Eureka still lives on, even 166 years later
One hundred and sixty-six years after the bloodshed on Ballarat, a simple ceremony has marked the anniversary of the birth of Australian democracy.
Not even a pandemic could douse the flame of the anniversary of the Eureka Rebellion which was remembered in a range of ceremonies across the city on Thursday. The Old Cemetery held the 41st annual ceremony which paid tribute to both miners and red-coats killed in the uprising.
Long time committee man Doug Sarah said the ceremony aimed to remember all of those that died on December 3, 1854.
Doug Sarah and flag creator descendant Val D'Angri at Thursday's service. Picture: Kate Healy
"We've taken the view to recognise the miners and the soldiers as part of the ceremony," he said.
"We know there is a great divide with soldiers and miners, but we've tried to combine it. The view we take is the night before the day of Eureka, the solders and miners were drinking together, so we've wanted to continue that friendship on."
Mayor Daniel Moloney, who spoke at the ceremony, said Eureka was much more than a Ballarat story.
Bagpiper Amber Ives leads the Eureka Day procession at the Ballarat Old Cemetery. Picture: Kate Healy
"It should be a story that is celebrated more widely across Australia," Cr Moloney said.
"It was significant and we take for granted all those things such as democracy, right to representation and the right to be able to speak your mind against the government of the day. That is not a luxury the rest of the world has."
