AWP-69-The Eureka Rebellion, Part 3: We swear by the Southern Cross

Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me!  To celebrate here is part four of our five part series on the Eureka Rebellion.

Things are hotting up on the Ballarat goldfields and things inch closer to the ultimate battle.  Anastasia Hayes and two of her friends sew the southern cross flag - five stars and a white cross on a blue background. Then the diggers engage in a skirmish with the police and Redcoats.

On 30 November 1854 the miners meet and there is a mass burning of licenses in protest. The authorities under the command of Commissioner Rede launch another license hunt. The diggers construct a stockade on a hill on the Eureka Diggings. Peter Lalor leads 500 diggers to swear on the southern cross flag to stand by each other and to defend their rights and liberties.