Ballarat Goldfields Diary
The Ballarat Goldfields Diary
The State Library of Victoria has recently acuired a new find - a diary of a digger in Ballarat in 1855. It is an incredible find. The author is believed to be a Scottsman and records daily life in meticulous detail. Sovereign Hill's Barry Kay has been recording some excerpts for us. We have started with a few recording below. More are to come! Reproduced with kind permission of the State Library of Victoria.
Our diarist chooses a claim only to have it disputed by "a Dundee man". He walks out to Slaty Creek and stays with friends, two men sleeping in a stretcher 2 feet (60 cm) wide!
A newly married woman tries to trick an older man.
Our man works in a wet drive only 2 feet high and ends up with sore kness and neck. He tells us of other parties finds.
Our diarist is ill and seeks the help of Dr. Doyle whos "sounds his bones" before prescribing. We hear of his evening duties.
The Bengal Tiger owned by the Montezuma Hotel escapes and causes havoc in Main Road.
Our Miner helps a friend with a very swollen and sore hand and arm.
14 August Concert at The Star Hotel
After a long day our miner attends a concert at the Star Hotel.
The weather is terrible today, pouring in torrents. A friend drops and loses his gold.
A big storm washes away precius wahdirt containing gold..
17 September Photographed in Clay
Our miner is working in a very wet shaft. He comes up covered in clay and decides to go to the photographers to get his "likeness' taken
We hear of the tragic death of two men in one mine from foul air.
Our miners get caught in a storm while camping in the bush to cut slabs for their mine.
14 November Of crows, mint, flowers and possums
Spring is in the air.
Our diarist records the scene the day after a tragic fire in Main Road that claimed 11 people.
2 December Dunnekin and Dinner
The diggers build a "dunnekin" and enjoy Sunday dinner
A storm floods the flat
This storm is so bad our miner is nearly swept away
Talk turns to mines and shares and the diarist cuts his finger to the bone