Life on the goldfields

A harsh reality

While thousands of people rushed to the goldfields in search of quick gold discoveries and instant wealth, many eventually left broke, sick and disillusioned. Although the disappointment of not finding gold weighed heavily on many, the harsh grind of daily life forced many to eventually abandon their gold-plated dreams.

Life on the diggings was hardly glamorous. The goldfields offered few, if any, creature comforts. For the most part, diggers lived under roughly constructed canvas tents which they erected on or near their claim. A few would sometimes join together to construct a rough hut. See Image 1

The diggers used any materials that were available, sometimes cutting trees, using hessian sacking for flooring, odds and ends of canvas pieces, string, rope and any other durable materials that came to hand. To give themselves some protection against the cold of winter, they would often construct a rough fireplace of mud and stones in or near the wall of their hut. Logs and stones were used as tables or chairs.

They would often share their meagre lodgings with digging mates or, for the very few, their wives. For those with wives, life sometimes was a little more comfortable as the women would sew, cook and clean to turn their humble hut into a home. See Image 2

Setting up shop

It did not take long for a few enterprising individuals to capitalise upon the conditions of the goldfields. Small shops and businesses were established and over the ensuing years, thrived. Small businesses that specialised in everyday items typically did the most business, supplying the diggers with little touches of home such as towels, blankets, bottled fruits, jam and honey. The availability of palatable foodstuffs was a welcome relief for the diggers from their unrelenting diet of mutton, bread and tea.

As money was generally scarce, a common practice in this era was a means of swapping and barter. If the shopkeeper did not have the necessary small change for a customer, they would instead give them some tobacco, soap or other small necessity in exchange.

Day-to-day life

The lure of gold and instant wealth brought people from all parts of the globe and all walks of life. Doctors and merchants found themselves labouring alongside farmers and ex-convicts. Whatever their living conditions or status, residents of the goldfields sought to make the best of their situation and resorted to various means to do so.

One common means of escape soon became the scourge of life on the diggings. Alcohol abuse became increasingly common as diggers sought to drown their disappointments. For most people, far from the riches they anticipated, life on the goldfields offered little but unceasing labour, dirt, dust, flies, dysentery, sly grog and hostile weather conditions. At times unbearably hot and dry, at others cold and wet so that the diggings became a swamp. It is not surprising that many took refuge in drink. See Image 3

Many took solace in alcohol, secreting bottles of rum, whisky or other spirits onto the diggings. As disappointment and frustration grew, their dependence became more ingrained. Those unable to afford or get access to spirits took refuge in a dubious concoction known as grog. Grog was often a combination of spirits and other substances. Sometimes it was 'hop beer', which was made at the goldfields. The alcohol content varied widely and drunkenness and violence were often the result.

For some, their religious faith formed a major part of their daily lives. Preachers and religious ministers were in increasing demand. Priests and ministers were called upon to deliver Sunday services, to solemnise weddings or christenings, or, in unfortunate circumstances, to deliver last rites or perform funeral services. For many people the presence of priests and religious leaders brought some semblance of civilised life in a harsh environment.