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When Erika burns for the solstice these locals party like Vikings

Cape Clear is nowhere near the ocean, but it has a lighthouse and a "Viking longship" that residents plan to set alight for the winter solstice.

Three children dressed in Viking helms on a large, hand-made Viking ship.

Published: 13h agoFri 20 Jun 2025 at 10:25pmSource: ABC BallaratTopic: Community and Multicultural Festivalsby Gavin McGrath

Almost half of children are not on track by the time they start school

The latest Australian Early Development Census results show we are going backwards in all five key areas, sparking calls for urgent funding.

Three children in high-vis jackets sit on a log facing away from the camera

Published: ThuThu 19 Jun 2025 at 3:38amSource: ABC BallaratTopic: Early Childhood Education and Care Servicesby Alice Walker

Police act on podcast claim in 50-year-old missing schoolboy mystery

Police ask for a fresh coronial inquest into the 1975 disappearance of 12-year-old Terry Floyd as new evidence reignites hopes for justice for the central Victorian boy and his family.

Published: ThuThu 19 Jun 2025 at 8:31amSource: ABC Central VictoriaTopic: Missing Personby Sarah Lawrence

Australia has a GP shortage so why are we turning students away?

Australia has a shortage of doctors, especially in regional areas, yet experts say every year medical schools turn away thousands of highly eligible Australian applicants.

a grpoup of medical students in hospital scrubs at training

Published: WedWed 18 Jun 2025 at 10:02pmSource: ABC BallaratTopic: Doctors and Medical Professionalsby Charlotte Wilkes

What's behind the tomato shortage?

A virus outbreak in southern states and wet weather in northern growing areas cause a tomato shortage and an increase in prices when they are available.

Published: ThuThu 19 Jun 2025 at 1:23amSource: ABC RuralTopic: Cost of Livingby Jane McNaughton

Man accused of faking cancer and scamming his family out of millions

A 30-year-old West Australian man has been charged after allegedly fooling his family into thinking he had cancer and scammed them out of more than $2 million.

A dark brick building bearing the words "Horsham Law Courts".

Published: WedWed 18 Jun 2025 at 1:31amSource: ABC BallaratTopic: Courtsby Charlotte Wilkes

Warning for MPs over 'dangerous' mental health misinformation

Mental health experts warn of the dangers of spreading misinformation after unverified figures of the number of Victorian farmers who have taken their own lives circulated on social media.

A graphic imge of a farmer looking at sheep.

Published: WedWed 18 Jun 2025 at 2:27amSource: ABC South West VicTopic: Mental Healthby Olivia Sanders, Jean Bell and Sharon Gordon

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ABC Ballarat Local News

Local news, updated weekdays at 7:35am.

Duration: 5 minutes

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Anne Webster has retained the seat of Mallee. So, what is her plan for the next three years?

Nationals MP Dr Anne Webster has retained the seat of Mallee at the 2025 federal election.

a woman wearing glasses smiles at the camera, she's wearing a bright printed top and is in front of a lake

Duration: 10 minutes 22 seconds

Source: ABC Wimmerawith Andrew Kelso

What is your politician wearing

Is your politician wearing wool

Four shearers, both male and female, shear sheep and sweep up wool in a shed.

Duration: 26 minutes 6 seconds

Source: ListenTopic: Wool Growing

Victorian Farmers Federation candidate for president Brett Hosking

Brett Hosking wants to be President of the VFF

Duration: 7 minutes 56 seconds

Source: ListenTopic: Agribusiness

ABC Radio BALLARAT

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with Beccy Cole

11:00am to2:00pm

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Going Rogue: The practice of rewilding native animals

Some landholders are reintroducing native animals to their properties without approval to cerate private sanctuaries.

Duration: 12 minutes 34 seconds

Source: ABC News

Three killed in multi-vehicle collision north of Ararat

Victoria Police's Detective Snr Sgt Paul Lineham speaks to the media after three people died in a multi-vehicle collision near Armstrong, north of Ararat.

Duration: 1 minute

Source: ABC News

Boy fatally struck by car at Teesdale, near Geelong

Police are interviewing a female driver following the death of a boy who was hit by a car while walking to school on Bannockburn-Shelford Road just after 8 a.m.

