Anzac spirit comes to life

AS part of the Ballarat Heritage Festival, a new exhibition will delve deeper into the lives of Ballarat’s war heroes and those who worked so hard to memorialise them.

The Honoured in Lucas display is hosted by Integra and Coltman Plaza Lucas in conjunction with the Avenue of Honour-Arch of Victory Committee.

It celebrates and tell the stories of the Lucas Girls, who conceptualised, planned and planted the Avenue.

These women, who raised the funds to build Ballarat’s most iconic structure and entrance to the avenue, the Arch of Victory, encapsulated all that the community spirit of Ballarat stands for – working together through difficult times and honouring those who have contributed to a greater cause.

World War One soldiers are not only commemorated in the Avenue of Honour in the city’s west, but in Lucas itself, where many of Ballarat’s heroes are immortalised with street names. The exhibition also tells the stories of those soldiers through digital, static and interactive displays throughout Coltman Plaza.

Nick Grylewicz, Integra director of land development, explained how visitors will be immersed in Ballarat’s amazing history.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to bring the whole family along and take in some of the history that makes the Lucas suburb so special,” he said.

“It won’t take long to find yourself immersed in the stories of the World War One soldiers, the nurses and those who were at home honouring them, and what is amazing is that as a community we are still doing that today.”

Honoured in Lucas runs until 30 May. It’s open from 7am to 10pm and is free. Visit lucasballarat.com.au/post/honored-in-lucas for more info.

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