Australian Centre for Democracy at Eureka
The Eureka Centre is closed for redevelopment. It is due to open during 2012 and will be renamed Australian Centre for Democracy at Eureka. Visitors are free to explore the heritage-listed Stockade Gardens, including the 1884 bluestone memorial and the 2004 Eureka Circle.
THE EUREKA STORY
In the early 1850s, the lure of gold was a magnet, drawing people from all over the world to the Victorian goldfields.
Ballarat became the new frontier, where tens of thousands of diggers worked their claims. All age groups, cultural backgrounds and some 20 nationalities were represented, turning the diggings into Australia's first vibrant multicultural community.
All diggers had to pay the dreaded licence fee and most hated what they believed to be the unjust administration of the goldfields. They had many grievances including the unfair licence system, blatant corruption amongst government officials and the lack of representation in the Parliament of Victoria.
By 1854 anger over unjust mining licence fees and the brutal officials who collected them had reached boiling point.
Simmering tensions exploded when a young Scottish digger James Scobie was murdered, in a brawl outside Bentley's Eureka Hotel. Police corruption was suspected when the culprit went free, triggering a violent protest in which the hotel was burnt to the ground.
Anti-government sentiment found a voice on November 11, 1854, when diggers formed the Ballarat Reform League, whose purpose was to seek a peaceful resolution to their grievances. The League’s charter, spelling out the political demands of the diggers, called for the abolition of the dreaded licences, beginning with a simple but vital principle;
'That it is the inalienable right of every citizen to have a voice
in making the laws that he is called on to obey,
that taxation without representation is tyranny.'
The diggers' fury was further inflamed when three men were arrested and sentenced to prison for burning down Bentley's hotel. Confrontation was inevitable.
On November 29 at Bakery Hill, 12,000 people were present when the Southern Cross flag was unfurled for the first time, becoming the symbol of their struggle. In a mood of defiance and triumph, the diggers burned their licences and fired shots into the air.
The following day, under the leadership of a young Irishman, Peter Lalor, a smaller but determined group swore the Oath;
'We swear by the Southern Cross to stand truly by each other
and fight to defend our rights and liberties'.
Taking up arms, they marched to establish their camp on the Eureka Lead, erecting barricades to form what would become the Eureka Stockade.
Sensing the air of rebellion, authorities ordered a crackdown, calling in reinforcements from Melbourne to help put down an increasingly angry mob.
After a two day stand-off, heavily armed troopers and police attacked the camp before dawn on Sunday, December 3 1854, catching the diggers unprepared.
Some 120 men were inside the stockade; outnumbered and outgunned, they were quickly overwhelmed. The fighting lasted less than an hour; over 30 people were killed.
Of those arrested following the slaughter, thirteen men were eventually charged and taken to Melbourne to be tried for treason. By 1 April, 1855 all thirteen had been freed, as no jury was willing to convict them.
Although the diggers lost the battle at the Eureka Stockade on that fateful December morning, their fight for the principle stated in the League’s charter was eventually vindicated. By June 1855, new laws abolished the gold licence system, miners were allowed to frame their own mining laws and they were given the vote and representation in the Parliament.
The clash at Eureka is a significant event in Australia’s history and is ingrained in Australia’s cultural fabric. The legend of Eureka has been immortalised in poetry, prose, music, theatre, film and art. The ‘Eureka spirit’ is commonly invoked as a synonym for democracy, the ‘fair go’ Australian-style, with the Eureka (or Southern Cross) flag as the symbol of that spirit.
The Ballarat Reform League Charter - The Charter Of Bakery Hill
This charter of basic democratic rights was ratified by the citizens of Ballarat at a meeting held on Bakery Hill, 11 November 1854, prior to the events at the Eureka Stockade.
This meeting was one of a series of increasingly large gatherings held through October and November which were addressed by a variety of Ballarat miners, many of whom had experience of chartist movements in England and Scotland. For many miners, the solution to the unjust licensing system and corrupt administration lay in securing parliamentary representation for themselves.
The language of this charter is strongly reminiscent of similar documents produced in England in the late 1840s.
The Ballarat Reform League Charter is a four-page handwritten manifesto of democratic principles and demands, presented to Governor Hotham in November 1854, a few weeks before the Eureka rebellion.
