The Old Colonists' Association Ballarat Inc. (OCA) is a not-for-profit charitable organisation providing accommodation for those older Australians who are in financial need and risk, with no ingoing payment required and at a low rental. It manages a 42 Home retirement village at Charles Anderson Grove Ballarat. The village comprises single and double independent living units. Accommodation is offered at significantly below market rates. It has been providing low-cost accommodation to the elderly since the 1920s. The Association Council overseas the running of this facility on a voluntary basis. One of the first 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." The first home at Charles Anderson Grove was built in 1925. Before that time the Association provided relief for needy pioneers. 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. A written report into the history of the Williams Cottage at 3 Charles Anderson 20213 charles anderson grove, charles anderson grove, williams cottage, property report, fred williams, matilda williams, philanthropy

The silver trowel was used for the laying of the foundation stone of the Ballarat Old Colonists' Hall. It was donated to the Old Colonists' Associaiton in 1906. The Old Colonists' Association minutes noted 'Mrs Murray handed to the Secretary the silver trowel presented to the late President on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the Hall.' The silver trowel was used for the laying of the foundation stone of the Ballarat Old Colonists' Hall. It was donated to the Old Colonists' Associaiton in 1906. The Old Colonists' Association minutes noted 'Mrs Murray handed to the Secretary the silver trowel presented to the late President on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the Hall.' "THE OLD COLONISTS' HALL. The foundation-stone of the building to be erected by the Old Identities’ Association, in Lydiard street, was next laid with the usual ceremonies. This was immediately adjoining the foundation-stone of the Mining Exchange building. Mr J. Graham presented Mr Murray with a silver trowel, bearing the following inscription:—“ Queen Victoria’s Jubilee. Presented to J. P. Murray, Esq., president of the Old Colonists’ Association, on the occasion of his laying the foundation stone of their new hall, Ballarat, 21st June, 1887.” Mr Graham said he thought the pioneers of such a city were quite right in erecting a building that would be a home for them while they lived, and a memorial of them when they were no more. Mr J. Fraser, secretary, read the followin'- report:— “Mr Chairman, ladies, and gentlemen,—The bottle about to be deposited under this foundation contains documents in which are written particulars of the founding of the Old Colonists' Association at Ballarat; its financial and numerical position at the present time, the names of its officers and committee of management for the current term: a complete list of the names of its members, a copy of the rules and regulations of the association: copies of The Star, Evening Star, Courier, and Ballarat Advertiser newspapers, programme of to-day's proceedings as far as they relate to the laying of the foundation-stone, together with a brief summary of the aims and objects of this philanthropic institution. That the nature of these objects are considered worthy of encouragement and support is amply proved when we see on the Association's roll of membership the names of so many of our most prominent citizens and public men, "and from the fact that the Government of the colony have recognised the just claim of the old colonists'of Ballarat to be placed in possession of this valuable and central site, upon which to erect a building that will, be a credit to them and an ornament to the city, and which will enable them to still further extend the sphere of their benevolence and usefulness iu this district. The following is a copy of the signed and sealed memorial document:—*The foundation-stone of the hall of the Old Colonists’ Association of Ballarat; was laid on Her Majesty Queen Victoria's Jubilee Day,- Tuesday, 21st June, 1887, by John Paul Murray, Esq., J.P., president of the association. Under the foundation stone is deposited a copy of the constitution and rules of the association, the names of the officers, and a complete list of the names of ail the members to date; also a copy each of The Star, Courier, Evening Post, and the Advertiser, local newspapers. At this date the association numbers 319 members—accumulated funds, £203 10s 3d. The land upon which the hall is to he erected was granted by the Government to the association for that, purpose. (Signed) John P. Murray, President; W. B. Perry, Samuel Delpratt, Vice-presidents; Daniel Fern, Treasurer; John Fraser, Secretary. Committee—J. W. Graham, J. W. Lee, James M'Merkin, Andrew Lister, James Ward. Trustees—J. W. Graham, Wm. Irwin, John M'Cafferty ” Mr Murray said he was proud to lay the foundation stone of this building. The association was started in I883, and he might say they were a purely philanthropic institution. They formed an association whose creed was to assist one another in every shape and form. They had now 319 members, and were daily increasing in number.-. They were very fairly off as regarded their financial position. With respect to the objects of the association, they were to form a bond of brotherhood among those whose past experience in commercial or in mining pursuits so intimately associated them with the early history of the goldfields; men, to whose indomitable energy and perseverance Ballarat and other mining centres in the colony were so largely indebted for their development and commercial prosperity. Some of whose names were also closely identified with the memorable and sanguinary struggle 'for freedom and constitutional liberty in 1883. Their object was, further, to gather together within one fold those who survive those stirring times, to meet occasionally in friendly and social intercourse; to relieve their brethren who were overtaken by sickness or affliction; to provide the shelter of a home for those Pioneers of the goldfields whom the reverses of fortune had deprived of the means of procuring the comforts of life in their declining years; to assist the widow and succor the orphan; to mutually cheer and support each other in their temporary troubles and vicissitudes as they journeyed onward to the grave; and lastly, to tender a tribute of respect to the memory of a departed brother, by following his remains to their final resting place. Such were some of the principal objects of the “ Old Colonists' Association.” It was an institution for the good of their fellow man, and he hoped it would be successful, he hoped that the young people who came after them would appreciate what the Old Colonists had left them. He hoped they would all assist in making the institution one that would he worthy of the place. He would hand a small donation to the secretary, and hoped others would do the same. (Cheers.) The secretary, amid cheering, announced that the cheque handed over by Mr Murray was for £2O. Archdeacon Julius, who was asked to speak, said nothing could have been more fitting than the laying of the foundation-stone of the Old Identities’ Association on the Queen's Jubilee. They were a link between the past of 50 years gone by and today. Many of them remembered well enough perhaps the time when it took a man five and twenty minutes to light his pipe with tinder and steel, and when the small boys went, up the chimneys to sweep them. (Laughter.) They were building something now that people would look upon in years to come, and speak of in connection with the Old Colonists, if the young men were' half as good as their fathers they would be uncommon good fellows, and he did not think they would be. (Laughter, and interjection.) ''An old fellow said it was very true, and he knew it. (Laughter.) The Old Identities would agree with him to a man. (Laughter.) If the young men walked in their steps Ballarat in another 50 years would be 50 percent, better than it was now. There was not a man there that wished that more strongly, than 'he’ did. The Old Identities were laying this stone on the jubilee day of Her Majesty, and there never sat on the throne a worthier or nobler Queen than she who held her jubilee that day. There was not a man present, whatever his views of government may be, who did not say “God bless our Queen.” (Cheers.) The proceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem and cheers for the Queen. (Ballarat Star, 23 June 1887)Silver trowel used during the laying of a foundation Stone for the Ballarat Old Colonists' Association building in Lydiard Street North, Ballarat.ballarat old colonists' association, ballarat old colonists' club, trowel, silver trowel, foundation stone, mrs j. murray, william bennett, j. fraser, john murray, w. lee, william irwin, john m'cafferty, john mccafferty

