Marking 170 years of the Eureka story

THE Eureka Centre has announced its programming for the one-hundred-and-seventieth anniversary of the birth of Australian democracy; the 1854 Eureka Stockade.

The anniversary will fall on Tuesday 3 December, with events planned for the day and the lead-up.

A Eureka Flag raising ceremony at Queen Victoria Square will launch the program at 10am on Friday 29 November, with a morning tea to follow at the Town Hall Trench Room, and visitors to the Eureka Centre can enter for free from Friday to Tuesday.

The annual free Eureka Sunday celebration and concert will be held on 1 December from 1pm to 4pm at Eureka Stockade Memorial Park, before a commemorative service and the Peter Tobin Oration on Tuesday.

“Eureka is a great Australian foundational story that speaks to our national values,” said City of Ballarat mayor, Cr Des Hudson.

“But it has a special, more personal significance to the people of Ballarat. We feel a close connection to those who were involved in this tragic event, annually gathering to honour their sacrifice and the legacy of their struggle.

“Eureka lives on in Ballarat, finding expression throughout our enterprising, energetic and inclusive community. It is the essence of who we are.

“It is important we keep that legacy alive, which is why I am pleased to see that this program of events truly has something for everyone.

“We can all embody the spirit of Eureka and stand up to injustice.”

Eureka Sunday live music will be provided by the Shane Howard Band and the Emma Donovan Duo.

Known as the lead singer-songwriter of band Goanna, Howard is the great-grandson of arrested Eureka rebel and Irishman Patrick Howard.

Patrick Howard was discharged because of a lack of evidence following his arrest at Eureka.

The commemorative service reflecting on the Eureka Rebellion will be held at the Eureka Stockade Monument on Tuesday 3 December at 8am, with a breakfast to follow.

That evening at the Mining Exchange from 6pm, bestselling author Peter FitzSimons, and historian and broadcaster Professor Clare Wright will deliver the Peter Tobin Oration on why Eureka matters, before they speak with ABC Ballarat’s Steve Martin on Eureka’s significance and legacy.

Throughout the anniversary program, Peter Freund will lead Eureka Park walking tours, beginning at the Eureka Memorial on the corner of Eureka Street and Stawell Street South.

The Ballarat Town Hall clock and fountains at Lake Wendouree and Eureka Stockade Memorial Park will be illuminated blue from 29 November until 3 December.

Visit eurekacentreballarat.com.au/eureka170 for the full program.