Digital program globalises Heritage Weekend

THE city’s regular Ballarat Heritage Weekend traffic didn’t hit the streets due to COVID-19 restrictions last weekend, but the virtual History at Home YouTube series scratched a history itch for 2020.

With stories of First Nations Peoples and the Wadawurrung country, the history of Craig’s Royal Hotel, a musical background of the Bridge Mall Inn, Dark Histories tours and more, local storytellers and experience providers creatively showcased Ballarat’s old-world charm.

Brayden Dorney, secretary of the Ballarat Beard & Moustache Union ran the Ballarat Beard & Stache Competition digitally for the first time, judging entries alongside president, Jake Warren.

When hosted face-to-face at Hop Temple, Mr Dorney said the competition and venue is always at capacity, but shifting to an online space meant a more diverse array of people had the opportunity to be involved, and the pair had extra time for deliberation.

“We had over 120 competitors from all across the world, with a couple that had entered into world championships in the past, so it was great to see them getting involved in our little competition,” he said.

Engagement and viewership have been very positive for the event’s sixth, but very different year.

“We had our four usual categories that we have each year; full beard natural – which is 10 centimetres to infinity, Verdi – 10 centimetres and under, moustache, and partial beard.

“They were judged on a scoring basis, then we opened up the Peoples’ Choice Award, which is usually just done by the crowd, to an online vote. We ended up with over 1500 unique votes there,” Mr Dorney said.

“We saw an influx in our ‘just for fun’ category, for females and children with fake beards, so we’ll probably look at adding an official judging category for that next year. It was great to see everyone involved.”

Some of the competition’s regular entrants, including some from interstate, were “disheartened” to miss their traditional trip to the Ballarat Heritage Weekend, but glad to remain in touch.

“They couldn’t come and have a beer this year, but feedback has been welcomed. We could still connect digitally, have a bit of fun and lead towards 2021,” Mr Dorney said.

“We really want to put Ballarat on the map as ‘facial hair capital of Australia.’ In the long run, we’d love to host the world championships down here. It would be a great steppingstone for us.”

Producing two short films; a fashion presentation showcasing a few hospitality businesses, and a virtual tour of the annual Tweed Ride route, blogger Liana Skewes had a busy Heritage Weekend.

By Monday morning, views kept climbing, and she was looking forward to catching up on some of the other online events she missed.

“There is a whole heap of videos I can still access now, and if anyone missed something throughout the weekend, they can come back to it. It almost becomes a Ballarat heritage week,” she said.

Riding around Lake Wendouree and down Sturt Street by herself, recording the 2020 Tweed Ride was certainly quiet.

“Normally you’re looking out for people, making sure no one gets hurt and everyone is ok. You get reports from people at the back of the ride,” Ms Skewes said.

“This time it was just me doing something simple, small and lovely for people, which was also really nice.

“Where the normal ride happens and you’d post something about it afterwards, people are still watching and sharing the video at the moment, which is really interesting.”

In 2021, she expects some digital elements will carry over, alongside events on the ground.

“I think this will change the way they do Heritage Weekend. Instead of being in placement of in-person events, the online content will be a compliment to it,” Ms Skewes said.

“That way, if people can’t attend, they’ve got imagery and stuff to engage them there.”

Visit ballaratheritageweekend.com to catch up on anything you missed.