The Australian gold rush
The first Australian gold rush began on 12th February 1851, just 3 years after the California gold rush began in America. The California gold rush lured many men from Australia to try their luck in the California gold fields, in response the New South Wales government asked for approval from the Colonial office in England to allow the use of mineral resources in Australia. The New South Wales government offered €10,000 and a life pension to the first person to find payable gold.
Edward Hammon Hargraves came back from California to try his luck in Australia using the skills he had learned from California to Australia. With John Lister, Edward Hammond Hargraves began prospecting in Lewis ponds creek in New South Wales. They found 5 specks of gold, which was enough for Edward Hammond Hargraves to enlist help from other men. Edward wrote to the Sydney Morning Herald describing the 'gold rich' fields. These actions intrigued many and gave many hopes of finding gold and getting rich quick. Although these findings caused the beginning of the gold rush. Gold was officially found in a river between Rydal and Bathurst in New South Wales on 15th February 1823 by assistant surveyor James Mcbrien. These findings were reported, but were suppressed because it was believed that it would lead men off the workforce and destabilise the economy.
The Australian gold rush lasted until 1899 when the gold had gotten harder to find and the number of rich gold fields dwindled. Gold had been found in Alaska, this started the Klondike gold rush, this drew the attention of prospectors from Australia. Gold had also been found in South Africa, but money and machines were needed to extract this gold from the ground.
Edward Hammon Hargraves came back from California to try his luck in Australia using the skills he had learned from California to Australia. With John Lister, Edward Hammond Hargraves began prospecting in Lewis ponds creek in New South Wales. They found 5 specks of gold, which was enough for Edward Hammond Hargraves to enlist help from other men. Edward wrote to the Sydney Morning Herald describing the 'gold rich' fields. These actions intrigued many and gave many hopes of finding gold and getting rich quick. Although these findings caused the beginning of the gold rush. Gold was officially found in a river between Rydal and Bathurst in New South Wales on 15th February 1823 by assistant surveyor James Mcbrien. These findings were reported, but were suppressed because it was believed that it would lead men off the workforce and destabilise the economy.
The Australian gold rush lasted until 1899 when the gold had gotten harder to find and the number of rich gold fields dwindled. Gold had been found in Alaska, this started the Klondike gold rush, this drew the attention of prospectors from Australia. Gold had also been found in South Africa, but money and machines were needed to extract this gold from the ground.