Civic Hall the Belle of the Ball – March 2019 in review

Returned to former glory – Thursday, 7 March edition

AFTER over a decade-and-a-half of uncertainty, and then a significant renovation, Civic Hall was returned to life with an official opening, quickly followed by the Begonia Ball.

“The building stands strongly and will stand strongly in the future,” said then City of Ballarat mayor Cr Samantha McIntosh.

“Today is a very special day, after many late nights at the town hall we are finally here to see this beautiful building, Civic Hall, re-opened.

“After a hiatus of over 16 years, marks the beginning of the new era that we are all here to celebrate.”

Celebrating women – Thursday, 7 March edition

The first edition of March also saw the Ballarat Times publish our first special feature, a celebration of Women in Business that coincided with International Women’s Day.

The 22-page special feature would go on to receive a commended at the Victorian Country Press Association awards in November with judge Greg Watson describing it as, “A quality feature highlighting local businesses and International Women’s Day.”

Bloomin’ wonderful – Thursday, 14 March edition

Over 60,000 attendees flocked to the annual Begonia Festival in the city’s Botanic Gardens for the two-day event.

Activities packed the park and the Begonia Parade was a huge success.

Events officer with the City of Ballarat and head organiser Claudia Lengfelder said planning for the 2019 event started 12 months in advance.

“This event is our biggest event in terms of what the council organises,” she said. “When we put something like this on, and it’s hard work and it’s long hours, but as soon as you’re actually at the event we all love it. It’ beautiful, it’s in the gardens, we show case our gardens and the work that the gardeners put in for a year to get them up to spec.”

Power FM Begonia Parade award winners included Alfredton Primary School who took the Mayor’s Choice Award, Best Schools Entry was Urquhart Primary School, Victorian Goldfields Medieval Faire received Best Community Entry, Lana-Rose with the Ballarat Road Rodders picked up Best Business Entry and Best Musical Entry was won by BLOC Music Theatre.

Boomtown ‘Rat – Thursday, 21 March edition

Humanitarian and musician Bob Geldof KBE delivered the keynote address at Committee of Ballarat’s Round Table Dinner in mid-March.

Mr Geldof was also present at the unveiling of his portrait painted by Daylesford artist David Bromley and said the people he’s met in the city have been extraordinarily kind and welcoming.

“Staying at Craig’s Hotel is so beautiful, this town is alive with such creativity there must be something in the air,” he said. “Also, the fact that Peter Lalor just after the famine came here and kicked up a fuss, all of that just makes me want to stay a bit longer.

“Seeing this they clearly picked a picture that made me look beautiful, look at those Michelangelo lips.”

A Miner Dome for everyone – Thursday, 28 March edition

With the Ballarat Sports and Entertainment Centre soon to come online, attention turned to how the Minor Dome might be used.

That’s where the State government stepped in with a loan for $770,000 to turn the space into an all-abilities friendly sports venue.

“The loan of three quarters of a million dollars to the Ballarat Basketball Association is to upgrade the facility is accessible to all members of the community as well as our elite wheelchair athletes,” said Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison.

“We are bringing the Miner Dome into the 21st century providing first class facilities for all our athletes.”