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Battle of the Coloured LinesPrint Page 
The monument commemorates the "Battle of the Coloured Lines."
When the railway reached Ballarat from Geelong the Government looked for rail routes to the Western District. In 1869 a report to Parliament proposed four different routes which became known as the “Battle of the Coloured Lines”.
Ararat was in the chosen pink route and received the railway sooner than expected. On Tuesday 6 April, 1875, Ararat had a holiday to celebrate the opening of the Railway from Melbourne. Two special trains from Melbourne brought the official guests and everyone enjoyed a picnic on the Recreation reserve. Two balls were held that evening.
Location
| Address: | Birdwood Avenue, Railway Station, Ararat, 3377 |
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| State: | VIC |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -37.282634 Long: 142.936795 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Monument |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Technology |
| Sub-Theme: | Industry |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 06-April-1875 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 06-April-1875 |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Saturday 5th April, 1975 |
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Erected to commemorate the Battle of the Coloured Lines
Projected by Thomas Higinbotham (Railway Engineer-in-Chief - 1860 - 1878) which ended with the opening of the railway to Ararat in 1875.
Unveiled a century later by Mr. A. G. Gibbs Chairman, Victorian Railways Board
April 5, 1975
