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💰 Ballarat’s got $20k with your name on it

💰 Ballarat’s got $20k with your name on it

Luciano Devoto
August 14, 2025

Morning, Ballarat! How good has this week been? Mostly sunshine, blue skies, and just enough chill to keep the scarves out without freezing your fingers off. The weekend’s shaping up nicely too, so here’s what else is heating up around town this week.

In this edition:

City grants open with funding up to $20k+ for local ideas
Nearly 6,000 homes saving 90 tonnes from landfill
New vids to help bubs and parents get a better night’s sleep
Local parks getting a summer-ready facelift
Council wants your feedback on a few initiatives
Sri Lankan food truck spices up Wendouree
New café serves more than just coffee
Local events and live music around town

– Luciano Devoto

FEATURE STORY

💰 Got a Big Idea? Ballarat’s Putting Cash Behind It

Credit: City of Ballarat

Got a community spark you’ve been dying to ignite? Now’s your chance. The City of Ballarat has opened up two major funding streams, and they’re keen to hear from local changemakers.

Community Impact Grant

This grant dishes out $500 to $20,000 for grassroots projects that bring locals together, ramp up inclusion, or go green. Maybe small, bold and community-led workshops, events, or creative pop-ups. You get the idea.

City Partnerships Program

If your vision’s a bit bigger and lines up with Ballarat’s 2025–29 plans, the multi-year funding of over $20,000 is up for grabs. Perfect if you’re dreaming of long-term impact, whether at the community or commercial level.

Whether you’re volunteer-led or future-ready, head to the City’s Grants page and get your application in the bragging rights (and the funding) could be yours.

COMMUNITY DIGEST

🗑️ Orange You Glad We’re Recycling More?

Credit: City of Ballarat

Nearly 6,000 Ballarat households have jumped on board the scrunchable soft-plastics recycling trial and we’re loving it. Since it kicked off in July 2024, locals have kept a hefty 90 tonnes of bread bags, cling wrap, and lolly packets out of landfill, all neatly bundled into those bright orange bags.

Made from 100% recycled plastic, the bags get popped into yellow-lid bins before starting their second life as packaging or other useful goodies.

Make orange your fav colour by joining the recycling program via the City of Ballarat’s website and they’ll drop your first roll of orange bags right to your door.

. . .

👶 Sleep Rescue: Ballarat’s Got Your Back (and Your Bub’s Bedtime)

Tired parents, rejoice! The City of Ballarat’s Sleep and Settling Program has just rolled out 17 shiny new videos to help families survive the bedtime battlefield.

Filmed right here in town with MRL Studios, they’re packed with gentle, evidence-based tips for bubs and toddlers (six months to two years) and the best bit? They’re free, on call 24/7, and auto-translated into 150+ languages.

Whether it’s midnight wake-ups, nap refusals, or a toddler ready to party at 3 am, there’s a video to help.

Tuck in here: Sleep and Settling Program

. . .

🛝 Parks 2.0: Your Playgrounds Get a Glow-Up by Summer

Good news for anyone who loves a stroll, a swing, or a spot of park-bench people-watching. Seven of our neighbourhood parks are about to get a face lift.

Over the next few months, upgrades will roll out at:

Glenvale Road Reserve, Mt Clear
Hermitage Avenue Reserve, Canadian
Cuthberts Road Reserve, Alfredton
Vale Street Park, Alfredton
Horsham Crescent Reserve, Alfredton
Hearn Road Reserve, Brown Hill
College Street Reserve, Wendouree

Stay tune for the fresh play gear, nature-play zones, garden beds, paths, and shelters to start popping up soon. Works kick off soon and will be wrapped up by December, just in time for summer picnics.

Read the full story

. . .

💬 Your Voice, Your Ballarat: Name It, Shape It

Two very different projects, one common thread: your say matters.

First, the shiny new Sebastopol hub on Vickers Street is nearly ready to welcome kinders, playgroups, and health services in early 2026. Council’s proposing to call it Vickers Street Community Hub (and Vickers Street Kindergarten) and wants your feedback before it’s locked in.

