But from this financial mess there is perhaps a more indiscriminate and lasting legacy in the form of the reputational damage that is done to an aspiring "creative city".

Other festivals and events have been unfairly tarred with the same brush by simple proxy and the inevitable reluctance for donors to dig into their pockets again.

Council is to be applauded for its increased scrutiny and accountability for all its grants (after all it is dispersing ratepayer money) but even this too must be done with an eye to fostering the best and most sustainable, in the hope of being both a rich and culturally rich city.

Take the Organs of the Goldfields for instance. Unquestionably one of Ballarat's great quiet achievers, it brings celebrated artists and has filled multiple smaller venues for 25 years during its summer sojourn. And this comes almost entirely through the diligent volunteering of a small passionate group of aficionados.

There are many more examples of both established and nascent cultural contributions to this city which one failure has cast under a stark spotlight. All depend on a degree of generosity, all carry some quantity of risk.

But should we lose these things for want of funds, Ballarat would be the poorer and the long shadow of BOAA that much worse.

Enjoy your reading.