Events to mark 175 years since the discovery of gold in the Bendigo region

To mark the 175th anniversary since the discovery of gold in the Bendigo region, residents and visitors are invited to discover the stories behind the gold rush through a fascinating range of events in the Bendigo Loddon region during the school holidays.

The story began in 1851 when Margaret Kennedy and Julia Farrell reportedly discovered alluvial gold at the Rocks on Bendigo Creek, now known as Golden Square. News spread rapidly, drawing thousands of fortune seekers to the area.

Within six months, the number of diggers had grown from around 800 to more than 20,000. Chinese migrants named the region Dai Gum San (Big Gold Mountain).

The Gold Rush had a significant impact on Country and the way of life for Traditional Custodians.

Bendigo Creek became the centre of one of Australia's largest gold rushes, with rich gullies such as Golden Gully, Peg Leg and Eaglehawk attracting miners from around the world. Later discoveries of deep quartz reefs cemented Bendigo's reputation as a global mining powerhouse.

Destination Greater Bendigo Loddon Executive Officer James Myatt said the Bendigo Goldfields encompassed around 5,000 registered mines and produced more than three times the amount of gold found in Ballarat.

"Over 22 million ounces of gold were mined in the region, making Bendigo the richest cities in the world during the height of the gold rush," Mr Myatt said.

"This anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the people, stories and cultural heritage that emerged from the gold rush and helped create the city and region we know today."

Fosterville Gold Mine General Manager Luke Krois is delighted to be involved in the program to celebrate this landmark anniversary.

“As we mark 175 years since the discovery of gold in the Bendigo region, it's a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the people, communities and cultures whose stories form such an important part of the Bendigo Goldfield’s rich history," Mr Krois said.

"At Agnico Eagle’s Fosterville Gold Mine we're proud to live and work in a region with such a strong heritage, golden endowment and resource-rich future and it's great to see our local history being brought to life through these celebrations. They provide a valuable opportunity for people of all ages to learn more about the enriched geology, events, experiences and people that have helped define our region over generations."