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SUMMARY: S.T. Gill frequently portrayed the subject Diggers on way (to Bendigo). This scene has generally been linked with the idea of leaving Melbourne for the diggings. However it's more likely this subject is about the frequent moving on from one diggings to another, from one rush to another, and in particular, from Forest Creek, Mount Alexander to the new diggings at Bendigo in June 1852 when Gill sketched it.
Showing Gill's pictures from 1852 to 1872.
Article type: SUBJECT
This article shows S.T. Gill's Diggers on way (to Bendigo) pictures ranging in date from 1852 to 1872. The list of works is well representative, but not exhaustive.
Gill often repeated this subject of diggers on their way to Bendigo, including: the original 1852 "as they are" lithograph series, the 1854 "as they were" lithograph series and the 1869 Public Library watercolour series.
Diggers on way (to Bendigo) has generally been linked with the idea of leaving Melbourne for the diggings. However it's more likely this subject is about the frequent moving on from one diggings to another, from one rush to another. Both subjects are incorporated strongly into the cover for Victoria gold diggings and diggers as they are. Part 1.
Here the road out of Melbourne is the central subject. Although there is no "Diggers on way" in the perimeter scenes, there are several echoes of it. For a more detailed description, see below in the List of Works.
Daniel Bunce, correspondent for the Argus, reported on a leaving for Bendigo at the time Gill was there at those diggings:
MOUNT ALEXANDER. Forest Creek, 5th June, 1852.
Everything at this part of the Diggings is at a dead stand still. Those parties who have remained have obtained gold scarcely sufficient to pay for their labour. Three ounces is the most I have seen taken from one hole in any of the flats in this vicinity for the past week. All these who have nothing but their "swag" to carry, "hump it," and start either for Bendigo or one of the new Diggings, whilst those who have stores and a general outfit are compelled to remain from the absence of the necessary means, of carrying the same to the scenes above named, and of which the most glowing accounts were perpetually reaching us. The storekeepers are also beginning to "drop down," as
they find the prudent locality is "stale, flat, and unprofitable;" in a word, they may soon with Othello say, "Their occupation's gone."1
Gill's covered bullock dray may represent a moving storekeeper.
By dates in his sketches, Gill was at Forest Creek on 16 June, on the road to Bendigo on 29 June, then at Bendigo on 30 June. (See S.T. Gill at the Victorian Diggings, 1852.)
In this scene diggers are on their way to Bendigo. They are approaching well-timbered country; a smashed tree stump in the foreground. Given the forested scenery and the timing of Gill's work, they are not travelling from Melbourne but are making their way from Forest Creek, Mount Alexander to the new diggings at Bendigo in June 1852.
However by not having a "from" in the title, Gill allows the viewer to imagine their own route.
Grishin (78, 176-180) discusses this "iconic image for the Australian gold rushes" and how Gill changed it over time.
You can scroll down to see all pictures along with detailed notes or click a link to jump to a specific work from the list.
DIGGERS on way | State Library of New South Wales PXA 6912 f.01
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-06~/1852-08~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 10.1(H) x 16.3(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Preparatory Sketches
In this scene diggers are on their way to Bendigo. They are approaching well timbered country; a smashed tree stump in the foreground. Given the forested scenery and the timing of Gill's work, they are not travelling from Melbourne but are making their way from Forest Creek, Mount Alexander to the new diggings at Bendigo in June 1852.
The main group comprises three men, a boy and a dog; they are carrying rolled swags, except for the man on the right who carries what appears to be a dismantled gold cradle. The man on the left has a gold pan in one hand and kettle in the other. Beyond them is a couple (at right) - the woman wearing Gill's ubiquitous Norwich shawl. In front of the focus group is a loaded bullock dray and driver with stock whip. Further still along the road is a pack horse and more diggers.
Preparatory sketch for the "Diggers on way to Bendigo" lithograph in "Victoria Gold Diggings and Diggers as they are, Part 1" (1852). (Note the alignment marks at lower left and right.) See the corresponding lithograph. There are small changes between preparatory sketch and lithograph:
Diggers on way to Bendigo | National Library of Australia PIC Volume 180 S110
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-07/1852-08 | Appleyard cat. n/a | 15(H) x 20.8(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 1
In this scene diggers are on their way to Bendigo. They are approaching well timbered country; a smashed tree stump in the foreground. Given the forested scenery and the timing of Gill's work, they are not travelling from Melbourne but are making their way from Forest Creek, Mount Alexander to the new diggings at Bendigo in June 1852.
