Lucas: The new suburb steeped in history

of Ballarat’s newest suburbs, Lucas, was named by developers Integra Group and the City of Ballarat to honour the effort of those who commemorated the fallen.

The areas is home to one of Ballarat’s most distinguished historic landmarks – the nationally renowned Avenue of Honour.

The Avenue was conceptualised, planned and planted by Eleanor Lucas and the Lucas Girls.

Mrs Lucas started her textiles company with her daughters and 20 employees in 1888. What set out as a home-based business eventually grew to employ 500 women by 1917.

The Lucas Girls came to encapsulate all that the community spirit of Ballarat stands for – working together through difficult times, honouring those who have contributed to a greater cause, and a get up and go attitude.

Between 1917 and 1919, the Lucas Girls raised money to buy and plant almost 4000 trees to honour all the local men who enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces during the First World War.

The group’s commitment to raise money during tough times and plant thousands of trees on weekends showed a strength and determination that is admirable.

Ballarat’s Avenue of Honour stretches for 22km and set a standard that has not been surpassed.

The Lucas Girls were also instrumental in the construction of the Arch of Victory. The Girls raised a large sum of money to pay for the construction of the Arch and were honoured to attend the official opening in June 1920 by the Prince of Wales.

The naming of Lucas is another example of how the Integra Group are drawing on the best Ballarat has to offer – true community spirit and values.

All the streets within Lucas are all named after soldiers commemorated on the Avenue established by the Lucas Girls.

There’s a story behind the Coltman brothers, who gave their name to Coltman Plaza, Lucas.

Major Charles Stanley Coltman and his older brother Percy Edgar Coltman both served in Gallipoli, with Charles receiving a Military Medal for his effort.

They were both evacuated to Egypt and Charles, unfortunately, died in January 1916 of pneumonia in Cairo at age 38. Charles is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery.

Percy went on to serve in Pozieres, France, where he was killed in August 1916 aged 44. He left behind his wife and young family, and sadly has no known grave, but is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux in France.

Lilburne Street is named after Lieutenant Arthur Melville Lilburne who as a mathematics teacher enlisted in February 1916.

He was evacuated to England in August 1917 after suffering a gunshot wound to his hand. He returned to the battlefield where he earned a Military Cross due to his gallantry and devotion to duty at Verbrandenmolen Ridge on 11 March 1918.

Lieutenant Lilburne was again evacuated to England in July 1918 and passed away on 11 July 1918 aged only 31. He is buried with full military honours in the Australian section of the Brookwood Military Cemetery in England.