BALLARAT REGIONAL FOOTBALL (SOCCER) FACILITY TENDER PROCESS COMMENCES
3rd June 2010
Ballarat City Council is currently calling for tenders for the design of stage three of the Ballarat Regional Football (Soccer) Facility at Morshead Park.
Businesses have until 12noon on Wednesday 23 June to submit a tender for the project.
The tender is for the project management, architectural and civil design of the future facility.
Stage three of the development will deliver male and female change facilities, spectator covered areas, general purpose function rooms, one synthetic pitch and improvements to three grass pitches.
City of Ballarat Councillor Ben Taylor said Council was delighted to be moving to the third and most significant phase of the Ballarat Regional Football (Soccer) Facility.
"Council is committed to delivering this facility, which is set to become one of the city's major sporting precincts and the home of soccer in Ballarat.
"As our local soccer community continues to grow the redevelopment will ensure we have premier training and match facilities and the capacity to host major sporting events."
The final design concept is expected to be complete by October 2010.
Tender information is available at www.tenderlink.com.au
ART GALLERY OF BALLARAT UPGRADE
3rd June 2010
Concept designs for a new alfresco style extension to the Art Gallery of Ballarat Function Hall are currently being developed.
The extension is one of four elements of the Gallery upgrade project.
The Gallery façade restoration was completed in August last year, amenity improvements (lighting, heating and cooling) have been made, the shop has been reconfigured and relocated and the new café will open shortly.
The upgrade was made possible thanks to $990,000 from the State Government's Regional Infrastructure Development Fund, received in June 2009. Council also committed $860,000 towards the project.
Portfolio Councillor for the Art Gallery of Ballarat Mark Harris said the extension to the Function Hall would be a welcome addition to the Gallery.
"With visitor numbers to the Gallery increasing, the current function hall space has proved to be quite limiting. The expansion to the function area will not only increase the Gallery's capacity to host larger events but will also improve the visitor experience.
"The extension will enhance Alfred Deakin Place and increase the Gallery's capacity to host a wide range of events and activities."
Following a competitive tender process Searle and Waldron Architecture was appointed to design the new function space. Once complete the designs will go through the planning approval process.
The extension is expected to be completed in late 2010.
The expansion of the function hall will extend out onto the existing Federation Plaza area with a permanent, secure 'marquee - alfresco' style structure. Design features will include glass concertina doors on the south side allowing access to Alfred Deakin Place and glass windows facing onto Huyghue House.
The additional space will be environmentally friendly and the design will ensure efficiency in its connection to the main building.
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY CELEBRATIONS
3rd June 2010
Bring the family and celebrate World Environment Day at Gong Gong Reservoir on Saturday 5 June.
The theme of World Environment Day 2010 is 'Many Species. One Planet. One Future'. Millions of people and millions of species all share the same planet, and together can we enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.
The City of Ballarat together with Central Highlands Water and local environmental groups, is inviting families to get involved in a free day of activities and walks to learn more about waterways, wildlife and sustainable living.
All events will be held near the barbecue area at Gong Gong Reservoir Park, Ballarat-Daylesford Road, Brown Hill. It is recommended that participants wear good walking footwear, warm clothing and a coat for all of the day's activities.
The World Environment Day 2010 program includes:
- Habitat and Water Trail Walk and Native Habitat Nest Box building, 11am - 12.30pm
Central Highlands Water will lead a short walk of the Gong Gong Catchment and provide an opportunity for children to build native habitat nest boxes. This is a popular hands-on activity so book early as numbers are strictly limited to just four or five families.
- Celebrating the Yarrowee Trail - Ballarat Environment Network (BEN), 11am and 2pm
Join the Ballarat Environment Network on a short guided walk of the Yarrowee Trail. Hear about the wildlife and water values of the Yarrowee, and the community journey taken to create the trail that exists today.
- Free family Local Food barbecue, 12.30 - 1.15pm
Ballarat's local environmental group BREAZE will host a free barbecue showcasing local foods. A variety of people will be on hand to provide information and advice on slow food, permaculture, and the Harnessing Ballarat's Stormwater Project.
- Waterwatch, Wetlands and Water Bug identification, 1.15pm
Children can participate in a hands-on interactive water program that investigates the mini-beasts or macro-invertebrates that live in our rivers, and how these creatures tell us how healthy our environment is.
- Koala Habitat Walk, 1.15pm
Find out how Ballarat's Koala Plan of Management is progressing. Explore the connection between koalas and their habitat in the landscape - and where you fit in to the koala's story.
