One million moves in three weeks. Can we do it?

Good morning, Ballarat! There’s plenty happening around town this week. From fitness challenges and cultural festivals to castles filled with kilts, and bright young sparks tackling STEM. Oh, and there’s even a brand-new trampoline park to bounce into. So let’s jump in!

– Luciano Devoto
PS: This newsletter runs on caffeine and community support. Top me up here ☕

FEATURE STORY

🏃‍♀️ Ballarat’s on the Move One, Million of Them!

Spring’s nearly here and Ballarat’s stepping it up by joining the national Million Moves challenge. From 1 September, the idea is simple: all of us working together to rack up one million moves in three weeks. A “move” can be anything that gets you going, 75 star jumps, a 750 m stroll, or even a few squats while the kettle boils.

The legends at BALC are making it even easier by offering non-members who sign up to the challenge a free 21-day pass, and current members go in the draw for Gold memberships. There’s also a jam-packed calendar of free community fitness events to keep us moving.

Oh, and there’s a friendly showdown with Wollongong so every step (or squat) counts! I’ve already joined Team BALC, so if you’re keen to give it a crack, come along, shake off the winter cobwebs and show Wollongong who’s boss.

COMMUNITY DIGEST

🏰 Highland Spectacular: Bagpipes, Kilts & Castle Magic

If Indian culture isn’t quite your flavour, don’t worry! Ballarat’s got another festival this weekend to keep you entertained. The Highland Spectacular is storming back into Kryal Castle for its third year, and it’s serving up tartan, tunes, and a whole lot of Scottish spirit.

From massed pipe bands, Highland dancers and jousting knights there’s something for every laddie and lassie. Add a strongmen (and women) tossing cabers, clan tents to trace your ancestry, and the Bonnie Prince Charlie Inn pouring whisky, mead, haggis and tattie scones, and you’ve got yourself a proper Scottish weekend without leaving Ballarat.

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🎊 The Grand Ganesh Festival is Back

Ballarat’s cultural calendar is about to get a burst of colour. This weekend, the Ganesh Festival 2025 takes over the Mercure Ballarat, Golden Point with two days of rich tradition, flavour and celebration.

Hosted by the Ballarat Hindu Temple & Cultural Centre, the festival honours Lord Ganesh, the Hindu symbol of wisdom and new beginnings. You’ll enjoy colourful processions, live music, traditional Indian dance, mouth-watering vegetarian dishes, and community performances that celebrate unity in diversity.

Entry is free and everyone’s welcome. Namaste!

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📖 Wendouree’s Future Library Turns the Page

Big things are brewing for Wendouree, as it’s set to score its very own Library & Learning Centre at Weeramar Park. The space will be a double-storey community hub with study nooks, a café (with Wi-Fi, of course), maker space, Parent Place services, and spots to actually hang out without feeling like you’re loitering.

The City’s just appointed Haskell Architects (with locals Porter Architects) to dream up the design, but before they get too carried away with blueprints, they want to hear from us.

Consultation’s open until 30 September, so now’s the time to say whether you want more beanbags, book clubs, or just decent coffee.

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🔬 Bright Sparks Hit Ballarat for STEM Showdown

Ballarat’s about to host some serious brainpower with the Science & Engineering Challenge State Final landing at Ballarat High School on Wednesday 3 September.

Founded by the Uni of Newcastle and run with Rotary Clubs and Deakin, the Challenge sees Year 9 & 10 students take on hands-on activities that are way more fun than textbooks, like earthquake-proof towers, bridge building, powering a city, and even mastering art of indigenous fish traps.

It’s hands-on, high-energy, and a great sneak peek at the inventors and problem-solvers of tomorrow.

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🥧 Last Days to Crown Ballarat’s Best Pie

Voting for the People’s Choice Pie wraps up this Sunday 31 August, so if you haven’t had your fill yet, now’s the time. From classic savouries to sweet surprises, there’s a pie for every taste.

Short on time? Just grab the interactive pie trail map, find a participating café, pub or bakery near you, and tuck in before it’s all over.

BUSINESS

🤸 Flip Out is Opening This Week!

Here’s one for the kids (and the big kids too). After months of whispers, Flip Out Ballarat is finally bouncing into life, opening this Thursday 28 August at 25 Learmonth Road, Wendouree.

