A Woman On The Goldfields

Recollections of Emily Skinner 1854–1878

Edward Duyker
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A Woman On The Goldfields

Subjects

History

Published

1 September 1995

ISBN

9780522846522

Pages

140

Subjects

History

Imprint

Melbourne University Press

A Woman On The Goldfields

Recollections of Emily Skinner 1854–1878

Edward Duyker
The first publication of the lively recollections of Emily Skinner, immigrant and miner's wife on the Ovens and Buckland goldfields.

Emily Skinner, vibrant, observant, eternally young-at-heart, emigrated from Britain to Australia in 1854. Not only did she keep a ship-board journal, she later recorded her reminiscences of a colourful life as a miner's wife.

Here, published for the first time, is Emily's account of a voyage half-way around the word to marry her sweetheart. She evokes wild storms, sea sickness, the malaise and boredom, the gossip and intrigue. Her impressions of the young town of Melbourne follow, as well as her recollections of what is now the town of Beechworth and the surrounding goldfields.

Emily reaches across the years with her vivid descriptions contrasting the realities in her workday life—cooking, washing, childminding—with the wild dreams and aspirations of the miners. This personable account speaks to every reader as a refreshing and energetic story of a pioneering life which was tough and rigorous but always embraced.

Emily Skinner, vibrant, observant, eternally young-at-heart, emigrated from Britain to Australia in 1854. Not only did she keep a ship-board journal, she later recorded her reminiscences of a colourful life as a miner's wife.

Here, published for the first time, is Emily's account of a voyage half-way around the word to marry her sweetheart. She evokes wild storms, sea sickness, the malaise and boredom, the gossip and intrigue. Her impressions of the young town of Melbourne follow, as well as her recollections of what is now the town of Beechworth and the surrounding goldfields.

Emily reaches across the years with her vivid descriptions contrasting the realities in her workday life—cooking, washing, childminding—with the wild dreams and aspirations of the miners. This personable account speaks to every reader as a refreshing and energetic story of a pioneering life which was tough and rigorous but always embraced.

Edward Duyker

Edward Duyker

Dr Edward Duyker comes from a family deeply steeped in the sea. He is the author of many books dealing with early Australian coastal exploration, including An Officer of the Blue (1994), Nature's Argonaut (1998), the award-winning Citizen Labillardière (2003) and, most recently, François Péron (2006). In 2000 Dr Duyker was made a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Palmes Académiques by the French government. He was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2003 and the Medal of…

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Paperback
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Other formats available