HERITAGE COUNCIL

ASSESSMENT OF CULTURAL

HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE AND

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

RECOMMENDATION TO THE

HERITAGE COUNCIL

Name: Monster Meeting Site, Chewton

Hermes Number: 123107

Page | 1

NAME

MONSTER MEETING SITE

LOCATION

GOLDEN POINT ROAD, CHEWTON

FILE NUMBER:

FOL/16/49958

HERMES NUMBER:

123107

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE HERITAGE COUNCIL:

That the Monster Meeting Site be included as a Heritage Place in the Victorian Heritage Register under the Heritage Act 1995 [Section 32 (1)(a)].

TIM SMITH

Executive Director

Recommendation Date: 20 January 2017

This recommendation report has been issued by the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria under s.32 of the Heritage Act 1995. It has not been considered or endorsed by the Heritage Council of Victoria.

EXTENT OF NOMINATION

All the place known as Section E, Golden Point Road, Chewton

RECOMMENDED REGISTRATION

The extent of registration of place or object name in the Victorian Heritage Register affects the whole place shown on Diagram 2368 including the land, historical archaeology, and other features.

All of the place shown hatched on Diagram 2368 encompassing all of Crown Allotments 49-55, 55A, and 145F, Section E Parish of Chewton, parts of Crown Allotments 145E and 146A Section E Parish of Chewton, part of Crown Allotment 2005 Parish of Chewton and part of the road reserve for Ottery Street.

AERIAL PHOTO OF THE PLACE SHOWING PROPOSED REGISTRATION

STATEMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCEHistory Summary

In the first week of July 1851, Victoria separated from New South Wales and became a colony in its own right. In the same week, gold was discovered in the new colony. Attempting to slow the rush of workers to the gold fields, and generate revenue, Governor La Trobe introduced a licence fee of 30 shillings per month for the right to mine for gold, effective from 1 September 1851. Even when enforced, the licence system did little to slow the rush, and by the end of November 1851, diggers were leaving their jobs in cities, towns and on pastoral stations and travelling to the gold fields in their thousands. On 1 December 1851 Governor La Trobe issued a proclamation which proposed to double the licence fee to 3, effective from 1 January 1852. Shortly after, notices appeared along the Forest Creek diggings urging diggers to meet and object to the proposed increase. The Monster Meeting of more than 10,000 diggers, took place on 15 December 1851, at the Shepherds Hut, Forest Creek. Two days later the government announced that the licence fee increase had been revoked. The gold licencing system continued to be a point of contention and continued objections led to the Red Ribbon Rebellion in Bendigo in 1853 and ultimately to the Eureka Stockade in Ballarat in 1854.

Description Summary

The Monster Meeting Site is located on the northern outskirts of the township of Chewton, near the confluence of Forest and Wattle Creeks. It is surrounded by the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park (VHR H2407), but is not part of the Park. The site itself consists of grassed land across a shallow rise, which falls away towards Forest and Wattle Creeks. A large corrugated iron shed, a cattle yard and fencing are located on the site and a Monster Meeting commemorative monument is located to the south of the shed, on the recommended land.

This site is part of the traditional land of the Dja Dja Wurrung.

What is significant?

The Monster Meeting Site including all the land identified in Diagram 2368. The modern structures including the shed, cattle yard, and fencing are not of significance.

How is it significant?

The Monster Meeting Site is of historical significance to the State of Victoria. It satisfies the following criteria for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register:

Criterion A

Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victorias cultural history.

Why is it significant?

The Monster Meeting Site is significant at the State level for the following reasons:

The Monster Meeting Site is historically significant as the location of the first organised protest meeting objecting to the gold licencing system in Colonial Victoria. It was also the first time workers had stood united in protest against the government. This meeting was the precursor to the Red Ribbon Rebellion (1853) and the Eureka Stockade (1854) which led to the introduction of the more democratic Miners Right. The Monster Meeting Site is located in what was one of the most productive gold mining areas in Victoria, and is historically significant for its association with the development of Victoria through the discovery of gold, and for its association with the beginnings of democracy in Victoria. [Criterion A]

The Monster Meeting Site is also significant for the following reasons, but not at the State level:

The Monster Meeting Site is of social significance at a local level. A special association is evidenced by regular engagement with the Monster Meeting Site by community members and historians who initially researched and rediscovered the location of the site in 2010. Since then, a website, publications and CDs of original songs have been produced, and performances have been held at the place. The Ballarat Reform League Inc. has erected a monument at the place, where events are held annually on the anniversary of the Monster Meeting.

