💪 A local story of grit you’ll want to read

Good morning, Ballarat! Today is R U OK? Day, so let’s use this day as a gentle nudge to check in with the people who matter to us. And with the weekend shaping up to be full of markets, music, and plenty to see and do, it’s a great excuse to get out, share some time together, and maybe spark one of those real conversations along the way.

– Luciano Devoto
PS: Enjoying the read? Support Ballarat Life by shouting me a coffee! 😃

FEATURE STORY

⛰️ Local legend takes on Europe’s toughest trail race

Ballarat’s own Mick Marshall has just done something extraordinary by conquering the MCC at UTMB Mont-Blanc, a grueling 40 km trail with more than 2,300 meters of climbing from Switzerland into the French Alps.

Mick endured eight major surgeries after a serious workplace accident, with doctors unsure if he’d run again. Instead of giving up, he set big goals, trained with determination, and earlier this year even claimed a world record for the fastest marathon on crutches (5:50:08).

Now he’s taken that resilience to Europe’s biggest trail stage. UTMB has long been on Mick’s bucket list, and now he gets to tick it off. Huge congrats, Mick!

Follow Mick’s adventures on Instagram.

MENTAL HEALTH

💛 R U OK? Day

Today is R U OK? Day, and while the yellow shirts and events are a great reminder, the real heart of it is something we can carry every day. Reaching out to loved ones, friends, and colleagues with that simple question: Are you OK?

Not too long ago, I went through a period where I felt depressed and hopeless about the future. They were some of the darkest days I’ve faced in a long time, and I know how easy it is to hide behind a smile while quietly struggling. What made the difference for me was a handful of people I could truly trust, close family and friends who listened and supported me. That simple act of being there helped me find my way forward.

So today, and every day, let’s remember to reach out, to listen without judgement, and to be there for one another.

No matter how you answered, remember support is always around you.

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COMMUNITY DIGEST

🎵 Ballarat’s music scene has some fresh voices to check out

Spring in Ballarat has arrived with a new beat, courtesy of the City’s Be Hear Now program. This annual initiative is all about spotting local talent, giving them the right mentors, and helping them find their voice.

Over the past few weeks, Blue Ren, Nekrome, Hemlock Wilde, and D.B.L.U. have all dropped their singles, with Nasal Spray ready to unleash theirs tomorrow.

The 2025 cohort got everything they needed to turn raw talent into a polished release: from mentoring and recording time in studio to design, marketing and distribution.

Stream all the tracks and support our homegrown talent. (How good is Blue Ren’s song!)

. . .

Knights, lances and plenty of clashing at Kryal Castle

Sharpen your swords (or at least your appetite) because Kryal Castle is hosting the Australian Jousting Championship on 13–14 September. Knights in full armour will thunder down the arena with three-metre lances, aiming for the ultimate hit in a spectacle that feels straight out of the Middle Ages.

And jousting is just the beginning. There’ll be axe-throwing, archery, artisan stalls, kids’ potion-making, and plenty of medieval food and fun. The action builds to Sunday’s grand finale, when a new champion will be crowned.

. . .

🌷 Ballarat Botanical Gardens gets a 20-year glow-up

Big things are blooming at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. Council has just adopted a 20-year Master Plan (2025–2045) that maps out how one of our city’s favourite green spaces will grow, thrive, and stay resilient well into the future.

Highlights on the horizon include a brand-new Children’s Garden, a Southern Glasshouse with a café, a fresh learning hub called Ballarat’s Back Garden, and upgrades to the historic Fernery and Prime Ministers Avenue.

. . .

🎨 A laneway with a splash of colour

Council is inviting feedback on a proposal to call the currently unnamed laneway at Barkly Square Colquhoun Lane, recognising the life and work of artist and teacher Amalie Colquhoun (1894–1974).

Colquhoun left her mark on the city through her teaching, paintings, and stained-glass designs in local churches. Naming the laneway is part of a statewide campaign to highlight notable women and balance out the gender gap in public place names.

. . .

COMPETITION

🥾 Merry People Boots Giveaway

If you’ve been eyeing off those cheery Sunflower Yellow Bobbi boots worn by the Ballarat International Foto Biennale crew and thinking “I need those in my life” then I’ve got good news for you! The festival has teamed up with Merry People to give one lucky local a pair of their very own.

All you need to do is snap a photo of your favourite moment at this year’s Foto Biennale, share it on Instagram or Facebook, and tag @ballaratfoto and @merrypeople with the hashtag #MerryPeopleatBallaratFoto.

