Profaine Angel

Sunday December 3rd, 1854 - 150 years ago to this date.

Captain Pasley (Commissioner Rede's adjutant) ordered the attack at 3:30am and the troops got into place. Just before 5am, they attacked the Stockade. A "dawn attack on the Sabbath" to "write their names down in history as the cowards that they were". Most of the Stockaders had gone back to their tents to sleep for the night, assuming nothing would happen until Monday. There were only a little over 100 men left on the stockade in the early hours of Sunday morning. In the surprise attack, 4-5 policemen lost their lives, as did 22-35 miners. It lasted under 20 minutes, yet the Eureka Stockade, and the months leading up to it, have been the most important in shaping our nation.

Peter Lalor survived the attack but was gravely wounded. As there was a huge bounty on his head, he was hidden by Alicia Dunn although it was safe that no digger would betray Lalor. He ended up having his left arm aputated. Vern escaped unscatched, but an even bigger reward was put out for his capture. Carboni also escaped unharmed, but returned soon after to the Stockade to attend to the wounded. He was later one of 13 men arrested and then acquitted, and he went on to publish his own eye-witness account of the events of 1854.

I hope all other Australians know the story of Eureka because it is a fascinating one. Doubtless all the papers today will be full of articles, but I strongly recommend Carboni's book for the most real and entertaining account of what really happened.

A cross of stars is shining bright
The saviour of the darkest night
Lead us on when our souls are lost
Light our way, oh Southern Cross.

When freedom’s road seems far too long
You give us hope when our strength is gone
Now in our hearts till the end of time
Your blessed light shines for all mankind.

Our hope is in unity, let's leave behind the dark of night
Our new nation will rise
Finding courage to stand so tall, strength to rally to the call
And create a brave new world

We’ve made our choice, we're at your side
So look up, my friends, there is our guide
Our banner's raised, and we are called
Lead us on to the brave new world

A cross of stars is shining bright
The saviour of the darkest night
Lead us on when our souls are lost
Light our way, oh Southern Cross.

When freedom’s road seems too long
You give us hope when our strength is gone
Now in our hearts till the end of time
Your blessed light shines for all mankind.

Side by side, we'll rally to the call
And create a brave new world for all.

Eureka!

Elizajoey

Thanks for posting this Profaine Angel.

It is definitely one of the most important things to have shaped our nation and it is a pity that it is barely covered within History class at school.

For anyone that isn't aware of it, especially non Australians - read into it and expose yourself because it definitely is a great period in our nation's history.

I also think it is very ironic that David Hicks' father is leading the march today in Ballarat considering the recent circumstances.

I also think is is ironic as well in that John Howard really did not want any association whatsoever with the occasion - wouldn't go to Ballarat or even spend one of this ministers.

Profaine Angel

So true I can barely remember even touching it at school - I knew the name Peter Lalor and that he had "something" to do with something at Ballarat during the gold rush, and that the words Eureka and Stockade were in there, but as for what it all was...no! They were too busy teaching us about England in the middle ages and ancient Rome

Now I find it a fascinating story. I got interested after seeing the recent musical Eureka which tells the story of the months leading up to the massacre at the stockade. Although there are fictional characters and a few other names changed, there is a lot of fact anchored in amongst that and it made me really want to find out more! It was such an interesting story and I had to know what really happened Despite the fact that many more diggers than troops were killed, it is an uplifting story - 150 years ago, people of so many nations all banded together and cooperated for a common cause. It's truly Australian.