Ercildoune: The Story of a Pastoral Station
Dates: June 10, 2009 to January 2011
Set on 73,000 acres of land located 30 km from Ballarat, Ercildoune station is a site of local and national importance for its role in the development of pastoralism. Its history stretches from 1838 to the present day, and for over 50 years, it was world renowned for the production of high quality merino wool.
This exhibition was inspired by the recent acquisition of a number of account books and photographs, generously donated by former owner Jack Briody. It also features a number of significant items from the Currie Art Collection, on loan from the Ballarat Art Gallery. These include rare books, paintings, Asian artefacts and the Ercildoune Visitor Book.
Ned Kelly: Fact and Fiction
Dates: June 14, 2010 to August 29 2010
Ned Kelly: Fact and Fiction traces the story of the young man who gained notoriety as leader of the Kelly Gang, vowing to fight the authorities on behalf of the poor and oppressed, before he was captured and hanged in 1880. Kelly’s story is told through the places and people that shaped the man and the legend. Historic and contemporary photographs feature along with a replica of the armour worn by gang member Joe Byrne and various Kellyana souvenirs and advertising material bearing the famous Kelly icon.
A travelling exhibition developed and presented by the National Museum of Australia, Canberra.
Ballarat the Beautiful: Promoting Tourism to the City Built on Gold
Dates: 5 July to 17 October 2010
Travel guides, photographs and advertisements from Ballarat, 1870 to 1930. Presented by the Ballarat Historical Society.
Travel guides are a fascinating insight into the mindset of the people promoting Ballarat as both a tourist destination and a place in which to invest in industry. There is a remarkable confidence and obvious pride in the standing of the city that represents a carryover from the wealth and prominence of the city in the nineteenth century, right up to the Federation vote. The Beautiful Ballarat guides are a fascinating window on a supremely confident and strident city out there promoting itself. The guides refer to Ballarat as ‘Australia’s most beautiful city’, and there is a wonderful tour itinerary promoted in 1905 that suggests you would need at least six days to work your way through the its many attractions.
Yours in Haste: A Brief History of Postcards
Dates: 5 July to 17 October 2010
Presenting the City of Ballarat Postcard Collection
The Yours in Haste exhibition shows postcards of Ballarat dating from the early 1900s through to the 1940s. You can sense the changing face of the city as the motor car is introduced and different fashions come and go. All the main tourist attractions are there, as well as less likely attractions such as the big snow falls of the early 1900s. Two hundred postcards are on view, grouped together in several themes. This the first time the City of Ballarat’s postcard collection has been exhibited. There is also information for those interested in postcard collecting!