BHS Collection56-page soft lime green colour cover booklet. Murray's guide to the Australian Gold Diggings. Where they are and how to get to them. Edited by George MacKaness. With letters from Settlers and Diggers telling how to work the diggings. Australian Historical Monographs Vol. VIII Printed by D.S.Ford, Sydney January 31, 1956. Reprint edition for Review Publications, Dubbo, NSW in 1976 Includes a Ballad from the Diggings Eragold, australia, diggings

The Red Ribbon agitation was held in 1853 in opposition to the licence fee imposed on the diggers during the gold rush in Bendigo.Bendigo Advertiser. Violet Street Primary School students join members of the Bendigo Historical Society for the re-enactment of the Red Ribbon Agitation.red ribbon agitation, re-enactment, violet street primary school, girton

31-page spiral bound booklet by Pat Healy June 2023 'From Forest Creek to Eureka' How the Diggers of the 1850s Gold Rushes drove the developments of Democracy in Victoria. Includes colour images. Chapters include the Monster Meeting, Red Ribbon Movement in Bendigo, Eureka Stockade in Ballarat Published by Chewton Domain Society 2023gold rush, red ribbon agitation, eureka stockade

Nicholas Caire was born on Guernsey in the Channel Islands in 1837. He arrived in Adelaide with his parents in about 1860. In 1867, following photographic journeys in Gippsland, he opened a studio in Adelaide. From 1870 to 1876 he lived and worked in Talbot in Central Victoria. In 1876 he purchased T. F. Chuck's studios in the Royal Arcade Melbourne. In 1885, following the introduction of dry plate photography, he began a series of landscape series, which were commercially successful. As a photographer, he travelled extensively through Victoria, photographing places few of his contemporaries had previously seen. He died in 1918. Reference: Jack Cato, 'Caire, Nicholas John (1837–1918)', Australian Dictionary of Biography.An original, rare photograph from the series 'Views of Victoria: General Series' by the photographer, Nicholas Caire (1837-1918). The series of 60 photographs that comprise the series was issued c. 1876 and reinforced a neo-Romantic view of the Australian landscape to which a growing nationalist movement would respond. Nicholas Caire was active as a photographer in Australia from 1858 until his death in 1918. His vision of the Australian bush and pioneer life had a counterpart in the works of Henry Lawson and other nationalist poets, authors and painters.Views of Victoria (General Series) No.31 / ‘View of Sailor’s Creek Bridge’ / Albumen silver photograph mounted on boardOn Reverse" ‘Sailor’s Creek as situated in the Jim Crow Ranges, which Range forms a portion of the Great Dividing Range of Mountains in Victoria. These hills contain many romantic spots. The one which forms the subject of the present illustration is a view of the Bridge which spans the Creek. Gold has been found throughout the course of the bed of this Creek in payable quantities. The diggers, as may be seen in the photograph, have constructed sluices in the side of the embankment for the purpose of washing the fine gold contained in the wash-dirt.’nicholas caire (1837-1918), sailor's creek (vic), gold mining (vic)

In 1887 Creswick had a population of around 25,000 people during the gold rush but now is only about 1/10th of its original size. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Framed hand coloured lithographic print from Wither's 'History of Ballarat' showing two diggers looking over Creswick Creek. A scar tree is depicted in the left foreground. The work was published in the 1887 History of Ballarat by W.B. Withers. art, artwork, creswick, samuel thomas gill, s.t. gill, f.w. niven, available, lithograph, printmaking, scar tree, near ballarat, spring hill, scarred tree

