🚍 Buses might not be running, but Ballarat is rolling...

Good morning, Ballarat! Spring’s giving it a go, but the forecast says we’ll be dodging showers for most of the week, so I’ve lined up plenty of indoor picks to keep you busy. Plus, there’s a super-quick survey where you can add your two cents to help shape Ballarat Life and make sure it stays entertaining and useful for you.

– Luciano Devoto
Keep Ballarat Life brewing by shouting me a coffee ☕

FEATURE STORY

🚴‍♀️ Ballarat Gets Rolling for Biketober

October’s nearly here, which means it’s time to swap four wheels for two and join Biketober 2025. Doesn’t matter if you’re Lycra-clad, basket-on-the-front, or “haven’t-ridden-since-high-school”, every ride counts.

It’s free to join via Love to Ride. Ride solo or rope in your workplace, school, or neighbour who thinks they’re Cadel Evans. Points add up with every ride, big or small, and yes, there are prizes up for grabs.

Last year Ballarat collectively clocked over 228,000 km! We also shaved more than 3,200 kg of CO₂ off our footprint while giving the quads a much needed workout.

With fresh paths around Canadian Creek and Sturt Street, there’s never been a better excuse to dust off the helmet.

SURVEY

📝 Tell Me What You Really Think…

Ballarat Life is made for our community. Whether you call Ballarat home or you’re one of the regular visitors who can’t stay away, I’d love your help shaping what comes next.

I’ve put together a super-short survey (just four questions, pinky swear). Your input will help me decide what stories to include and what to leave out, so you’ll be hanging out for Thursdays even more.

It takes less than 30 seconds (yes, I timed it). Thanks heaps for jumping in!

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COMMUNITY DIGEST

🏆 A Local Holiday Park With Heart

NRMA Ballarat Holiday Park has snagged a state award for Workplace Excellence proving it’s not just a great spot for campers, but also a top place to work.

The park stood out for building a culture of trust, care and inclusion, with thoughtful touches like sensory-friendly spaces for neurodiverse kids and plenty of family-friendly facilities.

It’s a reminder that when locals put people first, everyone benefits: staff, guests, and the wider community. So next time you roll past or book a stay, know you’re supporting a Ballarat workplace that’s raising the bar.

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✍️ Got a Story to Share?

The Southern Cross Short Story Competition 2025, run by Ballarat Writers Inc., is down to its final weeks — so if you’ve got words waiting to spill, now’s the time.

Everyone’s welcome, from seasoned scribblers to brand-new storytellers. Short tales, essays, reflections, daydreams… any genre goes. All it takes is an idea and the courage to hit “submit.”

Yes, there’s a small entry fee, but think of it as your ticket into Ballarat’s buzzing writing scene. It’s a chance to stretch your imagination, share your work, and maybe even snag a little glory.

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🤝 Reconciliation Plan Needs Your Voice

Ballarat is putting forward its draft Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan and wants the community’s ideas on how to bring it to life. The plan is all about strengthening relationships with First Nations people and making reconciliation part of everyday life here in Ballarat.

Feedback is open now, and the City is looking for practical suggestions across education, arts, jobs, culture and local institutions. Everyone’s welcome to contribute whether you identify as First Nations or not.

Have your say: City of Ballarat

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🚌 No Buses in Ballarat This Friday

If you’re a bus-catcher, I’ve got bad news: all Ballarat bus services will be out of action this Friday due to industrial action.

School runs operated by CDC Ballarat are included, so parents will need to sort a backup plan for the school run. Trains and other services will still be running, but if the bus is usually your ride, best to plan ahead.

Keep an eye on Transport Victoria for up-to-date info.

And hey… maybe consider it an early warm-up for Biketober.

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BUSINESS

🛒 Patel Convenience Store Back in Delacombe

Remember Patel Convenience Store, the shop that opened, closed almost immediately, and left us all wondering what happened? Good news: the wait’s over and the doors are now open in Delacombe.

After a rocky start with “technical issues,” the store officially reopened on 16 August, with shelves now stocked full of Indian and Asian groceries you won’t easily find elsewhere.

You’ll find them at 422 Sutton Street, Delacombe, open every day from 9am to 8pm.

