G'day Ballarat! October’s arrived, and Ballarat’s seniors have somehow ended up with a busier social calendar than most of us. There are more than 100 festival events on the way, plus free public transport and a few other handy extras.

Elsewhere, Racers is changing hands after 32 years, we’ve got three local community heroes to meet, and the Ballarat Diggers are proving footy can still matter long after the scoreboard stops being the point.

Enjoy the read.

– Luciano Devoto

Ballarat Seniors Festival is back for October, and there’s plenty packed into the full program, with more than 100 events covering concerts, workshops, day trips, exercise classes and social catch-ups.

There are a few handy extras too. Seniors Card holders get free public transport from 3 to 11 October, anyone aged 60+ can claim a free seven-day BALC pass, and the free Country Concert returns to Civic Hall on 6 October.

So much for retirement slowing things down.

Nominations are now open for the 2027 Great Women of Ballarat, recognising local women who’ve made a difference through business, education, health, the arts, volunteering and community work.

More than 200 women have been recognised since the program began in 2008. If someone comes to mind, you can nominate them here. The form is open until 1 November and takes around 30 to 60 minutes, so this is probably one nomination worth putting a bit of thought into.

A new Deaf and Hard of Hearing Friendly Playgroup starts at Barkly Square on 6 October, which should make things a little easier for local families who don’t always get much choice in this space.

The free group is for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, with Auslan interpreting available and support from Deaf Victoria. It runs Tuesdays from 10 am to 11.30 am during school terms, and you can register here.

The Ballarat Diggers are part of a growing Masters footy scene giving players over 35 a reason to keep pulling on the boots, even when winning isn’t really the point.

A recent ABC story looked at how clubs like Ballarat’s are becoming as much about friendship, routine and mental wellbeing as football itself. Turns out Auskick has an older sibling.

Mars Snacking has named this year’s Ballarat Community Heroes, recognising three locals who’ve put a lot of unpaid hours into making the city work a little better.

Bec Ware, Neil Para and Chenay Wilkinson were recognised for work across women’s safety, SES volunteering and community sport. Each winner also receives a $5,000 donation for their nominated charity.

There was a fair bit on the agenda at September’s Council meeting, so here’s the short version:

Council has adopted the Active Ballarat Strategy 2026–2030, covering sport, recreation, walking, cycling and everyday activity.

Community feedback pointed to rising costs, pressure on facilities and the need for more inclusive options. The plan now sets the direction for how Ballarat supports people to stay active over the next four years.

If Victoria Park is part of your usual route, there’s a change coming. All internal roads will be closed to traffic from 5 to 15 October while Strummingbird is set up, held and packed down.

Ovals 1, 2 and 3 will still be accessible on foot on most days, but there’ll be no access at all on 10 and 11 October. You can check the full details here.

After 32 years, Racers Cafe is getting new owners from mid October.

Adam and Claire have announced the Lake Wendouree cafe will close briefly for renovations before reopening under the management of well-known local operators. They haven’t named the new team yet, so there’s still one part of the story to come.

For a cafe that’s been part of the lake for three decades, that’s a fairly big changing of the guard.

4🛏️ 4🛁 2🚗 | House | 437m²

No hiding the past here. This former 1850s Welsh church still looks every bit the part, with its Gothic windows, stained glass and original brick façade. Inside, it has since been converted into two separate living quarters, making it one of the more unusual homes to come up in central Ballarat.

Have a look through the listing and take your guess.

Discover all events, activities, and live music around Ballarat each week inside our events calendar. Check it out!

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Until next Thursday!

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