On 06 September 2012 members of Legislative Assembly sat in Founder Hall at the University of Ballarat Mt Helen Campus. The sitting provided the local community and visitors a chance to see the Parliament in action. The public gallery was open from 9.30 am to approximately 5.00 pm. Colour photograph showing the Members of the Legislative Assembly, Victoria sitting at the University of Ballarat Mount Helen Campus. Premier Ted Ballieu and members of the Liberal Party sit on the left, and member of the opposition sits on the right.university of ballarat, parliament, legislative assembly, mount helen, david battersby, founders hall, caro convention centre, mt helen campus, ted ballieu

The 'Cycles' series is an extension of two large scale provisional installations '150 Rotations', Melbourne Now, National Gallery of Victoria, and '356 Rotations', AC Institute in New York, which also re-purposed and aestheticised multiple paper units into hundreds of circular motifs.The immediate tactile connection with the material excesses and detritus of contemporary consumer culture informs the theoretical framework and conceptual understanding of Gower's practice, and associates her work with ideas of recovery and re-purpose, sustainable practice and thrift strategies that critique excesses of mass production and the notion of impermanence. This series was made ‘in transit’ during the artist’s recent studio residencies at Point[B], New York and Laughing Waters, Eltham, and at three temporary studios in Rome, Berlin and Collingwood.Kaleidoscope pattern of multiple segments (logos-Lipton tea) from commercial (food) catalogues on commercial packaging (cardboard - round lid). No inscriptions and markingscycles, gower, collage, pattern, logos, commercialism, consumerism, repurpose, recycle, riverbend, laughing waters

The 'Cycles' series is an extension of two large scale provisional installations '150 Rotations', Melbourne Now, National Gallery of Victoria, and '356 Rotations', AC Institute in New York, which also re-purposed and aestheticised multiple paper units into hundreds of circular motifs.The immediate tactile connection with the material excesses and detritus of contemporary consumer culture informs the theoretical framework and conceptual understanding of Gower's practice, and associates her work with ideas of recovery and re-purpose, sustainable practice and thrift strategies that critique excesses of mass production and the notion of impermanence. This series was made ‘in transit’ during the artist’s recent studio residencies at Point[B], New York and Laughing Waters, Eltham, and at three temporary studios in Rome, Berlin and Collingwood.Kaleidoscope pattern of multiple segments (logos-Purina 'fancy feast') from commercial (food) catalogues on commercial packaging (cardboard - round lid). No inscriptions and markingscycles, gower, collage, pattern, logos, commercialism, consumerism, repurpose, recycle, riverbend, laughing waters

The 'Cycles' series is an extension of two large scale provisional installations '150 Rotations', Melbourne Now, National Gallery of Victoria, and '356 Rotations', AC Institute in New York, which also re-purposed and aestheticised multiple paper units into hundreds of circular motifs.The immediate tactile connection with the material excesses and detritus of contemporary consumer culture informs the theoretical framework and conceptual understanding of Gower's practice, and associates her work with ideas of recovery and re-purpose, sustainable practice and thrift strategies that critique excesses of mass production and the notion of impermanence. This series was made ‘in transit’ during the artist’s recent studio residencies at Point[B], New York and Laughing Waters, Eltham, and at three temporary studios in Rome, Berlin and Collingwood.Kaleidoscope pattern of multiple segments (logos-Lipton 'Green Tea') from commercial (food) catalogues on commercial packaging (cardboard - round lid). No inscriptions and markingscycles, gower, collage, pattern, logos, commercialism, consumerism, repurpose, recycle, riverbend, laughing waters

This diorama is the central feature in the World War 1 Gallery - 1915 sequence. Soldiers are shown local adoption to issue uniforms including shorts, sun protection and recognition patches. Local innovations including jam-tin bombs, periscope rifle and evacuation rifle are portrayed.This diorama attempts to convey the difficult conditions found at Gallipoli and the ingenuity of soldiers to adapt to local conditions. This diorama contrasts with the adjacent which shows the official uniform as worn by 11 Battalion AIF at the time of landing on 25 April 1915.1:1 scale diorama showing Australian trench at Gallipoli August 1915gallipoli

``Newspaper clipping from "The Mail" 1-6-94 P 7 Uproar as councillors go out of control again. By Christine McTigheCouncillors hurled abuse at each otheras a packed gallery demanded answers at a fiery Ringwood Council meeting last week.The Mayor, Margaret Cheevers, lost control of the floor. The acrimony was generated by accusations of fast-tracking developments, which have been decided on behind closed doors. City Manager, Mr John Paech denied that there had been any "undue haste"`

