Tales from the Inside

Three buildings have dominated our skyline and streetscape for as long as we can remember.  But what do you know about them? Did you know how Minerva got her groove back? Did you know someone once called the Train Station home? Did you know this is our third Town Hall building?

City of Ballarat has launched - The Inside Story (#tisBallarat) – an initiative supported though funding from the Australian Government’s Sharing Community Heritage Stories Program.

The project is about collecting and sharing the social history of these three iconic heritage buildings, and telling their tales for all at Ballarat Heritage Weekend in May 2014. Three short films will be produced to celebrate the stories of the Ballarat Town Hall, Ballarat Train Station and the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and screened at the 2014 Ballarat Heritage Weekend.

City of Ballarat Destination and Economy Portfolio Councillor Samantha McIntosh said the project would celebrate the life, colour and movement of these buildings and their eventful histories.

“We want the community to contribute by sharing their stories, the stories of their elders, rumours they may have heard, photographs and even film taken over time.”

“Through a website and some recording days, residents and visitors can share their own memories of the life that has occurred in these buildings.”

“Perhaps you did your exams in the A Hall? Did you see films at the Vegas? Did you welcome your son back from the war at the Station? Stories, from then and now, will be added to an online artefact, to share them and give us a sense of the colour of life of these buildings over the years.”

“This is such a fabulous project that will lift the lids of these buildings and share the life within them over the years. Already we have found some interesting facts that will really make these buildings sing.”

You don’t need to be a historian or an architect, you just have to be curious and have a story to tell, or help others to tell their stories.

There are three ways to share your story, visit City of Ballarat to find out more.