Abstract Gold was discovered in the Bendigo valley early in 1851. This discovery resulted in a large influx of fortune-seekers and a rapid increase in the population. In the 12 months of 1852 alone, 15,000 diggers produced 475,857 ounces. The last two mines closed in November 1954; Bendigo had yielded 22,500,000 ounces of gold and paid 12 million dollars in dividends. This paper examines the town's history and the social problems caused by dependence upon one industry and the fluctuating population. It explores the issues of legislation, land reform and sanitation.
Outline
The First Gold Discoveries
Life in the Gold Fields
Sandhurst's Birth
Dissent in the Valley
Armed Rebellion
Resolving the Land Issue
The Growth of Sandhurst
From the Paper "There was continual animosity between the puddlers and the townsfolk/diggers. A new course for the creek had been cut from the vicinity of Golden Square to Epsom but it afforded only temporary relief: it soon filled with sludge. The issue was referred to the Commissioner of Public Works and in January 1857 the Government let tenders for cutting portions of a new channel and for clearing, widening and deepening the old, at a cost of ?7,200. Within the year, the new channels were almost choked. A fee of ?12 per puddling machine per annum was introduced for the maintenance of the facilities until a main sludge channel was provided. "
