What legacy has the Eureka Rebellion had on contemporary Australian democracy? Peter FitzSimons, Chair of the Australian Republican Movement, and author of 'Eureka: The Unfinished Revolution', says it's impact was hugely significant, not only in Australia but overseas. Peter FitzSimons delivered 2017's annual Peter Tobin Oration at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka, a place he says is an important contribution to the story of democracy.More informationhttp://made.orghttp://republic.org.auhttp://peterfitzsimons.com.au

Ballarat Talks

Ep12 Peter FitzSimons: The Legacy of the Eureka Stockade

Like many returned soldiers, Pompey Elliott had seen more than his fair share of blood, suffering and death, which had affected him for the rest of his life. In this final 3-part chat with historian and author Dr Ross McMullin on his latest book, Pompey Elliott at War, we discuss the fighting general’s life after the Great War and his legacy a century later.More informationhttp://rossmcmullin.com.au

Ep11 Pompey Elliott at war, Part 3/3

Historian and author Dr Ross McMullin, continues with his analysis of Pompey Elliot by examining the fighting general's leadership at the battle of Polygon Wood in World War I.More informationhttps://scribepublications.com.au/books-authors/books/pompey-elliott-at-war

Ep10 Pompey Elliott at war, Part 2/3

As a fighting general, none was as famous as Pompey Elliott. That’s historian and author Ross McMullin’s assessment of him in his recent book ‘Pompey Elliott at War’ a collection of war correspondence and quotes from the general.Having attended Ballarat College, Harold ‘Pompey’ Elliott was involved from the very beginning of the Great War — landing on the beaches of Gallipoli — to the very end in western Europe. Pompey’s diary entries, letters to his wife and fellow commanders are vivid, and show his personality which endeared him to his men, yet ruffled his superiors.This is the first of a 3-part episode with Ross McMullin, who takes us on a journey of Pompey Elliott’s early life in Ballarat to the mud of Western Europe.More informationhttp://www.rossmcmullin.com.au

Ep9 Pompey Elliott at war, Part 1/3

Western Bulldogs is firmly committed to making Ballarat its second home as it continues to build support in the western region of Victoria. President Peter Gordon says the support from Ballarat has been encouraging as the club commits to two AFL games at Mars Stadium each year from 2018, and with further plans to play AFL Women's home games at the newly built stadium in the future.Peter discusses his love of footy, the tumultuous years of saving the club from the brink of extinction and the club's focus on men's health through its Sons of the West initiative.More informationhttp://www.westernbulldogs.com.au http://sonsofthewest.org.au 

Ep8 Supporting Ballarat and the western region with footy

Eleven years ago a train from Ballarat arrived at Melbourne's Southern Cross Station in 59 minutes, a record which was applauded by State politicians at the time - a record which, alas, hasn't been repeated. That sub-hour time is Committee for Ballarat's focus in its #59minuteBallarat campaign aimed at State and Federal governments to help ease the growing pains of Melbourne and support the wider region of Ballarat. The Committee's Nick Beale and Melanie Robertson discuss the campaign and what the benefits would bring to not only Ballarat and Melbourne, but the rest of Victoria.More informationhttp://www.committeeforballarat.com/59minuteballarat.php  Twitter: #59minuteBallarat

Ep7 Ballarat to Melbourne: a push for a 59-minute train time

Although he could, Peter Parry wasn't quite ready to retire. Instead of putting his feet up, Peter opened Athletic Club Brewery on Mair Street in Ballarat. That was in November 2016 after almost 20 months waiting for council approval. Today the Athletic Club attracts patrons from Ballarat and out-of-towners who flock to taste his selection of high-quality and classic-styles of craft beer in a comfortable and relaxing pub.More informationAthletic Club Breweryhttps://www.athleticclubbrewery.com.au

Ep6 The birth of a beer: Athletic Club Brewery

What’s it like to be working in the hallowed halls of Parliament House in Canberra? Catherine King has represented the Ballarat electorate federally since 2001, and since then she’s learnt how to deal with the ever increasing influence of online technology in the way she communicates. As Shadow Minister for Health, Ms King examines the health issues affecting Ballarat and how to tackle the obesity crisis so prevalent in the city. She discusses some of the challenges for regional communities, particularly for Ballarat which has been transitioning from a traditional manufacturing town. Ms King also explains how her family has kept her grounded from the constant public and media spotlight.More informationCatherine King MPhttp://www.catherineking.com.au

Ep5 Catherine King MP representing town and country

As Director of the Ballarat Arts Academy at Federation University, Bryce Ives helps nurture and foster inspiration among the hundreds up-and-coming talent in what he calls a "centre for excellence". Bryce considers Ballarat a particularly special environment for creativity, as he highlights its reputation amongst artists, which is not so well known by those living in Ballarat.He sees arts as facilitating social, health and economic benefits to a community, by providing inspiration and a change of perspective. He insists that creativity is at the core of resilient communities and that Ballarat is well place to take advantage of its arts scene. 

Ep4 Ballarat's national reputation as a centre for arts

Ballarat looks a lot different today than it did in the 1850s. That’s probably obvious, but how different and what impact did the thousands of miners inflict on the environment?Alice Barnes is an education officer at Sovereign Hill, who discusses the living conditions and and the evolution of gold-seeking in those early days of Ballarat's history. Mullock heaps are just some of the clear signs left over from the gold rush days when this whole region was turned upside down.Sovereign Hill Educationhttp://education.sovereignhill.com.au/

Ep3 What was Ballarat like in the 1850s?

Home to the Eureka Flag, the Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka (MADE) is a place to discover the early struggles of the rights of people in Australia. Acting CEO of MADE, Sarah Masters talks of the significance of the museum and how its use of technology is central to its story-telling. We also discuss whether younger generations are losing an appreciation to democracy.

Ep2 A museum MADE for democracy

Welcome to the first episode of Ballarat's first podcast, Ballarat Talks. This weekly interview-based audio show provides a range of interesting stories for people living in Ballarat or have a special interest in the city.Episode 1 includes City of Ballarat CEO Justine Linley who predicts a boom for the city on a scale not seen since the gold rush days of the 19th century. She says the city is planning for almost double in population, from a little more than 100,000 today to 200,000, by 2040. Also, we speak with renowned Australian artist Linda Klarfeld who was the first woman to sculpt a prime minister’s bust for the Botanical Garden’s Prime Ministers’ Avenue. She tells of her training as an artist and reminisces on her first encounter with former prime minister Tony Abbott, who’s bust is the latest addition to the Avenue.ballarattalks.com.au

Ep1 Ballarat's on the cusp of a boom; Story behind former PM Abbott's bust

Ballarat Talks is a weekly podcast for the city of Ballarat. It contains weekly interviews on a range of issues for the community of Australia's best regional city. The city's sporting events, thriving arts scene, rich history and heritage, its architecture, education, and business opportunities, all combine to make Ballarat a great place to live.

New podcast for the city of Ballarat

Ballarat Talks is a podcast for the city of Ballarat. Each week brings you stories and issues about Australia's best regional city. Its sporting events, thriving arts scene, rich history and heritage, its architecture, education, and business opportunities, all combine to make Ballarat a great place to live.