WHAT’S ON

🎭️ Happenings Around Town

Handpicked activities for all ages

Markets

Ballarat Farmers Market | Sat, 13 Sep | 9:00am - 1:00pm | (Info)
Venue: North Gardens Reserve
Description: Stroll under the dappled shade of mature trees and enjoy up to 130 stalls offering fresh produce, hot food, local goods, and artisanal products right by the lake.

Book Sale Ballarat! | Sat, 13 Sep - Sun, 14 Sep | 1:30pm (Sat) - 1:00pm (Sun) | (Info)
Venue: Victorian Railways Institute
Description: A community book sale held at the historic Victorian Railways Institute.

Comedy

Laugh For Lifeline – Ballarat | Sat, 13 Sep | 8:00pm - 10:00pm | (From $27)
Venue: Ballarat Performing Arts Centre
Description: A special night of stand-up comedy to boost positivity and raise funds for Lifeline, featuring a lineup including Lizzy Hoo, Sammy Peterson, Mali Hawke, Meg Jäger, Joe Baxter and more.

Festivals

Ballarat Holistic & Psychic Expo | Sun, 14 Sep | 10:00am - 4:00pm | (Info)
Venue: Ballarat Table Tennis Association
Description: The expo features psychics, palmists, astrologers, and tarot readers, as well as alternative health practitioners and ecologically sustainable products.

Performances

Looking for Alibrandi | Wed, 17 Sep -  Thu, 18 Sep | 7:30pm, 11:00am | (From $25)
Venue: Her Majesty's Theatre Ballarat
Description: A vibrant theatrical experience bringing the iconic Australian novel to life, exploring class, identity, and family history with passion, laughs, and live passata making.

Path of Miracles | Sat, 13 Sep | 7:30pm | (Info)
Venue: St Patrick's Cathedral, Ballarat
Description: A captivating musical performance in the stunning surrounds of St Patrick's Cathedral.

Taylor A Tribute to Taylor Swift | Sun, 14 Sep | 6:00pm - 8:00pm | (From $72.70)
Venue: Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts Ballarat
Description: A joyous, effervescent concert experience for Swifties, complete with sparkly costumes, cosmic stage production, and over 20 of Taylor's biggest hits.

Community

Fashion Parade | Sun, 14 Sep | 2:00pm - 4:00pm | (From $35)
Venue: Ballarat Mechanics Institute
Description: The BMI's vintage & pre-loved shop showcases its wares in this important fundraiser for the refurbishment of the Heritage Reading Room ceiling. Enjoy a glass of champagne, music, and a silent auction.

Out of The Shadows Walk | Sat, 13 Sep | 5:30am - 8:00am | (Info)
Venue: Pipers by the Lake
Description: A community dawn walk to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention.

RUCK Ballarat | Sat, 13 Sep | 2:30pm | (Info)
Venue: Lake Wendouree
Description: A community ruck and walk event around the iconic Lake Wendouree.

Exhibitions & Shows

Art Gallery of Ballarat Art Screen: Leicolhn McKellar – Guma | Ongoing | (Info)
Venue: Alfred Deakin Place
Description: Budjiti photographer Leicolhn McKellar's visual exploration of contemporary pan-Aboriginal identity, capturing the everyday lives of First Nations families and celebrating their strength and connection. Part of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale.

Art Gallery of Ballarat Backspace Gallery: Brian O’Dwyer | Ongoing | (Info)
Venue: Backspace Gallery
Description: Local artist Brian O'Dwyer presents his photographic series 'Multipurpose', featuring portraits of his early morning swimming companions from a local rehabilitation pool. Part of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale.

I Love Campbell | Ongoing | 10:00am - 4:00pm | (Info)
Venue: Ballarat Mining Exchange
Description: An exclusive exhibition by Campbell Addy, one of fashion's most exciting photographers. His work blends photography, painting, and film to explore beauty, difference, and being seen.

Marks of Absence Photographs | Ongoing | 10:00am - 5:00pm | (Info)
Venue: Eureka Centre Ballarat
Description: An eight-panel series photographed at Auschwitz using a Holocaust-era Leica camera, with each image's texture and concept reflecting on history, memory, and justice.

Scene and Seen by Mark Misic | Thu, 11 Sep - Sun, 14 Sep | 12:00pm - 7:00pm | (Info)
Venue: Kilderkin Distillery
Description: A series of large scale black and white tessellated portraits exploring the moment-by-moment actions of people that reveal their relationship to the world around them.

