G'day Ballarat! Apparently hot chocolate was just the warm-up act, because we’ve now moved into the pie portion of winter.

This week, there’s a new pie challenge to investigate, a big market at the Mining Exchange, a fresh chapter for Peasant, and a Webster Street house that is not mucking around.

Also, BABBA is coming to town. So if you’ve been waiting for a reason to dust off your inner Dancing Queen, this may be it.

Grab a cuppa and enjoy the read.

– Luciano Devoto
PS: If you’d like to support this free community newsletter, you can buy me a coffee or choose to advertise with us.

In case the Hot Choc Showdown wasn’t enough, Ballarat now has a Winter Pub Pie Challenge too.

It kicked off this week and runs until 19 July, with 18 local pubs already jumping in. The idea is simple: pubs create their best winter pie, locals get tasting, and there are prizes up for grabs along the way. Here’s Charlie from @ballaratblogger talking through the rules.

I’ll be honest, I’ve had a hard time finding who is organising it or even a list of participating venues. Also, with Ballarat’s Best Pie coming in August, I’m not sure how we’re meant to pace ourselves. Anyhow, pub pies. I’m in.

Wendouree CFA has had a decent upgrade, with a new satellite station now open on Selkirk Drive and a new locally built Next Generation pumper handed over to the brigade. The new setup is designed to help volunteers get on the road faster when every minute counts.

The Design Exchange Winter Market is back at the Ballarat Mining Exchange on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June from 10am to 3pm both days, $5 entry, under 18 free. There’ll be more than 70 stallholders, handmade goods, fashion, jewellery, art, gifts, artisan food, live music and even heated floors, which feels like an important winter detail.

Two much-loved local spaces have received Tiny Towns funding. Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society will get $41,857 for a power upgrade at the Ballarat Showgrounds equestrian centre, while Dean Hall and Mechanics Institute will receive $50,000 for exterior restoration works later this year. Good news for events, halls and community gatherings.

Royal South Street has officially launched its 2026 Ballarat Eisteddfod season, kicking off six months of music, dance, drama, calisthenics and all-abilities performing arts. The season starts with music performances at the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute until 30 June, giving local and visiting performers their moment on stage.

The City of Ballarat is asking locals to help shape its next Intercultural Plan, which will guide how the city supports and celebrates cultural diversity from 2027 to 2031. Feedback is open until Sunday 26 July, with community workshops at Ballarat Town Hall on 30 June and 1 July.

Local artists and creative workers can get free help with grant writing through a three-part workshop series at Co-Lab, Ballarat Central Library. The sessions run on 27 June, 4 July and 11 July, from 9.45am to 1.15pm, covering funding opportunities, project plans, budgets, selection criteria and supporting documents.

Peasant has started a new chapter inside the Mercure Ballarat grounds, shifting into osteria mode with dinner seven nights a week. Led by chef Douglas Kerr and restaurateur Dan Tesoriero, the menu leans into seasonal produce, thoughtful wine, and Calabrian and Sicilian influence. One for the nights when dinner can take its time.

4🛏️ 2🛁 3🚗 | House | 701m²

Hints: There are Ballarat Central addresses, and then there’s Webster Street. This one puts you within walking distance of Lake Wendouree, the hospitals, the CBD food scene and a handful of Ballarat’s best-known schools. The house has the old-meets-new balance done well, with a contemporary rear extension, hydronic heating, a solar-heated pool and, yes, an underfloor wine cellar with a spiral staircase.

What do you reckon the asking price is?

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Until next Thursday!

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