Ballarat Historical Society in Ballarat, Victoria | Community organisation

Ballarat Historical Society

Locality: Ballarat, Victoria

Address: Gold Museum Bradshaw St 3350 Ballarat, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.ballarathistoricalsociety.com/

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24.01.2022 Some great footage here - buildings, fashions, cars and people!

24.01.2022 A very different Anzac day this year but our thoughts are always the same. We remember those who served and gave their lives for the benefit of future generations. Lest we forget.

23.01.2022 A great story about the pillars at the Walter J Jones park in Soldiers Hill.

20.01.2022 A story in our recent newsletter about a long lost hall in Windermere St has stirred the curiosity of a member, who recalls another similar building in Doveton St Sth near Dana St Primary School. We have published her comments below, and wonder if anyone can add anything more about the dreaded "Ghost Hall?" I am always interested to receive my latest Lamplight Journal. I enjoyed the July August one as much as usual. This letter is really about another Hall in Old Ballarat,... and I am wondering if I can find more information about it. I was raised in the 200 block of Doveton St Sth, and attended Dana St. State School. I am talking about the 1940’s. In those days we children took ourselves to school; older siblings 'looking out for‘ younger ones. The 100 block of Doveton St was a very interesting block - on the east side was The wood yards and a carpentry shop, but on the west side stood,THE GHOST HALLl! I am speaking about an unused hall. My memory of it was a stone building with steps leading into an enclosed entrance. The name "Ghost Hall" was used by all the local children and the older ones loved to scare the younger ones and you really had to run past the front of the building every day going to and from school or The Ghosts Will Get You. I would dearly love to know the early history of this Hall

19.01.2022 Stretching from Pleasant to Grenville St, the Sturt St gardens are the underrated jewel in the crown of Ballarat's streetscapes. Arguably they are at their best in Autumn with the glorious russet and gold leaf colours, luxurious lawns, flower beds, mature trees and stately monuments all being shown to their best advantage. They reflect the people and events that shaped Ballarat, and indeed Australia over 160 years. The gardens are a haven for office workers to chat over lunc...h, friends to sit on the grass and enjoy the sun, families seeking shade under the trees and visitors who marvel at the accompanying architecture. The statues remind us of British monarchs and Australian citizens such as Albert Coates, Harold "Pompey" Elliot and Peter Lalor, while monuments honour Burke and Wills, the introduction of the 8 hour day and the sombre and imposing Cenotaph. The gardens stand as a tribute to the vision of our forefathers and long may they remain pristine and untouched. See more

19.01.2022 The August meeting of the Ballarat Historical Society is the very popular "Tales and Treasures" night. Members are invited to bring along personal items, photos, ephemera, or just tell a story that relates to Ballarat, its past or present. Its a great night and never fails to uncover some gems from members personal collections. Guests are very welcome to come along and join the fun. See you at 7.30pm Tuesday August 13 at the home of the Historical Society, The Gold Museum in Bradshaw St.

18.01.2022 THE LAMPLIGHT is the bi-monthly newsletter of the Ballarat Historical Society. The newsletter is available to members and covers historical stories relating to Ballarat's past and changes to our buildings and streetscapes today through the "Capture The Vision" project. Our public meetings are temporarily suspended, but we will be back for our regular monthly meetings at the Gold Museum. Once we know more, a schedule of meetings and guest speakers for the rest of the year will be published. Visitors and guests are always welcome. In the meantime, here's a few images from the story in our current edition - The history of street names in Ballarat. Enjoy.

17.01.2022 The June meeting of the Ballarat Historical Society features two former presidents, Peter Butters and Laurel Johnson talking about their memories, challenges and successes while at the helm of the Society. Visitors guaranteed a warm welcome! 7.30pm at the Gold Museum on June 11.

16.01.2022 Not quite the snow around today as in this image. 1959 with nurses having some fun in the Botanical Gardens. From the BHS archive collection.

15.01.2022 Today was a good day for a (chilly) walk around the North West end of historic Golden Point, where gold was discovered by Dunlop and Regan in August 1851 sparking the Ballarat gold rush. Golden Point was also home to the Chinese settlement in Young St, and where surveyor W S Urquhart had considered for the centre of Ballarat before deciding on the plateau further west. Its amazing how a walk around the neighbourhood reveals so many treasures usually not noticed by car or even by bicycle. A mix of the old and new, quaint and grand, repurposed and rebuilt. And all within 1km of the CBD.

12.01.2022 Call Out! Anyone want to join me at the Lydiard Street Gates This Tuesday 6th July AT MIDDAY. Mini Protest. Bring a Mask. Press Will Be There.Call Out! Anyone want to join me at the Lydiard Street Gates This Tuesday 6th July AT MIDDAY. Mini Protest. Bring a Mask. Press Will Be There.

12.01.2022 A slice of local history almost 50 years apart. Sections of the original tram line around the lake which were laid in 1906 are being removed and replaced for new rails. The older photo shows the same process happening in 1971 on the northern side of the lake. Well done to the Ballarat Tramway Museum on obtaining the funding and literally keeping history alive!

10.01.2022 Following on from the recent posts of the Lydiard St Nth precinct, this c.1860's image from the Society's collection provided an interesting contrast..

08.01.2022 Something not historical in the usual sense, but Ballarat is as well known for its iconic swans on the lake as it is for its buildings and streetscapes. 40 swans being killed by cars each year is shocking and most residents would not be aware. 99% of people do the right thing, so let's get the message out there to look after our swan population. Please slow down around the lake and watch out for wildlife in all its forms.

07.01.2022 From our friends at the tramway museum. enjoy.

05.01.2022 The Capture The Vision project is about taking images of Ballarat for future generations. With the current lockdown restrictions, it does afford an opportunity to go for a walk (for exercise) and capture the City at a time we never thought we'd see. Today it was Lydiard St Nth and some wonderful examples of 19th century architecture, both grand and not-so-grand, and on the way home parts of the CBD demonstrating that people seem to be observing the rules around essential travel.

03.01.2022 Another post in our Capture the Vision series, focusing on different Ballarat suburbs as they are today. It's a chilly but enjoyable stroll along a section of one of Ballarat's most famous streets - Eureka St. A mix of classic cottages, grand homes, shops that were once butchers, milk bars and grocer shops now re-purposed as coffee shops, industrial sites such as George Farmer Smallgoods and of course the Eureka Stockade memorial. Heaps of history on every doorstep in this little snapshot, but that's Ballarat all over....

01.01.2022 An unusual image of the Statuary Pavilion with the fernery as the backdrop. Of note is the picket fence and gates which are long since gone. Photo from the Ballarat Historical Society Collection. If shared, please acknowledge the source of the image.

01.01.2022 We might have missed Peter a Sparkmans get together last night at Ballarista Espresso bar in Lydiard St, but still plenty of time to drop in and view his exhibition. Don't miss it!