The lasting significance of the Eureka Stockade is perhaps best represented by this document. In it, a call for equal rights and representation is matched by a knowledge of the responsibility for the common good that a share in government brings. This call by the miners to have their rights recognised and valued is echoed in the egalitarian principles we still espouse today.
The Charter is a key document in Australia’s political history, and the fundamental rights it contains are enshrined in the Victorian and Australian Constitutions.
The Eureka story has long been invoked as a symbol of the struggle for an Australian-style democracy. The Charter is a powerful reminder of the influence of the Eureka legacy on Australian democratic rights and freedoms.
To this day whenever Australians reflect on the rights and freedoms granted to them by their Constitutions, they can look back to Eureka, to the Ballarat Reform League and to the Charter of Bakery Hill as the wellsprings of their democracy.
ABOUT THE HISTORIC EUREKA PRECINCT
The Eureka Stockade Gardens
The Eureka Stockade Gardens is the site set aside by the people of Ballarat East in the 1870s to acknowledge the Eureka Rebellion of 1854, an event that marks a significant step in the development of political and social democracy in Australia.
On 30 November 1854 the diggers marched to the Eureka diggings, named after the 'Eureka lead', which was a deep lead of gold being mined by the diggers, where they constructed the famous Eureka Stockade.
The Stockade itself was a makeshift wooden barricade enclosing about an acre of the goldfields. Constructed on the afternoon of Saturday 2 December, the Eureka Stockade was a four foot high breastwork of wooden slabs reinforced with carts. It enclosed about an acre of land, that was located a short distance from the charred remains of Bentley's Eureka hotel.
Inside the Stockade, some 500 diggers took an oath on the Southern Cross flag, and over the following two days they gathered firearms and forged pikes to defend the Stockade.
The 12-acre Eureka Stockade Gardens, marking the site of a seminal Australian event, contains no visible relics of the Eureka Stockade or the battle. Long recognised as an important place for contemplating and commemorating that event and its legacy, the site has also been put to a practical use as a local community recreation space in an urban area.
Below ground lies the course of the Eureka gold lead and on the north western corner is the site of the Free Trade Hotel, key determinants of the battle scene and the Eureka Stockade.
The strong possibility of buried artifacts or relics associated with the battle, its participants, and related sites gives the Eureka Stockade Gardens high archaeological significance.
The early preservation of the land as a gardens has meant that its archaeological potential has not been diminished by significant physical disturbance through urban development.
The land, any potential archaeological deposits and relics, and the various commemorative elements which trigger the public imagination are all of crucial significance to the place.
The feature of earliest date is the establishment of the Gardens (1869), followed by the Eureka Stockade Monument (1884). The Monument's site was selected by community vote. The monument was one of the earliest substantial commemorative structures erected in Victoria and continues to be a focal point for Eureka anniversaries and protests.
The Eureka Stockade Gardens Development
The Eureka Stockade Gardens is of outstanding historical significance because of its association with the Eureka Stockade and battle, an important event that is part of our country’s history. Most of the land comprising the gardens was set aside as a memorial place just 16 years after the battle.
At that time, it was considered to contain the greater portion, if not the whole, of the Stockade. Since then, it has been a place to reflect on the events and their consequences.
From 1855-69, extensive mining took place on the Eureka Stockade site. In 1869 Ballarat East Borough Council sought to confirm the battle site of the Stockade and, in commemoration, reserved the land believed to contain the greater portion, if not the entire site.
During 1884 there was a most vigorous attempt to locate the exact site of the Stockade, when a commemorative monument was proposed for the Gardens. Several hundred old-timers gathered at Eureka Street and, after heated debate, agreed to disagree and voted on a compromise site in the south-east corner of the gardens.
“After the lapse of thirty years some difficulty was at first met with the identifying of the exact site of the Stockade, and the spot on which the monument is placed was chosen by the general agreement of many of the diggers and others who were either present at the encounter between the troopers and the insurgents, or were at the time familiar with the Stockade and its surroundings” History of Ballarat - W.B.Withers (Published 1887)
In 1885 the area was officially gazetted as the Eureka Stockade, under the control of Ballarat East Borough.
Over a hundred years later The Eureka Centre, interpreting the events of 1854, was opened. Since 1998, the Centre, with its enormous Eureka sail, in the shape of a mining wind-sail, has been a Ballarat landmark. Walking trails tracing the 1854 route of the government troops from their camp to the battleground, and the miners from Bakery Hill, both end at the Eureka Stockade gardens.
