Our News

The BEN is more than just an idea for distributed energy, it is also a model based on the premise of local ownership, partnered with an energy retailer, where the profits are retained in the community and invested into community wealth building outcomes. Those who know the Bendigo Community Banks (see Buninyong, Beaufort, Avoca and others), will understand the model for banking. BEN will see whether the model can be applied to energy. Read more

I am pleased to announce Committee for Ballarat will launch both our 2021-22 Annual Report and new 2023-2026 Strategic Plan at our Annual General Meeting, Tuesday 31 October. Members and other interested stakeholders are encouraged to review both documents and we look forward to your feedback. Whilst the Annual Report looks back at the year that was, the Strategic Plan affirms our purpose, sets our vision and identifies our key focus areas as we continue to strive for a liveable, sustainable, inclusive and prosperous future. Read more

Last month Future Shapers 2023 travelled to Canberra to visit Parliament House and attend the Regional Australia Institute's National Summit. It was a jam-packed three days starting with a presentation from the Parliamentary Education Office Read more

Committee for Ballarat staff and our Future Shapers 2023 recently attended the Regional Australia Institute’s (RAI) Regions Rising National Summit in Canberra. The Summit was attended by over 300 leaders from around Regional Australia, with speakers from government, industry, business and the community. Read more

For the final of our Future Shapers days designed and delivered by participants, FS23 explored volunteering and the impact it has on individual and community wellbeing. Read more

Committee for Ballarat recently welcomed Rob Adams to a Member Insight Session to share his international experience delivering great Urban Design outcomes. Rob has been the City of Melbourne’s lead architect for the past 40 years and among may other things, led the Postcode 3000 strategy which transformed Melbourne’s CBD to a vibrant living precinct. Read more

Committee for Ballarat are delighted to introduce our new Consultative Panel: (from back row L to R) Kelly Lappin, Shoaib Riaz, Matt Bowd, Nick Clare, Joanne Gilbert, Tracey Ward and Rob Layton. Read more

On 26 July our Future Shapers explored the significance of the Arts, Heritage and Culture sector on social connection, cohesion and diversity in our community. Read more

Given the Commonwealth Games’ announcement last Tuesday, we are grateful to Harriet Shing, Minister for Regional Development, Water, Equality, and formerly Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, for upholding her commitment to attend our Round Table Dinner and participate in a Q&A session. Read more

The Advisory Group of the BEN, Chaired by Federation University’s Bill Mundy, met for the first time recently and confirmed two key principles. First, that BEN is a model that seeks to aggregated locally generated renewable energy, share it across business, industry, local government and the community, and trade on the National Energy Market (NEM). Read more

In their second June session together, Future Shapers 2023 began workshopping their current project ideas and self-organising around the topics that most excited and inspired them. In a wonderful show of collective leadership, they were joined by members of the Future Shapers 2021 and 2022 cohorts who shared their best tips, tricks and advice on bringing a community project to life Read more

We recently held a Corporate Citizenship follow-up lunch to explore each organisation's interest in furthering Corporate Citizenship in our city and region. Read more

We have hit Community Project time in FS23 Land! Last week we had our workshop on project management, to provide Future Shapers with the skills and knowledge needed to manage their community projects. The day was expertly delivered by Claire Huntington, Chief Storyteller, Business Story Lab (Alumni FS22). Read more

Some very pleasing news to start this June update. The Minister for Regional Development, the Hon Harriet Shing, recently announced an extension of funding to the nine Regional Community Leadership Programs, including Future Shapers, until the end of 2023. Read more

On Wed 24 May the Future Shapers had their second participant coordinated program day exploring the topic of Jobs and Skills – Innovative solutions to securing skilled workforce in our region. As always it was a huge day, packed full of opportunities. Read more

Our visit to HM Langi Kal Kal Prison is one of the hallmark days of the program. This unique experience provided an opportunity to take participants out of their comfort zone, to challenge them to be uncomfortable and sit with a feeling of discomfort. Read more

It is with great disappointment that we learn of the State Government’s budget decision to terminate the funding for our Future Shapers community leadership program (formally LBWR). Future Shapers is one of nine regional community leadership programs (RCLPs) across the state, all of which are now victims of the 2023-24 state government cuts. Despite no further funding from 30 June 2023, Committee for Ballarat will provide all the necessary resources to ensure the Future Shapers 23 program is delivered in full. Read more

Committee for Ballarat is now inviting expressions of interest for Panel Membership from members of our regional community who are passionate about the community in which they live, and who are willing to share their knowledge, skills and experience to assist Committee in delivering on its purpose of inspiring diverse thought leadership and unlocking the potential of our region. Read more

