1850+-+1859

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=Population:= **1851-1853:** In 1851 the word of Geelong has spreaded Geelong’s population rises to around 8,000people and in two years later, 1853 Geelong’s population rises to around 14,000 people and becomes 22,000 people a big population. By 1853 Geelong had become a much more populated area in two years. =Events:= Early on Monday November 18 the ship Aberfoyle brought news that the Queen had given permission for the go ahead of the Separation act on August 5th. When Geelong had found out about it and the Port Phillip Bay region had separated from New South Wales it rejoiced with huge applause. Geelong is the fifth largest town in Victoria. Henry Thacker, Started a pitting business in 1707-2012 (305 years still running). September 20th the foundation stone for the Geelong to Melbourne railway was laid and the biggest and most impressive celebration yet seen in Geelong. Three steamers rolled in to Geelong carrying official guests and the governor from Melbourne. __**1851**__ In @1851 Gold was Discovered in nearby town Ballarat, because of this Geelong’s Population growth escalated to over 23,000 people in less than 6 years! To stop the population from becoming too large, a map was drawn deceive new arrivals into believing that the quickest road to the Goldfields in Ballarat was via Melbourne. Bush fires destroyed most of the countryside between Shelford, Barrabool Hills and the Otways - BLACK THURSDAY February 6th 1851. Alfred Owen, established Bull and Owen pharmacy. The first gold rush in Australia was in 1851. When Edward Hargreaves claimed the discovery of very high priced gold near Bathurst. Eight months later, gold was found in Ballarat and Bendigo in Victoria causing large influxes of prospectors. In the late 1880s through to the mid-1890s, there were discoveries of rich goldfields in western Australia which caused more gold rushes in Australia.
 * Include Year and Number plus any details if available and source of this information **
 * 1850** Population was 23,000 aprox
 * Include Year and 50 word or less description of the event. For one event, create another page to include more details and images **
 * __1850__**

**__ 1852[[image:geelonghistory/gold rush web ready.jpg width="170" height="108"]] __**
__ Geelong Hospital: __ It opened as the Geelong Infirmary and Benevolent Asylum in 1852 on Ryrie Street. It treated 344 patients in its first year. Being open in ten years time it had almost 7 times as many patients. The G.I.B.A has helped and treated lots of patients and is a great hospital. May 21st, Geelong is devastated by almost six weeks of non-stop rain. During the six weeks, the Moorabool and Barwon rivers burst their banks. It was believed that over one hundred houses were lost, and unknown amounts of livestock were lost as well. It is also unknown whether anyone had died in the floods either. Alexander Thompson, elected for MP in 1852. __** 1853 **__

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__Port of Geelong:__ Before Geelong was a settlement a sandbar across the bay from Point Lillias to Point Henry prevented ships entering the harbour. In 1853 the first channel through the sandbar was started and would become the Port of Geelong. At the time it was only 4m deep but grew larger over the years until all shipping was based in North Geelong. ====== Archibald McDonald, photographer.

