The hall of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat was opened in 1887.Colour photograph with the double storey building built by the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat.ballarat old colonists' club, old colonists' association, old colonists' hall, lydiard street

HISTORY OF THE BALLARAT OLD COLONISTS' ASSOCIATION HOMES AT CHARLES ANDERSON GROVE, LAKE GARDENS One of the original objectives of the Association was “to provide the shelter of a house for those Pioneers of the Goldfields whom the reverses of fortune have deprived of the means of procuring the comforts of life in their declining years.” While the first home at Charles Anderson Grove was built in 1925 the Association had previously provided relief for needy pioneers from the time it was formed in 1883. Relief included monthly monetary payments, loads of firewood, medical assistance and distribution of Christmas boxes of groceries to deserving pensioners and in some cases payment of burial costs. Records indicate that in September 1922 three of the pensioners being assisted by the Association were accepted as residents in the newly erected Hassell Homes in Gillies Street (now demolished-opposite the High School). The first site for an Asylum for Indigent Members of the Old Colonists' Association was temporarily reserved from sale in October 1891. The site was approximately 28 acres in area in Mt Clear nearly opposite Midvale Shopping Centre in Main Road. The site was heavily timbered and when cleared over 260 tons of wood was sold to the Woah Hawp Gold Mining Company. A set of gates were erected but no homes built, although a plan for this reserve was drawn which showed twenty buildings ranging from one to four unit per building. The reserve was revoked in November 1909. The second site temporarily reserved in November 1909 as an Asylum was in Alfredton and consisted of some 7 acres and was adjacent to land reserved for an Abattoirs for the Ballarat Council. The reserve was revoked in February 1912 as it was deemed more appropriate to be added to the Abattoir site. Council suggested four (4) other sites in exchange for this land and they were inspected by the President, Vice President and Secretary on 22 December 1912. The first site inspected was land on the west side of Creswick Road opposite the brick kilns (now occupied by the showgrounds and oval). The land was described as being good quality, well fenced, no trees, good drainage and ample acreage but some distance from trams. The second site was Perry Park which was described as being good land, well fenced, having frontage to Gillies Street, good drainage and about 26 acres (but subsequently reduced to 10 acres). It was closely planted with Pinus Insignias and Wattle and had easy access from the Botanic Gardens tram. The third site was the North West portion of Victoria Park (corner of Sturt and Gillies Street) and was described as good land, well fenced and drained and well located. The fourth site was the South West corner of Victoria Park and known as Pound Paddock (corner of Winter Street and Gillies Street). It was considered to be low lying and too close to the Abattoir, and was also a considerable distance from trams. While the third site was recommended as the most suitable for the erection of homes it was considered unwise from the point of view as citizens to reduce the acreage of the park and therefore it was recommended that the Perry Park site be asked for as the most acceptable to the Association for the building of homes. The site was eventually temporarily reserved for an Asylum for Indigent Members of the Association in April 1914 with the gates from Mt Clear having been removed to the site a year earlier and eventually erected in 1917 for £12.10.0. In the same year the first 290 pine trees were advertised for removal in July and sold for £16. A sign indicating that the site was reserved for the erection of cottages was erected in September 1917. Stripping of the wattle bark (for tanning) and the cutting of the wood occurred in November 1918 with the land then being leased until it was required for the construction of the first homes in 1924. While the site was the third to be reserved it was the only one which was used for its intended purpose. It was named as Charles Anderson Grove in honour of Charles Anderson who joined the Association in 1918 and was President of the Association from 1942 to 1944. A number of cottages in the Ballarat Old Colonists' Association Retirement Village of Gillies Street, Ballarat.charles anderson grove, old colonists' club, ballarat, old colonists' association, old colonists' homes, retirement village

This miner's right is held by the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat. The original was glued onto a page in a large album of photographic images of early Ballarat. Recognising their significance the Council of the Old Colonists’ Association had them removed and restored. The originals are now framed and on display in the Old Colonists’ Hall.Blue Miner's Right issued at Ballarat in the Colony of Victoria.colony of victoria, miner's right, goldrush, ballarat, 1856

