Ballan, Victoria facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ballan Victoria
Inglis Street, the main street
Ballan Location in Shire of Moorabool
Population	2,985 (2016 census)
Postcode(s)	3342
Elevation	442 m (1,450 ft)
Location	32 km (20 mi) SE of Ballarat 69 km (43 mi) NW of Melbourne
LGA(s)	Shire of Moorabool
State electorate(s)	Buninyong
Federal Division(s)	Ballarat
Localities around Ballan: Bunding Colbrook Dales Creek Greendale Gordon Ballan Myrniong Mount Egerton Bungal Fiskville Ingliston

Ballan is a small town in Victoria, Australia. It is part of the Shire of Moorabool. Ballan is about 78 km (48 mi) north-west of Melbourne. It sits on the Werribee River. In 2006, about 1,808 people lived in Ballan. The Western Freeway passes near the town.

History of Ballan

The first people to live in the Ballan area were the Aboriginal Wautharong people. This area was full of animals like kangaroos, bandicoots, and dingos. Many of these animals disappeared by the late 1800s after European settlers arrived.

The first European settlers came from Tasmania. They landed near Geelong, Victoria, and moved north with their sheep. Robert Von Steiglitz arrived in 1838. He named the area after Ballan in Ireland. Other early settlers included families named Covvie, Stead, Wallace, and Egerton.

There were some conflicts between the Wautharong people and the new European farmers. This happened because the settlers were taking over land that the Wautharong people had lived on for a very long time.

Gold was discovered near Ballan in 1851. This brought many people to the area as part of the Victorian Gold Rush. The Ballan Hotel was built during this time in 1851. The town became an important stop for coaches going to the Ballarat goldfields. Ballan's Post Office opened in September 1853.

Ballan’s first primary school started on January 8, 1855.

The first Mechanics' Institute in Ballan was built in 1861. A Mechanics' Institute was a place where people could learn and read. The current building was built on land bought in 1881. Its front was rebuilt in 1922. Today, the building has the town's library and a hall.

St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Ballan opened in July 1866.

On November 15, 2003, a train going to Ballarat came off its tracks between Ballan and Gordon. This accident happened when the train hit a car at a railway crossing. About 61 people were hurt.

Community Life

Ballan has an Australian Rules Football team. They play in the Central Highlands Football League. The town also has two senior and three junior cricket teams. They play in the Ballarat Cricket Association.

The old Court House in Ballan

The Ballan Mechanic's Institute building

Fun Festivals and Places to Visit

• There is a Vintage Machinery and Vehicle Rally in February. It is famous for its Vintage Tractor Pull event.
• An Autumn Festival is held in Ballan every year in late March.
• Ballan has a special mineral spring.
• South of Ballan, you can find the Brisbane Ranges National Park and the You Yangs Forest Park. These are great places to explore nature.

Images for kids

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  Ballan railway station

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  Ballan Autumn Festival Light Horse re-enactors