How did a penal colony become a democracy? By maddy_whittall Jan 1, 1843 Male land onwers in New South Wales voted in the first Legislative Council elections Period: Jan 1, 1843 to Jan 1, 1962 Universal Suffrage Jan 1, 1851 Australian gold rushes started Period: Jan 1, 1851 to Jan 1, 1930 The gold rushes in Australia Jun 1, 1854 Governor Hotham became governor Oct 17, 1854 A crowd of diggers burnt down James Bentley's hotel Nov 29, 1854 Diggers publicly burned their mining licences Dec 3, 1854 Authorities launched an attack on the stockade the diggers built Mar 1, 1855 All of the diggers demands were met Jan 1, 1856 South Australia and Victoria were the first states to use the secret ballot Jan 1, 1858 Population on the goldfields hit 150,000 Jan 1, 1872 The idea of being Australian was celbrated in poems and songs Jan 1, 1895 Women, including Indigenous women got the right to vote in South Australia Jan 1, 1896 Adult men including Inginenous men, in Tasmainia gained the right to vote May 1, 1900 The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act was passed Jul 9, 1900 The Commenwealth of Australia Constition Act was signed by Queen Victoria Jan 1, 1901 The colonies became one and known as the ' Commonwealth of Australia ' Jan 1, 1908 Adult women in Victoria gained the right to vote Jan 1, 1962 Indigenous Australians were given the right to enrol and vote
