Bullarto-based Oberon Suffolk Sheep Stud collected numerous category wins at last month’s Victorian Sheep Show.

Wins included Supreme Champion Suffolk, Champion and Reserve Champion Suffolk Ewes, 1st and 2nd in the Shorn Ewe Under One and a Half Years, while also winning the Interbreed ASSBA Ewe Champion.

The black-faced, floppy-eared Suffolk sheep breed are instantly recognisable from episodes of the kids’ claymation series Shaun the Sheep.

But for stud principals Bruce Rolfe and Douglas Scott, Suffolks are their livelihood in which they have invested many years of hard work.

And to have their efforts pay off so well in the judging ring was a significant achievement. Bruce and Doug fronted nine entries for the event and the star of the show was Oberon 3039, a delightfully shapely and feminine maiden ewe known in the barnyard as Gloria.

“I’m very proud of her and she’s my little star,” says Bruce.

Bruce and Doug have been operating Oberon Suffolk Stud for over 20 years and their animals are an important asset.

The stud’s bloodlines have been carefully cultivated and they are cared for and monitored to bring out their best qualities.

Today these prize livestock are sold to buyers across Australia and overseas, and appearances at judging competitions are a vital part of the promotion of their stud, as it is for many other breeding operations around the country.

For anyone visiting the area, a glimpse of their sheep may look like little more than barnyard props to complement a Sunday drive. But the work that goes into growing and presenting a champion ewe at industry competitions is extraordinary.

“I began showing Suffolks in 2014 and started off with a small team of two rams and two ewes because it is expensive and you have to start preparing them early. Also while a full team is 12 you need to feed up at least 24 to give you replacements if necessary,” Bruce said.

“They change as they grow and a lamb that looked fantastic four months previously may be dropped from the team by show time.”

Bullarto stud win at Bullarto stud win at Victorian Sheep ShowVictorian Sheep Show Bruce begins his show preparations in February, introducing a special diet full of protein and carbohydrates to his animals.

Suffolks are classed as a meat sheep and a good show animal has lots of muscle and he has to feed them every day to give them a chance to grow and to be up with the size of the other livestock in the show. Then two weeks before the event they are shorn closely and evenly.

“The day before judging they are scanned with ultrasound and weighed. This information is then available to the judge during their appraisal. We then clean them up and make sure they look good. You also have to train them to lead in the halter and to present well. You have to give them little treats all the time and every time they do the right thing.”

As it turned out on the big day, judge Ellie McDonald was very impressed with the ewe’s neatness and excellent structure. She remarked that Gloria was born for the show ring and stood well.

“I loved how she showed her deference to the judge,” says Bruce. “Look at me! Look at me!”

Despite all the work that goes into producing and showing champion Suffolks, Bruce and Doug are keen to continue showing their animals. The next big outing is the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo, July 19-21.

It’s a huge event where the country’s growers and food, fashion and fibre lovers gather to celebrate the mighty Australian sheep, including of course, the dainty maiden ewe Gloria from Oberon Stud, Bullarto.

Words: Tony Sawrey | Image: Supplied | Inset: Tony Sawrey

Fern Hill’s Lauretta Hanson is heading to Paris for the 2024 Olympics. The road cyclist will compete in the women’s road cycling event on August 4, alongside teammates Grace Brown and Ruby Roseman-Gannon. 

The Local first caught up with the now 29-year-old when a 110km ride taking in Carlsruhe, Mount Macedon, Hanging Rock, Newham, Pipers Creek and Kyneton, was just another day of training as she prepared for the 2019 European cycling season. 

The long-time member of the Macedon Ranges Cycling Club was flying to Spain for her first race with Trek- Segafredo. 

Europe was a big move after six years cycling with United Healthcare in the US. “Trek-Segafredo is a new women’s world tour team,” Lauretta said at the time.

“They already have a men’s team so adding a women’s team is an exciting move. They’re putting a lot of support behind it with the aim to be one of the best teams in the world.” 

Lauretta joined the Macedon Club as an eight-year-old with her mother, Heather, who had been an elite cyclist in the 1970s and 80s. 

She never seriously considered professional racing until a trip to the United States saw her spotted by scouts and offered a scholarship at Milligan College in Tennessee. It was in college that Lauretta realised her cycling talents.

 “I won the national road omnium in 2015 for the collegiate level cycling and got quite a few national medals and was then offered a spot on a domestic team in the US.” 

After getting good results and finding her feet she progressed to bigger and bigger teams before joining United Healthcare – one of the country’s top cycling teams.

She flourished in the role of domestique – a rider who works for the benefit of his or her team and leader, rather than trying to win the race. 

Now an established member of the UCI Women’s World Team Lidl-Trek team, Lauretta has continued to work on building that reputation as a strong, unwavering support rider. 

High-profile Lidl-Trek rider Ellen van Dijk has made it clear her success depends on the support of Lauretta. “Lauretta is very valuable,” Dutchwoman Ellen said.

“She is always where she needs to be. She does what she needs to do and is super strong. It’s not [that] she is a domestique [because] she is not as strong. On the contrary. In smaller teams she could get her own results, but it’s a choice she made and that is great for us as a team.

“She always gives her all and without riders like her you just don’t win races. She is loyal on and off the bike. She is always happy and will never complain.

These personalities are important on a team.” Lauretta said as a domestique she loves helping her teammates to achieve the best results possible. 

“Other women told me there isn’t a place in women’s pro cycling for a professional domestique and historically in women’s cycling you never got a contract if you weren’t a winner.

But now teams see more and more they need dedicated riders to help others win. I enjoy helping fellow team members as much as myself. 

“A lot of the time people at home will ask me how my race went. Having coverage makes such a big difference for riders like me. 

“You can now see the players other than those in the winners group. Lauretta Hanson on the road to Paris “You can see the story of the race now.

I hope this makes younger riders realise there is a place for domestiques and that it’s not all about the winners.” The former Sacred Heart College, Kyneton, student said she had a great time growing up on the family farm at Fern Hill.

“We had a great time as kids on the farm,” she said. “We had so much space roaming around and riding bikes on the property. Cycling is the feeling of being free. It’s exploring. “Cycling gives you the opportunity to see the world.

I have seen more of the world than I expected to ever see and that’s largely due to my cycling career.” For young cyclists wanting to make the professional circuit, Lauretta has this advice. 

“Don’t be afraid to follow opportunities and take your own pathways. For me, this wasn’t always clear. I’ve never had directions in front of me and I was never part of an institute or an academy. 

“I kind if did it my own way. It may have been a little daunting and overwhelming at times but I think it’s made me a stronger and more resilient athlete. It’s not always been easy but I’ve made a lot of good friends and networks along the way. I’ve loved the experience and where it’s taken me.” 

Lauretta has a bachelor of business, sport and fitness administration/management at Deakin University. Sacred Heart College principal Darren Egberts said the school community was very proud of Lauretta’s achievements. 

“As a past student (Class of 2012), we have always enjoyed following her progress. Her recent selection in the Australian Olympic Cycling Team is fantastic news.

 “Long-serving staff members recall her passion for cycling during her years at the college and particularly her selection, while in Year 12, to ride with Cadel Evans, following his Tour de France win. “

Having a past student at these Olympics will make them even more exciting for all at the college – we will be loudly cheering for Lauretta and her team.” 

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: AusCycling – Josh Chadwick  

Ballarat police have been appealing for public assistance to help locate missing man Luke.

The 38-year-old was last seen about 9am on 7 July at an address on Burke Street, Landsborough. 

He is described as 160cm tall, solid build with short dark hair and beard. Luke may be travelling in a 2014 Volkswagen Amarok ute, grey in colour with registration 1BB-8SB. 

Police and family have concerns for his welfare as his disappearance is out of character. 

Investigators have released an image of Luke in the hope that someone can provide information on his current whereabouts. 

Anyone with information was urged to contact Ballarat Police Station on 5336 6000.  

AFL Victoria has announced that the City of Ballarat will host the 2024 V/Line Cup, the annual representative carnival for the best under 15 boys and girls footballers from regional Victoria.

The Central Highlands will welcome around 600 players and officials as well as their families to a three-day event when the 75th edition of the V/Line Cup takes place during AFL Grand Final week, from Monday 23 until Wednesday 25 of September.

The V/Line Cup comprises three divisions – two boys divisions and a girls division – featuring representative teams from seven regions, competing in a total of 21 matches. Each team will compete in two matches over the carnival.

The City of Ballarat has thrown its support behind the event and will host the V/Line Cup for the first time, after the City of Greater Shepparton hosted the past three events (two separate events held in 2022 and again in 2023).

The City of Greater Bendigo has launched its new 2024 Ignite program, including the Australian Sheep and Wool Show, the Bendigo Writers Festival, Bendigo on the Hop, a Winter Moonlight Market in Hargreaves Mall, and a wide range of gastronomy offerings to delight.

The Ignite program aims to tantalise the senses with 42 food and beverages experiences developed by some members from Bendigo Tourism and the Heathcote Tourism and Development Board.

The menus celebrate local producers who contribute to Greater Bendigo and the region’s enviable status as Australia’s first UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy.

City of Greater Bendigo Manager Tourism and Major Events Terry Karamaloudis said the Ignite program was a winter haven to relish and indulge in memorable experiences.

“Immerse yourself in a series of delectable events and cosy experiences designed to warm you up,” Mr Karamaloudis said.

“A big thank you to the local tourism businesses who have developed a superb range of mouth-watering delights to shake off the winter chill and entertain residents and visitors.

“Whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway, a family adventure, or a rejuvenating solo retreat, Ignite has something for everyone. Bookings are open now.”

Ignite program

Ignite has a variety of experiences and entertainment for residents and visitors with major highlights:

July 19 to July 21: Australian Sheep and Wool Show
The epicentre of woollen fashion, fine food and beautiful fibre featuring the popular Festival of Lamb and Women of Wool and Wearable Art
 

July 20, 3pm to 8pm: Winter Moonlight Market in Hargreaves Mall
Featuring live music and art, speciality food trucks, street performers, a huge range of stalls from crafty creators, talented food producers, jewellery and much more
 

August 16 to 18: Bendigo Writers Festival
Packed program, including a Gastronomy theme that features a dinner at MacKenzie Hall with Australia’s favourite cook and author Julie Goodwin, The History of Oysters and Champagne on the Victorian Goldfields with Max Allen and Richard Cornish, Milk and Merino panel session with Matthew Evans and An Edible Weed Walk through Rosalind Park Gardens.

August 31: Bendigo on the Hop
A favourite winter craft beer festival held at venues across the city centre and at breweries. Enjoy rare beers, locally made craft beers, food and live entertainment. For their 10th year celebration, Bendigo on the Hop forms part of Bendigo Beer Week (August 28 to 31) with a series of celebratory events.
 

Bendigo Tourism and Heathcote Tourism and Development Board members have created mouth-watering offerings, experiences, and events to entertain and indulge. Please check availability with the operators involved.

• The Woodhouse Bar and Grill events: Rye Whiskey tasting July with The Gospel, a winter special menu in August, and The Taste of Italy in regional Victoria
• Nimbus Rooftop Bar provides spiced Mulled Wine and a Winter Boozy lunch on Saturdays and Sundays in a cosy setting to warm the heart
• PepperGreen Farm has roasting marshmallows over the wood fire oven every Saturday and a fantastic range of produce to buy
• Beechworth Bakery has a selection of new winter goodies on the menu including golden veggie pie, Canadian date slice and salted caramel lattes
• Red Energy Arena has winter delights at its outdoor heated entertaining space at The Terrace serving a delicious winter menu
• Munari winery’s cosy cellar door evenings with exquisite wine and charcuterie boards to share. Live music every month
• Tellurian Winery is the perfect setting for Ms Batterhams winter pop up with a menu paired with beautiful wines
• Loddon with Turners Crossing Vineyard showcases amazing producers with a multi course winter dinner at Bridgewater Hotel
• Bendigo Community Farmers Market is a must (every second Saturday of the month), Talbot Market is every third Sunday of the month
• Killiecrankie Wine and Cocktail night at Nimbus Rooftop Bar with crafted wine cocktails, live music from Josh DeAraugo, wine trivia with prizes
• Balgownie Estate Bendigo presents a steak and shiraz night every Thursday evening through winter
• Mackenzie Quarters events: Bastille Day Eve Dinner, Fleece to Feast, Bootleggers and Barrels, Mountains to Vineyards
• The Dispensary events: Whiskey Experience, Bastille Day lunch and a Gin Experience
• St. Anne’s Winery events: Pop-up delicious Italian lunch and two-course dinner and a wonderful evening of music with a homage to Eagles’ songs
• Gin Maker Workshop at In Good Spirits at Domaine Asmara
• Indulge in local wines and treats at Star Cinema while you enjoy must-see movies during the Melbourne International Film Festival
• Cornella Canola Walk at Shiraz Republic and Cornella Brewery – a perfect day out for nature lovers and beverage enthusiasts
• Alium Dining events: Dining in the Dark for a unique blindfolded experience and Truffle Degustation dinner paired with selected wines and spirits
• Vin Du Van Estate with Masons Slovenian style Sunday lunches with wine tasting and a specially prepared lunch from Masons of Bendigo chef and owner Sonia Anthony                              

A big summer of cricket is building at Mount Clear, Ballarat.

