7. Statue of Peter Lalor 1893 Sculptor: T Nelson McLean, Aberdeen granite

Peter Lalor Statue
In Sturt Street between St Andrew's Kirk and St Patrick's Cathedral stands an impressive monument, fashioned in pink granite and bronze. The figure of Peter Lalor is mounted high in the air looking to the east to the diggings where the stockade was located. If he could open his eyes today he would see the huge mast and flag above the Eureka Interpretive Centre. He is dressed in his Speaker's wig and parliamentary robes which cover the stump of his missing arm.

The bronze relief tablets mounted around the base tell the Eureka story.
The south and north panels depict tableaus of Peter Lalor's life, a battle scene in the Eureka Stockade with the Eureka flag flying above and as a member of Parliament.
The western tablet is a memorial to the men (named) who were killed while fighting at The Eureka Stockade, December 3rd, 1854.

East:
The Honorable Peter Lalor, born 5th February, 1827, died 9th February, 1889, fourth Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Victoria who was in 1854 appointed Commander of the insurgent forces on the occasion of the memorable outbreak at Ballarat in that year, losing an arm in the engagement of the 3rd December.
In 1855 he was elected a Member of the first Legislative Council of Victoria and on two occasions served the Colony as Minister of the Crown; was elected Speaker on 22nd July, 1880 and presided over four consecutive parliaments, finally retiring from public duty owing to failing health 29th September, 1887. Parliament in recognition of his eminent services passing a grant to him of £4000.
This statue was erected in 1892 by James Oddie of Ballaarat.
Made by T. Nelson Mac-Lean, Sculptor, London, 1891.

Ballarat Centenary (1935) p59 "On the 26th January, 1893, the Premier, Duncan Gillies, came to Ballarat to unveil the statue of Peter Lalor. This beautiful bronze, one of the best in Ballarat's collection, cost $2 500 and was the gift of James Oddie, the first Chairman of the Municipality. The Premier in an eloquent speech cleverly balanced the virtues of Lalor as a traitorous rebel with those of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly."