Reviewed by Richard Tutin
This entertaining book by Matt Murphy reminds me of the old wild west scene when a dishevelled prospector comes rushing in saying at the top of their lungs “Tha’s gold in them tha hills”.
Murphy has set himself the task of identifying who exactly could rightfully be regarded as the one who was the first to discover gold in Australia. Tradition has designated Edward Hammond Hargraves as the person who not only was the first to discover gold but was from time to time rewarded and feted for his efforts in this regard.
The question is whether he personally searched for the precious metal, hoping for a lucky find. There was a lot riding on the outcome. Individuals wanted to enrich themselves and their families while colonial governments desperately needed gold to bolster finances and dwindling monetary resources within jurisdictions.
What no one wanted was being overrun by others who wanted to stake their claims therefore causing a gold rush. Many had seen what had happened in California in 1849 when the gold rush there decimated the economies of towns and states as the size of the population suddenly grew to unstable numbers and normal business could not be conducted due to the lack of workers to do even the simplest but important tasks.
The debate about Hargraves’ role has been raging since the first recorded discoveries in 1851. Murphy’s meticulous research shows his involvement in just about every major discovery within the colonies during his lifetime. He seems to have been able to both command the limelight and take advantage of every situation even though his contemporaries complained that he rarely did much work to find gold. As well, unlike others such as amateur geologist the Reverend William Clarke and Mr Enoch Rudder, he had no scientific background to support his advice and theories. He did though have a great ability to fall on his feet and make a comeback when events did not go his way.
In many ways, Murphy demonstrates that at the heart of the golden saga lies the power of the narrative. Those in power often favoured Hargraves, disregarding his companions who did most of the work for little or no compensation. Hargraves also continued his account of the events, seeking to advance his own interests and maintain public attention. In addition to receiving monetary rewards, he was also given hospitality and support from both his supporters and individuals who sought his advice on locating precious metals in their region.
Murphy does touch on the fact that Hargraves was married and had a family. They are mentioned from time to time but there is very little information about what they thought of their ever peripatetic and self-centred husband and father.
Is Hargraves truly the central figure in this accessible account of Australia’s history? The answer to that question explains the reasons for Hargraves’ recognition by many people. If Hargraves had not needed to search for gold, his life may have been different. His name would not have been in the history books as the first person to record the discovery of gold in the colonies that made up Australia at the time.
The influence of gold should not be underestimated. It has contributed significantly to the wealth of individuals and nations, yet it has also led to instances of profound corruption. Many economies have historically operated under the gold standard, and gold typically retains high value during periods of inflation as people seek financial security. In recounting this compelling history, Murphy demonstrates that not every discovery of gold yields positive outcomes; at times, it can prove detrimental to those who possess it, becoming more of a liability than an asset.
As a school student, Matt Murphy failed English and couldn’t see the point of history. He became a firie and has been serving in Sydney’s inner city for 33 years. He is now also a part-time historian and teacher, tolerating the attitudes of kids that he used to share. He has written three books: Weight of Evidence, about what was the longest civil court case in New South Wales; Rum, about the formative influence of grog on the country and now Gold, recounting the story of Edward Hammond Hargraves and the discovery of gold in Australia.
Gold
by Matt Murphy
(2025)
ABC Books
ISBN 9780733343858
$36.99; 305pp