The new venue packs in trampolines, climbing walls, a Ninja Volcano Slide, a multi-sport court, private party rooms and those giant foam pits you never really outgrow.

And while the kids go wild, I’m hoping their café serves decent coffee, many of us patient parents will need every drop!

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🥟 Restaurant of the Week: Langtang Lounge

If you haven’t tried Langtang Lounge yet (like me), you’re missing out on a slice of Nepal right here in Ballarat. Tucked away on Doveton St North, it’s been quietly serving authentic Nepalese dishes since last November.

The Momo platter looks like the must-order: steamed, pan-fried, crispy and chilli dumplings with fillings like chicken, veg, or even buffalo. There’s also Chowmein with a spicy kick and the traditional Chicken Thakali Khana Set, which seems like a proper feast.

It’s now high on my to-try list, and maybe yours too.

📍 5 Doveton St North, Ballarat Central

WHAT’S ON

🎭️ Happenings Around Town

Handpicked activities for all ages

Comedy

Johnny Alloo Comedy Night | Fri, 29 Aug | 7:30pm - 9:00pm | ($45.00)
Venue: Johnny Alloo
Description: A top night of stand-up featuring a killer lineup of four standout comedians: Henry Yan, Tyson Popplestone, Sean Collier, and Joel Temperly.

Festivals

Ballarat Ganesh Festival | Sat, 30 Aug - Sun, 31 Aug | 10:00am – 9:00pm | (Free)
Venue: Mercure Ballarat
Description: Experience Ballarat's rich multicultural spirit with colourful processions, live music, traditional Indian dance, and food to honour Lord Ganesh.

Highland Spectacular | Sat, 30 Aug - Sun, 31 Aug | 10:00am - 4:00pm | (Info)
Venue: Kryal Castle
Description: A weekend of Scottish celebration featuring the Victorian Pipe Band Championships, highland dancers, heavy games, and a medieval village.

Performances

VET Cabaret 2025 | Thu, 28 Aug | 6:00pm - 10:00pm | (Info)
Venue: Sebastopol Bowling Club
Description: Enjoy a 3-course meal served by VET Hospitality students while being entertained all evening by VET Music Performance students.

FLORIOGRAPHY | KYLIE SUPSKI | Sat, 30 Aug | 3:00pm - 4:00pm | (Free)
Venue: Ballarat Arts Incubator
Description: An immersive projection-based show by photographer Kylie Supski exploring nature as a silent storyteller, part of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale.

Melbourne Guitar Quartet | Sat, 30 Aug | 7:30pm | (From $30.00)
Venue: Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute, Minerva Space
Description: An evening of intricate and dynamic classical guitar performance by the acclaimed Melbourne Guitar Quartet.

Mamma Mia ABBA Tribute | Sat, 30 Aug | 8:00pm | (From $56.1)
Venue: The Goods Shed
Description: A tribute show celebrating the timeless music of ABBA, bringing their greatest hits to the stage.

A Month of Sundays - Invictus Quartet | Sun, 31 Aug | 2:30pm - 3:30pm | ($35)
Venue: Old Law Courts
Description: A performance by the young and vibrant Invictus Quartet, praised for their luminous and blended sound.

Moonlite | Sun, 31 Aug | 3:00pm | (Info)
Venue: Ballarat Performing Arts Community
Description: A live performance presented by the Ballarat Performing Arts Community.

Year 7 Brass, String & Woodwind Concert | Tue, 2 Sep | 6:00pm - 7:00pm | (Free)
Venue: Coltman Theatre, Ballarat Clarendon College
Description: A free, ticketed concert showcasing the musical talents of the Year 7 students.

Wellbeing

Mind-Body Wisdom: Explorations in Creative Flow | Sat, 30 Aug | 10:00am - 3:00pm | (Info)
Venue: Buninyong Uniting Church
Description: A workshop exploring the connection between mind and body to unlock creative potential.

Wellbeing Matters: Let’s Sing | Tue, 2 Sep | 10:00am - 11:00am | (Info)
Venue: Ballarat Library
Description: Fill the library with songs in a workshop that includes fun warm-up activities, rounds, and simple percussion instruments. All levels welcome.

Community & Learning

Basic Armouring Workshop | Sat, 30 Aug | 9:00am - 5:00pm | ($380)
Venue: Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades
Description: A full-day, hands-on armour-smithing experience where you'll learn traditional skills and create your own pair of vambraces (forearm protection).

