2021 marks the 150th anniversary of the production of the Ballaarat steam engine by Victoria Foundry in 1871 - the first 3ft, 8in gauge locomotive built in Australia.

This year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the City of Ballarat following the merging of Ballarat East and Ballarat West townships on 25 May 1921. 

To mark ANZAC Day 2021 we honour the service of Australian and New Zealand nurses who served in both World Wars, including Ballarat-born nurse, Major Alice Ross-King.

Ballarat has the unique distinction of being the place where the first recorded Australian Rules Football match played by women was held.

In 1865 that the people of Ballarat were to have their most notable encounter with the American Civil War when officers from the Confederate warship CSS Shenandoah visited the city.

William Collard Smith was one of Ballarat’s prominent early citizens. He was a land agent, mining speculator, Mayor of Ballarat and a Member of State Parliament.

Alice Ann Cornwell was an English industrialist, mine speculator, entrepreneur and newspaper owner.

Ballarat Punch was a satirical publication which contained funny cartoons and drawings, satirical articles which made fun of local public figures, and provided a chiding moral commentary on everyday life.

Marie Collier (1927-1971) was a Ballarat-born opera soprano. She was born on 16 April 1927 to Thomas Robinson Collier, a railway employee, and Anne Marie (nee Bechaz).