Then there’s Ballarat’s bright orange e-scooters and e-bikes. Since 2021, they’ve clocked 375,000 trips, 850,000 km, and boosted local spend by $3.2m. Should they stay? Have your say by 25 August via MySay.

BUSINESS

🍲 Sri Lankan Flavours Roll Into Wendouree

Credit: Saru.Kitchen

Ballarat, meet Saru.Kitchen, our very own Sri Lankan food truck bringing a burst of spice and colour to Gillies Street North. This family-run gem dishes up fresh, flavour-packed Sri Lankan favourites and street food classics, cooked with love, tradition, and a generous dash of chilli.

You’ll find them parked at 209 Gillies Street North, Wendouree, serving lunch and dinner every Wednesday and Saturday. Perfect for a quick lunch, a takeaway family feast, or catering that’ll have guests talking for weeks.

Follow them on Facebook or Instagram to see what’s cooking next.

. . .

☕️ Brewing Skills and Confidence at Special Treats Café

Here’s another reason to pop by Gillies Street and it’s more than the caffeine hit. Special Treats Café, run by Ballarat Specialist School is serving up coffee, snacks, and a healthy dose of hands-on learning for students.

Open Monday to Friday between 9 am and 2 pm, the café doubles as a real-world classroom, giving students practical experience in everything from customer service to food prep.

WHAT’S ON

🎭️ Happenings Around Town

Handpicked activities for all ages

Markets

Creswick Market | Sat, 16 Aug | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM | (Free)
Venue: Creswick Neighbourhood Centre
Description: A relaxed regional community market with local produce, handmade wares, food stalls, and live music. Family and dog friendly.

Comedy

Carl Barron - Just Wondering Why - Ballarat | Thu, 14 & Mon, 18 Aug | 8:00 PM - 9:20 PM | (Info)
Venue: Her Majesty’s Theatre Ballarat
Description: A comedy show by Carl Barron. Contains adult themes. Booking essential.

Coming Soon! Black Hill Primary School Comedy Night | Fri 22 Aug | 7:30 PM | ($40)
Venue: Victoria Bowling Club
Description: A showcase of some of the best comedians from the Sydney and Melbourne International Comedy Festival in support of Black Hill Primary School

Performances

Britishmania | Fri, 15 Aug | 7:30 PM | (From $59.90)
Venue: Wendouree Centre For Performing Arts
Description: A two-hour musical spectacular of classic hits that shaped music history, featuring Glenn Starr & His Band. A high-energy tribute to the music of The Beatles.

Craig McLachlan, Live and Intimate - Six String Stories | Sat, 16 Aug | 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM | ($69.90)
Venue: Ballarat Mechanics' Institute
Description: An intimate stage show with actor and musician Craig McLachlan, where he will be "playing, singin', riffin' & chatting his way through the stories behind the stories!

For the Joy of Singing | Sun, 17 Aug | 3:30 PM | (From $25)
Venue: Ballarat Performing Arts Community
Description: The Ballarat Choral Society & Ballarat Voices present Calvin Bowman, John Rutter, and Australian Songs, with Organ Soloist Jack Stacey. Followed by afternoon tea.

Macbeth | Fri, 15 Aug - Sun, 17 Aug | Fri 8:00 PM; Sat 1:00 PM & 8:00 PM; Sun 1:00 PM | (Info)
Venue: Creswick Courthouse Theatre
Description: An intense, sub-90-minute adaptation of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, presented by The Bard in Buninyong and Creswick Theatre Company.

Pecha Kucha 07: Reveal | Fri, 15 Aug | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | (Info)
Venue: Australian Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades\
Description: An evening of fast-paced storytelling about conservation, music, and rare trades. Speakers include Adrian McNulty, Justin McCann, Lisa Rundell, Rex Hardware, and Yvonne (Bonnie) Hearn.

