This month we are featuring the old Ballarat Courier building on Sturt Street. The Courier was established by Robert Clark and Edward J. Bateman in 1867. Bateman was born in London in 1832 and migrated to Australia during the early years of the gold rush. Robert Clark was born in Dunfermline, Scotland, in 1826. He […]
From the Curator | The Ballarat Courier Read More »
Rosemary’s Book of the Week No Comfort on a Chilly Night by Noel Braun Felix Schmidt is backpacking on the Camino de Santiago when he meets the love of his life, the beautiful French Pascaline. He brings her back to Australia where he joins a new firm of management consultants. Deeply engrossed in he company’s growth, he neglects
Rosemary’s Book of the Week | 18 March 2024 Read More »
The Ballarat Railway Station! Ballarat West Railway Station was officially opened by Governor Sir Henry Barkly on the 11th April 1862, with four trains scheduled each way between Spencer Street Station (Southern Cross) and Ballarat per day.The initial route was vastly different to today, the train traveling from Melbourne to Geelong, then on to Ballarat
From the Curator | Ballarat Railway Station Read More »
This image was used as part of an exhibition of photographs from the Max Harris Collection on the theme of Rupture for the 2023 Ballarat International Foto Biennale. On New Year’s Eve in 1991, Ballarat experienced 76mm of rainfall which caused flooding across the city. This photograph shows Lydiard Street North cut off from the city at
From the Curator | Ballarat International Foto Biennale Read More »
17 – 26 May 2024 With Ballarat’s stunning Victorian architecture as the backdrop the annual festival highlights the city’s golden past and evolving future. Stay tuned for event updates on the 2024 Ballarat Heritage Festival. Your ideas Why not let us know what Festivals & Events you think the BMI should participate in. The BMI
Ballarat Heritage Festival Read More »
The history of the (now) Canberra Hotel on the corner of Creswick Road and Macarthur Street. The first hotel on the site was called The Cornubian Hotel, a single-storey timber building constructed in 1861. The first licensee was William Ball (or Bull), but following his death in 1863, the license was transferred to Margaret Maule,
From the Curator | History of the Canberra Hotel Read More »
Cathy Drake is a commercial lawyer and a director of Nevetts Lawyers. She has lived and worked in Ballarat for over 25 years, and in that time has been involved in a number of local community not for profit organisations as a board or committee member and as a volunteer.Cathy is also Public Oficer and
Introducing Cathy Drake | Secretary, Board, Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute Read More »
Christmas time in Ballart allows us to feature the long-time producer of a Christmas banquet staple, George Farmer’s ham and bacon curing works on Eureka Street. George Farmer first set up his curing business in 1864. Farmer reportedly travelled to America and Europe to investigate curing methods and adapt his findings to “Australian tastes and
From the Curator | Christmas time George Farmers Read More »
18 April – 18 May 2024 Event registrations for the 2024 Australian Heritage Festival are open. The Heritage Festival will run from Thursday 18 April to Saturday 18 May in Victoria. As long as your event occurs during the festival dates you can register. Registrations for inclusion in the Digital Program and Itineraries will close
Australian Heritage Festival Read More »
This work is the large painting between the stairs leading to the Humffray Room. It seems it was left over from the BMI Art Union of 1874 and an arrangement was made with the artist Mr Burtt for the BMI to retain it… The frame has been professionally restored and re-gilded, and the painting cleaned by
Rex’s Snippits | Governor Sir Charles Darling Read More »
2 course dinner & lots
of dancing