WHAT’S ON

🎭️ Happenings Around Town

Handpicked activities for all ages

Family & Kids 

Tuff Nutterz Inflatable Adventure | Sat, 20 Sep - Wed, 24 Sep | 9:00am - 4:45pm | (Info)
Venue: Lucas Central Park
Description: Australia's biggest inflatable obstacle course lands in Ballarat, featuring a 300-metre long course and a 6-metre tall slide.

Meet the Real Pigeons Creators - Ben Wood and Andrew McDonald | Mon, 22 Sep - Tue, 23 Sep | From 10:3oam - 3 sessions | (Free)
Venue: Ballan Library & Community Hub
Description: Ages 6+. Meet the creators of the Real Pigeons series, author Andrew McDonald and illustrator Ben Wood, for creative drawing and writing exercises.

Nethervoid Adventures: The Cursed Shrine | Mon, 22 Sep | 2:00pm - 3:30pm | (Free)
Venue: Wendouree Library
Description: Ages 8-13. An introductory program to role-playing games using the award-winning Hero Kids games system.

Dinosaur Excavation | Tue, 23 Sep | 11:30am - 12:30pm | (Free)
Venue: Wendouree Library
Description: Ages 8-13. Learn how paleontologists get fossils out of the ground as we dig into some prehistoric fun this Spring.

V/Line Cup School Holiday Program | Tue, 23 Sep | 9:00am - 3:00pm | ($55.00)
Venue: North Oval 2
Description: Ages 5-12. A day full of footy fun with Auskick, Superkick, skills activities, mini matches, and indoor fun.

Free Footy Festival | Wed, 24 Sep | 10:30am - 3:15pm | (Free)
Venue: Victoria Park
Description: An action-packed day with the Western Bulldogs, AFL Victoria, and Fernwood Fitness, with fun activities and food vans.

Pom-Pom Catapults and Cannons | Wed, 24 Sep | 2:00pm - 3:30pm | (Free)
Venue: Ballarat Library
Description: Ages 12+. Using recycled materials, build your mighty pom-pom launcher and prepare for the chaos and confusion of a mighty final battle.

Markets 

Creswick Market | Sat, 20 Sep | 9:00am - 1:00pm | (Free)
Venue: Creswick
Description: A much-loved regional community market featuring locally-sourced produce, handmade wares, food, coffee, live music, and kids' entertainment. 

Smythesdale Youth Market | Sat, 20 Sep | 10:00am - 3:00pm | (Free)
Venue: Woady Yaloak Recreation Facility, Smythesdale
Description: A vibrant, youth-led community event with live music, market stalls, art displays, performances, and interactive activities.

Performances 

Three Happy Tricks with Martin Heppell | Tue, 23 Sep | 11:00am - 12:00pm | (From $35.00)
Venue: Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts Ballarat
Description: The Resilience Project presents their fun kids show, packed with catchy tunes, memorable stories, and practical mental health strategies.

Looking for Alibrandi | Wed, 17 Sep (7:30pm - 9:50pm) | Thu, 18 Sep (11am - 1:50pm) | (From $25.00)
Venue: Her Majesty's Theatre Ballarat
Description: Iconic novel and cult movie, Looking for Alibrandi, has been adapted into a hilarious and heartwarming play full of passion, laughs, and beauty.

One Night in Memphis – Presley, Orbison and Cash | Fri, 19 Sep | 8:00pm - 10:00pm | (Info)
Venue: Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts Ballarat
Description: A show that brings together three of the world's greatest performers - Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash - showcasing the greatest Rock n Roll songs of the early 1950s & 1960s.

Pippin | Thu, 20 Sep - Sat, 24 Sep | 7:30pm (on 20 Sep + 2:00pm) | (Info)
Venue: Helen Macpherson Smith Theatre
Description: Graduating music-theatre students celebrate their talents in this exhilarating story about Prince Pippin's quest for ultimate fulfilment.

Energetiks Dance Competition | Fri, 19 Sep - until 5 Oct | (Info)
Venue: Her Majesty's Theatre
Description: See Australia's future dance stars on their path to self-discovery and artistic excellence in one of Australia's most prestigious dance competitions.

Songs for the Wasteland | Sat, 20 Sep | 7:00pm - 8:30pm | (Info)
Venue: Ballarat Performing Arts Centre
Description: A development showing of new works in progress by local troublemaker Dr Rob, featuring weird stories and goth songs for a wasted world.

