Strawberry Onslaught

Gardening has always been popular in the Redan, and when an onslaught was made on prize winning stawberries in November 1885, there was a public outcry.

Details
From the Ballarat Star, November 1885: "A case of wanton blackguardism is reported as having occurred last night in the neighborhood of the Redan. A resident there had taken first prize at the Horticultural Society’s show for strawberries, and the superior quality of the fruit seems to have attracted the attention of some of the larrikin class. Early last night, during the absence of the master of the house, five bulking fellows leaped the fence and commenced an onslaught on the strawberry bed. A neighbor, seeing them, gave chase, and the dishonest cowards took to their heels. Whilst running, however, one of them threw a large stone at one of the windows of the house of the pursuer, smashing a pane of glass, tearing the blind and curtain, and cutting one of the inmates of the room somewhat severely on the head. The police were communicated with, but whether they were able to effect any arrests or not we did not hear."