Ballarat Libraries present this opportunity to connect to Wadawurrung Dja 

Sebastopol Library Community Hub

 6:30 - 7:30PM, Thursday 5th June 2025

 This free but ticketed session will be presented by a Traditional Owner from the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. Join us to learn about the Wadawurrung Country Plan, the impacts of colonisation and survival of Wadawurrung people, their connection to the land and waterways, and the importance of listening and learning from Traditional Owners as we work together to care for Country.  

This program is aimed at an adult audience.

Where:  181 Albert St, Sebastopol 

Phone: (03) 5335 7985 

  When:  

Where:

 The Art Gallery of Ballarat presents work by Peter Waples-Crowe. A proud Ngarigo man living in Naarm/Melbourne, Waples-Crowe makes art about the intersection of his First Nations and LGBTQI+ identity. 

First captured in European eyes by Eugene von Guerard’s 1868 painting, North-east view from the northern top of Mount Kosciusko, Ngarigo Country was transformed in the twentieth century by the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme. 

On top of a camp and humourous grab-bag of art history and archival video, Waples-Crowe inserts his own image as a counter to many decades of Aboriginal erasure from popular narratives of ski slopes and infrastructure. 

  The City of Ballarat and Relationships Australia Victoria hosted a free movie night for Community at the Palace Regent Cinema Ballarat

PAST EVENT

When: Monday, 26th May 2025
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM 

(Doors open at 630pm)
Where: Palace Regent Cinema 49 Lydiard St N, Ballarat Central VIC 3350

 SEEN: The Film, a powerful documentary exploring the long-term impact of childhood trauma and the journey of healing to create stronger, healthier families. 

Other screening in our region include  

(Hepburn Shire)

Wednesday 28 May – 5:00 PM Creswick Neighborhood Centre, Creswick 

Join the Healing Foundation for their online National Sorry Day 2025 Webinar 

PAST EVENT

Date: Wednesday, 28 May 2025
Location: Online (Webinar link provided upon registration)

This year marks 28 years since the Bringing them home report was tabled in Parliament — a powerful truth-telling moment that called for justice.

The Healing Foundation report released earlier this year – Are you waiting for us to die? The unfinished business of Bringing them home – found only 6% of the Bringing them home report recommendations have been clearly implemented

Many of the survivors who shared their stories to the Bringing them home inquiry are no longer with us, because it was a whole generation ago. Those who remain are ageing and 

still waiting for real action.

This year the message is clear: “We cannot wait another generation” to act on the priority Bringing them home recommendations in 2025.

Be part of this important conversation, led by The Healing Foundation CEO Shannan Dodson. alongside Stolen Generations Survivors

 Ian Hamm and Yvonne Mills.

 Do you love music?  

Are you open to discovering new music and artists?  

Do you like meeting new people?  

If you answered yes, then Album club could be for you! Just like a book club, but with albums! 

Each month we get together to discuss our chosen album of the month and talk about what else we have been listening to. Join us to discover new music and share music you love. Now there is a club for you! 

Ballarat Library

6pm - 7pm 

Wednesdays

Hosted by Ballarat Libraries. For more information see the Whats on Brochure or head in and talk to Garry.

 Join us for Beginning with Books, an early literacy program designed for new parents/carers and their little ones, where you'll enjoy interactive storytelling, songs, and activities that foster a love for reading.

Connect with other families and carers to learn valuable tips from experienced librarians and bridge your child's reading journey from now to next!

Wendouree Library

PAST EVENT

Thursday 29th May 

See the Ballarat Libraries What's on Brochure for more information.

Walking Together with Wadawurrung 

MOB EVENT

12 - 2pm, Tuesday 3rd June

Gong Gong Reservoir Park

https://maps.app.goo.gl/7ebeUEXa2NRgB7386

(follow the traffic cones)

Wadawurrung invite members and

 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mob to learn about environmental water testing and to share water stories.