Boy dies going to school: aerial shot of road with police cars and cones

Duration: 1 minute 33 seconds

Source: ABC News

Scotsburn Fire

A fire in Scotsburn, near Ballarat, forced the evacuation of a local primary school.

Duration: 15 seconds

Source: ABC News

Features

Unapproved rewilding stirs debate over ethics and animal welfare

Amid an extinction crisis, some amateur conservationists are taking matters into their own hands, releasing threatened animals on their properties. It's skirting rules and worrying scientists.

An elderly, bearded man wearing an animal-fur hat on his head.

Source: LandlineTopic: Conservationby Angela Heathcote, Sharon Gordon and Daniel Franklin

Women's footy is a 'win-win' in the Wimmera with support only growing

As women take to the footy field in the Wimmera for the first time, clubs report that their membership and supporter bases have grown considerably.

Laharum and Minyip-Murtoa women football captains shake hands at the Murtoa Recreation Reserve

Source: ABC WimmeraTopic: Australian Rules Footballby Tamara Clark, Andrew Kelso and Rebekah Lowe

Farmers restore nature to help river smashed by agriculture and drought

Authorities say farmers revegetating the banks of the Hopkins River are crucial to saving the key south-west Victorian catchment, which is grappling with the impacts of climate change, drought and intensive agriculture.

A rope swing hangs from a tree above a river.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Riversby Ted O'Connor

Harsh economic realities doomed these ghost towns

Once thriving with mining, farming or railways, it all came to an end in these places. Such is the history of Australia's many ghost towns.

A dark-grey two-storey concrete ruin of a hotel is nothing but a shell

Source: ABC BallaratTopic: Historyby Gavin McGrath

What's happening

Australia Votes: Your Vote, Your Say

This election, the ABC is asking you to be part of the conversation.

Text reads: Your Say. Tell us what's on your mind this election. Have your say here.

Published: 27 Feb 2025Thu 27 Feb 2025 at 3:05amSource: Radio

Local news direct to your inbox

ABC Ballarat's newsletter delivers local news and stories from your community every Wednesday. Sign up to stay connected.

Published: 28 Aug 2023Mon 28 Aug 2023 at 11:07pmSource: ABC Ballarat

The Care Squeeze

On Monday 30 June, ABC Local Radio will shine a spotlight on the pressures and realities for Australians caring for ageing parents, while raising kids. Tune in on your radio or the ABC listen app.

Published: ThuThu 19 Jun 2025 at 4:17amSource: Radio

Know your ABCs in an emergency

This summer know your ABCs; action plan, be safe, connect with us. The ABC has a host of useful resources and tips on how to best prepare yourself for emergency weather so you can keep you and your household safe.

Letters A, B and C in pink, yellow and blue with small infographics of people completing emergency safety tasks

Published: 9 Dec 2024Mon 9 Dec 2024 at 5:23amSource: ABC EmergencyTopic: Bushfires

Vic Sport

Live: Storm win in golden point after Souths winger Johnston scores four tries

Ryan Papenhuyzen kicks the match-winning field goal in golden point to sink the Rabbitohs, despite four tries from Alex Johnston. Follow live.

Alex Johnston of the Rabbitohs scores a try

Source: ABC NewsTopic: NRL

Live: Saints hanging in there against Magpies after forced late, late change

Ladder-leading Collingwood are leading St Kilda at Docklands, but the Saints are hanging in despite having to make a last minute replacement in Ryan Barnes. Follow all the action in our live blog.

St Kilda's Ryan Barnes sits on the ground as he is looked at by medical staff before an AFL game.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: AFL

Lions spoil Danger's party at Kardinia Park, leapfrogging Geelong on ladder

The celebration for Patrick Dangerfield's 350th AFL game fall flat, as Brisbane downs Geelong at Kardinia Park to take back second spot on the ladder.

Brisbane AFL player Cam Rayner holds Dayne Zorko in the air as they celebrate a goal at Kardinia Park.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: AFL

Fri Fix: the AFL’s NRL problem, Marnus dropped, NBA goes the distance

We investigate why the AFL might have an NRL problem before forecasting the weekend for both codes. In cricket, Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped for the Windies, who will replace him?

