After gold was discovered to be deposited "for miles along Woolshed Valley" in the early 1850s, the Woolshed became a major site of mining activity in the north-east . This region was divided into large claims of 80 yards long, one of which was the one depicted in this photograph, called 'Big Johnson's Claim'. Claims such as this utilised a range of technology, including water wheels, steam engines, sluices and toms, most of which would not arrive until after 1856 when this photograph was taken. The Woolshed initially became prosperous in 1855, and labourers, such as the ones depicted in this photograph, engaged in sinking work for 7 pounds a week, whilst other mining labourers could earn up to nine. The search for gold is ingrained into the history of Victoria and therefore, images like this one which portray an open cut sluicing site can reveal important information for society and technology for the date when the photograph was taken. This image is of important historical significance for its ability to convey information about the operations of mining claims, particularly of the Woolshed Valley area that this photograph documents. This image is important for current research into the history of Woolshed, which was a major site of mining significance and operations. Therefore, this image has the capacity to be beneficial for research into society and the motivations of those living and working in this region during this period and therefore, has social significance. The Beechworth Burke Museum has additional images relating to gold sluicing and the Woolshed area which can be analysed and studied alongside images like this one. A black and white rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper.Reverse: 7791 / page 34. / 52% / Big Johnstone / Claim on Woolshed Goldfields / 1856 / Note canvas [illegible] building / Burke Museum /woolshed, mining, claims, mining claims, big johnson, gold

The sketch was made by A.C. MacDonald, F.R.G.S. and presented to James Oddie, who was one of the earliest gold diggers at Ballarat..1) Reproduction of a line sketch plan of the Ballarat goldfield as it was on 11 October 1851 as drawn by A.C. MacDonald, and recopied by C.M. Yelland. The dots indicate appoximate extent of the Ballarat Goldfield in 1851. The dot and dash line indicates approximate area covered with tents. .2) Includes an indication of the locality of the Township of Baallarat West in 1867. Verso of cat. No. 4296.2, and written by Keith Rash - "On 10th October 1851, 1,300 licenses had been issued. 30th October 1851 2246 licenses. Lieut. Gov. LaTobe letter to Earl Grey." james oddie, a c macdonald, gold commissioner, mcleod, alfred clark, kavanagh, willis, highett, yarrowee river, a.c. macdonald, ballarat goldfield, ballaarat goldfield, lamda, c.m. yelland

One page document with a diagram showing reef lines and lease holdings in the central area of the Bendigo Goldfield. Reef lines shown are Sheepshead Line, Deborah Line, Garden Gully Line, Paddy's Gully Line, Hustlers Line. Sourced from Bendigo Goldfields Library, Central area. CD Rom 622.3422 BENbendigo, mining, lease holdings and reef lines

Laminated copy of two page newspaper article. Bendigo Advertiser Monday 24 July 2006."Bendigo's City of Gold is unearthed", article about the revival of production of gold from the Bendigo Goldfields. Plans include cross section through the mines/goldfield covering the New Chum, Sheepshead, Deborah and Garden Gully tunnelling. gold production in bendigo, kangaroo flat decline, aerial photo, revival

Diggers & Mining. The Chinese on the Gold Fields. Slide: But anti-Chinese agitation flared up again in 1870's - this time on the newly-discovered Queensland goldfields . . . Map on left is of Queensland: Palmer Goldfield, Hodgkinson gold field. In 1877, there were 17,000 Chinese on the Palmer field compared with 1,400 whites. Markings: 7. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Grey cover document, 21 typed pages with map of goldfield appended. On front page 'Report on the Bendigo Goldfield Central Area. This report is the outcome of an investigation into the present condition and future prospects of the Central Area of the Bendigo goldfield, undertaken with a view to seeing what improved methods could be adopted in the conduct of mining operations to neutralise the recent heavy increase in the cost of labour and mining requisites, and so restore the industry to the level of its previous prosperity' Signed by E.C. Dyason, B.Sc. B.M.E., Commonwealth Chambers, Bendigo, Victoria, 15th November, 1918.bendigo, gold mining, report on goldfield, bendigo goldfield, goldmining, mining companies, reef lines, underground workings, e.c. dyason

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from 2000. Stripped: a scene across the goldfields, note landscape stripped of trees.. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Black and white leaflet / page entitled :Guide to Some Mines:. Author A Richardson. Printed image of 'A Typical Saddle Reef', Bendigo Goldfield.topic, mining

Bendigo United Friendly Societies Dispensary, A Goldfields Child 1872 - 2000, published by Bendigo United Friendly Societies, 52 pages with photographs.Ray Wallaceclubs and associations, sport, bendigo united friendly society., friendly societies, bendigo united friendly society, bufs dispensary.