What a day, Syndicate 1, what a day. you've set the bar and it sure is high. The whole morning blew me away, discovering Gekko-Town - I'm so grateful they pulled back the curtain and showed us what a fantastic world they are building there with the Gaia project. World-class innovation here at home. Read more

On Friday 2 June, Committee for Ballarat will launch our vision to be Australia’s first community-owned energy network, powering a regional city of more than 100,000 people, with 100% locally generated renewable energy. Read more

Our recent program day started with a meaningful Acknowledgement of Country, thanks to Shannen from Wadawurrung Traditional Owners who shared her story and knowledge, facilitating the Future Shapers in sharing their own connection to country and family. Read more

We are excited to see Federation University launch its Cooperative Education model which will position them as Australia’s first Cooperative Education University. ‘Co-Op’ as it is known, will transform the way industry and higher education work together. This will ensure we have graduates who can enter the workforce with the attributes and experiences that make them immediately employable. Read more

Last week our new cohort of Future Shapers for 2023 delved deep into the what, why and how of their program over two days in Melbourne during their Opening Retreat. With this came many curious and insightful questions, just the way we like it, and the passion in the group was unmistakable! Read more

Our recent member survey noted 55% of respondents were more optimistic or significantly more optimistic for their business than they were at this time last year. 27% of respondents reported “about the same” level of optimism and 18% were less optimistic. Read more

Committee for Ballarat is delighted to welcome Jeff Haydon to our Board. His skills in stakeholder engagement, planning and project management will add to the rich diversity of our current Directors. Read more

Always the most important reminder as we reflect on the year is that it’s our people who make the most significant difference. Cities and regions are all about the people who commit to making ‘their place’ the best it can be. Happy people, living in a happy region, makes for happy and fulfilling lives! Read more

Programs that build valuable skills, leadership and resilience in local communities across Ballarat and western Victoria are at risk due to the state government’s lack of commitment to ongoing funding. Read more

Committee recently hosted a meeting of Ballarat, Moorabool, Golden Plains and Geelong local government areas to discuss the opportunity to reinstate passenger rail between Ballarat and Geelong. Far from being ‘pie in the sky’, the prospect is actually achievable and will become only more and more desirable as both regions continue to grow. Read more

With the 2022 state election fast approaching, Committee for Ballarat together with the City of Ballarat, Grampians Health Services, Federation University and ACU, Sovereign Hill, Central Highlands Water, Ballarat Regional Tourism and Commerce Ballarat, are ‘doubling down’ on our commitment in support of the six transformative projects for our city and region, known collective as Ballarat Now and Into the Future 2022. Read more

At its recent National Summit held in Canberra, at which Committee for Ballarat was well represented, the Regional Australia Institute launched its Regionalisation Ambition 2032: A Framework to Rebalance the Nation Read more

If like me, when watching the Athletics at the recent Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, you could not help but let your mind wander to March 2026 and get a little excited to think the next time we see this, it will be in Ballarat! Read more

When we interview prospective participants for Future Shapers each year we ask them to tell about the topics that excite and inspire them. Health promotion in our community emerged as an early theme in 2022 and this week our passionate participants and advocates for healthy, active lives led a Program Day exploring movement, mood and food. Read more

The three key pillars of Committee for Ballarat’s Strategic Action Plan are Liveability, Connectivity, and Leadership. In 2022, Committee is running its 17th consecutive Regional Community Leadership Program, known as Future Shapers – previously known as LBWR (Leadership Ballarat & Western Region). Our Leadership ‘agenda’ aims to deliver transformative leadership programs that unlock the potential of our participants for the benefit of our region Read more

Access to housing, including social and affordable housing is an issue that permeates so many of our conversations regarding the sustainable development of our region. Regional population growth and ‘regional migration’ in part due to COVID, as well as increasing house prices and rent, are impacting our communities and becoming significant social and economic issues for ours and many other regions around the country. Read more

Newly appointed Chair of Committee for Ballarat, George Fong, is confident that our region has the ability not only to meet the challenges of a growing population but also to prosper, building on our unique strategic advantages - our proximity to Melbourne, our diverse economy, access to an abundance of renewable energy, and our outstanding natural and cultural tourism assets. Read more

As we move towards the close of FY21-22, we reflect on what has been and plan for what is to come.  It is never lost on us that Committee’s strength is in our capacity to collaborate. We bring together our diverse, highly-regarded and informed membership to enhance the long-term opportunities for our region’s social, environmental and economic prosperity. Read more