Five new cricket nets at the Mount Clear Recreation Reserve were officially unveiled in recent days, and are now ready to be used by the club and community.

The City of Ballarat contributed approximately $561,000 to the Mount Clear Cricket Club Community Cricket Nets Project, while the State Government added a further $100,000.

The project also included the installation of new LED lighting on the adjacent netball court.

Two of the five nets are dedicated to the community for year-round use, while the cricket club will use the remaining three.

City of Ballarat councillor Ben Taylor said the new nets would greatly benefit the Mount Clear Cricket Club, which boasts more than 200 players, including a rapidly expanding female and gender diverse pathway program.

“We are very proud to be able to keep rolling out these incredible cricket nets throughout Ballarat,” he said.

“We have seen some fantastic nets rolled out at Doug Dean Reserve in Delacombe, Alfredton Recreation Reserve and Russell Square in East Ballarat in the recent years, now Mount Clear Recreation Reserve is home to these fantastic facilities.”

The new cricket nets completion followed the opening of the new scoreboard at Mount Clear Recreation Reserve in June 2023, the result of another partnership between the City of Ballarat and the state government.

Member for Eureka, Michaela Settle said the new nets would attract even more cricketers to Mount Clear.

“Mount Clear is an incredible community that’s about to have an even more incredible cricket training facility that hits for six,” she said.

“The new facility will bring even more young aspiring cricketers into the mix, strengthening both the sport and the community for years to come.”

Mount Clear Cricket Club enjoyed a successful 2023/24 season in the Ballarat Cricket Association with three of its four senior grades making the finals.

Mount Clear Cricket Club president, Andrew Vandebyl said the club was thrilled with the opening of the new nets.

“This upgrade will provide the best possible facilities for our players and the Mt Clear community to train, improve, and enjoy the game,” he said.

Words & Image: Supplied

Local landowners are being encouraged to sign up for the upcoming Healthy Landscapes Holistic Grazing Management short course now taking applications until July 28, for the next group of students.

The affordable course is delivered through the Healthy Landscapes program, a collaboration between the City of Greater Bendigo, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Hepburn Shire Council, Mount Alexander Shire Council, North Central Catchment Management Authority, Coliban Water and Melbourne Water.

City of Greater Bendigo Climate Change and Environment Manager Michelle Wyatt said it is a great opportunity for local farmers to be guided on how to implement sustainable land management practices on their properties using grazing animals.

“They will learn how holistic grazing can be used to support diverse, native pastures, healthy animals and productive farms and put these learnings into practice on their own property,” Ms Wyatt said.

“The Healthy Landscapes program won the Premier’s Choice Regional Recognition Award at the Premier’s Sustainability Awards in 2021, and more recently received a High Commendation in the Sustainability Initiative category of the 2024 LGPro Awards for Excellence.

“Previous participants have told us that the course has given them the confidence to implement the things they learned because there is a network of people doing similar things who they can troubleshoot with and learn from.

“They have said it’s a great way to meet local farmers and rural landholders who are also interested in improving their properties. It is a great community! The content is appropriate for a broad range of farmers and it helps landholders identify low-cost ways to start improving the health of their pastures and broader farm.

“The cost of the course is $150 per farming property and includes discussions and six visits to various farms, a visit to the participants property to develop a plan, plus online tutorials between August 2, 2024 to May 16, 2025.

The course is open to landholders across the four municipalities participating in the Healthy Landscapes program, including landholders in Greater Bendigo.”

Applications close Sunday July 28, 2024.

The Buninyong Players are preparing to present a variety of lively medieval to baroque music from early opera, royal courts and the troubadour tradition at the Newstead Railway Arts Hub this month.

Set for Sunday July 21, the intimate afternoon matinee concert will also feature recorder music of the past 50 years, including pieces reflecting early and classical styles, including some original works, a fanfare, morning music and gigs and reels.

The Buninyong Players are a recorder quintet playing music from medieval to contemporary, using descant to bass recorders and occasional crumhorn and percussion.

Formed during Covid when only four people were allowed in a household, all are members of Ballarat’s Yarrowee Players, a large recorder ensemble.

Wines, beer and drinks will be available at bar prices, from 2pm and during interval. The concert will commence at 2.30pm sharp.

