.
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Video Edward Hargraves returned from California and washed gold at Summer Hill Creek, Ophir. Although he showed little skill in discovering new fields, he received recognition and financial rewards. The early rush to the NSW fields led to a serious decline in the population in Victoria, so a reward was offered for the discovery of gold in that region. Several claimants came forward, and by the end of 1851 the incredibly rich Ballarat and Bendigo fields.
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Chinese On The GoldfieldsProspectors started arriving from overseas. Approximately 100 000 arrived in 1852. Ships' crews deserted. Women were left while their husbands went in search of gold. Australia's population went from 404 276 to 1 097 305 between
1850 and 1860. Small gold deposits were discovered in New Zealand. -
The licence fee in NSW was reduced to 10/- a month after near riots at Turon. Victoria followed suit a few months later.
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Video Discontent with the licensing system and lack of political rights came to a head in the Eureka Stockade. An inquiry followed.
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In Victoria, the licence was replaced with the `Miner's Right', costing 1/- per annum and carrying the right to vote. An export duty of 2s 6d per ounce was placed on gold instead.
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NSW adopted similar changes in licensing and voting to Victoria.
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A small deposit of gold was discovered north of Fitzroy River in north Queensland. The few acres were soon exhausted by the arrivals. 5000-6000 footsore and penniless diggers had to be helped to return to Victoria or to the inland NSW goldfields.
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An influx of Chinese miners meant that by 1860 one fifth of all adult men in Victoria were Chinese.
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Lambing Flat riots, in which whites attacked Chinese miners.
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Gold discovered at Coolgardie, WA.
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A valuable gold field discovered in Gympie, Queensland.
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Gold discovered at Kalgoorlie, WA.
