Population 2,774 (2011 census) LGA(s) Shire of Moorabool Ballan Myrniong Postal code 3342 Federal division Division of Ballarat | Postcode(s) 3342 State electorate(s) Buninyong Elevation 442 m Local time Wednesday 11:36 AM | |
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Location 32 km (20 mi) SE of Ballarat
69 km (43 mi) NW of Melbourne Weather 27°C, Wind E at 13 km/h, 26% Humidity | ||
Ballan /bəˈlæn/ is a small town in the state of Victoria, Australia located on the Werribee River, 78 kilometres (48 mi) northwest of Melbourne. At the 2011 census, Ballan had a population of 2,774.
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Map of Ballan VIC 3342, Australia
It is the main administrative centre for the Shire of Moorabool local government area.
During the Victorian Gold Rush, it became an important staging point for coaches travelling to the Ballarat goldfields.
History
The area around Ballan was part of the tribal area of the Wautharong people, part of the Kulin nation. The area was rich in fauna, including kangaroo, kangaroo rats, bandicoots, dingos, and two species of native cat. Many species had vanished by the end of the 19th century, with European settlement.
The first European settlers crossed Bass Strait landing near Geelong and worked their way up the Moorabool River with their sheep flocks. Robert von Steiglitz first settled the area in 1838; he named the area after Ballan in Ireland. Other early settler names included Cowie, Stead, Wallace and Egerton.
There were clashes between indigenous Australians and white settlers during settlement. Robert von Steiglitz stated in his journal
"… it may be questioned by some feather-bed philanthropist whether we had the right to take the country from the blacks but I believe the general rule is that if people cultivate or graze the land they have a claim to it. These creatures did neither …".
Gold was found in the area in 1851, which brought an influx of prospectors during the Victorian Gold Rush. The Ballan Hotel dates from the gold rush period in 1851. The town became an important staging point for coaches travelling to the Ballarat goldfields. The post office in the township opened around September 1853, although two earlier offices in the area were named Ballan.
Ballan Primary School was established on 8 January 1855.
The first Mechanics' Institute in Ballan was built in 1861, with the current Mechanics' Institute built on land purchased in 1881, although the façade was demolished and rebuilt in 1922. The building houses the library for the town and a hall.
St Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Ballan was officially opened in July 1866.
On the 15 November 2003, a Sprinter train travelling to Ballarat was derailed between Ballan and Gordon, injuring 61 people when it hit a stationary vehicle on a country railway crossing.
Transport
The main form of transport in Ballan is the automobile. The Western Freeway bypasses the town, but is located nearby and connects Ballan to Melbourne in the east and Ballarat to the west. The main road into town, the Old Melbourne Road (Old Inglis Street), is also the main street. Another main road is the Geelong Ballan Road, which connects Ballan to Geelong.
Ballan railway station is a passenger-only station and the Ballarat V/Line rail service VLocity trains stop approximately hourly with a 55-59 minute journey to the state's regional railway hub Southern Cross station in Melbourne - or 20-25 minute journey to Ballarat. Being on the Serviceton line trains stopping at the station give Ballan access via Ballarat to regional services including the Ararat V/Line rail service, the Mildura line as far as Maryborough and connecting bus services. The town centre is only a three-block walk from the station.
VLine coaches also regularly stop in Ballan en route from Ballarat to Melbourne, and shuttle buses run from the post office to Tullamarine Airport. Ballan Bus Lines also a weekday bus service to Daylesford.
The local taxi service is based from Melton.
Sport
The town has an Australian rules football team competing in the Central Highlands Football League.
The Ballan Cricket Club currently has 2 Senior and 3 Junior teams competing in the Ballarat Cricket Association. The seniors in BCA 2nd grade & One day C grade whilst the Juniors are U12 in the MJCA, U13 & U16 with the BCA. The club has been back with the BCA since the 2005/06 season after 14 years in the Daylesford & District Cricket Association.
The Ballan Bowling Club currently fields three pennant teams in the Ballarat District Bowls Division.
Golfers play at the Ballan Golf Club on Blow Court.