The Victorian gold rush commenced at a significant time in the colony’s development.

On 11 November 1850, it was announced that a ‘Separation Bill’ had been passed by the British Parliament allowing the Port Phillip District to be separated from New South Wales.

The news of separation was marked by several days of celebration in Melbourne. A key event in the celebrations was the opening of Prince’s Bridge on 15 November – an occasion recorded by artist William Strutt.

The Colony of Victoria was officially separated from New South Wales on 1 July 1851 and within days, the first official Victorian discoveries of payable gold were announced.

"According to the optimists, Victoria was made; here were prospects of wealth for all."

Cited Serle, G, The Golden Age. A History of the Colony of Victoria, 1851–1861, Melbourne, 1977, p. 10.