Life on the Goldfields
Life on the goldfields was primitive and rough with only the basics and many lived in tents. So many people arrived in Melbourne in the 1850’s that a huge tent city was established with as many as 30000 people living along the banks of the Yarra River. It soon became polluted with no fresh water or sewerage and living conditions became unhealthy. Diggers would leave their wives and children and head off with just clothes, boots, a roll of canvas and cooking equipment. Those who could not afford a carriage or horse walked to the goldfields. As there were no roads, people followed rough tracks through the bush. Once at the site it was noisy, with the sounds of digging, carting, crushing and the washing of dirt and rock. Sunday was the only day that diggers did not frantically search for gold. Home was often a canvas tent or bark hut with simple furnishings with simple meals cooked on an open fire. It was hard work.
There were very few children living on the goldfields in the early days, most were left behind . Once diggers settled in a particular area though, shops, schools and hospitals opened. The presence of wives and children lessened the drinking and bad behaviour of some of the men.
Food would be very basic and consist of damper, mutton and tea. A meal would be a stew of some kind. A food store would provide food such as meat, tea, flour, sugar, biscuits and potatoes and some vegetables and very rarely, fruit.
There was little or no medical help and the mixed living conditions led to the spread of diseases. There was whooping cough, scarlet fever and measles which resulted in many deaths. In addition, mining was dangerous work and many died due to accidents.
Those that were lucky and found gold either drank the value of all they had found ,bought land or a small business, or lifted their family out of debt.
There were very few children living on the goldfields in the early days, most were left behind . Once diggers settled in a particular area though, shops, schools and hospitals opened. The presence of wives and children lessened the drinking and bad behaviour of some of the men.
Food would be very basic and consist of damper, mutton and tea. A meal would be a stew of some kind. A food store would provide food such as meat, tea, flour, sugar, biscuits and potatoes and some vegetables and very rarely, fruit.
There was little or no medical help and the mixed living conditions led to the spread of diseases. There was whooping cough, scarlet fever and measles which resulted in many deaths. In addition, mining was dangerous work and many died due to accidents.
Those that were lucky and found gold either drank the value of all they had found ,bought land or a small business, or lifted their family out of debt.