Gold+Rushes



Gold was first discovered in 1851. Places in which gold was found included Bendigo, Ballarat, Castlemaine, Heathcote and Maryborough. Bendigo was one of the richest goldfields in Australia.

Prior to the discovery of gold, Melbourne was undeveloped, dirty, dangerous and overcrowded and was described as "Smellbourne." As a result of the discovery of gold, Victoria became one of the wealthiest colonies in the world. This led to the development of Victoria's infrastrucutre, as evident in the ornate banks, public buildings and shops that were built. Theatres, inns, billiard halls, baths, hotels, cricket, racing clubs and restaurants provided civilized entertainment. William Howitt, an English traveller and writer, wrote that he was leaving Melbourne "with the fullest conviction that it is destined to become one of the greatest and most flourishing countries in the world...and one of the most enviable homes of the human race." (Imagining Australia, Miriams S., Davidson M., Gordon S., pg. 30) Howitt went on to say that Melbourne's growth was "absolutely marvelous." (Imagining Australia, pg. 33) According to historian Weston Bate, Melbourne gew into a "great city, as comfortable, as elegant, as luxurious as any place in London or Paris." (Imagining Australia, pg. 34)
 * Development of Victoria**

- The rush to the diggings had disrupted patterns of everyday life and accepted standards of behaviour. A very masculine society led to moral decay where the number of prostitutes walking the streets and the number of families deserted by drunken diggers increased. - The pursuit of gold became man's primary force.
 * Moral decay**

- In the 19th Century, women were seen as a civilizing influence over men, providing stable and happy homes and curbing negative male behaviour. Caroline Chisholm's Family Colonisation Society supported immigration of single women to the colonies as wives to lonely diggers. They were known as "God's Police," who would civilize single men and create Christian families. - Cultural and educational institutions, such as the Univerty of Melbourne and the Free Public Library of Melbourne founded in 1854, were established in order to combat moral decay within society.
 * Efforts to reestablish society**

As a result of the discoverey of gold, Victoria experienced a great influx of people from many different countries and cultures, the majority of which included the Chinese. These people from overseas countries came to Victoria for the same reasons as many of the Australians themselves....to find gold and make it rich!
 * Chinese**