The Ballarat Branch was first formed in 1960, the first regional Branch outside of Melbourne, following community concern regarding the destruction of historical assets. Following its inauguration the Branch soon set about the task of classification of the many fine buildings and veranda’s throughout Ballarat. The Branch works closely with council and the community on local heritage issues and new members are always welcome at any of the Branch’s meetings and events.
Periodically the Branch conducts guided walks around Ballarat, usually coinciding with the major festivals. Details of our most popular walks are outlined below.
Walks can also be arranged for interested groups by contacting the Branch at the address shown below. Walk times vary but generally take between one and one and a half hours to complete.
In April 1862 the train line from Geelong to Ballarat opened. Originally only the Bluestone Goods Shed and the North Platform and its associated offices were constructed and it was not until 1889 that the southern portion of the station and its tower was completed. This coincided with the opening of the direct line to Melbourne.
The Ballarat Railway complex has been described as one of Victorias finest examples of a grand nineteenth century railway station and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
In 2014 a Masterplan for the site was launched which included the restoration of the Goods Shed, the construction of a multi-deck carpark and the building of Quest Apartments. As a result of these works much of the original infrastructure including multiple railway lines have been removed. The Station building is badly in need of maintenance and there is still no disabled access between platforms. The interlocking railway gates were damaged due to a train accident and have not yet been returned. It is hoped that a decision on having them restored and operating again will occur in the near future.
Notwithstanding the need for more works the station is not only an architecture gem but is an important part of Ballarat’s history and well worth a visit.
The Branch holds regular working bees to maintain this site with support from the neighbouring landholder. Information on those buried on the site can be found on the Trust’s Heritage Register.
In 2015 the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Ballarat Branch undertook a photographic project to start recording the wonderful decorative cast iron friezes and brackets on verandahs around Ballarat.
Over the following two years the Branch volunteers compiled a database of over 1,500 places containing a huge variety of patterns. The project was confined to a general analysis of decorative friezes and brackets and once the combinations and permutations of timber and metal posts, fluted and smooth cast iron posts, open work cast iron posts, droppers, fringes and changes in the size of similar patterns are taken into consideration, the project became endless!
The final product has been an over view of the variety and beauty of the cast iron friezes and brackets of Ballarat with some deviations into the other forms of cast iron from balustrades, roof ridge cresting, fences, cemetery rotundas and statuary pavilions that is part of the heritage and significance of this wonderful regional city built on gold.
The Branch is presently compiling the many photographs and will shortly publish a book with their findings.
Images: Baird St, Eureka St, Humffray St. North, Humffray St North, and Sturt St Birds.
Branch President: Dianne Gow
For all enquires, including membership, please contact the Ballarat Branch by email on Ballarat.Branch@nattrust.com.au
