Problems with bushrangers Arrests, rewards and hangings In New South Wales and Victoria, officials increased their efforts to stop bushranging. In the 1860s, many Bushranging had been a problem since the early bushrangers were killed or arrested. In 1862, Frank days of European settlement in Australia. The first What is it Gardiner was arrested and sentenced to 32 years’ jail bushranger, an escaped convict, held up travellers worth now? for the Eugowra robbery. In 1865, the government as early as 1790. Today introduced the Felon’s Apprehension Act, which meant With the success of the Victorian and New £14 000 would that known bushrangers could be shot on sight. buy as much as South Wales’ gold rushes, many more men became $1.75 million. Anyone hiding them could be arrested as well. bushrangers. Thousands of pounds of gold were being transported from towns like Sofala and Ballarat to Ben Hall shot dead Sydney and Melbourne every week. Ex-convicts, On 4 May 1865, Aboriginal trackers and Mounted criminals and those who had failed at the Police found Ben Hall’s bush camp, 30 kilometres diggings found that holding up these escorts out of Forbes. After keeping watch overnight, they was an easier way to make a fortune surrounded the camp and shot Ben Hall dead. than digging for it. In Victoria, the most Three days later they found his two partners. Gilbert famous bushranger was Frank Melville was killed and Dunn escaped, only to be captured Rewards who stole gold from travellers between Ben Hall’s gun a year later. Taken to trial in Sydney, he was sentenced Huge rewards were offered 1851 and 1854. for assistance in the capture Ben Hall put his name on the to death and hanged at Darlinghurst Jail in March 1866. of bushrangers. A £4000 breech or handle of this gun. reward would be equal to Hall was one of the most Ben Hall’s gang The Clarke brothers arrested about $500 000 dollars today. successful in avoiding capture The 1860s was of all Australian bushrangers. Another notorious goldfields’ gang, the Clarke brothers, the worst period for His admirers boasted that was captured in 1867. Thomas and John Clarke had bushranging. In New he had never killed anyone been robbing people on the roads around Braidwood, during his many robberies. South Wales in 1862, New South Wales for over two years. They were tried, a gang including Ben Hall, sentenced to death and hanged at Darlinghurst Jail Frank Gardiner and John Gilbert on 27 June 1867. Reporting on the Clarke brothers, held up the gold escort at Eugowra, near a Sydney newspaper described the contrast between Forbes, and escaped with £14 000 of gold the brothers’: and banknotes. The following year, the gang, heepish country-boy looks … and their now headed by Hall, took over the town of s life of violence. Canowindra, outside Bathurst. The whole town was rounded up and forced to stay in the hotel. Ben Hall’s belt and (sheepish – shy) However, as the bushrangers treated their hostages Bushrangers were popular Postcard of ammunition pouch Captain Thunderbolt to as much food and drink as they wanted and put heroes and their activities The belt has been cut in half followed with great interest. on displays of target shooting for entertainment, by a bullet fired during his People even bought there were not too many objections! final shoot-out with police. postcards of bushrangers after they had been killed. 14 15 The licence system Diggers refuse to pay for licences

To ensure that diggers, storekeepers, publicans As the gold rushes continued, and other goldfields’ workers had licences, the diggers hated the licence system Commissioner and his assistants carried out regular more and more. It seemed checks. These often took on the appearance of a hunt particularly unfair that everyone as mounted police and troopers chased diggers who had to pay this monthly tax were trying to slip away. whether they were successful or not. As soon as the police were spotted, people called Diggers’ protests against the system became increasingly violent. out ‘Joe! Joe!’ (the nickname for the police) warning S.T.Gill’s ‘Deep sinking’ diggers without licences to run away. Diggers Bakery Hill, Ballarat – 1853 A portable cell on the Protests at Sofala and Bendigo disappeared down into mine shafts in the hope of Victorian goldfields In 1852 at Sofala in New South Wales, over 600 miners This is the area where the finding an escape tunnel, or ran away into the bush. first major protests were There were few jails. Portable refused to pay the gold licence fee. They held meetings, held in the lead up to the When diggers were caught without licences cells reinforced with iron rods Eureka Rebellion. they were often tied to a tree or chained together. provided a secure lock-up for smashed mining cradles and sent a deputation to the Then when the hunt was over they were taken prisoners. Gold Commissioner. In 1853, diggers at Bendigo refused back to the Government Camp. They had to pay to pay and wore red ribbons to show their protest against the system. a fine of £5, and if they did not have the money, Did you know? they had to stay in jail. Golden stories In May 1852, a newly Diggers’ anger grows at Ballarat discovered area of the Joe and Josephine The most famous rebellion was in 1854 at Ballarat in Ballarat diggings was ReturningG to his tent