Opening and Award presentations: Friday 18 October, 7pm, Buninyong Town Hall. $10 includes drinks and nibbles. Free entry: 10am-4pm daily, 19 and 20 October.
Meet the Candidates, 7:30pm, Buninyong Town Hall, Thursday 3 October 2024
Come along to Meet the Candidates to compare the intentions of the three candidates for the Buninyong Ward of the City of Ballarat City: Ben Taylor, Robert Pattie Williams and Mark Jones.
This is a great opportunity to hear what each candidate thinks is important for Buninyong and to question them on important issues such as the major changes the Council intends to make to Buninyong's much-loved Botanical Gardens.
Thanks to the Buninyong & District Community Association for organising this event.
August - return of our local newsletter
Publication of Buninyong's local newsletter resumed after an absence of nearly two years. Renamed the Village Voice, a brief introductory issue was published in August 2024 and the first full edition came out in October 2024. It is available in print at many designated outlets in Buninyong as well as being posted online each month on this website and on the Buninyong and District Community Association website.
The Village Voice Buninyong & District Community News is co-ordinated by the Buninyong & District Community Association (BDCA). Well done, team!
The Buninyong branch of the CWA started up again in April. New members welcome! Monthly meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month, Creative mornings take place on the second Monday of the month, a Dinner group meets on the third Wednesday of the month and a variety of special events are held throughout the year. It's a great way to meet other women in our town! Visit Buninyong CWA for more information or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or follow on social media (search for CWA Buninyong).
January
3-7 January 2024: Ballarat and Buninyong celebrate 21 years of Road Nationals
Australia’s road cycling national championships were back for the last time after 21 years of exciting competitions on the mighty Mount Buninyong circuit. It was the 18th consecutive year that Ballarat and Buninyong have hosted the championships, and the 21st year since it was first held here in 2002. Buninyong was the focus on January 6 and 7 as Australia’s champion riders vied to take out the 2024 road race titles. The fan-favourite live site on Mount Buninyong was in action with food trucks, music and a big screen making the iconic climb the place to be on the weekend.
Contact Details for more information: Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Facebook: Buninyongvillagemarket Phone: 0408 116 202
Free skateboarding sessions in Buninyong!
1-3pm, Sunday 19th March 2023, Buninyong skate park, 208 Forest St, Buninyong
Equipment provided, all ages and abilities welcome. Come along to learn and build skills in skateboarding.
The Bard returns to the beautiful Buninyong Gardens!
Afternoon and evening performances, 10-19 February, in the Buninyong Gardens
It's a very entertaining show, performed with much gusto, depicting the gods toying with the lives of hapless humans for their own amusement. Don't miss it!
Visit the Bard on Facebook for photos of the performance and comments: The Bard in Buninyong
Free community Movie Night, De Soza Park, Saturday 7th January
2022
Cycling information Session
Thursday 8 December, 5-6:30pm , Buninyong RSL Hall
Buninyong Pop-up Shop
Buninyong Town Hall, 2-9 December
Buninyong Carols by Candlelight
Saturday 10 December, 6:30pm, De Soza Park
Buninyong Village Markets
Christmas Market: Saturday 10 December, 3-7pm, Buninyong Town Hall
Spring Market: Sunday 30 October, 10am-3pm, Buninyong Town Hall
Winter Market: Saturday 23 July Autumn Market: Saturday 2 April, 2-6pm
Open Gardens, Buninyong
Sat 29 and Sun 30 October, 10am-4pm
5 beautiful Buninyong gardens will be open to the public over the weekend.
Tickets onsale from 25 September on Trybooking
The year started with the usual cycle of events: the Road Nationals Elite races in January, then the Autumn Village Market on 2nd April.
On 11 March the Buninyong Fire Station was sold at auction for $860,000; followed by an announcement that it would be leased as a wedding and events venue. Soon after, on 26 April, the new Fire Station was officially opened further along Learmonth St, next to the golf course.
Buninyong was then shaken up by two major traffic accidents in the centre of town, the first on 12 April when a large truck loaded with sand overturned at the roundabout, closing it to traffic for several hours.
Photo courtesy of The Courier
The second, a horrific crash of an out-of-control B-double tipper on 5 May, shocked the whole of Buninyong and reignited the town's long-standing desire for a bypass. The truck's brakes apparently failed while coming down the highway from Geelong and the driver, seeing traffic banked up ahead at the roundabout, took the split-second decision to cross to the other side of the road and drive through the congested roundabout on the wrong side until he came to a halt outside the old post office.
On his way through, he crushed the front end of a trapped car, knocked over another truck and completely destroyed a heritage Chinese elm outside the Crown Hotel. Miraculously, pedestrians all managed to get out of the way of the speeding truck and the devastated driver of the car escaped with only minor injuries.
Photos above courtesy of The Courier The desolate scene outside the Crown Hotel after the debris had been cleared away
The impact of the two truck crashes will long be remembered in Buninyong as people wonder how long until the next dangerous incident and fear that next time lives might not be spared. A heavy vehicle bypass is essential for the safety of our town.
On 20-21 May a lighter note was struck with the welcome return of the Buninyong Film Festival, after a covid-enforced absence of two years.
2021
Life was still dogged by pandemic restrictions and only a few of our much-loved events were able to return this year.
The annual Road Nationals cycling races were held in February.
The Buninyong Film Festival organisers planned to hold this year's film festival later in the year on 27-28 August but were forced to cancel by another lockdown at the last minute.
