Buninyong
The first official discovery of gold in the new colony of Victoria was at Buninyong in early August 1851. Before the end of that month the government had decided to charge a large licence fee for the right to search for gold. When news of that decision reached the Buninyong diggings, the first protest on the Victorian goldfields was held.
The monument to that meeting has been placed at the site where it is believed that the meeting took place, in Hiscock Gully Road, about 400 metres from the Midland Highway.
(left) Weston Bate unveiling the BRL monument at Buninyong, August 2005. (Click image to enlarge)
(below) Google map
Buninyong Plaque
After the discovery of gold at Buninyong in August 1851
the government announced that the diggers would be charged a large licence fee.
The injustice of that decision sparked a public protest here at the diggings.
Buninyong 26 August
Tonight for the first time since Australia rose from the bosom of the ocean,
were men strong in their sense of right, lifting up a protest
against an impending wrong, and protesting against the Government.
Melbourne Argus, 30 August 1851
This was the first of many protests leading to the Eureka Rebellion of 1854.
This plaque was placed in August 2005 by the Ballarat Reform League Inc
with the assistance of The Vera Moore Foundation.
This project has been generously supported by The Vera Moore Foundation.
Read the supporting essay "Eureka - The Buninyong Connection"
by Anne Beggs Sunter, Buninyong and District Historical Society
The Ballaarat Reform League and the events of Eureka were central to the development of Australia as an independent democratic country.
There is much to honour