Creswick Garden Club Learning Day | Sat, 30 Aug | 9:00am - 4:00pm | (Info)
Venue: RACV Resort Creswick
Description: A full day of back-to-back workshops on rare and unusual bulbs and perennials with experts Jane Tonkin and Alan Ayton.

Discover SAORI Weaving | Sat, 30 Aug | 10:00am - 4:00pm | ($405)
Venue: Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades
Description: Find your Zen at the loom as you learn the easy and enjoyable freestyle form of Japanese SAORI weaving and create a gorgeous piece to take home.

Try One Thing: Badgemaking | Wed, 3 Sep | 11:00am - 12:00pm | (Info)
Venue: Ballarat Library
Description: Capture your personality in a 58mm disc using the Vida XL Badge Maker in this practical, hands-on demonstration.

Mini Roo's Disco | Fri, 29 Aug | 6:30pm - 8:00pm | (Info)
Venue: Holly Grove, Wendouree
Description: A fun disco night for the younger kids to dance the night away. 

Exhibitions

Ballarat International Foto Biennale: Catherine Leroy | All Week | 10:00am – 4:00pm | (Free)
Venue: Ballarat Town Hall
Description: An exhibition showcasing the raw, emotional work of fearless French war photographer Catherine Leroy, who broke barriers documenting major conflicts.

Art Gallery of Ballarat Backspace Gallery: Brian O'Dwyer - Multipurpose | All Week | (Free)
Venue: Backspace Gallery
Description: A photographic series by local artist Brian O'Dwyer featuring portraits of his early morning swimming companions from a rehabilitation pool.

Nerrida Parfitt and Peter Tankey Exhibition | Sat, 30 Aug - Sun, 31 Aug | 12:00pm – 4:00pm | (Free)
Venue: The Old Butchers Shop Gallery
Description: Visual artist couple Nerrida Parfitt and Peter Tankey exhibit a series of nocturnal landscape paintings that capture the atmosphere of the region.

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🎵 Live Music

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

Thu, 28 Aug

Freight Bar and Rooftop | Hootenanny up late | 7:00pm

Fri, 29 Aug

JD'S Bar & Lounge | Kaze Karaoke | 8:00pm | (Free)
Odessa at Leavers Hotel, Creswick | Sharon & Slava Grigoryan | 7:00pm
The Main Bar | Backyard Utopia | 7:30pm
Piano Bar Ballarat | Live Aid Revival | 6:00pm
Volta | VOLTAGE Ballarat SHORTROUND | 10:00pm
The Robin Hood Hotel | Desi Beats | 8:45pm
The George Hotel | Dream On Dreamer | 8:00pm

Sat, 30 Aug 

Hopscotch Cafe | Afternoon Music Session | 1:30pm - 2:30pm | (Free)
JD'S Bar & Lounge | Nathan Page | 9:00pm | (Free)
The Cabaret Club | WHICH ONE'S PINK: The Music of PINK FLOYD | 6:00pm
The Main Bar | Paper Jane | 7:30pm
Volta | POWDERKEG + FRIENDS | 7:00pm

Sun, 31 Aug 

Courthouse Hotel | Dean Smith | 2:00pm

🌤️ Weather

Thursday, 28 August
10 °C 🌡️ 4 °C | 🌧️ | ☔ ~70% | 💨 W 10–20 km/h

Friday, 29 August
6 °C 🌡️ –1 °C | 🌧️ | ☔ ~80% | 💨 W 10–20 km/h

Saturday, 30 August
7 °C 🌡️ 3 °C | 🌧️ | ☔ ~80% | 💨 W 10–20 km/h

Sunday, 31 August
11 °C 🌡️ 2 °C | 🌧️ | ☔ ~70% | 💨 W 10–20 km/h

Monday, 1 September
11 °C 🌡️ 2 °C | 🌥️ | ☔ ~20% | 💨 W 10–15 km/h

Tuesday, 2 September
12 °C 🌡️ 3 °C | 🌧️ | ☔ ~60% | 💨 W 10–20 km/h

Wednesday, 3 September
12 °C 🌡️ 3 °C | 🌥️ | ☔ ~20% | 💨 W 10–20 km/h

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Until next Thursday!