Historical information

The Peter Lalor statue by Thomas Nelson McLean is said to be a striking likeness of Lalor who is remembered as the leader of the Eureka Rebellion. The artist has depicted Lalor’s missing arm which he lost in the Rebellion efforts on of 3rd December 1854 and 4 bronze relief panels depict major events in Lalor`s life including his involvement at Eureka and in Parliament, where he served as the Speaker of the House. The cast bronze statue stands at a grand scale of 3 meters high and is mounted on a pedestal of polished Aberdeen granite. The statue was gifted to the citizens of Ballarat by James Oddie, who founded a number of Ballarat institutions and was the first chairman of the municipality. It was unveiled by then Premier of Victoria Duncan Gillies on 26 January 1883 to a cheering crowd reported to be in the thousands. The commission cost £2,200. The sculpture was unveiled by then Premier of Victoria Duncan Gillies on 26 January 1983 to a cheering crowd reported to be in the thousands, such was the popularity of Lalor and the appreciation of Eureka rebellion efforts.

Significance

The statue is of historic and aesthetic significance to the people of Ballarat

Physical description

The cast bronze statue of Peter Lalor stands 3 meters high and is mounted on a pedestal of polished Aberdeen granite

Inscriptions & markings

Names of rebellion dead. Artist signature on bronze base.