Similarly, The Buninyong Festival planned to return on Sunday 31 October, but was obliged to hold off for another year.
The Buninyong Community Collective reopened in the same place (the Anglican Church Hall, Scott Street) but on a different day: Thursdays 9:30-11am and 5:30-6:30pm.
2020
A familiar sound in Buninyong during the period of Covid isolation was the Anglican Church bell, ringing out across the village at noon every day reminding us that we are not alone. Rev Mark Schnerring of Buninyong’s Holy Trinity Church said that many people found it reassuring in those days of covid-19 social distancing. Play this recording of the Buninyong Anglican Church Bell here.
It was so quiet around town since March due to the Covid-19 social distancing regulations but thankfully we have been spared any health disasters and we've learnt to adapt to the new conditions. Our schools and businesses have had to adopt new practices in order to survive in the these strange times. Towards the end of the year, rules were eased and places gradually started to open up again.
May
Buninyong Film Festival cancelled
Festival organisers regretfully cancelled th the 2020 Buninyong Film Festival due to social distancing regulations but they have assured disappointed audiences that the festival will be back, better than ever, in 2021.
EV Charging point now in Buninyong
Free EV charging is now available at the two-vehicle EV station installed in Warrenheip St in January 2020.It is conveniently located in front of DeSoza Park, next to the Information Centre, opposite the BP garage. The charger also has a 1.5 amp power point for charging electric bikes and scooters.
Don't miss it - it's a fun show! Played over two weeks in the beautiful Buninyong Botanic Gardens, Friday to Sunday, afternoon and evening performances. Delightful pre-show musical interludes with local musicians, 15 minutes before each performance.
Community Picnic, Buninyong Botanic Gardens, from 6pm, hosted by the Buninyong and District Community Bank Branch.
November
Storytelling event, 22nd November from 7pm, Buninyong Uniting Church,
Buninyong Uniting Church is hosting a public storytelling event on Friday the 22nd of Nov, open to the whole community. People are invited to share up to ten minute stories from their lives on the theme of Home, and music will be provided by Olivia Shalders. It should be a great event, storytelling always is! Click here for more details
November
22nd November, Buninyong Uniting Church, Storytelling event from 7pm
Buninyong Uniting Church is hosting a public storytelling event on Friday the 22nd of Nov, open to the whole community. People are invited to share up to ten minute stories from their lives on the theme of Home, and music will be provided by Olivia Shalders. It should be a great event, storytelling always is! Click here for more details
October
Buninyong's newest restaurant, The Shared Table, opened on 27th October in the beautifully redesigned heritage building next to Espresso Depot in Learmonth St. The Shared Table will be open from 5.30pm to 11.00pm Thursday to Saturday, and for lunch on Saturdays and Sundays between about midday and 3.30pm. Bookings may be made by emailing the owner and chef, Dianne Ray, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or by phoning 5374 2076.
Launch of Buninyong promotional film - 22 October
Tuesday 22 October, 5:30-6:30pm, Buninyong Town Hall
Community bar and free sausage sizzle.
The video promoting Buninyong is available on youtube - google "Buninyong Vignette".
It's a safe, fun and exciting day for the whole family with music, amusement rides, animal farm,stalls, food trucks and local community group information stalls. Thousands of locals and visitors come to the Festival which is accessible to all walks of life. All stalls are situated outside in De Soza Park; many other ctivities are held around the town. Art Prize and Exhibition in the Town Hall, Crack the Crater Fun Run and more ...
Friday 29th March - Friday Night Family Bushdance, Buninyong Town Hall Saturday 30 March - Music Festival kicking off at 11am. Artists will be performing at a number of venues around the township of Buninyong. You can also checkout the Village Market in between acts. For more info and tickets visit Bended Knee Music Festival
Sunday February 24, 2019 10am - 3.30pm at Royal Park Come along for Sustainable Building, Designing and Smart Living advice, transport, and featuring All things 'e' : e-waste, e-bikes, e-cars etc
Grab something to eat, drink and sit on and be entertained with Shakespeare's Love's Labours Lost for 70 minutes or so. Juggling, dancing and pre-show entertainment, fun for the whole family! Over two funny and romantic weekends in the beautiful Buninyong Botanic Gardens. Tickets available at the gate: $25/ adult, $15/con, $50/family. For more information and to book tickets, visit the Bard's Facebook page
Plan to get to the show early and enjoy the pre-show entertainment. Different days showcase different local performers for 15 minutes prior. So bring your picnic and enjoy. The much loved central goldfields band The Winter Berries will be playing on Saturday 9th at 12.45 and Sunday 17th at 12.45.
Following the Criteriums in Ballarat on Friday 4 January, the cycling action shifted to Buninyong and District as Australia's top road cyclists flashed through our streets in the National Road Race Championships over the weekend. On Saturday cycling enthusiasts rode the championship course in the MS National Grand Fondo while a family festival drew a large crowd to De Soza Park, culminating in a free film screening at 7 pm.
Buninyong geared up for the event with colourful bike-decorations in the streets and shopfronts.
2018
October
Springtime in Buninyong 27-28 October
SATURDAY 27 OCTOBER
SPRING FAIR 10am - 2.30pm
The biennial Spring Fair will be held in the grounds of the Uniting Church, Learmonth St. Free entry.
