First Australian gold rush proclaimed at Bathurst

Background. Bathurst is known as the Gold Country because it was the site of Australia's first payable gold discovery in 1851. Flecks of gold were initially found in the Fish River in February 1823, but the matter was treated as mere curiosity. The penal character of the colony and general ignorance of gold's value kept the subject quiet until the 1851 announcement.

Discovery and Proclamation. On 12 February 1851, Edward Hargraves announced the discovery of payable gold at Ophir, 26 miles north-west of Bathurst. The first gold rush began in May 1851 after Hargraves claimed this find near Orange. This event marked the start of the rush, distinct from later Victorian discoveries which occurred in July 1851.

Recognition. Clarke gave evidence before a Select Committee of the NSW Legislative Council in September 1852, stating that earlier indications of gold were not followed up because the matter was regarded as one of curiosity only, with the colony's penal character and general ignorance of gold's value keeping the subject quiet. Towards the end of 1853, the New South Wales government granted Clarke £1,000 for his services in connection with the discovery of gold.