🚏 Ballarat’s sketchiest spot is no surprise...

Good morning, Ballarat! Ever walked down a street and thought, “Hmm, could use a few more lights here”? Council wants our two cents with its new safety map, and while we’re at it, we’ve got local awards, a new yoga studio, healthier bites at BALC, and the full weekend lowdown. Let’s dive in.

– Luciano Devoto
Local news without the politics or paywall. If that’s your jam, shout me a coffee ☕

FEATURE STORY

📍 Help map the spots you love, and the ones you don’t

Ever felt a shiver walking past a dark laneway and wondered, “Hmm, should I take a detour?” Well, now’s your chance to spill the tea. Ballarat Council has just launched the Safer Ballarat Community Safety Mapping Tool, inviting you to map spots around town that feel sketchy (and, those that feel safe too).

You drag a pin, type a note, and boom, your lived experience helps Council and the Community Safety Alliance spot trouble zones, plan improvements, and make public spaces friendlier and safer for everyone.

Word around town is Little Bridge Street bus stops are the sketchiest of the lot. Agree, or got another contender?

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POLL

COMMUNITY DIGEST

🏅 Nominations Open for Ballarat Awards

Know someone who makes Ballarat better just by being part of it? The Ballarat Australia Day Community Awards are now open for 2026 nominations. It’s the city’s way of recognising the quiet achievers, local champions, and events that bring our community to life.

Categories include Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen (under 25), and Community Event of the Year — so there’s room to celebrate contributions big and small. Nominations close 31 October, with winners to be announced in January.

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♻️ Young creatives take recycling for a spin

Three winning student artworks now ride the streets on Ballarat’s waste collection trucks, turning bin day into a rolling reminder to sort it right.

Over 130 entries poured in, the designs popped, and Council even expanded the fleet spots from two to three. It’s clever timing too - the FOGO and glass collections kick off Monday 3 November, so the message meets the moment. I love the idea of a moving gallery with a creative and educational message!

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🎭 Support Coming for Local Venues

Great news for community venues: the Victorian government has opened a new round of the Small Regional Presenters program, delivering grants up to $15,000 to help regional arts spaces stage theatre, music, dance, comedy and more.

The idea is to give small halls and local presenters resources to build audience, strengthen their operations and bring more shows closer to home. The deadline to apply is 5pm, Friday 31 October.

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🚴 Shared path, raised crossings and happier legs

Grenville St North is about to get a facelift. Construction is on, and the new 2.5m wide shared path will connect Mair St and Bridge Mall to the Yarrowee River Trail and Brown Hill track. There’re plans for raised crossings, lighting upgrades, trees, garden beds, bike racks, and one very smug wayfinding sign. 

Stage 1 runs to early December with detours that keep shopfronts smiling, and the whole project lands early 2026. 

BUSINESS

🧘 Eastside Yoga Opens in Ballarat East

Here’s a new place to roll out the mat. Eastside Yoga officially opened on 4 October at 67A Scott Parade, Ballarat East. The studio offers a range of classes from Mellow Movement to Strong & Steady, designed to welcome every body and every level of experience.

On the third Sunday of every month, Eastside Yoga will run free community classes cater to all levels and taught by alternating teachers.

🥗 Healthier Food and Drinks Now at BALC

The Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre has freshened up its menu to make fuelling your swim or workout a little healthier. Under the “Eat Well, Feel Good Ballarat” program, you’ll now find superfood balls, nut mixes, cheese and crackers, and other nutritious grab-and-go options. Sugary drinks have been cut back by 16%, with better choices front and centre.

The changes came after a community survey with more than 750 responses, showing strong demand for healthier options.

WHAT’S ON

🎭️ Happenings Around Town

Handpicked activities for all ages

Markets

BECS Shed Garage Sale | Thu, 9 Oct | 9:00am - 12:00pm | (Free)
Venue: BECS Shed
Description: A weekly garage sale featuring mainly hardware items, camping or outdoor goods and gardening tools. You can also take a look in the picture framing shop.

Ballarat Farmers Market | Sat, 11 Oct | 9:00am - 1:00pm | (Free)
Venue: North Gardens Reserve, Zoo Drive
Description: A bustling market with over 80 stalls featuring fresh local produce, artisanal goods, hot food, coffee, crafts, and a great community atmosphere by the lake.

Sebastopol Men's Shed Plant Sale & Sausage Sizzle | Sat, 11 Oct | 10:00am - 12:00pm | (Free)
Venue: Sebastopol Men's Shed
Description: A wide variety of plants including Hellebores, Salvias, and succulents. Also on sale are refurbished mowers, garden tools, and shed-made relishes, beetroot and honey.

Comedy

BallaRatCat Comedy in the Chapel | Fri, 10 Oct | 8:00pm - 10:30pm | (Info)
Venue: Ballarat Performing Arts Centre
Description: BallaRatCat, Ballarat’s biggest comedy night, returns in its new home. Featuring Peter Helliar, Danny McGinlay, Tor Snyder & Michael Williams, join them for fun times and big laughs!

Festivals

Midwest Fest Wine + Food Festival | Sat, 11 Oct | 11:00am - 5:00pm | (Info)
Venue: The Goods Shed Events Hall
Description: It’s Ballarat’s turn to go all in on the Pyrenees region’s best wines and mouthwatering food. Sip world-class wines, munch on tasty bites from food vendors, and get your wine knowledge on with fun masterclasses.

Performances

Calisthenics Graceful Solo Final | Sat, 11 Oct | 6:00pm - 9:00pm | (From $20)
Venue: Her Majesty's Theatre
Description: The Couture Costume Dancewear Graceful Solo is one of the most prestigious solo events on the calisthenics competition season. Take a seat at Australia’s most prestigious calisthenic competition.

Floriography | Sat, 11 Oct | 3:00pm - 4:00pm | (Info)
Venue: Ballarat Arts Incubator
Description: An immersive projection-based show where flowers act as metaphors. The show presents floral portraits, along with original live spoken word poetry, accompanied by an original ambient soundtrack. Part of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale.

Phantom – A Tribute to Michael Crawford | Sun, 12 Oct | 2:00pm - 4:00pm | (From $45)
Venue: Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts
Description: A celebration of Michael Crawford's hit musicals, featuring The Music of the Night, All I Ask of You, and The Phantom of the Opera. Performer Keith McNamara captures the power and passion of the iconic star.

Art & Exhibitions

Marks of Absence Photographs by Des Crossley | All Week | 10:00am - 5:00pm | (Free)
Venue: Eureka Centre Ballarat
Description: An eight-panel series photographed at Auschwitz using a Leica IIIC from the Holocaust era. Each photograph is rendered in halftone to symbolise each life lost, bridging history and the present. Part of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale.

Art Hub Ballarat Artist-in-Residence | Thu, 9 Oct | 11:00am - 5:00pm | (Free)
Venue: Art Hub Ballarat
Description: Meet Artist-in-Residence Alana Smith (Cut Off Your Hands Jewellery), a Ballarat-based artist who works predominantly in sterling silver, inspired by Brutalist architecture and the roughness of eroded concrete.

Merchants and Musicians by Casey McIntosh | Sat, 11 Oct | 12:00pm - 4:00pm | (Free)
Venue: The Old Butchers Shop Gallery
Description: This exhibition features vibrant portraits celebrating diverse individuals in our local community, including chefs, a butcher, café owners, and talented musicians like the renowned Warren Ellis.

SHAC on Track 2025 | Sat, 11 Oct | 11:00am - 4:00pm | (Free)
Venue: Ross Creek Gallery
Description: The Soldiers Hill Artist Collective presents an inspiring variety of artistic expression, featuring a diverse showcase of painting, textiles, photography, weaving, sculptures, and carpentry from 20 artists.

Women to the Front: Art Exhibition | From Sat, 11 Oct | All Day | (Free)
Venue: Kank Wolverang Records
Description: A celebration of powerhouse voices and visionary artistry, paying tribute to the trailblazing front women of music. Features vibrant paintings, intricate illustrations and three-dimensional sculptures.

Community

Ballarat Bike Night | Sat, 11 Oct | 6:00pm | (Free)
Venue: AMX Superstores Ballarat
Description: Come and hang out for a night celebrating bikes. There will be coffee, raffles, and a trophy for the best Japanese bike.

#TheBiscuitTin in Ballarat Launch | Tue, 14 Oct | 10:00am - 11:30am | (Free)
Venue: Eureka Centre Ballarat
Description: Join the launch of #TheBiscuitTin Ballarat project, which aims to raise awareness of older women’s contributions and the need for respect. Celebrate 10 older women in Ballarat and the release of the 'Recipes for Respect' book. Morning tea follows.

Ageing Well Services Invermay Community Day | Wed, 15 Oct | 11:00am - 2:00pm | (Free)
Venue: Invermay Community Hall
Description: Join the Ageing Well Services team and Invermay Primary School for some entertainment and activities as we celebrate Seniors Festival and Children’s Week. Light lunch provided.