Sounds of Peace | Sun, 21 Sep | 3:00pm - 4:15pm | (Info)
Venue: The Convent Daylesford
Description: A tranquil afternoon of sound featuring crystal singing bowls, ethereal vocals, and celestial gongs to guide you into a space of deep calm.

Sport 

Gold Nugget Raceday | Fri, 19 Sep | 11:30am - 5:00pm | (Free)
Venue: Ballarat Turf Club
Description: Kick off your weekend with eight races, highlighted by the $100,000 Sportsbet Gold Nugget.

Festivals 

Ballarat International Foto Biennale | Ongoing | (Info)
Venue: Festival Hub at the Ballarat Mining Exchange
Description: A dynamic exploration of visual storytelling with a central theme of 'Lifeforce'. The festival showcases works of international and Australian photographers in galleries, laneways, and historic buildings, featuring major exhibitions, public art like 'Mumu Mirri', and an extensive Open Program.

Film Movie 

Screening - Mr Holmes | Thu, 18 Sep | 10:00am - 12:00pm | (Free)
Venue: Sebastopol Library
Description: A screening of 'Mr Holmes,' starring Ian McKellen as a retired Sherlock Holmes living with dementia trying to remember his final case.

In My Blood It Runs (PG) | Sun, 21 Sep | 1:30pm - 3:30pm | (Free)
Venue: Ballarat Library
Description: A film following ten-year-old Dujuan, a child-healer and hunter who speaks three languages, as he grapples with the pressures of school, welfare, and the police.

Marvellous Movie Morning | Tue, 23 Sep | 10:00am - 12:00pm | (Free)
Venue: Djila-tjarriu Community Hub, Alfredton

. . .

🎵 Live Music

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

Thu, 18 Sep 

The Sporting Globe | Kaze Karaoke 

Fri, 19 Sep

Red Lion Hotel | Heroes and Villains The Band | 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Odessa at Leavers Hotel, Creswick | Juan Alban and The Guilt Zone (Trio) | 6:30pm - 10:00pm | ($25.00)
The Main Bar | Jonny Driver | 7:00pm - 11:00pm | (Free)
JD’s Bar and Lounge | (Harry Potter Costume) Karaoke | 8:00pm

Sat, 20 Sep 

Hop Temple | Saturday Live Music | From 6:00pm
The Munster Arms Hotel | The Mighty Ghosts of Erin
Volta | merci, mercy
Odessa, Creswick | Lachie Gill 'Give Me A Little' Tour | 7:00pm - 10:00pm
The Main Bar | Nasal Spray 'Richman' Single Launch | 7:00pm - 11:00pm
The Cattleyards Inn | Kaze Karaoke | 8:00pm - 11:59pm

Sun, 21 Sep 

Hop Temple | Troy Wilson | 1:30pm - 4:30pm
The Grand Ballarat | HIGHWAY 8 | Afternoon | From 3:00pm
Odessa at Leavers, Creswick | Skyscraper Stan | 6:00pm - 11:00pm

Tue, 23 Sep 

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

. . .

🌤️ Weather

Thursday, 18 September
16 °C 🌡️ 8 °C | ⛅ | ☔ ~15% | 💨 W 31 km/h

Friday, 19 September
16 °C 🌡️ 2 °C | 🌧️ | ☔ ~35% | 💨 W 32 km/h

Saturday, 20 September
9 °C 🌡️ 5 °C | 🌧️ | ☔ ~35% | 💨 W 29 km/h

Sunday, 21 September
13 °C 🌡️ 5 °C | 🌧️ | ☔ ~25% | 💨 W 21 km/h

Monday, 22 September
9 °C 🌡️ 2 °C | 🌧️ | ☔ ~35% | 💨 W 24 km/h

Tuesday, 23 September
12 °C 🌡️ 5 °C | 🌧️ | ☔ ~25% | 💨 S 16 km/h

Wednesday, 24 September
16 °C 🌡️ 5 °C | 🌧️ | ☔ ~20% | 💨 S 18 km/h

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Big thanks for subscribing to Ballarat Life! If you’d like to support this free community newsletter and keep local stories brewing each week, you can shout me a coffee.

Until next Thursday!