Mayor's Message Thursday 11 March 2021

It was fantastic to see the Ballarat Begonia Festival kick off in style over the March long weekend, showcasing the work of some of our city’s best creative talent.

As I’ve described in this space in recent weeks, this year the festival program extends until 28 March, so if you haven’t experienced this year’s amazing displays, there’s still time.

The installations are exceptional and worthy of the newlook COVID-safe Begonia Festival program that has moved emphasis into central Ballarat to spread the crowds and support local businesses.

And the fact we have been able to utilise some of the best home-grown artists and creators, many with an international standing, is a great nod to our creative city status.

Ballarat brothers Nathan and Justin Weyers from local set design and production house, FORM Imagination have produced a giant illuminated garden on Sturt Street, creating a colourful and magical world of blooms, discovery and wonder.

The City invited individual artists to put their own creative design on giant illuminated letters in Sturt Street that spell out B-E-G-O-N-I-A. Ballarat Town Hall has a breathtaking Begonia Garland featuring 100 exquisite hand-crafted paper-clay Begonias by Ballarat indigenous artist Dr. Deanne Gilson.

Opposite the Town Hall stands Spherophyte, a 6.5-metre tall kinetic sculpture, with 48 moving arms by artist Alex Sanson from Metaform.

Over at the Civic Hall, the Urban Garden is a floral exhibition highlighting the exceptional talent of local and regional florists until 14 March.

The 2021 Begonia Display is open every day of the festival at the Robert Clark Conservatory, Ballarat Botanical Gardens from 10am-5pm.

You can also explore the region through the fl oral frame trail, featuring fi ve over-sized photo frames creatively dressed by local Ballarat artists.

For a full program of events visit ballaratbegoniafestival.com

Cr Daniel Moloney 

Mayor