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G'day Ballarat! This week is Reconciliation Week, which is a good nudge for all of us to listen a little better, learn a little more, and show up where we can.

We’ve also got the Winter Appeal back for locals doing it tough, the Sunday Market trying out Victoria Park this weekend, a few train changes that may save you a headache, and a hoagie van that looks very capable of ruining your lunch plans in the best possible way. Grab a cuppa and enjoy the read!

– Luciano Devoto

Ballarat will mark National Reconciliation Week from 27 May to 3 June, with this year’s theme, All In, asking all of us to play a part in reconciliation.

The week begins with a Flag Raising Ceremony outside Ballarat Town Hall on Wednesday morning, followed by a panel discussion inside Town Hall. There’s also a documentary screening at Ballarat Library, a Gobata Dja education session, and a First Nations art exhibition by Perridak Arts.

A good week to listen, learn, and show up as a community.

The Ballarat Winter Appeal is back, aiming to distribute $45,000 worth of food, blankets and financial support through local emergency relief agencies. With more locals feeling the pinch, this is one of those practical community efforts that really matters. Warm coats, blankets, socks and non perishable food are all welcome.

Ballarat Sunday Market is popping up at a new spot this weekend, taking over Victoria Park near the Sturt Street playground on Sunday 31 May. It runs from 9am to 1pm, with local stalls, food and plenty of market fossicking. Handy one to know if your usual Sunday routine involves coffee, a wander, and pretending you’re “just having a look.”.

Ballarat Cabaret Festival is heading into its final week, with shows running from 28 to 31 May at the Post Office Box Theatre, Arts Academy on Camp Street. The closing stretch includes the Festival Gala, sketch comedy, a kids’ cabaret show, live music and a few grown-up cabaret offerings. Basically, a little bit of sparkle before the curtain comes down for another year.

Council is asking for feedback on its updated Financial Hardship Policy, which covers support for people struggling to pay rates and charges. The draft includes clearer guidance, a simpler application process, stronger privacy protections and possible partial rate waivers in some circumstances. Feedback is open until Sunday 14 June.

The Social Inclusion Ballarat Fund is open for applications, with grants available for local projects that help reduce loneliness and bring people together. Applications are open until Tuesday 9 June, so community groups with a good idea for connection should probably get cracking.

Public transport across Victoria will be half price from Monday 1 June 2026 to 1 January 2027, covering trains, trams, buses, regional trains, coaches and regional town buses. For Ballarat commuters, that means the full fare daily cap drops from $11.40 to $5.70, while concession daily fares drop from $5.70 to $2.85. Just tap on as usual and the discount applies automatically..

Grampians Health’s Hospital Without Walls program is expanding as more patients receive hospital level care from home. The service brings together nurses, medical teams, allied health workers and pharmacists, helping people avoid regular trips into hospital where appropriate. It’s clever, practical, and probably the future of more healthcare.

Hammo’s Hoagies has rolled into Ballarat with a food van serving up properly loaded hoagies. The menu includes Philly Chopped Cheese, Original Chopped Cheese, Chopped Chicken, Hammo’s Hoagie and Meat Lovers, with fillings like beef, chicken, bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, avocado, mayo, BBQ and house sauce. You’ll find them at 891 La Trobe Street on Fridays from 11am to 8pm. Delish!

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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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