RECOMMENDATION REASONSREASONS FOR RECOMMENDING INCLUSION IN THE VICTORIAN HERITAGE REGISTER [s.34A(2)]

The following is the Executive Director's assessment of the place against the tests set out in The Victorian Heritage Register Criteria and Thresholds Guidelines (2014).

CRITERION A

Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victorias cultural history.

STEP 1: A BASIC TEST FOR SATISFYING CRITERION A

The place/object has a clear ASSOCIATION with an event, phase, period, process, function, movement, custom or way of life in Victorias cultural history.

Plus

The association of the place/object to the event, phase, etc IS EVIDENT in the physical fabric of the place/object and/or in documentary resources or oral history.

Plus

The EVENT, PHASE, etc is of HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE, having made a strong or influential contribution to Victoria.

Executive Directors Response

Located within one of Victorias richest gold fields, the Monster Meeting at Forest Creek was the first organised protest meeting held by gold diggers to object to increases to the gold licence. Held on 15 December 1851, at the start of the gold rush, it was also the first time workers stood united in protest against the government. Objections to the licencing system continued to escalate, resulting in the Red Ribbon Rebellion, Bendigo (1853) and ultimately in the Eureka Stockade, Ballarat (1854).

The Monster Meeting Site has a clear association with the discovery and mining of gold in Victoria, and the impact this had on the development of the Colony. It also has a clear association with the beginnings of democracy in Victoria. Both of these events have made a strong and influential contribution to Victoria.

These associations are evident in the physical fabric of the place, including the creek beds, hillside profiles and land contours which are identified through contemporary newspaper articles, survey maps and illustrations.

Criterion A is likely to be satisfied.

STEP 2: A BASIC TEST FOR DETERMINING STATE LEVEL SIGNIFICANCE FOR CRITERION A

The place/object allows the clear association with the event, phase etc. of historical importance to be UNDERSTOOD BETTER THAN MOST OTHER PLACES OR OBJECTS IN VICTORIA WITH SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME ASSOCIATION.

Executive Directors Response

The Monster Meeting Site has remained substantially intact since the meeting occurred in 1851. It is located adjacent to the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park (VHR H2407) which contributes to an understanding of the event within its gold mining landscape.

In contrast, the locations of other protest meetings including the Red Ribbon Rebellion and the Eureka Stockade have been significantly compromised, initially through continued mining activity and later through the construction of buildings, infrastructure and landscaping.

The Monster Meeting Site is a comparatively intact landscape and its setting within the goldfields on the banks of Forest and Wattle Creeks allows a better understanding of the conditions and landscape in which the meeting took place than most other places in Victoria with substantially the same associations.

Criterion A is likely to be satisfied at the State level.

PROPOSED PERMIT POLICY

DRAFT ONLY NOT YET APPROVED BY THE HERITAGE COUNCIL

Preamble

The purpose of the Permit Policy is to assist when considering or making decisions regarding works to a registered place. It is recommended that any proposed works be discussed with an officer of Heritage Victoria prior to making a permit application. Discussing proposed works will assist in answering questions the owner may have and aid any decisions regarding works to the place.

The extent of registration of the Monster Meeting Site in the Victorian Heritage Register affects the whole place shown on Diagram 2368 including the land, landscape elements and other features. Under the Heritage Act 1995 a person must not remove or demolish, damage or despoil, develop or alter or excavate, relocate or disturb the position of any part of a registered place or object without approval. It is acknowledged, however, that alterations and other works may be required to keep places and objects in good repair and adapt them for use into the future.

If a person wishes to undertake works or activities in relation to a registered place or registered object, they must apply to the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria for a permit. The purpose of a permit is to enable appropriate change to a place and to effectively manage adverse impacts on the cultural heritage significance of a place as a consequence of change. If an owner is uncertain whether a heritage permit is required, it is recommended that Heritage Victoria be contacted.

Permits are required for anything which alters the place or object, unless a permit exemption is granted. Permit exemptions usually cover routine maintenance and upkeep issues faced by owners as well as minor works or works to the elements of the place or object that are not significant. They may include appropriate works that are specified in a conservation management plan. Permit exemptions can be granted at the time of registration (under s.42 of the Heritage Act) or after registration (under s.66 of the Heritage Act).

