G'day Ballarat! A few days of warmth and sunshine last week and I was already thinking summer was on its way. Silly me! Ballarat didn't waste much time reminding us why we never quite put those winter jackets away.

Remember last week's question about bringing back the Eureka Pool waterslide? Well, a whopping 85.14% of those who voted said yes! I don't know about you, but I reckon that's a pretty convincing result. Perhaps Council should put a few dollars aside in next year's budget. Just saying!

On a more serious note, two people I know have fallen for the same nasty bank scam in the past month, so I thought it was worth sharing how it works. We've also got a new Italian restaurant on Sturt Street and a home with six ovens! I mean, how much cooking can one person do?

So grab a cuppa and enjoy the read.

– Luciano Devoto

Two people I know well have fallen for the same bank scam in the past month. Two! That's pretty scary, especially when you realise how easily it could happen to any of us.

Imagine someone calls pretending to be from your bank's fraud team, warning that your account has been compromised. They might even know some of your details.

Then a security code arrives in your usual bank SMS thread. The message can genuinely be from your bank, but sharing that code could authorise a payment or give scammers access to your account.

A few red flags to watch out for:

If you get an unexpected call from your bank, hang up and call them yourself using their official number.

Learn how to spot the scam and stay safe, people!

Around 40,000 native plants and a great many muddy boots later, the Urban Ripple project has wrapped up.

Local volunteers have spent two years planting along the Yarrowee and its smaller creeks, covering 13 sites around Ballarat.

That's a lot of digging, all to give our waterways and local wildlife a helping hand.

If you need an excuse to leave the cooking to someone else, Sturt Street has a new one.

Como Sociale opened last Thursday at number 413, serving Italian dishes, wines and cocktails. You can pop in for an aperitivo at the bar or settle in for dinner. Bookings are now open online.

There's finally some concrete progress on Ballarat's new animal shelter. Literally.

Foundations are underway at Mitchell Park for the $14.5 million facility, which will have room for 65 dogs and more than 158 cats.

It'll also provide temporary care for pets whose owners are hospitalised or escaping family violence. Completion is planned for late 2027.

During rehearsals for Dead Man's Cell Phone, director Benj Beatty lost his mother-in-law to cancer.

He's now turning Friday's 7 pm performance at the Mechanics' Institute into a fundraiser for the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute.

Half the ticket sales and all beer and wine sales will go towards cancer research happening right here in Ballarat.

A heads-up for anyone using Ballarat Community Health: its main Victoria Street building is closed for repairs until February.

Many appointments have moved to Cooinda in Wendouree, although some services remain at Victoria Street.

Patients are being contacted, but you can check the details or call 5338 4500 if you're unsure.

Delacombe drivers have a detour to contend with for the next couple of months.

A 425-metre stretch of Whitelaw Avenue, between Pentlands Court and Beaumont Drive, has closed for a $1 million rebuild.

Traffic is being diverted via Greenhalghs Road and La Trobe Street, with works expected to finish before Christmas, weather permitting.

Ballarat's hosting a world premiere this week, and it's made of paper!

International artist Antonis Tzanidakis is unveiling his Furry Friends II collection at the Victorian Papercraft Show, running Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 October at the Showgrounds.

The premiere demonstration is on Thursday at 2.30 pm, free with show admission ($20 for adults). Registration is required.

4🛏️ 3🛁 2🚗 | House | 2,965m²

Built in 1948, this grand lakeside home has a few surprises behind its doors. There's a conservatory overlooking the lake, an imported six-oven AGA cooker, a temperature-controlled wine room (of course!) and even an orchard out the back. Not your average Sunday inspection

Can you guess the asking price?

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Until next Thursday!

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