History

In the 1830’s Newtown was an uninhabited area in Geelong which at the time was still under the rule of New South Wales. Governor Bourke visited Geelong in 1837 and gave instruction to survey the site from Corio Bay to the Barwon River. This was planned and signed off in 1838.

New Town, as it was originally called, received its first settlers in 1838. New Town was described in history books as being ‘a delightful place for a village’. New Town consisted of grassy slopes with large native trees including Red Gums. It was noted that Newtown had terrific views of the bay.

New Town was one of Geelong’s first suburbs, it was followed by Ashby in the early 1840’s and Little Scotland, Kildare, Irish Town and Chilwell in the late 1840’s.

The Gold Digger’s Arms on Skene Street was first registered in 1854. Skene Street was named after a government surveyor called AJ Skene.

There were two Gold Diggers’ Arms listed in the 18th century. One in Skene Street and one on West Fyans Street which was later rebuilt and renamed Lord of the Isles.

The origin of the name Gold Diggers Arms is arguable. One story goes that it was named as it was on the main route out of Geelong to the gold fields; another is that it was named as a tribute to the time and its patrons.

Gold mining took place in Geelong in Camden Road, Noble Street and Fyans Street however only the rare speck of gold was ever found.