It should be noted that the addition of new buildings to the registered place, as well as alterations to the interior and exterior of existing buildings requires a permit, unless a specific permit exemption is granted.

Conservation management plans

It is recommended that a Conservation Management Plan is developed to manage the place in a manner which respects its cultural heritage significance.

Aboriginal cultural heritage

If any Aboriginal cultural heritage is discovered or exposed at any time it is necessary to immediately contact Aboriginal Victoria to ascertain requirements under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.

Human remains

If any suspected human remains are found during any works or activities, the works or activities must cease. The remains must be left in place, and protected from harm or damage. Victoria Police and the State Coroners Office must be notified immediately. If there are reasonable grounds to believe that the remains are Aboriginal, the Coronial Admissions and Enquiries hotline must be contacted immediately on 1300 888 544. As required under s.17(3)(b) of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 all details about the location and nature of the human remains must be provided to the Secretary (as defined in the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006).

Other approvals

Please be aware that approval from other authorities (such as local government) may be required to undertake works.

Archaeology

Ground disturbance may affect the archaeological deposits at the place and, subject to the exemptions stated in this document, requires a permit.

Cultural heritage significanceOverview of significance

All of the land identified in Diagram 2368 is of primary cultural heritage significance. The cultural heritage significance of the Monster Meeting Site lies in the land on which the first major organised protest meeting to protest against increases to the gold licence fee took place. It was also the first time workers had had stood united in protest against the government. This meeting was the precursor to the Red Ribbon Rebellion (1853) and the Eureka Stockade (1854) which led to the introduction of the more democratic Miners Right. The heritage values of the place are evident in the contours of the land, the creek beds and the surrounding hillsides.

PROPOSED PERMIT EXEMPTIONS (under section 42 of the Heritage Act)

It should be noted that Permit Exemptions can be granted at the time of registration (under s.42(4) of the Heritage Act). Permit Exemptions can also be applied for and granted after registration (under s.66 of the Heritage Act)

General Condition 1

All exempted alterations are to be planned and carried out in a manner which prevents damage to the fabric of the registered place or object.

General Condition 2

Should it become apparent during further inspection or the carrying out of works that original or previously hidden or inaccessible details of the place or object are revealed which relate to the significance of the place or object, then the exemption covering such works shall cease and Heritage Victoria shall be notified as soon as possible.

General Condition 3

All works should ideally be informed by Conservation Management Plans prepared for the place. The Executive Director is not bound by any Conservation Management Plan, and permits still must be obtained for works suggested in any Conservation Management Plan.

General Condition 4

Nothing in this determination prevents the Heritage Council from amending or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions.

General Condition 5

Nothing in this determination exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility to seek relevant planning or building permits from the relevant responsible authority, where applicable.

Specific Permit Exemptions

Maintenance of existing vegetation.

Removal of plants listed as noxious weeds in the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.

The removal or pruning of dead or dangerous trees to maintain safety.

Weed and vermin control activities.

Fire suppression and firefighting duties such as fuel reduction burns and fire control line construction, provided all heritage features and values of the place are protected.

Interpretation and safety signage of a modest size provided it does not adversely affect the heritage features and values of the place or obstruct views to and from it.

These permit exemptions are consistent with those in the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park (VHR H2407).

RELEVANT INFORMATION

Local Government Authority

Mount Alexander Shire Council

HERITAGE LISTING INFORMATION

Heritage Overlay:

HO998

Other listing:

Part of the site is already included as part of the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park (VHR H2407).

The Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park (VHR H2407) is included in the National Heritage List.

HISTORYPart 1: Background to gold licence

Under English law passed in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, gold and silver was the property of the Crown. If land was purchased from the Crown, it did not include ownership of minerals on that land. The 1850s gold rushes in NSW and Victoria were the first in the British Empire, and as such, there were few precedents in British law to guide governments.

Fearing a rebellion and a loss of their political power and workers, authorities and pastoralists did not reveal early gold discoveries. However, when gold was discovered in central NSW in 1851, the resulting gold rush proved unmanageable, and notices served on gold seekers to cease digging went unheeded. When the authorities could not stop the gold rush, they decided to regulate it through a licence system through which gold diggers paid a fee for the right to mine for gold.

Part 2: The discovery of gold in Victoria and the introduction of the gold licence system

In the first week of July 1851, Victoria became a separate Colony from New South Wales, and gold was discovered. On 15 August, Charles La Trobe, the Lieutenant Governor of Victoria followed the lead of NSW and issued a proclamation stating that regulations were being prepared for the issue of licences to mine for gold at a reasonable fee. The regulations were enforceable from 1 September 1851 and required an upfront payment of 30 shillings per month. Licences would be issued only for unalientated Crown land and would be issued on the spot by a commissioner who would determine the size of the claim, initially 8ft x 8ft, but later increased to 12ft x 12ft.

In August 1851 gold was discovered at Buninyong south of Ballarat, and for the first time, the Government dispatched a Gold Commissioner to administer the field. Instead of paying the licence fee, gold diggers staged a solemn protest of labour against opposition and then simply abandoned the goldfield and moved to a new location.

Part 3: The Mount Alexander Gold Rush and gold licence fee increase

By the end of November 1851, gold had been discovered at Mount Alexander (Forest Creek) which was to become the location of the largest rush seen in Australia. The amount of gold (two tons per week, which in terms of todays gold price would amount to $1 billion per week) flowing into Melbourne from Mount Alexander, meant the desertion from jobs, and inward migration, could no longer be controlled. The population increased significantly with people arriving from other colonies and from overseas.

In an effort to slow the rush, Governor La Trobe declared that from 1 January 1852, the licence fee would be doubled to 3 per month and that it would not only apply to diggers but to all connected with the search for gold including tent keepers, store keepers and cooks. Notices quickly appeared along the Forest Creek diggings at Mount Alexander urging diggers to meet, agitate for justice and object to the proposed licence fee increase.

Part 4: The Monster meeting

The Monster Meeting, or the Great Meeting as it was originally known, was attended by 10,000 to 15,0000 diggers protesting against the increase to the gold licence. Various speakers spoke from the back of a dray, and flags were flown from the trees and raised on poles. One of these flags may have been the precursor to one used at the Red Ribbon Rebellion which depicted scales, a bundle of sticks, and a kangaroo and emu. Although thousands of men attended, the meeting was peaceful. All present agreed not the pay the licence fee. Two days after the Monster Meeting the government announced that the licence fee increase had been revoked.

Part 5: Location of Monster Meeting, Golden Point, Forest Creek

On 9 December 1851, the Argus reported that bills [were] posted along the Creek calling on diggers to meet this evening at 7 oclock, near the Post Office to make arrangements for petitioning any increase on the licenses. That evening, a meeting of about 3,000 men was held near the Post Office. They formed a committee, and determined to meet with the Commissioner the following morning with the expectation that a meeting of 12,000 to 15,000 men would take place the following Monday 15 December 1851.

The location of the Monster Meeting is described in contemporary articles as being held at the Shepherds Hut, near the Post Office, about one mile higher up from the Commissioners Tents. Maps from the period indicate that these structures are located at both Forest Creek, and nearby Fryers Creek. The meeting was advertised through notices addressed to the Mount Alexander diggers which were posted along the creek. The month before, the Argus reporter described the location of the Mount Alexander goldfields as not on Mount Alexander, as is generally supposed, but in a gully known as Forest Creek. In addition, the Argus office was located at Forest Creek and if the meeting was at Fryers Creek, it would be expected that the reporter would have stated this. Speakers and attendees also describe arriving at Forest Creek.

Later reminiscences about the meeting recall it being held near an old shepherds hut, at the junction of Mount Alexander [Pyrenees Hwy] and a new cut, called the Chewton Road [Golden Point Road] Forest Creek (afterwards named Castlemaine); at the old shepherds hut, Golden Point, Forest Creek; and at the Shepherds hut near Chewton (a piece of rising ground not far from the Mount Alexander Hotel).

This documentary evidence confirms the location of the Monster Meeting as Forest Creek, which is covered by the area recommended for registration.

Part 6: The Red Ribbon Rebellion and the Eureka Stockade

There were a number of subsequent protest meetings against the licencing system and perceived unjust governance of the goldfields. The most significant of these include the Red Ribbon Rebellion (1853) and the Eureka Stockade (1854).