SUMMARY - Edna (Myers) Barrie, 1918 – 2018, Profile Early Life Edna was born at Melton and delivered by Hannah Watts. Her mother Martha walked in the dark at night with her basket under her arm to the bridge over the Toolern Creek Bridge and into Sherwin Street to the corner of Yuille Street to Hannah’s house Lynch Cottage. Martha’s husband was away shearing and eventually heard the news of the birth of their blue eyed third child and second daughter. She was born into a family that was surrounded by music; her father played the “squeeze box” and mother the mouth organ. From an early age the family were aware of the great composers, a framed picture of Beethoven, Chopin, Schubert and Wagner hung above the door to the lounge room of their 4 roomed cottage, the room where the piano stood. Her life on stage started as a singer aged 6 years at the Melton Mechanics Institute Hall. Edna was born with a natural ear for music learning piano and singing from her older sister Marjorie who became an accomplished pianist and soloist and renowned music teacher in Melton and district. In the 1920s and 1930s concerts at the Melton Mechanics Institute were regular events were the local talent was fostered. The Myers children, like other children of Melton and Rockbank, studied singing, piano and elocution, sat examinations, entered in competitions in South Street Ballarat, Footscray and Melbourne. In 1929 a Sacred Concert was broadcast by 3AR from the Hall as part of the Back to Melton Celebrations. Marjorie Myers performed two of the items on the piano. Edna attended Melton State School 430 from 1924 – 1933. Her father Fred had also attended the same school. In 1924 the School staged Cinderella at the Melton Mechanics Institute Hall with a cast of 33 students. After completing her education a Melton she boarded in South Melbourne and attending Melbourne Girls High School (MacRobertson Girls High School), a school which recognized her musical attributes. She travelled home on the train on the weekends, sometimes getting off at Rockbank to save a few pennies in fares. Working life The early 1930s the Depression was a difficult time for a young woman to find work. Jobs were often menial and given to the youngest and therefore cheapest applicant. She worked as sales assistant at Polonskis and Myer in the city, and Irvines Modes in Footscray. Working to 1pm on Saturday, and when held up by a customer meant missing the train home. While at Myer Department store she lived at home and rode her bike to the Melton railway station. On one occasion she had a nasty fall when a part of her bicycle came loose causing the bike to crash rendering her concussed and injuring her nose. During the 1930s she was given a camera “a little snap” by Mrs Kelly her landlady. This began her interest in photography documenting family life at their “Burnbank” home. Musically, while at Myers she participated in annual performances held at The Kings Hall and the Myer Mural Hall. Working in the basement at Myers she was often embarrassed when her name was called, customers assuming she belonged to the Myer Family. Ken Myer worked in the basement at the same time handling the ‘Wheeler’, a wicker basket used for moving goods around the store. The family philosophy was for the children to start at the bottom and work their way up. Social life Social life in her teenage years was connected also with Scots Presbyterian Church. She attended Sunday School classes and received book prizes for attendance. She loved to read and welcomed the times when she received new book. She took part in the Sunday School Anniversaries and was presented with a Bible from the Superintendent, Henry Robinson for her assistance with the music. Marriage and War years In 1941 Edna married Ernest “Bonnie” Barrie. War in the Pacific was soon to break out. While in Sydney on their honeymoon they met up with Jim Barrie who was on his way to Canada via Hawaii just missing Pearl Harbour by two days. Jim became a Spitfire Pilot and joined the RAF and was based in England. He returned to Australia later in RAAF to fight the Japanese off the coast of New Guinea. The three eldest Barrie brothers were farmers and food producers and were thus except from military service. Edna and Bon were members of the VAOC- Volunteer Air Observers Corp entailing being rostered on duty as plane spotters. The women took shifts during the day and the men at night which involved staying overnight in the Shire Offices. Later the spotting tower was built in the plantation opposite the Post Office. Edna and Bon carried on with this from their home in Ferris Rd when the threat of invasion had ceased Community life Community life in Melton revolved around fund raising events for the Melton Mechanics Institute for the War effort and keeping up with maintenance for the Hall. In 1944 the Minister for Health gave approval for the Shire of Melton to open and Infant Welfare Centre inviting Edna to form part of the Committee with seven other women. In 1948 she was President of Melton Branch of the Victorian Health Centres Association. She volunteered this use of her car driving the person in charge, Sister Smith to visit mothers and their babies. In 1963, along with Betty Jones and Isabel Snell, Edna was instrumental in forming the 1st Melton Cub Pack and later supported the formation of the 1st Melton Scouts. During 1963 – 1968 she completed the Australian Boy Scout Association Cub Pack Preliminary Training and achieved her Wood Badge. Country Women’s Association In 1944-1996 she was a member of the Melton Branch Country Women’s Association (CWA), Melton Branch, Secretary of the Branch in 1945 – 1946 and Branch International Secretary 1970-1971. She worked with choir, music and drama interest groups within the branch attaining both first and second place in 1959, second place in 1952 Exhibition and second in Music in 1960 in the state. She was involved in their handicraft craft events, fund raising and musical events and singing competitions. During the 1950s she trained Trios and Quartets in part singing for the CWA competitions in Ballarat and Melbourne. It was at this time that she developed her skill as a conductor and trainer of choirs. She later