Women & Children on the Goldfields
By Frank 5T
Introduction
ln 1854 there were approximately 4000 women on the goldfields in Ballarat compared to 12500 men. Most of these women were married.
Children and Education
Children moved schools often. Parents kept moving to find richer goldfields. Often there was no schooling because there was no school built. Schools were made from tents. The roof was made from a canvas material.
Roles and responsibilities of Women
1. cooking
2. Singing and dancing for diggers
3. Some women were diggers
4. Shopkeepers
5. Caring for children
6. Making bread, butter and jams.
Health
On the goldfields many children died because of the foul muddy water they had
to drink. Conditions were poor. Cemeteries were set up to bury the dead.
People died from whooping cough and measles because there were no hospitals.