From the Argus Newspaper of 10 May 1888: "OLD COLONISTS' ASSOCIATION OF BALLARAT. (FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.) BALLARAT, WEDNESDAY. This association, which was founded in August, 1883, and at first known as the Old Identities' Association, now has a roll of 450 members. The objects of the association are "to aid and assist indigent or suffering old colonists; to raise a fund, by the voluntary subscriptions of the members and the aid of outside donations, for the purpose of relieving members in sickness and old age ; for assisting those in extreme distress, to provide the shelter o a home for old and indigent pioneers of the gold fields, their widows, or anyone connected with the association, and in the event of the death of any member to have his remains decently buried, the association defraying the expenses of the funeral (providing that no funds or property are left by the deceased), and to attend the funeral if so desired by the relatives " The qualifications for member- ship are good character and repute, and residence in the colonies for a quarter of a century. For some time the association had no property except the regular subscriptions, but about a year ago they obtained from the Minister of Lands the grant of a very valuable block of land in Lydiard-street, the Crown grant of which they received last week. This block has a frontage of 66ft to Lydiard street, worth at least £100 a foot. The ground was given to the association as a site for them to build a hall upon, and with so valuable an asset they had no difficulty in borrowing at 7 per cent, enough money to construct a hall. For revenue purposes the ground floor of the building has been made into four shops, and the rental from these, judging from the rentals of shops in the vicinity, will not only pay all the interest on the borrowed money, but over £200 a year towards clearing off the principal. The officers of the association are Messrs J P Murray, president; J W Graham and T. Stoddart, vice presidents; D Fern, treasurer , and J Fraser, secretary. The Old Colonists' Hall is an elegant looking building in Lydiard-street, lying between the newly-opened mining exchange and the Commercial Club house, and a few doors north of the Post office. The style of the facade is classic. The lower portion of the front is constructed of Waurn Ponds stone, forming piers, and the upper portion of brick and cement, the background being tuckpointed. The centre bay is carried by two three quarter columns with Ionic cups, which support a pediment on which is set a cast of the Ballarat coat of arms. The four other bays are supported by pilasters with Corinthian caps mid partly fluted. The entrance is through a spacious circular headed doorway, the keystone of the arch of which bears a sculptured head, in marble, representing that of the president of the Old Colonists' Association here, Mr. John P Murray. An ample vestibule leads to a wide stone staircase which ends at a spacious landing. The landing has a dome over the centre, with cornice and enrichments, and is lighted from above. The walls round the landing are panelled with marble slabs, which are to be appropriately inscribed in the future. On the first door are the rooms appropriated to the association. The principal of these is a hall 44ft x 33ft and 17ft high. This room is well ventilated and lighted from the back of the building with large windows, and the walls are finished with Keene's cement. The other rooms are committee room, 14ft x 16ft; scretary's, 14ft x 17ft 6in; kitchen, bedrooms, bathroom, &c. The front portion of the first floor is arranged so that it may be let for offices, or utilised for club purposes. Suitable provision has been made throughout tor lighting, ventilation, and means of egress. The architect for the edifice is Mr A. G Legge, of this city, and the contractors are Messrs. Whitelaw and Atkinson, Irving and Glover, Reynolds, and J Donaldson. The total cost of the building when completed, which will be in a few weeks, will be about £4,000."Colour photograph of a room with marble plaques on the wall. They relate to the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat, old colonists' association ballarat, old colonists' club, marbles

