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Great Meeting of Diggers Print Page 
The sculpture at Lawson's Bridge gifted to the community by Rotary International commemorates the Great Meeting of Diggers in 1851.
Location
| Address: | Pyrenees Highway, Lawsons Bridge, entrance to Chewton, Chewton, 3451 |
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| State: | VIC |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -37.082054 Long: 144.267889 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Sculpture |
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| Monument Theme: | Government |
| Sub-Theme: | Dissent |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 15-December-1851 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 15-December-1851 |
| Designer: | Geoff Hocking |
| Monument Manufacturer: | Neil Tait (Fabrication) |
Dedication
| Approx. Monument Dedication Date: | 2010 |
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Commemorating 'The Great Meeting of Diggers.`
On 15 December 1851 more than 10,000 diggers gathered near the Old Shepherd`s Hut and raised the Digger banner in portest at the Government Licence Fee on the Victorian goldfields. This was the first of many agitations against unfair taxes on the diggings, culminating in the Battle of Eureka three years later.
The banner shows the Digger`s arms (pick and shovel), the scales of justice; a bundle of sticks (Fasces) and the Kangaroo and Emu (Australia).
Gifted to the community by the Rotary Club
In celebration of their 75th Anniversary in Castlemaine in 2010.
Designed by Geoff Hocking / Fabricated by Neil Tait
