Ceejay, My ancestors were Cornish, English and Irish. All were diggers, wives of diggers, children of diggers. All were poor. The Cornish ones had been poor miners before they came to Australia. They all settled in the (then)tent city of Bendigo (near Ballarat) In researching my family history, which includes reading old newspappers and diaries I've not found any sort of focus (racist or otherwise) directed particularly towards the Irish, of the type you describe.

The other point to note is that the proportion of Irish on the Central Victorian goldfields was relatively small. (actually as it was elsewhere). We've been told otherwise I know, but the facts are that it was much easier, quicker and cheaper to get to America from Ireland.
Just why I'm arguing about not letting the Irish have Eureka, I can't imagine. It's just that I dislike the rewrting of history. Cheers Joy