Environmental DNA🧬 (eDNA) is made up of tiny traces that animals and plants leave behind in the water - and by collecting it, we can discover what’s living beneath the surface without ever seeing it.

A number of steady hands will be needed for eDNA activities

https://youtu.be/3Vylu9R9WtY

with

Learning activities provided across the session by 

Wadawurrung members and cuppa tea, weaving stations and mats supplied by the City of Ballarat

Questions: Call 0407 921 222

  🌱 Join us for a special Reconciliation Week event!

 Experience the powerful documentary Fighting Fire with Fire by author and film maker Victor Steffensen and see short video of Wadawurrung Elder Uncle Byron Powell sharing the creation story of Mount Buninyong and Mount Elephant.

🗓️ Tuesday 3rd June | 🕖 7-8:30pm
📍 Buninyong Community House 

407a Warrenheip Street
Tea, coffee & cakes provided.

All welcome to walk together towards reconciliation.

 This seminar features Blair Gilson (Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation) and Dr Brad Farmilo (ARI) discussing the Wiyn Murrup cultural burning program on Wadawurrung Country. In a shared presentation they discuss cultural significance, monitoring, and collaboration. This was followed by a discussion with questions from the audience. This was a hybrid seminar held during Reconciliation Week 2024 - attended by more than 400 people. 

 By actively encouraging knowledge dissemination and discussion the ARI hope to raise awareness about key ecological issues and build opportunities for collaboration among partners. 

Free Guided Tour

Wednesday 29 May 11.00 am

 45 - 60 minutes 

Dress for all weather

Enjoy the trees and beautiful floral beds of the Botanic Gardens on this guided tour to discover simple ways we can create a safe haven for local native plants and animals in our own gardens. Learn why this is important and how to join the growing band of Gardeners For Wildlife.

Venue: Ballarat Botanic Gardens; Meet outside between the Robert Clark Centre and Conservatory (Large Glass House)

Ages: All ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Other: Maximum 20 participants. 

Wheelchair accessible tour (some paths can be boggy after rains.)

Free take home information

Theatre Event

Tuesday 28th May 7pm

45min play followed by a Q&A

 For community members, educators, secondary and tertiary school groups, and local government representatives and officials committed to learning more about reconciliation, "Facing Up" offers a powerful platform for reflection, dialogue, and collective action. Don't miss this chance to be part of this experience during Reconciliation Week.   

 FACING UP by Lynden Nicholls combines historical records and personal stories to create a compelling theatrical experience. The play presents familiar events, such as the 1967 referendum, the enquiry into Aboriginal deaths in custody, and the Tent Embassy, while also revealing lesser-known, powerful moments that evoke a sense of urgency for change and progress. 

DURATION

45 minute show with a 30 minute Q and A

WARNINGS

Facing Up references some incidents in First Nations history that could be upsetting to some.

Suitable for a general audience.

Facing Up in partnership with Wendouree Performing Arts Centre discounted tickets for #NRW2024 

WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
Lynden Nicholls

CAST
Trudy Fatnowna Edgeley
Zerene Jaadwa
Shannon Nicholls

CULTURAL ADVISER
Tammy Gilson

EDUCATION PACKAGE

Hermione Higgins and Deb Lowah Clark
(available on request)

CANCELLED EVENT 

One show only at 

Ballarat Civic HalL

HIT Productions is proud to be presenting this important Australian work in Ballarat.

It’s the summer of 1946, and the war is over. Aboriginal soldier Frank Doyle has spent years fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with troops from all over Australia, but when he steps onto the Brisbane wharf he finds some things haven’t changed. 

Filled with hope and defiance, Frank sets up his own ballroom, The Sunshine Club, where everyone is invited to meet, mingle and sway the night away.

Queensland Theatre audiences first fell in love with The Sunshine Club in 1999. The First Nations artists behind it are now household names. Just when the world needs a beacon of hope, this glorious musical classic is here to leave you grinning and tapping your toes.