auditioned for the Victorian Choir for alto parts believing she would stand a better chance of being chosen, because of her ability to sing in natural harmony. In 1962 she participated in the Tenth Australian Country Women of the World (ACWW) Triennial Conference “Australia Presents: CWA Massed Choir” in the Melbourne Town Hall. This event was recorded by Super Sound Spotlight on 45 extended play vinyl record. The songs were Australian music and words, for example The Silver Stars are in the Sky, The Graceful Swaying Wattle and Kookaburra. Edna continued with her interest in the Victorian Choir regularly meeting at the CWA Headquarters in Toorak for rehearsals. In 1974 she took part in the Australian Choir at the fourteenth Triennial conference of the ACWW Interfaith Service held at the Perth Concert Hall on the 13th of October. Arts and Culture Edna was also in the Choir of 3KZ Carols by Candlelight at the Myer Music Bowl in 1963 and 1964. Melton Choral Society. Edna was Director and Conductor in the 1970s performing at many community events such as Carols by Candle Light, Church Services, Easter and Palm Sunday services, Mothers Union and the 1976 Community Services Week Combined Church Service. The October – November 1978 Program covered the following: songs from the Musicals, Choral and Solo with Narratives, Guest Instrumental Item, Recitation Negro Spirituals and Australian Songs. Her involvement with church choirs included the Scots Presbyterian Church Choir Easter and Christmas performances and the 1967 Centenary Service. In 1980s the Melton Uniting Church Sacred Music Performances included The Crucifixion by Stainer, The Olivet to Calvary and other church Hymns. Edna was Musical Director of the Melton Amateur Theatrical Society and worked on performances in collaboration with Mabel Rogers on script and musical interpretation. Melton and District Historical Society Annual Art and Craft Show. First held in Melton Mechanics Institute Hall in 1973, it later took place in the in the Melton Community Hall. The Art Show was also run in conjunction with other community organizations such as Rotary and Girl Guides. Community history and research Melton streetscape and society Over 20 years commencing in the 1970s, Edna undertook extensive photographing of the changing streetscape of Melton’s High Street. She anticipated the impact of change on the community during the time of Melton’s rapid transition from a small farming district to a large urban community and this led to her extensively document and photograph many of the structures and landscape features of the township that have since been lost. She also meticulously recorded much of the contemporary life of the town and has left a significant legacy of archival material. Melton State School 100 Years Celebration, October 1970 Co-author with Mabel Rogers “The First 100 Years, 1870 – 1970” Assembled a collection of School Class Photograph and identified and compiled lists of names for future school history. She also assembled a photographic display for the 125th anniversary in 1995. Melton and District Historical Society (M&DHS) Foundation Member, 1968 Held President and Secretary positions from its inception Research associated with the classification of Heritage buildings Christ Church Classification C Scots’ Presbyterian Church Classification D Set up the storage and Catalogue system in the Office at the Willows Organised society visits to Heritage sites in and beyond the Shire of Melton, including Stathtulloh, Eynesbury, Deanside, ToolernVale sites including Merrywood (now demolished) Staughton Vale, Chirnside, Point Cook, Shwerkolts Cottage. 1970 – 1983 Melton and District Historical Society Letterhead. Staughton Memorial Light from early newspaper cutting in its location before restoration to present location. Sketch by Wendy Barrie. Designing and printing pamphlets, stationery, and other sale items with Willows title. M&DHS street naming research for new housing developments (1970 – 2000). Collaborated with Mary Tolhurst to research the names of early landowners and pioneer families connected to the first settlers. Researched Aboriginal names for inclusion on lists submitted to developers. An early example is the naming of Kuranjang and the street names associated with the McPherson family. Plains of Promise (Shire of Melton history) by Joan Starr (1985). Edna assisted with Historical Society materials and contributed her own research and photographs. Contacted and organised for Hubert Opperman to launch the book. (She was also present at his last bike ride at Rochester in 1995.) Western Metropolitan Groups of Historical Societies. Member attending meetings and representing Melton, also hosted the Group at Melton The Willows Member of the Committee of Management for the restoration of the “Willows” house the establishment of The Willows Park 1982 March - Official Opening of the Willows Park- Preparation and planning for the event. Involved in the collecting of items in the furnishing of the display rooms in the Willows house. Donated items and furniture from the Myers and Daley family houses. (19th century) Machinery Shed Establishment. Involved with Jeff Robinson in the construction and collection of machinery display Other significant sites Championed and participated in the restoration and preservation significant sites in Melton, including: restoration of the Staughton Memorial Light and its return to its present site restoration of the Pykes Grave (using EW Barrie earthmoving equipment) restoration and reconstruction of Dunvegan restoration and reconstruction of Macs Cottage, the management and Caretakers residence Melton State School War Memorial Gates removed from Unitt Street entrance and relocated to the Willows Park Donated the Barrie family single furrow plough which was standing at the Court House Plaza. It removed and to Council Depot and later missing. The plaque was taken to the Willows. Jimmy Melrose (aviator) cairn restoration at crash site in Melton South Donald Mackintosh (Olympic gold medallist marksman) grave site at the Melton Cemetery (Historical items held by the Myers family collection.) Houdini first flight at Diggers Rest. Edna’s father was shearing at