Holding up Her Majesty's Mail

The discovery of gold in New South Wales in 1851 brought hopeful crowds rushing to the goldfields to seek their fortune. The gold also attracted opportunistic bushrangers who preyed on the unarmed mail services that transported the precious cargo. Frequent robberies highlighted the need for security and assistance from the colonial government in the form of armed mail guards.  

Curator Sarah Morley will discuss the impact of the gold rush on surrounding communities, particularly the challenges faced by postal contractors transporting gold between townships.