Life on the goldfieldsBy James and Rebecca

Homes and shelters

Most people on the goldfields lived in small tents or bark huts. Although some people didn’t have enough money to afford those things so they slept on the ground. A few people occasionally housed in small stone houses.

Work on the Goldfields

Usually men did all the work on the goldfields. The women’s job was to take care of the children. But, occasionally, women found the gold. Children did the chores at home.

Clothing

Women wore fancy dresses. Girls often wore the same as their mothers. The men wore trousers, striped shirts, and always hats. When they were young, boys dressed almost exactly like girls.

Transport

Most people walked about four thousand man miles to and from the goldfields. The richer people rode in carriages or rode horses. This was because they could carry heavy loads.

Food and Water

Food and water on the Goldfields was rationed. Most of people’s diet was damper. But sometimes they had mutton and fish. They didn’t drink water from the river, because it was too dirty and they had to boil it, so instead they had tea.

Leisure Activities: Children

Outdoors: Children on the goldfields had very little spare time, but if they did, they would play marbles, jacks and skipping. Sometimes they played imaginary games.

Indoors: Girls would normally play with dolls, and boys would play with battle ships and army figurines. A lot of the time they played board games.

Leisure Activities: Adults

For leisure activities, women would do sowing or knitting (not that they would get the time!). Men did most of the gold finding, so they didn’t really get leisure time. But, occasionally, on celebrations, they would go out for drinks with friends.

Education

Many children didn’t get an education because their parents/guardian couldn’t afford it. The schools were just small tents. Sometimes the children would be home-schooled.

Bibliography

Growing up on the Goldfields: Kimberly Webber

www.wikipedia.com

www.bradfitzpatrick.com

www.ic.com