EAST SHORE LAKE WENDOUREE C,1905. GARDEN CITY STEAMBOAT COMPANY'S SHEDS WITH "GEM" IN FOREGROUND LEFT, "PRINCE CONSORT" BEHIND, AND "IVEY'S GOLDEN CITY" IN BACKGROUND RIGHT.

Our present forms of relaxation and mode of dress vary greatly from those of the turn of the century. Imagine an era when steam trains carried scores of people from places such as Creswick, all decked out in their 'Sunday best' for a relaxing day around Lake Wendouree, the journey being completed on a double decker horse-tram. Whether the ladies were promenading in their long flowing gowns, and carrying their parasols with their equally well attired males in frock coats and top hats, or being gently rocked by small waves whilst steaming from View Point to the Botanical Gardens, Lake Wendouree was the social mecca. Swimming was forbidden at all times with a five shilling fine for offenders, and on Sundays the swings were removed to stop the children enjoying themselves on the Sabbath.

The history of our lake steamers goes beyond that point. In 1875 Thomas Gill erected ' a popular hostelry known as 'Gill's Lake View House' at the corner of Mill Street and Wendouree Parade. He was one of the charter members of the first Ballarat Yacht club and was a founder of the City Rowing club, he was also a shareholder in the pioneer steamer placed upon the lake in 1865, which was named 'Victoria'. It was built at the local Soho Works by Bishop & Co. and Thos. Gill owned the first private steamer launched, which he christened 'Wendouree'.

The Golden City was designed by Mr C. Brooks and built by Mr Tom Gill, being launched on the 16th June 1885. This event was reported in the "Ballarat Star" on the 17th. "The steamer was launched in the company of leading members of the Yachting and Rowing Clubs. The Golden City will be the third steamer in size on the lake. It's length is 59', by a beam (breadth) of 9'7" and a total outside breadth of 17'3" and will carry about 150 passengers. The engine which will be completed in about a month, is being constructed by Mr Tregaskis and will be of 20hp. The boat has been built by Mr Brooks under the supervision of Mr Gill, and when completed will be one of the prettiest craft on the lake. After the launching they then adjourned to the Lake View Hotel for speeches etc."

The "Ballarat Courier" of Wednesday, June 17, 1885 gives an even more detailed account of the proceedings. "Mr T. Gills fine new steamer, the Golden City, was launched at Lake Wendouree yesterday, when in spite of bitterly inclement weather, a large number of aquatic enthusiasts turned out for the occasion. The steamer is a fine large one, 59 feet long, 9 feet 7 inches beam, with the outside breadth of 17 feet 3 inches. It is capable of carrying 150 passengers, and when properly fitted up, will prove a very handsome addition to our little flotilla in the lake. Mr C. Brooks, one of the best builders known to the trade, was the designer of the steamer, and he and Mr Gill must be congratulated on the excellence of their work. As the vessel was launched, Sissy Gill, amid cheers, smashed a bottle of "fiz" on the bows, and christened the steamer "The Golden City", the little lady hoping that it would bring success to her parents. The steamer, which is yet minus the engine and other appurtenances, rode the water beautifully, and the symmetrical proportions of the vessel were most favourably criticised by the old salts and the knowing ones who witnessed the steamer leave her slips. Three cheers were then given for Mr and Mrs Gill and Mr Brooks, and an adjournment was then made to Gill's hotel where toasting was indulged in." the article then continues with details of the celebrations including the statement that "Mr Gill was the first one to attempt the use of a steamer on the lake" and a response from Mr Brooks that "he knew that his work had always given satisfaction, and he thought that the Golden City was by no means inferior to any of his other steamers."

There were many "elegantly appointed" steamers plying the lake owned by the Garden City Steam Boat Company which was managed by Mr James Ivey, and Mr. Thomas Gill. The Garden City Steam Boat Company had a sign on their wharf near the View Point to say that their fleet was able to carry 690 "souls".

On August 6th 1885, approx. six weeks after the launching of the Gill "Golden City", Mr James Ivey wrote to the Town Clerk for the City of Ballaarat, Mr George Perry, "Sir I desire to have the name of my steamer "Lady of the Lake" changed to that of "Golden City" and hereby make application having that object in view. trusting it will be acceded to." the reason for Ivey wishing to change the name of his boat is not known but W. Sewell, the Steam Boat Inspector for the City of Ballaarat wrote to the Town Clerk on the 20th October stating -"Sir, you will see by the enclosed that there are two steamers of the same name namely the Golden City, I think it very unwise to have two boats of the same name as it may lead to confusion with the public." This would explain why in the photograph of Gills boatshed of the era it can be plainly seen "Thos. Gill Boatbuilder Steamer new Golden City Thos. Gill Proprietor." The Gill boatshed has been a landmark for over a century, and is now being returned to its original appearance. The southern gabled section which had been removed has been authentically replaced and the surviving gable is being returned to its original appearance. The building, with its simple but quaint appearance nestles the shore of the lake opposite the Lake View hotel.

Sewell, the Inspector made out "Machinery Inspectors Certificates" for the City of Ballaarat in October 1885, no 12 for the Ivey "Golden City" and number 9 for the Gill "Golden City", the new Gill boat operating at a slightly higher steam pressure.

By 1887 Thos. Gill had a fleet of five paddle steamers, and rivalry between operators was so fierce that the captains were led to dangerous racing and collisions, to the extent that the Council passed Nautical By-Laws. Imagine the summer moonlight concerts on the lake as a number of the steamers had brass bands on board.

The Gill family operated their "Golden City" on the lake until the 1940's.

Roy McRae owned the boat from 1946 till 1966, when it left Ballarat in January as it was purchased by Archie Spooner for use at "Caribbean Gardens" Melbourne where it operated for 21 years. It returned to Ballarat as a result of the foresight of the Ballarat Apex Club.

Of the fifteen or so steamers to ply the lake in the one hundred years from the 1860's, the Gill original new "Golden City" is the only one to survive.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE 'GOLDEN CITY' ?

The "Ballarat Courier" reported on the 4th October 1907, "A commencement is to be made this morning at the lake in loading one of the steamers, the Golden City, for removal to Melbourne. Mr Scotney has arrived with his team of 15 horses and by 2pm today he expects to start on his journey to Melbourne, which will be reached on Monday, when it will once more be floated." The Courier of the 5th October reported -"The steamer Golden City together with three others recently purchased by a Melbourne syndicate was placed aboard a jinker yesterday and despatched on its journey to the Metropolis where it is destined to engage in river work after being docked and overhauled. The sight of a vessel on a jinker was a unique one, and it may be said to be "very much at sea" being hauled about in this manner. Eight horses were used to haul it from the water, the engine and paddles were removed and a cinematograph picture was taken of it passing down Webster Street." The Golden City that went to Melbourne was obviously the Ivey steamer as we know the Gill Golden City was operated on Lake Wendouree by the Gill family after that date.

We, the residents of this city are fortunate that due to the initiative of the Apex Club, and the volunteer members of the Golden City Steamer Museum Society we will, in the future be able to cruise upon the lake in one of its original steamers. To meet Marine board requirements the steamer will be powered by a diesel engine in the interim until it is possible to again return it to steam operation.

The community has given its seal of approval to the enterprise as may be evidenced by the Donor Board outside Gill's boatshed, however anybody wishing further details may do so by contacting Jim Bell, the Museum Society Chairperson on (03) 53313100 during business hours.