The Progressive Political League was formed in 1891 after the 1890 Maritime Workers Strike; it subsequently became the Australian Labor Party. The PPL is also contemporaneous with the defeat of the Shearer's Strike (1891). Its platform included "electoral reform, reform of the labour laws, social reform and supported Federation on a ‘democratic basis’." (Anarchist Age 2008). More information about the formation of the Progressive Political League in Victoria can be found at http://anarchistmedia.org/pdf/701-800/AAWR-07768.html More information about the history of the PPL and its political fortunes can be found in Paul Strangio's book, "Neither Power Nor Glory". PPL enjoyed some political success in Victoria around this time, but it was unsustainable due to the loose political allegiances of some of the candidates. (Strangio 2012). The balance sheets are a financial record of activity around the Ballarat West Election.Paperbtlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, balance sheets, finances, elections, progressive political league of victoria, ppl, maritime workers strike, shearer's strike, alp, australian labor party, reform, federation

Julia Margaret (Bella) Guerin (1858-1923), feminist, political activist and teacher, was born on 23 April 1858. Her father was a Governor of Gaols and was so at Ballarat Gaol from 1860s to 1890.- Having studied at home to pass matriculation in 1878, Bella entered Melbourne University in 1881, the same year her brother Marco began at Ballarat School of Mines to study Metallurgy and Assaying. Bella became the first woman to graduate from an Australian University when she gained her B.A. from the University of Melbourne in December 1883, becoming M.A. upon application in 1885. She taught first at Loreto Convent, Ballarat, urging higher education scholarships for Catholic girls to produce 'a band of noble thoughtful women as a powerful influence for good'; then as Lady Principal of Ballarat School of Mines University classes from 1887-1890, resigning upon marriage. Returning to teaching from financial necessity she began to frequent suffragist circles from the mid 1890s. She also became very involved within the Labor Party. She wrote speeches for Vida Golstein, a campaigner for women's rights, the right to vote and stand for elections. In recognition of her time at Ballarat School of Mines, a Hall of Residence at Federation University, Mount Helen Campus has been named after her, Bella Guerin Hall of Residence. Tunnelling tradition dictates a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) cannot start work until it has been given a female name, a sign of good luck for the project ahead. This dates back to the 1500s when miners and military engineers working with explosives for underground excavation, prayed to Saint Barbara for protection.The TBMs working on the two West Gate extensions are named after two very prominent women working for the rights for women. They are named Bella (Bella Guerin) and Vida (Vida Goldstein)women of note, feminist, political activist, teacher, melbourne university, first female university graduate, loreto convent ballarat, lady principal of ballarat school of mines, 1887-1890, labor party, hall of residence, bella guerin hall of residence, federation university, mount helen campus, julia margaret guerin, bella guerin, governor of gaols, ballarat gaol, father, marco guerin, brother, ballarat school of mines, metallurgy, assaying, women's rights, vote for women, vida goldstein, west gate tunnels, tunnel boring machines, tbms, bella, vida

