Ballarat Industrial Institute

In October 1856 a meeting was held and attended by those interested in forming the Ballarat Industrial Institute. The meeting was held in the Local Court House with J. Daly in the chair. Others present were R. Walsh, Dr Allison, and Messrs James Baker, Yates, Gillies, Stoddart, Ahrens, Coleman, and Charles Dyte. A meeting resolved:

1. That an Industrial Institute be established, and hold periodical meetings, for the exhibition of articles used in the arts and sciences in connection with the mining, manufacturing, and general interests of the district;

2. That the name of the Institute be the Ballarat Industrial Institute;

3. That application be made to government for a grant of five acres to erect a suitable building for the purposes of the Institute;

4. That the government be asked to put the sum of £3,000 on the estimates, for the purpose of erecting the building;

5. That the fee of membership be one guinea;

6. That a committee and office bearers be appointed to carry out the resolutions, to consist of a president, two vice-presidents, treasurer, and honorary secretary, and a committee of twelve.

The following were appointed office bearers: J. Daly, (president); Capt. Clarke (vice-president); R. Walshe (vice-president); R. Muir (treasurer), and John Miskelly, (hon sec). The committee were then nominated for a twelve month term: Messrs James Oddie, Evans, Yates, Baker, S. Irwin, Charles Dyte, Dr. Allison, R. Lewis, Bath, Ham, W. B. Robinson, and Gillies. The members for North Grant and North Grenville were made ex-officio members of the committee.

The purpose of the Ballarat Industrial Institute was for exhibiting productions of art and science tending to promote the mining, manufacturing agricultural and general interests of the district.

In January 1858 five acre of land was granted to the Institute. It was situated in Sturt Street opposite hospital.

Also See

Exhibitions

References

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--H. Scarpe 23:30, 3 September 2011 (EST)