J Ward Gaol & Aradale Asylum in Ararat, Victoria | History Museum

J Ward Gaol & Aradale Asylum

Locality: Ararat, Victoria

Phone: +61 3 5352 3357

Address: 1-7 Girdlestone st 3377 Ararat, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.jward.org.au

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• Landmark & historical place
• History Museum
• Landmark

25.01.2022 Proceedings of Inquiry held upon the body of G.F.Fiddimont at Ararat Gaol. Kate Grano on her oath saith: Yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon at about ten minutes to four Mrs Campbell and I visited Mrs Fiddimont at her residence in the Gaol building. After we had been there a little time we went to the Governor's Office where we saw Mr Fiddimont. He at Mrs Fiddimonts suggestion proceeded to show us over the gaol building. Mrs Fiddimont remaining in the house. After going through a p...ortion of the gaol we went into the gaol kitchen and were about to ascend the steps leading from the kitchen when I heard Mr Fiddimont say "I have such pains in my chest" and I saw him put his hands on his chest. He went down a passage near the steps saying there is a bathroom here. We did not go to look at the bathroom and he was about to turn back when I heard him say again "Oh these pains". I then saw him put his hand on the wall as if to save himself from falling, he then sank on his knees and fell gently over on his left side. I called out to the prisoners in the kitchen to carry him upstairs. I went to the top of the stairs and called one of the wardens to come quickly. The prisoners carried him into a little yard off the kitchen and put him on his back. I held up his head until one of the prisoners brought and placed a blanket under it. One of the prisoners brought some water in a pannikin and I mopped his head and face with my handkerchief. I sent one of the prisoners for brandy and poured some of it down Mr Fiddimont's throat. His mouth was open. There was a little yellow matter from his nostrils. When I gave the brandy he made a sound something like a groan. I rubbed his head and face with my hands and I undid his shirt at the back and when doing so felt a movement about his head and shoulders and he made a very slight groan. This seemed to me to be the last sign of life. I asked one of the prisoners if he could feel the heart beating and he replied No and some of the others said it was a case. They were at that time rubbing his chest with brandy and rubbing his hands. At Mrs FIddimonts request I then went for a doctor. I next saw Mr Fiddimont on his bed the doctor being present. I left to send a telegram from Mrs Fiddimont. The deceased never awoke from the time I saw him fall. The prisoners present did all in their power to assist and revive him. Kate Grano Taken & sworn before me at the Ararat Gaol the 15th Sept. 1886 T.Tobin J.P.

24.01.2022 Reminder limited tours will resume as of Monday 29th June at J Ward (daily during school holidays at 10am and 1pm) and Aradale (2pm Wednesday and Sunday during school holidays). Each tour can only accommodate two groups of 10 patrons. Priority will be given to online bookings, so it is advised to book online prior to tour. Prior to tour commencement a guide will advise; please do not take a tour if you have symptoms of Covid-19 or have recently been in contact with someone wi...th Covid-19, or if you reside in one of the at risk municipalities in Melbourne. You will also be required to provide names and contact numbers for each person attending a tour. These conditions are in line with government guidelines for the safety of the community and FoJW volunteers. Thank you for your assistance.

21.01.2022 Three days until tours resume at J Ward (four for Aradale). Still spots available on our first tour in 4 months. Important to remember tickets MUST be booked online before the tour. https://www.jward.org.au/book-your-visit/... https://www.aradale.com.au/book-your-visit/ See more

21.01.2022 Sadly due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, J Ward and Aradale will be closed from Monday 13 July until further notice. All existing bookings will be honoured and some tickets will be available on these tours. We will be updating the situation as the pandemic evolves and will be guided by the Government advice and availability of our volunteer guides.

20.01.2022 Due to covid restrictions even when J ward are conducting tours a lot of the exhibits are off limits as they can't be sanitized regularly. We will be posting some of the readings found in the museum at the end of thr tour for you to read. Museum reading - Ararat County Gaol Hangings. (apologies for the quality, these documents are laminated so there will be some reflection)

17.01.2022 Museum reading - J Ward 1886-1991 (apologies for the quality, these documents are laminated so there will be some reflection)

15.01.2022 Were you one of our first visitors back to J Ward today, or have tickets booked for Aradale tomorrow? Would love you to share any feedback or photos you have.

13.01.2022 Whilst we are in lockdown with the Covid-19, some of our volunteers keep themselves busy by working on our displays in J Ward, ready for the next opening. Our display on the Electro-Convulsive Therapy cell has had an upgrade.

10.01.2022 While we are still waiting to resume tours our band of gardeners are keeping the place looking lovely. Hopefully these blooms will still be there when we are allowed to conduct tours again.

08.01.2022 Day tours will be resuming Saturday 21 November YAY! Tours of J Ward will be conducted at 10am and 1pm daily Aradale at 2pm ONLY on Wednesday and Sunday... Combined J Ward/Aradale on Wednesday and Sunday as per website. PLEASE NOTE: ALL TOURS MUST BE PRE BOOKED ONLINE! https://www.jward.org.au/book-your-visit/

04.01.2022 Museum reading - Ararat County Gaol 1861-1886

03.01.2022 Here’s the full story from The Ararat Advocate about Robert Francis Burns who was hanged in the Old Ararat Gaol

02.01.2022 For those who have been on a tour of J Ward you may have heard the story of "Dumby" Freeman, here is what was found in Det. Piggott's scrapbooks of the case. WARNING: some of this reading may be graphic to some people

01.01.2022 The Ararat Advocate have been doing a great job supporting local businesses and groups. Stay tuned, we will try to post the whole story tomorrow, alternatively locals can buy the The Ararat Advocate themselves.