Division of Ballarat

The Division of Ballarat (Ballaarat until 1977) is an Australian Electoral Division in Victoria. The division was one of the original 75 divisions created in 1900. It was set up for the first federal election in 1901. It is named for the city of Ballarat.

The division includes Ballarat, Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Daylesford, Creswick, Trentham and Clunes. In the past it has included Ararat, Maryborough, and Stawell.

Ballarat had the closest election result in Australian history.  Nationalist Edwin Kerby unseated Labor member Charles McGrath by a single vote in 1919.  However, McGrath said that the election had not been fair. It was challenged in court which resulted in a by-election in 1920 that was won by McGrath.

Members

MemberPartyTerm Alfred Deakin Protectionist 1901–1909  Commonwealth Liberal 1909–1913  Charles McGrath Labor 1913–1919  Edwin Kerby Nationalist 1919–1920 Charles McGrath Labor 1920–1931  United Australia 1931–1934  Archibald Fisken United Australia 1934–1937  Reg Pollard Labor 1937–1949  Alan Pittard Liberal 1949–1951 Robert Joshua Labor 1951–1955  Labor (Anti-Communist) 1955–1955  Dudley Erwin Liberal 1955–1975  Jim Short Liberal 1975–1980  John Mildren Labor 1980–1990  Michael Ronaldson Liberal 1990–2001  Catherine King Labor 2001–present

The most famous member was Alfred Deakin, Prime Minister of Australia three times. Michael Ronaldson was the grandson of Archibald Fisken. Ronaldson later served as a Liberal senator.

Election results

References
Division of Ballarat – Australian Electoral Commission

Other websites
 Catherine King's website

Ballarat
Category:Ballarat
Category:1901 establishments in Australia