Ex Parenthesis is a new creative writing journal of short stories, poems, pictures, sketches and reviews to be published quarterly. It will feature the work of local writers and artists, both published and undiscovered.
On the 157th anniversary of the Eureka Stockade, Melissa Watts explores the current state of freedom of speech in Australia. Prompted by a local event with guest speaker Professor Spencer Zifcak, Melissa asks if free speech is being eroded or are we just spoilt?
Words are important. They create a story in our mind's eye. Thats why it's important for the correct terminology to be used in relation to people with disabilities.
A trail of open art studios for visitors to meander along, much like a visit to a winery district, but sampling visual delights. Another alternative for artists to formal galleries, applying for grants, writing applications, and paying both hire costs and hefty commissions to get their work shown. T
An iconic Ballarat bicycle store has been revived with an added dose of caffeine.
17 acts performing live celebrating local original music!
The Victorian Government has decided to cut $481 million dollars out of the VCAL budget over the next 4 years. Melissa Watts explains the potential impact of these cuts and why it matters.
It's a common error when meeting a successful person for the first time, to assume that they have always been this way. But everybody starts somewhere, usually somewhere small, accumulating experience and growing into the achievements that are so visable. It's the old idea of 'overnight success' tha
The community has been asking a lot of questions about the proposed demolition of Civic Hall and the $40 million proposed Council development on the site. Jon Stanger put a series of questions to Mayor Craig Fletcher and his responses are published in full here.
CFA community meetings are scheduled for November in the Ballarat region so residents can learn about fire risk in their area and how to turn awareness into action. Check out the extended video interview Victoria's new top fire chief did with The Ballarat Independent here.
After a weekend rally of over 500 people opposed to a $40 million Ballarat City Council proposal to demolish Civic Hall and build new offices, it's worth revisiting a public meeting organised by the Ballarat Residents and Ratepayers Association on Sunday 18 September.
At a packed full community meeting of 150 people in Bacchus Marsh on Tuesday night, the Moorabool Environment Group announced they had joined the Lock the Gate Alliance. This alliance consists of landholders, community groups and people across Eastern Australia who are concerned about Coal Seam Gas
While local sustainability group Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions (BREAZE) joined national environment groups in welcoming the price on carbon passed by the lower house in federal parliament recently, it hasn't been their focus of late. Instead, energy has been focused on the Victorian L
Small local breweries will continue to be held back or slugged by a tax they say is unfair and restricting growth for small brewing businesses. Current excise regulation allows microbreweries that produce up to 30,000 litres of beer an excise refund, capped at $10,000. However Scott Wilson-Browne f
Students in the Studio and Future Art groups at BRACE Education Training and Employment will open an environmentally-inspired show at the Post Office Gallery on Thursday between 5:00-7:00pm.
Young people and more experienced knitters have joined together to improve their knitting skills and provide some warmth for African children. Anyone looking to make a difference and learn some great knitting tips can join the 'Knitty Gritty' team at YHQ. Young people are of course always welcome a
Ballarat International Foto Bienalle (BIFB) 2011 has been a great success thanks to thousands of volunteer hours bringing the festival together. Festival Director Jeff Moorfoot told The Ballarat Independent that the festival was an economic boost for Ballarat, with at least $2 million injected into
Jeff Moorfoot, Director of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale (BIFB) 2011, announces the winner of the Fringe Prize. Watch the announcement and an interview with the winner Ewen Bell, a Melbourne based photographer. Ewen's show 'The Elephant Camp' was chosen from a shortlist of 16 BIFB Fringe
Around 200 people gathered at the Shire Public Hall in Bacchus Marsh on Monday night to find out more about Mantle Mining's proposal to explore and mine for brown coal nearby. Coincidentally, Mantle Mining had begun their exploratory drilling near the Bacchus Marsh airstrip that same day. As well a
Communities across Ballarat and the surrounding region are being asked to help get fire management and Township Protection Plans right. Recognising that often local people know best, you've been invited to participate in the development of your local plans.
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