History of Ballan

This region of Victoria was settled in 1838 by the "Over Straiters", settlers who came across Bass Strait fron Van Diemens Land after the original settlement at Port Philip Bay by John Batman and John Fawkner in 1835.

Landing at Geelong with their flocks they soon had to move further afield and came to this area up the Moorabool River. Names such as Von Stieglitz, Covvie, Stead, Wallace and Egerton are synonymous with this area.

As the population increased Ballan grew as a service town. Initially there was the "Werribee Hunt", a changing post for Cobb & Co, the Little Blue Store postal facilities and St Johns Anglican Parish to attend to the spiritual needs of the settlers.

Discovery of gold in the Ballarat district saw the influx of travelers passing through to seek their fortune. Gradually more business enterprises were established in Ballan to fulfill the needs of the passing parade and so the township grew. As more closer settlements were established Ballan became a service town for the farming community and remains so to this day.

Below are some of the historical buildings that can be seen in Ballan. If you have a interest in the history of Ballan and you would like to become involved in this initiative please contact the websites working group via any of the methods provided on our contact page.

Please click on each of the images below to view them in a larger form.

The Presbyterian Church in Ballan. St. Paul’s was officially opened in July 1866.

“Westcott” was built as a town house for the MacPherson family it was used as a maternity hospital from 1914 to 1930. It is now a private residence.

The Post and Telegraph Office established in 1874. One of Ballan’s oldest buildings, which is currently undergoing restoration to bring it back to its former glory.

The Commercial Bank building established in 1867. It was also used later as Daly’s Tea rooms. It is now a private residence.

Sighting Report

Ballan, Victoria, Australia
November 17th 1983

Location:
Near Ballan, on the western highway, Victoria, Australia.

Date:
11/17/83. approx 4:30 am local                                                       

Approach Direction:
Hovering

Departure Direction:
North east

WITNESS DIRECTION:
West

Description:
I was driving in the country around 4:30am local time when I saw what appeared to be a helicoper hovering over a house approx one kilometer from the highway. I thought it was strange, and pulled off the road to watch. It was then that I noticed that it wasn't any sort of helicopter I had ever seen. Also when I got out of the car I was surprised to notice how still the air was and how quiet it was. I could hear cows mooing from some distance away, but this 'helicopter' wasn't making a single sound! At this time I saw a very powerful light come from the bottom of the object and it illuminated the roof of the house that was one km from the road. This lasted for about 10 seconds. After that the light went out, and about 5 seconds after that the object started to silently drift off to the north east at about 70 kmh towards a storm front, with lightening activity, approxiametly 70 to 100 km away.

When it was approx three kilometers away another car pulled up, and the driver and the passenger said they both saw the object, and they watched it for a few more minutes till it was just a distant dot.

It was the traditional round saucer shape with a domed center section. I estimate that it was about 20 meters in diameter, or a little smaller than the house it was over. It was a dull metallic grey colour, with many white strobe lights on the circumfrence, and with one very powerful spot-light beneath. There also appeared to be aerials or legs underneath.

I had a good view from a range of less than 1 km and 200 meters high. I have better then 20/20 vision, and I have been in sport aviation for many years, and it was no aircraft I have ever seen.

I called air traffic control at the nearest international airport about 1 hour later, and asked if they could tell me if they had any air traffic at all at that time at that time. They asked for my name and addreess, and then refused to tell me if they had any traffic. They said they would get back to me later. I know for a fact that they taped the conversation I had with the senior controller, as I could hear the time beeps.

Since then I have talked to several local people who I didn't know at the time, who have also witnessed the same sort of object hovering over houses at night. One woman I know of was extremely frightened by the experience as she lived on a farm and was alone at the time. She heard the farm dogs barking and went outside to see what they were barking at! She looked up and saw an object with features similar to what I saw. Also the wife of a friend of mine, who lived not ten kilometers from the above woman, and three menbers of her family witness a similar occurence. Too much of a conincidence!

Color/Shape:
It was the traditional round saucer shape with a domed center section. I estimate that it was about 20 meters in diameter, or a little smaller than the house it was over. It was a dull metallic grey colour, with many white strobe lights on the circumfrence, and with one very powerful spot-light beneath, which was not always on. There also appeared to be aerials or legs on the bottom center section. They appeared too frail to be undercarriage of any kind.

Height & Speed:
Height, 200 meters.
Speed nil, to 70kph departure.