Author(s): Geoff Hocking (Designed by)

New History | Local History

Sandhurst was originally the name given to the city that is today known as Bendigo.The goldfields were known as the Bendigo diggings, a name appropriated from the all-England bare-knuckle boxing champion William 'Bold Bendigo' Thompson who was at the height of his fame at the time of the discovery of gold.A shepherd, whose hut was on the northern rim of the Ravenswood No 2. sheep run was known to be handy with his fists and earned the nickname 'Bendigo'. When eager diggers set out from Port Phillip to join the rush to be rich they were headed towards 'Bendigo' s' hut, and the name stuck.However, the first government officials were less than impressed in honouring the settlement that grew rapidly beside the creek with the name of a common bruiser from Nottingham and chose the more prestigious name of Sandhurst instead. The name of Sandhurst remained until 1891 when the citizens voted for a change to the more popular name of Bendigo. Both names are used, in one form or another, unto the present age.Author Geoff Hocking grew up on the Bendigo goldfields, in Chum Street, Golden Square, in the shadow of George Lansell's Fortuna Villa. His primary schooling was at Specimen Hill. He studied art & design at the former School of Mines, later named Bendigo Technical College. His interest in history, collectables, old illustrations, advertising and printed ephemera has led to the publication of several books on Australian social history with a particular focus of the retelling of stories from our 'Golden Past'. 'Sandhurst. Genesis to Federation 1835-1910' brings together more than 300 historical images: photographs, graphics, engravings and artworks to celebrate the birth of Bendigo. 'Sandhurst' examines the origins of European settlement in central Victoria before and after the discovery of gold, and the contribution of the goldfields to the development of Victoria's industry and its prosperity.Richly illustrated, this title is beautifully presented in a narrative style that is both informative and a joy to read.