Program for the first opening of Parliament after Federation. Prince George Frederick Ernest Albert (1865–1936), Duke of Cornwall and York was the second son of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. The visit was part of an Empire tour and a tribute to the response made throughout the Empire during the Boer War. On their return to Britain the couple were proclaimed Prince and Princess of Wales and, on the death of Edward VII in 1910, became George V and Queen Mary.White coloured folded program, printed in purpleFront page/cover: UK Coat of Arms In Celebration of the Opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia. To meet their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. Reception by His Majesty's Ministers of State for Australia, at the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, on the 9th May, 1901. Middle pages: Programme (items listed) Back page/cover: Refreshments Will be Served all the Evening on the Ground Floor and in the Galleries 1901, opening of parliament, duke and duchess of cornwall and york, royal visits

A thousand years of Warrnambool history has been documented in this creative tapestry, woven in 1988. The Tapestry hangs in the Great Circle Gallery at Flagstaff Hill and complements the theme of the display. Three local women with the help of Museum staff researched and designed the tapestry, which was woven in 1988 from wool and cotton. It is 10 meters long and 70 cm deep and took 7 months to create. The tapestry introduces the seafaring theme of the Center and illustrates a timeline of events dating back to the arrival of Europeans in the Warrnambool area. It begins with the settlement of the area by Europeans and travels back in time as you walk further into the gallery, depicting shipwrecks along the coast, whaling of the area, early exploration by Europeans James Grant and Nicholas Baudin, back to the indigenous settlement of the area, represented by middens and indigenous symbols. (Interestingly prior to being hung in the gallery, the tapestry was originally hung with the intention of being framed from right to left). All materials in the cotton and wool tapestry, includinghand-dyed dyed wool, were prepared for a cost of $33,000. (This information is from Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village's Exhibit fact sheet)Tapestry of the early history of Warrnambool area, rectangular in shape. Materials include cotton and wool, some of the wool being hand dyed. Made in 1988 by local women.A plaque accompanies the Tapestry "Flagstaff Hill Maritime Tapestry / 1989 / Tapestry: Woven Cotton and Wool / Mary O'Brien Gerda Shanley / Judith Stewart Beryl Conlan"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, tapestry, warrnambool history, warrnambool textiles, south west victoria history, south west victoria timeline, indigenous people

This artwork was created in collaboration by Shanaya Sheridan and Josh Muir in 2018. Josh Muir was a proud Yorta Yorta, Gunditjmara and Barkinji man, who holds his culture close to his heart as it gives him a voice and great sense of identity. Josh is a Ballarat-based multimedia artist. In 2015 Josh was the recipient of the Telstra National Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander Art Award – Youth Award and the Hutchinson Scholarship, through which he undertook a 12-month residency at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne. Muir's work has been acquired by the Koorie Heritage Trust, The National Gallery of Australia, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, the National Gallery of Victoria and was commissioned as a major project artist by White Night. Shanaya Sheridan, is a proud Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung and Boon Wurrung woman who has resided in Ballarat for 20 years, after living in Horsham, Shepparton and Melbourne. Growing up and watching her Elders, and their style of artworks, Shanaya is influenced by a traditional style of Aboriginal art, mixing it up with contemporary colours. This reconciliation piece is Shanaya’s first commission. Artists' Statement: '“This painting represents reconciliation across all lands, from the skies down to the waters including the mountains, grass and sand. The hands represent people of all cultures reaching for a brighter future, and the men and women in talks of how reconciliation can be achieved. Last but not least, the footprints represent our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestors that have fought for reconciliation before us and their steps/progress towards reconciliation.' Digital prints of this artwork on aluminum are displayed at Federation University Australia campuses at Mt Helen, Gippsland (Churchill), Berwick, Brisbane and Horsham.reconciliation, josh muir, shanaya sheridan, aboriginal, reconciliation action plan

Dorothy Wickham and Clare Gervasoni of Ballarat Heritage Services celebrate at University of Ballarat's Post Office Gallery on their nomination for the Prime Minister's Award for history. Professor David Battersby spoke at the event, praising them for their effort in The Eureka Encyclopaedia winning the Victorian Community Heritage Awards.

