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Our Constitution

People on the gold fields This photograph of a crowd of diggers at Kanowna in 1898 shows the overwhelming domination of men on the goldfields.

Protesters on the gold fields Gold miners rally for a cause in Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie, 1898.

Many gold rush immigrants, were nicknamed 't' othersiders' because they came from the other side of Australia to make their fortunes and escape the depression which blighted eastern colonies.

They demanded the right to vote and pressed for more representation on the goldfields. However, the Forrest Government was reluctant to yield political power to these recent arrivals.

"I do not believe that people come to this country for the purpose of voting.  They come here to make a fortune, and if they take my advice they will apply themselves in that direction instead of running after the franchise or getting on the roll.

The huge population on the gold fields could not be denied for long.  By 1899, the newcomers had won many Battyes for political rights and were influential in the push for federation.

Politics on the gold fields Vosper was a gold fields activist, a prominent newspaperman and later a member of Parliament. He was a constant critic of the Forrest government and the conservative elite.