The Ballarat Foundation has officially taken over stewardship for what will be known as the Ballarat winter and Christmas appeals.

Radio Ballarat general manager John Fitzgibbon made the announcement public on 3BA on Tuesday morning that, after more than 40 years leading appeal call-outs, new ownership and becoming part of a publicly listed company made for a "quandary" in navigating charity laws going forward.

In a joint announcement with The Ballarat Foundation's chief executive officer Andrew Eales, Mr Fitzgibbon made clear this change still very much had the "whole community appeal" at the heart of the cause.

"The appeals have been something ingrained in 3BA that has been long instilled by Peter Caligari," Mr Fitzgibbon said. "There is some sadness the station will not be involved in the day-to-day operations, but we're proud of the fact we could find a solution that's going to preserve Peter Caligari's legacy."

Mr Caligari has been a key ambassador for the 3BA Christmas Appeal, and the subsequent 3BA Christmas in July Appeal, since the first campaign launched in 1980. The station estimates the beloved appeals director has raised several million dollars in donated goods and cash.

He officially stepped down from running the campaign in April 2018, ending 62 years involvement in the radio industry, but has occasionally since appeared as an ambassador at appeals events.

The major change to Ballarat winter and Christmas appeals comes days out from The Ballarat Foundation's gala fundraising event, Dancing With Our Stars.

Mr Eales said these remained separate campaigns for the foundation but taking on the appeals was an immense responsibility his team took seriously.

"Dancing the past is very much about a long period of fundraising which occurs in support of the broad Ballarat foundation work, so work to support the programs that we operate and our grants program," Mr Eales said. "Whereas, the winter appeal is really focused on delivering short term funds and support to organisations which are carrying out emergency food relief and support order support to the community."

Mr Eales said he admired the appeals' 40-year legacy and fully intended to carry this on with a strong Ballarat community focus. He said shared values with Radio Ballarat would make for a great partnership.

"We would ask people to to understand that we've got the capacity and the capability and the experience to ensure that when they donate to these appeals they can trust that that money is going to be used to support the Ballarat community," Mr Eales said.

"Every dollar raised through the Ballarat winter appeal on the Ballarat Christmas appeal, goes back into the Ballarat community."

Radio Ballarat, which includes PowerFM in its stable, will continue to promote the appeal and drive support for the appeal.

Non-perishable donations, such as foods and blankets, will continue to be collected at the Salvation Army on the corner of Eureka Street and Main Road.

Monetary donations for Ballarat Winter Appeal can be made now at ballaratfoundation.org.au.

Ballarat Winter Appeal is about three weeks behind its traditional launch date.

An early donation of food pallets from Blake Family Grocers from reserve funds via 3BA was made last month in a bid to help boost welfare agencies.

Ballarat Winter Appeal supports frontline work in this city via Anglicare, Uniting Ballarat, the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul.

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