The first demand for wider political representation in the Victorian Legislative Council was made at Madman’s Gully, Beechworth at a public meeting of about 800 gold diggers on 2ndApril 1853. It was a continuation of the underlying conflict about injustice and civil liberties which was first manifest in Victoria at Buninyong in August 1851 following the discovery of gold there. Meetings followed at all the major Victorian Goldfields, Mt Alexander, Bendigo and Ballarat. By April 1853 in Beechworth the diggers were disappointed that repeated requests for action to address injustice had been ignored or brushed aside. The demand for representation was seen as the only way to be heard and “to accomplish your objects and obtain your rights”. The unrest and conflict continued across the Victorian goldfields and culminated tragically in the Eureka Rebellion of 3rd December,1854 in Ballarat.
At Madman’s Gully, Beechworth in April 1853 as the rain poured down speakers called for the diggers to have a voice in the Legislative Council:
“Diggers must have a voice in the Council, if you will only combine together, hold meetings such as the present, express your will in a firm and detemined manner, you will accomplish your objects and obtain your rights; there is no need of force and of arms; for reason, mind, intelligence, are all-sufficent for the attainment of your rights. I trust this is not the last meeting that will assemble here, and that diggers will never rest till fairly represented in the Council.”
George Black, Chartist, later a founding member of the Ballarat Reform League
“Do you know what the word representation means? Of course you do! It means that if those who by wealth, or station, or authority, are placed over you, do wrong, you have the power of compelling them to do right. At present you have no such power ... This should not be.”
Dr J.D. Owens, Diggers’ representative, Reeds Creek Petition.
From “The Argus” Friday 8th April 1853
A Memorial Plaque will be placed alongside Stanley Road, Beechworth (Madman’s Gully) and be given to the Indigo Shire by the Ballarat Reform League Inc. This is the sixth plaque placed by the Ballarat Reform League Inc across Victorian goldfields marking the sites of major activity that led to the Eureka Rebellion and the beginnings of democratic reforms to our system of government. The project is generously supported by The Vera Moore Foundation.
An invitation is extended to the public to attend the unveiling of the plaques by Professor Weston Bate at 3pm Thursday 15th November 2007 at Stanley Road, Beechworth. The Rutherglen Brass Band will play “St Patrick’s Day in the Morning” as did Mashford’s Band from Madman’s Gully in 1853. There will be many who will be hoping that it will once again pour with rain as we commemorate that original meeting.
Media contacts: Professor Weston Bate (03) 9592 0657
Tony Moran (03) 5341 2369
John Semmens 0408 318 325
No comments:
Post a Comment