Image of Ballarat tram 42 southbound in Lydiard St North nearing Sturt St with the Ballarat Art Gallery and the Ballarat Mining Exchange buildings in the background. Note the parking meters on the footpath. Taken on the last day of operation of the Ballarat tramway system - 19-9-1971Yields information about the last day of operation of the Ballarat SEC tramways.Digital image - 120 negative tramways, tramcars, ballarat, last day, closure, tram 42, lydiard st north, fine art gallery, mining exchange, parking meters

A painter who studied under Frederick McCubbin, Glover-Fleay was regarded for her natural history subject matter. She was also a writer and music teacher, and in the 1930s she established a reputation for painting Australian marsupials. Her works are included in the Art Gallery of Ballarat Collection, Victoriasignificant as a work of art by modernist era woman artist, locally significant to the Central Highlands Region of Victoria as a representation of local landscape and/or culture watercolour painting of a landscape scene with large treeSigned: Glover-Fleay 32 Verso: Wind damage WIND DAMAGE Winchelsea Kildean

Art collection Previously located in History House. Previous Exhibition:"In a picture land over the sea ...Agnes Goodsir 1864-1939." Exhibition developed by Bendigo Art Gallery and toured from May 1998 to June 1999. Item of the Month, exhibited in Portland Foyer April 2005.Portrait of a woman dressed in black. The woman appears to be seated and is facing the viewer. She wears a black overcoat with a blue, red and white scarf. She also wears a black hat with a gold clasp. The plain background is predominately grey. The work is framed in a gilded, moulded frame and has an exposed canvas.Front: Agnes Goodsir Back: A clear plasstic pocket is attached to the backing board and contains: a fragment of an old French label and a small fragment of paper with the signature "R.D...." on it.female artists, female artist, agnes goodsir, women artist, female portrait, portrait painting, portrait, cherry

Travis Webber was born in South Australia in 1900. He died in 1968. He studied at the South Australian School of Arts where he went on to teach. Webber established himself as one of the Australia's most prolific landscape artists. His work is held in several large galleries.Bluestone building with a shingle roof. In foreground right is a wooden fence. A carriageway cuts through centre of building, and above this is a window filled in with corrugated iron. The right side of building has large cracks. A tree is growing against the building in image centre, and bushes at image left and right. Framed in wooden frame.Front: Travis Webber (brown paint, lower left) Back: Geelong Picture Framers, 211 Moorabool Street, Gelong. Ph: 97805 (blue ink stamp, lower centre).oil painting, greenmount, landscape, portland landscape

Community information booklet issued by City of Ringwood for 1987 - covering the facilities and activities of the Ringwood Council and other local organisations and associations. Cover photograph: Ringwood Aquatic Centre at night. Middle page photographs: (from top L-R) Putting at Golf Course, Reclaimation work Mullum Mullum Creek, Poppett Head rear of Ringwood Lake, Wattle in bloom. (Middle row) Aquatic Centre Toddlers Pool, Fern Gallery at Lake, Aquatic Centre Diving Tank, Wedding at Ringwood Lake. (Bottom row) Lawn Bowls, Bike Path, Community Garden. Also includes lift-out City of Ringwood map.CONTENTS: (page no.) After School Care Programme 29 Aquatic Centre 12 & 13 Building Information 19 By-Law and Traffic Regulations 21 Chief Executive Message 10 Children's Services 28 Churches 40 Civic Centre 4 Committees of Council 5 Community Plan 11 Community Services 37 - 59 Construction Work 26 Council Elections 19 Council Meeting Dates 4 Council Representatives 8 Councillors 6 & 7 Disabled Persons Facilities 43 Domiciliary Care 30 Emergency Telephone Nos. 62 Family Day Care 28 Finances 16 Garbage 36 Golf Course 23 Health 25 Home Help 31 Immunisations 24 Incinerators 20 Infant Welfare Centres 45 Joint Use Facilities 35 Knaith Road Child Care Centre 28 & 29 Local Area Traffic Management 18 Management Executive 11 Mayoral Message – Cr. Lillian Rosewarne, J.P. 3 Meals on Wheels 30 Members of Parliament 9 Parks 23 Playgroups 53 Pre-Schools 53 Rates 17 Recycling 35 & 36 Ringwood By-Pass Road 15 Ringwood Convention and Performing Arts Centre 34 Ringwood District Centre 14 Schools 52 Swimming Pool - See Aquatic Centre 12 & 13 Town Planning 19 Vandalism 27 rinx

