The discovery of gold had lasting effects on the Australian people. Families were particularly affected. Separation of families occurred as fathers left their jobs and went to the goldfields, hoping to strike it rich, while their wives stayed behind, sometimes having to operate farms, stations and even businesses on their own. The goldrushes saw the rise of loyal Aboriginal stockmen and jackaroos in the country who were willing to work long and hard for perhaps less pay than their predecessors. In Victoria, the state suddenly found itself very wealthy. Businesses boomed, together with the population, and more people settled further out from the established towns, sparking interest and enthusiasm in exploration. Immigration increased as a result of the Australian goldrush. Enormous numbers of immigrants, especially Chinese, brought their unique cultural influences to Australia, and many of the Chinese stayed on to build businesses in the towns once the main gold deposits were mined out. Gold attracted immigrants from many other European countries as well, and contributed in large part to the multicultural nature of Australia today. The events of the Eureka Stockade formed the basis for democracy that exists in Australia today. The miners fought for better rights amongst difficult conditions on the goldfields. While they did not immediately achieve their objective, it gained the attention of the Government. A Commission of Enquiry was conducted and changes were implemented. These included abolition of monthly gold licences, replaced by an affordable annual miner's licence. The numbers of troopers were reduced significantly, and Legislative Council was expanded to allow representation to the major goldfields. Gold brought wealth to Australia, and with it, a new sense of identity, and the independence and confidence to push for Federation and the establishent of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. Basically, Australia no longer needed to be "piggybacked" by England any more. The goldrushes helped bring improvements in transportation. The famous "Cobb and Co Coaches" ran successfully for half a century, thanks to the goldrush. Train lines were built, linking the major centres, and roadways were improved. There was also greater displacement of the indigenous people as more and more of them were forced off their land to make way for the waves of gold seekers.