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Five views of the Gold Fields of Mount Alexander and Ballarat
Five views of the Gold Fields of Mount Alexander and Ballarat

Five views of the Gold Fields of Mount Alexander and Ballarat

Artist (Active 1850 - 1866)
Publisher (1821-1870)
Date1852
Object number00015757
NameLithograph
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 278 x 447 mm, 0.2 kg
Display Dimensions: 278 x 450 x 10 mm
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionLithograph by David Tulloch and Thomas Ham titled 'The Gold Diggings of Victoria. Five Views of the Goldfields of Mount Alexander and Ballarat, in the colony of Victoria'. Drawn on the spot by David Tulloch and engraved and published by Thomas Ham. Melbourne 1852.HistoryIn many ways the discovery of gold in Australia echoed the California gold rush of 1849, bringing people and wealth to both countries and dramatically changing their societies and environments. Edward Hargraves discovered gold in New South Wales in 1851 after returning from California, and then the subsequent discovery of more deposits in Victoria increased the momentum of the gold rush. As a result the Australian population tripled in just 10 years with a diverse mix of miners coming from Britain, Europe, America and China. This mix of people instigated changes in Australian social values, politics, economics and technology. Living and working on the gold diggings was a harsh and dirty existence. The landscape was often stripped of trees that were used for firewood, huts and building mine shafts. The extremes in weather conditions and sanitation were a major issue for the large number of people living and working together. Washing for gold added to the pollution of streams and rivers. Holes in the ground held both sewage and refuse. Infections and diseases spread readily under these conditions with influenza and pneumonia being a common cause of death for miners of all ages and genders. Many children suffered from scarlet fever and diphtheria. If they did not die from the disease, they were often killed by the 'cures' - many of which were poisons. Only a small number of miners made a real fortune in the Gold Rush. It was easier and more common to gain wealth by establishing businesses and trade related to the diggings. Many unsuccessful miners turning to razing cattle, fruit plots or running stores selling over-priced goods, supplies and services. Some of the miner’s camps developed into permanent settlements with the demand for food, housing and supplies fueling the Australian economy.SignificanceThis lithograph is important in providing one of the earliest pictorial records of life on the goldfields in Australia.