Gabrielle Hodson

Ballarat Survival Day 2023: Indigenous girls support each other as dad describes Ballarat incident

There were tears, tunes and a whole lotta hope in the air for a record crowd at this year's Ballarat Survival Day Dawn Ceremony. More than 1500 people crammed View Point at 5.30am Thursday, braving drizzle and icy winds to hear emotionally-charged…

Australia Day awards 2023: Cape Clear CFA veteran encourages women to take the lead

Michael Rowe was "a little numb" when he heard an Australian Fire Service Medal was on the way. "They let you know in advance that you've been nominated - and you have to agree to that before they go any further," the Cape Clear CFA captain said.…

Australia Day Awards 2023: Daylesford artist Merv Moriarty honoured for work in Queensland and Northern Territory

Merv Moriarty is described as "gregarious", "adored" and someone who was able to combine his twin loves of education and art. In 1971, the Daylesford man gathered up his arts prize winnings, got a pilots licence, hired a plane - and began introducing…

'Bacchus Up to Pay It Forward' wants to expand to Ballan, Gordon and Daylesford

The driving force behind a buy local food relief program now wants to see it extended to Ballan, Gordon and Daylesford. Judy D'Attoma heads 'Bacchus Up to Pay It Forward' - and is being named Moorabool Citizen of the Year on Thursday morning in…

Ballarat police aim to relaunch Neighbourhood Watch in Lucas

Ballarat police are hoping to revamp a program that brings the community together to reduce crime, now that the pandemic is waning. Neighbourhood Watch will be relaunched this year - with a 6.30pm information session set for Wednesday March 1 at the…

Where Ballarat householders can go for help with dodgy homes

Over the past year or more The Courier has been flooded with calls from locals upset about building contracts, delays and workmanship that wasn't up to scratch. We've seen everything from contracts ripped up to leaking roofs, partial completion and…

Ballarat police pull out all the stops this Australia Day

Ballarat Highway Patrol Sergeant Nathan Monteduro and First Constable Darlene Hatchett will join the State Highway Patrol, Heavy Vehicle Unit, Road Policing Drug and Alcohol Section and Public Order Response Team for Operation Amity. Picture by Adam…

Designs on the way for fatal stretch of Western Freeway at Pykes Creek

Designs are being drawn up to make the Western Highway safer at Pykes Creek Reservoir according to a senior Transport Department leader. But full-funding to make it happen may be further off. The Ballarat-bound lanes west of the reservoir were the…

Ballarat road works: Cash splashed on water-damaged defacto-highway in Ballan

A road east of Ballarat that links Central Victoria to the coast will have $1.16 million poured into its potholes. Fifty individual road repair projects will be completed along the Geelong-Ballan Road from a total of 140 across Western Victoria and…

Geotech and archaeology work begins on Eureka Stadium and Ballarat showgrounds

Geology experts are getting down and dirty at Eureka Stadium and the showgrounds, testing the ground to determine what can be built on top ahead of construction of major infrastructure for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. And it's all good so far.…

Mpox vaccines now available in Ballarat, Daylesford and Ararat

Those wanting to get a dose of the Monkeypox, or Mpox, vaccine can now access it in the Ballarat region. Ballarat Community Health, UFS Medical (Doveton Street Ballarat), Springs Medical in Daylesford, East Grampians Health Ararat and Lister House…

Emergency crews called to Ballarat shopping centre after three-month-old baby stuck in car

Firefighters have expressed their frustration at being called out to rescue up to three children a month that have been locked in cars. Lucas FRV Station 67 senior fire officer Luke Shearer said it was not just carelessness leading to the callouts…

Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields 2023: International composer to grace the keys for last concert at Ballarat church

With queues stretching down the street, the numbers are quickly stacking up for a massive Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields Festival. And an especially big crowd is expected at Neill Street Uniting Church for what will possibly be the last time the…

Ballarat's DTC and Stockland to host casual police catch-ups this week

Ballarat Senior Sergeant Brett Van Der Vliet and Acting Senior Sergeant David Whitwell brew up some business ahead of Wednesday's Coffee with a Cop at DTC. Picture by Kate Healy. Shoppers can mix with coppers in Ballarat this week - and enjoy a free…

Firies called out to three Ballarat-region solar panel related fires in 2022

After a spate of fires, Energy Safe Victoria is warning people with solar panels to get them serviced at least every two years. During 2022 the state saw 17 fires linked to photovoltaic panels - including two in Moorabool Shire and one in…

Ballarat idea to help Tasmanian Devil now hoping to go global

Cute, cuddly and a jaw that can rip through redgum. There was no chance of a close-up with these little guys. Keepers at the Ballarat Wildlife Park were cautiously handing over a $5000 cheque for Tasmanian Devil research this week - with everyone…

New CFA boss hoping to build volunteer ranks from Bacchus Marsh to Ballarat, Ararat and beyond

Recruiting fresh talent will be key to ensuring CFA brigades are ready to meet the growing challenges of facing summer bushfires, particularly in smaller communities where populations are ageing or commuting to work. 0 Comments…

Car slams into Ballan gas meter

A driver has escaped unhurt after the car they were in slammed into a Ballan gas main. The accident was reported at 6.01pm Thursday at the corner of Edols and Fisken streets - about a block from the local fire station. Car mishap causes burst gas…

Ballan to get nine extra aged care beds under rebuild of former hospital

Work is about to start on an aged care redevelopment of what is left of Ballan's Soldiers Memorial Hospital. The Mecwacare (Malvern Elderly Citizens Welfare Association) facility will gain nine aged care beds, while parts of the complex dating back…

Wendouree man arrested after allegedly suspicious house fire

UPDATE 8.30am Wednesday: A 41-year-old Wendouree man has been arrested and charged over Tuesday afternoon's fire in Grandview Grove. Ballarat CIU said the man was in custody and expected to appear in Ballarat Magistrates Court today. UPDATE 7am…