Diggers Rest at the time and witnessed the flight. She attended the 90 year anniversary of the event at the site in 2000. Radio and electronics Edna’s husband Bon interest in wireless communication dates in the 1920s with the building of a crystal set in the early days of public broadcasting. At the Back to Melton Celebrations in 1929, 3AR broadcast a concert from the Melton Mechanics Institute on the 20th February at 8pm featuring Footscray City Band, James Hill baritone, Vera Carew Soprano, James Foran Tenor, Marjorie Myers Piano, and James Williamson Entertainer. Accompanists: Miss Agnes Ross and Mrs James Hill. The Myers children had recordings of their piano playing made onto the aluminium records, Martha Myers’ voice can be heard introducing an item. These were made in a studio in Melbourne. Marjorie was given a upright Gramophone by Donald Mackintosh in recognition of her talent and her contribution to the cultural life of Melton. The family were then able to listen to 78rpm recordings of the famous classical recordings. The turntable was hand wound metal stylus needles had to be regularly replaced. The aluminium disk needed a bamboo needle to prevent damage to the surface. Before electricity was introduced to Melton in 1939 the Mechanics Hall relied on generators to produce electricity. Bon Barrie, being mechanically minded, built a public address system for be used a community functions at the Hall and Recreational Park. By 1939 this was up and running and used for over three decades. A large Collection of 78rpm records provided music for dances, marching, parades and any public event needing music and microphones. The early system was portable and worked on batteries. CFA Radio Communication In the 1950s with the introduction two-way HF and later VHF very high frequency radio sets. Melton Rural Fire Brigade was part of the Bacchus Marsh Group. Radio sets where located in the Melton Fire Truck, and in the house of the Barrie family at Ferris Road. This was an ideal location to observe a 360 degree view in all directions when smoke appeared on the horizon. An antenna was erected beside the house. The set OX 7 was located in the kitchen and monitored 24 hours by the family. When an electrical fire occurred at the junction of the electricity to the house there was time to radio the fire station and summons the men working in the paddocks, thus saving the house from possible destruction. With the introduction of UHF – ultra high frequency Vinten Radios the signal was clearer and static and interference lessened and radio traffic became easier to read, and reduced noise levels in the household. VL3 LY Radio Base became the Group Headquarters was established in 1967. By 1970 the Brigades were: Melton, Rockbank, Sydenham, Toolern Vale, Diggers Rest, Truganina, and Werribee. In 1974 when the family moved to First Avenue, another antenna and a small building were erected adjacent to the residence and used to house the equipment, maps. Radio traffic consisted of regular schedule times and communication with adjoining groups of brigades such as Bacchus Marsh, Mt Macedon and Little River Groups. Many of the brigade and group base radios were situated in private residences and operated primarily by fire fighters wives who held the position of Communications Officer, either registered as a brigade member or informally. Edna was never registered as an operational brigade member but operated informally as an assistant to her husband Bon. She was however a member of the Melton Fire Brigade Ladies Auxiliary from its inception in 1968, a non-operational position. Edna kept up to date with radio procedure following the 1967 handbook; preparing maps, plotting compass points and taking notes on weather forecasts from the SA Border and Western District. Daily notes were taken in anticipation of fire warnings. These log books and daily radio traffic were incidental to the regular radio schedules. Emergency turnouts noted, burning off times and predicted location of smoke. In the summer fire season all TBF (total fire ban days were recorded.) In times of emergency the Barrie family assisted Bon the base radio operator to plot the position and location of fire trucks and to help clarify garbled radio traffic, keep notes and make telephone calls. These log books are held in the EE and EW Family Archive. Melton Uniting Church Edna founded the Church Opportunity with Maisie Robinson in 1975 in the Melton South Methodist Church building. Methodist and Presbyterian Churches of Melton had combined severing their long held connection with Bacchus Marsh. A Manse had been recently built for the Melton Minister. At a Parish Committee meeting at the Melton South Church it was suggested to use the building as an Opportunity Shop. It opened in July 1975, and it raised $1,600 contribution to the church budget in 1976. In 1977 The Uniting Church in Australia was formed and the Melton South Uniting Church Opportunity shop continued to go from strength to strength expanding the buildings providing the welfare needs of the community. Archive Set up by Edna Catalogued items dating from 1857 Minute Book and set ongoing system and storage of items of heritage. Melton Un Awards and recognition of service to the Melton community Rotary Award for Community Service, 1980 Victoria 150th Anniversary Celebrations contributions, 1985 Life Membership of the Melton and District Historical Society (M&DHS), 1989 Extra-Ordinary Contribution for years of service to M&DHS, 1992 Long Service for Exceptional Service MD&HS, 1993 Royal Historical Society of Victoria Award of Merit, 1997 Shire of Melton Certificate of Appreciation for continued support and dedication as a member of MD&HS to the preservation of Melton’s History, 1998 Centenary of Federation Peoplescape (Canberra) Melton Shire nomination, 2001 Uniting Church Melton Life Membership of the Opportunity Shop Uniting Church in Australia Commission for Mission for 30 years of hard work and dedications to the Uniting Church, 2007 Uniting Church Adult Fellowship Certificate appreciation in recognition of valuable support through the “Sammy” Stamp Fund Neighbourhood Watch 5 year award Photographs of Edna at different ageslocal identities