Arts & Culture / Exhibitions

Shape and Shadow: A Journey into Light and Form | Ends Thu, 14 Aug | All Day | (Free)
Venue: Unicorn Lane Outdoor Gallery
Description: A project by second-year visual arts students from Federation University. Last day to view this showcase of emerging talent.

Art Gallery of Ballarat Backspace Gallery: Chrissy Button - Daughters of Baba Yaga | Thu, 14 Aug - Sun, 17 Aug | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM | (Free)
Venue: Backspace Gallery
Description: Chrissy Button draws on Polish heritage. Artworks inspired by folklore and the feminine, featuring red thread. Challenges patriarchal symbolism, exploring repair and control.

Nerrida Parfitt and Peter Tankey Exhibition | Sat, 16 Aug - Sun, 17 Aug | 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM | (Free)
Venue: The Old Butchers Shop Gallery
Description: Visual artist couple Nerrida Parfitt and Peter Tankey explore Ballarat's history & landscape in their exhibition. Features nocturnal paintings capturing atmosphere, light, and place.

Community & Learning

National Science Week - First Nations Astronomy with Duane Hamacher | Sun, 17 Aug | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | (Info)
Venue: Ballarat Library
Description: A fascinating talk by Duane Hamacher exploring humanity's connection to the stars and Australian Indigenous Astronomy.

The Secret History of Sharks with Professor John Long | Fri, 15 Aug | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM |(From $8)
Venue: Ballarat Mechanics' Institute
Description: Join palaeontologist Professor John Long as he dives into the mysterious past of sharks, from megalodons to great whites. A special event for National Science Week.

AstroKids - Space is all around! | Sat, 16 Aug | 9.45 AM | (Info)
Venue: Ballarat Municipal Observatory and Museum
Description: A National Science Week event exploring space through guided tours of the historic observatory, screenings of astrophysics films, and an evening session covering celestial motions and the significance of pi in space.

Try Before You Ride - Ballarat Station Upgrade Session | Thu, 14 Aug | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM | (Free)
Venue: Ballarat Train Station
Description: A program helping people with disabilities or accessibility needs to confidently use public transport during station upgrades.

From Zero to Hero | Thu, 14 Aug | 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | (Info)
Venue: Selkirk Stadium
Description: Hear the remarkable and inspiring story of Christian Dakla, an immigrant from Benin in West Africa.

Book Week Bookfest | Fri, 15 Aug - Sun, 17 Aug | (Info)
Venue: 320 Pleasant Street South Ballarat
Description: Find up to 12,000 books for sale at $3 each. Enter your school for a chance to win $500 cash for their library.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Experience - Ballarat | Until Mon, 1 Sep | (Info)
Venue: Capri Cafe
Description: Immerse yourself in an exciting adventure following the Yellow Brick Road, cracking puzzles, uncovering hidden clues, and rescuing Dorothy.

. . .

🎵 Live Music

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

Friday, 15th August

Saturday, 16th August

Sunday, 17th August

🌤️ Weather

Thursday, 14 August
6 °C 🌡️ 14 °C | 🌥️ | ☔~10% | 💨 NW 15–25 km/h

Friday, 15 August
2 °C 🌡️ 10 °C | 🌥️ | ☔~20% | 💨 WNW 10–20 km/h

Saturday, 16 August
2 °C 🌡️ 8 °C | 🌥️ | ☔~30% | 💨 WNW 10–20 km/h

Sunday, 17 August
2 °C 🌡️ 10 °C | 🌥️ | ☔~30% | 💨 NW 10–20 km/h

Monday, 18 August
0 °C 🌡️ 10 °C | 🌤️ | ☔~10% | 💨 W 10–20 km/h

Tuesday, 19 August
2 °C 🌡️ 12 °C | 🌤️ | ☔~0% | 💨 W 10–20 km/h

Wednesday, 20 August
2 °C 🌡️ 14 °C | 🌥️ | ☔~20% | 💨 W 10–20 km/h

. . .

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