A reminder of the theatre and entertainment of the early goldfields days was the popular Limerick beauty Lola Montez - Elizabeth Rosana Gilbert.

Her loves included Franz Liszt, Alexander Dumas and King Ludwig of Bavaria. A bold and feisty character she has been described as a version of Marilyn Monroe, Gipsy Rose Lee, Marta Hari and Madonna all rolled into one.

Known for her Tarantala dance and provocative tantalizing performances, especially the spider dance, she amazed the community when she marched into Eric Seekamp's office, editor of the Ballarat Times and horse whipped him, after he wrote a damming review of her erotic performance.