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Media Release
Eureka Diary Finds Home at State Library of Victoria
9 June 2006
The State Library of Victoria today announced the acquisition of Samuel Lazarus' diary, which chronicles life on the Victorian gold fields and the events leading up to the Eureka stockade of 1854.
Lazarus' diary was written between 24 September 1853 and 21 January 1855 in Ballarat and Melbourne and tells the story of the Eureka uprising in a very personal way. Passages detail key events such as the burning of James Bentley's Eureka Hotel. Lazarus recounts the event as he sees Bentley running from the burning building. He writes, '...I think I never saw such a look of terror on a man's face'. Of the 'monster' meeting of the miners he writes, 'one of the resolutions was to burn all the licences.'
Sue Hamilton, acting CEO and State Librarian of the State Library of Victoria says the acquisition is a significant addition to Victoria’s documentary heritage.
'The Eureka stockade was a pivotal point in Victoria’s early history. I am extremely pleased that this important account of those events is now available to all Victorians and that it will be preserved by the Library for generations to come. It is our intention to display and digitise Lazarus' diary as soon possible and, in time, tour it to Ballarat, the site of the Eureka stockade events,' she said.
The State Library of Victoria houses many items from the Eureka stockade period including Peter Lalor’s pistol and the 1853 Bendigo Goldfields Petition. Sue Hamilton encourages all Victorians to explore the wealth of material their State Library holds.
'With the acquisition of this diary we have added to the very substantial collection of significant historical materials the State Library holds. Ned Kelly's armour, Burke and Wills' compass and sun clock and now Lazarus' diary are just some of the amazing items the collection holds. I hope many Victorians will visit the Library to see these links to our past for themselves,' she said.
The acquisition of the Samuel Lazarus diary was made possible through the generous support of the State Library of Victoria Foundation and its members.
Media inquiries
Matthew van Hasselt
State Library of Victoria
03 8664 7263
mvanhasselt@slv.vic.gov.au
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