I gratefully acknowledge permission from the Mitchell Library and State Library of NSW to publish some photographs of the NSW goldmining town of Gulgong from the Holtermann Collection taken during the goldrush in the early 1870s.
They were taken by English photographer Henry Beaufoy Merlin and his assistant Charles Bayliss, and commissioned by successful goldminer and merchant, Bernard Otto Holtermann.
Fortunately they had the foresight to see the importance of documenting such an important event in Australia's history.
Ethel Page's parents moved to Gulgong some 20 years after this picture was taken, between 1893 and 1897.
Good quality gold was still being found in Gulgong in October 1889, and payable gold was discovered there in May 1896.
In September 1895, there was a goldrush at nearby Yamble.
This may have been what made Ethel's father move to Gulgong, plus the greater prospects of work for a labourer in a rapidly growing town.
They were taken by English photographer Henry Beaufoy Merlin and his assistant Charles Bayliss, and commissioned by successful goldminer and merchant, Bernard Otto Holtermann.
Fortunately they had the foresight to see the importance of documenting such an important event in Australia's history.
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| Panorama of Gulgong from Church Hill Holtermann Collection, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Australia Digital order no.: on4_38955 Not to be copied without permission from the Mitchell Library |
Good quality gold was still being found in Gulgong in October 1889, and payable gold was discovered there in May 1896.
In September 1895, there was a goldrush at nearby Yamble.
This may have been what made Ethel's father move to Gulgong, plus the greater prospects of work for a labourer in a rapidly growing town.
