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  • 💰 $20k up for grabs (plus Japan comes to Ballarat!)

💰 $20k up for grabs (plus Japan comes to Ballarat!)

Also new local openings, community events, gigs and more.

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Ballarat Life
June 05, 2025

Good morning, Ballarat! With the King’s Birthday giving us a sweet little Monday off, it’s the perfect time to explore what’s happening around town. Whether you’re chasing live music, great food, or something fun with the family this week's Ballarat Life has you covered.

Let’s make the most of the extra day!

- Luciano

🌟 FEATURE STORY

What Should our Art Gallery Look Like? Have Your Say (but do it quick!)

Image: Public Galleries Association of Victoria (PGAV)

You know how the Art Gallery's been closed for upgrades? Well, while they're fixing the air con, they're also planning something much bigger and they want to hear from all of us.

Whether you're a regular visitor or someone who's been meaning to check it out for years, your input matters. Last year, over 150,000 people visited the gallery, contributing $46 million to our local economy. That's real money flowing through Ballarat businesses.

The gallery team is developing a "Masterplan" for the future, and you've only got until Sunday, 15 June to have your say.

Don’t worry! No meetings, no essays. Just hop online, fill out their MySay survey and you're done. Five minutes of your time could help shape this place for decades.

So don't sleep on this one. Have your say before 15 June!

Get involved

In person
Friday 6 June, from 09:30am to 05:00pm
Delacombe Town Centre (outside Kmart)
Drop by our community stall to share your thoughts and ask questions in person.

Saturday 7 June, from 09:00am to 01:00pm
Bridge Mall Market
Join us at the market to learn more about the Masterplan and share your ideas.

📢 COMMUNITY

Free Money Alert: Tourism Event Grants Just Opened

The Tourism Events Grant Program opened Monday, June 2, with up to $20,000 available for event organisers who can bring visitors to Ballarat.

If you've been thinking about running a festival, sporting event, or some kind of cultural celebration, this could be your moment. They want stuff that shows off Ballarat and gets people actually travelling here to check it out.

Applications close Monday, June 30 - plenty of time to put something decent together, but don't leave it until the last minute like we all do.

Our Tattoo Artist Just Smashed Regional Competition

Image: Herald Sun

Lachie Marks from Ballarat has been crowned Regional Victoria's Best Tattoo Artist, taking out the 2025 competition with 101 votes.

He beat artists from Wodonga, Geelong, and across the region with his detailed, realistic designs. Pretty impressive stuff from our local talent.

If you've been thinking about getting some ink done, looks like you don't need to travel far. Congrats Lachie!

Lachie’s Insta: @lachiemarkstattooing

Almost There: Train Disruptions End This Weekend

The coach-replacement marathon is nearly over! V/Line's 15-day maintenance blitz wraps up Saturday, June 7 meaning proper trains should be back on Sunday.

Check your times: Current timetable here

🏢 BUSINESS OPENINGS

Mobile Zoo Comes to Ballarat

Tyron's Wildlife has crashed onto the scene, bringing the zoo experience directly to you. Based in Cardigan, this mobile wildlife service rocks up to birthday parties, school events, or aged care facilities with snakes, crocodiles, lizards, and ferrets.

Book with Tyron: 0401 721 885 | website

New Car Dealership Opens in Town

Sora Motors, Ballarat's first Japanese import car dealership, officially opens this Sunday, June 8 from 11am-5pm at 2/23 Kennedys Drive, Delacombe.

They're going all out - free gifts for the first 100 people, up to 20% off cars, and prizes to be won.

Details: Sunday June 8, 11am-5pm

New York Style Pizza Lands in Wendouree

A new pizza joint has quietly opened in Wendouree that's bringing proper New York style slices to Ballarat. Valentine's Pizza at 9 Harold Street has only been open for six weeks, but they're already making waves with authentic thin-crust pizza.

Check them out: @valentinesballarat

🎁 GIVEAWAYS & COMPETITIONS

Raising the Steaks

Commerce Ballarat is on the hunt for Ballarat's best steak sandwich, and they want our help to find it.

