150 years ago today the Eureka Stockade was stormed but government troops.

S.D.S Huyghue, Eureka Stockade 1882, watercolour
Collection: Ballarat Fine Art Gallery

30 miners and 3 troopers died. It was generally considered that the government response was an over-reaction and that a negotiated resolution would have been possible. Thirteen of the ring leaders were charged with Treason but were subsequently found innocent at trial.

The brutality of the government response engendered a wave of support for the miners and the principal instigator, Peter Lalor, was subsequently elected to parliament where he served as a member of the conservative government for many years.

Read more about Peter Lalor in Eureka Times
Visit the home of the excellent watercolour above, the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery