Event co-organiser Sarah Greenwood-Smith said the festival aimed to showcase local community groups and what the suburb had to offer, while fostering connections and relationships.

“A lot of the groups get involved in one way or another, either having a stall to promote their group or running the sausage sizzle,” Ms Greenwood-Smith said. 

“It’s bringing together all the fantastic volunteers across Brown Hill, giving people a sense of belonging and celebrating our suburb.”

The festival has expanded its program after attracting a crowd of about 600 people last year. 

Fifteen local not-for-profit groups were involved in the initiative, which was awarded Community Event of the Year at the City of Ballarat’s Australia Day awards. 

“We were chuffed to receive that award,” Ms Greenwood-Smith said. 

“There were seven or so other activities across Ballarat we were up against and were great competition.

“So we were very pleased to receive that recognition for our first event and we are hoping to do an even better event this time.”

Entertainment includes performances from students at Brown Hill Kindergarten, Caledonian Primary School and Woodman’s Hill.

Ballarat Highland Dancers, Federation University Pipe Band, and South East Australian Taekwondo will also take the spotlight. 

Activities include face painting, a jumping castle, a nature craft workshop run by Botanikids, the Ballarat CFA fire truck, Girls Guide Ballarat and the My Brown Hill image competition. 

There will be food and drink options, including a sausage sizzle, pancakes and cold drinks for a gold coin donation.

“It’s a nice reason for people to get out on a Friday, feel connected and see we are a vibrant community,” Ms Greenwood-Smith said. 

To stay connected, there is also the online hub at brownhill.vic.au. 

Brown Hill Community Festival takes place on Friday, October 27, from 5pm until 7.30pm at the Brown Hill Recreation Reserve.