The "Raising the Steaks" competition runs throughout June, so you can eat your way through participating venues and vote for your favourite. Just snap a photo of your receipt and upload it to their form - you can vote for multiple sandwiches because why limit yourself?

There are two $200 vouchers up for grabs at your choice of participating venue. 

Oh, and you can post on Instagram and tag Commerce Ballarat for an extra chance to win.

Voting closes: 11:59pm, June 12

🎭 WHAT’S ON

Events Around Town

Thursday

  • From Ballarat to Sandhurst Eureka Centre Ballarat | 5:30pm-6:30pm | Free Dr Charles Fahey introduces the diary of Cornish migrant Richard Pope and his life in Ballarat and Bendigo.

  • City LOVE Scavenger Hunt 178 Doveton St N, Ballarat Central | 1pm-4pm Self-guided date night scavenger hunt - runs Thu-Sun until November.

  • Maker Space Teen Takeover Ballarat Library | 3:30pm-5:30pm Teen-only Maker Space every Thursday until August 28th.

  • Thursday Movie Screening: Ammonite Sebastopol Library | 1pm-3pm | MA15+ Thursday movie screening in Sebastopol.

  • Caring for Country Cultural Education Sebastopol Library | 6:30pm-7:30pm National Reconciliation Week education session.

  • Maker Space Induction Sessions Ballarat Library | 9:30am-10:30am Book in to attend a Maker Space Induction - runs Thursdays & Mondays.

  • Thursday Twilight Talks Barkly Square | 5:30pm-6:30pm Monthly presentations by three local social justice/environmental groups with Q&A.

Friday

  • Ballarat Pride Month Event Free Welcoming space for older LGBTI+ community and allies (55+). No bookings required.

  • First Friday Book Chat Sebastopol Library | 2pm-3pm Share reads and get recommendations - also July 4th and August 1st.

  • Beyond the Book Sebastopol Library | 4pm-4:45pm Book club exploring themes and characters - also July 4th and August 1st.

  • Family History Drop-In Ballarat Library | 2pm-3pm Winter 2025 family history assistance session.

  • Monthly Guided Meditation 73 Bridge Mall | 7pm-8:30pm | $40 Monthly meditation session - bookings essential.

Saturday

  • Silk Fan Workshop The Ballarat Foundation | 5pm-6pm | Free Beginner-friendly intro to dancing with silk fans for Ballarat Pride Month.

  • Introduction to White Coopering - Bucket Making Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades | 9am-5pm | $615 Create your own wooden bucket - continues Sunday.

  • Indigenous Plants, Herbs & Nature Strip Tips 6 Coliseum Walk, Ballarat Central | 9am Workshop at Flying Chillies.

  • Learn how to make a Trash n Treasure Junk Journal 73 Bridge Mall | 1pm-4:30pm | $80 (with $20 deposit) Craft workshop at Phoenix Alternative.

  • Ballarat Local Produce Swap Ballarat Community Garden, Corner Queen St & Dyte | 9:30am-11am | Free Monthly produce swap with donations encouraged.

  • Earrings Workshop Australian Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades | 10am-4pm | $330 Discover silversmithing with Rachel Grose.

  • The master potter: Peter Pilven A retrospective Ross Creek Gallery | 11am-4pm | Free Exhibition showcasing master potter's works - continues Sunday.

  • Celebration of SAORI Exhibition Esmond Gallery, Clunes | 10am-4pm Japanese freestyle weaving showcase - launch party 2pm.

  • Pyrenees Art Exhibition and Book Sale 7 Lawrence St, Beaufort | 10am-5pm Annual art show in various media - continues Sun-Mon.

  • Craft and Cinema Saturdays - Hunt for the Wilderpeople Sebastopol Library | 10am-11:45am | PG Bring craft projects while watching the film.

  • Crafts Council of Ballarat Kaleidoscope exhibition Ballarat Botanical Gardens | 9am-4:30pm Annual June exhibition showcasing contemporary and traditional works - runs daily until June 15th.Sunday

Sunday

  • Beginner Entomology Workshop Australian Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades | 9:30am-5pm | $330 Butterfly and moth preservation with entomologist Jason Penfold.

