After 25 years, Ballarat's 'best Chinese' is closing down

Good morning, Ballarat! The winter solstice might be behind us, but winter is definitely kicking into high gear. But don't worry! July is packed with "cool" events (see what I did there!) and activities for everyone. So put on your beanie, scarf and gloves, and let's dive into this week's edition of Ballarat Life.

In today’s edition

• Farewell to Ballarat’s fav Chinese takeaway

• Local food business goes national

• Road closure alert

• Showgrounds relocates to Mount Rowan

• Happenings around town

- Luciano Devoto

FEATURE STORY

🥳 Finally! Our New Showgrounds Are Open

After five years of development and missing the Ballarat Show in 2024, the new Ballarat Showgrounds & Events Centre at Mount Rowan are finally open for business.

The new location includes 40 acres and a massive 28,000 square metre pavilion! The historic Ballarat Show will make its grand return in November 2025 at this bigger and better site, complete with horse events returning to their former glory.

The space has already hosted CraftAlive, the Ballarat Outdoor Living and Camping Expo, Farmer's Night Off, and Victorian Sheep Show.

This isn't just about agricultural shows either. The space is available for commercial hire, so expect to see some exciting new events being hosted at this amazing new complex!

Learn more about Ballarat Showgrounds & Events Centre and upcoming events.

COMMUNITY DIGEST

From Ballarat Kitchen to Coles Shelves: Local Food Business Hits the Big Time

I love stories like this! There's a local business here in Ballarat called Exotic Bazaar that just absolutely nailed it. The founder, Gilava Pour, started making Middle Eastern recipe bases in her kitchen, and now they're going into 155 Coles stores across Australia starting September 2025. How amazing is that?

Gilava's a Persian-Australian who wanted to bring those incredible deep flavors from her heritage to regular Aussie dinners. What I love most is that these aren't just convenient shortcuts. They're literally culture in a jar carrying family stories and traditions.

It's so cool seeing another Ballarat business making it big!

. . .

Ballarat's Beloved Chinese Takeaway Calls It Quits

After 25 years of serving up legendary dim sims and lemon chicken, The Glory Ocean in Wendouree is closing its doors as owners Hung Dich and Ha Thai Luu hang up their aprons at age 66.

The Luus have been grinding for over two decades first as The Golden Ocean on Sturt Street for 14 years, then rebranding as The Glory Ocean when they moved to Violet Grove 11 years ago.

Loyal customers swear it's "the best Chinese in Ballarat," and The Glory Ocean's closure will leave a serious hole in the city's culinary scene. So, if you haven't tried their sweet and sour pork yet, time's running out fast.

The Glory Ocean
19 Violet Grove, Wendouree VIC 3355
Phone: (03) 4343 1455

. . .

Winter Is Coming (With Road Closures)

As the city prepares to throw an amazing Winter Festival for all of us, it will come with a bit of a traffic headache. Ballarat's Winter Festival is transforming the CBD into a winter wonderland from 5 - 27 July (complete with some road closures).

Armstrong Street South will be closed from Sturt Street to the Town Hall rear from June 23 until August 1 for a pop-up ice-skating rink.

The center median at Armstrong and Sturt Streets gets its own closure from June 30 to July 24 for a Spiegeltent (fancy German for "mirror tent").

Traffic should still flow both ways on Sturt Street, but I bet this will be a good opportunity to build some patience muscle (or perfect your car karaoke skills).

Check Out Ballarat Council website for more information.

Speaking of great coffee... we’ve handpicked 7 cosy, under-the-radar cafés that most people haven’t heard of but absolutely should. Each one offers something special: a warm atmosphere, beautiful surroundings, friendly service, and of course a great cup of coffee.

Inside, you’ll find:

• ☕ Coffee worth leaving the house for

• 🍰 Light meals, sweet treats, and relaxed charm

• 🌿 A mix of peaceful suburban corners and scenic small-town favourites

Simply share this link with two friends and once they sign up, the guide will land in your inbox instantly!

