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Ballarat and Bendigo were to become some of the greatest goldfields in Australia's history - with Ballarat fields being recognised as the richest goldfield in the world. These finds let to massive population growth and the opening of new fields at Bendigo. The rush occurred between the years of 1851 and 1860, after which the diggers left in search of other fields in other States. It is this ten year period that saw massive growth in Australia's population and was the foundation of many Australian traditions, language and culture.
It was also a period when Australia was guilty of the persecution and poor treatment of Aboriginal people who held ownership of the goldfields. This ownership was never recognised and Aboriginal people were treated no better than slaves.
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