Photographic protrait of Andrew Anderson.andrew anderson, old colonists' association ballarat

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One of the first Miner's Rights issued after the Eureka Stockadewilliam fittall, miner's right

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This miner's right was glued onto a page in a large album of photographic images of early Ballarat. Recognising their significance the Council of the Old Colonists’ Association had them removed and restored. The originals are now framed and on display in the Old Colonists’ Hall.Digital copy of an original store and business licence. Rainer's store was at Eureka and the 3 month license cost 15 pounds in September 1854.rainer, johnston, j.s. rainer, eureka, old colonists' association, store license

This miner's right is a copy from an original held by the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat. The original was glued onto a page in a large album of photographic images of early Ballarat. Recognising their significance the Council of the Old Colonists’ Association had them removed and restored. The originals are now framed and on display in the Old Colonists’ Hall.Digital image of an original gold license made out to William Fittall Junior.14 Victoria Gold License No 144 1 June 1852 The Bearer William Fittall Jr having paid to me the sum of One Pound, Ten Shillings, on account of the territorial revenue, I hereby License him to dig, search for, and removed Gold on and from any such Crown lands within the Upper Loddon District as I shall assign to him for that purpose during the Month of June 1852 not within half-a-mile of any Head Station. This License is not transferrable, and to be produce whenever demanded by me or any other person acting under the authority of the government, and to be returned when another License is issued. [Undecipherable signature] Commissionerwilliam fittall, upper loddon, mining, old colonists' association, fittall, eureka

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Miners' Right made ot to John Paterson.miner's right, john paterson, pleasant creek

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The medallion states that Patrick O. Sullivan arrived in Victorian in 1854. Patrick Sullivan arrived on the “Violet” in 1854. (PROV, Book 10 pp425.) The silver medals for members were created by Stokes and Martin, of Melbourne in 1988. Photograph of a medal associated with the Old Colonists' Association Ballarat. Hand engraved into the medal is "Patrick O. Sullivan arrived Melbourne 1854"patrick o'sullivan, patrick sullivan, patrick o. sullivan, numismatics, old colonists' association, ballarat, immigration

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The Old Colonists' Hall opened in 1887.Entrance to the Old Colonists' Association, at Ballarat.old colonists' association, ballarat, doors, leadlight, stained glass

Three photographs showing the shedding and fencing at the rear of the Ballarat Old Colonists' Club. Originally the toilets were located in the sheds in the yard.ballarat old colonists' club, backyard, yard, shed, toilet, fence, corrugated iron roof

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To qualify for membership of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat the potential member had to be 21 years in the Australian Colonies. This suggests the form was printed before the federation of Australian States in 1901.Printed form for potential Members of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat to fill out. The annual life membership fee was two pounds to shillings, and the annual member fee was 10 shillings per annum. Potential members were asked for the Name, Age, occupation, residence, birthplace, place and the of arrival in Australia, name of ship, date of propositions, proposer and seconder. old colonists' associaiton of ballarat, ballarat old colonists' club, membership form

Typed listing of Old Colonists' Club Ballarat Executive Committee 1968-6 on letterhead of the Old Colonists' Club Ballarat.old colonists' club ballarat, ballarat old colonists' club, old colonists' association ballarat, coventry, floyd, sumner, godbehear, minchin, pitts, schulz, evand and metcalfe, abson

Typed list of Old Colonists' Club Ballarat Executive Committee for 1966-67 on letterhead of the Old Colonists' Club Ballarat.ballarat old colonists' club, old colonists' association ballarat, h.r. sumner, rowland, c.h. davis, h. godbehear, floyd, robertson, travers, evans and metcalfe, p. abson

Typed listing of the Old Colonists' Club Ballarat Executive Committee 1968-69ballarat old colonists' club, old colonists' association, ballarat old colonists' association

Wall clock featuring the name J.T. Sleep on the face.old colonists' association ballarat, clock, j.t. sleep, horology

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