These charity events are both well-loved and important to the Ballarat community. Encouraging healthy, family friendly activity. Run Ballarat has raised $920,000 for the Ballarat Base Hospital Children’s Ward over the past four years, while the Cycle Classic has raised $1.6 million in the past decade. Both of these events applied for a council grant to assist with the significant infrastructure costs associated with hosting large events such as these.

Professor George Kannourakis, Director for the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute said “We are disappointed that the Council have chosen not to fund the Cycle Classic. The Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute receives no State or Federal government funding and relies on the generous support of the community to survive. The Ballarat Cycle Classic is our largest community fundraiser and allows for our internationally recognised research into Immunology, Ovarian cancer, Chronic Lymphoid leukemia (CLL) and Histiocytic Diseases to continue here in Ballarat.”

“100% of participant’s registrations for the Cycle Classic and Run Ballarat go to the relevant causes. This is made possible because of our sponsors.” Said Professor Kannourakis

“The cost of putting on these events is expensive. We need financial support and sponsorship to do this because it is important to the community to know that 100% of registrations go to the cause.

There is nothing more important than the health and well-being of our community”

We are heartened by the long-term support that these charity events receive from Ballarat have been encouraged by the comments on social media since the decision.

We ask that the Ballarat community show their support for these events and great causes, by participating, volunteering and sponsoring the event. Let’s make them the largest yet.

Run Ballarat is scheduled Sunday 22 October 2017. Ballarat Cycle Classic will be held on Sunday 18 February 2018.

Professor George Kannourakis, Director, Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Steven Coltman, Co-organiser, Run Ballarat

Even more consultants, architects and town planners reports appear to have been paid for out of our rates. This is an almost annual fee-festival. It's good to have ideas and plans and we are not short of these.

But we need to solve the glaringly obvious missing component in all three of these large plans; the station precinct project, Mair Street plan, and Council 2017 vision; where are the additional multi-storey car parks and the Park-and-Ride bus terminus to service the CBD?  If Ballarat fails to make provision for this and the CBD dies, Lucas and Delacombe town centre take over.

David Chadderton, Wendouree

The Federal Government is supporting current and former members of the Australian Defence Force who may have been physically or sexually abused.The Department of Veterans' Affairs has introduced measures to make it easier for those affected to access compensation and to receive the mental health support they need. 

The Department has broadened the acceptance of statutory declarations as part of compensation claims, making it possible for such declarations to constitute sufficient evidence to establish that abuse took place. This change will benefit those who may not have reported abuse at the time it occurred or who have never previously spoken about it.

A dedicated team has also been established to manage all new claims relating to sexual and physical abuse. Treatment for all mental health conditions is now free for anyone who has served just one day in the full-time ADF. This service is available by phoning 1800 011 046, or via their website: www.vvcs.gov.au. Encourage anyone who may have suffered abuse in the ADF to contact DVA to access the support and benefits the Department provides. 

Dan Tehan, Minister for Veterans' Affairs