Robert Eddy

Bendigo Goldfields Petition Cover, August 1853 [detail]. State Library of Victoria (MS 12440)

Bendigo Goldfields Petition Cover, August 1853. State Library of Victoria (MS 12440)

Red Ribbon Movement Monument in Rosalind Park, Bendigo [detail], 2013. Ballarat Heritage Services Picture Collection

Goldfields Involvement, 1853-1854

Signed the 1853 Bendigo Goldfields Petition. Agitation of the Victorian goldfields started with the Forest Creek Monster Meeting in 1851, but what became known as the Red Ribbon Movement was centred around the Bendigo goldfields in 1853. The Anti-Gold License Association was formed at Bendigo in June 1853, led by George Thomson, Dr D.G. Jones and 'Captain' Edward Browne. The association focused its attention on the 30 shillings monthly licence fee miners were required to pay to the government. They drew up a petition outlining digger grievances and called for a reduced licence fee, improved law and order, the right to vote and the right to buy land. The petition was signed by diggers at Bendigo, Ballarat, Castlemaine, McIvor (Heathcote), Mount Alexander (Harcourt) and other diggings. The 13 metre long petition was presented to Lieutenant-Governor Charles La Trobe in Melbourne on the 01 August 1853, but their call for a reduction in monthly licence fees and land reform for diggers was rejected. The diggers dissatisfaction erupted into the Red Ribbon Rebellion where agitators wore red ribbons on their hats symbolising their defiance of the law and prohibitive licence fees.

Post 1854 Experiences

CONFIDENCE EXTENDED COMPANY.

GOLD AT 1764 FEET.

Mr. Robert Eddy, mine manager, yes-terdav reported a couple of nice colors of gold in 2ft of stone,: on which the company are driving south at 1764ft. The level was started a few days ago on the east leg of. a large centre reef, the spurry. saddle showing in the main cross-cut. In stoping the back of tne cross cut previous to starting the level, a width of over 25ft of mineralised quartz was exposed, representing the cap, the lava being associated with its western limits. The east leg is faulted by a small slide and has had a very favorable appearance so far. The gold is showing under the slide. The formation rises rapidly, south, and as the level progresses it will reveal another and larger fault crossing the cast back, Beyond crosscuttmg through the saddle and driving over the top of cap in the north level, the reef is intact throughout the lease. As: the double-folding of the reef channel is not so pronounced at this depth, it is likely that the formation will be found continuous throughout the lease. The reef appears to be associated with backs next to and underlying, those of the Victory forma tion. The development is one of the most interesting that has been reported from this mine lor several years; as it opens up the possibility of an entirely new centre formation being of value. Above 1146ft a new splice of stone is showing along the footwall in extending the drive toward the trough channel; but no gold has so far been seen in it. At 495ft the south level is traversing prac tically all quartz associated with the faulting of a west back.

Family

The remains of the late Miss Emily Eddy were interred yesterday in the Methodist section of the Bendigo cemetery. The cortege, which was a lengthy one, moved from the residence of the deceased young lady's brother, Mr. Robert Eddy, Mt. Korong road, California Gully. Messrs. A. Smith, T. Doxford, J. McInerney, and J. Fenneston, acted as pall-bearers. A short service was held at the residence, where the hymns, "Nearer my God to Thee and "Rock of Ages" were sung. The burial service was conducted by Mr. F. Foot, and the hymn, "For ever with the Lord," was sung at the grave.

Obituary

The Death at the Ulster Mike. Mrs. Eddy, widow of the late Robert Eddy, the miner who recently died while engaged at work in the United Ulster mine, has applied for the Miners' Association, of which deceased was a financial member, for the usual death allowance. The application, accompanied by a certificate by Dr. H. Boyd, was brought under the notice of the committee at its meeting last night. The doctor, in-his certificate, expressed the opinion that the cause; of death was an attack of hemorrhage consequent on a strain while at work". The president pointed out that the certificate of Mr. Webb, J.P., who held the magisterial inquiry into the case, had not been forwarded. He fully, believed that the widow of the deceased member was entitled to the allowance, but he suggested that before sending the.claim on to the A.M.A. executive, it would be better, to have all the documents and full particulars. He wished it to be clearly under stood that in deferring the application there was not the slightest idea of repudiating the claim. After some discussion. It was decided to defer action in the matter for a fortnight, the officers in the meantime to prepare a report on the case.

See also

Bendigo Goldfields Petition

Ballarat Reform League Inc. Monuments Project

External links

https://blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/family-matters/collections/did-you-ancestor-sign-the-bendigo-goldfields-petition/

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