General News
7 October, 2025
New goldfields exhibition
Calico Ceiling — Women of the Goldfields is a new exhibition paying tribute to the women who built their lives on the Victorian goldfields.
Through a series of paintings, artist Linda Gallus sheds light on the resilience, hardship, and dreams of the women who endured a harsh and unforgiving landscape.
Ms Gallus has her own familial connection to the Central Goldfields, spanning many generations before her.
“My three times great grandma was on the goldfields in Central Victoria, she had 12 children. In many ways, these paintings have been hard to do,” she said.
Referencing one of the exhibition’s paintings, Telepathy, featuring her great great great grandmother facing an unnamed First Nations woman, Ms Gallus wanted to express all challenges the women of this time faced.
“At the beginning of the series, I felt a strong need to acknowledge the Indigenous people of the land. Doing these paintings has been challenging in a philosophical sort of way,” she said.
“There was so much destruction, Aboriginal people were forced off their land. Seeking gold and the potential wealth that it may have brought was a self-centred pursuit by many.
“They are trying to understand what on earth has happened, what is going on, and why.”
Ms Gallus’ exhibition title was inspired by a book of poetry lent to her by its author, Susan Kruss, during her time researching Victoria’s Goldfields.
“My initial connection to the goldfields area came about when I had an exhibition in St Arnaud. There I met a number of people who helped me out with research. At the same time, I came across a book of poetry lent to me by my friend,” Ms Gallus said.
“Susan was also very kind to let me use the title of her book, ‘Calico Ceilings’. I liked the reference to Calico as this kind of cotton fabric, and many others like it, were used everywhere from tents to interiors, flags and clothing. The nature of this textile fabric becomes a symbol of protection, light, softness and comfort.
“I was moved by Susan’s words, and this sent me in the direction of painting stories about women on the goldfields and areas around Maryborough. I am really looking forward to my exhibition. The support and encouragement has been fantastic.”
Central Goldfields Shire deputy mayor Ben Green said Linda Gallus’ paintings were deeply moving.
“As we live in our comfortable modern homes, it’s easy to forget the tenacity of gold rush settlers, and the difficulties they faced seeking their fortune in makeshift settlements across our shire,” he said.
“Not just the miners, but their wives and children who had to seek out an existence in this strange new land. Can you imagine spending our winter just gone out there with nothing but a flimsy tent and a few pots and pans?
“Linda’s work really captures the distinctive features of our Victorian gold rush, one of which was the far greater numbers of women who set up businesses, stores, and rudimentary manufacturing to meet the needs of the booming population.”
The exhibition will be officially opened at 2 pm, Saturday, October 11, by deputy mayor Ben Green, with guest speaker Susan Fayad, World Heritage and Regional Development Lead at the City of Ballarat.