Residents and history lovers got into the protest spirit when they converged on Chewton at the weekend to celebrate the 161st anniversary of the Monster Meeting.
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The 1851 protest of 15,000 angry gold diggers is widely regarded as a turning point in Australian democracy.
As part of the weekend celebrations, a gala concert was held on Friday at the Theatre Royal in Castlemaine.
On Saturday, enthusiastic residents dressed up and re-enacted the protest with a march to the Monster Meeting site, followed by a barbecue at the Red Hill Hotel.
Pictured, Doug Ralph led the charge of a willing band of modern-day diggers, joined by Rhonda Joyce posing as the scandalous Gold Rush-era dancer, Lola Montez.
DIGGERS: Doug Ralph led the charge of a willing band of modern-day diggers, joined by Rhonda Joyce posing as the scandalous Gold Rush-era dancer, Lola Montez. Picture: JULIE HOUGH