Hard covered book with dust jacket titled Rediscovering Victoria's Goldfields contains 117 pages with black and white & coloured photographs and prints.John Bechervaisebooks, natural history, goldfields, victoria-history-goldfields

Brown hardcover exercise book, some handwriting in pencil and some in ink by Jean Mather. These writings describe geological conditions such as faults, goldfields, Reedy Creek (Broadford) and other Goldfields, Maldon Dykes, Bendigo Dykes, Wood's Point, Walhalla-Wood's Point Belt, Sir Donald Douglas Mather, The New Miner's Right (1977), ordivician, gabbro. jean mather, geology, trough faults, bendigo, ballarat, goldfields, dykes, minerolgy, reedy creek goldfield

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from 2000. Historic: View of Bendigo goldfields at the New Chum line of reef, 1875. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Letter to Joseph Davies, Diamond Hill, expressing congratulations on his rescuing fellow miner, John Allan, at Goldfields Consolidated Mine, Diamond Hill.School of Mines and Industries, Bendigoperson, mining, joseph davies, school of mines and industries, bendigo, joseph davies, diamond hill, mining

Article in the School Paper Nov. 1 1928, detailing the efforts of Joseph Davies in rescuing John Allan in the Goldfields Consolidated Mine at Diamond Hill.person, mining, joseph davies, mining, the school paper, mr. joseph davies, john allan

31 paged, stitched report relating to rewards for the discovery of new goldfields in Victoria. Copy of the report with handwritten annotations by Keith Rash. .2) Duplicate copy. gold, mining, rewards, goldfield discovery, minutes, evidence, robert brough smyth, j.f. sullivan, james esmond, john dunlop, t.l. madgett, w. brownbill, daniel brophy, alexander wilson, peter paterson, edward hill, mary kerr, henry dowling, charlotte edwards, r. reynolds, a.s. wilson, t.l. williams, wombat flat, jim crow, keith rash, gold discovery, gold discoverers, peter wright, daylesford, creswick's creek, fiery creek, st arnaud, brown hill, ballarat, hepburn, mcivor, avoca, steiglitz, dolly's creek, taradale, woad yaloak, f.a. powlett, f. kawerau, david armstrong, john jones, h. swindells, w. lonsdale

Reproduction Photograph of the Bendigo Goldfields Hospital taken originally by Batchelder, a three storied stone building with four chimneys. There are six people standing in front of the buildingBatchelderbuildings, government, bendigo gaol, bendigo gaol, batchelder, stone buildings

Colour photograph of an oyster shell under the original bearers in the Old Colonists shop awaiting replacement floorboards. Oysters were a common food on the Ballarat goldfield.old colonists' hall, shopfront, floorboards, bluestone, government camp, oyster shell

Handwritten letter, dated 18/10/09, to Mr. Joseph Davis congratulating him for the rescue of John Allen at the Goldfields Consolidated Mine. He also thanks him for saving him a great deal of trouble and anxiety for saving the man in his charge. Letter signed by Robert Eddy, Manager, Goldfields Consolidated Mine, 18/10/09. Letter written on a double, folded page.Robert Eddydocument, joseph davies collection, joseph davis, goldfields consolidated mine, john allen, robert eddy

Diggers & Mining. The Digging - The Diggers. Slide reads; Magistrates were appointed on the principal goldfields to try minor criminal cases. Prisoners arrested on more serious charges were taken to Melbourne for trial before higher courts; but, from December, 1852,circuit courts were held I some goldfields centres. Markings: 60 994.LIF:6. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

ROCK SPECIMENS WITH DISPLAY heading 'ROCK SPECIMENS COMMON TO BENDIGO GOLDFIELDS' Displayed on open tray. Removed from display case as glass was considered unsafe. To be catalogued.cottage, miners