Lake Penhalluriack
Background
The Eureka Improvement and Progress Association was formed in February 1912 to improve the Eureka Reserve on the corner of Eureka Street and Rodier Street. One of its first task was to remove gorse, another was to turn a sludge pond into an ornamental lake. [1]
Naming
Frank Penhalluriack was the mayor of Ballarat East in 1912, and the first Chairman of the Eureka Improvement and Progress Association. According to family tradition Frank's father William Penhalluriack was 'stood with the diggers at the Stockade." With the assistance of an unempolyment grant the sludge pond was turned into a lake, and named Lake Penhalluriack in honour of the first Chairman of the Association. [2]
Napoleon's Willow
On 19 June 1914 Mr T. Ambrose of North Carlton gave the Eureka Improvement and Progress Association a cutting of a willow growing on Napolean's grave at St Helena. "Perhaps the donor saw a democratic thread linking the simetime democrat to the objectives of the diggers behind the Stockade." [3]
As part of a City of Ballarat masterplan to improve the reserve before the 150th aniversary of the Eureka Stockade the willows surrounding Lake Penhalluriack were doomed. The willows, including Napoleon's Willow, were cut down leaving only a old metal plaque explaining that 'this willow came from a cutting of a willow planted over napoleon's grave at St Helena.' Not long after the plaque disappeared. [4]
A walking stick was crafted from the Napoleon Willow by Arthur Lelean. His ancestor had been a prisoners under Napoleoan, so the tree had special significance to him. [5]
Also See
References
- ↑ Beggs Sunter, Anne, 'Boney's Lament', IN The Courier, 17 October 2003.
- ↑ Beggs Sunter, Anne, 'Boney's Lament', IN The Courier, 17 October 2003.
- ↑ Beggs Sunter, Anne, 'Boney's Lament', IN The Courier, 17 October 2003.
- ↑ Beggs Sunter, Anne, 'Boney's Lament', IN The Courier, 17 October 2003.
- ↑ Beggs Sunter, Anne, 'Boney's Lament', IN The Courier, 17 October 2003.