The Old Colonists' Association Ballarat Inc. is a not for profit charitable organisation providing accommodation for elderly people. It manages a 27 Home retirement village at Charles Anderson Grove Ballarat. Accommodation is offered at significantly below market rates. It has been providing low cost accommodation to the elderly since the 1920s. The Association Council overseas the running of this facility on a voluntary basis. "GIFT COTTAGES.- Ballarat Old Colonists Benefit BALLARAT.— High tribute to the good citizenship of Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Williams, now of Melbourne, and Mr. S. Clark, of Ballarat. was paid by a representative gathering at Gillies-street on Thursday afternoon, when the two cottages respectively presented by them for the use of old and indigent colonists were handed over to the council of the Ballarat Old Colonists' Association. The cottages are handsome brick structures, modern in design and equipment, and cost about £650 each. Mr. A. H. Nevett, president of the Ballarat organisation, expressed the gratification of the association at the commencement of a scheme of cottages for old colonists, which had been the aim of the association for many years. Mr. Williams said that when in Ballarat he had been in many public movements as President of South-street and president of the amalgamtion (sic) movement, but in giving this cottage for the use of the old people he had established a tangible and definite link between himself and Ballarat. Similar sentiments were expressed by Mr. Clark, who said his benefaction had given him a great and genuine pleasure. Both donors were warmly thanked on be half of citizens generally by the mayor (Cr. A. E. Nicholson). At subsequent social gathering appropriate toasts were honored, and assurances were given that the association's scheme for 50 gift cottages on the lines of Melbourne would be furthered by several in the not far distant future. (The Age, 30 October 1925.)ballarat old colonists' club, old colonists' association, s. clark, f.j. williams, charles anderson grove, philanthropy

The Old Colonists' Association Ballarat Inc. is a not for profit charitable organisation providing accommodation for elderly people. It manages a 27 Home retirement village at Charles Anderson Grove Ballarat. Accommodation is offered at significantly below market rates. It has been providing low cost accommodation to the elderly since the 1920s. The Association Council overseas the running of this facility on a voluntary basis. "GIFT COTTAGES.- Ballarat Old Colonists Benefit BALLARAT.— High tribute to the good citizenship of Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Williams, now of Melbourne, and Mr. S. Clark, of Ballarat. was paid by a representative gathering at Gillies-street on Thursday afternoon, when the two cottages respectively presented by them for the use of old and indigent colonists were handed over to the council of the Ballarat Old Colonists' Association. The cottages are handsome brick structures, modern in design and equipment, and cost about £650 each. Mr. A. H. Nevett, president of the Ballarat organisation, expressed the gratification of the association at the commencement of a scheme of cottages for old colonists, which had been the aim of the association for many years. Mr. Williams said that when in Ballarat he had been in many public movements as President of South-street and president of the amalgamtion (sic) movement, but in giving this cottage for the use of the old people he had established a tangible and definite link between himself and Ballarat. Similar sentiments were expressed by Mr. Clark, who said his benefaction had given him a great and genuine pleasure. Both donors were warmly thanked on be half of citizens generally by the mayor (Cr. A. E. Nicholson). At subsequent social gathering appropriate toasts were honored, and assurances were given that the association's scheme for 50 gift cottages on the lines of Melbourne would be furthered by several in the not far distant future. (The Age, 30 October 1925.) OBITUARY MR. SIDNEY W. J. CLARK BALLARAT, Friday. - After a long illness Mr. Sidney W. J. Clark, 76, a member of the Courier Pty. Ltd., died at Ballarat today. He was a son of the late Mr. Robert Clark, one of the founders of the journal. Mr. Clark was president of the Ballarat Bowling Club for 10 years, and was a member of the Australian bowling team that visited Britain some years ago. He was a benefactor to Ballarat charities, and gave a cottage to the Ballarat Old Colonists' Association Cottage Scheme. (The Argus, 27 December 1941.)s. clark, sidney clark, sidney w.j. clark, old colonists' association, ballarat old colonists' club, charles anderson grove, philanthropy