Booklet. ALEC H CHISHOLM COLLECTION. 30 page booklet on the life of the botanist Ferdinand von Mueller, by Alec H Chisholm. 'Great Australian Series, published in 1962 by the Oxford University Press, Sydney and printed by the Halstead Press, Sydney. Illustrated with six B&W photos. Catalogue sticker ''2220 CHI'' on front cover. Stamp of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, Bendigo Branch on the title page and inside back cover. Reference made, on page 25, to a porcelain vase presented to von Mueller and later acquired by Bendigo citizen, A. T. Woodward, and then sold to the Bendigo Art Gallery in 1926.Alec H. Chisholmbooks, collections, biography, alec h chisholm collection, ferdinand von mueller, biography, alec h.chisholm, bendigo art gallery

''Amy Huxtable Memorial Committee Archives''. Folder comprising approximately 80 items - informative and valuable detailed correspondence,short articles, newspaper items and general background to the various memorial projects designed to commemorate the life of Amy Huxtable. This archive covers the period from 1980 to 1993 when the various projects - a Garden Seat, microfilming of the raft of Huxtable newspaper articles, (Ola Cohn Fountain restoration - not proceeded with), purchase of three Ola Cohn sculptures for Bendigo Art Gallery - were under discussion and action. Financial information included with interesting correspondence and material giving details of life and work of Amy Huxtable.person, individual, amy huxtable, bendigo advertiser, ola cohn, bendigo art gallery, cox business college, view street, bendigo home and hospital for the aged, bendigo and northern district base hospital, mirridong home for the blind, cr. r.l. campbell.

Large cream, beige and greenish certificate awarded to Miss A. Foster for First Prize in the Piano Solo (under 12) at the Austral Literary and Debating Society's Annual Musical, Elocutionary, and Literary Competitions. Bendigo, 1906. At the top are two angels, 1 playing a harp and 1 writing. At the sides in the centre are ladies dressed in robes and at the bottom is a lady dressed in robes and carrying a harp. Decorative scroll work and leaves decorate the certificate. On the back is a label: From D. G. Coope & Son, Picture Frame Manufacturers, The Fine Art Gallery. Mitchell Street, Bendigo. Established 1871. Signed by E. ??, President and ? Byrne, Hon. Secretary.document, certificate, music, foster & wilson collection, piano certificate, miss a foster, austral literary and debating society, ? byrne

Yields information about the purported achievement of tram 27 reaching 1,000,000 miles and the TMSV Tour, and the Lydiard St North Crossover.Digital image of a Black and white photograph of Tram 27 using the Lydiard St North crossover during the celebrations of the tram completing its "millionth" mile in Ballarat on Saturday 29 June 1968 In the background is the Art Gallery and the entrance to the Mining Exchange Tram showing "Special", has banner "This tram has just completed 1,000,000 (million) miles in Ballarat" on the front of the tram during the TMSV Celebratory tour. See also Reg Items 1878 and 7990 to 7995 for other photos of the day by Mal Rowe. Note: A review of the tram car mileages by Dave Macartney, showed that it was actually 900,000, due to a carryover error.trams, tramways, tmsv, million miles, lydiard st north, crossover, tram 27

Diggers & Mining. Stores at the diggings. Stores at the Ararat diggings, c. 1855. From the original in the Dixon Gallery, Public Library of NSW. Slide depicts the scene at the goldfields with the Commissioners huts and in the background there are other buildings. On the Gold field there is a man on a horse, a man with a heavily laden cart being pulled by 4 ox. Some men are working in the gully for gold, panning, using cradle. In the front centre at the bottom is the head and shoulders of a man with an axe digging out his mine. There are also some dogs in the picture and a tent in the front right corner. Markings: 12 994.LIF. 5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Item 6. Brown photo book with gold and black decoration on the front cover. Name imprinted in gold with a star above and below the name. Red sticker inside the front cover with the name: E. Huhn, Buchhandlung, Cassel. The photos are: 1. Orangery, Cassel, 2. Picture Gallery, Cassel, 3. Frederick Wilhelm Place, Cassel, 4. Frederick's Place, Cassel, 5. Law Courts, Cassel, 6. Imperial Post Office, Cassel, 7. The Lion Castle at Wilhelmshohe, 8. Fountain at Wilhelmshohe, 9. The New Waterfall at Wilhelmshohe, 10. Aquaduct at Wilhelmshohe, 11. Cascades and Hercules Monument at Wilhelmshohe.books, collections, castles of wilhelmshohe, german heritage society collection - cassek und wilhelmshohe: a pictorial book, e huhn, j nohring, theodor kay