In June 1853, the Anti-Gold Licence Association was formed in Bendigo. Delegates took a petition of more than 5000 signatures to Governor La Trobe complaining of hardship on the goldfield. They asked for the licence fee to be reduced, and condemned the harsh treatment of those unable to pay. When the delegates returned on 13 August 1853, they were greeted by thousands of diggers at View Point holding flags of all nations, as well as the diggers flag designed by William Dexter, a china painter from Devon. This flag featured a pick, shovel, and cradle; scales; a bundle of sticks; and a kangaroo and emu, and is thought to have first been flown at the Monster Meeting, Forest Creek. The event became known as the Red Ribbon Rebellion, as supporters wore red ribbons to show their solidarity.

In 1854, a series of events led to the most well-known gold field protest, the Eureka Stockade where, for the first time, the government used force against the protestors resulting in deaths and injuries on both sides. The catalyst for the Eureka Stockade was the imprisonment of men perceived to be unfairly accused of arson. Diggers met to lobby for their release, protest against the licence and demand the vote. The Ballarat Reform League was formed and at a later meeting, the diggers burnt their licences. On 30 November, diggers met on Bakery Hill and again burnt their licences. They then marched to the Eureka diggings, raised the Southern Cross flag, and constructed the stockade. They were attacked by government troopers and regiments, outnumbered and defeated. Although unsuccessful at the time, the protest eventually resulted in the demise of the gold licence system and the introduction of the more democratic Miners Right.

VICTORIAN HISTORICAL THEMES

04Transforming land and managing natural resources

4.5Gold mining

07Governing Victorians

7.2Struggling for political rights

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

All of the land identified in Diagram 2368 is of primary cultural heritage significance

ARCHAEOLOGY

There is no identified archaeology of state level significance at the Monster Meeting Site. Evidence of the Shepherds Hut at the south eastern end of the place may survive, although it is likely to have been a lightweight, vernacular structure which would have left few archaeological deposits.

INTEGRITY/INTACTNESS

Integrity The Monster Meeting Site is a comparatively undeveloped parcel of land surrounded by former gold fields. Identifying structures mentioned in early descriptions, including the Shepherds Hut and Post Office no longer survive. The heritage values of the place are evident in the contours of the land, the creek beds and the hillock.

Intactness Modern structures and buildings including a shed, cattle yard and fencing have been erected on the site, however they do not interfere with the intactness of the site, which is significant primarily for its location. While some alterations have occurred, the place generally conforms to early descriptions and images.

COMPARISONS (VHR)

Other locations associated with gold licencing protests in the VHR

Rosalind Park (VHR H1866)

Rosalind Park (formerly the Government Camp Precinct) is historically significant as the site of one of the largest government camps in the Victorian goldfields. The open parkland still allows the landscape of the former government camp to be appreciated, and the reconstructed Garden Gully Mining Company poppet legs on Camp Hill reflect the original function of the hill as a lookout, and the park as a government camp created to support gold mining activities. Rosalind Park is historically significant as a significant example of a large, late nineteenth century public recreation reserve. Features which enhance this quality include the interface with the surrounding nineteenth century streetscape, the close proximity of significant government buildings, and the rich overlay of different uses of the park over many years.

It is thought that the protest meeting known as the Red Ribbon Rebellion took place in Rosalind Park, although there are no descriptions or images to confirm the exact location. Unlike the Monster Meeting Site at Forest Creek, the setting for the Red Ribbon Rebellion has been substantially altered through building and landscape development. The Ballarat Reform League Inc. have erected a monument to the Red Ribbon Rebellion near the south east corner of the Bendigo Art Gallery, on registered land.

Rosalind Park (VHR H1866). Site of the Red Ribbon Rebellion monument on registered land (indicated in red), and members of the Ballarat Reform League Inc. at the monument.

Eureka Historic Precinct (VHR 1874)

Eureka Historic Precinct comprises a 12-acre reserve, which was set aside in 1869 as containing the greater portion if not all of the Eureka Stockade battle ground. The land was greatly altered after the battle by continued mining and other activities, so much so that in 1884 when several hundred elderly people gathered at Eureka Street to locate the site of the stockade for a monument, they could not agree and voted on a site in the southeast corner of the Reserve.

