The campaign saw the emergence of social tensions as various candidates struggled to win the election. Differences emerged between gold miners and the shop traders, between Beechworth centric forces and the interests of those living around Chiltern. Tensions erupted between Catholics and other community groups; as well as the question of the future of the Chinese on the goldfields.

Examining local social conflicts against a wider European context makes Shenanigans a powerful history. This history is very readable and uses extensive primary newspaper sources from 1859, including a wide range of cartoons, pictures and maps.