  • Flying Chillies Malaysian and Indonesian Cooking Experience 6 Coliseum Walk, Ballarat Central | Times vary | $150 Authentic cultural cooking experience - weekly Sundays until August 31st.

  • Beginner Ceramics Workshop Enfield | 10:30am-12:30pm For beginners with High Tea included - also June 29th.

  • June Long-Weekend Winter Gathering The Crypt Ballarat | 6pm-8pm | Gold coin donation Spoken word gathering with Ballarat Spoken Word.

  • Sound Healing Immersion 69 Fraser St, Clunes | 2pm-3:30pm Deeply relaxing sound immersion - also June 22nd & July 13th.

Monday

  • AstroKids Exoplanets Ballarat Municipal Observatory | Times vary Continues from Sunday's family workshop.

  • Maker Space Induction Sessions Ballarat Library | 9:30am-10:30am Monday induction session for Maker Space access.

  • Tech Q&A Ballarat Library | 9:30am-10am One-on-one 30-minute sessions - runs multiple Tuesdays & Mondays until August 26th.

Tuesday

  • FREE STEM Maker Workshops Ballarat Libraries Various Locations | 4:15pm-6pm Hands-on workshops for youth ages 12-18 - runs until November 12th.

  • How to organise a planting day Buninyong Community House | 5pm-7pm Learn practical skills for community planting events.

  • Collective Rising - Breath and Sound Journey 203 Dana St, Ballarat Central | 5:30pm-8:30pm Journey with breath and sound for release and empowerment.

  • Carbon Farming Outreach Program Workshop Daylesford | 9:30am-2pm Practical strategies to future-proof your farm.

  • Sewing classes, beginners to intermediate Brown Hill Community Hall | 2:30pm-5pm or 8:30pm-11pm Sewing classes with Lesley Aurousseau Couture.

  • Tuesday 10am Indoor Walking Group Ballarat Badminton Stadium, Dowling Street | 10am-1pm | Free Indoor walking with cuppa at Heartbeat Ballarat.

Wednesday

  • Marketing and Promotion for Community Groups Ballarat East Neighbourhood House | 10am | Free Learn to promote your community group - also online June 12th at 6pm.

  • Analogue Hour Ballarat Library | 5:30pm-7pm Digital detox session.

  • Peer Education & Support for People Living with Disability 7 Lydiard St S, Ballarat Central | 5:30pm-6:30pm Peer-led education sessions.

  • Hop Temple Trivia Hop Temple | Evening Ballarat's most entertaining trivia - every Wednesday.

  • Container Contained Counterbalance Wellbeing | Creative art making - Art Therapy workshop

  • SHEDSONG DANCE! Hall, Invermay | 6:30pm-7:30pm Adaptive dance class - also June 18th & 25th.

  • LEGO® Club Eureka Centre | 4pm-4:45pm Imaginative building skills - also June 18th.

  • Ghostwriters Ballarat Library | 4pm-5pm Learn to write spooky stories - weekly Wednesdays until August 20th.

  • Digital Forms and Services Ballarat Library | 11:30am-12:15pm Online forms training - weekly Wednesdays until August 27th.

  • Scribbler Squad Ballarat Library | 4:15pm-5:15pm After-school club for aspiring authors - weekly Wednesdays until August 20th.

  • Jun 2025 Meet Up Oscar's Hotel & Cafe Bar | 9pm-10pm Wool Meet Again Ballarat Pub Craft gathering.

