Ballarat Ranger Military Museum in Ballarat, Victoria | Education

Ballarat Ranger Military Museum

Locality: Ballarat, Victoria

Phone: +61 3 5330 4500

Address: 1806-1812 Sturt St 3350 Ballarat, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.ballaratmilitarymuseum.ballarat.vic.au

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• History Museum

24.01.2022 One area of the museum that is sadly needing more space. (Did I mention that I need your help to raise $70,000 to provide a new extension building to house the rest of the museum collection?) Share these posts and assist me that way if you can... The post- WW2 , Korea and National Service display has always been a little bit depleted due to lack of space. The 8th/7th Battalion, The North Western Victoria Regiment as it was known from 1947 through until 1960 has a proud military heritage built on the deeds of their predecessors of WW1 and WW2 fame. Many thousands of National Servicemen and women will attest to the great mateship and skills that they received during the 1950's and 1960's.

23.01.2022 Lt Colonel (later Brigadier and Senator) William K. Bolton led the 8th Battalion AIF ashore at Gallipoli. The Sword carried ashore by Lt Col Bolton at Gallipoli is held at the Regimental Mess at Ranger Barracks.

23.01.2022 In just over twenty years after the cessation of hostilities of WW1, the Australian people were to learn that they were once again, at war. 1939 sees the activation of the 8th Battalion AMF (Australian Military Forces/ Militia) and also the raising of a new AIF for service overseas. Many Ballarat volunteers being allocated to the 2nd 8th Battalion (2/8 Bn AIF) and they would redeem themselves in North Africa and Syria during the early part of the war. The 8th Battalion AMF we...re again mobilised and were in the Darwin area in early 1942 during the time of the Darwin bombings. The militia Battalion 8Bn AMF) was granted AIF status in late 1942 and would see active service in New Guinea, New Britain and the Solomon Islands. The 2/8th Battalion AIF would also return to Australia and then see further active service in New Guinea and the Pacific theatre of operations. See more

23.01.2022 On the range with the ubiquitous .303 Lewis Light Machine Gun.

22.01.2022 During the period 1870-1902 we experienced a change in the way the Colonial Governments treated their volunteer forces. Now as well as having all of the arms and accoutrements paid for by the Government, the actual troops were also paid for their time. One Saturday of training (drills) per month. At least three rifle ranges were know to exist in the Ballarat area and members of the respective Ballarat units excelled at this form of skill. During the Boer war of 1899-1902, volunteers were called for to represent the area and usually did so with distinction.

22.01.2022 Warrnambool pics again. First Pic is of Junior Cadets in the period prior to WW1. Pic 2 is a couple of Gunnery Sergeants of the Warrnambool coastal battery, Pic 3 medical Corps looking after a sprain C1913.

21.01.2022 8th Battalion AIF display

20.01.2022 Lt Col William Bolton and his Adjutant overseeing training prior to WW1......

20.01.2022 The management and committee and indeed all members of the Ballarat Ranger Military Museum will be extremely saddened to learn of the death of our esteemed life member, Lieutenant-Colonel E.T.Lynes OAM RFD ED (Ret'd). May he rest in peace. Sir, Thank you for your service to the Unit, the Museum and indeed all of the other organizations that you chose to assist.

20.01.2022 Victorian Volunteer Long and Efficient service medal to Lt Col J.T. Sleep VD.

18.01.2022 The "war to end all wars" began in late 1914. Almost immediately Australia had promised a volunteer force of 20,000 men and recruiting began in earnest. In Ballarat the 8th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force was heavily recruited from the Ballarat area, whilst our sister Battalion the 7th was recruited mainly from Bendigo through to Mildura along the Victorian side of the mighty Murray River. Later in 1915 our next recruiting effort was for the 39th Battalion. The 8th and 7th Battalions sailed for England in October 1914 and as history tells us the troops were diverted to conduct training in Egypt and would eventually take part in the landings at Gallipoli. A new expanded Ranger Museum will follow the exploits of the Battalions throughout the War.

18.01.2022 Some more 8th Battalion AIF Diggers from WW1

17.01.2022 A huge Thank-You to all of the people that attended the unveiling of the Centenary plaque commemorating the raising of the 39th Battalion AIF at the Museum yesterday.

16.01.2022 8th Battalion AIF photographs from WW1 (not yet on display at the museum.)

