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Period: to
Gold!!
Gold was discovered in many country and many gold rush had started. -
Discovery of Gold
First official reports of the finding of gold in Australia by J McBrien. The information was suppressed. -
Geologists found Gold
Geologists P E Strzelecki and Rev W B Clarke find gold near Hartley. -
No More Convicts
Transportation of convicts to NSW ceased. -
Discovery of Gold in California
Gold discovered in California (announced in December 1848). -
Californian Gold Rush
Californian gold rush. A great many Australians sailed for California. -
A New Governor
Governor Fitzroy approached the Colonial Office, advocating a policy for the exploitation of mineral resources. He requested a geologist, which led to theappointment of Samuel Stutchbury. This gave approval for the mining of mineral
resources. -
Edward Hargraves Found Gold
Edward HargravesEdward 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 were in production.
Licence fees of 30/- a m -
Immigration Began
Prospectors 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. -
Reduced License Fee in NSW
The licence fee in NSW was reduced to 10/- a month after near riots at Turon.Victoria followed suit a few months later. -
Discontent of the License System
Discontent with the licensing system and lack of political rights came to a head in the Eureka Stockade. An inquiry followed. -
Miner Right's
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. -
Changes to NSW
NSW adopted similar changes in licensing and voting to Victoria. -
Gold found in Queensland
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. -
Gold Discovery in Britian
Gold discovered in British Columbia (25 000 prospectors). -
Against the Chinese
Lambing Flat riots, in which whites attacked Chinese miners. -
Chinese Immigration
A VideoAn influx of Chinese miners meant that by 1860 one fifth of all adult men in Victoria were Chinese. -
Gold Discovery in New Zealand
Workable gold discovered in New Zealand. Between 1861 and 1863, 64 000 people travelled to Otago from Australia, while only 8600 arrived from Britain. -
Gold Discovery WA
Gold discovered at Coolgardie, WA. -
Gold Discovery in Gympie
A valuable gold field discovered in Gympie, Queensland. -
Gold Discovery in South Africa
Valuable deposits of very deep gold discovered on the Rand, South Africa. It took money and machinery to extract this gold. -
Gold Discovery in WA
Gold discovered at Kalgoorlie, WA. -
Discovery of Gold in Alaska
Gold discovered in Alaska.
