G'day Ballarat! We’re getting the full July sampler at the moment with frosty mornings, a couple of decent sunny breaks, and then showers arriving right on cue for the weekend.🙄

This week, the Harlem Globetrotters are taking over Selkirk Stadium for two nights, NAIDOC Week continues across Ballarat, and Australian Idol is looking our way for the next star. There’s also a new tourist bus loop, coaches replacing trains, and a new cafe opening in Bakery Hill.

Grab a cuppa and enjoy the read.

– Luciano Devoto
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The Harlem Globetrotters are heading for Selkirk Stadium this Thursday and Friday, which is a decent winter flex for Wendouree. The shows are part of the team’s 100 Year Tour, with Ballarat getting two 7pm sessions on 9 and 10 July. That means dunks, tricks, crowd work, and at least one child leaving convinced the basketball hoop at home is now negotiable. It is big-name sport, theatre and chaos rolled into one, which is probably why it has survived a century.

NAIDOC Week still has plenty happening around Ballarat, from the flag photo spot in Hops Lane to Eureka Centre sessions, Her Maj performances, library events and the NAIDOC Ball still to come. A useful reminder that this week is not just one event. It is a whole local calendar.

Ballarat singers, this may be your chance to make the family group chat unbearable in the best possible way. Australian Idol is casting for 2027, with a Ballarat audition callout asking locals to submit a video or singing link online. Applicants are being pointed to the Ballarat audition form.

Lucas teacher Nicole Kelly has a new children’s book out, and this one has taken the scenic route through Japan. Shifters is a middle-grade supernatural adventure about Emily, Kyoto, friendship, shapeshifters and courage. A very Ballarat sentence, really: local teacher, ancient magic, international detour.

Eight Ballarat organisations will share more than $1.4 million through the 2026/27 City Partnerships Program. The list includes Carols by Candlelight, Ballarat East Neighbourhood House, BMI, Community Care Centre Ballarat, the Ballarat Showgrounds, Ballarat Marathon, Ballarat Performing Arts Community and Sovereign Hill. A fairly broad spread, as funding rounds go.

Ballarat now has a hop-on hop-off bus loop, which is handy if visitors want the full tourist circuit and you would prefer not to become their driver. The three-month trial links Sovereign Hill, Ballarat Wildlife Park, Eureka Centre and Town Hall, running between 11am and 3pm.

Train people, check before you travel. Coaches will replace Ballarat, Ararat and Maryborough line trains for all or part of the journey from Friday night, 10 July, until the last service Saturday, 11 July. Metro Tunnel works are the reason, so allow extra time.

Bakery Hill has a new café name to know. Blossom & Bloom has opened at 202 Humffray Street South, from the Aunty Katie team, with coffee, brunch and a new reason to point people slightly east of the CBD. Useful, because Ballarat never really says no to another breakfast option.

4🛏️ 2🛁 2🚗 | House | 876m²

Alfredton gets the House Hunch this week, with a family home that feels finished, generous and very well kept. Think two living zones, high ceilings, updated kitchen and bathrooms, established gardens, a north-facing alfresco area and a solar-heated pool. Very optimistic for Ballarat weather, but fair play.

What do you reckon it’s asking?

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Until next Thursday!

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