Lindsay Arts Trail – From Dream To Reality

Community members are invited to attend an Information Session regarding the Lindsay Arts Trail on Tuesday 14 May at 7.00pm in the Lindsay Room at the American Hotel, Albert St, Creswick.  The session is an opportunity for the community to hear about the concept design for the Trail, which has been developed by Artscape and their partners, in consultation with the Lindsay Arts Trail Working Group.

The Lindsay family is a well-known family of artists who were born and raised in the town of Creswick in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  The Arts Trail will showcase the story of Creswick through the eyes of the Lindsay’s and celebrate their contribution to Creswick and the broader Australian arts community.

Council successfully applied for a grant of $40,000 from the Victorian Government’s ‘Putting Locals First’ Program, with a contribution of $25,000 from Council to engage art and design experts to design the Trail. At the end of this project Council will have fully costed and documented design specifications for the interpretive signage, public art works, site markers and landscape design as well as a style guide and branding that can be used to promote the Trail. Council has allocated $100,000 towards construction of the Trail and will be seeking matching contributions from other sources.

In 2006 Business and Tourism Creswick (formerly Creswick District Development Association) funded and administered the development of a Master Plan for the Trail (Stage 1), which provided a solid base for its development.  Stage 2 was development of the narrative for the trail sites. Stage 3 is the design phase of the Lindsay Arts Trail, a concept that has grown out of the Creswick community’s passion and energy.

The Council has worked closely with representatives from the Creswick community to pursue the development of the Arts Trail, with a focus on bringing the community together in the pursuit of this exciting project. A Working Group which includes representatives of Business and Tourism Creswick, the Creswick Museum, Creswick Neighbourhood Centre, along with Creswick and District Historical Society, is providing advice and direction for the project.

 

Entries Are Now Open For The 2013 Flanagan Art Prize/Exhibition

Entries are now open for artists across Australia wishing to enter the 2013 Flanagan Art Prize.

Now in its sixth year, the Flanagan Art Prize has secured its place as one of the most innovative and far-reaching art exhibitions in Ballarat each year, with a total of $7000 in prize money on offer.

In 2012 there were more than 200 entries from around Australia. Entries for 2013 close on Friday 21 June (no late entries will be accepted).  

Please visit http://www.stpats.vic.edu.au/art_exhibition.php  for more details on the exhibition and how to enter.

The University of Ballarat is proud to be the sponsor of the University of Ballarat Emerging Artist Award for another year.

(Artists entering in this category must follow the general application criteria and must satisfy the Judging Committee’s definition of an emerging artist: one who can demonstrate that he/she has not exhibited regularly in or through a commercial gallery and/or has practised as a professional artist continually for less than five years, but wishes to develop a career in a chosen art form.)

Interested In A Community Grant?

Is your community group in need of a helping hand to support its special project or event?

Come along to a free Community Impact Grants workshop at Town Hall. There are two public workshops: 10am to noon, Tuesday 23 April; and 5.00pm to 7.00pm, Monday 6 May.

Presented by the City of Ballarat, the workshops will have valuable information about grant writing and staff will advise participants in the drafting of a Community Impact Grant application. All first time applicants and local groups are encouraged to attend.

People & Communities Councillor Des Hudson urges all not-for-profit community organisations, groups and associations to consider attending a grant writing workshop.

“The City of Ballarat Community Impact Grant program is a very broad funding option for many local community groups and we urge people to use the grants to build community relations, create connections and improve health and wellbeing opportunities in Ballarat,” he said.

 “If you’ve never written a grant application or you’re looking for some inspiration to get started, this is the workshop for you. The Community Development team have great knowledge and experience to share – for this application and for participants to use when seeking other funding.”

“This financial year, an impressive $189,412 has already been awarded in the Community Impact Grant program, giving the green light for 51 worthy community projects, programs and events,” Cr Hudson added.

To register for a Community Impact Grant program workshop, call the City of Ballarat Community Development team at 5320 5746. Grant program guidelines and applications forms are available at the Phoenix, Armstrong Street South, or visit: www.ballarat.vic.gov.au.

Gem Show – Creswick

 

Ballarat Residents CRAZY For Pushups…Again!

Ballarat, VIC – What’s old…is new again. The people of Ballarat are going crazy for pushups once again as a way to get in shape and help local individuals fighting a battle with cancer. It’s called Pushups for Charity, and it’s causing quite a stir. Last years inaugural event raised over $5000 with hopes to double it this year.