More information, including ticket sales detail, is available on the venue’s website.

The long-awaited restoration of the Hercules statue in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens has now commenced thanks to a generous community donation.  

In April 2023, the statue was removed from the gardens to investigate the stabilisation and repairs needed of Hercules.  

This occurred after annual maintenance works identified instability. Following this, a detailed assessment was completed offsite and it was determined that the statue was in a critical condition needing urgent restoration works particularly to stabilise the pins connecting parts of the statue together.  

The materiality and the age of the statue requires careful conservation methodologies to be followed.

While the basic statue repairs were part of the City of Ballarat’s annual maintenance budget, the more detailed restoration works are being undertaken thanks to the donation.

Richard Thege has generously donated money to enable the conservation required for the entire Stoddart Collection, starting first with Hercules, as this statue is currently not on display.  

Works that will now be completed on Hercules include:

• Replacement of internal structure within the statue  
• Replacement of discoloured areas and failing repairs from previous decades  
• Fixing of cracks
• Further stabilisation.  

The specialised works on Hercules will take some time and at this stage the statue is expected to be back in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens later this year.  

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said it is incredible to be in receipt of a generous donation to ensure the restoration of the entire Stoddart Collection.  

“The historical significance of these statues is so important to Ballarat, and to the fabric of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens,” he said.  

The statue is carved from Carrara marble with a pedestal of Sicilian marble and a base of local Victorian granite.  

Words & Image: Supplied

The Hepburn Shire Council has secured extra funding of $10,000 through the Victoria State Government’s 2024 Seniors Festival Active Living Fund to deliver Seniors Festival events this October.

The Victorian Seniors Festival runs from the 1st to 31st of October every year with events right across Victoria.

All of the state’s 79 local councils as well as community organisations, groups and club hold events.

The Hepburn Shire Council announced that it had been successful in securing the additional $10,000 via its social media last week. The added dollars that it has secured brings the council’s total funding for events this year to $13,000.

With the extra funding, the council says it is planning to host more events and encourage participation of one (or more) of the following priority groups:

Seniors with a disability

Veterans

Vulnerable men

Seniors from multicultural and/or multi faith backgrounds

First Nations Elders

LGBTIQA+ Seniors

The council’s team will be working closely with Central Highlands Rural Health, the Creswick Men’s Friendship Shed and John Curtin Aged Care to stage events locally as part of the festival.

Well known Daylesford identity Max Primmer features on the front cover of this year’s Victorian Seniors Festival booklet.

The Hepburn Shire Council recently hosted David from Central Highlands Water at Lake Daylesford’s new Choose Tap water fountain installed at Chatfield Reserve.

David, who is project managing the Daylesford Water Supply Pipeline project, is pictured above with Lee, the council’s project manager responsible for the Chatfield Reserve improvement works.

Central Highlands Water (CHW) and Hepburn Shire Council have joined forces to continue installing water fountains in the region, as part of the Choose Tap program.

Located in Chatfield Reserve at Lake Daylesford, this latest water fountain will help reduce single-use plastic waste while providing easy access to quality drinking water.

With one single plastic water bottle taking up to 450 years to decompose in landfill, CHW is encouraging the community to ‘bring your own bottle’ (BYOB) and Choose Tap water over bottled water for health and the environment.

As part of the installation, thirsty four-legged friends, like Russell pictured above, will also have access to fresh drinking water with the push of a button through the inclusion of a dog bowl.

This includes the existing water fountain located at Burke Square in Daylesford, having been upgraded to include a new dog bowl, as it’s important our canine friends stay hydrated all year round.

Hepburn Shire Council Mayor, Brian Hood: “Hepburn Shire Council is pleased to continue its partnership with Central Highlands Water on the Choose Tap project.

“We are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our community, and these Choose Tap water fountains are an important initiative to help the community stay hydrated, while reducing the impact of single-use plastic bottle waste on the environment.”

Central Highlands Water Managing Director, Jeff Haydon: “CHW is dedicated to improving the health of the local community and are thrilled to continue joining forces with Hepburn Shire Council, so we can all play our part for the environment by making a sustainable choice and reduce single-use plastic bottle waste.”

The City of Ballarat has adopted a policy aimed at ensuring more equitable access to sporting and recreation facilities and programs for all genders.

At its June ordinary meeting, Ballarat City Council endorsed the Fair Access Policy, which seeks to address known barriers experienced by women and girls in accessing and using community sports infrastructure.

