Free entry to Eureka to mark milestone

THIS December, one hundred and sixty-five years will be marked since the Eureka Stockade.

In recognition of the anniversary, the Eureka Centre will be free to enter from Sunday, 1 to Tuesday 3, December, offering a program of events for the community as well as access to the museum and iconic Eureka Flag.

Anthony Camm, Eureka Centre Manager is looking forward to welcoming a wide cross section of visitors who appreciate the history of Eureka and Ballarat.

“Each year people from around the country come to Ballarat to mark the anniversary of the Eureka Stockade,” he said.

“This year we are expecting to host many more people who will join in the diverse program of events planned to mark the 165th anniversary, including Eureka Sunday.”

Mr Camm said something is planned for everyone.

The Community Day on Eureka Sunday will see family fun in the Eureka Stockade Memorial Park from 10.30am, with the public invited to bring a picnic and enjoy face painting, a petting zoo, food trucks and activities by Sovereign Hill.

Live music from 12pm will be provided by The Hardies Hillbillies and Freya Josephine Hollick.

Whether the Eureka Flag should live at the Art Gallery of Ballarat or the Eureka Centre will be debated in the auditorium. A contest between the Ballarat Reform League Charter or the Eureka Flag being the preeminent Eureka artefact will also take place in the same room.

Five-minute soapbox responses will follow from the audience. Those interested in addressing either debate can email [email protected] no later than Friday, 15 November, state which question interests them, their stance and what they’d cover in the five minutes.

A service on Tuesday, 3 December at 9am in the Eureka Stockade Memorial Gardens will honour those who lost their lives in the 1854 conflict. A complimentary breakfast will follow.

Visit facebook.com/eurekacentreballarat for more information.