Historical information

The discovery of gold in Australia was a pivotal moment in the nation's history, leading to a series of gold rushes that transformed the Australian colonies. Victoria's goldrush began in Ballarat in 1851 and quickly spread to other parts of the state, including Castlemaine in July, drawing thousands of miners from around the world. The gold rush in Castlemaine began with the discovery of gold in July 1851, which attracted tens of thousands of migrants to the area. By 1852, the population on the Castlemaine Diggings had reached 30,000 people. The town was officially proclaimed a City on 4 December 1965, although it has since declined in population. The town's history is marked by its role in the Victorian gold rush, which was the world's richest shallow alluvial goldfield at its peak. The discovery of gold led to a significant increase in population and economic activity, transforming the area into a bustling town and a key settlement of the Mount Alexander diggings.

Physical description

"Making a Home. A History of Castlemaine" by Heather Holst. Discusses the history of the town including Aboriginal history, women's experiences, welfare, charity, and home economics. Soft cover. Published in Australia by Australian Scholarly Publications in 2014. Front cover features a white brick cottage surrounded by trees, behind fence. Back cover and spine feature map of topographical map of Castlemaine. Title and author's name in white print on front cover. Book includes black and white images. Contains index. 262 pp. ISBN 7981925003406.