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Battle of the Coloured LinesPrint Page Print this page

06-December-2014
06-December-2014

Photographs supplied by Sandra Brown

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
State:VIC
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -37.282634
Long: 142.936795
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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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
Front Inscription

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
 

Source: MA,VMR
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au