As Chair of Committee for Ballarat (2006-2009), David James provided strong leadership for the organisation during its formative years. A person of the highest integrity, David was respected and admired in our regional community. He was an effective collaborator who was able to build robust and enduring relationships with key stakeholders. Read more

Committee for Ballarat hosted the national Committees for Cities and Regions Network forum meeting in Ballarat on June 3. Held the week after the Federal election, it was timely for the network to collaborate on a collective approach to in-coming government for the city and region, shaping challenges and opportunities we all share. Read more

It is always so exciting to see the agenda come out and I loved learning about this regional priority. These program days are always so inspiring to listen to various members of our community and the passion they bring to not only their work, but making a thriving, connected and sustainable region! Throughout the day, these leaders demonstrated how they were constantly challenging the status quo to ask “how can we do this better?” and they were enthusiastically committed to a vision that benefited the region. Read more

The election on Saturday 21 May ushered in the 47th Parliament of Australia and with it our country’s 31st Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. Whilst its makeup is yet to be confirmed, it is clear that the 47th Parliament will be more representative of our diverse Australian community. With that, we hope for a vision and policies to match,  to help us through the challenges we face in our region, Australia, and around the world. Read more

The announcement of Victoria and specifically Regional Victoria, to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games is an enormous opportunity for our City and region. Ballarat will host the biggest sport of all, Athletics, along with Boxing and Cricket. Read more

Committee for Ballarat Chair Damian Ross has decided to step down as Chair a few months prior to the AGM and take up the opportunity to travel. Damian’s leadership has been substantial and we thank him for his outstanding contribution to the work of Committee over the past two years. Read more

We do know that Ballarat will host the biggest sport of all at the Commonwealth games, athletics - it's fair to assume that the investment will be sizable given athletics is a sport that attracts tens of thousands of spectators to every session. Mars Stadium and the entire precinct will need to be ready with enhanced amenities and access to ensure athletics is one of the great highlights of the games. Read more

Committee for Ballarat, along with eight other lead organisations have released our Government Advocacy Campaign called, Ballarat Now and Into the Future: 2022.  The Campaign is focused directly at the 2022 Federal and State elections and aims to pitch six transformative projects.  Read more

Committee for Ballarat is offering three Corporate memberships, at reduced fees, to enable eligible Not for Profits to engage in its work. Organisations applying for these memberships will be willing to share their knowledge, skills and experience to assist Committee in delivering on its purpose of inspiring diverse thought leadership and unlocking the potential of our region. Read more

It is housing that has attracted much discussion in recent times as we continue to see our population grow. Committee has long advocated for - and will continue to advocate for - a balanced approach to ‘Green-field’ and ‘In-fill’ development. Read more

Committee for Ballarat will soon be inviting eligible Not-for-Profit organisations who share our vision, to apply for the new Not-for-Profit membership. Read more

Following our launch of the 2022 Future Shapers Program on 2 March, our brand new Future Shapers left Ballarat for Melbourne for our two-day Opening Retreat. Read more

Our story is to create a thriving and vibrant regional community, recognised for its liveability, sustainability, and inclusiveness. We can only do this in collaboration with our members and the key stakeholders in the region. We look forward to 2022 as collectively we look to inspire diverse thought leadership and unlock our potential. Read more

Ballarat Health Services are to be congratulated for reaching a significant milestone of 100,000 jabs in arms. Ballarat Health Services, along with UFS, Ballarat Community Health and our GP network are doing an outstanding job, helping to keep our community safe as we race towards over 80% of our eligible population being vaccinated. Read more

As we roll up our sleeve and savour the hope vaccination brings, take a moment to consider the amazing work of our health care professionals. Every jab they administer gets our community one step closer to a safer, COVID free community. A huge SHOUT OUT to those who are helping keep our community safe against COVID-19. Read more

Check here for a list of Covid-19 vaccination sites and how to book an appointment in Ballarat, Sebastopol, Lucas and Smythesdale Read more

Victorian members of the Committees for Cities and Regions are calling on the Victorian Government to actively consult with the community to develop a long-term Covid readiness plan for Victorian cities and regions. Read more

Ballarat Station Master Plan is moving along. Committee made submissions to the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) in March regarding the Master Plan for the Southside of the Station, linking to the north side Mair street, east as far as Peel street. The VPA has now released its Phase 1 Community Consultation report.  Read more