WHAT’S ON

🎭 Happenings Around Town

Thursday, 26 June

Starting Solids | Djila-tjarriu (Alfredton Community Hub) | 10:00am | Free | A session for parents with babies ready to start on solid foods.

Family History Drop-In | Sebastopol Library Community Hub | 1:00pm | Free | The Ballarat and District Genealogical Society can support your research.

Maker Space Teen Takeover | Ballarat Library | 3:30pm | Free | A teen-only (15-18) Maker Space Drop-In for young creatives.

Eco-Reads Winter Book Chat | Sebastopol Library | 6:00pm | Free | Discuss your favourite environmentally themed literature.

Central Venous Access Devices (CVADs) Workshop | ACU Clinical School, Lucas | 9:00am | Program for Registered & Enrolled Nurses required to care for PICCs & PORTs.

Friday, 27 June

7 Week Watercolour Program for Adults | Sturt Street Gallery & Classes | $220 | A comprehensive watercolour program for beginners to advanced, running for 7 weeks with all materials supplied.

Axe throwing and Smash rooms | Escape Smash Play Ballarat | 4:00pm | Free | A free session for young people aged 13-25 to try axe throwing and the smash rooms.

Saturday, 28 June

Ballarat Repair Cafe | Barkly Square | Free | Volunteer repairers mend broken household items to reduce waste and save money.

Obsidian Dark Beer Festival | The Mining Exchange | 11:00am | From $65 | Immerse yourself in the rich world of dark beers, featuring 15 independent breweries from across Victoria.

Bound for Broadway - A Junior Musical Revue | Gay E. Gough Theatre | 3:30pm | See the Foundation in Performing Arts junior students in a high-energy celebration of imagination and the magic of musicals.

Guys & Dolls Musical Theatre Production | Gay E. Gough Theatre | 6:00pm | See the BCMA intermediate students perform the classic golden-age musical about gamblers, showgirls, and salvation in New York City.

CARB 2025 - Lunar Rover | 3rd Ballarat Scout Hall | From $35 | The South West Rover Region presents an out-of-this-world themed 'Lunar Rover' party.

New Moon Cacao Sound Bath | Wayapurra Hall, Creswick Neighbourhood Centre | 7:00pm | Gather under the dark moon to connect with the medicine of Cacao and the healing sounds of singing bowls.

Woven Pride Bracelet Workshop | TBH Studio | 11:00am | Learn how to make beautiful woven beaded bracelets as part of Ballarat Pride Month 2025.

Ballarat Farmers Market | North Gardens Reserve | Free Entry | Stroll under dappled shade and enjoy a coffee, hot food, and fresh produce from over 100 stalls.

New Moon Cacao Sound Bath | Wayapurra Hall, Creswick | 7:00pm | Gather under the dark moon to connect with the medicine of Cacao.

Sunday, 29 June

Daylesford Sunday Market | Daylesford Railway Station | Free Entry | Wander through up to 130 stalls offering fresh produce, artisan goods, antiques, and more.

Ditchfield Reserve Planting | Ditchfield Reserve, Brown Hill | 10:00am | Free | Help increase wildlife habitat by planting local native trees

Beginner Ceramics Workshop | Enfield | 10:30am | This workshop caters for beginners, no creative skills needed.

Mona Lisa Smile (PG) - Screenings in the Atrium | Ballarat Library | 1:30pm | Free | A free screening of the inspiring drama about a progressive art history teacher who challenges the traditional roles of women in the 1950s.

Monday, 30 June

Ageing Well in Ballarat - Community workshop | Ballarat Town Hall | 10:30am | Have your say on the transport needs of older people in Ballarat to help inform future projects and planning.

Tuesday, 1 July

Ballarat History Chat: Visit to Ballarat Tramway Museum | Ballarat Tramway Museum | 1:30pm | Delve into the stories of Ballarat’s past and hear about the history of trams in our city.

Wellbeing Matters: Mindful Button Bracelets | Ballarat Library | 10:00am | Free | Craft a simple, yet beautiful, button bracelet and connect with others.

