About Eureka Australia
Eureka Australia is primarily an association of the descendants of those involved in or associated with the Eureka Stockade event, its prelude and aftermath and those who support its ideals of democratic principles.
Membership is open to all descendants of those who were involved in the events of Eureka.
Membership is also open to those individuals or corporate bodies who may not be descendants but who have a special interest in Eureka and its democratic ideals and who wish to support the work of Eureka Australia.
The Association believes that the roots of Eureka and the stance by the diggers at the Stockade lie deep in the soils of many nations. Among the thousands of people who came to the Victorian goldfields were refugees from political oppression, from economic disaster and from famine. Many had experienced revolution.
They had come to a new land with the hope for a better life and many with a ferment of ideas concerning social justice, the rights of man and the principles of democracy.
At Eureka and across the goldfields, these hopes and ideals were severely challenged and diminished by an authoritarian and rigid class-conscious government of the old European order that imposed excessive gold licence fees and licence hunts, ignored corruption and abuse by police, restricted political rights and access to land and who were “determined to put down democratic agitation”.
Membership is open to all descendants of those who were involved in the events of Eureka.
Membership is also open to those individuals or corporate bodies who may not be descendants but who have a special interest in Eureka and its democratic ideals and who wish to support the work of Eureka Australia.
The Association believes that the roots of Eureka and the stance by the diggers at the Stockade lie deep in the soils of many nations. Among the thousands of people who came to the Victorian goldfields were refugees from political oppression, from economic disaster and from famine. Many had experienced revolution.
They had come to a new land with the hope for a better life and many with a ferment of ideas concerning social justice, the rights of man and the principles of democracy.
At Eureka and across the goldfields, these hopes and ideals were severely challenged and diminished by an authoritarian and rigid class-conscious government of the old European order that imposed excessive gold licence fees and licence hunts, ignored corruption and abuse by police, restricted political rights and access to land and who were “determined to put down democratic agitation”.
The attack on those in the Stockade
And so, it was at Eureka that the diggers built their Stockade not to launch an attack but to stand and defend, under the flag of the Southern Cross, their rights and liberties, to protest against oppression and corruption, to fight for freedom and to assert their democratic rights.
Whilst the Eureka Stockade was a battle lost – it was a victory won; as it was the courage and vision of the diggers and their supporters that contributed to the installation of a more responsible and democratic government soon after this historical Eureka event.
Furthermore, the Association believes that the story and importance of Eureka is not just about a bloody battle at the Stockade where men were prepared to lay down their lives for their ‘rights and liberties’, but also it is about that series of well organised, non-violent democratic events by the diggers and their supporters preceding the Stockade that illustrate the power of the people in demanding their ‘inalienable rights’.
Whilst the Eureka Stockade was a battle lost – it was a victory won; as it was the courage and vision of the diggers and their supporters that contributed to the installation of a more responsible and democratic government soon after this historical Eureka event.
Furthermore, the Association believes that the story and importance of Eureka is not just about a bloody battle at the Stockade where men were prepared to lay down their lives for their ‘rights and liberties’, but also it is about that series of well organised, non-violent democratic events by the diggers and their supporters preceding the Stockade that illustrate the power of the people in demanding their ‘inalienable rights’.
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Mr Phillip Moore explains the background to Eureka Australia Association
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These events which include: the Monster Meetings at Bakery Hill, a Charter - a Manifesto proclaiming their Demands and an Oath under the Flag of Southern Cross, are powerful and important iconic democratic symbols. They speak to us of the importance of a free society being prepared to react to oppressive authority while seeking fairness and equity, valuing human rights and respecting human dignity. They wanted a government of the people for the people.
The Association seeks not only to commemorate the events of Eureka but also to encourage a broader discussion about the values inherent in the goldfields community's quest for representation and basic freedoms and the role that these democratic ideals and values have in our contemporary Australian society.
Eureka Australia makes representation to all levels of government and other organizations; promoting the story of Eureka, the Museums of Australian Democracy at Eureka (MADE) and in Canberra, as well as promoting Eureka Australia various activities and objectives.
The Association was incorporated in 1998. It has a Web Site and publishes a quarterly newsletter 'Liberty!' which includes articles of special significance regarding the Eureka story, issues concerning our democracy, Eureka events and commemorations and other matters of general interest.
The Association seeks not only to commemorate the events of Eureka but also to encourage a broader discussion about the values inherent in the goldfields community's quest for representation and basic freedoms and the role that these democratic ideals and values have in our contemporary Australian society.
Eureka Australia makes representation to all levels of government and other organizations; promoting the story of Eureka, the Museums of Australian Democracy at Eureka (MADE) and in Canberra, as well as promoting Eureka Australia various activities and objectives.
The Association was incorporated in 1998. It has a Web Site and publishes a quarterly newsletter 'Liberty!' which includes articles of special significance regarding the Eureka story, issues concerning our democracy, Eureka events and commemorations and other matters of general interest.
