Mayor's Message - Friday 10 February

February is well underway with a host of notable events across this week. 

Just yesterday we launched the 71st Begonia Festival to be held in the beautiful Ballarat Botanical Gardens between 11 – 13 March with a fantastic 3-day line-up built around gardening, food, and entertainment with some noted guest speakers. 

On Sunday 12 February the Ballarat Gift sees some of the finest male and female sprinters in the country battle it out for the coveted title of Gift winner at the Ballarat City Oval.  The City of Ballarat is always proud to assist the preparation of the superb track and if you have never been I would encourage you going along to enjoy this historic event as well as the exciting carnival atmosphere. 

On the morning of Sunday 12 February, Ballarat also has a more sombre occasion of significant importance with the 2023 Australian Ex-Prisoner of War Memorial 19th Anniversary Service. The ceremony pays respect to the 36,400 men and women who suffered as prisoners of war across the Boer War, World War 1, World War 2, and the Korean War. This memorial honours them and protects their legacy through the teachings we find in it, not just for today, but for our future generations.   

Monday 13 February marks a defining day in Australia’s history through National Apology Day where we remember the Stolen Generation and the history and impact of the Federal Apology to Australia’s First Nation’s People made by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on 13 February 2008. The City of Ballarat has a diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population and is proud of its rich Aboriginal history on Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung lands. This day is extremely important in promoting belonging and understanding as we continue to build and move towards reconciliation.  

Such a week of events serves to share not only the rich and diverse history of Ballarat, but also important learnings that we can take from them into our future.

Mayor 

Cr Des Hudson