John Mildren OAM was the Federal Member for Ballarat 1980-1990. Prior to his election to Federal Parliament, he had been from 1970 a Senior Lecturer in Education at the Ballarat Teachers’ College and later Ballarat CAE.

Soon after his election, he acquired one of the limited run of prints, made from the original woodblock, of Eugene von Guérard’s 1870 depiction of Ballarat as seen looking east from the tower of the fire station in Sturt Street. The handsomely-framed print hung in John’s Electorate Office in Lydiard St North during his term as MP for Ballarat. John died in April this year.

Shortly before his death, with the support of his family, John offered the print as a gift to the BMI. The offer was accepted with appreciation by the BMI as a gift fitting well within its acquisitions policy. It is not a unique print but it is not readily viewable elsewhere by the public. As a remarkably detailed image of central Ballarat as it was in 1870, coincidentally the same year that the BMI’s grand facade was built, the print will be of much interest to the BMI’s many visitors.

On Friday 2 August, 10.30 -11.00 am, there will be a function to acknowledge the gift and unveil it in viewing position. Light refreshments will be available after formalities. Members are warmly invited to attend. Members of the Mildren family will be present. It is hoped that some of John’s colleagues in his education and political careers in Ballarat will be able to attend.

To assist with arrangements, please advise the librarian, Rosemary, by Wednesday 31 July of your intention to attend by:

Phone on (03) 5331 3042 or email:
library@ballaratmi.org.au or register on-line here.

Frank Hurley