G’day, Ballarat! Hope you’ve been enjoying the warm weather as we get closer to the first long weekend of the year. Quick heads up, this is the final Summer Sundays session in the gardens, and if you miss it, the Australia Day Picnic at Vic Park is a pretty good backup plan. Have a read, have a vote, and enjoy this week’s edition.

- Luciano Devoto
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The nominees for Ballarat’s 2026 Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Event of the Year have been announced, highlighting a broad mix of individuals and groups across the city.

Names like Leah Ashton, Heidi Biggin and Brayden Dorney feature among those recognised this year, alongside community events that have brought people together, raised funds, or supported others.

The nominations span volunteering, community leadership and event organisation, covering everything from grassroots efforts to larger scale initiatives that many locals will recognise.

These awards shine a light on the people and events that shape daily life in Ballarat.

Have a look through the full list of nominees. You might spot a familiar name, or an event you’ve been part of without realising it was being noticed.

Unless you’ve been hiding in a mine, you’ve probably seen the Lake Wendouree “urban beach” image doing the rounds on social media and even the news. It comes from a speculative study by Moloney Architects, exploring ways the City Oval precinct could better connect with the lake.

The concept plays with ideas like a sandy lakeside edge, safer pedestrian links from Sturt Street, slower shared traffic around the oval, and reclaiming part of Mair Street as green space. There’s even a pop up café and a small rooftop terrace included, more as a thought exercise than a real proposal.

But beyond the commentary, I’m curious…

Around 800 Ballarat residents will be randomly invited to share views on Council services and engagement through a new Community Sentiment Survey being rolled out this January and February. Interviews are done in person by trained staff from Metropolis Research, who’ll be visiting homes with photo ID, a Council letter and lanyard.

Each chat takes about 15 minutes, and responses are confidential. The door-to-door format aims to dig a little deeper into what matters most to locals across the municipality.

The Summer Sundays series wraps up this Sunday with a lively line up featuring El Bembe, Queenie, Square Wave Bounce and Fishwife, serving up everything from salsa and indie to electro pop.

It’s been great seeing people catching up over a glass of bubbles and kids running around on the grass. It’s hard not to think this deserves a longer run beyond January.

As always, there’ll be food trucks and the pop up Garden Bar pouring regional wines and brews. So grab a few friends and make the most of the final afternoon of music, food and summer sunshine in the gardens.

Ballarat’s annual Australia Day Picnic in the Park returns to Victoria Park next Monday 26 January, from around 11 am until 3 pm. There’s food and drink stalls, market stalls, entertainment and activities for all ages on offer beside the Inclusive Play Space.

You’re welcome to bring your picnic rug and your own lunch if you like. It’s a free, alcohol-free community gathering designed to be a relaxed way to spend the public holiday with family and neighbours. Expect lots of music, laughs and people making the most of summer in Ballarat.

If your usual route takes you near the Ring Road, a heads up that the railway crossing will be closed from Thursday 23 January while works are carried out. The closure applies to both vehicles and pedestrians, with traffic redirected via Link Road. There’s a shared path in place for cyclists and walkers during the works.

Over in Brown Hill, Ainley Street is also closed after a small sinkhole appeared near the Yarrowee River crossing. Traffic is being diverted via Stawell Street and Chisholm Street, with signage on site. The road will stay closed to vehicles tonight while further checks are carried out. There’s no risk to nearby houses, but best to avoid the area for now.

🛏 2 - 🛁 1 - 🚗 1 | 💰 $375,000 - $395,000

If downsizing is on your radar, this tidy Redan home is worth a look. Set on a manageable block, it’s the kind of place where life gets simpler without feeling squeezed. Shops, cafes, public transport and Victoria Park are all an easy walk, with the CBD close by when you need it. Inside, it’s neat, updated and comfortable, with two good sized bedrooms and a modern bathroom. Low maintenance, well located, and easy to live in.

Mexican food has a habit of heating things up, both on the plate and in the group chat. So this week, I’m letting Mexican spice up the conversation. Whether you judge a place by its tacos, burritos or how brave they are with the chilli, cast your vote below and let’s see which Ballarat spot can handle the heat.

Events and live music now have their own page, which means I can share a lot more of what’s happening around Ballarat each week. Check them out!

This week we have…

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Until next Thursday!