The Australian national identity was, at this point in history, still being consolidated; therefore a prosperous period of history was sure to bring ideals that would be included as part of the Australian ‘character’, and would indeed leave significant influence upon Australian history itself.
Perhaps the most visually obvious legacy which the gold rush period, particularly in Victoria, brought was the prosperity and wealth which it brought to the Victorian colony. It was the riches that diggers brought with them to the city which “fed the boom of ‘Marvellous Melbourne’”, money which originated from gold funded the erecting of the Exhibition Buildings (see image), the designs for which were based upon European cathedrals. This demonstrated to the world that Melbourne and Victoria was not only an affluent place, but that it had prestige and should be viewed as a powerful colony, or as Charles Fahey states, “by the 1870s Melbourne could rival the older Sydney as the premier city of Australia”. Gold also built up the otherwise unknown country towns of Bendigo and Ballarat which after this became important rural cities. The significance of this is still seen with the Sovereign Hill village in Ballarat which all generations are proud of, a seemingly ‘compulsory’ excursion made by all Victorian school children at some stage, as well as being an important part of Victorian tourism.
It was not only the history but the character of Australian citizens which was influenced during the gold rush period. The legacies of ‘mateship’, in particular, are thought to have emerged at this time, with men working in makeshift teams to achieve a ‘golden’ outcome. This term has been used many other times, particularly glorified during the World Wars where ANZACS prided themselves upon using ‘mateship’. Indeed the idiom is still today used by many men specifically as a ‘term of endearment’ to their friends and poignantly to those who they may not know, as a show of respect and amicability. Along with this, some have said that a spirit of hard work and labour emerged during this time, although Hogan, in his 1880s account, highlighted that one of the main characteristics of the ‘coming Australian’ was that for “a grievous dislike of mental effort”.
It cannot be denied however, that the Australian concept of supporting the ‘underdog’ and a dislike for recognising authority was theorised during this time. Many, including historian Clare Wright, point to the Eureka Stockade movement as having “a profound impact on the establishment of a radical nationalist tradition in Australia… [it] has continued to act a as a lightning rod for nonconformist causes due to its association with dissent, free speech, human rights and fundamental rights”. Hence the gold rush period in Australian history was not only significant then, but is relevant today. This is clearly seen through the constant references to this movement made by unionist groups, as well as the Southern Cross being an important symbol of true Australia not only during the Stockade, but indeed today as an image which Australians use to express their nationalism. Therefore this movement became part of the foundation of the Australian identity, and a reason for why many Australians are proud of their nation and this era of their history.
The Royal Exhibition Buildings in Melbourne showed the new found prosperity of Melbourne from the gold rush in Ballarat and Bendigo. The building is said to be designed after the Duomo cathedral in Florence, Italy which is also a structure symbolising power and prosperity (the Duomo has an entirely marble facade). This was erected to exhibit many cultural collections, most famously the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880 which was a display of the wealth and culture of the Victorian colony. (Source: http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pictoria/gid/slv-pic-aab70162
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