Ballarat East Town Hall Gardens
We know that once this belonged to Ballarat East. It was in Barkly Street, on the north end, on the East side, and faced Main Road.
And how it contributed to the growth and democracy of our beautiful Ballarat East. And how it was the very centre of the Ballarat East civic centre that included a library, police station, fire station, while nearby was the train station, private hospital and then on Main Road all the shops, pubs, hostels and joss houses.
However since that time many changes have been made. The Town Hall demolished (replaced by a school, now the senior campus of Ballarat Secondary College), the police station demolished, a fire decided the fate of many enterprises in Main Road. So what now? Who can use it? Who owns it? Who will take care of it? Why aren’t we celebrating it? Why doesn’t it appear in our tourism information? What shall we do? Was it demolished in the move to obliterate Ballarat East (or is the chip on my shoulder getting bigger?)
Tags:civic centre
Having sold a farm in Ballan we have just moved into Ballarat East. What a beautiful place. On one of my morning walks I discovered the Ballarat East Town Hall Gardens. This could be a beautiful place tucked away out of sight however in very neglected.So much rubbish and graffeti. How can it be cleaned up and cared for? I would love to help. Is anyone interested?
Thanks Roger.
The gardens are in desperate need of help and support, and there is an issue of the school grounds being ‘sold’ or ‘handed back’.
More info here:
http://ballarateast.net/ballarat-east-town-hall-gardens-considered-suplus/
Also let your views be known as part of the Imagine Ballarat East survey here: http://mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au/ballarat-east-urban-project/survey_tools/imagine_ballarat_east_march2016
Please make contact with the council, we need someone to lead on this issue.
Thanks
I’m also keen to have these gorgeous gardens preserved and protected, and even cleaned up a fair bit!
i would love it if someone would organise a day to do a clean up and get rid of the rubbish for a start. It is a lovely area.
It takes many hands, would you like to organise that David? We can promote it here. Cheers
[…] Future of the old Ballarat East Town Hall Gardens. The Courier made the public announcement here: http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/2760660/ballarat-secondary-colleges-barkly-campus-to-close/ However we had announced it much earlier: http://ballarateast.net/ballarat-east-town-hall-gardens-considered-suplus/ You can see more of the gardens here: http://ballarateast.net/ballarat-east-town-hall-gardens/ […]
And another…
Monday 1 August 1864
The conversion of the manure-depot-like waste in front of the Ballarat East Town Hall into ornamental gardens is fast coming about. The ground has been
formed, and manure and black soil are now being thrown down in readiness for the gardener proper, whose task it will be to lay out the beds, borders,
and paths, which together will make a very pretty place of the late hideous wilderness of holes, hills, and debris. A broad level terrace in front of the
hall will be approached by a wide flight of stone steps leading from the gardens, and another flight of steps will afford access from Barkly street to the
terrace. This latter approach will always be open, but gates will close the other approaches. A hand-some fence will enclose the gardens, running along
the edge of the terrace and the boundaries of the gardens all round. Large carriage-way gates will be erected at the bottom in the right-of way, and side gates for the admission, of pedestrians will also be erected, the Barkly street side of the fence being painted in bronze color. The whole improvements when finished, will be a very pleasant addition to the attractions of the Eastern borough.
. http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/66346892?searchTerm=%22Ballarat%20East%20Town%20Hall%22%20%22garden%22&searchLimits=l-textSearchScope=*ignore*%7C*ignore*|||l-title=189|||l-word=*ignore*%7C*ignore*
Hi Melissa,
I was wondering if you have any early photos of the Gardens, looking for the Glasshouse and fernery. I have been working in the gardens getting the ivy out of the trees and doing a general tidy up, it is a step in the right direction.
Will be interesting to see what BGT do in the gardens,
they were taking through a group of landscape gardeners
last week, Regards Bob
Here’s a little something I just found on Trove:
Friday 23 September 1864
The improvements in the reserve at the Ballarat East Town Hall are now all but com
pleted. On the 7th inst, the mayor (Mr J. Fussell) and various councillors, planted valuable trees therein.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/66348309?searchTerm=%22Ballarat%20East%20Town%20Hall%22%20%22garden%22&searchLimits=l-textSearchScope=*ignore*%7C*ignore*|||l-title=189|||l-word=*ignore*%7C*ignore*
I walk through here regularly with my pram on the way into town. I’m also setting a few parts of my novel here (if dates prove to match). I love this area. My partners ancestor was born in a pub on the corner (now the chinese restaurant) and I have a few images you might find useful. Will email them through.
That would be fabulous Melissa. It’s such a beautiful place, we need to share it to protect it. Thanks Erin
[…] Ballarat East Town Hall Gardens […]
I think in the 70’s or 80’s … that’s 19, not 18! … a perfumed garden was planted somewhere there as part of a sensory garden for people’s pleasure. Each time I walk through the area I think how great it would be if Horticultural students from the Senior Campus could undertake projects in that beautiful space and Drama students make use of the outdoor theatre … but, too late for that with the demise of the Senior Campus … an area to keep an eye on, especially if the site falls into the hands of developers.
A well hidden gem. I must call in and have a wander.
These gardens & property looked just beautiful in its day. We walk through there all the time as a shortcut into town – lovely area and yes ….. why don’t we recognise and celebrate this (once) beautiful place!!
Margaret & Martin, King Street Sth, BE