Women & Children on the Goldfields
By Reem 5T
Introduction
In 1854 there were approximately 4000 women on the goldfields in Ballarat compared to about 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
1. Cooking
2. Singing and dancing for diggers
3. Some women were diggers
4. Shopkeepers
5. Caring for children
6. Make bread, butter and jams
Health
On the goldfields many children past away because of the foul muddy water they had to drink. Conditions were poor. Cemeteries were set up to bury the dead.
The women on the goldfields had babies but many died of measles and whooping cough.