This policy establishes the expectation that gender and equality is prioritised in relation to sporting infrastructure, reflecting the City of Ballarat’s commitment to equal opportunity.

This would include, but is not limited to, the provision of female-friendly sporting change rooms, adding gender-based reporting into booking systems to collect data, undertaking Gender Impact Assessment’s on City of Ballarat strategies, and supporting local clubs to embed the principles.

A Fair Access Policy action plan will also be developed as part of a refresh of the Active Ballarat Strategy, due to take place in the 2024/25 financial year.

In the last four years the City of Ballarat has completed 12 projects with a focus on female-friendly access, with new builds or refurbishments at seven football/netball facilities and five soccer facilities.

Future sporting projects that have a female-friendly focus include the Doug Dean Reserve Changerooms Upgrade, City Oval Change Rooms Refurbishment and the Marty Busch Reserve No.2 Oval Changerooms.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said formalising the Fair Access Policy cemented the Council’s existing approach to gender equality at its sporting facilities.

“For a number of years now we have focused on keeping gender equality front of mind when it comes to our project planning and service delivery and I’m proud of the progress we have already made in this space,” he said.

“The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all genders and intersections can fully participate in all aspects of community sport, whether it is as a player, coach, administrator, official, volunteer, or spectator.”

Words: based on a media release issued by the City of Ballarat. Image: Supplied.

The Clunes Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) is now live and operating, giving locals extra reason to recycle their plastic and glass containers.

The Hepburn Shire Council snapped the above photo of Jake Weber from TOMRA Cleanaway showing Cr Tim Drylie and Cr Tessa Halliday how the CDS works, and posted it up on their social media last week.

As The Local reported earlier, the Clunes IGA supermarket is hosting the machine in partnership with state government.

It joins several CDS units now across Hepburn Shire, including those at Creswick, Daylesford and Trentham (Pig & Whistle).

The City of Ballarat’s first landfill cell capping project using geosynthetic materials has been underway on more than two hectares of land at the Ballarat Regional Landfill in recent days.

Fully funded by the City of Ballarat, the large-scale $2.6 million project will cap cells (large spaces dug and lined at a landfill where waste is layered and compacted) in line with Environment Protection Authority (EPA) requirements.

The work is weather dependent and is being carried out in two stages. The first stage began in January and was recently completed. The second stage of works will take place next summer and is scheduled to be completed by June 2025.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said this best-practice environmental treatment will take place as part of the capping of all our municipality’s landfill cells going forward.

“The City of Ballarat is committed to the best processes of containment and ongoing management of our waste,” he said.

“This is one of our largest landfill capping projects ever undertaken and these cells fill very quickly. We need to work together to recycle and reduce as much of our waste going to landfill as possible.”

Everything residents throw in their household waste bin is disposed of at the Ballarat Regional Landfill at Smythesdale.

More than 23,000 tonnes of waste from 50,000 homes were sent to the landfill in the 2022/23 financial year. The landfill also takes commercial and industrial waste.

The City of Ballarat was recently left to contact residents in recent days, after being notified of a cyber security incident involving its after-hours service provider, OracleCMS.

 OracleCMS is a third-party supplier which the council uses as its after-hours phone call service provider.  

When the community calls the City of Ballarat’s service line outside of business hours, the call is diverted to OracleCMS who take the call on the council’s behalf and then pass the message over to the council.    

The City of Ballarat’s own systems and databases have not been accessed. This data breach relates to the external OracleCMS system only.  

A total 52 impacted local residents were being notified about the breach. The affected data was limited to ‘low risk identity attributes’ that was collected between April 2015 and December 2017 and largely consisted of first names and last names of individuals along with their addresses and phone numbers.

City of Ballarat, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Matt Wilson said the protection of our local resident’s confidentiality and privacy is of critical importance.

“The City of Ballarat apologises unreservedly to everyone affected by this incident,” Mr Wilson said in recent days, following the breach.

“We are in the process of contacting every resident impacted and are offering no-cost access to the services of national identity and cyber support service IDCARE.”

The City of Ballarat takes the privacy of its customers very seriously and is committed to ensuring all contracted service providers have the strongest cyber security measures in place.

OracleCMS have since undertaken several steps to enhance their cyber security and help prevent recurrence, supported by cyber security experts.

They have also been working with government authorities to investigate the incident which had impacted a number of organisations and local councils across Australia.

Words & Image: Supplied.