Australia has a history of extravagant Valentine's Day celebrations. During the mid-nineteenth century, the gold rush that happened in the Ballarat Mines in Victoria caused a surge in population and wealth among the Australian people.
It was because of this newfound wealth that Valentine's Day grew in popularity. It became tradition for miners to order extravagant cards for the object of their affections. These cards were often decorated elaborately and meant to be stored in special boxes crafted just for the gift. Valentines could also be made from satin pillows decorated with shells, taxidermied exotic birds or humming birds, flowers, perfume, and other items.
These Valentines often costed thousands of pounds at a time due to the intricacy of the gift.