ROBERT MALACHY SERJEANT (1828-1902) Robert Malachy Serjeant was born on 21 December 1828 at Callington, Cornwall. He was the son of Philip Davey Serjeant, a surgeon in the Royal Marines, and Eliza Malachy. Philip Serjeant died in 1834. His mother, Eliza, remarried John Burgh in 1836. He died in 1837. In September 1848 Eliza, Robert and his two sisters, Caroline and Susan, departed Plymouth on the William Moneya for Port Adelaide and arrived in January 1849. Once gold was discovered in Victoria, Serjeant made his way to Forest Creek (near Castlemaine) and he and his mate Mr Victor, were the first party to sink through the basalt in search of a deep lead. In 1854 he moved to Ballarat to work as a miner and enjoyed some success. In 1855 he was with a group that discovered a 500 ounce nugget. With his share of the sale he set himself up with the latest mining equipment, as well as beginning a lifelong interest in the share market. He became the Manager of the Chryseis, Isis and Garibaldi claims and then the Manager of the Band and Albion Consol Company. He held the position for thirty years and only resigned when the company amalgamated with the Sir Henry Loch Mine. Robert Malachy Serjeant became interested in Politics. The first election for Parliament Representatives for Ballarat was in 1855. Robert stood for election for the first time in 1859, representing Ballarat West. He was also elected to represent Ballarat West in 1874 and 1880. Robert Serjeant’s community involvement extended to Education. Years of discussion eventually saw the development of the Ballarat School of Mines, the first school of mines in Australia. The inaugural School Council was formed in 1870 with Sir Redmond Barry, the Chief Justice, as President and Robert Malachy Serjeant as a member of the council. He held a position on the council until illness forced him to retire in 1889. He was elected a Life Governor in 1889. He was also a Life Governor of the Ballarat Hospital. Robert Serjeant showed Prince Albert and Prince George (later King George V) around the Band and Albion Mine. At the age of 42, Robert enrolled as a student at the School of Mines in 1871. He obtained a Certificate of Competency in Assaying (including Metallurgy) in 1875. The first certificate in “Geology as Applied to Mining” was awarded to Robert Serjeant in 1876. Robert Serjeant was an active and generous supporter of the School of Mines. As well as being a financial contributor, he lectured and examined in the Principles and Practice of Mining. He was regarded as an authority on alluvial and quartz mining and was a member of the Ballarat Local Court and mining board. In 1977 Robert, Joseph Flude and Henry Caselli donated the patent rights of a novel Pyrites furnace to the school. The R.M. Serjeant Scholarship at the Ballarat School of Mines resulted after a reward was offered for the first to produce the best method of treating auriferous ores – other than the smelting method. The offer was open for two years but not awarded. The money for this was donated by Robert Serjeant to the amount of 256 Pounds. It was then used to fund the School of Mines Scholarship in Engineering (1889). It was first awarded in 1922. Robert Malachy Serjeant died on 25 October 1902 and was buried at the Ballaarat Old Cemetery. (Sometimes Malachy is incorrectly written as Malachi)Two photographic portraits of mine manager Robert Malachy Serjeant. Both portraits were purchased by the donor from the State Library of Victoria. robert malachy serjeant, r.m. sergeant, robert malachi serjeant, band of hope and albion consols

ROBERT MALACHY SERJEANT (1828-1902) Robert Malachy Serjeant was born on 21 December 1828 at Callington, Cornwall. He was the son of Philip Davey Serjeant, a surgeon in the Royal Marines, and Eliza Malachy. Philip Serjeant died in 1834. His mother, Eliza, remarried John Burgh in 1836. He died in 1837. In September 1848 Eliza, Robert and his two sisters, Caroline and Susan, departed Plymouth on the William Moneya for Port Adelaide and arrived in January 1849. Once gold was discovered in Victoria, Serjeant made his way to Forest Creek (near Castlemaine) and he and his mate Mr Victor, were the first party to sink through the basalt in search of a deep lead. In 1854 he moved to Ballarat to work as a miner and enjoyed some success. In 1855 he was with a group that discovered a 500 ounce nugget. With his share of the sale he set himself up with the latest mining equipment, as well as beginning a lifelong interest in the share market. He became the Manager of the Chryseis, Isis and Garibaldi claims and then the Manager of the Band and Albion Consol Company. He held the position for thirty years and only resigned when the company amalgamated with the Sir Henry Loch Mine. Robert Malachy Serjeant became interested in Politics. The first election for Parliament Representatives for Ballarat was in 1855. Robert stood for election for the first time in 1859, representing Ballarat West. He was also elected to represent Ballarat West in 1874 and 1880. Robert Serjeant’s community involvement extended to Education. Years of discussion eventually saw the development of the Ballarat School of Mines, the first school of mines in Australia. The inaugural School Council was formed in 1870 with Sir Redmond Barry, the Chief Justice, as President and Robert Malachy Serjeant as a member of the council. He held a position on the council until illness forced him to retire in 1889. He was elected a Life Governor in 1889. He was also a Life Governor of the Ballarat Hospital. Robert Serjeant showed Prince Albert and Prince George (later King George V) around the Band and Albion Mine. At the age of 42, Robert enrolled as a student at the School of Mines in 1871. He obtained a Certificate of Competency in Assaying (including Metallurgy) in 1875. The first certificate in “Geology as Applied to Mining” was awarded to Robert Serjeant in 1876. Robert Serjeant was an active and generous supporter of the School of Mines. As well as being a financial contributor, he lectured and examined in the Principles and Practice of Mining. He was regarded as an authority on alluvial and quartz mining and was a member of the Ballarat Local Court and mining board. In 1977 Robert, Joseph Flude and Henry Caselli donated the patent rights of a novel Pyrites furnace to the school. The R.M. Serjeant Scholarship at the Ballarat School of Mines resulted after a reward was offered for the first to produce the best method of treating auriferous ores – other than the smelting method. The offer was open for two years but not awarded. The money for this was donated by Robert Serjeant to the amount of 256 Pounds. It was then used to fund the School of Mines Scholarship in Engineering (1889). It was first awarded in 1922. Robert Malachy Serjeant died on 25 October 1902 and was buried at the Ballaarat Old Cemetery. (Sometimes Malachy is incorrectly written as Malachi)An copy of a photo of Yarrowee Hall, the home of of mine manager Robert Malachy Serjeant. robert malachy serjeant, r.m. sergeant, robert malachi serjeant, band of hope and albion consols, yarrowee hall, redan

