3 Answers

The Eureka rebellion2, which is often referred to as the 'Eureka Stockade', is a key event in the development of Australian democracy and Australian identity, with some people arguing that ‘Australian democracy was born at Eureka’ (Clive Evatt). In addition, the principles of mateship, seen to be adapted by the gold diggers, and the term ‘digger’ was later adopted by the ANZAC soldiers in World War I.

The rebellion came about because the goldfield workers (known as 'diggers') opposed the government miners' licences. The licences were a simple way for the government to tax the diggers. Licence fees had to be paid regardless of whether a digger's claim resulted in any gold. Less successful diggers found it difficult to pay their licence fees.

Population of the goldfields

The population of the Victorian goldfields peaked in 1858 at 150,000. More than half of these were British immigrants, and 40,000 were Chinese. There were also Americans, French, Italian, German, Polish and Hungarian exiles as well as many other nationalities. (The Oxford Companion to Australian History)

Between 1851 and 1860, an estimated 300,000 people came to Australian colonies from England and Wales, with another 100,000 from Scotland and 84,000 from Ireland. Gold seekers from Germany, Italy and North America also made the journey to Australia in search of gold. Just over 5,000 people from New Zealand and other South Pacific nations, and at least 42,000 people from China, also arrived in Australia during the 1850s gold rushes. During this period, the colony of Victoria received 60% of all immigrants to Australia.

To carry on from Eggplant, the leader of the miners fighting against the unfair tax was Peter Lawler.

The "rebels" were successful in their campaign and as Eggie said "Democracy was born" at Eureka.

The actual battle was more of a skirmish than a battle.

It is claimed Peter Lawler cried "Eureka, we have won" when the government police took flight.

Truth was the "Traps" (police) were on the miners side in a lot of cases.

Glad to see Australian history alive and well. We have a short but distinguished history and the fact 90% of children today do not have a clue as to where we came from.

"Advance Australia"

The reinactment of the Eureka Stockade at Sovereign hill is worth seeing----- excellent.