Ballarat Orphanage, Victoria Street, Ballarat East, decked in flags probably for the Queen's visit in 1954. Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library.

Mr and Mrs Strange lived in Clayton Street, Ballarat East. This photograph is likely taken from their home, and it may be their children and friends heading off to school one morning. Bon Strange titled this slide "Autumn Morn" Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library.autumn, children, ballarat, clayton street, ballarat east

Lister's petrol station at the corner of Main Road and Bridge streets. The petrol station replaced Levy's Vegetable and Fruit Market circa 1940s. Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library.

This may have been Mrs.Strange's favourite spot to photograph the Lake, another image in this series captures the same view in a different mood. Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library.

Lake Wendouree is often considered the soul of Ballarat according to advertisements from the early 1900's saying "Sydney may have it's Harbour, Melbourne, it's bay but Ballarat has Lake Wendouree." This view shows north shore. Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library.

A view from the "Fairyland" area of the Wendouree Lake showing Mount Warrenheip in the background. Lake Wendouree is often considered the soul of Ballarat according to advertisements from the early 1900's saying "Sydney may have it's Harbour, Melbourne, it's bay but Ballarat has Lake Wendouree." This may have been Mrs.Strange's favorite spot to photograph the Lake, another image in this series captures the same area in a different mood. Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library.lake wendouree

This slide shows the 1956 "Queen of Begonias" in Ballarat, on her float during the Begonia Festival street parade. Miss Carol Penrose, who was crowned by the Prime Minister Robert Menzies, is shown in the background. The runners up that year were Janet Saunders and Hillary Richards, otherwise known as "Princesses", one being pictured here, in front of the Begonia Queen. Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library.begonia festival, festival, queen of begonias, ballarat, parade

Botanical Gardens at Ballarat, using bedding begonias which are no longer in use today due to drought conditions. Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library.botanical gardens, begonias, begonia festival, bedding plants

A series of photographs showing a street parade, it may be an early Begonia Festival Parade. Because of the bunting, Union Jacks, and crowns, it may be dated to 1954 when Queen Elizabeth II visited Ballarat at the time of the Begonia Festival. Unfortunately it is not clear which band this is, if you have any further information please comment below. Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library.

Part of a parade on Creswick road, showing the R.A.A.F Wireless Air Gunner School no.1's (WAGS) float. The display shows a missile and a few of the Cadets aboard. The location of this photograph was easily identifiable by the large chimney in the background along with Coltmans (presently Aldi) The missile though fake looking is in fact a real missile known as the Red Dean, and was supposed to be the largest air to air missile developed by Britain but was never fully developed and all work on it was cancelled in the 1950's Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library.millitary, raaf, r.a.a.f, wags, parade, ballarat, missile, red dean

A small conservatory at the Eureka Stockade Gardens housed begonias which did not quite 'make the grade' to be shown at Cuthbert House at the Botanical Gardens. Visiting this hothouse was sometimes a way to 'beat the crowds'. Mrs Strange's photograph shows these begonias were still worth seeing. Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library.conservatory, begonias, begonia festival, eureka stockade