The Great Takeaway 24 is a chance for visitors to dine using some of the finest materials, textiles, glassware and ceramics produced in the Ballarat region – and then take the handcrafted materials home with them.

Set for May 23, the event is part of next month’s wider Ballarat Heritage Festival happening over May 17-26.

Diners who pay $275 for a ticket to attend the Great Takeaway in the Ballarat Mining Exchange building will get to experience a lavish food event served on individually handcrafted plates, cutlery, glassware and napery.

The point of difference is that at the close of the night they then get to leave with their lushly wrapped dining setting.

Further details are on the Ballarat Heritage Festival website.

One of Australia’s leading historians, Professor Marilyn Lake AO will present a talk on colonial radicalism and democratic equality as part of next month’s Ballarat Heritage fetival.

History and politial buffs are being invited to join Professor Lake as she delves into the achievements of radical colonial reform in Victoria culminating in the first compulsory minimum wage in the world in 1896.

Taking place at the Eureka Centre (pictured above) on May 17 Professor Lake’s evening guest talk will reflect her research in the fields of Australian, American and transnational history with a focus on the history of democracy and campaigns for sexual, racial and class equality.

Professor Marilyn Lake FAHA, FASSA, AO is Professorial Fellow in History at the University of Melbourne. She has previously held chairs in history at La Trobe University, Stockholm University, the University of Maryland and the Visiting Chair in Australian Studies at Harvard University.

Professor Lake has published a number of books, including ‘Getting Equal: the History of Australian Feminism’ (1999) and most recently, ‘Progressive New World: How Settler Colonialism and Transpacific Exchange Shaped American Reform’ (Harvard University Press 2019).

More information is available through the Ballarat Heritage Festival website.

Steamrail Victoria will be inviting all rail enthusiasts – and others – to jump aboard vintage steam shuttles with two heritage steam locomotives running as part next month’s Ballarat Heritage Festival.

“Wave to the Ballarat locals and the lineside photographers while we take you back in time aboard the vintage train,” A Steamrail Victoria spokesman said, ahead of the event.

“Our shuttle trips run 18km to the tiny country town of Lal Lal. Stopping just out of town, the train will then return you to Ballarat Station, passing high speed V/Line trains on the approach to Ballarat.”

One-way trains will also be operating between Melbourne and Ballarat, offering a unique chance to experience regional travel, 1920’s style during the festival held over May 17-26.

Preparations are now in full swing for the 2024 Ballarat Heritage Festival taking place in May.

Evening heritage tours, interactive exhibits, hands-on workshops and a vintage car show, are among the events that will be on offer as part of the festival this year.

The annual festival will also feature Old Gaol Tours, Craft Lab and the Ballarat Antiques Fair and Heritage Harvest weekend at Sovereign Hill.

The 10-day festival will be held from 17-26 May 2024, celebrating Ballarat’s rich heritage, unique stories and vibrant creative community.

With less than two months until the 2024 festival starts, those keen to find out more can now check out the full program online. 

More than 25,000 people are expected to attend this year’s festival, which is projected to contribute $2 million to the Ballarat economy.

Attending the program reveal for the Heritage Festival, City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said the event has become a staple on the city’s events calendar since it was first held in 2006.

“Every year we see the Ballarat Heritage Festival celebrate the historic city’s rich cultural history and this year it is going to be particularly spectacular,” he said.

“With a large range of quality events on offer, there is almost certain to be something that interests everybody.”