The Old Identities' Association was a forerunner of the Old Colonists' Association Ballarat. John Brooksbank was a very early arrival to Ballarat in September 1851, which was not long after the discovery of gold at Ballarat. J. Brooksbank lost a dog in 1857 "LOST from the Half Way House, Smythe's Creek Road, a black bloodhound and kangaroo dog. Anyone detaining him after this date will be prosecuted. J. BROOKSBANK" (Ballarat Star, 30 December 1857) Another very early identity in Ballarat, James Oddie, advertised the sale of J. Brooksbank's hotel in 1860: "JAMES ODDIE & CO. have received instructions from the Mortgagees, to sell I by auction at their rooms, Dana street, on Thursday, 20th September, at twelve o'clock, All that desirable properly known as the , Halfway House Hotel, Together with all that piece or parcel of ' land situate in the parish of Cardigan and county of Grenville, containing 34 acres 1 rood 26 ½ perches, part of allotment 1, section 6, of said parish, situated on the Ballarat and Smythesdale road, and recently occupied by Mr J. Brooksbank. The property consists of a spacious stone building one story high, strong and substantially built, the internal fittings and arrangements are neat and complete. The house possesses all requisite accommodation for a respectable country hotel. In addition are stockyards, stables &c, all well and securely fenced. Terms at Sale. (Ballarat Star, 20 September 1860) Four years later Brookbank was selling his hotel in Lyons Street Ballarat: "RARE OPPORTUNITY.-FOR SALE the BLACK BULL HOTEL, Lyons street. The proprietor of the above hotel being about entering into another line of business, begs to call the attention of parties looking for a safe and profitable investment, the above having undergone thorough repairs, and is now in good working order and doing a fair share of business. The conditions will, be half cash, balance six, nine, and twelve months. Apply, J. Brooksbank, proprietor, on the premises. (Ballarat Star, 22 October 1864)Photographic portrait of John Brooksbank from a photographic montage held by the Ballarat Old Colonists' Association.john brooksbank, ballarat old colonists' association, ballarat old colonists' club, old colonists' association

The Old Identities' Association was a forerunner of the Old Colonists' Association Ballarat. John Brooksbank was a very early arrival to Ballarat in September 1851, which was not long after the discovery of gold at Ballarat. J. Brooksbank lost a dog in 1857 "LOST from the Half Way House, Smythe's Creek Road, a black bloodhound and kangaroo dog. Anyone detaining him after this date will be prosecuted. J. BROOKSBANK" (Ballarat Star, 30 December 1857) Another very early identity in Ballarat, James Oddie, advertised the sale of J. Brooksbank's hotel in 1860: "JAMES ODDIE & CO. have received instructions from the Mortgagees, to sell I by auction at their rooms, Dana street, on Thursday, 20th September, at twelve o'clock, All that desirable properly known as the , Halfway House Hotel, Together with all that piece or parcel of ' land situate in the parish of Cardigan and county of Grenville, containing 34 acres 1 rood 26 ½ perches, part of allotment 1, section 6, of said parish, situated on the Ballarat and Smythesdale road, and recently occupied by Mr J. Brooksbank. The property consists of a spacious stone building one story high, strong and substantially built, the internal fittings and arrangements are neat and complete. The house possesses all requisite accommodation for a respectable country hotel. In addition are stockyards, stables &c, all well and securely fenced. Terms at Sale. (Ballarat Star, 20 September 1860) Four years later Brookbank was selling his hotel in Lyons Street Ballarat: "RARE OPPORTUNITY.-FOR SALE the BLACK BULL HOTEL, Lyons street. The proprietor of the above hotel being about entering into another line of business, begs to call the attention of parties looking for a safe and profitable investment, the above having undergone thorough repairs, and is now in good working order and doing a fair share of business. The conditions will, be half cash, balance six, nine, and twelve months. Apply, J. Brooksbank, proprietor, on the premises. (Ballarat Star, 22 October 1864)Colour photograph of a sterling silver medal relating to The Old Identities' Association 1851-1854. The medallion, belonging to John Brooksbank, has a drilled hole at the top suggesting it was worn by the owner at some stage in its life. The medal has been engraved: Arrived "Sep 51 J. Brooksbankold identities association, old colonists' association ballarat, c.a. welch, silversmith, numismatics, j. brooksbank, medal

The marbles in the foyer of the Old Colonists' Hall list names of members of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat Inc. Colour photograph of a marble honour board relating to the founders of the Old Colonists' Association Ballarat.Old Colonists; Association Established 1883. Founders W.H. Butler, John Brooksbank Isaac A. Twaits, Henry Hannington Arthur Croft, J.T. Farr, W.F. Osbourne. Old Colonists' Hall Foundation Stone Laid June 21st 1887 Inauguration August 31st 1888 Officer and Council 1887-88 President John P. Murray Vice Presidents J.W. Graham Thomas Stoddart Treasurer Daniel Fern Trustee J.W. Graham John McCafferty Wiliam Irwin Council W.B. Perry. James Ward W.H. Butler. Frederick Ramsden. James Vallins. Charles Dyte. Secretary John Fraser Past Presidents A.K. McBain 1954-1956 C.A. Hoskin 1956-1957 C.H. Clamp 1957-1959 J. Curwen-Walker 1959-1961 A.C. Fraser 1961 - 1963 S.A. Wilson LBS, BBSc, DDS 1963-1965 W. Titheridge 1965 - 1966 A.J. Symons 1966 -1968 W.J. Selkirk 1968-1970 L. McBain 1970-1972 R.J. Buchanan 1972-1974 J.E. Crocker 1974-1976 L.J. Drury 1976-1978 F.A. Peebles 1978-1980 Dr D.L. Morton 1980-1982 I.G. Bishop 1982-1984 D.L. Pratt 1984-1986 B.R. Drennan 1986-1988 M.J. Charles 1988-1990 F.A. Peebles 1990-1992old colonists' association ballarat, ballarat old colonists club, marble, presidents, w.h. butler, henry hannington, isaac twaits, arthur croft, j.t. farr, w.f. osborne, john murray, j.w. graham, daniel fern, john mccafferty, william irwin, w.b. perry, james ware, frederick ramsden, james vallins, charles dyte, john fraser, a.k. mcbain, c.a. hoskin, c.h. clamp, j. curwen-walker, s.a.wllson, w. titheridge, a.j. symons, w.j. selkirk, l. mcbain, r.j. buchanan, j.e. crocker, l.j. drury, f.a. peebles, d.l.morton, i.g. bishop, d.l. pratt, b.r. drennan, m.j. charles, melville charles, david pratt