Goldfields: Women and Children
BY matthew
Introduction
Education
Many foreigners had come to Bathurst for gold , however this meant many people didn't speak English. Another reason why children weren't educated because their parents didn't have time to educate themselves or their children. Possibly educated siblings and/or parents can teach their family members. Although Bathurst was the most popluar place during that era, other places like Ophir wouldn't have much schools or even had none!
Children had to be educated in tents with long wooden benchs that could house about 100 pupils. If the pupils had to move, the teacher had to go with them! As, the era ended, more schools were found in the area in and around Bathurst.
Women and Children's Health
Jobs
Women's Roles and Reponsibilities during the Goldfields
Women and children rarely helped dig out gold, on the other hand women did chores, and some entertained, for the diggers. They made bread, jam, clothes etc. they did the shopping, although, fresh water were scarce because of the dried creek (because of the panning done to to it) also food was scarce because farming wasn't a valueable job as they mainly dug for gold rather then a job.
Ulitamely womens' life was simliar to today.