dec 3, 1854 - Eureka Stockade

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On the 30th November 1854 miners from the Victorian town of Ballarat, annoyed with the way the colonial government had been governing the goldfields. At the time the minors decided and voted on there leader to represent them and the Irish Australian Peter Lalor was elected. In the December all the minors including there new leader gathered together as they swore allegiance to the Southern Cross at the flag at Bakery Hill and built a stockade (a barrier formed from upright wooden posts or stakes, especially as a defence against attack) at the nearby Eureka diggings. They bowed their heads as Peter said the oath “It is my duty now to swear you in, and to take with you the oath to be faithful to the Southern Cross. Now hear me with attention. The man who, after this solemn oath does not stand by our standard, is a coward at heart … We swear by the Southern Cross to stand truly by each other, and fight to defend our rights and liberties.”

On Sunday the 3rd of December bright and early in the morning, when the stockade was under only light patrol, unexpectedly government troops attacked. At least 22 diggers and six soldiers were killed in the fight and lots were injured. Peter Lalor himself was injured in the fighting between miners, police and soldiers at the Eureka Stockade and lost his arm. The Eureka Stockade is a very significant event in the development of Australia’s representational structures and attitudes towards democracy and egalitarianism.

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