Health & Wellness

Phoenix Sound Bath | Sun, 12 Oct | 7:00pm - 8:30pm | (Info)
Venue: Phoenix Alternative Body & Soul
Description: An immersive sound healing meditation featuring Himalayan and crystal singing bowls, didgeridoo, and shamanic drums to release stress and restore balance.

Community Soundbaths | Mon, 13 Oct | 7:30pm - 8:30pm | (Info)
Venue: Wayapurra Hall, Creswick Neighbourhood Centre
Description: A relaxing soundbath session to unwind and rejuvenate.

Hearing Australia Information Session and Hearing Screenings | Tue, 14 Oct | 1:00pm - 1:15pm | (Free)
Venue: Lucas Community Hub
Description: A brief awareness session on hearing health, followed by free hearing checks. Bookings preferred for checks.

Talks & Ideas

Anorexia exposed from the inside out | Thu, 9 Oct | 12:00pm - 2:00pm | (Free)
Venue: Selkirk Stadium
Description: Georgia Harraway-Jones, former Ballarat resident, will talk about her lived experience of an eating disorder and her path to recovery. She’ll bust a few myths and discuss options for carers support.

Let's Talk About Mental Health | Thu, 9 Oct | 5:00pm - 7:30pm | (From $15)
Venue: Craig's Royal Hotel
Description: An evening of connection and conversation to shine a spotlight on the wellbeing of teachers and school teams. Features keynote from Mishma Kumar-Jonson (Australian Social Worker of the Year 2024) and a community panel.

Services Australia Presentation for over 55's | Mon, 13 Oct | 2:00pm - 3:00pm | (Free)
Venue: Ballarat Library
Description: Learn all about services and payments for over 55’s, My Aged Care and Disability Support. Part of the Victorian Seniors Festival.

Album Club | Wed, 15 Oct | 6:00pm - 7:00pm | (Free)
Venue: Ballarat Library
Description: Get together to discuss the chosen album of the month and talk about what else you have been listening to. Discover new music and share the music you love.

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🎵 Live Music

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

Thu, 9 Oct

The Sporting Globe | Kaze Karaoke | 8:00pm | (Free)
Volta | Seth Sentry | 8:00pm | ($70.00)

Fri, 10 Oct

JD’s Bar and Lounge | Kaze Karaoke | 8:00pm - 11:59pm | (Free)
Kilderkin Distillery | Valley Road | 7:30pm - 10:30pm | ($20.00)
The Main Bar | The Hot Lemons & The Darlings Family Trust | 7:00pm - 10:00pm | ($15.00)

Sat, 11 Oct

The Cattleyards Inn | Kaze Karaoke | 8:00pm - 11:59pm | (Free)
Hop Temple | Saturday Live Music | 6:00pm - 10:00pm
The Main Bar | Distorta, Cosmonaut, Primitive Deserters | 8:00pm - 11:00pm | ($15.00)
Piano Bar | Piano by Request | 6:00pm - 11:59pm

Sun, 12 Oct

The Main Bar | Steve Plater and The Dirty Blues | 2:30pm - 5:00pm | ($15.00)
Piano Bar Ballarat | Fleetwood Max | 1:00pm - 4:30pm | ($45.00)

Tue, 14 Oct

The Robin Hood Hotel | Kaze Karaoke | 7:00pm - 11:00pm | (Free)

🌤️ Weather

Thursday, 9 October
14 °C 🌡️ 8 °C | 🌧️ | ☔ ~40% | 💨 SW 20 km/h

Friday, 10 October
15 °C 🌡️ 8 °C | 🌧️ | ☔ ~50% | 💨 W 25 km/h

Saturday, 11 October
13 °C 🌡️ 4 °C | 🌧️ | ☔ ~60% | 💨 SW 25 km/h

Sunday, 12 October
10 °C 🌡️ 1 °C | 🌧️ | ☔ ~50% | 💨 SW 20 km/h

Monday, 13 October
14 °C 🌡️ 3 °C | ⛅ | ☔ ~20% | 💨 W 15 km/h

Tuesday, 14 October
16 °C 🌡️ 6 °C | 🌧️ | ☔ ~40% | 💨 W 20 km/h

Wednesday, 15 October
19 °C 🌡️ 6 °C | ⛅ | ☔ ~10% | 💨 NW 15 km/h

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Until next Thursday!