A decade of action on the ice

Cake-cutting: This year marks the 10th anniversary of the ice rink in Ballarat, which will host a range of all-ages and multicultural sessions this winter, including Bollywood on Ice. Photos: EDWINA WILLIAMS

BALLARAT Winter Festival’s pop-up ice skating rink is back for the fest’s tenth anniversary, so get your skates on.

The rink is open every day until Sunday 21 July for casual skating, but there are also discos, kids and youth DJ sessions, and Bollywood on Ice events.

Amandeep Kaur from Virasat E Punjab Ballarat said the Bollywood nights are a chance to connect the broader community with Indian culture.

Skater Merryn O’Keefe tries out the rink.

“We’ll have a lot of dancing and singing,” she said. “This year we’ve invited a very famous singer from Punjab.

“We have been doing this for the past six years, and last year we had a gathering of more than 1000 community members. This year we are expecting even more.”

The ice skating rink is based at the intersection of Armstrong Street south and Sturt Street, beside Town Hall, and City of Ballarat deputy mayor Cr Peter Eddy said tickets are affordable for families.

“We’re conscious of the fact that people who are coming need to be able to afford to come,” he said.

Rug up to enjoy all that’s on offer this Winter Fest.

“Let’s get out there, rug up and make the most of what’s going to be a great event over the school holidays.

“There’s so many events on over the Winter Festival, and it’s also a chance to get people into the CBD area, get them active, and supporting the retail and hospitality sectors in town.”

Visit ballaratwinterfestival.com.au for session times, and to book tickets.