Ballarat

Distinguished and Famous people from Ballarat

Ballarat's history has been shaped by people who mined it, argued over its government and wrote its story. The city has also produced sporting careers with a much wider geographical reach.

🤝 Peter Lalor

Peter Lalor came to Ballarat as a goldminer and emerged as a leader during the conflict over mining licences and political rights. He was wounded at the Eureka Stockade in December 1854 and subsequently had an arm amputated. Within a year he was elected to the Legislative Council for Ballarat. The change from hunted insurgent to elected representative makes his local story one of the most striking turns in Victoria's political history.

📚 William Bramwell Withers

William Bramwell Withers tried his luck on the Ballarat diggings but found a more lasting occupation in journalism. He worked for the Ballarat Times and Star, documenting the growing goldfield town. For his History of Ballarat, first published in 1870, he spent years gathering information from pioneers and witnesses to Eureka. He also helped establish the Mechanics' Institute and was a champion local bowler. His pen proved a more dependable instrument than his prospecting tools.

🏃 Steve Moneghetti

Ballarat-born Steve Moneghetti competed at four successive Olympics between 1988 and 2000. His Commonwealth marathon medals progressed from bronze at Edinburgh to silver at Auckland and gold in Canada in 1994. At Berlin in 1990 he set a personal best of 2:08:16. After his racing career he took on leadership roles with Australian Commonwealth Games teams, extending his involvement from the course to the organisation and support of other athletes.