The main group comprises three men, a boy and a dog; they are carrying rolled swags, except for the man on the right who carries what appears to be a dismantled gold cradle. The man on the left has a gold pan in one hand and kettle in the other. Beyond them is a couple (at right) - the woman wearing Gill's ubiquitous Norwich shawl. In front of the focus group is a loaded bullock dray and driver with stock whip. Further still along the road is a pack horse and more diggers.
For more detail see the catalogue / main entry.
Map | S. T. Gill - Victorian Diggings
687
Cover for Victoria gold diggings and diggers as they are. Part 1 | National Library of Australia PIC Volume 180 S105
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-07/1852-08 | Appleyard cat. n/a | 21(H) x 15.5(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 1
Titled: "Part the First Containing 24 Sketches of the Victoria Gold Diggings and Diggers as They Are, By S. T. G. / Lithographed & Published by Macartney & Galbraith, 30 Collins Street, Melbourne. August 1852".
The title page is a collection of scenes, many of which echo the individual prints, however there are scenes here that are not found elsewhere, particularly 1) the road out of Melbourne bounded by three rail fence and busy with traffic to and from the diggings, and 2) a flock of sheep and a herd of cattle being driven (to the diggings). The road out of Melbourne is the central subject. There are also several echoes of "Diggers on way" in the perimeter scenes.
For more detail see the catalogue / main entry.
750
Diggers on way to Bendigo | National Library of Australia PIC SolanderBox A48 #S172
Artist: Gill, S.T. (after) | Date: 1853-04 | Appleyard cat. n/a | 15.8(H) x 19.5(W) cm
Main listing: S.T. Gill - Subject - Diggers on way
From "Part 1 Sketches of the Victoria Gold Diggings and Diggers as they are by S.T.G.", published by Collins and Piper, London, April 1853. This was a re-lithographing of "Victoria Gold Diggings and Diggers as they are, Part 1". (Part 2 was not re-lithographed in London.)
752
Diggers on way to Bendigo | State Library Victoria H12549
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1854 | Appleyard cat. n/a | 15(H) x 23(W) cm
Main listing: S.T. Gill - Subject - Diggers on way
Diggers on their way from Forest Creek, Mount Alexander to the new diggings at Bendigo in June 1852. This 1854 lithograph is very like the 1852 version, albeit with a bit less background detail.
This series is later known as "The Diggers and Diggings of Victoria as they were in 1852". Advertised by publisher James J. Blundell in 1854: "Sketches of the Victoria Gold Diggers and Diggings, a series of lithographed plates. Price 25s." (The Argus, 20 May 1854: 8. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4807954>)
728
Diggers on way to Bendigo | State Library Victoria H86.7/26
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1869 | Appleyard cat. n/a | 26.8(H) x 19.5(W) cm
Main listing: S.T. Gill - Subject - Diggers on way
Diggers on their way to Bendigo. From watercolour series of Victorian Gold Fields in 1852-3 for Melbourne Public Library in 1869. See Grishin p.173 ff. for a detailed examination of this 1869 series.
753
Diggers on road to Bendigo | State Library Victoria H24545
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1872 | Appleyard cat. n/a | 16(H) x 24.1(W) cm
Main listing: S.T. Gill - Subject - Diggers on way
Diggers on their way to Bendigo. Watercolour. Part of The Goldfields of Victoria during 1852 & 3 comprising 50 original gold sketches of life and charactor, primative operations, by S T Gill, Melbourne 1872. See Grishin p.200 ff. for a detailed examination of this series.
754
David Coombe. Original 4 January 2026. Updated 22 January 20026.| text copyright (except where indicated)
CITE THIS: David Coombe, 2026, S.T. Gill - Subject - Diggers on way, accessed dd mmm yyyy, <https://coombe.id.au/S_T_Gill/S_T_Gill_Subject_Diggers_on_way.htm>