at the end of the named Eureka. This name Victoria. A combination of circumstances brought the is a Greek word meaning day, a digger saw a licence hunt starting. diggers’ frustrations to a point where they felt they had ‘I have found it’. Many He knew that his mate, Joe did not to act. This became known as the Eureka Rebellion. of the diggers who tried have a licence, and could not see The winter of 1854 was particularly hard in Victoria. their luck there were Irish. how he could avoid being caught: Over the next two years, Ballarat was a field where miners had to dig deep shafts Two of the police were marching straight into there were some rich the doorway … when to my surprise [they] were before finding any gold. This was slow and expensive, finds of gold on this field. confronted by a smart, genteel looking female. [They] and meant months could go by before they made any turned on their heels in search of more easy prey, money. The Italian miner, Rafaello Carboni, who would while I proceeded to introduce myself to my later take a leading role in the rebellion, described new-found sister … In the course of the Ballarat as ‘a ruinous field of hard labour’. The Ballarat evening, Joe intimated that he had resolved never to take out a licence, he should … miners were therefore slow in paying licence fees. Less continue to wear his new style of attire than half the diggers on the field had them. and that in future his name was The Victorian Government was also short of money to be Josephine. Artist S.T.Gill’s sketch ‘License inspected, Forrest Creek’ at this time. As a result, licence ‘hunts’ took place as often as twice a week to raise funds. This only made the Diggers run for cover, diving down holes or running Ballarat diggers more resentful of the Commissioners into the bush as the cry ‘Joe! Joe!’ rings out. (attire – clothing) and the government. 16 17 The Eureka Rebellion Diggers burn down the Eureka Hotel The event that brought the diggers closer to rebellion Violence and arrests was the burning down of Bentley’s Eureka Hotel. By October 1854, people on the This happened on 17 October, when diggers organised Ballarat diggings were very angry about a meeting to protest the licence hunts. They also thought against the release of James the administration of the goldfields Bentley. The meeting was disorganised and even corrupt. was well organised and The men and women who sold ‘sly orderly. A committee grog’ paid bribes to the police so they was appointed to take could continue their illegal businesses. their complaints to the At the same time, diggers were Governor and money raised to cover expenses. constantly harassed about their licences. Artist Eugène von Then two things happened to show the corruption Guérard painted Old But when it was over, a of the goldfields’ administration. Ballarat as it was in the group of men decided to Summer of 1853–1854 On 7 October, a man called James Scobie was walking march to the hotel. Angry past the Eureka Hotel in Ballarat when he decided he This painting shows and out of control, they what the diggings smashed windows and wanted a drink. Even though it was very late and the hotel looked like immediately was closed, he insisted that he should be served. In a fight before the Eureka furniture, threw curtains with the hotel owner, James Bentley, Scobie was killed. uprising. Bakery Hill and carpets outside and lit Bentley was arrested but later found not guilty of murder. is on the left. On the fires inside. Soon the hotel, right, towards the Eureka riot The diggers were outraged. They claimed the only reason front of the painting, stables, bowling alley and Bentley was not charged with murder was because the a group of miners have auction rooms were alight. Swiss artist and miner, police magistrate was his friend. been rounded up and Charles Doudiet was in are being taken to the Diggers are arrested and jailed Ballarat during the rebellion Government Camp. and painted Eureka riot Diggers decide to take action The large tent belonged The police arrested the men responsible and eventually 17 October 1854. The A few days later, Irish diggers were further angered when to a circus. jailed three: Fletcher, McIntyre and Westerby. Once Eureka Hotel burns, while a Catholic priest’s servant was beaten up and wrongly angry miners confront again, the diggers protested and tried to persuade police and soldiers. arrested. Both incidents indicated to the frustrated diggers Governor Sir Charles Hotham to release the men, and that the goldfields’ administration and police force were again they failed. Over the next few days, the diggers’ often corrupt and unjust, and they became determined anger increased until rebellion was inevitable. to do something about it.

7 October 10 October 12 October 17 October 22 October 11 November 23 November 23 November James Scobie is The Catholic priest’s Bentley is found Diggers burn down Over 10 000 diggers Ballarat Reform League The men arrested for Members of the murdered by James servant is badly not guilty. Eureka Hotel. meet on Bakery Hill proposals are adopted. burning down the hotel Ballarat Reform League 1854 Bentley at the Eureka beaten and wrongly Three men are later to protest. are tried and convicted. demand their release. Hotel. Bentley is arrested. arrested. arrested. 18 19