Gold Fever!
First Goldfield in New South Wales
This first goldfield was named Ophir (O-fir) after the city of gold in the Bible. As people flocked to the goldfields, the government sent soldiers to the goldfields in order to maintain order and according to the law, the government owned all gold in New South Wales, so miners were forced to buy a licence to mine for gold.
Gold Found in Victoria
In July 1851, a timber James Esmond dug gold fr om a creek , then Louis John Michel found gold. Another discovery was found soon after by blacksmith, Thomas Hiscock near Ballarat and all three received awards for their findings.
People rushed to these areas for the chance to get rich quickly and people went from one goldfield to another as reports of new findings were made known. Men left their jobs, homes and families to rush to the goldfields in N.S.W. and Victoria. The fever spread to Queensland, and then finally to all the colonies of Australia. |
Everybody Moves to New South Wales
People were excited about finding gold. so many people left other states to go to New South Wales. The Victorian Government feared that workers would leave Melbourne and so in June 1851, an award was offered also for anyone who found gold in Victoria. The Government of Victoria did not wantpeople moving away.
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