Mechanics institutes in Maldon, Talbot and Ballarat are among a number across the state to benefit from state grants that were announced in Melbourne during the week.

Minister for Local Government Nick Staikos visited the Melbourne Athenaeum on Monday (May 26) to announce $109,000 for the Mechanics’ Institutes Grants Program 2024-25.

This funding will allow the Institute’s libraries to renovate their facilities, pursue historical projects, purchase books, software and equipment, and digitise records.

Mechanics’ Institutes were formed in the early 19^th century to provide free lectures and educational and community facilities in the UK. More than 500 Mechanics’ Institute buildings in Victoria are still used for community groups, exhibitions, talks, and events.

Eleven Victorian Mechanics’ Institutes continue to provide a library service and will each receive funding of $9,000 under the grants program. The peak body Mechanics’ Institutes of Victoria will also receive funding of $10,000.

Victoria’s first Mechanics’ Institute – the Melbourne Athenaeum in Collins Street which formed in 1839 – will use its grant on an oral history project, recording interviews with artists, performers, historians and others associated with the building. 

The Prahran Mechanics’ Institute (PMI) will update the IT infrastructure that supports its various collections.

Footscray Mechanics’ Institute will spend its grant on new books and building refurbishment while Berwick Mechanics’ Institute will purchase new books and chairs.

The Mechanics’ Institutes of Victoria will use its grant to build, print and bind its collection, upgrade its website, update its accounting software, review its workshop and digitise its records.                                  

The other Mechanics’ Institute libraries receiving funding include Ballarat, Bonnie Doon, Little River, Maldon, Stanley, Talbot and Toora.

The Florence Thomson Tour is heading to Ballarat, and the Daylesford  Amazing Mill Markets, this weekend.  

Created in 2017, the tour is a unique rally for women drivers celebrating the  pioneering spirit and contribution of women to Australian motoring.

The tour was  aptly named after Florence Thomson, who, in 1905, was the sole female entrant in the Dunlop Reliability Motor contest from Sydney to Melbourne.

She was one of the  16 entrants who successfully completed the five-day trial, driving a six horsepower  Wolseley, over what was then nothing more than 562 miles of dirt track between the  capital cities.  

This year more than 95 vehicles have entered, ranging from veteran to vintage  then to more modern classics and over 200 people are participating as either drivers  or passengers.

All participants are encouraged to dress to match the era of the vehicle that they are driving.  The community is invited to see the tour vehicles and talk to the participants at  Windmill Drive, Ballarat on Sunday, March 30 from 9am to 11.30pm.  

The day before, Saturday, March 29, many drivers will head to Kingston and Creswick before stopping at the Daylesford Mill Markets about noon.  

Ballarat’s Bridge Mall redevelopment will officially open with a fun-filled community celebration tomorrow, Saturday March 15.

The official opening marks a major milestone in the transformation of the city’s oldest retail precinct, which has already led to new investment in the Bridge Mall.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves will join the community, Bridge Mall Business Association traders and businesses, civil infrastructure and landscape contractor 2Construct and landscape architects Hassell to mark the occasion.

The $23.3 million redevelopment will open with a Welcome to Country smoking ceremony and an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11am.

A cavalcade of vintage cars from the Vintage and Classic Car Club Ballarat, representing the decades starting from the 1900s, will then join some of today’s electronic vehicles to proceed along the bluestone carriageway before parking for a showcase display.

The event will feature carnival-themed festivities with roving entertainment, family fun, an outside broadcast from 3BA, a Rotary Club of Wendouree Breakfast barbecue, a display of historic photos of the precinct and a brand-new shopping experience.

The shopping and celebrations continue on Sunday March 16.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the Bridge Mall redevelopment is a game-changer for Ballarat.

“The redevelopment brings a new modern public space, improved accessibility and a vibrant atmosphere that will benefit residents, visitors and local businesses for years to come,” she said.

“We are proud to deliver a space that enhances our community’s social and economic vibrancy and creates a more inviting and accessible destination for all.

“We encourage everyone to come along, celebrate with us and experience the new Bridge Mall.”

Bridge Mall Business Association President Wendy McLachlan said traders are extremely excited about the new space.

“The association continues to receive many positive endorsements about the new space – from traders, the community and the new investment the project has attracted,” she said.

“Our entrance from Sturt Street connecting our mall to the CBD is very grand and pedestrian friendly. 