The map was created by Tulloch and Brown. David Tulloch was one of the earliest engravers and lithographers in the state of Victoria. He arrived in Melbourne from Greenock, Scotland, on 3 January 1849. Following the discovery of gold Tulloch went to the Victorian goldfields in 1851, commissioned to make sketches of the diggers and the diggings for Ham’s Illustrated Australian Magazine. In November 1852 Tulloch set up in business as engraver, draughtsman, copperplate printer and lithographer. Tulloch took a map engraver, James Davie Brown, into partnership in March 1853; the several maps and specimens of commercial engraving they showed at the 1854 Melbourne Exhibition were awarded a bronze medal. That year Tulloch and Brown also received a silver medal at the Victorian Industrial Exhibition. The partnership was dissolved towards the end of 1856.This is a very early map of the Colony of Victoria including Belvoir (now know as Wodonga).A foldable map mounted on linen and with a board cover. It records the Colony of Victoria according to Surveyor's Records revised in 1857. Areas of the map are shaded to highlight different counties.At bottom right hand section of map: Tulloch & Brown's map of the Colony of Victoria : comprising part of New South Wales, the boundaries, counties, also seaport & inland townships, the gold fields with the latest discoveries, roads, tracks, &c. &c. / compiled from drawings in the Survey Office and correctly revised till 1857. Respectfully dedicated by Permission, to the Honorable Captain Andrew Clarke R.E. Surveyor General of Victoria by His Obediant Servants Tulloch & Brown, Engravers & Publishers, Melbourne". At bottom right below border : Published as the Act directs by the Proprietors, Melbourne, 1st Feb. 1856. tulloch and brown maps, rare maps victoria, victorian cartography

