G'day Ballarat! It’s World Cup month, baby. For those who don’t know, which is probably most of you, I’m originally from Argentina, so this is my kind of week.

We’ve got the Socceroos on the big screen on Sunday, Spanish and Latin American films at the Regent, and a new café giving the Eureka Centre another reason to linger.

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.

The Socceroos kick off their World Cup campaign this Sunday, and Ballarat is making an afternoon of it. Australia takes on Turkey at 2pm, with the match shown live on the big screen at Alfred Deakin Place.

It’s free, but you’ll need to bring your own chair, rug, blanket and winter layers. Heaters will be there too, which feels less like a detail and more like a survival plan.

HIDDEN is returning this July, and Civic Hall is getting the inflatable art treatment. The Creative Ballarat program supports local artists to create large scale public artworks using inflatable forms. Six Ballarat region artists are involved this year, with the final works heading for public display. Art you can almost walk into.

Refugee Week begins this Sunday, with Ballarat hosting events from 14 to 20 June. This year’s theme is A Million Stories, marking the one million refugees Australia has welcomed since World War II. The local program includes a rally, flag raising, short films, afternoon tea and community storytelling. A good nudge to listen a little closer.

The Spanish and Latin American Film Festival is screening at Palace Regent Cinemas, which feels like a handy winter excuse to disappear into a warm cinema. The Ballarat session list includes films from across Spain and Latin America, with dates running through June and early July. Culture, subtitles and heating. A strong combination.

Ballarat rowing stalwart Kevin O’Brien has been awarded an OAM for service to the sport. O’Brien coached St Patrick’s College rowers across several decades and helped guide athletes who went on to reach Olympic level. At 95, that is not just a coaching record. That is a lifetime on the water.

I forgot to add this one in last week’s edition, so here it goes.

Council’s May meeting recap had a fair bit in it, so here’s the useful version:

• A Eureka Street road safety petition with more than 1,458 signatures was received and sent to the CEO for a future report.

• Council reported an $80 million year-to-date surplus, sitting $20.5 million ahead of budget.

• A new vet services contract was awarded for the Ballarat Animal Shelter, which cares for around 2,500 to 3,000 animals each year.

• The Brown Hill Kindergarten upgrade is moving ahead, with a $2.78 million project to add a new 33-place classroom.

• Ballarat delivered more than 2,200 creative and cultural events in 2024/25, drawing almost 190,000 attendees.

• Council will write to the State Government asking for more police officers in Ballarat, including extra support for family violence and sexual assault response.

A new public artwork by Wadawurrung artist Kait James is nearing completion at Lake Wendouree’s North Gardens Indigenous Sculpture Park. Kunuwarra, meaning Blak Swan, will be officially unveiled on Wednesday 2 July as part of NAIDOC Week. It’s a fitting spot for a work grounded in Country, identity and connection.

Here’s one for the pet owners. Council is reminding locals to renew their pet registrations, after a missing tabby cat was reunited with its family a year after disappearing. Registrations also help fund the Ballarat Animal Shelter, which cares for about 2,500 stray, abandoned and unwanted animals each year. Tiny admin job. Massive relief if your furry escape artist makes a run for it.

The Eureka Centre has a new café, with Rebellion Café now open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm. Run by local operators Jamie and Tracey, the café is serving coffee, breakfast, lunch, cakes and catering. A history stop with a coffee stop attached. Very sensible, really.

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What do you reckon the asking price is?

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Until next Thursday!

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