“The shared space with vehicles will allow better access for our customers that are dropping off and picking up.

“We are all embracing positive change and loving the new space now and look forward to what the future holds.”

The Bridge Mall redevelopment features:

•    A landscaped entry into the mall
•    A portal view to the Yarrowee, connecting people with the river below their feet
•    Reflections of Wadawurrung Traditional Owners’ history and culture
•    About 20 new short-term car parks for pick-up and drop-off
•    Smart lighting on building facades
•    A dynamic new play space
•    New seating, gathering spaces and plantings
•    Bollards providing easy mall closure for events, markets and performances
•    A shared zone with a 10km/h speed limit, noting vehicles must give way to all pedestrians at all times
•    Better connections to cycling paths, including the Sturt Street shared path, and
•    Improved traffic flow through the Grenville and Sturt Street intersection.

The carriageway will remain in event mode and be closed to vehicles throughout the Saturday of celebrations and will open to vehicles from Sunday March 16.

The Bridge Mall redevelopment is a key project of the City of Ballarat’s Bakery Hill Urban Renewal Plan.

The Bakery Hill Urban Renewal Plan is the first step in revitalising the Ballarat CBD and aims to reinvigorate the area as a vibrant destination for shoppers, diners, residents and visitors.

This story based on a City of Ballarat media release. Image: supplied

Victorian Opera is staging Mansfield Park, an intimate chamber opera adapted from a Jane Austen novel, at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Ballarat early next month.

Published in 1814, Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park tells the story of Fanny Price who, as a girl, was sent from her impoverished family to live with her wealthy relatives in their opulent manor.

As a young woman of marrying age, Fanny must navigate her new social environment, including the romantic entanglements and moral dilemmas of her cousins. 

Jonathan Dove’s musical adaptation of Mansfield Park invites guests to be a fly on the wall in Jane Austen’s world of family drama, marriage negotiations, class and flirtation.  

Featuring some of Australia’s finest performers, next month’s production features two performances at her Majesty’s Theatre in Ballarat on April 4 and April 5.

More details can be found through the venue’s website.

Words: Eve Lamb. Image: File

A new Visitor Information Centre officially opened in Ballarat today.

Complementing the existing Visitor Information Centre at Ballarat Town Hall, the new info centre is located in the Robert Clarke Centre, opposite the conservatory within the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.

It will be open 11am-3pm, seven days a week and officially opened today, Saturday 8 March, to coincide with the Ballarat Begonia Festival.

The centre will be staffed by a combination of City of Ballarat staff and volunteers, and will be a Victorian Tourism Industry accredited ancillary and accessible centre. 

A Made of: Ballarat shop, which will be located within the centre, will showcase local artisans and producers from within the region. 

Additional visitor facilities will include free visitor parking, including caravan or large vehicle spaces, public toilets, free Wi-Fi, and PowerPoints for charging devices. It will also be a pet-friendly site.

City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the new Botanical Gardens Information Centre will provide both visitors to Ballarat and residents with another place to learn about local attractions, restaurants, events and accommodation to encourage them to explore the city.

“The Ballarat Botanical Gardens is already a popular spot for both visitors and tourists alike, seeing more than half a million visitors annually — by locating a new Visitor Information Centre in the gardens, we will be providing a fantastic service for people in a location they already love,” Cr Hargreaves said. 

“We also know that around a third of visitors to the region are visiting friends and family.

“By also having a Visitor Information Centre in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, it will allow residents to bring their visitors to the area and receive personalised recommendations about what to do during their stay.”

This story based on a City of Ballarat media release. Image: Supplied

The state government is boosting train frequency on the Ballarat, Ararat, Warrnambool and Bendigo lines with 50 new or extended weekend services.

Premier Jacinta Allan joined Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams in Ballarat late last week to announce a new V/Line timetable that will make weekend shopping, dining and trips to the footy easier for passengers on some of Victoria’s busiest regional train lines.

From April 13 Ballarat Line passengers will benefit from 33 extra services, with trains running every 40 minutes on weekends between 8:00am and 9:00pm for the first time.

Most weekend bus services that connect to trains on the Ballarat Line will also now run every 40 minutes – a significant boost to the frequency of bus services.

On the Ararat Line, two new return services will be added on Saturdays and Sundays, including a 9:15pm Saturday service from Southern Cross to get passengers home from AFL twilight matches or an evening in Melbourne.

