A panoramic view of historic Sebas

THE late historian Arthur Jenkins lived in Sebastopol from his birth in 1915 until his death in 2009.

At 60 years of age, he became a painter, and in 1989 he challenged himself to paint a panorama of Sebastopol as it was in the 19th century, with its many mines, pubs, cottages, and churches.

This large artwork is in the care of Sebastopol Historical Society Museum, but it will now be seen by many more borough locals with a large print reproduction hung in the Sebastopol Library.

The work was unveiled last Friday, and SHS president Bruce Harris said Jenkins’ knowledge of Sebastopol’s mining history, and evolution, was “second to none.”

“It’s a seminal piece for me because it not only provides answers, it raises so many questions,” Mr Harris said.

“I’m quite fascinated that when people look at it, they get themselves orientated, and figure out where things are… like the horse drawn tram shed, which is on the site of the St James church.

“There’s a mine in the school ground, the fire brigade building has moved. When people look at the panorama, they discover something new and get a picture of where we are today.”

Mr Harris said the society is “100 per cent behind” any initiatives that promote and expose Sebastopol’s story in this way and that the artwork will spark the curiosity of library visitors.

“This gives people a bit of a lift,” he said. “It’s something that should give people pride of place, and more awareness of the historic buildings that were such a vital part of the evolution of Sebas.

“To get this in the library is so uplifting for everybody, and I hope they’ll come and have a look. You could spend half an hour looking at it.”

Discover Historic Sebastopol project coordinator Kate Owen said a strong partnership has been developed between the society, the Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre, and the Sebastopol Library.

“This has brought this project to fruition, where people can see the artwork in a public space, appreciate it, and explore it,” she said.

“It’s been a grassroots thing, as members of the community suggested to me that it would be great to see the painting more broadly available.”

The project has been supported by the Spotlight on Sebastopol program, funded by Regional Development Victoria.

“As part of Discover Historic Sebastopol, we will continue to focus more on developing materials that will be shared with the broader Sebastopol community,” Ms Owen said.