Family Fun

  • Botanikids Under Fives Nature Club Ballarat Botanical Gardens | 10am-12pm | Daily Fun nature activities for under-fives - Thursday 5/6 

  • Beginning with Books Ballarat Library | 10:30am-11:30am Early literacy program for new parents - first Friday monthly - Friday 6/6

  • Farmers Market The Bridge Mall | Morning First Saturday monthly farmers market with essential foods and locally made design ware - Saturday 7/6

  • Casual Canvas Sessions The Art Club Hub | 10am-4pm No pressure painting with friends - Saturday 7/6

  • Unicorn Festival Kryal Castle | 10am-4pm Magical unicorn wonderland - Sunday 8/6

  • AstroKids Exoplanets Ballarat Municipal Observatory | Times vary Family workshop about exoplanets - Monday 9/6

  • Cute Rebellion by Hippy Robertson Unicorn Lane | 24/7 viewing Exhibition exploring innocence and defiance - can be viewed day and night. - Tuesday 10/6

  • Clunes Farmers and Makers Market Fraser Street, Clunes | 9am-1pm Second Sunday monthly VFMA accredited farmers market - Tuesday 10/6

Live Music

Please note: Always double-check with venues for any last-minute changes or ticketing requirements.

Thursday

  • Civic Hall Ballarat | Hindley Street Country Club | 8pm-10pm | $95-$150

  • The Sporting Globe Ballarat | Kaze Karaoke | Weekly Thursdays | Free

  • Piano Bar | Drag Bingo! | 6pm-9:30pm | $10

  • Ellington's Wine Bar | Goodwill Comedy Club | 7pm-8:15pm | $10-$15

  • Her Majesty's Theatre | The Wizard of Oz | 7:30pm-10pm | $45-$190

  • Odessa at Leavers Hotel | Lloyd Spiegel & Charlie A'Court | 7pm-10pm 

Friday

  • JD's Bar & Lounge | Kaze Karaoke | 8pm-late | Free

  • North Ballarat Sports Club | Drag Bingo | 5:30pm-9:30pm | $20

  • Piano Bar | Piano by Request | 6pm-late | $10

  • Ballarat Trades Hall | Backyard Utopia | 7pm-10pm 

  • Irish Murphy's | Scorching into Irish Murphy's | 9:30pm | $5

  • Hop Temple | Beats, Brews + BBQ | 8:30pm-1:59am 

  • Red Lion Hotel | Retro Revival | 7pm

Saturday

  • Hop Temple | Travis McCarthy | 9pm

  • WCPA | Andrew Lloyd Webber Tribute | 2pm-4:30pm | $74.95-$79.95

  • The Cattleyards Inn Delacombe | Kaze Karaoke | 8pm-late | Free

  • Piano Bar | Piano by Request | 6pm-late | $10

  • Redbank Winery | Live Music at Sally's Paddock | 10am-5pm

  • Volta | Chasing Ghosts | 7pm

Sunday

  • WCPA | Ballarat Wind Orchestra - European Adventure | 4pm-6pm | $15-$80

  • WCPA | Marie D' Australie: Ballarat Wind Orchestra | 10am | From $15

  • Volta | Cloud Nine Ballarat | 10pm-3am 

  • Freight Bar | King's Birthday Eve Sunday | 5pm-late 

  • Hop Temple | 90s Throwback Musical Bingo | 7pm 

  • Piano Bar | Pitch Please Bingo | 9pm-1am | $15

Monday

  • The Cattleyards Inn | EM J's Monday Night Trivia | 7pm-9:30pm

Tuesday

  • The Robin Hood Hotel | Kaze Karaoke | 8pm-late | Free

Wednesday

  • Aunty Jacks | 'Old School Trivia' | Evening

  • Piano Bar | Granny Bingo | 8pm doors, 9pm performance | $15

  • The Royal Mail Hotel | EM J's Wednesday Night Trivia | 7:30pm-10pm

  • Golf House Hotel | Morning melodies | Morning

🌤️ Weather

Thursday
0°🌡️12° | 🌤️ | ☔10% | 💨 N 15–25 kph

Friday
3°🌡️10° | 🌧️ | ☔80% | 💨 N 25–40 kph

Saturday
4°🌡️12° | 🌧️ | ☔90% | 💨 NW 20–30 kph

Sunday
4°🌡️10° | 🌧️ | ☔80% | 💨 NW 20–30 kph

Monday
3°🌡️11° | 🌦️ | ☔70% | 💨 SW 15–25 kph

Tuesday
4°🌡️11° | 🌦️ | ☔70% | 💨 SW 15–25 kph

Wednesday
 3°🌡️10° | 🌦️ | ☔30% | 💨 Light winds

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