John Shirlow (1869-1936) John Shirlow was the first Australian to make etching the basis of his career. Schooled in Melbourne, he studied for a time with Artur Loureiro and attended design classes at the National Gallery School from 1890 to 1895. Specialising in renderings of old Melbourne buildings, which are now of great historical interest, he drew directly onto the plate in reverse. In 1929 he founded etching classes at the Working Men's Institute. Throughout his life a prominent figure on the Victorian art scene, he was involved in various choirs and bushwalked with R.H. Croll and C.J. Dennis. He was a Trustee of the National Gallery of Victoria from 1922 to 1936. (http://www.portrait.gov.au/people/john-shirlow-1869)Bookplate "Ex Libris R.H. Croll Solvitur Ambulando" by John Shirlow This Ex Libris Etching was released as Part of P. Neville Barnett`s ``Pictorial Book Plates`` Privately Published and Released as a Limited Edition ``de luxe`` Version, The Publication was Edition Number 95 of 100, Year of Publication: 1931Etched bookplate "Ex Libris R.H. Croll Solvitur Ambulando" showing a boy with swag and billy reading a book as he walks towards the rising sun. Shirlow with 1923 printed lower left beneath the image. r.h. croll, john shirlow

John Shirlow (1869-1936) John Shirlow was the first Australian to make etching the basis of his career. Schooled in Melbourne, he studied for a time with Artur Loureiro and attended design classes at the National Gallery School from 1890 to 1895. Specialising in renderings of old Melbourne buildings, which are now of great historical interest, he drew directly onto the plate in reverse. In 1929 he founded etching classes at the Working Men's Institute. Throughout his life a prominent figure on the Victorian art scene, he was involved in various choirs and bushwalked with R.H. Croll and C.J. Dennis. He was a Trustee of the National Gallery of Victoria from 1922 to 1936. (http://www.portrait.gov.au/people/john-shirlow-1869)Etched bookplate for R.M. Chirnside showing the head of the racehorse 'Linass'. Posthumous printing from the original etching plate in 2010.On plate "Ex Libris R.M. Chirnside Linass"bookplate, john shirlow, r.m. chirnside, linass, etching, printmaking, horse, racehorse

Margaret Woodward is a an artist and an an associate professor of design at Charles Sturt University. Artist statement: "The Sea is All Around us is a multi-layered event which creates a memorable experience for those visiting the Dome Gallery and the Mission to Seafarers in Melbourne’s Docklands. The event acknowledges and raises awareness of the often difficult and dangerous working lives and journeys of seafarers by making visible their role in transporting commodities, materials and objects to and from Australia’s shores. This installation at the Dome Gallery in the Mission to Seafarers in Melbourne’s Docklands marks the third stage of an ongoing research project which seeks to reveal the ‘social life’ of souvenirs. Beyond their representational role souvenirs also trigger intangible, affective qualities – reminders of journeys and places, new associations with tastes, sounds and people, and thereby becoming objects which focus and hold memories. This installation invites seafarers and visitors to participate in a global project which aims to witness sea journeys and trace the mobile life of seafarers and souvenirs. For a fortnight in May 2015, the Dome Gallery became an architectural large scale compass, with the circular floor marking the intersection of its latitude and longitude (37 º 49'21" S 144º 57'03"E). Over these two weeks the Dome Gallery was inscribed with marks recording journeys made by seafarers, recording destination and departure ports, home lands and waterways, and in doing so making visible a small segment of the global patterns of seafaring. Custom-made souvenirs designed for the installation are given to seafarers as gestures of welcome and a memento of their visit. The souvenirs originating in Poland continue their journey by sea, to destinations beyond the Dome becoming part of the global network of seafaring, with an invitation for seafarers to record their future journeys using QR code scanning technologies. It is hoped that by releasing the 200 limited edition souvenirs accompanying the seafarers the mobile life of souvenirs and seafarers will also become visible. Like messages in bottles they leave our shores, becoming ambassadors, representing the Dome Gallery at the Mission to Seafarers, the waters of Port Phillip Bay, Australia’s red soil and vegetation, and carrying memories of visiting Melbourne." The Mission has always been open to the community and has a tradition of hosting cultural events: shows, concerts, exhibitions, festivals.Orange enamel and teal mug created for the art installation by artist Margaret Woodward at the Mission to Seafarers. On one side it is decorated with a compass and a latitude and longitude; on the opposite side, a leaf, a QR code on the bottom takes you to the website.Written at the bottom of the mug: Please scan to map the journey of this souvenir * www.sensingtheremote.net *2015cultural events, norla dome, mso, 2015, art installation, margaret woodward

