The Ballarat School of Mines was the first site of Technical Education in Australia. Initially it opened in 1870 and educated miners.

Black and white photograph of the interior of the Ballarat School of Mines Physics Laboratory. Numerous pieces of equipment sit on benches. The image in the 1908 Ballarat School of Mines Calendar was title 'Physics Demonstration Room'.

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The Ballarat School of Mines Museum was established in 1872. In 1887 the museum collection number nearly 8,000 exhibits which were systematically arranged and catalogued, and in this way were a means for profitable instruction to the casual visitor as well as to the student. See http://bih.ballarat.edu.au/index.php/Ballarat_School_of_Mines_Museum. The Curator of the Museum during the era was Ferdinand Krause. This image was reproduced in the 1899 Ballarat School of Mines Annual Report.

Black and white photograph showing the interior of the Ballarat School of Mines Museum.

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This image was reproduced in the 1908 Ballarat School of Mines Calendar. During the early 1900s the Ballarat School of Mines had an international reputation for producing quality mining graduates. The graduates had much sought after practical experience. Their studies included 'real' experience in the Ballarat School of Mines Mining Laboratory, Assay Room, Balance Room, etc. This image was reproduced in the 1908 Ballarat School of Mines Annual Report. It is a room in the building now known as the "Old Chemistry Building'.

Black and white photograph showing three men working at balances while assaying in the Ballarat School of Mines Balance Room.

"Plate 117 Balance Rooms, School of Mines

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School of Mines Ballarat is a predecessor of Federation University

Photographic copy of original poster

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Photographic portrait of Richard Maddern

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Black and white photographic image of young men in a chemical laboratory at the Ballarat School of Mines. It is a loose page for the 1908 SMB Calendar

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The Ballarat School of Mines Model Mine was used to give practical experience to students, as well as to conduct assays for companies and individuals for a fee. The fee assisted in keeping the Ballarat School of Mines afloat in its first years. The Battery, or model mine, included a Stamper Battery, Wilfrey Tables and various pieces of equipment students would encounter in their workplace. Steam engines were used to operate the large pulleys depicted in the photograph which in turn ran the equipment.

Interior view of the Battery in the Ballarat school of Mines Model Mine.

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