KING OF THE MOUNTAIN JUNIOR CHALLENGE (Buninyong)
Run the Gong (1.3km) or conquer Mount Innes (2.8km), 10am Start Start/Finish @ Buninyong Uniting Church. Entries open to ages 5-13. Entry $5
Saturday 6pm-9pm: Arts evening with bubbly and complimentary pizzas from the Red Door Pizzeria. “While they work!” will showcase local Buninyong artists working live in the space and displaying their original works for sale. The exhibition will be open Sunday too from 10am to 2pm. Studio 408, 408 Warrenheip St. facebook.com/studio408buninyong
10am-4.30pm, Yuille Street. In conjunction with Brim Brim, three gardens in Yuille Street will be open to the public - enjoy 3 different garden designs - sustainable, permaculture and contemporary. Entry - $2 - children free buninyongbotanicgardensfriends.org.au/
HANSEL & GRETEL - A PANTOMIME
Two performance times 11am & 2pm, Buninyong Town Hall - all tickets $12.50 Tilly Dog Productions presents a contemporary and hilarious pantomime of the classic Brothers Grimm fairytale, Hansel & Gretel! Tickets - Trybooking.com/426070 or at the door facebook.com/tillydogproductions
CAR BOOT SALE
9am-1pm, Simpson Street Staff Carpark. A fundraiser for the Buninyong Primary School Japanese Trip 2019. Car stalls $20 - ph. 0400 945 579 to book a site
September-October
Buninyong Township Plan - Have Your Say! Survey open until 26 October
Saturday 15th September, 10am-12noon at the Grenville Recreation Reserve. All equipment provided: it's fun, free there's no need to book. Queries: 0403 668 029
June
Publication of 1839-1849 history of local squatters, the Scott family of Mt Boninyong
Buninyong historian, Glenice Wood Lake, has published the early history of the Scott family in Scotsburn: "The Land They Learnt to Love". A fascinating story of early European settlement in this district, the book traces the arrival of Andrew Scott and his family in Sydney in 1838, their early years squatting on the Mt Boninyong run and their expansion into the Wimmera at Warracknabeal. The book is for sale at the Buninyong Information Centre for $30.
The cover depicts a painting of the early homestead at the foot of Mt Buninyong, ca 1870s. The artist is thought to be Sarah Scott, grand-daughter of Andrew Scott.
More murals!
Another great mural in the lane off Warrenheip Street.
The Gondoliers
2pm Saturday 2 June, in the Town Hall. Presented by the Savoy Opera Company. Adults $25, children $10. For more details visit Savoy Opera Company
May
Buninyong Film Festival
25-26 May in the Buninyong Town Hall. For program details and bookings visit Buninyong Film Festival
March-May
New Streetscapes
Eye-catching Murals behind the newsagent, Walk in via a lane from Warrenheip Street, or through either the supermarket or the Forest Street carparks.
Micheal Ford up the ladder starting his mural in January; two young passers-by stop to admireEvolution of the first muralsBuninyong's big birdsThe murals in May
Renovations to the historic M.G. Brown building in Learmonth Street prior to its mid-year reopening as a new restaurant/wine bar, The Shared Table.
Wooden shingles revealed on the old roof in FebruaryThe new roof is onBy May, it's nearly ready
Mobile Library Relocation
The weekly Mobile Library visit will now be in the foyer of St Peter and Paul's Catholic Church in Fisken Street, due to the rebuilding of the Warrenheip Street Community House,. Same time each week: 9am to noon, on Saturdays.
February
2018 Jayco Herald Sun Tour, 2 February
Another big cycling event passed through Buninyong on Friday 2 February. Riders in the Jayco Herald Sun Tour arrived from Warrnambool via Camperdown, Mount Mercer and Durham Lead then did a lap of Mount Buninyong. Warrenheip St (between Barkly St and Midland Highway), and Learmonth St slip lane (between Warrenheip Street and Midland Highway, next to Crown Hotel) were closed 10am-7pm and a detour operated via Barkly St and Lumeah Road for the event. Spectators watched an exciting Stage 2 Race Finish in Warrenheip Street which was narrowly won by Denmarks’s Mads Pedersen.
Buninyong Primary kids turned out in force to cheer on the riders in a thrilling close finish to Day 2 of the 2018 Jayco Herald Sun Tour
Last Marvellous Marmalade Fair, 3 February
This year's Marmalade Fair was held in the Buninyong Town Hall on Saturday 3rd February 2018 at 1pm, sadly for the last time. Selectors announced the winners of a range of highly contested classes and jars of delectable marmalade were on sale as usual but the Marmalade Committee has decided that all good things come to an end and they have wound up the Marmalade Festival after eight great years of putting Buninyong well and truly on the world map of marmalade making.
As You Like It, Buninyong, 9-18 February
Acclaimed local theatre group, The Bard In Buninyong, transformed Buninyong's beautiful Botanic Gardens into the Forest of Arden, for an adapted version of Shakespeare’s As You Like It over two weeks. Performances were on Friday, Saturday and Sunday 9 - 11 February, then Friday, Saturday and Sunday 16 - 18 February. Evening performances (Friday and Saturday) started at 7pm, afternoon shows (weekend) at 1pm. Director, Susan Pilbeam, invitesdaudiences to BYO Picnic and rug/ chair. For more information: www.facebook.com/ArtsBuninyong/
Audience enjoys the opening performance of As You Like It in the Buninyong Gardens on Friday evening
Rosalind (left) sees Orlando for the first time when he challenges Charles, the professional wrestler
Smart Building and Living Expo, 25 Feb
Held annually at Royal Park, this local event, took place on Sunday 25th February in 2018. Part of Australia’s biggest Sustainable Living Festival, the Buninyong Smart Building and Living Expo showcases local sustainable building and lifestyle services and products for those planning to build or retrofit sustainable home solutions, and those interested in sustainable lifestyle and food choices. This year's expo featured ways to refuse, reduce and reuse waste. For more information visit: Smart Building and Living Expo or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Wind Farm Enquiries
Like to know more about wind farms? Tracey Ward, Community Engagement Manager of Lal Lal WindFarms, is in the Buninyong Information Centre on Mondays (10am to 4pm), Thursdays (9am to 2pm) and Fridays (8am to noon) to meet with people to discuss Lal Lal Wind Farms.
Call in to 408 Warrenheip Street to ask questions, raise concerns, find out everything about windfarms - Tracey will be happy to talk with you.
Grenville Hall screened Arrietty at a fund-raising Movie Night in the Hall on Saturday 20th January starting at 6.30pm. Tickets: $15/family, $7/individual. Queries: 0403 668 029 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2018 Road National Championships, January 3-7
The 2018 National Road Cycling Races featured a new major sponsor, Fed Uni, a slightly different course, and new categories, community events, activities and participation opportunities for all cyclists and cycling fans.
The Championships welcomed two new categories with Australia’s best U19 and Para-cyclists joining the U23 and elite in the battle for the coveted green and gold jersey. Australia’s club riders were also able to get involved in the action with the additions of the new Club Teams Time Trial Championships and National Team Relay, while novice cyclists and fans hadf a chance to join in the fun with a host of new rides and activities, including a twilight festival.
Thursday 4th January, a “Lap for Lowndesy” was held around the Nationals course in Buninyong, starting next to DeSoza Park at 8.30am, to honour Jason Lowndes, the popular cyclist tragically killed while training near Bendigo just before Christmas.
Annual family evening celebrating the Christmas spirit.
November-December Pop-ups!
Pop-up Film, November 30
The Buninyong Film Festival presented its first pop-up film screening at the Red Door Pizzeria on 30 November.
Guests Enjoyed gourmet pizza and wine before watching "Pizza and Dates", an exotic, explosive multi-ethnic comedy.
Pop-up shop, November 29-Dec 10
A pop-up craft shop was back in the MG Brown building, featuring local arts and craft wares. Perfect for Christmas gifts and supporting the Buninyong Football & Netball Club. Opened on Wed 29 November at 6pm; then 10am-4pm, Thurs-Sun for two weeks (8pm closing on 1, 8 and 9 Dec) until 10 Dec.
October
Buninyong Festival - 29th October 2017
The Buninyong Festival was held on a lovely day in Desoza Park
As ever, it was a free and family-friendly day celebrating our local community, with music, amusement rides, animals farms, stalls, food trucks and local community group information stalls.
October 2017: Congratulations to the Buninyong & District Community News for its success in this year's Community Newspaper Association of Victoria awards. Our paper was judged winner of the Best Layout and Design and Best Sports Reporting and was a finalist in the Best Feature Story and Best Editorial Commentcategories of this year's awards. Well done team!
July
Avenue of Honour Restoration - Community March
A large crowd turned out to watch and participate in the Community March along Buninyong's restored Avenue of Honour in Learmonth Street on 1 July 2017.
A commemorative ceremony, with a flyover by the RAAF, then took place outside the Town Hall and the Avenue was rededicated to honour the 167 men of the former Buninyong Shire who died in World War I.
The Avenue of Honour was originally planted exactly 100 years ago, on 30 June 1917, however it had become neglected over the years and many of the name plaques had disappeared. The Centenary Restoration Project involved researching the names of the local soldiers who had died in the war, clearing intrusive shrubbery and replanting dead trees, placing new plaques on concrete plinths next to each tree, and organising the commemorative march and ceremony.
An informative booklet was distributed to all present documenting the district's involvement in World War I and the 3-year project to restore the 1917 Avenue of Honour.
Left/above: An Australian Army Band followed by members of 8th/7th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment lead more than 30 local district community groups in the march along the Avenue of Honour; participants outside the Buninyong Town Hall before the commemorative ceremony; four RAAF planes flying in tight formation along the Avenue of Honour towards Mount Buninyong
June
Imagine Buninyong, 13 - 14 June
It was full house at the "Imagine Buninyong" session in the Town Hall on June 13.
To start the local planning process for the Buninyong Township Plan by the City of Ballarat, the Buninyong and District Community Association (BDCA) engaged Australian community planner/builder Peter Kenyon from the 'Bank of Ideas' to stimulate our ideas about what we want for our community in the future. Peter gave us some inspiring case studies, and started many fruitful conversations about what we want to keep, change and introduce in Buninyong.
Peter has worked with more than 2000 communities throughout Australia and overseas to facilitate fresh and creative ways to stimulate a local process of ideas-making.
The first Imagine Buninyong session was held in the Buninyong Town Hall on Tuesday 13th June at 7pm with supper. A breakfast session was held on Wednesday 14th June at 7:30am for local businesses. All Buninyong residents were invited to attend.
May
25th Buninyong Film Festival
Retiring Film Festival President Joan Goldsmith welcoming incoming co-Presidents, Luke Grimes and "Tin Man" Jamie Brown
Buninyong Town Hall, 26-27 May
Buninyong's annual Film Festival celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. As well as an expanded lineup of fine films from around the world, audiences were treated to lots of special giveaways and a slice of the spectacular birthday cake.
A highlight of the festival for many was the opening night screening of "Tanna" and the Q&A session with one of the directors, Bentley Dean. The Academy Award winning film "The Salesman" from Iran, gripped the audience with its intensity and, among others, the Saturday afternoon gold-coin entry film, "Girl Asleep" was admired for its imaginative style.
Joan Goldsmith, who started the festival and successfully reigned over it for 25 years as its President, was cheered loudly as she was crowned its Queen in the closing ceremony and thanked for her long-standing contribution to Buninyong's cultural life.
Well done, Joan! And long live the Buninyong Film Festival!
February
The Tempest in the Buninyong Botanic Gardens
Eight wonderful performances of Shakespeare's much-loved comedy brought magic to the Buninyong Botanic Gardens over two weekends: Friday 10 to Sunday 19 Feb. Directed by Susan Pilbeam, the play was a delight from start to end, as it moved through the Gardens, from the Rotunda to the lily pond to the walled garden. Experienced actors played the lead roles, including several performing arts graduates from Federation University, sweetly supported by a flock of musical sprites from Buninyong Primary School.
All credit to the organisers, cast and crew. We look forward to another appearance next year, as promised. Contact The Bard in Buninyong and read more about them on their Bard in Buninyong Facebook page
Marmalade makers from around Australia and local marmalade lovers were out in force at the Buninyong Marvellous Marmalade Fair this month. Prizes were awarded in many categories and Australia's top marmalades competed for selection in the team to tour to the International Marmalade Awards in Cumbria. Many delectable marmalades were for sale, too. See the MarmalAshes website for more info. Full results coming soon.
Travels with My Black Dog - Botanic Gardens, Sunday 22 January
An appreciative audience relaxed in the shade of the Buninyong Botanic Gardens while watching Tripwire Theatre's Travels with My Black Dog on Sunday 22 January. Katrina Hill had the audience playing ball with her in her role as the lively, affectionate dog - a very enjoyable performance!
Travels with My Black Dog is a free family comedy with a heart of gold which uses humour to shine light on the realities of living with depression.
Tripwire Theatre Inc.’s latest touring production is a two-person performance, written by Bjorn Worpel and Megan Riedl. It is comedic work, despite dealing with a serious topic: depression. Travels with My Black Dog will be performed in Buninyong at the Botanic Gardens on Sunday the 22nd of January at 6.30pm.
Road closures, traffic diversions and parking restrictions are in place throughout Buninyong during the races for the safety of the cyclists, spectators and road users.
2016
December
Sun 4-6 Dec: Scotsburn Art Exhibition, Village Place, 309 Learmonth St
One year after the horrific fires around Scotsburn, a poignant exhibition of photos and art works by local residents documenting their experience is on display in the foyer of Village Place, next to the Town Hall.
Buninyong Football/Netball Club Popup Shop
A cute popup shop in the newly-restored space between Espresso Depot and Yellow Rose in Learmonth Street was open 10am-4pm until Sunday 4 December 2016 with a gorgeous range of quality giftware - ideal for Christmas shopping.
Staffed by volunteers, it was a fund-raiser for the Buninyong Football/Netball Club.
October
Council election results
Congratulations to the following Councillors who were elected to represent the South Ward in October:
HUDSON, Des
RINALDI, Jim
TAYLOR, Ben
The Buninyong and District Community Association ran a forum in the Buninyong Town Hall on 6 October for the community to meet and to hear from the candidates standing for election in the City of Ballarat’s South Ward. An outline of each candidate's position and vision was also given in the October 2016 Buninyong Newsletter
September
After the Rain
September: Wonderful to see our lovely Gong full again and Lal Lal Falls in full flow. The frogs in the Gong are very happy - you can't miss their rousing chorus of croaks as you pass by. Many people have also gone out to Lal Lal to watch the Lal Lal Creek, now swollen into a torrent, thundering down the falls before winding its way through the gorge into the north-west arm of Lal Lal Reservoir/Bungal Dam. Spectacular!
A wonderful aerial perspective of the Falls taken by a drone camera in August 2016 before they had reached peak flow: Lal Lal Falls a Drone Journey(plays on You Tube)
Joan Ogilvie speaks in front of the cottage; Anne Sunter beside the commemorative plaque; members of the Ogilvie family with Don and Joan centre
Historian Anne Beggs-Sunter unveiled a plaque commemorating the 150th anniversary of one of Buninyong's longest surviving houses on Friday 30th September. Built in 1866 by Robert Ogilvie on 10 acres on the flanks of Mt Buninyong, the cottage is remarkably intact today.
Joan Ogilvie spoke to a crowd of interested observers and members of the extended Ogilvie family about Robert and Jean Ogilvie's early arrival in Buninyong, their marriage by Rev. Hastie in 1855, and their family history. She also thanked the present owners, Mr & Mrs Michael McKee, for helping to preserve the well-built cottage so that it stands as a tangible reminder of Buninyong's early days.
Good news! The Buninyong Village Market is back
Lisa Cressey, Vice-president of BGLF, said the market will run from 9am to 1pm on the last Sunday of each month, from September to May. In December a special twilight market will be held on Saturday 10 December to coincide with the Buninyong Christmas Carols in Desoza Park. Many people were disappointed when market was canceled in March and its future seemed uncertain. Now it has been restored for all but the winter months. See Buninyong Village Market
August
Photo: @vanisadhiru
Winning website
Tuesday 30th August: The 2016 Australian and New Zealand Internet Awards (ANZIA) were a big night for Buninyong as the Buninyong Community Website (yes, this site!) won the Leonie Dunbar Memorial Award for Community Websites at a Gala Dinner held in the Plaza Ballroom in Melbourne. Many internet luminaries were at the dinner and awards were presented in six categories.
In her acceptance speech, Liz Lumsdon, the website's designer and co-ordinator, thanked the many people in Buninyong who contribute to the website and help to make it truly representative of our community. With hundreds of community websites in Australia and many more in NZ, ours was a big achievement and one we can all be proud of. Victorians will also be chuffed that Harcourt Valley Community Website was Highly Recommended on the night.
The handsome crystal trophy is now on permanent display in the Buninyong Information Centre.
How many venues are available for hire in Buninyong?
Five? Ten? You might be surprised!
See the full list recently compiled by Roger Permezel as a project of the Buninyong and District Community Association in Buninyong Venues. You can also download a pdf with contact information and details of all amenities that each venue has to offer. See Buninyong Venues
July
More Snow!
Snow gnomes popped up in Buninyong
Wednesday 13 July: Buninyong woke up under a light blanket of snow giving kids of all ages lots of fun throwing snow balls and building snow-gnomes. The snow melted away fast in the sun but lasted longer on the Mount where some real snowmen briefly appeared.
Snow scenes in Buninyong
New Street sculptures for Buninyong
Unveiling of Cliff Burtt's street sculptures in Buninyong
Friday 8th July: The Mayor of Ballarat, Cr Des Hudson, Cr Peter Innes, sculptor Cliff Burtt, and Michael Ford of the Arts Buninyong Group, all commended the handsome sculptures when speaking to the small crowd braving the wintry wind at the official unveiling in Buninyong's main intersection. Michael Ford said he was overjoyed to see a public display of creativity in the town and the speakers also praised the behind-the-scenes efforts of Julie Collins, Public Art Coordinator of the City of Ballarat, who helped to bring the project into fruition.
The group of sculptures reach 1.6 metres high and stretch eight metres across and are designed to encourage interaction from pedestrians. According to Cliff Burtt, “The profile of the sculpture is based on topographical mapping of the area ... the gaps between the elements of the work can be viewed as representations of the shafts sunk into the earth by gold miners”.
The much-admired project was funded from the Council's Engaging Communities Program and Public Art capital budget.
Preparing the footings for Cliff Burtt's street sculptures in BuninyongCliff Burtt acid washes his Buninyong street sculptures
June
Council workers then sculptor Cliff Burtt himself have been busy on the north east corner of Buninyong's main intersection installing the long-awaited street sculptures. Cliff explained that he was applying a weak acid wash to increase the patination of the welded steel cor-ten sculptures, giving them a rust-like weathered appearance.
The sculptures are an exciting addition to Buninyong's town centre that are sure to provoke a lot of interest.
Revised Buninyong Visitor Guide launched - 8 July
2016 Buninyong Visitor Guide
With funding assistance from Ballarat Regional Tourism (BRT), the Buninyong & District Community Association (BDCA) has produced the third edition of the Buninyong Visitor Guide. The fully-revised booklet sports a fresh new look inspired, in part, by the new 110 page Ballarat & Surrounds Visitor Guide produced just a few months ago. The new edition was launched by BRT’s recently-appointed CEO Noel Dempsey, on 8 July at the Red Door Pizzeria Restaurant in Buninyong.
24 June: It's snowing!
It didn't last long, but was a magical sight
Mayor formally wraps up the Stars Project in Buninyong
24 June: Cr. Des Hudson, Mayor of Ballarat, with Lidia Aitken in Buninyong14 June: Rosie Batty in Buninyong with Lidia Aitken to see the One Million Stars To End Violence Project
June: The One Million Stars To End Violence Project has officially concluded in Buninyong after brightening our streets for the last three months, but many shops and organisations have chosen to keep their displays on show until the stars get packed up to go to Brisbane.
Rosie Batty, Anti-Violence campaigner and 2015 Australian of the Year, visited Buninyong in the previous week to see the project on display in Buninyong's streets.
Cr. Des Hudson, Mayor of Ballarat, with Lidia Aitken in Buninyong
24 June: The Mayor of Ballarat, Cr. Des Hudson, officially drew a close to the 1 Million Stars To End Violence Project in Buninyong today.
At a small ceremony celebrating the success of the project, the organiser, Lidia Aitken, explained that the project had been intended to run for only three months in Buninyong, however some local organisations have chosen to keep their stars on display here until they all get packed up to go into a million-star installation that is being prepared for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
A team of 20 star-weavers in Ballarat and Buninyong, with a core group of eight, have been creating the stars for several months: each star takes 5 minutes to weave. The weavers have a target of 10,000 stars for delivery to Brisbane by the end of this year.
Over 5,000 stars spread across more than 50 locations in Buninyong have put on a remarkable, and beautiful, show of community solidarity with the project's aim of countering the levels of domestic violence in our society.
Rosie Batty comes to town
Rosie Batty looking at the stars in Chocalatto, enjoying a latte in The Old Bluestone Cafe´, outside Pig & Goose
Rosie Batty meets local star-weavers in Buninyong
14 June 2016: Domestic violence campaigner and 2015 Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty, visited Buninyong to meet the local star-weavers behind the 1 Million Stars To End Violence Project and to see Buninyong's amazing community effort in publicly supporting the Anti-Violence campaign.
Impressed by the level of support for the campaign, Rosie stopped and chatted to several shop-owners and representatives who came out to meet her on her walk around town. During a coffee break at The Old Bluestone Café, the star-weavers treated her to an impromptu lesson on how to create the stars.
Rosie reading the project poster in Shine; talking to Gail outside Sew Special; and learning how to weave a star in The Old Bluestone café
Rosie then went to Ballarat to launch the anti-violence campaign by Berry Street Family Services: Ballarat is no place for violence which focuses on the effects of family violence on children.
Buninyong backs 1 Million Stars To End Violence project
April-June 2016: Most of Buninyong's shops and offices contributed their windows, making a brilliant display.
Groups of dedicated star-makers worked diligently for months, weaving thousands of stars to support the One Million Stars To End Violence project. In a remarkable effort of community solidarity, nearly all of Buninyong's shops and organisations have got behind the project, displaying the stars in their windows along Learmonth and Warrenheip Streets, with some in side streets too. Have you seen their gorgeous displays, pictured above?
It's not just for decoration!
It's a wonderful sight but there's a serious purpose underlying it. All of the participating organisations also display an accompanying explanation about the anti-violence project. It's worth reading!
Thank you to all star-makers, all local project organisers and all Buninyong's participating shops and organisations:
Buninyong Bakery, Buninyong Community Bank, Buninyong Fish Shop, Buninyong Foodworks supermarket, Buninyong Hair & Beauty, Buninyong Golf Club, Buninyong Information Centre, Buninyong Men's Shed, Buninyong Newsagency, Buninyong Pizza & Hamburger House, Buninyong Post Office, Buninyong Pre-school, Buninyong Police Station, Buninyong Primary School, Buninyong Town Hall, Celebrate!, Chocalatto, Divine Vintage, Espresso Depot, Fig Leaf Café, Pig & Goose Restaurant, Harcourt RE, Hill View Lodge, Lions Book Store, PRD Nationwide RE, Red Door Pizzeria, Remedial Massage, Sew Special, Shine Hair & Beauty, Steiner School, The Old Blue Stone Café, UFS dispensary & Doctor's surgery, Vagg's Garage, Village Place, Yellow Rose Beauty Salon ... and there are more to come!
Friday 27 - Saturday 28 May, 2016, Buninyong Town Hall
It was a great line-up of films, as ever, and the night sessions were booked out. Program details are on the Film Festival website: Buninyong Film Festival. See photos from this year's festival in the Buninyong Film Festival Photo Gallery. Next year will be the 25th Film Festival in Buninyong and it will be BIG!
Autumn in Buninyong
The Virginia creeper twining along the shop fronts looks brilliant, even the fallen leaves look beautiful.
Smart Building and Living Expo
Sunday 28 Feb, 10am - 4pm, Royal Park, Buninyong
Held annually at Royal Park, cnr Warrenheip and Hedrick Streets in Buninyong this excellent local event is part of Australia’s biggest Sustainable Living Festival. Smart Building and Living Ballarat showcases local sustainable building and lifestyle services and products for those planning to build or retrofit sustainable home solutions, and those interested in sustainable lifestyle and food choices. For more information visit: Smart Building and Living Expo or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Buninyong Marvellous Marmalade Fair
1pm, Saturday 30th January 2016, Buninyong Town Hall
A wonderful annual event where marmalade-makers from all over Australia vie for selection in the team of Aussie marmalades that will compete at the International Marmalade Awards in Cumbria. Winners were announced at the Fair in a wide range of mouth-watering categories (eg Seville, Cumquat, Three-fruits) as well as the touring team for this year's MarmalAshes. Jars of delectable marmalade from top marmalade chefs will also be on sale. Read more at: Buninyong Marvellous Marmalade Fair
Australian National Road Racing Championships, 7 and 9-10 January
6 January 2016 - Scotsburn Fire Community Recovery event
Buninyong Town Hall at 6pm. All welcome - no rsvp required. Community BBQ afterward. Dr. Rob Gordon, clinical psychologist and experienced disaster recovery expert, will give an understanding of how disasters affect people and communities, the recovery process and how to get extra support.
Recovery Centre:Buninyong Community House, 407 Warrenheip St, Buninyong.
Recovery Information Line - 1300 799 232
18 December 2015: Scotsburn - Elaine Bushfire
Pictured at Ballarat airport, the chopper helped crews on the ground tackle the Scotsburn fire. Photo: Wayne Rigg (CFA Facebook page)
Thank you to all our wonderful fireys who battled the fires heroically at Scotsburn, Durham Lead, Clarendon, Mt Doran, Elaine and Mt Mercer in terrible weather conditions. Much sadness for those who have lost their houses, stock and fencing. Support has been pouring in and donations can be made at the Buninyong Community Bank in Warrenheip St. 31 December: The CFA advised that the Scotsburn fire is under control. The clearing of roads has allowed residents access to their properties. CFA fire-fighters continued to patrol the fire area.
Scotsburn fire. Photo: Keith Pakenham (CFA Facebook page)Scotsburn fire -burn area. map from CFA Facebook page
ABC local radio, Sky News and other emergency broadcasters
Victorian Bushfire Information Line (1800 240 667)
For All Emergencies Dial: 000
Buninyong Urban Fire Brigade Enquiries: Marc Cannan (Captain) 0409 415 612 Fire Station: 5341 3661
December 2015
Buninyong Town Precinct Upgrade - it's finished!
After several months working in all sorts of weather, Paul Nolan and his crew signed off on the Buninyong town centre upgrade on 15th December, in time for Christmas then Buninyong's next big event - the bike races in January. A job well done!
October 2015
Buninyong Good Life Festival
This year's Buninyong Good Life Festival drew large crowds who enjoyed lots of activities and a wide range of stalls in Desoza Park on 25th October. Visit the Buninyong Good Life Festival website for more information
13 October
Sculptor Cliff Burtt positions models of his street sculptures in the newly-upgraded north-east corner of Buninyong's town centre. But debate is growing about where they would be best placed: there is clearly more room on the south-east corner, in front of the old bank, rather than in the smaller and more congested space on the north-east corner, as first proposed. What do you think?
September 2015
Buninyong Town Precinct Upgrade
Street works somewhere else (image from Facebook)
The north-east corner of the main intersection is almost finished: the barriers have gone, the new paving, low stone wall and tree enclosure are looking good. Now we're just waiting for the grass to grow and the street sculpture by Cliff Burtt to arrive (and hoping that the drainage will cope if we have a major deluge).
All the pedestrian disruption, noise and construction have suddenly shifted to the south side of Learmonth Street. What's happening behind those hoardings? Let's hope we don't end up with street plantings like those on the right! No way that could happen here, surely!
Buninyong Parks under the microscope
What do we want for Desoza Park and Royal Park? Both these important recreation areas are currently under redevelopment by the City of Ballarat and local input is essential if we want good results.
Desoza Park
After a process of community consultation, the plan for Desoza Park is now at the final stage and the design can be seen in the September issue of the Buni newsletter: September 2015 Buninyong News or at mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au/making-buninyong. The Council is inviting community feedback to be sent to Graeme Kent via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 30 September.
Royal Park
The City of Ballarat is undertaking a Facilities Plan to assess infrastructure requirements, landscape opportunities and priorities for Royal Park. Community members are invited to come along and have their say about the future development of Royal Park at an open house session to be held at Royal Park on Monday 7 September, 4 - 6 pm.
Both these parks are vital to Buninyong's present and future recreational needs. Make sure that Council hears what we want for these valuable community assets and ensure that they are developed properly.
August 2015
Buni News in the SLV
Readers of the Buninyong Newsletter and local history lovers will be pleased to know that a full set of the first 387 printed editions of the Newsletter (July 1977-August 2012) have now been safely archived in the State Library of Victoria. Collectively they are a treasury of stories and images about Buninyong's growth over those 35 years and it's reassuring that they will be preserved for posterity. Thank you to former editors Betty Schreinzer and Ann Gooding for providing this complete set of early print editions for the Library's archives. The current editors also send print copies to the Library each month since February this year. Back copies of all digital editions since August 2012 are now available online on this website at: Newsletters 2012-2014 and Newsletters 2015.
New wave of diggings in Buninyong
Cones, diggers, mysterious graffiti on the footpaths and workmen everywhere ... what's going on? Yes, the NBN is rolling through Buninyong and Mt Helen. Many streets have already been dug up for the conduit that will house the fibre underground. Thankfully, the main intersection is being prepared before the Council start digging up the same area for their Buninyong Town Precinct Upgrade Project.
Rock on Buninyong!
Some sections were too rocky for the conduit installation crews to be able to dig under the roads at first and they had to call for larger drilling machines. "We looked it up and discovered we were working at the foot of an extinct volcano!" they groaned. "It was much easier going in sandy Shepparton where we were before." "Tell us about it," locals reply, pointing to their rock piles and retaining walls.
2nd August 2015
Lots of people dug lots of holes in Birdwood Park on Mt Innes to plant a copse of trees commemorating Derick Leather, former Shire of Buninyong councillor and tireless worker on numerous local projects including the restoration of the Old Buninyong Library; the development of De Soza Park; maintenance of the Buninyong Cemetery, Swimming Pool, Mt Buninyong Reserve, Botanic Gardens and street tree plantings; researcher and regular contributor to the Buni News. The working bee was organised by the Friends of Buninyong Botanic Gardens with funds from the Ballarat City Council.
Pictured: Peter Hiscock, Stuart Crumpler and Julie Richardson; Stuart’s tractor and other diggers; Melinda Tant and Mayanna Lakerink digging a hole big enough for a pine tree with Paul, Sienna and Luke Tant; Des Sunderland and Sam van der Linden, Buninyong CFA. Photos by Russell Luckock.
July 2015
New shops are opening, a pedestrian crossing is being planned for increasingly busy Warrenheip Street near the Post Office, and the walled garden in the old swimming pool area of the Botanic Gardens is still fenced off!
July 2015: Website Upgrade
Welcome to the new version of the Buninyong Community Website. Most of the material from the original site is here, plus a whole lot more, with still more to come. The new site still needs fine tuning and will keep changing as Buninyong changes, but right now we'd like your feedback.
The website aims to be an up-to-date and reliable source of information about Buninyong and the surrounding district, for visitors and local residents alike. And for this we need the ongoing help of Buninyong locals and friends.
Please contact us by sending a Comment or by emailing the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
EV Charging point now in Buninyong
Launch of Buninyong promotional film - 22 October
Buninyong Festival - Sun 27 October 2019: 9am–4pm
February
Buninyong Film Festival
Pop-up Film, November 30
It was full house at the "Imagine Buninyong" session in the Town Hall on June 13. 
Buninyong Marvellous Marmalade Fair
Sculptor Cliff Burtt positions models of his street sculptures in the newly-upgraded north-east corner of Buninyong's town centre. But debate is growing about where they would be best placed: there is clearly more room on the south-east corner, in front of the old bank, rather than in the smaller and more congested space on the north-east corner, as first proposed. What do you think?
