the eureka stockade is the name given to a rebellion by gold miners at ballarat, victoria, australia. it took place at sunrise, on december 3, 1854. the miners came from england, ireland, scotland, wales, canada, italy, hungary, france, germany, china and australia. the miners refused to pay a licence fee to look for gold. the miners said that the money for the licence was a tax, and that if they had to pay tax then they should be represented in the parliament. irish miner peter lalor became the leader of the miners. they built a fort, or stockade, on bakery hill above the gold diggings on the eureka gold lead. they were attacked by the british army. more than 30 people were killed. the battle went for 20 minutes.