16.01.2022 Burrumbeet (near Ballarat) was a popular site for local Militia camps in the days preceding WW1, These Light Horse members seem happy to have arrived... circa 1912

16.01.2022 Our modest tribute to the 39th Battalion AIF...

15.01.2022 Your Invitation to attend the Ballarat Ranger Military Museum to commemorate "The Battle of Fromelles" 19 JULY 2016. from 10am until 4pm with a specially created display, free tea and coffee and light morning tea. Entry by Donation. Entry will be via the rear gate area accessed from Ring Road, Ballarat. "The Battle of Fleurbaix" written by Brig. Pompey Elliott has been faithfully reproduced by the Ranger Museum and is available at $5.00 per copy, (Desktop published)

13.01.2022 Very young 8th Bn. AIF Digger

13.01.2022 WW1 8th Battalion AIF Diggers, unidentified at this time....

11.01.2022 New recruits eagerly awaiting the rest of their gear........late 1914

11.01.2022 The current Ranger Museum building is a WW2 vintage P1 hut that was previously situated at the old Ranger Barracks in Curtis St., Ballarat until 2001, when it was moved to the Russell st. depot. After the unit moved into the new building on the corner of Sturt st. and Ring road post 2003 the building was again moved to its present site near the gate in Ring road. The P1 hut was basically a large 'chook shed' unlined, uninsulated and under wired for use. With the help of the Museum volunteers and various groups from the local TAFE college/SMB we re-wired, insulated, plastered, painted, patched-up and generally prepared the building for life as the Unit museum.

11.01.2022 8th Battalion AIF Digger

09.01.2022 The Ballarat Ranger Military Museum is embarking on a quest.... almost as huge as the crusades. This mission should you choose to accept it..... is to help the museum raise $75,000 AUD to enable us to build a new Museum building alongside the current building. We are fast outgrowing the current P1 style hut that currently houses the memorabilia and we also have an agreement to be able to house other Ballarat/Unit related items that are currently in storage in other facilities.... The $75,000 is to purchase all of the materials etc required to build the new hut. DoD will administer and maintain the infrastructure around the museum when completed. A local Tafe college will provide the expertise and apprentices to build the hut on a training basis. So we need your help.... We are able to take donations towards the building fund via cheque only at this point in time. (we are working on direct deposit details). Cheques should be made payable to the Ballarat Ranger Military Museum and forwarded to the Treasurer, c/- of the museum, 1806-1812 Sturt St. Ballarat VIC 3350. See more

08.01.2022 We believe these to be members of the Old Third, possibly a marksmanship competition team. Photos of original old CDV's (Card de Visite). Brassey medals.

06.01.2022 Ballarat Troops...... Destination unknown, fate unknown....... Interesting, all with the rising Sun hat badge to the front of the slouch hat.

06.01.2022 Up until our recent involvement in Afghanistan the Vietnam War was the longest war that Australia had been involved with. The major difference between these and other wars that Australia has been involved with was the level of commitment and the way in which the government decided who was to go. Vietnam was a mix of Australian Regular Army units and individuals and balloted National Servicemen posted to regular units. These units were not recruited from specific areas as during WW1 and WW2 so many of the museums exhibits are sourced from individuals who served in the Republic of Vietnam......and who have lived in the Ballarat/ Western Victoria area.

05.01.2022 8th Battalion AIF Driver (?)

04.01.2022 Hi, Everyone. Welcome to the Ranger Museum page. please feel free to share as much as possible to get the word out there. I was gladdened to host approximately 80 people from the Victorian Cemeteries Trust through the museum yesterday. We were blessed with beautiful Ballarat Autumn weather and provided them with morning tea and a quick description of the museum and we were happy to assist with all enquiries that were directed to us. If we can help anyone we will.... that is w...hat we are here for. My thanks to Bill Akell and John Coull for there diligent assistance and of course the Unit for providing the tentage, a Mog and Rover and two members of bravo company to provide a "current capability" contrast to the old equipment. This is the Unit's museum......it is the reason we exist. We want to share it with everyone that has a similar interest. :- Mark See more

04.01.2022 The Military presence in Ballarat and Western Victoria became possible due to the Russian threat to the Victorian Colony in the mid 1850's. The photo depicts items on display from the early era of the 1857-1880. Coastal Forts such as Queenscliff were our first line of defence. Further inland we had units such as the Ballarat Rangers (infantry) and of course further inland Mounted units were established to counter each level of threat from any seaborne invasion that the Russians may mount.

03.01.2022 Newly Printed Flyers.....

03.01.2022 This photo gets me wondering about the word 'trust' have a good close look.......:) These guys have a lot trust in each other. (Late WW2 on Balikpapan I believe)

01.01.2022 A few years ago I had the opportunity to stay at the Warrnambool depot and made a few copies of some of the historic photos from our seaside cousins.....