Regional Victoria has largely avoided the impacts of this latest outbreak but we know the state is not yet through this. For a different set of restrictions to apply between metropolitan and regional Victoria gives our regional community the chance to quickly recover from this latest lockdown.  Read more

It’s time to drop the word Hotel from our quarantine discussion. Read more

This is an incredibly significant announcement and one that will energise manufacturing jobs growth in Ballarat for years to come. This announcement will again position Ballarat as a major train manufacturing centre, continuing our long and proud history and pushing the boundaries of technology and design for a new generation of metro trains.   Read more

The Committees for Cities and Regions Australia and New-Zealand network renews its call for a consistent and collaborative approach across local, state and national jurisdictions to help our cities and regions return to the vibrant and safe places we have come to expect.  Read more

Commerce Ballarat, Ballarat Regional Tourism and Committee for Ballarat have today released a letter to the Premier Daniel Andrews, the Treasurer Tim Pallis, the Honourable Martin Pakula – Minister for Industry Support and Recovery and Jaala Pulford – Minister for Small Business. Read more

Our first Round Table Dinner in over 12 months is here! On Thursday 25 March we will Round Table again..... with our guest speaker Read more

Early in February Committee welcomed back our members for an engaging Big Ideas forum, where 60+ members explored the opportunities for our region in preparation for the federal and state election cycles and the new Council Plans. Read more

A new chapter in Committee for Ballarat’s distinguished history of advocacy for Ballarat and the region commences with the appointment of new Chair, Damian Ross who will commence in the role on 1 February 2021. Read more

We are very excited about the future of our Community Leadership Program, aptly named Future Shapers for 2021.   Expressions of interest are now open! Moving forward we will see a reinvigorated focus on turning intention into action for participants in the community leadership space. Read more

Community membership applications are now open. Applicants for these positions will be passionate about the community in which they live, and be willing to share their knowledge, skills and experience to assist Committee in delivering on its purpose of inspiring diverse thought leadership and unlocking the potential of our region. Read more

2020 has been the year of disruption.... Mark Evans has a strong track record of using disruption to lead positive change in organisations. Read more

The regional City of Ballarat will leverage its ranking as one of Australia’s most liveable cities, as part of the newly launched Regional Activators Alliance (RAA). RAA is made up of 36 Councils, Regional Development Australia regions (RDAs), economic development groups and industry representatives with the purpose of creating national awareness of the benefits of regional living, to drive population growth in Regional Australia.   Read more

Aligned by our common vision to make Ballarat the best city and region! 2019-20 annual report now released. Click to view. Read more

Committee for Ballarat have joined with City of Ballarat and Commerce Ballarat to call for a review of the COVID-19 Roadmap. We believe a more appropriate, regionally specific set of targets should be applied. Read more

The insightful discussion of Gekko's GeVentor story shows just what is possible when expertise, innovation, enterprise and collaboration come together. Read more

Renewable Energy forms part of the make-up of a sustainable, liveable region and Committee has announced its ambition to work with its key stakeholders and the community, to develop Ballarat as a Sustainable City, carbon neutral, driven by 100% renewable energy. Read more

Committee for Ballarat, along with the City of Ballarat, Commerce Ballarat and Ballarat Regional Tourism, joined a growing list of submissions to the Prime Minster directly, to extend Job Keeper payment beyond 30 September, for those industries who need it the mos Read more

Thanks to those who participated in our webinar at the end of June with The Hon Malcolm Turnbull. We were privileged to have Australia’s 29 Prime Minister join us and help launch our priorities, focused on Liveability, Sustainability, Connectivity and Leadership. Liveability and sustainability in the face of inevitable population growth, continues to be a […] Read more

At the end of this financial year Dr David Deutscher will step down as Chair of Committee for Ballarat. It’s a decision that has not been made lightly. In announcing his intention to step down David said “The last few months have been challenging for all of us as we continue to learn lessons in […] Read more

Recording of our Action Plan Beyond 2020 session with special guest The Hon Malcolm Turnbull. Read more

CEO Michael Poulton talks with, David Robertson, Head of Economic and Market Research, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank and Beth Jones, Chief Executive, Regional Development Victoria and Deputy Secretary, Rural and Regional Victoria (DJPR) about economic recovery with a western region lens. Read more

A carbon neutral future for the Grampians region is now in clear view and the roadmap to guide the region to its net zero emissions destination has been released, announces Grampians New Energy Taskforce (GNET) Chairman Stuart Benjamin. Read more

Sovereign Hill Chair Damien Butler and CEO Sara Quon share their leadership learnings following the shutdown of their operations due to COVID-19.   Read more