Historical information

This quartz and bluestone monument pays tribute to James Galloway the founder of the the eight-hour day system that gave workers the right to stop work after 8 hours without any penalty. The system was widely celebrated as a world first and Australia became known as a workingman’s paradise. Eight hour day is translated as: Eight hours of work, eight hours of leisure and eight hours of rest.

In 1880, the 8hr day Anniversary Committee decided to mark the establishment of the 8hrs day by erecting a monument to the memory of the pioneer of the 8hr movement in the colony, James Galloway. The campaign for the Galloway monument was so successful that one year later on 21 April 1881, and after the longest 8hrs day procession to that date, the Mayor of the City, Councillor A T Morrison, imbarred the monument at the foot of Sturt Street, Ballarat.

Significance

The monument is of historic significance to the people of Ballarat

Physical description

Granite spire with four cast iron drinking fountains and marble tablets. Inscriptionplaques are attached to the sides of the spire.

Inscriptions & markings

Erected in honor of the late James Galloway the founder of the Eight Hour System in Victoria/
Born at Springfield Fifeshire 28th February 1828 Died at Collingwood Melbourne 3rd June 1860/
Amicus Humani Generis/
This Monument is tendered in trust to the City Council for the working men of Ballarat April 21st 1880/
Eight Hours Labor Eight Hours Recreation Eight Hours Rest