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. OLD COLONISTS' ASSOCIATION OF BALLARAT. (FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.) BALLARAT, WEDNESDAY. This association, which was founded in August, 1883, and at first known as the Old Identities' Association, now has a roll of 450 members. The objects of the association are "to aid and assist indigent or suffering old colonists ; to raise a fund, by the voluntary subscriptions of the members and the aid of outside donations, for the purpose of relieving members in sickness and old age; for assisting those in extreme distress, to provide the shelter of a home for old and indigent pioneers of the gold fields, their widows, or anyone connected with the association, and in the event of the death of any member to have his remains decently buried, the association defraying the expenses of the funeral (providing that no funds or property are left by the deceased), and to attend the funeral if so desired by the relatives." The qualifications for member ship are good character and repute, and residence in the colonies for a quarter of a century. For some time the association had no property except the regular subscriptions, but about a year ago they obtained from the Minister of Lands the grant of a very valuable block of land in Lydiard-street, the Crown grant of which they received last week. This block has a frontage of 66ft to Lydiard street, worth at least £100 a foot. The ground was given to the association as a site for them to build a hall upon, and with so valuable an asset they had no difficulty in borrowing at 7 per cent, enough money to construct a hall. For revenue purposes the ground floor of the building has been made into four shops, and the rental from these, judging from the rentals of shops in the vicinity, will not only pay all the interest on the borrowed money, but over £200 a year towards clearing off the principal. The officers of the association are Messrs J. P. Murray, President; J. W. Graham and T. Stoddart, vice presidents; D. Fern, treasurer; and J. Fraser, secretary. The Old Colonists' Hall is an elegant looking building in Lydiard-street, lying between the newly-opened mining exchange and the Commercial Club house, and a few doors north of the Post Office. The style of the facade is classic. The lower portion of the front is constructed of Waurn Ponds stone, forming piers, and the upper portion of brick and cement, the background being tuckpointed. The centre bay is carried by two three quarter columns with Ionic cups, which support a pediment on which is set a cast of the Ballarat coat of arms. The four other bays are supported by pilasters with Corinthian caps mid partly fluted. The entrance is through a spacious circular headed doorway, the keystone of the arch of which bears a sculptured head, in marble, representing that of the president of the Old Colonists' Association here, Mr. John P. Murray. An ample vestibule leads to a wide stone staircase which ends at a spacious landing. The landing has a dome over the centre, with cornice and enrichments, and is lighted from above. The walls round the landing are panelled with marble slabs, which are to be appropriately inscribed in the future. On the first door are the rooms appropriated to the association. The principal of these is a hall 44ft x 33ft and 17ft high. This room is well ventilated and lighted from the back of the building with large windows, and the walls are finished with Keene's cement. The other rooms are committee room, 14ft x 16ft; secretary's, 14ft x 17ft, 6in; kitchen, bedrooms, bathroom, &c. The front portion of the first floor is arranged so that it may be let for offices, or utilised for club purposes. Suitable provision has been made throughout for lighting, ventilation, and means of egress. The architect for the edifice is Mr A. G. Legge, of this city, and the contractors are Messrs. Whitelaw and Atkinson, Irving and Glover, Reynolds, and J. Donaldson. The total cost of the building when completed, which will be in a few weeks, will be about £4,000. (The Argus, 10 May 1888)ballarat old colonists' club, charles anderson grove, old colonists' association

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 of Ballarat Inc. had them removed and restored. The originals are now framed and on display in the Old Colonists’ Hall.Victorian Gold License made out to John Chisholm.Ballarat Victoria Gold License No. 139 March 1853 The Bearer J. Chisholm 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 remove Gold on and from any such Crown lands within the Dist of Ballarat as I shall assign to him for that purpose during the month of march 1853 not within half-a-mile of any Head Station, This License is not transferable, and to be produced whenever demanded by me or any other person acting under the authority of the Government, and to be returned when another License is issued. Chas Wale Sherard Commissioner. Regulations to be observed by the persons digging for Gold or otherwise employed at the Gold fields. 1. Every licensed person must always have his License with him ready to be produced whenever demanded by a Commissioner, or Person acting under instructions, otherwise he is liable to be proceeded against as an unlicensed person. 2. Every person digging to Gold, or occupying Land, without a License is liable by law to be fined, for a first offence, not exceeding five pounds; for a second offence not exceeding 15 pounds; and for subsequent offence, not exceeding 30 pounds. 3. Digging for Gold is not allowed within ten feet of the edge of any Public Road, nor are the roads to be undermined. 4. Tents or Buildings are not to be erected within twenty feet of each other, or within 20 feet of any Creek 5. It is enjoined that all persons on the Gold Fields maintain a due and proper observance of Sundays. Handwritten in top left corner 'Presented by D.M.D. Main. 12 Dundas St. Dunedin N.Z. 30.8.21chisholm, sherard, charles sherard, john chisholm, mining, main, d.m.d. main

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.' 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

French Louis Merci is shown as J.L. Merci on the settlement map, having selected Lot 26 in the Village Settlement in 1901.It was a 5 acre Lot bordering Barbers Road and the Dray Track (now Link Road). Louis shared his hut for some time with Peter the Swede. When Louis became ill with cancer and could no longer work he sold his property to George Barber in return for a weekly payment.Black and white photograph of hut in row of blossoming trees.french louis, louis merci, j l merci, peter the swede, george barber, link road, barbers road, hut, dray track