During 2004, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Eureka Rebellion, the Ballarat City Council implemented a number of initiatives with the assistance of the Victorian State Government to upgrade and improve the gardens. Extensive maintenance, tree planting and landscape works were carried out.
Most recent features
The first was a specially commissioned interpretive artwork. The steel sculpture, titled “Eureka Circle”, was designed and constructed by Dr Anton Hasell and is located at the corner of Eureka and Rodier Streets.
The second addition is an exciting all-abilities access adventure playground which includes elements of the Eureka story. The playground is located in the north-east section of the gardens at the rear of The Australian Centre for Democracy at Eureka.
The Eureka Stockade Gardens provide a unique and historic setting in which to contemplate the events and significance of the Eureka Rebellion and its legacy for all Australians. The gardens also provide a venue for relaxation and recreational enjoyment of the Ballarat community, as well as being an important pilgrimage destination for both national and international visitors wishing to retrace the steps of their forbears associated with Eureka and the Ballarat goldfields.
In official acknowledgement of its historical significance the Eureka Stockade Gardens Precinct is on the Victorian Heritage Register; the Register of the National Estate; the National Trust (Victoria) Significant Tree Register. and was added to the National Heritage List on the 3rd December 2004.
Education Services
The Eureka Education staff provide background information and a program of activities that enable students to gain a deeper understanding and insight into the events leading to the Eureka Rebellion and the significant outcomes and changes that followed this important period of Australia’s social and political history.
The Eureka education programs are designed to address the requirements of the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) and also cater for the educational needs of students in other states and territories from lower primary to upper secondary level.
The unique Eureka Debate/Inquiry activity enables participating students to adopt the identity and character of one of the significant individuals associated with the Eureka Rebellion. This challenging and popular learning experience brings to life the events associated with Eureka and assists in the development of public speaking skills and an individual student’s confidence and self esteem.
The Eureka Education Coordinator can also arrange activities and information programs for non student visitors.
The most asked question!
Where was the Eureka Stockade?
We don't know exactly!
Following the Battle and over the following weeks and months, this area, known as the Eureka Lead, became a massive diggings, totally transforming the landscape.
In the 1870s, the people of Ballarat set aside these gardens to mark the site of the Stockade, in order to commemorate those who lost their lives in the pursuit of our democratic freedoms and to celebrate the men, women and children of Eureka.
Visit the Eureka Stockade Gardens
Take time to stroll through our gardens. The site was set aside by the people of Ballarat in the 1870s to mark the site of the Eureka Stockade. Visit the 1880s Monument, the 2004 Eureka Circle and the Eureka 'all-abilities' Playground, and take time to contemplate, reflect and celebrate the birthplace of the Australian spirit, the spirit of fairness and a fair go for all.
Eureka Trails
If you have extra time, consider walking the Eureka Trails.
The Trails Brochure is available free from the Visitor Information Centre in Lydiard St Nth.
You can follow the route the diggers marched to establish the Stockade or follow the trail of the troopers to the Stockade and /or also visit the significant historic Eureka sites.
Last but not least
Your Eureka experience will not be complete without:
- seeing the Eureka display at the Art Gallery of Ballarat (the original Eureka Flag usually on display at the Art Gallery is currently undergoing conservation teeatment);
- exploring the story of gold at the Gold Museum;
- visiting the Eureka Graves at the Ballarat Old Cemetery
- experiencing life as it was on the Goldfields at Sovereign Hill; and
- reliving the dramatic events of Eureka at the sound and light show, Blood on the Southern Cross at Sovereign Hill
Help us to keep the Eureka spirit alive, tell your friends about Eureka.
About Ballarat
Built on the wealth of gold, Ballarat is one of Australia’s largest inland cities and the third largest city in Victoria. Ballarat is located in western Victoria, 110 kilometres from Melbourne, at the centre of some of Victoria’s most important freight, tourist and commuter transport routes.
The City of Ballarat comprises Ballarat and the townships of Learmonth, Buninyong, Miners Rest and Cardigan Village. In all, the City of Ballarat has an area of 740 square kilometres and an estimated population of 86,000.
Ballarat is part of an area of land under the traditional custodianship of the Wathaurong people. The history of European settlement extends back to 1838 when a squatter called William Yuille camped on the shores of the Black Swamp, now known as Lake Wendouree.
