A framed gold mining licence.
Object No. 2000/128/1
The Australian goldrushes transformed Australia as hundreds of thousands of hopeful diggers rushed to New South Wales and Victoria in search of their fortune. The gold license system was introduced soon after the first rushes began: from 23 May 1851 in New South Wales and from 1 September 1851 in Victoria. Everyone wanting to dig for gold had to pay 30 shillings ($1.50) a month for a license. This allowed digging within a specific area and laid down certain rules: diggers must carry their licenses with them at all times; they would be fined 5 pounds for the first time they were found without it, 15 pounds the second time and up to 30 pounds the third and subsequent times; digging was not permitted within ten feet of a public road; tents had to be erected at least 20 feet apart; and all diggers were to 'maintain, and assist in maintaining a due and proper observance of Sundays.' The gold license system caused considerable unrest on the diggings. It was regarded as a tax and greatly resented since it was applied regardless of the success or failure of the digger. However, the gold commissioners enthusiastically policed the goldfields, checking on licenses and arresting and fining the unfortunate diggers who could not produce them. These 'license hunts' came to symbolise the government's oppression of the diggers and directly led to major protests on goldfields in Sofala in 1852, Bendigo in 1853 and the Eureka Rebellion in 1854. In 1855, the gold license was replaced by a Miner's Right which cost one pound a year for the right to dig and also entitled the owner to vote. Since the fines for not having a license were high, diggers took great care of them. This particular license shows signs of having been carefully folded and kept in a pocket or wallet.
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Summary
Object Statement
Licence for gold mining, framed, paper / wood / glass, issued to J McDonnell, printed by John Ferres, Government Printing Office, Victoria, Australia, 1853
Physical Description
Printed paper gold mining licence. At centre top is the Victorian coat of arms with inscription: 'VICTORIA / GOLD LICENSE'. The name of the license owner and place and date of its issue are written in ink and the license is signed in ink by the Commissioner. The license also details the conditions under which it is issued. License issued to J McDonnell to mine at Loddon. The license is window mounted under cardboard which is inscribed in black ink 'MINERS RIGHT 1853 / Presented to, Royal Historical Society of Australia / by Dr. Aeneas J. McDonnell.'. The whole is framed with a dark brown wood frame and under a sheet of glass. The back is covered with brown paper inscribed with blue pencil '209'.
DIMENSIONS
Height
330 mm
Width
290 mm
Depth
13 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
Gold licenses were printed by the Victorian Government. This license was issued in 1853.
HISTORY
Notes
This license was issued to J. McDonnell in March 1853. At the time he was working on the Loddon goldfields on the Loddon River in western central Victoria. The gold license was donated to the RAHS by a descendant of J. McDonnell, Dr Aeneas J. McDonnell. Gold was discovered in Australia in 1851, precipitating a rush by thousands of city dwellers to the goldfields of Bathurst and Ballarat. By 1852 news of the discovery had spread around the world. Gold-seekers came from as far away as America, China and Europe to try their luck at the Australian diggings. While many diggers made their fortunes at the goldfields, for others the venture was a failure. Hard work and persistence were important for success, although some struck it lucky immediately while others toiled in vain. Luck was a powerful though unpredictable force at the diggings.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of the Royal Australian Historical Society, 1981
Acquisition Date
28 November 2000
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