Created by Julian Gaylor of PerFit Health and Wellness a private fitness studio here in Ballarat, Pushups for Charity is a fun way to get fit and make a difference by supporting Support4Cancer, an organization whose mission is to provide up to date information and resources for both men and women experiencing a cancer journey.

There will be Pushups for Charity Challenge on Saturday May 4th. Full information is available at www.PushUpsForCharityBallarat.com.au for those who want to participate or donate.

“Our goal is two-fold,” explains Julian Gaylor, owner of PerFit Health and Wellness the private fitness studio here running the Pushups for Charity event here in Ballarat, “we want to support Support4Cancer by raising as much money as possible to help, and we want to engage our local community in a fun way to get fit.”

“The community is really rising to the challenge – there is a lot of interest in Pushups for Charity. I think that says a lot about our community’s interest in helping the children, and is a reflection of how much people appreciate the importance of being healthy,” says Gaylor.

Pushups are one of the foundational exercises for overall body strength and lean muscle development. Lean muscle increases metabolic activity so the body burns more calories. Additionally, pushups are a simple exercise anyone can do almost anywhere. “Pushups are a gateway exercise,” says Gaylor, “people feel results quickly, sometimes within days, and that inspires them to do more exercise.”

Pushups for Charity participants and donors receive a free home fitness program they can follow to prepare for the Pushups for Charity challenge and get into great shape. All Ballarat residents are invited to participate or donate.

AMES and Multicultural Arts Victoria Heartlands Refugee Art Prize

Now in its fourth year, the AMES and Multicultural Arts Victoria Heartlands Refugee Art Prize celebrates the skills, talents and creativity that refugees bring to Australia and the social and cultural contributions they provide to our community.

Refugee artists are encouraged to consider and share what they would like to see in the world and submit entries that reflect the theme ‘I wish to see…’

Originally from Iraq, Haitham (Zorba) Dawood, who received an Honorable Mention for his Oil on Canvas work in last year’s Prize.  Zorba spoke to Allan on 99.9 Voice FM about his experience on Thursday 28 February in entering in the 2012 prize.

This year the prize pool has grown considerably, with over $20,000 to be shared by three primary prize-winners, a newly arrived prize and an artist in residence prize. First prize is $12,000.

Entries close Friday 10 May 2013. For more information call 03 9188 3681, visit www.multiculturalarts.com.au/heartlands or email fiesta@multiculturalarts.com.au.

Winners will be announced at the Heartlands Refugee Art Prize exhibition launch on Thursday 20 June. Shortlisted and winning works will be showcased at fortyfivedownstairs in Flinders Lane from Tuesday 18 to Sunday 30 June 2013 during Refugee Week, at the Walker Street Gallery in Dandenong from Thursday 4 to Saturday 27 July as part of the Emerge Festival and Werribee Park from Sunday 1 to Saturday 14 September. All exhibited works apart from first prize will be available for sale.

Ballarat: Back to school vouchers ease children into school life

For the ninth consecutive year, The Ballarat Foundation, through regional schools, is supporting
families doing it tough by helping with the purchase of uniforms and other items needed to get
students back to school through its Back to School Voucher Program.

According to the Australian Council of Social Services, 17.3% of children are vulnerable to poverty;
this reflects the higher costs facing families with children, which parents who are not in paid work or
on a low wage often struggle to meet.

According to Geoff Sharp, CEO of The Ballarat Foundation, “Families who are already struggling are
under further pressure to prepare their children for school, a serious problem in anyone’s language.
This year, 565 vouchers valued at $28,250 will be distributed to schools throughout the region, and
these are then directed to those in special needs circumstances within the school family. Part of a
national initiative, this program is made possible by The Ballarat Foundation and FRRR (Foundation for
Rural and Regional Renewal) with the support of the Sidney Myer Fund.

The schools are invited to raise funds for the program and in recent years, with the support of FRRR,
The Ballarat Foundation has been able to double up any contribution made by individual schools. The
program is unique in that recipient families can choose what they actually need for their children.”

Mr Sharp added that individuals and businesses throughout the region can also assist their local
children by sending a tax deductible donation to The Ballarat Foundation, PO Box 50, Ballarat 3353, or
by contacting the office at 03-5331 5555.

