answersLogoWhite

0

Edward Hargraves did not specifically want to start a gold rush in Australia. He was merely responding to the government's invitation and incentives to find gold, to stem the tide of Australians leaving for the Californian goldrushes. Hargraves's reward for finding gold was to be appointed a 'Commissioner of Land', receiving a reward of £10,000 plus a life pension. Also, there was the personal motivation. Hargraves had not had much success on the California goldfields, but he knew his chances on the untapped Australian goldfields would be greater.

Edward Hargraves had carefully studied the geology of the Bathurst area and, convinced that it was similar to that of the California goldfields, from where he had just returned, went prospecting. He asked for assistance from John Lister, a man who had already found gold in the region. Lister led Hargraves directly to where gold was found, at Summerhill Creek, at a site which Hargraves named "Ophir". After reporting his discovery, he was appointed a 'Commissioner of Land', receiving a reward of £10,000 plus a life pension. The New South Wales government made the official announcement of the discovery of gold on 22 May 1851.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

Is it Edward Hargreaves or Hargraves?

The correct spelling is Edward Hargraves. He was an Australian gold prospector credited with sparking the Australian gold rush.


What was edward hargraves' occupation?

a gold miner of a australian team miner


Was edward hargraves from a poor family?

Edward Hargraves was born in Australia in 1816. He was the first person to discover gold in Australia, which led to the Australian gold rush. During his time, he was considered to be rich.


Why did Edward Hargraves search for gold?

Because he wanted to start a gold rush


Edward hargraves favorite quotes?

Edward Hargraves, the Australian gold prospector credited with triggering the Australian gold rushes, is not widely known for any specific quotes. He is primarily remembered for his discovery of gold in Australia in 1851.


What nugget did Edward Hargraves discover?

Edward Hargraves did not find a nugget of any notable size. Hargraves was important for the fact that he (or rather, two men he employed) found the first payable gold in Australia, and thus started the Australian Gold rush in 1851.


Where were many prospectorsgoing to find gold before hargraves discovery?

Before Edward Hargraves made his discovery, many were traveling to California to find gold. He inspired the Australian gold rush in 1851.


About Edward hargreaves?

Edward Hargraves was responsible for starting the Australian gold rush in 1851. He also participated in the California gold rush, however his prospecting there was unsuccessful.


How big of an nugget did Edward Hargraves find?

Edward Hargraves did not find a nugget of any notable size. The claim to fame for Hargraves was the fact that he (or rather, two men he employed) found the first payable gold in Australia, and thus started the Australian Gold rush in 1851.


Who was with Edward Hargraves when he found gold?

Edward Hargraves was led to the right location to find gold by John Lister.


What was the name of the creek where Edward Hargraves first successfully panned for gold?

Edward Hargraves found gold at Summerhill Creek.


What was Edward Hargraves career?

Edward Hargraves is considered to be the one who first officially discovered gold in Australia, in 1851.Gold was discovered in Australia as early as the 1830s, but discoveries were initially kept secret for a number of reasons, in particularm the fear that it would cause unrest among the convicts. Unfortunately, more and more people were leaving the Australian colonies to join the gold rush in California. The government could see it needed to do something to encourage people to remain in Australia, so it advertised for experts who could locate gold in Australian countrysides.Edward Hargraves, with considerable assistance from the uncredited prospectors John Lister and William Tom, found gold at Summerhill Creek, at a site which Hargraves named "Ophir". This provided a tentative start to the Australian goldrush.After this, the Victorian government also then offered incentives to find gold, which resulted in the discovery of gold in the Bendigo/Ballarat regions, and the subsequent major goldrush.See the related Web Links for more information.