Five new weekend services will be added to the Bendigo Line, including late-night trains from Melbourne to Bendigo enabling passengers to enjoy the city nightlife.

Five popular weekend services on the Bendigo Line will also be expanded from three to six-carriage VLocity trains, meaning more capacity across the weekend for locals and visitors.

From April 14, there will be four extra weekend services on the Warrnambool Line – with new return services on Saturdays and Sundays adding to the extra services rolled out late last year.

This means Warrnambool passengers will have five daily weekend return services, with the line more popular following the earlier introduction of the regional fare cap.

For the first time, passengers on the Warrnambool Line will also have access to VLocity trains on all weekend and weekday services.

Two Geelong Line trains will also be extended through to Waurn Ponds Station every weekday morning, giving passengers in Waurn Ponds more travel options.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan: “We made regional travel more affordable for Victorian families through the regional fare cap and now we’re delivering more services to four regional rail lines.”

Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams: “More regional Victorians are choosing to take public transport than ever before thanks to our cheaper fares policy – so we’re catering to this extra demand with more trains, more often.”

This story based on state government and V/Line announcements

The City of Ballarat is progressing flood mitigation projects to better protect the Miners Rest and Cardigan Village communities.

The flood mitigation projects will focus on upgrading storm water systems, improving water flow management and implementing engineered solutions to reduce the risk of flooding in these areas.

The City of Ballarat has advertised a tender for design services for the Cardigan Village Flood Mitigation project after completing flood modelling that identified several flooding hotspots within the township.

The flood study outlined several mitigation solutions, and the successful engineering consultant will be required to design four flood protection measures for assessment and consideration.

As part of the Miners Rest Drainage Plan, updated flood modelling has also been completed.

A concept design that targets interventions in key areas to provide flood protection, while minimising the impact of works on local residents and the environment, is now underway.

The City of Ballarat plans to engage a civil design consultant to further develop the concept design this year, prior to commencing construction.

The City of Ballarat 2024-25 Budget included an increased investment in drainage projects to address storm event flooding in Cardigan Village and Miners Rest communities.

The Budget allocated $6.5 million for drainage projects, including the Cardigan Village Flood Mitigation project and for the Miners Rest Drainage Plan, with additional funding proposed for future years’ budgets.

City of Ballarat North Ward Councillor Jim Rinaldi said while there is a lot of design and engineering work still to be done, once completed, the projects will help protect the two communities.

“We are committed to taking action to help reduce flood risks and provide long-term storm resilience for Cardigan Village and Miners Rest,” he said.

“The project teams will consult with local residents throughout the process at key stages to keep them updated on developments and address any questions.”

Areas of Cardigan Village and Miners Rest have experienced flooding during storms in recent years, highlighting the need for improved drainage infrastructure and flood prevention measures.

Overland flow plays a significant role for the flooding and drainage problem in Cardigan Village, with unlined open drains conveying stormwater flows to the wetlands and detention basins.  

Areas of Miners Rest can flood via the Burrumbeet Creek during large storm events. 

This story based on a City of Ballarat media release

The Victorian state government has announced it’s boosting mental health support for young people across Ballarat and surrounding areas, with construction now underway on a new Youth Prevention and Recovery Care (YPARC) centre.

Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt joined Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison, Member for Eureka Michaela Settle and Ripon Martha Haylett last week to turn the first sod for the new multi-million-dollar, 10-bed centre being built at 31-39 Durham Street.

A key recommendation from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, YPARC services provide 24/7 clinical care in a home-like setting for young people aged 16-25 experiencing mental health challenges – reducing pressure on hospitals by offering an alternative to acute hospital admission.

Its central location and proximity to health services including the Ballarat Base Hospital and other mental health service means consumers and their families will have easy access to other medical and support services.

To be built by McCorkell Constructions, designs released last year showcased the future centre’s welcoming, home-like environment, including private bedrooms to support young people throughout their recovery journey.

Operated by Grampians Health, the new Ballarat centre is part of a $141 million investment by the state government that will more than double the capacity of Victoria’s current YPARC network with five new, 10-bed centres to be built across the state and upgrades to three existing YPARC centres.

The new centres will be located in Ballarat, Geelong, Shepparton, Heidelberg and Traralgon, with three existing centres in Bendigo, Dandenong and Frankston also being refurbished and modernised.

Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority, the new centres are aimed at ensuring more young Victorians each year can access the tailored support they need.

Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt: “We’re making sure young Ballarat locals get the mental health support they need, closer to home – delivering a local service that offers tailored care that sets them up for a positive and healthy future.”

This story based on a state government media release. Image: Supplied

Anticipation is building as the City of Ballarat’s biggest annual event of the year draws closer.

The 73rd annual Ballarat Begonia Festival is now just a couple of weeks away, with tens of thousands of people expected to flock to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens for the three-day festival held over the March Labour Day long weekend.

The Ballarat Begonia Festival offers a diverse range of free activities, entertainment, and educational experiences for all ages.

This year there will be a renewed focus on conservation of native flora and fauna, highlighted by headline act ‘The Last Numbat’. The Last Numbat is a large-scale, interactive performance installation that uses puppetry to tell the story of the decline of the endangered Australian marsupial.

The Ballarat Begonia Festival’s full program is now available online at ballaratbegoniafestival.com and was officially launched earlier this month.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves says the festival had cemented itself as the city’s premier event over many decades.

“The Ballarat Begonia Festival is an absolute treasure on our events calendar and every year delights our locals and visitors alike,” she said.

“The entertainment that will be on show this year is absolutely incredible and we can guarantee that it will be an event that has something for everybody.

“From the guest presenters on the main stage to the family friendly activities, from the food and drink offerings to the incredible garden displays, and of course the PowerFM Ballarat Begonia Parade – this is an event not to be missed.”

This story based on a City of Ballarat media release

It has been the saddest of years for the family and friends of Samantha Murphy. 

An unfathomable loss of a wife, mother and a friend. We continue to hold them close in our thoughts and to support them.

Amid the shock and sadness we all feel, the community has stepped up in a way that shows the best of us in dealing with the worst possible news. And not just once.

The community has also stepped up following the deaths of Rebecca Young and Hannah McGuire which also happened during the last 12 difficult months.

Grief can be a long path to walk and having the support of people around you actually helps. As I have said before, we the community have another task as well – making the world we live in a safer place for women.

Simply living your life shouldn’t put you in danger. Women shouldn’t have to worry that being out by themselves at night or in the early morning, or even being behind closed doors in their own home puts them at risk. 

I wrote in an op-ed last April that how we educate our boys in this community matters, what opportunities they have to learn how to be the fabulous, beautiful men we all know in some aspects of our lives, actually really matters. 

Governments have a role to play too – with campaigns, early intervention services, a national plan from all levels of government, as well as legislated paid family and domestic violence leave and better access to childcare and early education. 

There are signs of small change. Ballarat resident Pauline O’Shannessy-Dowling has told the ABC that when she is out running, which is what Samantha was doing, men who are also running make the effort to let her know they are not a threat. 

We saw at the Ballarat Marathon, the first one last year, a concerted effort of dads running with their daughters, and really wanting to come together as a community to show how much they care about their girls. 

And there are signs of a much bigger change underway in our community. A partnership of organisations, business clubs and groups led by Women’s Health Grampians and called Communities of Respect and Equality – CoRE – Alliance share a vision for safe, equal and respectful communities. 

Membership of CoRE Alliance usually sees between one and five new organisations join each year. Since February last year, when Samantha went missing, 19 organisations have joined – 13 of those from Ballarat including a number of schools. And this significant increase is being driven by the students themselves. 

There has also been a notable increase in enquiries from organisations and individuals – particularly men – interested in CoRE and what they can do to prevent gender-based violence. 

Men’s initiative information sessions saw a massive increase in registrations, and in December, Women’s Health Grampians and the City of Ballarat held a leadership forum for men interested in learning more about how they can lead change to prevent gender-based violence in the organisations they are part of. 

(A total) 188 people attended that event, 60 per cent of whom were men. These are all the positive signs of change that we want. Again, the community is stepping up and importantly, men are stepping up very much as part of that. 

We all need to see change across our communities, and in mine, that has been incredibly important, and felt very deeply after the deaths of Samantha, of Hannah and of Rebecca. 

We want a community that is safe for everybody. Everybody, but particularly women. We need everywhere, in every community, in every place, to stop seeing violence against women. To stop losing women, like beautiful Samantha Murphy, who still had so much to give. 

And this, the week of the anniversary of her death, and as we are also leading into anniversaries for Rebecca and Hannah, my thoughts and my condolences continue to go out to their families. 

The legacy that we have from their deaths, is that we must do so, so much better to keep women safe in our communities. 

