ABOUT HOME FRONT BALLARAT WW1
THE PROJECT
In an attempt to rectify the lack of recognition of the work done by volunteers, especially those volunteers from Ballarat and surrounding districts, a research project was undertaken by members of the Ballarat and District Genealogical Society to locate details of those volunteers and the work which they did during World War 1. That data, along with material about the organisations which were formed and the locations in which they worked can be found on this website.
The Commonwealth Grant for this project came from the Ballarat electorate, and this suggested that the Society should provide some coverage for a broader area than the small historic area of urban Ballarat. In many regards it is the wider district history that offers the colour to this project. Thus the project attempts to re-frame the understanding of the role of Ballarat and district at a community level during World War 1.
This project identifies birth, death, marriage and other information for each person, mainly gleaned from Victorian BDM Indexes and electoral rolls, but many other local resources were equally valuable. It was often difficult to establish all of the evidence required and in some cases the results are as good as the evidence permitted.
The data is contained in a searchable database and individual entries will appear on 'cards.' Information about organisations and locations can be accessed from the homepage under About.
The Ballarat and District Genealogical Society Inc. gratefully acknowledges the provision of an Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program Commemorative Grant from the Commonwealth Government. The provision by the Art Gallery of Ballarat of the oil painting, Leaving for the Front by Dora Meeson is also acknowledged. Permission to use images from the Australiana Collection, Ballarat Public Libraries and to reproduce documents under copyright from the City of Ballarat held at the Ballarat Archives Centre, Public Record Office Victoria, was expedited, much to our satisfaction. University of Melbourne Archives offered very useful support. Max Harris, Les Holloway, Phil Roberts and Bruce Price generously permitted the use of images for this project. The keepers of Federation University Australia Historical Collection, Geoffrey Blainey Research Centre, Mount Helen and Ballarat Historical Society collection held at the Gold Museum as well as the Royal South Street Society and Learmonth & District Historical Society also granted permission to allow electronic publication of selected images. Photographs from family collections have been acknowledged with the images.
Alphaville Publishing Services have once more exceeded expectations by manipulating the content to create a website which is not only beautifully designed, but is also one with sophisticated functionality. Their sterling support has provided the most up to date technological foundation to this project. Appreciation is recorded of the assistance of Society members, Jennifer Burrell (Electronic Publication), Max Duthie, Helen Mollison, Shirley Pritchard, Carmel Reynen, Ben Schueddekopf, Betty Slater, and Project Coordinator Graeme Reynolds, as well as those who provided valuable feedback as the project came to fruition.