What was the Eureka Stockade?
The Eureka Stockade was a rebellion by gold miners at Ballarat, Victoria, in December 1854. Miners protesting against costly mining licences and harsh treatment were attacked by soldiers and police, and around 30 people were killed.
During the Victorian gold rush, miners had to pay for a licence each month, whether they found gold or not. Police carried out violent licence hunts, and diggers had no vote.
Anger grew after a miner was murdered and the accused was acquitted. Miners formed the Ballarat Reform League and burned their licences. Under leader Peter Lalor, they built a timber stockade and swore allegiance to the Southern Cross flag.
The battle
Early on Sunday 3 December 1854, troops and police stormed the stockade. The fight lasted about 15 to 20 minutes.
Thirteen miners were charged with high treason, but Melbourne juries acquitted them all in 1855, reflecting strong public sympathy for the diggers.
A royal commission criticised the goldfields administration. The monthly licence was replaced by a cheaper miner's right, and miners gained the vote. Peter Lalor, who lost an arm in the fighting, later became a member of the Victorian Parliament and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Many Australians see Eureka as an early step toward democracy.
Did You Know?
The remains of the original Eureka Flag are displayed at the Eureka Centre in Ballarat, on loan from the Art Gallery of Ballarat.