Historical information

The Miner’s Right has a long history in Australia. Still in use today, it was first established in Victoria in 1855, as a replacement for the Gold License (which had been introduced in Victoria in 1851). The Miner’s Right was subsequently adopted by other Australian colonies.

Unlike the Gold License, the early Miner’s Right, in addition to the right to prospect for gold, also carried with it certain other advantages, such as property rights and voting rights.

The Miner’s Right came about as a recommendation of a government-appointed commission, which had been appointed on 1854 to look into the troubles on the Victorian goldfields, especially regarding the Eureka Rebellion.

Physical description

Three Miner's Rights / Residency Permits for leases on the corner of Holdsworth Road and Wood Street, Long Gully, Bendigo (Area known as American Gully - downstream of the American Mine):
a and b No 72 Sarah Harvey, dated 23/01/1913
c and d No 23148 Evalina Gifford Vivian Harvey, dated 14/09/1926
e and f No 23149 Thomas George Harvey, dated 14/09/1926
Issued by the Victorian Government at a cost of two shillings and six pence

Inscriptions & markings

Victorian State Government