Duration: 14 minutes 30 seconds

Source: ListenTopic: Sport

Victoria News

Live: Storm win in golden point after Souths winger Johnston scores four tries

Ryan Papenhuyzen kicks the match-winning field goal in golden point to sink the Rabbitohs, despite four tries from Alex Johnston. Follow live.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: NRLby Nick Campton and Michael Doyle

Melbourne man dies after alleged assault by released immigration detainee

A man dies in hospital days after he was allegedly attacked by a former immigration detainee freed under a landmark High Court ruling.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Crime

Live: Saints hanging in there against Magpies after forced late, late change

Ladder-leading Collingwood are leading St Kilda at Docklands, but the Saints are hanging in despite having to make a last minute replacement in Ryan Barnes. Follow all the action in our live blog.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: AFLby Kyle Pollard and Andrew McGarry

Spain's blackout shows 'we're not reacting fast enough' to changing grids

The extraordinary failure of Spain's entire electricity system in April sparked furious debate over the energy transition. But what caused the blackout?

Power lines connecting pylons of high-tension electricity and a billboard-sized figure of a bull at sunset

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Electricity Production and Distributionby Daniel Mercer

National News

GPs will be able to diagnose and treat ADHD, pledge Tasmanian Liberals

Tasmanian Liberals have pledged to make it easier for Tasmanians and their children to access attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis and treatment.

Steph Cameron pushing her son Bruce on a swing.

Published: 6h agoSat 21 Jun 2025 at 5:29amSource: ABC NewsTopic: ADHDby Sandy Powell

Art reflects First Nations' worldview in hopes of shared understanding

Hundreds of traditional artworks, connecting generations of remote First Nations communities for almost a century, are now part of a public showcase in Sydney.

Wooden sculptures standing inside an art gallery.

Published: 6h agoSat 21 Jun 2025 at 5:13amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Artby Gemma Ferguson and Ruby Ritchie

Live: Storm win in golden point after Souths winger Johnston scores four tries

Ryan Papenhuyzen kicks the match-winning field goal in golden point to sink the Rabbitohs, despite four tries from Alex Johnston. Follow live.

Published: 21m agoSat 21 Jun 2025 at 11:34amSource: ABC NewsTopic: NRLby Nick Campton and Michael Doyle

Melbourne man dies after alleged assault by released immigration detainee

A man dies in hospital days after he was allegedly attacked by a former immigration detainee freed under a landmark High Court ruling.

Published: 7h agoSat 21 Jun 2025 at 4:19amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Crime

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When Erika burns for the solstice these locals party like Vikings

Almost half of children are not on track by the time they start school

Police act on podcast claim in 50-year-old missing schoolboy mystery

Australia has a GP shortage so why are we turning students away?

What's behind the tomato shortage?

Man accused of faking cancer and scamming his family out of millions

Warning for MPs over 'dangerous' mental health misinformation

ABC Ballarat Local News

Anne Webster has retained the seat of Mallee. So, what is her plan for the next three years?

What is your politician wearing

Victorian Farmers Federation candidate for president Brett Hosking

ABC Radio BALLARAT

Live. Saturday Night Country

Connect with ABC Ballarat

Get the ABC Ballarat newsletter

Going Rogue: The practice of rewilding native animals

Three killed in multi-vehicle collision north of Ararat

Boy fatally struck by car at Teesdale, near Geelong

Scotsburn Fire

Unapproved rewilding stirs debate over ethics and animal welfare

Women's footy is a 'win-win' in the Wimmera with support only growing

Farmers restore nature to help river smashed by agriculture and drought

Harsh economic realities doomed these ghost towns

Australia Votes: Your Vote, Your Say

Local news direct to your inbox

The Care Squeeze

Know your ABCs in an emergency

Live: Storm win in golden point after Souths winger Johnston scores four tries

Live: Saints hanging in there against Magpies after forced late, late change

Lions spoil Danger's party at Kardinia Park, leapfrogging Geelong on ladder

Fri Fix: the AFL’s NRL problem, Marnus dropped, NBA goes the distance

Live: Storm win in golden point after Souths winger Johnston scores four tries

Melbourne man dies after alleged assault by released immigration detainee

Live: Saints hanging in there against Magpies after forced late, late change

Spain's blackout shows 'we're not reacting fast enough' to changing grids

GPs will be able to diagnose and treat ADHD, pledge Tasmanian Liberals

Art reflects First Nations' worldview in hopes of shared understanding

Live: Storm win in golden point after Souths winger Johnston scores four tries

Melbourne man dies after alleged assault by released immigration detainee

Other ways to listen

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