Local farmer takes centre stage on Idol
SMYTHES Creek farmer Billy Menhennet has made his debut on the latest season of Australian Idol. The footy loving 20-year-old described himself as laid back...
Survey serves up food question
RESIDENTS of Golden Plains Shire are being invited to take part in a survey about shopping, eating, cooking, growing food, and farming in the...
Week to celebrate wetlands
LOCAL wetland sites are set to come into the spotlight with Ramsar Week happening in mid-February. The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, or CCMA, will be...
Makeover for grants program
BARWON Water has opened up a new community grants program that’s aiming to create opportunities for local initiatives. As part of the program there’s grants...
Local produce made with love
A MONTH of curated events highlighting local growers and producers got underway yesterday and there is plenty more to look forward to. Forage and Feast,...
New Saints players wanted at Linton
AFTER a huge season in the Central Highlands Football League, Carngham Linton are looking for more junior players to join the club. Junior football director...
Players wanted for charity tourney
BALLARAT Highlanders Rugby Club are looking for people who would like to take party in a charity rugby sevens tournament. The daylong event is set...
Ringing in the year of the dragon
THE year of the dragon is set to be celebrated with a gala concert organised by the Chinese Australian Cultural Society Ballarat next month. Held...
Irish family history takes more than luck
A SEMINAR organised by Ballarat and District Genealogical Society in collaboration with the Irish Conversation Circle will be sharing information on how to conduct...
Taking inspiration from artwork
LILY Mae Martin will be at the Art Gallery of Ballarat next Saturday to guide people on how to create drawings from other artworks. Her...
Spicy cafe to offer cooking classes
MALAYSIAN-Indonesian eatery Flying Chillies it set to offer on-site cooking classes commencing in February. While owner Lilly Wright offered classes last year at Barkley Square,...
Swap meet to bring town to life
THE annual Carngham Linton Football Netball Club swap meet will be on at Snake Valley Recreation Reserve next month. Held on Sunday 11 February, gates...
Basketball’s best heading to town
THE best basketballers from across Australia will be heading to Ballarat next week to play in the under twenty and Ivor Burge national championships. The...
Get your skates on for fitness
GET rolling this summer by joining Roller Skate Fit Club’s eight-week program for adults. No experience is required to join the group which meets on...
Development clinic at growing club
THE Woady Warriors are calling more young footballers to join the growing club, with an upcoming development clinic part of the push. All under 13...
Hike partners with mental health org
THE Great Aussie Hike is set to take place in Daylesford and the Wombat State Forest this April, with all proceeds going towards Beyond...
Survival ceremony to call for reflection
BALLARAT’s fifth annual survival day ceremony will be on next Friday at View Point, Lake Wendouree. Starting at 5.30am, this year’s event will also be...
Local publisher looking for manuscripts
BUDDING writers are being invited to submit their fiction, non-fiction or children’s book manuscripts to the Rural Publishing Company. Owners, Sarah Walkerden and Toby Billing,...
Shire satisfaction sees significant decline
DESPITE Golden Plains Shire ranking below the state average for community satisfaction, councillors passed a motion their December meeting saying their engagement program was...
To have or have not a deputy mayor
SINCE the decision was made last November by Golden Plains Shire councillors not to elect a deputy-mayor, debate has continued as to whether one...
Grab a rug: Picnic in the Park is back
PICNIC in the Park will be back for its third year next Friday near the inclusive play space in Victoria Park. The free event will...
Keep your first aid skills up to date
COMMUNITY members who want to keep their first aid and CPR training up to date are being invited to complete a course at Haddon...
Program seeks to prep preps
CHILDREN in Golden Plains Shire starting prep this year are invited to attend a special event at Bannockburn Library. Ready, Set, Prep is designed to...
Pilates classes boom at Smythesdale
GENKIFIT at Smythesdale has recently launched a Pilates program after the success of free trials held last year. Last week more than 30 people came...