Black and gold coloured acrylic scarfGallipoli Giggers Centnury 1915-2015. They shall not grow old. Lest we forget.

A sculpture of an Australian Digger that was produced as a commemorative piece by a Melbourne firm called Ceramic Innovations. It is filled with Tawny Port and is part of a wider set of bar pieces. The three pieces held at Melbourne Legacy are tributes to the three armed forces and are called 'Digger', 'RAAFIE' and 'Jack Tar'. They were once in the comradeship room and now stored in the archive. An advertising flyer found shows the RRP was $110 with $5 of each 'Digger' being donated to Legacy Australia.A record that the items were souvenirs as tributes to the three armed forces.Ceramic sculpture of a digger with a separate hat that is made as a bottle and contains Tawny PortGold inscription under the hat says 'Bullocks Tawny Port. Bar Piece No 4. Produced by Ceramic Innovations Pty Ltd.'souvenir, bottle, sculpture, legacy australia

A sculpture of an Australian navy man that was produced as a commemorative piece by a Melbourne firm called Ceramic Innovations. It is filled with Tawny Port and is part of a wider set of bar pieces. The three pieces held at Melbourne Legacy are tributes to the three armed forces and are called 'Digger', 'RAAFIE' and 'Jack Tar'. They were once in the comradeship room and now stored in the archive. An advertising flyer for 'Digger' found shows the RRP was $110 with $5 of each 'Digger' being donated to Legacy Australia.A record that the items were souvenirs as tributes to the three armed forces.Ceramic sculpture of the head of a naval person with a separate hat that is made as a bottle and contains Tawny PortGold inscription under the hat says 'Bullocks Tawny Port. Bar Piece No 17. Produced by Ceramic Innovations Pty Ltd.'souvenir, bottle, sculpture

A sculpture of an Australian air force man that was produced as a commemorative piece by a Melbourne firm called Ceramic Innovations. It is filled with Tawny Port and is part of a wider set of bar pieces. The three pieces held at Melbourne Legacy are tributes to the three armed forces and are called 'Digger', 'RAAFie' and 'Jack Tar'. They were once in the comradeship room and now stored in the archive. An advertising flyer for 'Digger' shows the RRP was $110 with $5 of each 'Digger' being donated to Legacy Australia.A record that the items were souvenirs as tributes to the three armed forces.Ceramic sculpture of the head of a airforce person that is made as a bottle, with a separate hat, and contains Tawny PortGold inscription under the hat says 'Bullocks Tawny Port. Bar Piece No 14. Produced by Ceramic Innovations Pty Ltd.'souvenir, bottle, sculpture

BHS CollectionDiggers & mining. The gold era. - - - others travelled by coach or bullock dray. Slide shows a dray pulled by 4 ox, a coach pulled by 4 horses, men on horseback, and men on foot one with a wheel barrow. There are also several dogs. Markings 14 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

BHS CollectionDiggers & mining. The gold era. Some travelled on foot to the digging, - - - Slide shows diggers with their belongings on their backs and bags in hand, and a dog following. One miner has a boy with him. Markings 13 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

BHS CollectionDiggers & mining. The gold era. Having pegged his claim, the digger took some washdirt to the nearest stream, where he puddled it. Slide shows diggers puddling, tent in background. Markings 15 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

BHS CollectionDiggers & mining. The gold era. - - - and raising the dirt to the surface with a ship, - - - Markings 21 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

BHS CollectionDiggers & mining. The gold era. - - - or a whim. Markings 22 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

BHS CollectionDiggers & mining. Life Of The Selectors. Minor sitting in front of his makeshift hut smoking a cigarette. Some of the necessities of a miner which are visible in the picture are; wheelbarrow, barrel for a table, buckets, shovels, axe, gold pan, hand saw, tin cup, wash board, axe, frypan horse collar, saw horse/also doubles as a seat, barrel/also used for storage, large pan, fresh fish hanging. Markings; Life Of The Selectors 1860-1890. Set 432 No. 5. Selector's Hut, East Gippsland - photo by N. J. Claire, 1884. Used as a teaching aid.Visual Education Centreeducation, tertiary, goldfields