For further information or to book contact Council on 5320 5131.
A WHIMSICAL TAKE ON BALLARAT
4th June 2010
Photo opportunity:
Who: U3A Ballarat Creative Writers
What: Launch of the U3A Ballarat Creative Writers anthology, "Whimsical Ballarat"
Where: G Place (Old Golden Point School), English Street
When: Sunday, 6 June at 2pm
The University of the Third Age (U3A) Ballarat Creative Writers are delighted to launch their new anthology, "Whimsical Ballarat" on Sunday, 6 June.
"Whimsical Ballarat" is a collection of creative fiction in poetry and prose, with each story exploring a piece of the city. The U3A Ballarat Creative Writers are a dedicated local group of writers aged 65 to 80 years.
The U3A Ballarat Creative Writers were the recipient of $1,808 in Round Two of City of Ballarat's 2009 Community Development Grants. The grant directly funded the publication of "Whimsical Ballarat."
All are welcome to the U3A Ballarat Creative Writers "Whimsical Ballart" launch event and refreshments are provided.
In 2009, City of Ballarat's Community Development Grant Program delivered $100,000 to 48 local organisations for specified community projects.
The Community Development Grant Program offers grants that enable people within the community to develop projects that impact on the overall quality of life of Ballarat residents. The grant program encourages organisations to build community relations, create connections and improve health and wellbeing opportunities in Ballarat.
For information about "Whimsical Ballarat" or University of the Third Age, contact Margaret at banadell@optusnet.com.au
BALLARAT TOWN HALL - RESTORATION OF ESTERNAL FABRICS
4th June 2010
The restoration work on the external fabrics of the Town Hall is now moving into the third and final stage.
Works have been completed on the Armstrong Street and Town Hall Lane facades and the more complex work on the Sturt Street façade is now in progress.
Scaffolding currently extends across the full façade of Sturt Street and a blue fabric covers the scaffolding to protect the worksite. In behind the fabric, specialist trades people are repairing, and replacing 140 year old renders and sandstones.
The existing scaffolding immediately below the clock tower has been temporarily removed to allow the installation of a new light-weight scaffolding which will extend to the 'crows nest' at the top of the clock tower.
Ballarat City Council's Acting Director of Infrastructure, Ian Rossiter says the work has been a priority for Council as it continues its program of renewing key city assets.
"Council knows the importance of ensuring that key city buildings for which it has custodianship are kept in an operable condition. The restoration works at the Town Hall build on other works in recent years that Council has carried out at the Art Gallery of Ballarat and the Mining Exchange", Mr Rossiter said.
Ballarat City Councillor Samantha McIntosh said it was fitting that the Ballarat Town Hall, one of Ballarat's oldest and most magnificent public facilities should be restored.
"From the street level the Town Hall seemed to be in extremely good condition, but the years have taken their toll and much of the fine detail of the building's decoration had been diminished by time. Once the work is complete the façade of the building will be as glorious as it was a century ago", Cr McIntosh said
"It is also extremely pleasing that we have been able to use local contractors on the project".
To the untrained eye the facades of the Town Hall may appear to incorporate large areas of sandstone. In actual fact the external surfaces are mostly cement render over brick, and the only sandstone is a relatively small but very ornate area, approximately five metres wide, extending from the top of the front doors to approximately three metres above the top of the first floor window. The other main building material on the façade is bluestone which has some extremely interesting and ornate detail at ground floor level and requires minimal restoration work.
The stone masons are restoring, or removing and replacing, the eroded areas of sandstone. Much of the replacement sandstone requires carving and cutting to match existing detailed cornices and mouldings on the building.
Three different types of stone mason skills are employed on working the sandstone. These are stone carving masons, banker masons who cut the sandstone blocks and the fixing masons who specialise in pinning and jointing the new stone onto the façade of the building.
The original sandstone on the Town Hall came from Kangaroo Point in Tasmania but this source is now under the buildings of Hobart and no longer accessible This particular sandstone was renowned for its colour uniformity, lack of colour 'banding' and its ability to endure weathering.
The heritage architects for the restoration project identified a sandstone from a quarry in the Udelfanger region of Germany, as the only suitable match in terms of colour and durability. The selection has been critical to ensure that the replacement stone achieves the correct level of colour match and durability.
Renderers, skilled in the restoration of old rendered surfaces, have a major role in the project. Many of the cornices and mouldings have suffered from 140 years of weathering and the renders are replacing or restoring many components. The final surfacing is called a cement based 'wash coat' carefully formulated to match the original render colour. By early June, the part completed work, and the clock tower, will disappear behind scaffolding for the final phase of the restoration work, which is expected to be completed during October this year.
