FANS and supporters of the Art Gallery of Ballarat will be rejoicing at news yesterday of funds to undertake some major restoration and renovation works.The State Government and the City of Ballarat will share the costs of $1.85 million worth of works to extend the gallery's exhibition hall, relocate its shop and cafe, and restore its facade.The gallery's numbers have been steadily increasing since it scrapped its entrance fees last year, meaning more and more people are discovering what a magnificent gallery it is.The relocation of the cafe, in particular, is a progressive move, as its location at the rear of the building, though well intentioned, has not delivered the results that had been hoped for. A more prominent location should help address that.Extensions to the exhibition hall will allow for more extensive displays of works and for more creativity with those displays.Of course, the art gallery building itself is as important as the collection it houses.It takes an enormous amount of money to maintain such an historic building, but it is nonetheless important that we do.Along with Craig's Hotel, the Mining Exchange and the Town Hall, the Art Gallery of Ballarat building is one of our most prominent heritage facades.It is extremely important that we preserve it and we are pleased that the State Government has seen fit to assist in that process.END OF AN ERA AS FINAL WWI VETERAN JACK ROSS DIESWE note with sadness the passing of Australia's last World War I veteran.Jack Ross, who died at the age of 110 in Bendigo yesterday, never saw overseas service during the war, as it was all over before he could be shipped away.However, he had enlisted for service in February of 1918 at Maryborough and was posted to the wireless service.With Mr Ross's death go our nation's living links with the Great War.His passing is a reminder of the importance of recording our history through the eyes of those who were there.