The Eureka Historic Precinct is of outstanding historical significance because of its association with the Eureka Stockade, the battleground, and an event that is part of our national experience. The bulk of the land comprising the precinct was set aside as a reserve only 16 years after the battle because it was considered to contain the greater portion, if not the whole, of the stockade. Since then it has been a place to reflect on the events and their consequences. The Eureka Historic Precinct is arguably one of the most culturally meaningful sites in the nation. The Ballarat Reform League Inc. have erected a monument to the Eureka Stockade, on registered land.

Eureka Historic Precinct (VHR 1874). Site of the Eureka Stockade monument on registered land (indicated in red), erected by the Ballarat Reform League Inc.

Eureka Memorials, Old Ballarat Cemetery, (H1007)

The Diggers' and Soldiers' Memorials were erected in the Ballarat Cemetery to commemorate those miners and members of the 40th and 12th Regiments who died as a result of the fighting at the Eureka Stockade on 3 December 1854. The diggers' memorial was built in 1856 and the soldiers' memorial in 1879 and, together with associated marked graves, they commemorate a significant event in Australian history.

Eureka Memorials, Old Ballarat Cemetery, (H1007). Eureka memorial at Old Ballarat Cemetery.

Objects associated with Miners Rights in the VHR

Miners Right Collection, Ballarat Gold Museum (H2112)

The Miner's Rights Collection is of historical significance for its capacity to symbolise the positive outcomes for gold miners brought about by Eureka and the preceding democratic movements of the miners. The Miner's Right symbolises the gains of the diggers in terms of enfranchisement and self-regulation on the goldfields.

Miners Rights, 1857 (left), 1866 (right)

Other locations associated with gold licence protests (not on the VHR)

In 2003 the re-formed Ballarat Reform League Inc. launched a major project to place Monuments on sites across the Victorian goldfields where there were significant protests. Plaques and rock monuments have been placed at Buninyong, Chewton, Beechworth, Bendigo, Bakery Hill and the Eureka Stockade Memorial Park, and the Star Hotel location in Ballarat.

Comparison summary

Other gold licence protest sites on the VHR, including the sites of the Red Ribbon Rebellion and the Eureka Stockade have undergone extensive changes since the protests took place. As locations for events, rather than places with structures, this is inevitable, particularly when gold mining continued on both sites, and the development of townships continued around them. Although these sites, and the Eureka Stockade site in particular remain highly significant, the integrity of the places has been compromised through intensive development. Unlike both of these sites, the Monster Meeting Site at Forest Creek is comparatively intact. The land forms, both at the site and surrounding it, remain identifiable from early sketches and engravings.

KEY REFERENCES USED TO PREPARE ASSESSMENT

Annear, Robyn (1999) Nothing But Gold, Text Publishing

McKimmie, Ken (2011) Chewton Now and Then, self published

Wositzky, Jarn (2014) The Monster Meeting Book, How Eureka began with the 1851 Forest creek Monster Meeting of Diggers, Chewton Domain Society

http://www.monstermeeting.net/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballarat_Reform_League

PROPOSED TEXT FOR THE BLUE HERITAGE PLAQUE

On 15.12.1851 more than 10,000 diggers met here to object to the gold licence fee. It was the first organised protest meeting and led to the Red Ribbon Rebellion and the Eureka Stockade It was also the first time workers had protested against the government.

ADDITIONAL IMAGES / MAPS

Monument at the Monster Meeting Site, erected by the Ballarat Reform League Inc. on land proposed for registration.

2016, Photo taken from a location similar to that in the 1851 engraving.

1851 engraving of the Monster Meeting.

'Great Meeting of Gold Diggers Dec 15th 1851' drawn by D. Tulloch, engraved by Thomas Ham

Source: Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts, Tasmanian Archive and Heritage

c. 2010, Photo and line work produced by Ken McKimmie, Chewton author, suggesting the similarity of the hillside contours in the 1854 sketch and the existing view.

1854, Pen and ink sketch of speakers at the Monster Meeting (artist unknown).

Source: National Library of Australia

1852, Plan of Mt Alexander (detail) showing the location of the Monster Meeting Site, as indicated by the Hut, the Post Office, the Commissioners Camp, the Argus Office, and Forest and Wattle Creeks. Source: State Library of NSW.

1866, Map of Castlemaine showing the location of the Monster Meeting Site, and the existing sub division along Golden Point Road. Source: State Library of Victoria.

1853, Plan of land at Golden Point leased to the McIntosh Co-operative Gold Mining Co. indicating a shepherds hut adjacent to the confluence of Forest and Wattle Creeks.