Colossus of the Goldfields is the story of a man who had possibly the greatest impact of all on the Victorian goldfields during the 19th century. He was a soldier, statesman, visionary and goldfields civic leader.
He was a major player in establishing Castlemaine including being involved in the setting up of the mining and police courts, the rifle club, the Volunteer Rifles, the Hospital, Benevolent Asylum, Mechanics Institute, agricultural societies, schools, and the municipal council, etc. He was involved in over thirty different organisations in Castlemaine and central Victoria.
Whereas the poor treatment of the miners in Ballarat led to the Eureka Stockade in December 1854, Bull handled the troubles at Mount Alexander in a completely different way. Instead of opposing the miners, he talked to them and settled many of their grievances thus avoiding bloodshed.
Though he was a Goldfields Commissioner and later Warden and Police Magistrate, he was held in very high regard by miners and the general community.
It was because of this high regard and his ability to talk to and be trusted by the miners, which prevented open rebellion on the Mount Alexander goldfields in 1853 – a year before the Eureka outbreak. If the Ballarat authorities had taken a leaf out Bull’s play book, Eureka may never have happened.
This biography by goldfields Police and Military historian, Dr Bob Marmion, traces John Bull’s life from his early days through to his death. The author looks at the highs and the lows including his various legal problems such as insolvency and the imprisonment of his son for fraud. Of major importance was Bull’s impact on administering the central goldfields during very tumultuous times.
Bull was a man of vision who had the ability to make things happen. Even though he had a number of misfortunes in his private life, his sense of duty and commitment to Castlemaine and central Victoria remained with him until his final years.
All welcome!
This is an open invitation to join us at the book launch for Colossus of the Goldfields which will take place in Castlemaine on Sunday, 30 August at the Market Building in Mostyn St. commencing at 2 pm. The guest speaker will be celebrated local historian Dr Marjorie Theobald.
For catering purposes, please register free of charge by 29 August using this QR code.