Petrie Sets An Oarsome Challenge

North Melbourne star forward Drew Petrie took to the water on Lake Wendouree on Tuesday 12 February to help launch the Premier’s Active Families Challenge.
Joined by local YMCA Chief Executive Mal Healey and members from the Dragons
Abreast Rowing Group, Petrie urged the people of Ballarat to register for the Challenge.
“It’s a great opportunity for families to start developing regular exercise habits,” the father of two said.
The Challenge encourages individuals and families across the state to undertake 30 minutes of physical activity for 30 days over a six-week period from Monday 4 March to Sunday 14 April.
“You can improve your own health and fitness as well as spend quality time with your kids – and it doesn’t have to be complicated. Walk the dog, jump on the trampoline or have a kick of the footy.”
The YMCA are partnering the Challenge and offering every team that registers 20 free passes (valued at $100.00) to the Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre.
Mal Healey says the Challenge is a great fit with the YMCA’s overall mission of providing opportunities for all people to grow in body, mind and spirit and creating active and healthy communities.
“This is a great chance for Ballarat residents, particularly parents with young children, to improve the long-term health and wellbeing of their family and friends,” Mr Healey said.
“Establishing the importance of physical activity during childhood can help ensure lifelong participation with resulting health, social, economic and environmental benefits for both individuals and communities.”
“I’ve registered our family again this year and the kids are already busy planning the various activities we’ll do together,” said Mr Healey.
More than 1300 Ballarat residents have already registered and entries close on Saturday 16 March.
The Challenge is free to join and offers great incentives and prizes to participants
including the 20 free YMCA passes, 15 per cent off at Rebel Sport and one hour free tennis court hire at Melbourne Park.
For more information and to register go to www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/challenge

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Entries Open For Cancer Council Victoria’s 16th Arts Awards

From Monday 11 February, entries will officially open for Cancer Council Victoria’s 16th annual Arts Awards. The awards provide Australians touched by cancer with an opportunity to share their experience creatively through art, writing and film.

The awards are open to artists of all skill levels in nine categories:
Visual Art, Poetry, Short Story, Film, Indigenous Visual Art, Children’s
Art, Children’s Writing, Youth Writing and Youth Art.

The theme for 2013 is ‘Balance’ and entries will be judged by a panel of well respected, high-profile experts including writer and storyteller Arnold Zable and children’s author, Tony Wilson.

Winners of each category will receive an array of prizes, all of which have been generously donated by our sponsors.

A diverse range of work will be on display in an exhibition held at Gasworks Art Park from Sunday 20 to Saturday 26 October.

Cancer Council Victoria spokesperson, Deb Stringer said with one Australian diagnosed with cancer every five minutes, many of us will one day feel the impact of hearing the words, ‘you have cancer’.

“Cancer can present an enormous physical and emotional challenge for all those affected including patients, family, friends and carers. It has been proven that artistic and literary expression can help many through their cancer journey and we are proud that the internationally recognised Arts Awards have been able to provide valuable support to so many people affected by cancer. I would really encourage Australians from across the country to get involved and submit an entry to this year’s Arts Awards.”

As part of the Arts Awards, Cancer Council Victoria will again be offering creative therapy workshops to Victorians. Run by Art Therapist David Champion, the workshops aim to provide participants with an enjoyable and enriching experience of self-expression, combining two modalities (art-making and creative writing) in a group setting.

Creative therapy sessions will be held in Melbourne on Saturday 16 March, Saturday 13 April and Saturday 18 May at Cancer Council Victoria’s Drummond Street premises (please see website for more information and bookings).

Entries for Arts Awards close on Monday 29 July 2013.

For further information or to enter, please visit www.artsawards.com.au or call 1300 65 65 85.

Host an Afternoon Teal This Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, a time when Ovarian Cancer Australia focuses on informing women of the risks and symptoms of ovarian cancer.

Hosting an Afternoon Teal is a fun way to raise awareness of ovarian cancer with your family, friends and colleagues. It’s also a great way to raise funds for Ovarian Cancer Australia’s support, advocacy and research programs.

I’ll be hosting an Afternoon Teal this February to make sure all my friends and family know the important signs and symptoms.

It’s simple to do. Register your event using the online registration form on this page, send your invitations to your family and colleagues, bake or buy some healthy treats, ask for donations and make sure everyone leaves knowing the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.

With every dollar you raise, please know you will help to improve the lives of women in their fight against ovarian cancer, raise funds for research, and help to save lives through promoting the symptoms of ovarian cancer in the community.

To get involved register your Afternoon Teal today!

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