Physical description

Faded, sepia toned photograph, with stained cream-coloured cardboard mount and timber frame.

The photograph was taken on 19 October 1877 and features the building then used by Ballarat College on the grounds of St Andrews Kirk, Sturt Street Ballarat. The foundation stone for this building was laid 12th September 1874.

Grouped in front of the building are a line of 13 girls and two boys. Behind them stands a line of 26 older looking girls, and three men stand in the background.

From 1877-1891 Ballarat College was co-educational, so it is likely that the girls in this photograph are the first years’ cohort of female students in 1877. The woman standing to the far right, a little apart from the line of girls could be the ‘Lady Principal’.

Handwritten on the back of the photograph: ‘F.I. Schulze / Oct 19th 1877 / Ballarat College Sturt St. / In posse(s)ion (sic) of Florence Hewett - nee Schultze / died 1935 / Presented by her daughter / Irene Hewett'

Florence Ida Schultze (PY1882) attended Ballarat College from 1877-1882. She married George Hewett (1878) who attended in 1877. George’s two sisters, Mary (PY1877) and Margaret (PY1881) also attended Ballarat College. It is highly likely that all four old collegians are in this photograph.

Florence and George’s son, Reginald Schulze Hewett (PY1905) attended Ballarat College from 1902-1905. Their daughter, Irene Harriet Hewett (not a student of Ballarat College) donated this framed photograph to the BCC Archives.

Inscriptions & markings

Handwritten on back of the photograph: F.I. Schulze / Oct 19th 1877 / Ballarat College Sturt St. / In posse(s)ion (sic) of Florence Hewett - nee Schultze / died 1935 / Presented by her daughter / Irene Hewett'