Although the portrait of Graham is still in existence, the rest of the memorbilia on the wall is no longer in the hands of the Association. Members of the Old Colonists' Association in the Old Colonists' Hall. Front Row (left to Right): Messrs. S. Walker, J. T. Sleep, W. H. Stokeld, J. A. Blight (Trustees), R.U. Nicholls (Vice-President), Wm. Robertson (Vice-President). E. E. Llewellyn (Councillor). Mrs. R. Smith, Messrs, A. Sheppard, J. T. Clarke. Second Row: Messrs. J. Lamb, T. W. Scott, S. Walmsley, C. Robinson, G. R. Coutts, J. Lammin, A. W. Crowe, J. Don, W, G. Chalmers, J, Jones, C. Simpson, A. M. Palmer, H. Fields, W. Trahar, H. C. Handford. Third Row: Messrs. S. Walsh, A. Cant, J. Nicholls, J. Longstaff, A. Robertson, J. Welham, J. King, C. E. Wright, J. Pounder, C. R. Anderson, G. Merz, and D. M. Paterson. old colonists' hall, s. walker, j. t. sleep, w. h. stokeld,, j. a. blight, r.u. nicholls, william robertson, e. e. llewellyn, mrs. r. smith, a. sheppard, j. t. clarke, j. lamb, t. w. scott, s. walmsley, c. robinson, g. r. coutts, j. lammin, a. w. crowe, j. don, w. g. chalmers, j, jones, c. simpson, a. m. palmer, h. fields, w. trahar, h. c. handford, s. walsh, a. cant, j. nicholls, j. longstaff, a. robertson, j. welham, j. king, c. e. wright, j. pounder, c. r. anderson, g. merz, d. m. paterson

Photograph of the names listed on the Marbles at the Ballarat Old Colonists' Hall for 1916old colonists' hall, old colonists' association of ballarat, marbles, james long, john king junior, g.a. brown, g.t. brown, c.e. house, g.t. jones, r.t. vale, j.g. tucker, h. baber, j. lammin, d. lillingstone, george becher, laurence clark, william brazenor, a. clinton, w.b. bannerman, j.h. peady, james lamb

Postcard showing two men and two women standing on Falls Road and two girls sitting on the grassy bank. This section of Falls Road would be below the current Tourist Road. A long fence has been built on the LHS and a house with a verandah is clearly seen. Early 1900s. The postcard appears to have been sent to Jim Woolrich from Auntie Florrie.On front of postcard: THE ROSE SERIES #152 THE ROAD TO THE FALLS, MT. DANDENONG. VIC. On back of postcard: Mr J Woolrich 58 Mountfield St Brunswick Wishing you many happy returns of the day from Auntie Florrie. falls road, olinda falls, mt dandenong, rose series

Group of six people taken at Sunnyside, country home of John and Roberta Roberts at South sassafras (now Kallista). Front L to R: Robert Croll, C. Web Gilbert, Frank Roberts. Back L to R: Mrs Roberta Roberts, Bert Roberts, J. G. Roberts.sunnyside, south sassafras, j g roberts, roberta roberts, frank roberts, bert roberts, robert croll, c. web gilbert

Taken at Sunnyside, country home of J G Roberts at South Sassafras (now Kallista). Group of 8 people inside and outside coach. Top back L to R: Unknown, Unknown, Roberta Roberts. Top Front L to R: C J Dennis, Bert Roberts, J G Roberts. Inside: Bill Coleman, Frank Roberts.roberta roberts, j g roberts, bert roberts, frank roberts, c j dennis, bill coleman, sunnyside, south sassafras, coach

J. G. Roberts with his son Bert (sitting on gate) at the entrance to his country home Sunnyside at South Sassafras (now Kallista).Entrance To Sunnyside GGMj g roberts, bert roberts, sunnyside, south sassafras

View of John Garibaldi Roberts sitting, reading inside one of the old omnibuses at his country home Sunnyside in South Sassafras (now Kallista).sunnyside, south sassafras, j g roberts, tram car, tram, omnibus

Group of people posed outside Sunnyside in South Sassafras (now Kallista). Standing L to R: J G Roberts, Robert Croll, Harold B Herbert, Frank Roberts Seated L to R: Roberta Roberts, C J Dennis holding banjo, Gwen Eastaugh (nee Roberts)sunnyside, south sassafras, r h croll, j g roberts, frank roberts, roberta roberts, harold b herbert, c j dennis, gwen eastaugh

Group of four people standing outside Sunnyside, country home of John Garibaldi and Roberta Roberts at South sassafras (now Kallista). L to R: J G Roberts, Frank Roberts, D M Anderson, Gwen Roberts.sunnyside, south sassafras, j g roberts, frank roberts, gwen roberts, d m anderson