Ballarat

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BALLARAT

Official blazon

Origin/meaning

The arms were granted on May 10, 1956.

The five stars on a blue field alludes to the miners' flag with the Southern Cross flown at Bakery Hill on 29 November 1854, four days before the Eureka Stockade battle. This flag heralded an Australian nationalism, and formed the basis for the subsequent national flag.

The crossed oars refer to Lake Wendourie as a rowing centre, especially as the venue for rowing events in the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.

The fleece and cogwheel refer respectively to rural and industrial activities in the local economy, while the lyre denotes the City's promotion of the Arts, including competitions in music of the Royal South Street Society. In the Crest the trident refers both to Britannia, and to aquatic sports, while the wattle celebrates Australia and the begonia acknowledges the local Begonia Festival. The supporters allude to the part played by gold miners in the early years, and the consolidation of the City and district by farmers, many of whom had first been miners.