The Red Ribbon Movement of 1853 represented a significant series of events in the history of Bendigo. During that year there was much agitation on the Bendigo gold fields, particularly during July and August of 1853, directed against the payment of what the miners called a tax - a licence fee of thirty shillings ($3) a month for the right to search for gold on what was declared Crown land. They had to pay the licence whether they found gold or not. The miners, or diggers as they were called, also resented the means used by the authorities at the time to collect the gold licence - through so-called 'digger hunts'. The miners were expected to carry their licences with them, and the police, who were often untrained, used harsh methods to check these licences. In Bendigo, the miners took to wearing a red ribbon ‘as a symbol of their protest against the licence. Red was a very common colour in items such as shirts, so was readily available. Shopkeepers too tied red ribbons to their premises as a sign of support for the miners. It should be remembered at that time virtually everyone was a miner. The diggers also had their own banner, designed by William Dexter, a china painter from Devon. This flag showed the pick, shovel and cradle representing labour, the scales representing justice, the Roman bundle of sticks meaning unity and the kangaroo and emu of Australia Many thousands of Bendigo miners signed a petition to La Trobe, the Governor of Victoria, protesting against the licence fee. When the Governor rejected the petition, thousands of diggers marched in peaceful protest. Miners from White Hills, Eaglehawk, Golden Square, Kangaroo Flat as well as from Bendigo Flat, converged on what is now Pall Mall and View Point, surrounding the ~government camp on Camp Hill. The camp had been reinforced with soldiers of the 40 Regiment, as the Government feared bloodshed. The miners then gathered on the hill behind View Point to hear from their leaders - among them George Thomson, Captain Harrison, Captain Brown and W.D.C. Denovan. They resolved to pay a token fee often shillings ($1) for the September licence, whenthey met with Commissioners Panton and Wright on Camp Hill. Although Wright and Panton were sympathetic to the miners, the offer was rejected, but no licence fees were collected for September. Thus a possible bloody conflict was averted by the common sense shown by the miners' leaders and the commissioners. It was a truly democratic protest against arbitrary government and preceded the Eureka Stockade Incident by over a year. Bendigo Historical Society Committee on a Tram, two photos, one of five people standing behind a display cabinet, and the second one a Banner stretched across the tram. On the rear of the photo is "L-R Jim Evans, Terry Davidson, Ron Monro." Second from left is Jim Evans (President) and fourth from the left is Terry Davidson, with extreme right, Ron Munro (Vice President). In the cabinet is the 1853 Bendigo Goldfields Petition (Red Ribbon Rebellion) The society holds the petition in digital form. The diggers had their own banner, designed by William Dexter, a china painter from Devon. This flag showed the pick, shovel and cradle representing labour, the scales representing justice, the Roman bundle of sticks meaning unity and the kangaroo and emu of Australia history, bendigo, tram, 1853 bendigo goldfields petition, red ribbon rebellions

From a set of ten plates, the plates are: 1. Lucky diggers -- 2. Clearing the forest -- 3. Spearing emus -- 4. The stockrider -- 5. The vineyard -- 6. A pannikin of gold -- 7. Throwing the boomerang -- 8. Opossum hunting -- 9. Washing tailings -- 10. Teamsters' rest. The prints are numbered 1-10 and individually titled. Also available online http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-139535117 U1526-U1535.A colour or coloured print of some lucky diggers dancing in the street with some smiling onlookers. In the background there are some tents and two windlasses. On the bottom left of the card is printed No. 1, indicating that this is one of a series. postcard, mine site, diggers, mining camp

BHS CollectionDiggers & Mining. The Gold Era. Men from Victoria flocked to the goldfields, so a reward was offered tor the discovery of gold within 200 miles of Melbourne. It is impossible to say who was actually the first to discover gold in Victoria, - - - Markings 1 994.031GO4:5. Used as a teaching aid. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

BHS CollectionDiggers & Mining. The Gold Era. The GOLD ERA (slides used in class teachings) Markings 1 994.031GO4:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

BHS CollectionDiggers & mining. The gold era. Others from overseas, hearing of the immense wealth to be so easily gained, arrived in ships like this. Picture shows a lage sailing ship called Lightning. Markings 8 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

BHS CollectionDiggers & mining. The gold era. - - - and in ten years the population increased sevenfold. Slide has graph displaying the years and the population increasing. Markings 9 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

BHS CollectionDiggers & mining. The gold era. Many Chinese also came, and most of them went to the diggings. Slide shows the Chinese on the way to the diggings. Markings 10 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

BHS CollectionDiggers & mining. The gold era. An extensive system of shallow leads was found under the Ballarat field, and deeper shafts were sunk. Slides show the work on the surface of the ground. Markings 19 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

BHS CollectionDiggers & mining. And soon thousands of men were at work on the diggings. Slide shows the diggings at Golden Point,1851. The gold era. Markings 5 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

BHS CollectionDiggers & mining. The gold era. Then the sand was washed from the gold. Slide shows miner tin dish washing. Markings 17 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields