MYBALLARAT - FAMILIES
Playgroups
Get playing. Playgroups encourage children to have fun, learn through play and
develop new skills. Parents also benefit through the exchange of parenting ideas,
gaining valuable support and making friends.
Ballarat is home to many playgroups; some offered through Maternal and
Child Health Centres and others at primary schools and churches. There are
also Connecting Schools and Communities playgroups (CSC) and supported
playgroups run with professional facilitators.
Find the one that’s right for you or start your own playgroup.
For more information, call the City’s Playgroup Coordinator on 5320 5682.
#loveballarat tip: New to Ballarat? The New Residents Playgroup meets
at the Eureka Family Resource Centre, 507 Humffray St South, every Tuesday
during school terms, 10 to 11:30am. A gold coin donation is requested. For
information, call the Playgroup Coordinator on 5320 5682 or email
[email protected]
Parent Place
Ballarat’s Biggest Playgroup
The perfect place for parents
and carers! Stop in at the City of
Ballarat’s popular, free drop-in centre
for change and feeding facilities in
a toy-filled, friendly environment.
Our friendly team of volunteers can
provide you with general support and
information.
Join in the fun at Ballarat’s free day of play! For one day every year, hundreds
of parents, babies and young children come together for Ballarat’s Biggest
Playgroup. Held in March, as part of National Playgroup Week, Ballarat’s Biggest
Playgroup brings families together to celebrate fun activities and learn through
play. The day features active play, face painting, music sessions, balloons, and
helps people get in touch with their perfect local playgroup.
At Parent Place, there is a Maternal
and Child Health Nurse available
weekly, baby rhyme time each
month, Centacare representative
offering weekly support, a monthly
baby sling meet, lactation volunteers
and information on youth services.
For program details, call the City of
Ballarat Best Start officer on 5320
5676.
#loveballarat tip: Take time
out. Drop in at Parent Place at
Norwick Plaza, Bridge Mall. It’s
open Monday to Friday, 10.30am
to 2.30pm.
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#loveballarat tip: Come and play. Ballarat’s Biggest Playgroup is held
for one day, every March. For more information, call Council’s Playgroup
Coordinator on 5320 5682 or visit www.ballarat.vic.gov.au
Customer Service
Need help? The City of Ballarat operates a Customer Service Centre at The
Phoenix, 25 Armstrong Street South, Ballarat. Our friendly customer service team
can assist you with any council-related enquiries, including making a payment,
viewing planning applications, submitting a request or registering a pet.
Visit The Phoenix, Monday to Friday, 8:15am to 5pm. Call our customer service
team on 5320 5500, use the national relay service telephone at 133 677 (quote
03 5320 5500), email us at [email protected] or fax us via 5333 4061.
#loveballarat tip: Go online. The City of Ballarat offers eServices for
customer requests, online payments, planning applications, property information,
asset protection permits and building archive searches at
www.ballarat.vic.gov.au
MYBALLARAT - FAMILIES
Kindergartens
Embrace early learning. Kindergarten offers children the opportunity to learn,
develop skills and play in a safe, welcoming environment. Ballarat is home
to many public and private kindergartens offering three and four-year-old
programs. Programs are run in a variety of settings such as children’s centres,
long day care centres, community kindergartens and at independent schools.
The City of Ballarat runs kindergarten services at Girrabanya Children’s Centre,
11B Steinfeld Street, Ballarat, phone 5320 5150; and Wendouree Children’s
Services, corner of Gillies and Hastings Streets, Wendouree, phone 5320 8210.
#loveballarat tip: Say hello. Contact or visit your local kindergarten to
find out more about their learning programs and facilities.
Maternal and Child Health
We’ve got you covered when it comes to your children’s Maternal and Child
Health needs and immunisations. Our Maternal and Child Health Nurses
review the health, growth and development of babies and young children at
the key age stages. They assess hearing, vision, speech and language, fine
and gross motor skills, growth, social and emotional development, and provide
information and support to parents.
Need immunisations? The City has a drop-in service at the Girrabanya Centre.
There are also appointment services at the Girrabanya Centre, Sebastopol and
Wendouree’s Cooinda Centre. For session times, visit
www.ballarat.vic.gov.au
#loveballarat tip: Saturday services are now available at the Girrabanya
Centre. Drop in for immunisations from 9 to 11am every second and fourth
Saturday of the month. You can also make Maternal and Child Health
appointments from 9am to 1pm every second and fourth Saturday of the
month. For more information, call Family and Children’s Services on 5320 5155.
Kindergarten
enrolments
Kindergarten enrolments are as
easy as ABC, thanks to the City
of Ballarat’s new Centralised
Kindergarten Enrolment Scheme.
This free, simplified system enables
parents to complete a single
application, outlining their preferences
for three kindergartens. The new
scheme includes three and four-yearold programs at 27 kindergartens.
A list of participating kindergartens is
available at www.ballarat.vic.gov.au
or you can contact your preferred
kindergarten directly for more
information.
#loveballarat tip: Enrol!
Pick up an enrolment information
guide and application form at your
local kindergarten or from The
Phoenix. You can also download
it online at
www.ballarat.vic.gov.au
For more information, call Council’s
Central Enrolments Officer on 5320
5720 or email
[email protected]
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MYBALLARAT - FAMILIES
myBallarat
magazine
Here’s some good news
to land in your letterbox!
Four times a year, the City
of Ballarat delivers the free
myBallarat magazine directly
to your house. It’s also
available online at
www.ballarat.vic.gov.au
MyBallarat keeps you in
the loop with the latest
news, celebrations, Council
information and services. Plan
your days with the detailed
monthly event calendars and
be in the know about plans
and projects, myBallarat is a
great way to keep up-to-date
with what’s happening in your
local community.
#loveballarat tip: Get
out and about. The
myBallarat magazine features
all the up and coming events
in Ballarat. You’ll never miss
a free, family-friendly event
again!
Occasional care
The City of Ballarat’s popular Occasional Child Care Centre provides flexible,
short-term care. The service is designed to provide support for parents who
require care to accommodate study commitments, appointments, voluntary
community work, recreation, or part-time and casual work. The centre operates
under the same national regulations and quality standards as long day care
centres.
The Occasional Child Care Centre is located on the corner of Market Street and
Armstrong Street North, Ballarat, phone 5364 2720.
#loveballarat tip: Bookings are essential. Book on the day, places
permitting. Or you can book up to three weeks in advance and make changes to
existing bookings within four business hours’ notice.
Libraries
You’re never too young to fall in love with words
and language. Our three public libraries open up
a world of reading to Ballarat’s youngest residents
and their families. And it’s free to become a
member. Your local library runs free baby rhyme
time, toddler time and preschool story time with
activities including stories, rhymes, songs and craft.
Visit the City of Ballarat libraries:
• Ballarat Library at 178 Doveton Street North or call 5338 6850;
• Wendouree Library at Stockland Shopping Centre or phone 5339 3505; and
• Sebastopol Library at 181 Albert Street or phone 5335 7985.
#loveballarat tip: Become a library member online at
www.centralhighlandslibraries.org.au or pop in to your nearest library.
For library services on the go, download the free library app, BookMyne, for
Android or Apple devices.
Library Outreach Van
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18
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Our instant pop-up library rolls into Miners Rest, Learmonth, Delacombe and
Buninyong every week. The Library Van features a range of adult and children’s
resources including books, magazines, audio visual material and DVDs. Borrow
and return library items or request library materials from other Central Highlands
Libraries and libraries right across Victoria.
The City of Ballarat Library Van stops at:
• Miners Rest Primary School, Dundas Street, Monday, 2.30 to 4.30pm;
• Learmonth Football Clubrooms, Laidlaw Street, Wednesday, 10am to 12pm;
• Delacombe Salvation Army, corner Greenhalghs Road and Warrina Drive,
Friday, 10am to 12pm, and
• Buninyong Uniting Church
Hall, Learmonth Street,
Saturday, 9.30am to 12.30pm.
#loveballarat tip: The
Library Outreach Van hosts
children’s story time, with
stories, rhymes and songs, and
school holiday activities. You can
also join a book club. For more
information, call 5338 6800.
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MYBALLARAT - FAMILIES
Family Day Care
Want child care in a home
environment?
The City of Ballarat offers a Family Day Care program
where children are cared for in the homes of approved
and qualified educators. Family Day Care provides
education and care for babies to children 12 years of
age. This type of care is perfect for parents seeking
flexible hours of quality care, and especially suits shiftworkers.
#loveballarat tip: To find out about Family Day
Care or how to become a family day care educator,
call Family Day Care on 5320 5720 or email
[email protected]
Child Care
Ballarat has many high quality child care centres
dedicated to providing care in a warm, friendly and
safe environment. The City of Ballarat runs two centres:
Girrabanya Children’s Centre, 11B Steinfeld Street,
Ballarat, phone 5320 5150; and Wendouree Children’s
Services, corner of Gillies and Hastings Streets,
Wendouree, phone 5320 8200.
#loveballarat tip: The Girrabanya Children’s Centre
is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm and Wendouree
Children’s Services is open Monday to Friday, 7am to
6pm. Both centres are open 48 weeks of the year with
a holiday program available in January.
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MYBALLARAT - FAMILIES
Community events
Fun, free community events are a hallmark of the Ballarat calendar. They showcase our city’s famous hospitality, arts and
culture, spectacular gardens, historic buildings and incredible heritage.
Check out the live music at the Summer Sundays held every Sunday in January at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. There’s
entertainment and fireworks to celebrate Australia Day at Lake Wendouree Foreshore on 26 January. You’ll blossom at the
renowned Ballarat Begonia Festival, held every year on the Labour Day long weekend. Also in March, Ballarat comes together
to celebrate the diverse flavours, sounds and colours that create our multicultural community at Harmony Fest. Last but not
least, there’s the popular Ballarat Heritage Weekend, celebrating our rich, historic heritage, throughout the Mother’s Day
weekend in May.
All our community events welcome families with exciting children’s activities and entertainment, and family-friendly facilities.
And it’s all free!
#loveballarat tip: Stay connected with the latest event news. For up-to-the-minute information,
like our events on Facebook at:
Summer Sundays Ballarat - www.facebook.com/summersundaysballarat
Ballarat Heritage Weekend - www.facebook.com/BallaratHeritageWeekend
Ballarat Begonia Festival - www.facebook.com/BallaratBegoniaFestival
Harmony Fest – www.facebook.com/harmonyfest2012COB
Children’s Week
The City of Ballarat celebrates Children’s Week every year during the fourth
week in October. Children’s Week celebrates the right of children to enjoy
childhood. It is also a time for children to demonstrate their talents, skills and
abilities. A range of accessible and fun activities take place right across Ballarat,
supported by the City of Ballarat and our community partners.
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#loveballarat tip: For this year’s event details, read myBallarat or visit
www.ballarat.vic.gov.au in October.
MYBALLARAT - FAMILIES
Playgrounds
Let your children play to their heart’s content. There’s a diverse range
of playgrounds and playspaces located throughout Ballarat and our
neighbourhood areas. Discover the Indigenous-themed playspace at Lake
Wendouree, the large playground at Eureka Gardens and playgrounds at
Weeramar Park, Victoria Park and Russell Square Reserve. Or head to the fun
playgrounds at Lake Learmonth Foreshore or De Soza Park, Buninyong.
#loveballarat tip: Go hide and seek. The large, wooden community
adventure playground at Windmill Drive, Lake Wendouree, is a favourite of
many Ballarat families. It features lots of slides, climbing elements, a balance
beam, sandpit and swings.
Public toilets
When you’re out and about in Ballarat, chances are there’s a public toilet
nearby. The City of Ballarat maintains more than 30 public toilets across
Ballarat, including facilities at the Town Hall, Lake Wendouree Foreshore,
Eureka Gardens and Buninyong Botanic Gardens. Most of the toilets are
accessible to people of all abilities. There are many more public toilets across
Ballarat which aren’t managed by the City of Ballarat, and can be found at
major shopping areas, train stations and other public venues.
#loveballarat tip: Did you know there’s a National Public Toilet Map at
https://toiletmap.gov.au/Find? It shows you toilet locations, accessibility
details, baby change facilities and opening hours. Access the map on your
mobile phone or tablet device.
Walking tracks and bike rides
Stretch your legs. Ballarat is home to many interesting walks and bike rides
to suit all fitness levels, including the Canadian Creek bike path, the popular
Yarrowee Trail and paths on the shore of Lake Wendouree. Pick up a copy
of Ballarat Scenic Bike Rides featuring detailed maps at The Phoenix.
Get moving with our range of walking maps.
Visit online at www.ballarat.vic.gov.au for more information.
#loveballarat tip: Get walking. Follow the Delacombe walking trails
to explore Doug Dean Recreation Reserve and further afield. Look out for the
special footprints in the neighbourhood or visit www.ballarat.vic.gov.au
Pet registration
Got a beloved pooch or feline in
the family? All dogs and cats, three
months of age and older, must be
registered with the City of Ballarat.
All registrations must be renewed each
year by 10 April to avoid on-the-spot
fines.
Dogs and cats must also be
microchipped at a vet clinic before
being registered. Once registered,
you’ll receive annual renewal notices
with plastic registration tags to attach
to your pet’s collar. You can register
a new pet or, if you’ve just moved
here, an existing pet at The Phoenix or
download an animal registration form
at www.ballarat.vic.gov.au
#loveballarat tip: The City of
Ballarat offers free registration for
de-sexed and micro-chipped dogs
and cats under the age of six months.
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Outdoor pools and water play facility
Dip your toes in at Ballarat’s indoor and outdoor pools.
The Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre (BALC) provides
an indoor swimming pool, spa, health club, gym,
gymnastics centre and crèche. Why not sign your children
up for Learn to Swim classes? The City of Ballarat also
operates four outdoor pools, open every summer, at
Eureka, Black Hill, Buninyong and Brown Hill. Each facility
offers family-friendly amenities.
Get splashing at Ballarat’s very first water park at Midlands
Reserve, Doveton Street (opposite Paling Street), Ballarat
North. This outdoor water play facility is designed for
children of all ages and operates every day, from 10am to
7.30pm except Christmas Day, throughout the summer
outdoor pool season. Little ones will delight in the side
of the park that features gentle fountains, ground sprays
and spraying toys. The other side boasts duelling water
cannons, a volcano that shoots water two metres into
the air and a 260 litre per-minute waterfall for the more
adventurous.
#loveballarat tip: Dive in. Did you know all BALC
members receive a complimentary Summer Season Pool
Pass? Speak with the team at BALC for more information.
You can also purchase a Season Pass for your favourite
outdoor summer pool. Pick up your pass at your local pool.
Social Media
Love staying connected? If you want to like, follow or get chatting to us - you can!
There are many ways to connect with the City of Ballarat, and we’re sharing our
latest news and information via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
So keep in touch!
#loveballarat tip: Go digital.
Connect with us online at:
Facebook @ www.facebook.com/ballaratcity
Twitter @ www.twitter.com/cityofballarat
Instagram @ www.instagram.com/cityofballarat
YouTube @ www.youtube.com/user/TheCityofBallarat
Learmonth Football & Netball Club