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The Australian government offered a reward for the first payable gold in 1851 in order to stem the tide of Australians leaving for the Californian goldrushes. Valuable manpower was being lost from Australia. Therefore, despite early gold discoveries being suppressed, the New South Wales government decided to offer a substantial reward to the first person to find gold.
Only the first person needed a reward. Once the goldrush began, Australian would-be prospectors concentrated their efforts at finding their "fortune in gold" on Australian soil.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoGold was discovered in Australia as early as 1823, but discoveries were kept secret, and discouraged, for a number of reasons.
First, there was the fear of sparking off unrest among the convicts. There was concern that, if the convicts heard about these discoveries, they would be more likely to attempt escape, and find their way to the goldfields to either look for gold, or to become bushrangers. This is why the first unofficial discovery of gold by Surveyor James McBrien at the Fish River near Bathurst, NSW in 1823, was kept quiet. When Reverend WB Clark found gold near Lithgow in 1941, he was requested by Governor Gipps to keep quiet about it. Gipps is reported to have said, "Put it away, Mr Clarke, or we will all have our throats cut!"
The discoveries were often made on good land. Settlers did not want a sudden influx of prospectors trooping over their properties, ruining good pastureland for their livestock, or damaging crops. They certainly did not want to risk the lawlessness that would inevitably follow. Nor did they want their workers leaving in droves to find gold.
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Who did all the gold belong to before the gold rush?
before 1851, all gold in Australia belonged to the Government. Anyone found selling Gold was breaking the law.
Why did the Australian government encourage immigration during the Gold rush?
because the government wants to own the golds only
What was found in Australia in 1851?
1851 was the year of the first official gold discoveries in Australia.
What was discovered in Australia in 1851?
Australia's first payable gold was officially discovered in Australia in May 1851.
When did gold fever start in Australia?
Gold fever in Australia began with the first official discovery of gold in 1851.
How was Edward Hargraves able to discover gold in NSW in 1851?
Traces of gold had been found all around the colonies and he stumbled on a nugget while searching near Orange.
Who did all the gold belong to before the gold rush?
before 1851, all gold in Australia belonged to the Government. Anyone found selling Gold was breaking the law.
Why did the Australian government encourage immigration during the Gold rush?
because the government wants to own the golds only
What was an ounce of gold in 1851?
$20.67
How did the gold miners find out about the gold in Australia?
Following Edward Hargraves's discovery of payable gold in February 1851, the government made an official announcement, in May1851. The news quickly spread to other communities.
What is a gold license 1851?
A license given to those who wanted to mine gold in 1851, Australia. It was not free, though, and very expensive.
What was found in Australia in 1851?
1851 was the year of the first official gold discoveries in Australia.
Where was gold discovered in Victoria 1851?
The first gold in Victoria was found in Clunes on 11 June 1851, by James Esmond. However, on 9 August 1851, Victoria's goldrush began when gold was discovered at Mt Alexander, 60km northeast of Ballarat, and close to the town of Bendigo, in July 1851.
What was the main aspect of the 1851 gold rush?
I think that 1 main aspect on the gold rush was that Edward Hargraves was the first person to find gold in New South Wales and he got a grant/ reward for it from the government...
When was gold discover in Australia?
Gold seems to have been first discovered in Australia on 15 February 1823, at Fish River in the Bathurst area by Surveyor James McBrien. There are several records of other people finding gold. Polish explorer Paul Strzelecki found gold near Hartley Vale in 1839. Reverend WB Clark found gold near Lithgow in 1941. However, these early discoveries were kept secret, for fear of sparking off unrest among the convicts. As more people left the Australian colonies to join the gold rush in California, the government started to encourage the discovery of payable gold in Australia. The Australian gold rush started when gold was first "officially" discovered in Australia in 1851, not far from Bathurst, New South Wales. The New South Wales government made the official announcement of the discovery of gold on 22 May 1851. Shortly after this, on 9 August 1851, Victoria had its first gold strike at Sovereign Hill near Ballarat, in the same month it gained its independence from the NSW colony. While the Ballarat goldfields were rich and promising, the real goldrush began when gold was discovered at Mt Alexander, 60km northeast of Ballarat, and close to the town of Bendigo.
When did the gold rush begins?
The gold rush began in 1851 NSW
When were gold licenses introduced?
the gold licences were introduced in 1851 on the gold fields by the governor
