The reunion will be held at the Ballarat East Bowling Club from 2pm.

Organiser John Zeegers said there had been a lot of interest from former staff now living in places like Queensland and New South Wales.

“We’re hoping for a big crowd and I’m sure it will be a great day,” Mr Zeegers said.

The original Ballarat Asylum was established in 1877, but closed soon after.

It reopened in 1893.

In 1934, the Ballarat Asylum was renamed Ballarat Mental Hospital and, in 1969, the name changed again to Lakeside Hospital.

At its peak, the hospital employed about 600 staff who looked after almost 1500 patients.

The site occupied about 83 hectares, which included just more than 40 hectares for use as the hospital farm.

The site was bordered to the north by a retirement village, on what is now the Lake Gardens estate.

Only a few original buildings are left on the site, including The Arches, originally a social and training unit, the male quarters and the original administration building, which has now been converted into a private residence.

The first staff reunion was held in 2008.