Anti-Gold Licence Association

[1][2] On 26 July 1853 Governor La Trobe was presented with a petition drawn up by the Association, and undersigned by more than 23,000 miners from the region.

[3] All miners supporting the resolution would continue to wear red ribbons around their hats as a symbol of defiance.

[5] On 30 August 1853 Governor La Trobe appeared to accede to the demands when he announced the abolition of the licence system and its replacement by an export duty and a small registration fee.

[6] But the Victorian Legislative Council rejected La Trobe's proposal and his promise was not enacted.

The licence system continued until after the Eureka Rebellion on the Ballarat gold field caused the loss of life in December 1854, and led to the eventual reform of the government-imposed conditions for miners in 1855.