'Burra' community ready for local showcase

AS many as twenty-five groups will be represented at the inaugural Sebastopol Community Showcase later this month.

The event is scheduled to take place at the Marty Busch Reserve from 12pm to 3pm on Saturday 22 November. It will be free to attend and will be open to all ages.

As its name suggests, it will showcase the range of community organisations and services in the area in the shape of stalls, come-and-try activities, a sausage sizzle, fruit and snacks, art and craft, performances, giveaways and a visit by the Sebastopol Fire Brigade truck.

Members of the Sebastopol Fire Brigade will make an appearance, along with the brigade truck.

The event is being organised by the Connecting Sebastopol Community Group, which is an initiative of the Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre (BNC) and was formed in 2023.

The BNC is also based in Sebastopol.

The community group brings together Sebastopol residents and community organisations keen to work together to engage, connect and build capacity within the suburb.

“The idea for Sebastopol Community Showcase came from a Sebastopol resident who shared the idea at our community meet-up in February,” BNC community engagement officer Emily Macdonald said.

“The idea was enthusiastically received by all in attendance, with both residents and representatives from local organisations excited about this opportunity and jumping on board with their support.

Children’s activities will be on the agenda at the 22 November showcase.

“We applied for and received funding for this event from the City of Ballarat Community Impact Grant 2025.”

Ms Macdonald said a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation will start the event.

She said performances will include the Phoenix College Intermediate Band and the U3A Ukulele Minstrels.

“Attendees can have a kick of the footy or throw some goals on the netball court with activities by the Sebastopol Football Netball Club,” Ms Macdonald said.

Ms Macdonald said participating community groups and services will range from early childhood through to seniors groups.

The community group publishes the Sebastopol Community Newsletter and has a Facebook page called Connecting Sebastopol.