The gold rushes tripled the country’s small population, were the last nail in the coffin for convict transportation, subverted the hierarchical British class system and sparked the democratic ideas that ultimately led to Federation.
Drawing on letters, diaries, parliamentary reports, newspapers and other records, David Hill’s Gold! recreates the heady days of wealth, optimism and brash opportunism of Australia’s original mining boom.
Gold! (Random House, $34.95) will be available for purchase on the night.
Proudly supported by National Trust Western Australia and Heritage Perth.