YArtistry • Winter 2025 | Ballarat Library | 4:00pm | Free | Let your creativity flow in this art session for ages 12-18.

Wednesday, 2 July

LEGO Club at Wendouree Library | Wendouree Library | 3:45pm | Free | Show off your imaginative building skills by completing a series of themed challenges with LEGO.

Thursday, 3 July

Thursday Movie Screening: Emu Runner (PG) | Sebastopol Library | 1:00pm | Free | A screening of the PG-rated film.

. . .

Ballarat Winter Festival Events for the Week

All Week

Wonderful Winter Igloos | Market Hotel Ballarat | Times not specified | Experience winter igloos at the Market Hotel.

Saturday, 27 June

Casual Canvas Sessions | The Art Club Hub | 10:00am - 4:00pm | Relaxed painting session with pre-drawn or blank canvases. All materials provided, suitable for all ages.

Friday, 4 July

Winter Wonderlights | Sovereign Hill, Bradshaw Street | 10:00am - 7:00pm | Classic Sovereign Hill by day, then magical evening with faux snow, treats, music and stunning light projections.

🎵 Live Music

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

Thursday, 26 June

• Piano Bar Ballarat | Drag Bingo | 6:00pm 

• Freight Bar and Rooftop | Hootenanny Up Late - Hot Lemons, Jonny Driver, Frogriders | 7:00pm | Free

Friday, 27 June

• Piano Bar Ballarat | Piano by Request | 6:00pm 

• Irish Murphy’s Ballarat | Hi-Strung | 7:00pm | Free

• Her Majesty's Theatre Ballarat | Ross Wilson and The Peaceniks | 8:00pm 

• Odessa at Leavers Hotel, Creswick | Debra Byrne - Feels Like Home | 8:00pm 

Saturday, 28 June

• Piano Bar Ballarat | SoundCheck Sessions Mid-Year Sow | 10:00am 

• Hopscotch Cafe | Joy Kohl | 11:30am | Free

• Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts | Elise Wright and Friends | 2:30pm 

• Oz Tenpin Ballarat | Rewired Rock Band | 5:00pm 

• Millers Arms | Miller's Arms Debut | 5:30pm 

• The Grand Bar Restaurant Functions | Swish | 6:00pm | $20

• Terminus Theatre at The Goods Shed | Candlelight: Tribute to Queen | 6:00pm 

• Odessa, Creswick | Melbourne African Traditional Ensemble (MATE) | 7:00pm 

• JD's Bar & Lounge | Super Trouper (ABBA Party) - Ballarat | 8:30pm 

Sunday, 29 June

• Itinerant Spirits | Sunday Sessions | 12:00pm | Free

• The Grand | HIGHWAY 8 | 1:00pm | Free

• Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute - The Minerva Space | The Australian Barbra Streisand Show | 2:00pm 

• Cubby Haus Brewing | The Rectifiers | 2:30pm | Free

• Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts Ballarat | Hans - Young, Fun and 21 | 3:00pm 

• Her Majesty's Theatre Ballarat | Pete Murray - Solo Acoustic Tour | 6:30pm 

Wednesday, 2 July

• Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts Ballarat | Queen - It's a Kinda Magic | 7:00pm 

🌤️ Weather

Thursday, 26th June
1°🌡️10° | ☁️ | ☔20% | 💨 SW 15–20 kph

Friday, 27th June
0°🌡️12° | ☁️ | ☔20% | 💨 Light winds

Saturday, 28th June
1°🌡️12° | ☁️ | ☔20% | 💨 Light winds

Sunday, 29th June
1°🌡️11° | 🌦️ | ☔40% | 💨 Light winds

Monday, 30th June
0°🌡️11° | ⛅ | ☔20% | 💨 Light winds

Tuesday, 1st July
1°🌡️11° | ⛅ | ☔20% | 💨 Light winds

Wednesday, 2nd July
2°🌡️10° | 🌦️ | ☔40% | 💨 Light winds

Thanks for reading today’s edition of Ballarat Life. If you found something useful, please share it with your friends 🙏

Until next Thursday!