Ballarat, Australia News

Thirty children a day ... the Childcare Minister, Kate Ellis, at the Capital Hill Early Childhood Centre at Parliament House.

Most of the biggest names in Australasian harness racing are among the nominations for the BIG6 Hunter Cup and SEW-Eurodrive Inter Dominion Trotting Championship, which closed at noon today.

THE million-dollar legal stoush between the Rann Government and United Water will go to trial next year - but not until after the 2010 State Election.

ECONOMISTS have slashed their forecasts for Wednesday's GDP figures, with most now predicting growth of less than 0.5 per cent in the September quarter following a dramatic fall in net exports.

City revellers are being urged to "party but party safe" as police gear up for a statewide blitz on anti-social and violent behaviour.

Paramedic Matt Pearce has relocated from Katherine in the Northern Territory to join the Ararat Ambulance team.

More than 800 additional police officers patrolled Victorian towns overnight as part of a national blitz on alcohol-fuelled violence.

After 19 millimetres of rain in the city today, the rain has finally eased in time for the trip home - but temperatures remain far below the December average.

A MAN in his 30s has died after the car in which he was a passenger struck a tree, blocking one of the busiest roads in Melbourne's west.

Eco Factor: Traveling 3775km on a solar-powered trike. Year 8 to Year 12 students from Ballarata s Damascus College are attempting to ride their way into the record books by riding a distance of 3775 km in about two weeks' time on a solar-powered three-wheeled bike.

Chicken of God producers Frank Woodley and Jodi Satya. Photo: Simon Schluter Other related coverage Anthony LaPaglia: the thinker John Mangan December 6, 2009 IT'S eight minutes long, tells the story of a chicken that may or may not have strange supernatural powers, and if things fall into place next Saturday night it could see Frank Woodley and ...

The regional Victorian city of Ballarat will benefit from a new IT services centre.

IBM has today officially launched its new IT services centre in Ballarat, at the University of Ballarat Technology Park.

World leaders might be meeting to discuss climate change this month, but important talks will also be held in the south-west when environmental scientist Professor Peter Gell and Anglican Bishop of Ballarat Michael Hough walk from Lake Wendouree to Hamilton, stopping to chat with residents along the way.

The sometimes complex legislative requirements surrounding building will be explained at an information session in Ararat next month.

GEELONG has the cheapest grocery prices in Australia, according to a survey. And there are major differences in prices across different supermarket chains, with it costing just $94.30 to fill a basket at Aldi, compared with $126.87 at Woolworths/Safeway, $127.67 at Coles, $142.68 at IGA and $154.73 at FoodWorks.

THE prevalence of historical photos of crashed aircraft displayed in farmhouses around the Cressy district, north of Colac, is one of the curious indications of Cressy's colourful wartime role.

THE Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic would be bankrolled by the State Government if the Coalition gains power next year.

AT LAST: Victim Edward Cogan poses for a portrait after the national apology to the forgotten Australians and former child migrants who suffered abuse and neglect.

A former Australian teacher will spend Christmas behind bars for having sex with two students.