Kids’ Book Review: Review: Hill End Gold

But life on a goldfield is not easy. It becomes obvious that hope and reality can take separate paths. Mining accidents, illnesses that spread like wildfires, bushrangers and keeping food on the table threatens everyone’s lives in the community. Yet through it all, the sparkle of ‘striking it rich’ still keeps the families there in the desire that they could be on the edge of something big.

Through Alfie’s eyes, Sue Whiting reflects beautifully life on the goldfield with all the hopes and dreams as well as the heartache and frustrations that clearly faced families during this historic gold rush period. Alfie is a wonderfully written character that engages and epitomises the thoughts and fears, as well as the longing and willingness to believe, that young children so readily display. Like many on the goldfields, Alfie begins to realise that every decision has a consequence that can impact – good or bad – family, friends and/or the whole community. Although he is only eleven, Alfie learns many lessons about friendship, trust and what it means to take risks. 

There are many interactions to explore within this story. The interaction between the parents is measured and although strained at times, displays deep love as care shines through. Louisa, the older sister, and Alfie’s mother bring to light the difficulties women experienced on the goldfields. Young women like Louisa often had their dreams and aspirations put on hold or totally shut down, whilst carrying the nurturing load during such difficult days. Many of the hopes both adults and children have soon begin to turn to frustrations and disillusionment as the realisation that only a few prosper, whilst many retain the scars of the hardships and tragedy experienced by family and friends.

The comprehensive research completed by Sue to bring to life this snapshot of history at the time of the historic Beyers and Holtermann gold find in Hill End and the gruelling life in a gold rush town, makes for a wonderful resource for any class studying this topic. The historical narrative is an excellent introduction to many aspects of gold mining, life on the goldfields and allows the reader to begin to experience both the excitement and heartache that many families felt pursuing what they hoped would be a better life.