Chinese Experiences around the turn of the 20th century- Lambing Flats Riot

  • Chinese Jump

    the Chinese were forced out of the fields
  • Lambing Flat Last Chance For Minners

    In 1860 miners felt Lambing Flat was their last chance to find their fortune, it was to be the new Ballarat.
  • Chinese Dangerous??

    A Miner’s Protective League had formed, petitioning for the removal of the Chinese "for the protection of native industry".
  • Population Growth

    it was estimated that the population at Lambing Flat had grown to almost 15,000
  • Chinese Return

    With the guidance of police, the Chinese returned to the field. However, on June 30th, miner George Preshaw witnessed one of the worst riots of the Australian gold rush. 
  • Diggers To NSW

    After many of the goldfields in Victoria had been raked bare, most diggers headed to new fields in New South Wales
  • Brawl And Roll Up

    A brawl resulted from a "roll up" in February and 1500 Chinese fled.
  • Criminals

    Criminals plagued Lambing Flat, like Ararat, and police held little influence in 1861
  • Roll Ups

    several "roll ups" had taken place in Chinese camps, and again in January 1861
  • Chinese Outruled

    A full brass band trumpeting "Rule Britannia" fuelled 2000 to 3000 white diggers marching on the Chinese camp. Ringleaders had made anti-Chinese banners and marched on the unprepared Chinese shouting and chanting themselves into frenzy.