Eureka Centre Ballarat

Happy Book Week!

Today the (not-so-wicked) witch from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's beloved book, 'Room on the Broom' visited Eureka Centre Ballarat. Local children and their families celebrated the joy of reading through music, dancing and social play.

Little learners aged 0-5 are warmly invited to join Carly at 10:30am every Thursday during school terms, for this free Early Years program. No bookings required.

Head to our website to read more here: https://eurekacentreballarat.com.au/events/show-and-tell-with-carly/

City of Ballarat

We are proud to join with the Ballarat Italian Association Inc. to honour one of the most consequential Italians in Australian history, Raffaello Carboni. The inaugural Raffaello Carboni Lecture will be presented by Professor Frank Bongiorno AM on Tuesday 15 September at 6pm. Click here for tickets and more information: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/raffaello-carboni-lecture-with-professor-frank-bongiorno-am-tickets-1992796530066

In a 1975 speech, the Hon Gough Whitlam, the 21st Prime Minister of Australia, spoke about the enduring Italian influence in Australia, with reference to Raffaello Carboni. He said, "The history of Italian migration to Australia is familiar to all of us, there are few countries with which Australia has had a longer contact, these contacts go back much further than the establishment of the modern (Italian) republic ... we know there was an Italian on the Endeavour, when Captain Cook came to Australia; we know there was an Italian in the First Fleet. During the 19th century, migrants arrived in Australia in small but growing numbers; particularly after the impetus of the gold discoveries. Raffaello Carboni was one of the miners' leaders at the Eureka Stockade. Giuseppe Garibaldi, the great fighter for Italian unification ... weighed anchor in the brig Carmen off Tasmania. Since those early beginnings the Italian community has grown to be the biggest, the most vigorous, the most valuable of all non-British national groups in this country."

Click here to read the full speech: https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-3760

Raffaello Carboni had fought and was wounded in the Battle of Rome in 1849, and so came to Eureka with significant revolutionary credentials. He played a critical role in organising non-English-speaking miners during the agitation for democratic reform on the Ballarat goldfields that culminated in the Eureka Stockade. Carboni also published a first-hand account of Eureka that is a vital document, including a transcript of Peter Lalor's famous Bakery Hill call-to-arms speech.

We hope you can join the Eureka Centre and the Ballarat Italian Association Inc. for this special event.

Image: Peter Solness, 'Standing Tall' 2004, colour print on archival matte paper. Reproduced permission of Peter Solness ©

City of Ballarat Ballarat Italian Association Inc. Ballarat In The Know

Eureka Centre and Ballarat Italian Association Inc. have joined together to present the inaugural Raffaello Carboni Lecture to support the International Day of Democracy. The lecture honours the memory of the Italian Eureka rebel, Raffaello Carboni.

Professor Frank Bongiorno AM will deliver the first lecture on the topic, ‘Why multiculturalism is good for democracy’ at the Eureka Centre on Tuesday, 15 September 2026.

Cllick here to read the media release:
https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/news/democracy-and-multiculturalism-inaugural-raffaello-carboni-lecture-eureka-centre

Click here to book your tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/raffaello-carboni-lecture-with-professor-frank-bongiorno-am-tickets-1992796530066?aff=ehometext

City of Ballarat Ballarat Italian Association Inc. Harmony Fest (City of Ballarat) Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council - BRMC Multicultural Museums Victoria Eureka Australia Descendants and Supporters Ballarat Historical Society Ballarat In The Know

We're excited to be exhibiting at the National Education Summit Melbourne on 3 & 4 September 2026 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Visit our stand to meet the our Education team, learn more about what we do, and see what's new. We look forward to welcoming you!

City of Ballarat

We are exhibiting! Visit us at the National Education Summit Free Registration

The Eureka Centre Ballarat Education team is thrilled to be exhibiting this week at the History Teachers' Association of Victoria (HTAV) 2026 conference in Melbourne.

This year's annual conference theme is Ignite History. It's an important opportunity for History Teachers to join together and explore how they can deeply engage young people in history learning.

It's always a joy to meet Victoria's amazing History teachers in an inspiring and supportive educational space. We love a chat, so come and say hi if you're attending!

City of Ballarat

A very special guest is hosting 'Show-and-Tell' at Eureka Centre Ballarat tomorrow!

We are delighted to welcome Broni Lisle: a local musician, primary teacher, performer and dad. Broni is an expert in whimsy, who has been sharing the joy of music and play with little learners for over ten years.

Don't miss Broni and his guitar for this songs and stories session at 10:30am on Thursday 6th August. This is a free event, no bookings required.

Carly will return to Show-and-Tell on Thursday August 13th.

City of Ballarat Ballarat In The Know

We're pleased to host Overlook Productions tomorrow and next Sunday. Join this talented group of actors as they take on the beloved Australian play 'Cosi' in a rehearsed reading.

Get your tickets here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1585517?fbclid=IwY2xjawTIQSNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFpS3VxMVhqdW1PbmY3d1hSc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlYpVtD87aM7h0DqcribSGM5o4piFFjM1RuciMVDzo9x_LA9-A1qoMAJPmzD_aem_k_xW_-1i0sPfoNVyiQf_-w

FIRST PERFORMANCE TOMORROW!!
Make sure you book tickets or tickets at the door! 2pm tomorrow 😃😃

COSI - Rehearsed Play Reading.
The Eureka Centre Ballarat
Sunday 19th July & Sunday 26th July at 2pm.

Make sure you book soon as there are only two reads. Tickets are selling fast for the first read. Thanks 😊

The Booking Link for COSI - A Rehearsed Table Reading is below:
https://www.trybooking.com/DMFLL

Today we welcomed Ballarat-based Aunty Doreen Abbott, a respected Southern Arrernte Elder, and Queensland theatre-maker, John Parke to the Eureka Centre.

Tomorrow Aunty Doreen and John will present 'A Journey to Reconciliation' at Vickers Street Community Hub in Sebastopol from 12.30pm to 2pm. This is an inspiring story of loss, connection and reconciliation beginning in the Red Centre, told through storytelling, film and music.

In the 1870s, Walter Parke, an Englishman, operated vast cattle stations south-west of Alice Springs for 24 years, a period known as the Killing Years. This was a time of massacres, violent dispossession of Aboriginal land, and the beginning of First Peoples’ ongoing fight for justice, sovereignty, and self-determination.

More than 140 years later, an extraordinary connection emerged. In 2023, Aunty Doreen Abbott, respected Southern Arrernte Elder and cultural custodian and Walter's great-great-granddaughter) and John Parke (Walter's great-great-nephew and a non-Aboriginal Australian) met for the first time. Together, they embarked on a remarkable journey of connection, understanding and healing.

Click here for tickets and more information: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1610597