Film

RISE Fly Fishing Film Tour 2025 - Ballarat | Fri, 12 Sep | 7:30pm - 10:00pm | (Info)
Venue: Ballarat Fly Fishers
Description: The 19th annual tour returns with a curated selection of the best fly fishing films from around the world, promising stunning cinematography and unforgettable stories.

Spaceballs – Fight MND Fundraiser | Sat, 13 Sep | 6:00pm - 8:30pm | ($18.00)
Venue: Eureka Centre
Description: A nostalgic cinema experience with a purpose. Enjoy the cult classic comedy 'Spaceballs' while supporting research into Motor Neurone Disease.

Wellness

Enchanting Kirtan Meditation Experience | Sun, 14 Sep | 7:00pm - 9:00pm | (Free)
Venue: Brown Hill Community Hall
Description: Experience the magic of kirtan, a meditative practice that weaves melody, music, and mantra to transport you to a place of deep inner peace. Includes a guided "Journey to Forgiveness" meditation.

Practical Meditation | Sun, 14 Sep | 3:00pm - 4:00pm | (Info)
Venue: Alfredton community centre
Description: A session focused on practical meditation techniques for everyday life.

Workshops & Classes

Creative Craft Connections: Papercrafting | Sat, 13 Sep | 10:00am - 12:00pm | (Info)
Venue: Ballan Library & Community Hub
Description: Learn how to make beautiful and unique journals, cards, collages and more. Be guided and supported by an experienced facilitator through simple papercrafting techniques.

Good Eggs Adults Workshop | Sun, 14 Sep | 3:30pm - 5:00pm | (Info)
Venue: Blackwood (Exact address released to ticket holders)
Description: Local artist Kathy Holowko shares her Ukrainian family tradition of Pysanky, the ancient craft of using wax and dye to decorate eggs. 50% of funds raised will be donated to Ukrainian aid.

Leather Gaiters Workshop | Sun, 14 Sep | 12:00pm-6:30pm | (Info)
Venue: Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades
Description: Make your own pair of leather gaiters under the guidance of leathercraft expert Alexander Stone, learning essentials like using patterns, hand tools, and setting rivets.

Ratnest Improv Workshops | Wed, 17 Sep | 7:15pm - 8:15pm | ($10.00)
Venue: Ballarat Performing Arts Centre
Description: Engage in improvisational acting workshops where key principles are taught through theatre games and exercises in a casual and fun group setting. No experience required.

Teapot Tales Workshop at TBH Studio | Sat, 13 Sep | 2:00pm - 4:00pm | (Free)
Venue: TBH Studio
Description: Enjoy a cuppa and chat whilst decorating a teapot or teacup that will become part of a new art installation at Barkly Square celebrating inclusivity and friendship.

. . .

🎵 Live Music

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

Fri, 12 Sep 

Odessa at leavers | Hugo Race & Michelangelo Russo | 7:00pm - 10:00pm
The Main Bar | One Part Gin | 7:00pm - 10:00pm

Sat, 13 Sep 

Civic Hall Ballarat | John Butler Prism Tour | 7:30pm - 10:45pm | ($85.50)
Grainery Lane | Piano by Request | 6:00pm - 11:59pm
Hop Temple | Saturday Live Music | 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Midlands Golf Club | Retro Revival | 7:30pm
St Patrick's Cathedral | Path of Miracles | 7:30pm
Volta | SUBCENTER 80's Edition | 6:45pm
Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts | The 60 Four: Hit’s of the 60s and 70s | 7:30pm - 9:45pm | (From $69.99)

Sun, 14 

XONA HOTEL | Ice Embers | 3:00pm

🌤️ Weather

Thursday, 11 September
10 °C 🌡️ 2 °C | 🌧️ | ☔ ~60% | 💨 W 10–20 km/h

Friday, 12 September
12 °C 🌡️ 6 °C | 🌧️ | ☔ ~50% | 💨 W 10–20 km/h

Saturday, 13 September
14 °C 🌡️ 6 °C | 🌧️ | ☔ ~40% | 💨 SW 10–20 km/h

Sunday, 14 September
16 °C 🌡️ 8 °C | 🌤️ | ☔ ~20% | 💨 NW 10–15 km/h

Monday, 15 September
14 °C 🌡️ 7 °C | 🌧️ | ☔ ~50% | 💨 W 10–20 km/h

Tuesday, 16 September
10 °C 🌡️ 1 °C | 🌧️ | ☔ ~70% | 💨 SW 15–25 km/h

Wednesday, 17 September
12 °C 🌡️ 4 °C | 🌤️ | ☔ ~20% | 💨 W 10–20 km/h

. . .

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Until next Thursday!