City Commemorates Eureka Stockade Anniversary

The City of Ballarat is preparing a series of commemorative events to mark the 166^th anniversary of the Eureka Stockade on 3 December 1854.

This year’s commemorative program is mostly virtual via the Eureka Centre Facebook Page to maintain a COVID-safe environment.

Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney says Eureka remains unmatched as an historical moment in Australia and has had a profound impact on our development as a democratic nation.

“Each Eureka Day we honour those who died defending their rights and liberties, as well as those who died doing their duty as police and soldiers,” he said.

Eureka Centre Ballarat, the museum based at the site of the 1854 Eureka Stockade uprising, will lead Council’s contribution to this year’s commemoration of Eureka.

5am: December 3

A video retracing the route of the Eureka Dawn Walk held in Ballarat from 1998 to 2004 will be released online.  Peter Freund, one of the original organisers, explains the history of the walk and recites some of its narration and different points along the route.

9am: December 3

Mayor Cr Daniel Moloney will lay a wreath at the Eureka Stockade site to acknowledge the Eureka fallen. His Eureka Day message will also be shared online. 

Throughout the day residents and visitors are encouraged to explore Ballarat’s rich Eureka heritage at sites including the Eureka Stockade Memorial Park, the Ballarat Old Cemetery and Bakery Hill.

For more information about the events surrounding the Eureka Stockade click here

5.30pm: December 3

The Eureka Centre is proud to present the annual Peter Tobin Oration an event that honours the significant contribution of the late Peter Tobin OAM to the commemoration and interpretation of the Eureka Stockade.

Archaeologist David Bannear will speak about the archaeology of the Eureka Stockade Memorial Park; surviving mining relics of Ballarat and other central Victorian goldfields, and their contribution to the proposed UNESCO World Heritage bid. 

The Oration will be livestreamed via the Eureka Centre’s Facebook page.

Sunday 6 November

On Eureka Sunday, 6 December, the traditional community day that marks the anniversary of Eureka, a children’s program will be presented through pre-recorded videos from 10am.

Museum educator Kellie Maddaford will present a flag design and drawing class, while a puppet show by Ballarat’s-own Rat City Players tells the story of well-known Eureka characters on a quest to find out who made the Eureka Flag (5.30pm).

For more information contact the Eureka Centre on 5333 0333