The Progressive Political League was formed in 1891 after the 1890 Maritime Workers Strike; it subsequently became the Australian Labor Party. The PPL is also contemporaneous with the defeat of the Shearer's Strike (1891). Its platform included "electoral reform, reform of the labour laws, social reform and supported Federation on a ‘democratic basis’." (Anarchist Age 2008). More information about the formation of the Progressive Political League in Victoria can be found at http://anarchistmedia.org/pdf/701-800/AAWR-07768.html More information about the history of the PPL and its political fortunes can be found in Paul Strangio's book, "Neither Power Nor Glory". PPL enjoyed some political success in Victoria around this time, but it was unsustainable due to the loose political allegiances of some of the candidates. (Strangio 2012). Committee reports are part of the history of the PPL and the ALP's early attempts to gain parliamentary representation. Reports held are from the Ballarat West Branch.Paper in folder.ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, alp, ppl, progressive political league of victoria, elections, labor, australian labor party, parliament, btlc

Photograph: Poster - Sharon Knight Victorian Labor The poster is attached to the front door verandah. It was created to support the 2010 state election campaign for the ALP. Text on the poster reads: Sharon Knight - Victorian Labor. Knight was successor to Karen Overington. Knight is now the state member for Wendouree. She has a background in health and community sectors, including having managed Lifeline in Ballarat. At the time the photograph was taken, she was the candidate for Ballarat West. Photograph.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, knight, sharon, election campaigning, politicians - state, alp, australian labor party

Photograph: ALP Campaign corflute Karen Overington and Steve Bracks The photograph was taken during the Victorian state election campaign. The election was held in November 2006. There are two coreflute posters. One of Karen Overington and Steve Bracks side by side and the second one of Karen Overington by herself. The message on both coreflutes is: "Karen Overington MP: Delivering for Ballarat West." Karen Overington was a former welfare worker and served as a councillor and mayor (Sebastopol Borough) before she was elected to federal parliament in 1999. Karen did not contest the 2010 election. She died from cancer in 2011. Steve Bracks was the 44th Premier of Victoria from 1999-2007. He served in the shadow ministry as Shadow Treasurer. Steve Bracks was born in Ballarat. Photographbtlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, alp, australian labor party, bracks, steve, overington, karen, elections, election campaigning, politicians, premier - victoria

Robyn Mason was a member of the ALP and unsuccessfully contested the seat of Ballarat West in 1996. She was a feminist, teacher and a social worker who fought hard for those affected by sexual abuse and violence. Robyn Mason passed away in 2016. This large collection of correspondence, photographs and other memorabilia, was donated after her passing; it is a reflection of the vastness of Robyn's contribution to the Ballarat community. Politics, government, advocacy, education. Standard scrapbook containing news articles, photos, and other.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, politics and government, alp, australian labor party, brumby, john, mason, robyn, kirner, joan, beacham, jenny, howe, brian, elections - state - victoria, sheehan, frank, laffey, catherine, thwaites, john, keating, paul, cain, john, kennett, jeffrey, state premiers, advocacy - sexual abuse, advocacy - violence

Robyn Mason was a member of the ALP and unsuccessfully contested the seat of Ballarat West in 1996. She was a feminist, teacher and a social worker who fought hard for those affected by sexual abuse and violence. Robyn Mason passed away in 2016. This large collection was donated after her passing; it is a reflection of the vastness of Robyn's contribution to the Ballarat community. Politics, government, advocacy, education - Ballarat region. News articles, correspondence and other memorabilia.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, politics and government, alp, australian labor party, brumby, john, mason, robyn, kirner, joan, beacham, jenny, howe, brian, elections - state - victoria, sheehan, frank, laffey, catherine, thwaites, john, keating, paul, cain, john, kennett, jeffrey, state premiers, advocacy - sexual abuse, advocacy - violence