Article source: Melbourne Rebels website 

The Melbourne Rebels weren't conceived by the almond milk latte sipping creatives of a boutique Fitzroy marketing company back in 2011.

Instead, the club's foundations date back nearly 164 years ago when a group of Rebels took on the establishment and won during a bloody battle known as the Eureka Stockade fought in central Victorian in 1854.

The Melbourne Rebels have returned from a pre-season camp in the City of Ballarat, where they learnt about the famous uprising that claimed more than 30 lives, including 22 miners and eight police, on the goldfields.

The Rebels identity, logo and identity were born from that battle which saw the miners successfully stand up to the authorities.

“Ballarat and the Eureka Stockade is at the heart of who the Rebels are and why we’re the Rebels,” Rebels board member Gary Gray told players and staff during the camp.

“There’s a real resonance about the whole Eureka Stockade where these people came and ended up taking on the establishment.

“We’ve always felt like Rebels down here because the rest of Australian rugby has probably seen us as that so it’s really important that we connect to somewhere where a group of people many years ago in 1854 did a similar thing.

“They took on the status quo, they took on the establishment and they won.

“Our battle has been a bit longer than theirs but I can sense victory.”

As preparations continue towards the 2018 Vodafone Super Rugby season, the Rebels headed back to the club's spiritual birthplace in Ballarat.

On the first night of camp players and staff took in the highly acclaimed Blood on the Southern Cross show at Sovereign Hill which told the story of miner's successful battle.

Here's the story of the Rebels...

REBELS’ NAME

As much as the moniker conjures up the fighting spirit of a professional rugby team, the name has a deep connection with Victorian history.

Initially named the Rebels for the former domestic Australian Rugby Championship (ARC) in 2007, the Super Rugby team adopted the identity for the club’s inaugural season three years later.

The miners, known as the Eureka Rebellion, successfully stood up against the authorities.

REBELS’ LOGO

Sitting prominently in the middle of the Rebels shield-inspired logo sits five stars.

It’s the five stars that can be found on the Eureka flag – a symbol of defiance that came to represent their courage.

When the miners appeal to the government for justice was refused, they declared that they would stop buying gold licences and beneath the diggers' flag – the Southern Cross – swore to defend each other against the authorities.

The flag today remains a symbol of anti-establishment and non-conformists causes.

REBELS’ IDENTITY

The miners’ revolution in their stance against the establishment resonates with a club that has long battled the traditions of Australian rugby.

It’s those ideals of the miners that remain non-negotiables that define who we are, what we stand for and how we live.

The club’s values of Excellence, Integrity, Passion and Unity drive the way in which we engage, respond, interact and perform on a daily basis and will be the key to our success and sustainability as a Club.

Excellence – is the backbone of everything we do.  We set ambitious goals, face adversity head on and are constantly in pursuit of achieving excellence.

Integrity – We conduct our business on and off the field with integrity.  We do things the right way and don’t waiver.  We are honest, respectful, diligent and reliable.  There is no questioning the honour of a Rebel.

Passion – We love this Club, the code, Melbourne and our people.  It’s the hunger that get’s us out of bed, why we embrace every challenge head on and how we feel about being part of this great Club.

Unity – We value the Club before the individual.  We are stronger, hungrier, smarter and more successful together.  Only together can we reach our goals.  We will remain unconditionally united as a Club; players, staff, family, fans and partners.

The fight of the Eureka Stockade lives on in the Rebels by name and by nature.