on

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

prep.


Used for In, in many cases,especially of towns which sprang from Goldfields, and where theoriginal phrase was, e.g. «on the Ballarat diggings,or goldfield.» Thus, an inhabitant still speaks of living On Ballarat, On Bendigo; On SouthMelbourne (formerly Emerald Hill).

1869. J. F. Blanche, `The Prince's Visit,' p. 21:

«When came Victoria's son on Ballarat.»

1896. H. Lawson, `While the Billy boils, etc.' p. 3:

«After tea they would sit on a log of the wood-heap, . .and yarn about Ballarat and Bendigo – – of the days when we spokeof being `on' a place oftener than `at' it: on Ballarat, on Gulgong, on Lambing Flat, on Creswick.»

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