Summary

Certificate of Naturalization granted by the Parliament of Victoria to Peter Nicora, a miner from Kangaroo Flat just south of Bendigo in central Victoria, dated 2 April 1897. This certificate was issued four years before the states were federated to become the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. Nicora is an Italian name, particularly common in the northern region of Liguria; it appears Peter may have anglicised his first name.

With the discovery of significant gold deposits in the 1850s, Bendigo, and several satellite towns including Kangaroo Flat, Eaglehawk and White Hills, sprung up essentially as tent cities. These gave way to more permanent structures - in Kangaroo Flat the post office opened in1857 and the current street layout was essentially established by the 1880s.

Physical Description

A3 sized paper document printed in black type with hand written names and dates in black ink, excess line spaced ruled out by lines in red ink. The document has been folded in half and then in half and quarter again presumably to fit into an envelope. There is an orange Victoria Stamp duty stamp near the top left hand corner, postmarked and dated 2 April 1897.

Significance

This certificate is significant as it represents the continuation of mining activity well into the late nineteenth century in Victoria, as well as the last state-based naturalisation processes prior to Federation in 1901.

More Information