While Melbourne is currently obsessed with the Australian Open, Ballarat's also been pulling its weight this month when it comes to hosting sports tournaments.
Since January 6, the city's had a national under 16s women's cricket championship, a statewide lawn bowls competition, a disc golf tournament in Victoria Park, and an underwater hockey tournament.
Yes, hockey. Underwater.
Reporter Alexander Darling headed to the Ballarat Aquatic Centre to find out what it's all about and why people play it.
As we count down to the 2025 Ballarat Regatta, we thought we'd dig into our archives to see what footage we have of the venue, Lake Wendouree.
The lake was created during the gold rush, and ever since it has reflected Ballarat fortunes, good and bad.
Mark Twain couldn't help but be captivated by it when he visited Ballarat in 1895, later writing: "One must notice it; for a lovely lake is not as common a thing along the railways of Australia as are the dry places."
About 650 rowers from schools and clubs across Victoria are due to write the lake's next chapter when the regatta takes place on January 18.
Update on the Victorian bushfire on Boxing Day
#LIVE: Deputy Premier and Emergency Management Commissioner are giving an update on the Victorian bushfire.
When news is breaking, stay in the know. Download the ABC NEWS app: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp
#ABCNewsVictoria
#LIVE: Vic Emergency update on fire conditions ahead of Christmas and Boxing Day
Vic Emergency is giving an update on fire conditions ahead of Christmas and Boxing Day.
#LIVE: Vic Emergency update on fire conditions ahead of Christmas and Boxing Day
Vic Emergency is giving an update on fire conditions ahead of Christmas and Boxing Day.
Whether it's sunny or stormy today, there's no better time to prepare.
A bushfire survival kit gives you easy access to the things you'll need if you must evacuate due to a fire or other emergencies
What to pack in your bushfire survival kit ➡️ https://ab.co/BushfireSurvivalKit
What to pack in your cyclone survival kit ➡️ https://ab.co/CycloneSurvivalKit
#ABCEmergency
Events have begun this month to mark 170 years since the Eureka Stockade in Ballarat, but of course the city is no stranger to commemorating the defining moment in its history (other than the discovery of gold, of course).
Check out this footage from the ABC archives of a commemoration at Sovereign Hill in 1988, and then five years later, a report from 7:30 about the disagreement over where exactly the Stockade is.
The first museum at Stawell Street South, the current location of the Eureka Centre, opened the same year as that report, 1993.
Members of the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcyle Gang are travelling in convoy around Ballarat this weekend as part of a national run, being monitored closely by police.
A vehicle checkpoint has been set up along the Western Highway on Saturday as riders make their way from Ballarat, to Ballan and Buninyong.
Western Region Superintendent Frank Sells said there would be an increased police presence in the area to minimise any community disruption or intimidation that may arise.
“The local community can be assured that Victoria Police has made wide scale preparations and is ready to appropriately monitor and respond to outlaw motor cycle gang activities for this national run," Superintendent Swells said.
As we await the reopening of Her Majesty's Theatre on November 22, here's a blast from the past.
In 1993, the ABC's Holiday program profiled Ballarat, providing some insights into the building's history.
🎥: ABC Archives
We're a few weeks away from Bridge Mall reopening to one lane of traffic, but can you remember when it had two lanes?
Check out this footage from the ABC's archives of the mall before and after its redevelopment in the early 80s... maybe you'll see someone you know!
What’s your biggest concern when it comes to energy?
Jonno Kendall will be broadcasting live from the Gippsland New Energy Conference in Traralgon.
Join him after 9am to hear from offshore wind companies, waste to energy initiatives and how to respect Country in the process of transition.
Jono Kendall and Fiona Parker are presenting the Victorian Mornings program from Bendigo today as the 2024 Bendigo Writers Festival gets underway.
Guests include Masterchef legend Julie Goodwin and entertainer Jane Clifton.
If you’re in town, drop by the Capital Theatre in View Street between 9 – 11am and give them a wave!
Otherwise, tune into your local ABC station on the radio, online or through the ABC Listen app to join all the fun.