– Catherine King, Ballarat MP (Adjournment Speech, Federation Chamber, Thursday, February 6, 2025 

A new medical centre has opened in the growing Ballarat suburb of Lucas.

UFS Medical has opened its newest medical centre in Lucas as Ballarat’s population expands to the west of the regional city.

The new clinic is taking new patients, with all initial GP appointments this month to be bulk-billed.

From March, bulk-billing will be available for pensioners, healthcare card holders, DVA card holders and children under 16.

UFS chief executive Matt Vagg says the new centre will help provide high-quality, integrated healthcare across the region.

The new centre is UFS’ fourth location in Ballarat and follows clinics already operating in Doveton Street, Windermere Street and Sebastopol.

Situated in Merz Street, the new Lucas centre features consulting and procedure rooms for GPs, nurses and remedial therapies.

Occupational therapy will be offered along with radiology and pathology services which are scheduled to begin being offered at the new centre in the coming weeks.

A partnership of Ballarat’s leading organisations is calling for major investment in infrastructure that supports growth ahead of this year’s federal election.

Ballarat Now and Into the Future – Enabling Growth is a joint advocacy campaign between nine of Ballarat’s key organisations representing the health, education, tourism, commercial, local government and advocacy sectors. 

It identifies eight priority projects that are thought to be needed to support the future prosperity of Ballarat and Western Victoria and ensure Ballarat is prepared for future growth.

The eight projects are:

Enabling Community

• Eastwood Community Hub
• Wendouree Library and Learning Centre

Enabling Infrastructure

• Ballarat West Growth Area Housing and Growth Enabling Infrastructure
• Duplication of Dyson Drive

Enabling Regional Investment 

• Circular Economy Precinct
• Western Victoria Aviation Precinct Ballarat

Enabling Workforce and Economic Growth

• Ballarat Co-Operative Education and Skills City Centre
• Sovereign Hill Master Plan: Gold Vault

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the projects would deliver a broad range of economic and social benefits, ensuring Ballarat and the region can make the most of the opportunities presented by future population growth.

“Federal investment in these projects will help ensure Ballarat will grow in a way that allows our city and region’s economy to thrive, supports local business and creates jobs,” she said. 

“We need significant investment to build on our established strengths in tourism and higher education, to deliver essential community facilities for existing and future residents, enhance aeromedical services and commercial aviation and build the circular economy.

“We also need the roads, pipes and pumps that will fast track new housing needed to support growth.

“With support for these key projects, Ballarat is well placed to do more of the heavy lifting when it comes to population growth, easing pressure on metropolitan growth areas and generating economic growth and new opportunities for business in our city and western Victoria.”

Ballarat Now and Into the Future – Enabling Growth is proudly supported by nine Ballarat organisations:

• Australian Catholic University Ballarat
• Central Highlands Water
• City of Ballarat
• Commerce Ballarat
• Committee for Ballarat
• Federation University
• Grampians Health
• Sovereign Hill
• Tourism Midwest Victoria

Cr Hargreaves said the joint campaign would help ensure Ballarat’s priorities were well understood by all sides of politics in the lead up to the federal election, which is due before the end of May this year.

“As a collective, we speak on behalf of thousands of employees, businesses and most importantly, the residents of Ballarat and the region,” she said.

“Our united voice means our representatives and candidates can be in no doubt about Ballarat’s priorities and the projects that will enable growth and deliver the greatest benefit to our community.”

This story based on a City of Ballarat media release

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating following a fatal collision that happened in the Ballarat suburb of Wendouree last week.

Emergency services were called to Creswick Road where a ute and motorbike collided about 6am last Thursday, January 30.

The rider, a 50-year-old Brown Hill man, died at the scene.

The driver of the ute, a 38-year-old Miners Rest man, was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Investigations are ongoing into the circumstances of the collision.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, has dashcam/CCTV footage or information was urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

For the current provisional lives lost tally please see https://www.police.vic.gov.au/road-safety-0

This story based on a Victoria Police report

The Art Gallery of Ballarat will close in March to prepare for extensive interior upgrades that will enable the gallery to display more works from its permanent collection and secure international exhibitions.  

From today (February 3), de-installation of some temporary exhibitions including Medieval to Metal will begin, and some galleries will close, while the permanent collection remains on display and open to the public.

From Monday, 3 March the Art Gallery of Ballarat will close entirely. It is anticipated that it will re-open in early 2026.  

