G'day Ballarat! I’m not sure what says Ballarat more this week: a new hydrogen-powered generator in Delacombe, or an 85-second LEGO video roasting nearly everything else we do around here.

There’s also a new op shop on Howitt Street, the Mining Exchange looking a little more like its younger self again, and plenty more.

Enjoy the read.

– Luciano Devoto

Hydrogen-powered generators weren’t high on my list of things being made in Delacombe, but here we are.

Local family business DW Controls has secured manufacturing rights to modify diesel engines so they can run on hydrogen, and has installed an Australian-first hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine designed to generate electricity for the grid.

When wind or solar produces more power than needed, that excess electricity can be used to make hydrogen and store it for later. The generator can then turn it back into electricity when demand picks up. Its exhaust is water, and the Delacombe unit will now double as a working demonstration for potential customers.

I doubt this one will make the tourism campaign. Liarburd’s latest LEGO-style Ballarat satire takes aim at swan attacks, Wendouree West, Little Bridge St Interchange, hospital waits and a few other “local favourites”.

It’s 85 seconds of Ballarat getting lovingly roasted, with just enough uncomfortable accuracy to make me feel like someone’s been following me around town.

A former builders’ tip in Black Hill is slowly getting a much greener second life. Students from Black Hill Primary, from Foundation to Year 6, are helping design, plant and look after a new microforest beside the Peel Street North post office.

The 1.6-hectare site has sat undeveloped since the 1950s. Give the kids three years and it should look very different.

A few floorboards at Ballarat’s Welcome Centre had reached the point where “a bit of TLC” was probably underselling it.

A $500,000 renovation is now underway at the Barkly Square building, with new flooring, lighting, accessible toilets, a kitchenette and workspaces on the way. The heritage building dates back to 1862 and has been home to the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council since 2019.

Ballarat High School hosts the Ganesh Festival this Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, with colourful processions, live music, Indian dance, vegetarian food and community performances.

It’s free to attend and, if you haven’t been before, probably one of the more colourful ways to spend part of your weekend.

If your band, choir or community group has been waiting for its festive-season debut, this might be it. The City of Ballarat is looking for local musicians and performers to bring some life to the streets this Christmas.

Expressions of interest close 5 pm Sunday 20 September.

The scaffolding is finally down at the Mining Exchange, revealing a sandy-toned façade inspired by its original 1880s colour scheme.

The restoration took longer than planned after crews found more damaged render underneath the old paint, but the 137-year-old building is now looking a lot closer to its former self.

If your idea of a good browse involves racks, bric-a-brac and the possibility of finding something nobody else spotted first, Wendouree has another stop to add.

The Epilepsy Foundation has opened a new op shop at 1251 Howitt Street, with proceeds supporting people living with epilepsy through services, education and advocacy.

Given Howitt Street’s existing collection of op shops, this stretch is becoming dangerously efficient for bargain hunters.

4🛏️ 2🛁 4🚗 | House | 918m²

Behind secure electric gates is a private family haven, with landscaped gardens, renovated kitchen and bathrooms, two living areas, a big entertaining deck, solar, security and enough off-street parking to make caravan ownership considerably less stressful.

Everything’s been done. The only job left is guessing the price.

Where do you reckon it lands?

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Until next Thursday!

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