Ballarat Libraries acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we live, work, learn and play on. Within the City of Ballarat boundaries, the Wadawurrung People are the Traditional Owners south of the Great Dividing Range and to the north the Dja Dja Wurrung People are the Traditional Owners. We recognise their continuing connection to the land and waterways and the rich history of tens of thousands of years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and storytelling.

Australiana Research Collection

The Australiana Research Collection is the City of Ballarat’s extensive collection of historic books, public and private records, newspapers, maps, plans and indexes. It is housed at Ballarat Research Hub at Eureka (BRHAE).

BRHAE presents the combined resources and services of the City of Ballarat’s Australian Research Collection, the Public Record Office, Victoria’s Ballarat Archives Centre and the Ballarat and District Genealogical Society.

BRHAE’s Australiana Research Librarian is available to assist researchers, whether new or experienced, to access the hard-copy and digital collections and to develop research skills.

Ballarat Historical Society

The Ballarat Historical Society was formed in 1933 as a not-for-profit organisation. Its aims are to preserve and store items of local historical importance and to encourage and facilitate research into the history of Ballarat.

Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute

Ballarat’s Independent Home of Arts, Culture, and Literature. Established in 1859, membership to Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute (BMI) gives access to its lending library and heritage books and archives, and discounts on events and hire. All are welcome to visit for tours, cultural events and exhibitions.

Eureka Centre Ballarat

The Eureka Centre explores the social history and cultural impact of the Victorian gold rush and honour the stories of the men and women who risked their lives in the fight for miners’ rights. It is located at the Eureka Stockade Memorial Park, considered to be the site of the 1854 Eureka Stockade where the rebellion took place. It is home to one of Australia’s most compelling historic artefacts – the Eureka Flag.

Sovereign Hill

Experience the magic and adventure of the gold rush era at Sovereign Hill. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of the 1850s at this open-air museum and experience a variety of great events running throughout the year.

Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections

Sovereign Hill have an incredible collection of over 150,000 historical objects at the Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections. Delve deep into the collections, stories, practices, and ideas that have shaped us, and inspire us towards a better future.

Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre

The Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Melbourne Museum contains one of the world’s most significant collections of cultural heritage items, holds regular talks, exhibitions and special events, and features extensive educational materials and information sheets on its website.

Collection highlight

Ballarat Theatre Royal’s historic playbills

History of the Theatre Royal 

Ballarat’s Theatre Royal opened in 1858 on Sturt Street.  It was world renowned and alongside its own resident actors, musicians, and crew, the theatre attracted many internationally acclaimed performers. The Royal was popular, colourful, and lively, and hosted the Prince of Wales on a royal visit in 1867. The final curtain fell in 1877 and the theatre was sadly destroyed by fire in 1899. Throughout the lifetime of the Theatre Royal, Ballarat was home to people from all over the globe, and attending the theatre was a popular form of entertainment for all social classes. 

What is a playbill? 

Ballarat Libraries are fortunate to hold a collection of 27 playbills advertising performances at the Theatre Royal. Historically, playbills were widely used to promote entertainment to the public. They were printed and distributed, mostly being fixed to the side of buildings, doors, and walls in public spaces. It was customary to layer over previous posters and playbills, creating a collage of advertisements. This practice meant the playbills were eventually lost beneath layers of paper, making this collection unique and valuable.  

Ballarat Libraries’ Collection 

This collection of original playbills provides insight into the lives of those living in Ballarat in the 1850s-1870s and offers a glimpse into the lively world that was gold rush Ballarat. The playbills are from Ballarat Libraries’ Heritage Collection and their provenance is, unfortunately, unknown. 

Ballarat Libraries advises this material is part of our heritage collection— it provides evidence of past attitudes and contains information which may be culturally insensitive. It may include words and terms which are offensive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a record of the past and it should be viewed and interpreted in that context. It may include images and names of deceased people. This material does not reflect the views of Ballarat Libraries. 

Browse this collection here.

Local history books

Online resources

Sands & McDougall’s directories (1860-1974)

Sands & McDougall’s Directories are a selection of historic street directories for Melbourne and suburbs. From 1902 onwards, the directories also cover regional Victoria, including Ballarat.