Once closed, the de-installation of the permanent collection will take place ahead of stage one of the works. The first stage includes interior wall lining enhancement which will enable dynamic displays of artworks at varying heights, allowing more of the 11,500 permanent collection artworks to be displayed.

Additionally, as part of the State Government’s Regional Collections Access Program, a $536,707 upgrade of the building’s skylights to energy efficient LED panels will also occur. With the correct lighting conditions, the gallery can display more works on paper which are sensitive to light and UV.

Integral to the program of works is the installation of a new Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system.  

The $5.5 million project, funded by the City of Ballarat, will replace the existing HVAC system which is at end-of-life. A new state-of-the-art HVAC system that meets international museum standards is essential for securing the best international exhibitions and loans of significance. Refurbishment of both the passenger and freight lifts will also take place.

In 2024 the State Government announced funding of $388,850 for the Art Gallery of Ballarat to complete a Master Plan that will drive the ambitious future direction of the Art Gallery of Ballarat. The 2025 interior upgrade works are an integral part of the long-term plan.  

While closed, back-of-house staff will work on much needed collection digitisation and documentation, as well as forward planning. Front-of-house staff will be re-deployed to other projects along with off-site programs and activities.  Examples include:  

• The Gallery Shop pop-up at 50 Lydiard Street, Nth (formerly Evans Bakery)  
• Backspace exhibition program to continue at 43 Mair Street off-site venue  
• NextGen 2025, which showcases the best student art from the Ballarat region, taking place at GovHub  
• Further off-site education and public program activities to be announced  

Art Gallery of Ballarat Director Louise Tegart said she understood that a closure was disappointing for those who love visiting regularly, but that the interior upgrades are essential to maintain operations and would result in more compelling experiences.  

“Home to more than 11,500 works, the Art Gallery of Ballarat holds the most significant permanent collection in regional Australia. The interior upgrades project will allow us to better display rarely seen paintings, sculptures and works on paper,” Ms Tegart said.    

“Most importantly, replacing the HVAC system, which is at end of life, will ensure that we comply with the strict environmental standards required to host international exhibitions and also preserve our incredible collection.

“The Art Gallery of Ballarat is the oldest regional gallery in Australia, founded in 1884. We are so proud of our heritage, and we know these capital works will ensure our future programming meets international standards and expectations of our community.”  

City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the Art Gallery of Ballarat delivered enormous cultural and visitor economy impact and the works would further enhance its role in Ballarat’s community and tourism sectors.    

“The interior works and upgraded HVAC system will ensure the Art Gallery of Ballarat’s team is able to secure iconic loans from respected institutions and put on blockbuster shows that will engage our community, attract tourists and contribute to our economy,” Cr Hargreaves said.  

“In 2023-24 the Art Gallery of Ballarat had 150,607 visitors through its doors and had an estimated economic impact of $46 million. Once these works are completed, we expect the impact to be bolstered further.” 

This story based on a City of Ballarat media release

Prepare to groove like it’s 1970-something when the Yachtski Brothers hit the stage tomorrow as part of the last in the Summer Sundays series of free concerts in Ballarat’s beautiful botanical gardens.

The afternoon event makes for a lazy opportunity to set cruise control and soak in some smooth rock and funky soul as this all-star band of brothers take you on a captivating ride back to the classic sounds of the 70’s & 80’s.

From the gentle sway of yacht, to the energetic beat of rock, these funky ‘buoys’ promise music that’s kind to discerning ears and good dancing material to boot. They’re also just one of the four acts scheduled for tomorrow’s free concert that’s set to get started from 3pm and run through to 7pm.

Also part of tomorrow’s line-up is:

With members from Beaufort and Ballarat, Serendipity are an emerging all-girl band who blend vibrant energy and harmonies for a fresh, authentic sound.

New to the region, Aaliyah Bise, is rapidly making her mark on the local music scene and has discovered a vibrant and supportive community that has fueled her artistic growth.

The band Sinsemillian were once described as “Flower Doom” and play a wild variety of styles with a tendency to lean towards the heavy, progressive and psychedelic with their eccentric 70s influences.

Alongside the live music, a selection of the area’s best street food and beverage vendors will be onsite, as will the pop-up Garden Bar that aims to quench summer thirsts for patrons 18 and over.

Those planning to get along are advised to bring a rug and maybe a picnic for a relaxed afternoon of free entertainment staged by the City of Ballarat.

Words: Eve Lamb. Images: Supplied