By NOEL MURPHY
GOLD fever in the 19th Century led to the sinking of mines in leafy Newtown right beside present-day Geelong College.
But the Mercer Hill ventures were unsuccessful, leaving the name Prospect Rd for posterity rather than prosperity.
The mines have remained largely fogotten but are rolled gold to an unusual exhibition at Geelong’s National Wool Museum.
Spearheaded by a soaring image of a sword-wielding green knight extolling the virtues of Hearne’s bronchitis-curing linctus, The 25th Object exhibition presents a cross-section of the city’s heritage, from discovery and wool sales to sport, entertainment and sea disasters.
Timed to coincide with the museum’s 25th anniversary, the show features 24 historic local artefacts while challenging the public to identify a 25th.
The treasures include a ship rigging block, costumes, desks and benches, a fire station finial, trophies and silverware, posters, cameras and more, all tied to some sphere of Geelong enterprise.
Musum director Padraig Fischer said the exhibition was part of an ongoing drive to showcase the region’s rich heritage.
“There are so many stories out there, like the Chinese football team in Ballarat back in the 1890s that the Geelong Football Club helped finance when they wanted to come and play in Geelong.
“We want to be the place to keep these kind of stories together and share them.”
HERITAGE REVEALED: Curator Ewan McGillivray inspects the new wool museum exhibition. 116329 Picture: REG RYAN
