Who was Peter Lalor?
Peter Lalor (1827-89) was born in Queen’s County, Ireland. His father was a Member of the Irish Parliament, and his family had been active in the Irish independence struggle for two generations. While Lalor was indoctrinated into the mysteries and realities of politics at a young age, he did not follow his father into politics but trained as a civil engineer at Trinity College.
Lalor arrived in Ballarat at 26 years of age, intending to make money on the goldfields and then return home. A natural leader and someone to whom the miners looked for advice and direction, Lalor soon became involved in the struggle to improve the difficult conditions experienced by the miners on the goldfields which were aggravated by a series of decisions imposed by the colonial government.
Lalor was badly wounded in the Eureka uprising, eventually losing his left arm. He and 13 others were charged with treason but were later acquitted. In November 1855, Peter Lalor was elected to represent Ballarat in Parliament - a position he held for 32 years.
The Eureka uprising
Trouble was brewing on the Victorian goldfields in 1853 and 1854. Miners were increasingly angered by the Mining License Fee of 30 shillings a month imposed by the government, and the system by which the fees were collected. In mid-1853 an Anti-Gold License Association was formed in Bendigo, a petition was drawn up, signed by over 5000 diggers from all the Victorian goldfields and presented to Lieutenant-Governor Charles Joseph La Trobe. Most of the grievances listed on the petition, including the license fee, were rejected.
The murder of miner, James Scobie, and the acquittal of the publican charged with this crime, further fuelled the anger of the miners. The diggers, led by Lalor, held a meeting near the Eureka Hotel, where the murder had occurred. In a simple slab enclosure, which became known as the ‘Stockade’, the miners pledged: 'We swear by the Southern Cross to stand truly to each other, and to fight to defend our rights and liberties'. At 4.30am on 3 December 1854 they were attacked by the military. At least 20 miners died, and scores more were injured. |
