Eureka Fine Art Gallery

For nearly 110 years, the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery has been the home of the original Eureka flag. This flag, with its bold design of white on blue based on the constellation of the Southern Cross, was first flown in Ballarat during the ‘troubles’ of 1854, when the diggers made a concerted effort to resist the despotic and corrupt local arm of the colonial Government.

The flag was made as a banner for the Ballarat Reform League at some point in time after the first meeting of this group on 11 November 1854. It was first raised on public view at the Monster Meeting at Bakery Hill on 29 November 1854 when the diggers protested against the administration of the Gold Licence. On the following day, Peter Lalor swore his famous oath beneath the flag, which was then taken to the site of Eureka Stockade.