Since Western Victoria is experiencing a cold snap with snowfalls around Ballarat and the Grampians in the past 24 hours, I thought a snow theme for Trove Tuesday appropriate.
This treasure found at Trove is a postcard from Ballarat in 1909.
Snowfalls on the hills around Ballarat and surrounding districts are not uncommon, but the snow rarely settles in the town. Mt William, the highest peak in the Grampians gets a snow cap some winters, but for a short time only. Further west, it is less likely to snow in Hamilton and from memory, in the eighteen years I lived there, it may have snowed once, but it was closer to sleet than snow. I have never known it to snow as it did in July 1901, when snow fell for around nine hours in Hamilton. It would have been a beautiful sight.
HEAVY SNOW IN THE COUNTRY. (1901, July 29). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957), p. 6. Retrieved August 20, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10563557
With Trove’s help, I found a photo of a snowman built at Hamilton in 1901, held by Museum Victoria.
HAMILTON 1901. Image courtesy of the Museums Victoria Collections https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/765795
In 1905, heavy snow saw high jinx in the streets of Ballarat that got out of hand resulting in a revolver wielding publican and the Mayor, Councillor Whykes suffering concussion
FALLS OF SNOW. (1905, September 8). The Horsham Times (Vic. : 1882 – 1954), p. 3. Retrieved August 20, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72817822
In 1910, Hamilton saw another heavy snowfall. Such was the novelty, snowballing in the streets took priority over opening the shops. A large snowman was built on nearby Mt Pierrepoint.
SNOW MAN ON A MOUNTAIN. (1910, October 11). The Border Morning Mail and Riverina Times (Albury, NSW : 1903 – 1920), p. 2. Retrieved August 20, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article111390335
Well, this post is my 52nd Trove Tuesday post. I did it. I managed to post every Tuesday since Amy Lehmann launched Trove Tuesday on August 28 last year. Next week, we celebrate Trove Tuesday entering a second year and I will share some of the most popular posts from the past 52 weeks.
Western District Families 
I am sitting right now at about 500m above sea level, the top of Mt Buninyong being about 700m, and the ABM forecast is for snow today. This is why people retire to the shorelines where it never snows.
I do feel sorry for stock and birds. The calves and lambs born in frosty paddocks so they can be ready for Spring sales, and this vegetarian has no kind words for carnivores unless they slaughter their own needs.
Which brings me to your mention of Whykes who was the historic Buninyong butcher, his shop still there and still signed, although it is a coffee place now.
That description of hi-jinx in Ballarat (injuries and weapons) could have been written 100 years after that snow report was. I am driving today to Hamilton, and hoped I would be 2 degrees warmer than the present chill in the ‘Rat, so thanks for your post.
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Congratulations on 52 weeks keep up the good work,Best Wishes Warren Gamble.
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Well done on doing all 52 Trove Tuesdays – I came close but did miss some.
I can remember snow in Ballarat when I use to live near Horsham – never snows there of course – just that thick stubborn frost…brrr
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