Ballarat’s Christmas transformation begins

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Ballarat. 

City of Ballarat crews are busy this week transforming the CBD into a festive wonderland as the countdown to Christmas begins. 

Many of the beloved decorations and installations will be returning this year, including: the giant walk-through bauble in the Bridge Mall, the floral reindeer and Santa’s sleigh, and much more. 

Four Ballarat artists have been commissioned to create their own decorations to hang on the Ballarat Christmas Tree. 

Caroline Keys, Sally Gregory, Melinda Muscat and Margie Balazic were on hand to see their decorations hung on the giant Sturt Street cedar tree this week. 

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson, praised the works of the four artists. 

"It’s great to see the Ballarat CBD coming alive with festive spirit, it really is uplifting to see,” Cr Hudson said. 

“These artists have done a great job and have made their own special contribution to Christmas in Ballarat.” 

More information about the full Christmas in Ballarat program will be released in the coming weeks. 

What did the artists say about their works? 

Melinda Muscat (Angel Face): “The face is an angel l usually make out of plaster and the bird, star and Christmas stockings. l made them out of tin as Christmas decorations to hang on your tree. All of them symbolise Christmas festiveness and the celebration of this time of year to me.” 

Caroline Keys (the BallaRat): “For my Cedar Tree ornament I thought it would be fun to bring back Balla Rat who I worked on for the 2018 Christmas Trail alongside Travis Price and Ben Sanders. Here she is again doing her best Nutcracker impression in a Redcoat uniform inspired by the 40th Regiment at Sovereign Hill.” 

Margie Balazic (Christmas wreath with Santa in a Town Hall dress): The traditional Christmas sounds from the Victorian era has been highlighted with a contemporary difference. Christmas Day 1871 the Alfred Bells, located at the Ballarat Town Hall, rang across the city for the first time. It’s remarkable the bells continue to make presence and continue to chime with an ever-lasting impression after 150 years. As change is upon our world, the echoes from the past will continue to bring joy for many generations.” 

Sally Gregory (Christmas koala and possum): “This joyful design is inspired by the joy of coming together at Christmas with family and friends to decorate the tree. It celebrates the local Ballarat flora and fauna. The iconic ‘Eureka’ star in gold has pride of place at the top of the tree.”