Eureka’s new memorial walk revealed

THE region now has another commemorative space to mark the events of the Eureka Stockade following the launch of the Pathway of Remembrance.

Located at the Eureka Centre, path was unveiled last Friday and memorialises the 35 men who lost their lives during the Eureka Stockade in 1854.

City of Ballarat mayor Cr Daniel Moloney said the space offered a way to personalise the stories of those who died.

“This gives us the chance to see their names, to acknowledge where they came from and their line of work,” he said.

“It’s important we keep this story alive through to the next generation.

“This is another new important addition to the story of Eureka and we all as residents of Ballarat, [and] citizens of Australia, enjoy the democracy that was forged in this location.”

The gravel path stretches out from Eureka Circle and is dotted with snow gums, eucalyptus trees, information panels and a plaque.

With those who died at the Eureka Stockade came from many different backgrounds and Eureka Australia president Eric Howard said it was the catalyst for change across the country.

“They were effectively martyrs for democracy, and what came out of it was a Victoria that said this isn’t good enough, we have to fix and change things,” he said.

“This led to a miner’s right, a secret ballot, suffrage, a whole lot of things that led the world in many instances in terms of procedures, processes and everyone getting their say which is what good democracy is all about.”

Costing $18,000, the Pathway of Remembrance was a joint project by the City of Ballarat and the counties of some of them people who died during the battle.

Irish ambassador Tim Mawe was a special guest at the event and said the ideals borne from the Eureka Stockade are equally relevant to his country.

“There’s something particular about Ireland and the contribution we made at Eureka that we should not forget and it’s great that the City of Ballarat, the Eureka Centre, Eureka committee are not forgetting,” he said.

“They’re remembering not just the events that happened but it’s the values behind it that are being brought forward and that’s important and they’re values that Ireland associates with.”