Margaret Woodward is a an artist and an an associate professor of design at Charles Sturt University. Artist statement: "The Sea is All Around us is a multi-layered event which creates a memorable experience for those visiting the Dome Gallery and the Mission to Seafarers in Melbourne’s Docklands. The event acknowledges and raises awareness of the often difficult and dangerous working lives and journeys of seafarers by making visible their role in transporting commodities, materials and objects to and from Australia’s shores. This installation at the Dome Gallery in the Mission to Seafarers in Melbourne’s Docklands marks the third stage of an ongoing research project which seeks to reveal the ‘social life’ of souvenirs. Beyond their representational role souvenirs also trigger intangible, affective qualities – reminders of journeys and places, new associations with tastes, sounds and people, and thereby becoming objects which focus and hold memories. This installation invites seafarers and visitors to participate in a global project which aims to witness sea journeys and trace the mobile life of seafarers and souvenirs. For a fortnight in May 2015, the Dome Gallery became an architectural large scale compass, with the circular floor marking the intersection of its latitude and longitude (37 º 49'21" S 144º 57'03"E). Over these two weeks the Dome Gallery was inscribed with marks recording journeys made by seafarers, recording destination and departure ports, home lands and waterways, and in doing so making visible a small segment of the global patterns of seafaring. Custom-made souvenirs designed for the installation are given to seafarers as gestures of welcome and a memento of their visit. The souvenirs originating in Poland continue their journey by sea, to destinations beyond the Dome becoming part of the global network of seafaring, with an invitation for seafarers to record their future journeys using QR code scanning technologies. It is hoped that by releasing the 200 limited edition souvenirs accompanying the seafarers the mobile life of souvenirs and seafarers will also become visible. Like messages in bottles they leave our shores, becoming ambassadors, representing the Dome Gallery at the Mission to Seafarers, the waters of Port Phillip Bay, Australia’s red soil and vegetation, and carrying memories of visiting Melbourne." The Mission has always been open to the community and has a tradition of hosting cultural events: shows, concerts, exhibitions, festivals.Small flyer in PDf for the art installation by artist Margaret Woodward at the Mission to Seafarerscultural events, norla dome, mso, 2015, art installation, margaret woodward

Her Majesty’s has been a central part of the cultural life of Ballarat since it first opened its doors in 1875. Australia’s best preserved theatre building, it has been continuously used as Ballarat’s home of live performance ever since. It has been owned and operated by the City of Ballarat since 1987 and functions as Ballarat’s premier performing arts centre. The Theatre was first known as the Academy of Music, a name calculated to overcome religious and temperance scruples against patronising a “theatre.” The Academy had a flat floored auditorium suitable for dances and dinners, and a fully equipped stage. It was built to supersede Ballarat’s Theatre Royal (1858), which stood around the corner in Sturt Street, near where the Myer Department store sits today. While very grand, the Royal had become outdated and no longer met the technical requirements of the touring companies. The Academy was built by the wealthy Clarke family at the initiative of a group of local people who felt that Ballarat, as the premier city of the Victorian goldfields, should have a theatre worthy of its status. They guaranteed to rent it from the Clarkes at 10% of the construction cost, which was £13,000. The building of Ballarat’s handsome new theatre was supervised by Clarke’s architect, George “Diamond” Browne. It was ready ahead of schedule, and opened on 7th June 1875. The first production was a comic opera by the French composer Lecocq, “La Fille de Madame Angot,” presented by the Royal Opera Bouffe Company run by W. S. Lyster, Australia’s first opera impresario. Soon after the Academy opened, the large Supper Room above Lydiard Street was leased to William Bridges, a former miner, who ran it as an art gallery, displaying an excellent collection of European and Australian artworks, including his own tapestries. After Bridges moved his operations to Melbourne in 1883, the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery was formed. The Gallery Society ran the Gallery from the Academy from 1884 until 1890, when the present Art Gallery in Lydiard Street North was opened.Colour photograph of interior detail at Her Majesty's Theatre, Ballarat.her majesty's ballarat, theatre, performing arts, her majesty's theatre, academy of music, george browne