__ New Chum’ unearthed the ‘largest mass of gold in the world: __
In Canadian Gully Gold was found weighing about 54.5kg, it is one unbroken mass veined with quartz. It was deposited in the office of Mr. Commissioner Green Monday the 31st of January. There was also a 1.9 kg nugget found and a 61 kg piece, Found another 67kg piece and many pieces of gold were discovered. __ Geelong Town Hall: __ The land of the town hall was built and was acquired by the council in 1854. It was two acres in size or 0.8 hectares in size. It was constructed on the corner of Little Malop and Gheringhap Street. The cost of building it was $69,066 from insufficient funds; it was designed by an architect called Joseph Reed. In December 1854 the gold miners of Ballarat rose up in a courageous revolt against draconian laws and undemocratic government. They were supported by almost the entire working population of the colony of Victoria. Eureka erupts in carnage and death. May 27th a false map was published for overseas use. Before this map was made, Geelong was the main destination for gold diggers because it was closer and the path to Ballarat and Bendigo was flatter. //**1855** Geelong Grammar commenced classes// On December 5th 1856 the Acting Lieutenant Governor, Major General Edward Macarthur arrived to join a procession through the streets of Geelong to the site of what was to become the new Flinders National Grammar School. In May 1854 the Mayor of Geelong opened the appeal for funds to establish an orphanage. __**1856**__ December 1856. Another foundation stone was laid this year, This time at the national school now known as @Mathew Flinders all girl high school. Market squares clock tower was created. __Geelong to Melbourne Railway:__ The Geelong to Melbourne Railway was originally built by ‘The Geelong and Melbourne Company led by Alex Thompson.’ It was opened on the 25th of June to great applause. It was originally built as a single track that became duplicated over the years and had many extensions through Geelong’s history. On the 15th of March at noon the ceremony of laying the foundation stone for St Augustine’s Orphanage took place. A large number of citizens of Geelong attended the occasion. The ceremony was simple yet imposing. After the ceremony the Bishop with his clergy went to Kildare in Mr Thos. Powell’s carriage. They went to St Patricks School for the purpose of laying the foundation stone. SOURCE- The 1857 Geelong Advertiser article In 1857 the first railway link from Melbourne to Geelong was built by the Geelong And Melbourne Railway Company. The line was built as a single track and was opened on the 25th of June 1857, it was continuously was added onto until its completion in 1890. It is still used today. The city of @South Barwon was created. CR. W. G. McKellar. JP, Chairman of South Barwon. On Tuesday 26th of October opened to the public was the Montpellier Hotel, being described as picnic gardens and pleasure grounds. The purveyor (Mr Hooper) had a sufficient reputation to guarantee of the quality and character of the twenty hectare orchard, garden, and vineyard. The prices were the same as in town, and excellent cuisine was assured. In 1859 one of the greatest environmental mistakes in Australian history was made. The introduction of Rabbitsto Australia. The Geelong Football Club was formed in July 1859. The G.F.C is the second oldest continuously existing club of any code in the world. Geelong’s first football game was held on July 25. The game was held near the Corio Cricket Ground and it was considered a ‘great success’, with the sides chosen by Mister Mason and Mister Fraser, Mister Fraser being the victor. Arrangements were made to have a game every afternoon in lieu of the cricket season. Gold is found in the Mount Bunninyong district in 1859. The @Geelong Football Club was formed in July 1859. =Major Changes:= SOURCE- [] Mr. Gray has thought of a great idea that was bringing a supply of water right into the middle of North Geelong, which is __north__ of the Barwon River, so the water wil travel down and fill the Barwon river up. This was because the Barwon river did not have as much water in it (at the time). So by using Mr. Gray's idea (which was actually using pipes to bring 3,000 gallons per hour up to North Geelong), there would be enough water to last Geelong all the time. =Noteable People:= SOURCE- The 1854 Geelong Advertiser article Alex Thompson was one of the greatest men of Geelong during the 1850s. As he made Geelong a settlement in 1849 was elected as Geelong first. In 1852 he was elected as a member of the ‘Victorian Legislative Council’ and brought to incorporate the Geelong & Melbourne Railway Company. Thompson attended the first meeting and was one of the directors. The Geelong to Melbourne Railway was completed in 1857. In 1857 he was elected member for Geelong in the Victorian legislative assembly but retired in 1859. The suburb of Thomson was named after him. Foster Fyans (1790–1870), soldier, penal administrator and public servant, was acting commandant of the second convict settlement at Norfolk Island, the first police magistrate at Geelong, and commissioner of crown lands for the Portland Bay pastoral district in the Port Phillip District of New South Wales. He sold his commission in 1837, sailed for the fledgling town of Melbourne in the Port Phillip District (later the colony of Victoria), and took up the post of police magistrate at Geelong after the settlers there had asked the government for protection. In 1849 he was reappointed police magistrate and was nominated as the inaugural mayor of the Geelong Town Council. Following the discovery of gold in Victoria he retired in 1853, and began to write his recollections. He died at his Geelong home ‘Balyang’ on 23 May 1870.
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 * Include Year and 50 word or less description of the change (e.g. new buildings, institutions, transport, schools). For one change, create another page to include more details and images **
 * 1849** a committee formed to establish a public hospital for Geelong citizens. Then in 1850 a foundation stone was laid in the Geelong Infirmary and the Benevolent Asylum. The building was officially opened on the 23rd of April and the first patient was admitted a week later. Finally in 1856 the East and West wings were added to the building
 * 1850's**
 * 1859** The Geelong hospital was founded in 1850 and officially opened on the 23rd of April 1852 under the name ‘Geelong Infirmary and Benevolent Asylum,’ its first patient was admitted on the 30th of April. It treated three hundred and forty four patients in its first year.
 * Include Year and 50 word or less description of the notable person and thier imapct on Geelong. For one person, create another page to include more details and images **
 * 1854** On November 10th 2000 people watched John Roberts and John Gunn hang for murder. Since they were convicted and condemned they have behaved with great fortitude. John Roberts was convicted of administering poison and John Gunn was convicted of murder. They were hung shortly after 8 o’ clock; the hanging was the first public execution in Geelong.
 * __ 1849-1857 __**