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Published: March 1st 2015
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Remembrance Drive
This memorial was built after WW1 and marks the beginning of Remembrance Drive Sunday, 22nd February 2015 A nice easy morning today and just after 0930 we drove into Ballarat about 8kms away from the caravan park. The road into town is named Remembrance Drive and it is lined with trees on both sides of the road, each with a plaque recognising a soldier who served in World War 1. It is 22kms long and has 3912 trees planted as an Avenue of Honour. Of these 528 were killed during or from their wounds.
Our destination was the Sovereign Hill Outdoor Museum. This tells the story of the goldrush at Ballarat after the discovery of gold in 1851. Covering 25 hectares of a former gold mining site it has some of the original buildings still standing plus period replica buildings to make a village of the time. Activities such as gold panning, mine tours, gold pouring, wheel wrighting, candle making, steam engines, musket firing and sweet making to name but a few, take place at various times.We spent nearly 5 hours walking around and enjoying the activities, the day being a little different as because it was Chinese New Year and many Chinese were involved in the rush, the local
Sovereign Hill
We spent all day in this fascinating place. Chinese association had organized activities such as a Lion Dance. The majority of the crowd appeared to be of Chinese descent.
A late lunch at the New York cafe was had and we were served by ladies wearing the long dresses of the gold rush era. Our next stop was the Gold Museum across the way. Here we learned of the history of gold in ancient times, how it became the symbol of wealth and the discovery of gold in Australia. Many nuggets were on display, including some real ones donated to the museum. Some of the more recent ones were discovered using metal detectors.
By the time we returned to camp we felt we could do with a freshen up in the park pool and spa, following which we relaxed with our laptops and a drink outside the van.
Monday, 23rd February 18, 2015 We had a relaxing morning which included getting some washing done before we headed into Ballarat. We went to Camera House to see if the problem with Judy’s camera could be fixed, only to be told that an 8-year life for that camera was a good one!
Wendouree Lake
One of the opulent houses facing the lake. The camera technician there wasn't a pushy saleman, he just explained what the problem was and what he did when he had a similar problem. He gave us a quote for a new camera body and left us to it.
We left, shopped for some sandals for Rags, had a coffee, and decided to follow his advice and buy one. We checked prices and as he was the most competitive Judy now has a new camera.
A trip to nearby Wendouree Lake had us going for a walk between rain showers. This lake is used as a reservoir for treated storm water, which is later used to irrigate other ovals in the town. Sculling and sailing are the main activities here with both government and private schools having facilities set up for them.
From here we visited the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial located in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. This records the names of more than 35,000 Australian POWs. The lists of names on the memorial are arranged in alphabetical order, grouped by conflict, commencing with the Boer War on the left through to the Korean War and are etched into the 130m long black granite wall.
You can see this in our photos - quite a powerful reminder of this large group of people!
The area around Lake Wendouree seemed to have even more opulent housing along the perimeter than what we saw on Remembrance Drive.
As the rain appeared to have set in we made our way back to the van. There had been some heavy rain here but as we had hung the washing under the awning when we saw rain threatening, all was well.
Judy tried her hand with the Thermomix and for dinner we had a tasty mix of onion, tomato and capsicum sauce on steak and topped with a poached egg, with a side salad.
The evening was spent with the aircon on heating mode whilst we worked on our laptops. What a contrast to what it was a few nights ago!
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Thelma Dyer
non-member comment
Ballarat
Great to read your Blog and am pleased all is going well. I remember driving through the Rememberance Ave. many years ago. Is it Ballerat that has the Jaceranda Festival.Because I remember going through there when the Jacerander trees were in bloom.But my memory could be out of whack !! It sounds like you had a good look around and be honest Rags and bring the Gold Ingot home !! THe homes look very opulent next to the Lake. Glad to hear from you today Judy and I am glad you have made it safely to Tasmania. I'll be looking forward to the next Blog.!! I tried ringing your Dad, Judy, but he wasn't home, so he will have to wait till I remember to phone him again. Love Mum xx