It is generally accepted that the origin of the name came from two aboriginal words signifying a camping or resting place - "balla" meaning elbow or reclining on the elbow and "arat" meaning place.
In 1851, gold was discovered in Ballarat. By the following year there were around 20,000 diggers on the Ballarat Goldfields, and in 1852 Ballarat was proclaimed a town. By the 1860s, the town supported industries such as flour mills and agriculture. The arrival of rail opened up many more opportunities for shops, markets and trades, when it came through in 1862.
Ballarat is famous as the site of the 1854 Eureka Rebellion, in which gold miners, who had no representation in the colonial Parliament in Melbourne, rebelled against the perceived injustice of the gold licence checks.
The miners burned their licences, and on 3 December 1854, armed Government soldiers marched to the Eureka Stockade, where the angry miners had taken refuge.
In a matter of fifteen minutes, up to thirty miners and six Government troopers were killed. One hundred and fourteen miners were taken prisoner, but within six months, the monthly Gold Tax was abolished and miners were given the right to vote.
Award winning attractions such as Sovereign Hill, the Gold Museum and the Eureka Centre allow today’s visitors to experience what life was like in the goldfields days of the 1850s. The Art Gallery of Ballarat is home to the original Eureka flag - away for conservation until early 2011 - and has one of the country’s finest collections of Australian art.
Ballarat is one of Victoria’s premier tourist destinations attracting visitors interested in exploring our gold and architectural heritage, parks and gardens, art and cultural activities.
The Ballarat Botanical Gardens are home to the Prime Ministers’ Avenue, which contains bronze busts of each of Australia’s prime ministers, and the recently opened Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, which pays tribute to the 35,000 Australian men and women held prisoner in foreign lands in four theatres of war.
The gardens are also home to Australia’s largest collection of tuberous Begonias and the city’s annual Begonia Festival. A visit to the Ballarat Wildlife Park guarantees an exciting and rewarding experience with all the best known and loved Australian native wildlife in natural surroundings.
Ballarat is also Victoria’s second Olympic City, having hosted the rowing and canoeing events for the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. Ballarat’s Olympic Precinct, at the end of the Lake Wendouree rowing course, bears the name of all the Olympians who competed in Ballarat in 1956, as well as the names of the Ballarat residents who have represented Australia at the Olympics.
Ballarat is the gateway to the Goldfields tourist region, the spectacular Great Southern Touring Route which takes in the Grampians and the Great Ocean Road, and the Great Grape Road Touring Route which visits the wine regions of the Pyrenees, Grampians and Ballarat.
Approximately 1,393,000 domestic day trip visitors come to Ballarat each year, contributing $139 million to the local economy. Of the 1.1 million overseas visitors that come to Victoria annually, at least 13% visit Ballarat.
While Ballarat was originally a city that prospered on mineral and agricultural based resources, this has changed. Today, Ballarat is a city of industry, with well known companies such as Masterfoods, McCains Foods, FMP, Timken and Selkirk Bricks. Manufacturing, tourism, health and community services, education and retailing are now the key industries in the city.
Data processing services and some research and development organizations are relocating to regional centres such as Ballarat, and the information technology sector is emerging as a significant industry within the region. These industries, along with the banking and finance sector and government services, are strengthening Ballarat’s role as a regional service provider.
The municipality incorporates land which is part of a broader high quality farming area. The Central Highlands and Western District Statistical Division, of which Ballarat is a part, produced $1,232 million of agricultural produce in 2000, representing 18% of the total agricultural production of Victoria. Ballarat and the surrounding area is also home to approximately 500 manufacturing businesses, producing a wide range of products for local and international markets.
Ballarat is well known for its schools and hospitals which service a wide area. Its recreation facilities are also an important community asset. It has a diverse range of community groups, service clubs, sporting clubs and arts based societies and groups catering for a full spectrum of people and interests.
Events such as the Begonia Festival, the Royal South Street Competitions and major sporting events involve both local people and participants from throughout Australia.
In 2004, the 150th anniversary of the Eureka Rebellion, Australia remembered its only civil insurrection and celebrated its legacies of freedom, democracy, national identity and a fair go for all.
The battle at the Eureka Stockade in 1854 was a defining moment for Australia - an event which largely defined the Australian spirit and changed our way of life forever.
We invite you to visit our historic and vibrant city to experience for yourself all it has to offer.
Ballarat – the City that changed the Nation!
Links
www.eurekaballarat.com
www.visitballarat.com.au