All the cement rendered surfaces of the clock tower will be cleaned and restored along with repairs to the four clock faces.
The wrought iron 'crows nest' will be dismantled and taken down the scaffolding piece by piece and be transported to a local wrought iron fabricator for restoration.
All of the work is required to comply with the detailed specifications and drawings for the project, which were prepared by heritage architects, and approved by Heritage Victoria.
The hoardings at footpath level have information panels and photographs installed to provide the public with details of the project and also the history of the Town Hall which has heritage significance at both state and national levels.
BUY LOCAL BUY BALLARAT CAMPAIGN
9th June 2010
Council has launched the Buy Local Buy Ballarat campaign to encourage businesses - where possible and practicable - to source goods and services locally.
Launching the campaign, Ballarat Mayor, Cr Judy Verlin said a recent Gap Analysis commissioned by the City of Ballarat had returned some alarming figures.
"The Gap Analysis shows an estimated $3.22 billion dollars is lost to the Ballarat economy in 'leakage' each year. As a community we should all be concerned about this trend to spend outside our city.
"Of this $1.302 billion is lost overseas due mainly to cost competitiveness considerations, while a further $1.916 billion worth of goods and services are sourced within Australia, but not from local suppliers," Cr Verlin said.
"The Buy Local Buy Ballarat Campaign is designed to encourage businesses to take some time to look at where they are purchasing - and to urge them to source goods and services locally where possible."
The analysis shows that the retail and manufacturing sectors are the most likely to source goods and services outside of Ballarat, but within Australia.
"Of particular concern is the level of external spending by all sectors of the economy on legal, accounting, marketing and business management services. This 'leakage' expenditure amounts to $93 million dollars lost annually to the local economy or the equivalent of approximately 250 new jobs.
"If we all aim to buy locally, to support other local businesses, both our local economy and our sense of community will be strengthened," Cr Verlin said.
Council encourages Ballarat businesses to register with the free Regional Industry Link (RIL) program.
RIL is a State Government initiative that provides businesses with free access to a website that provides automatic notification and up-to-date information on projects requiring their particular capability.
The RIL website will also assist businesses to buy locally.
Businesses are encouraged to register at www.regionalindustrylink.com.au and to have another look at their own procurement practices.
Cr Verlin said Council had led the way with the development of the Ballarat Industry Participation Program (BIPP).
"BIPP is designed to maximise the level of local business involvement in all Council tenders and projects. Since its inception, $8.1 million from a possible $9.6 million worth of Council contracts has been awarded to Ballarat businesses, maximising the local impact of Council expenditure", Cr Verlin said.
600 NEW JOBS FOR BALLARAT
21st June 2010
Six hundred new jobs will bolster Ballarat’s economy, thanks to a successful partnership between the City of Ballarat and the State Government to attract the Australian operations of a major international company.
Business services company Vertex will establish its first major Australian operation at Ballarat, creating 600 new jobs. The new facility will be open for business in September, 2010.
Mayor of Ballarat Cr Judy Verlin says Ballarat City Council has been working closely with Vertex Australia and is delighted to welcome the internationally-renowned company to the city.
“This major investment is life-changing for hundreds of regional families who will gain quality mid-range jobs. It represents a strong, long-term commitment to Ballarat by a leading international company.”
Ballarat City Council and the Victorian State Government made a joint investment to secure Vertex Australia’s commitment to its significant Ballarat operation.
“Council has a strong partnership with the State Government. We have detailed, strategic plans for Ballarat’s future growth and we understand that attracting government support helps us make that vision a successful reality. Today’s announcement is a fine example of that collaborative work.”
Vertex Australia will provide an extensive training program for new employees. Mayor Verlin says such local training opportunities will allow those experienced in a variety of different sectors to re-train with new skills for employment at Vertex Australia.
“Ballarat was not immune to the effects of the global economic downturn but Ballarat is a resilient community and Council has worked hard to secure 600 new jobs in our city. Vertex Australia offers stable, quality employment for job seekers of all abilities.”
Mayor Verlin says the new jobs are driver sector positions that will create additional local employment in other sectors and pump more money back into the local economy.
“The economic benefit of Vertex Australia coming to Ballarat is significant. This investment will inject big money into our economy with local retail, businesses and services set to benefit enormously from the increased spend that 600 new jobs brings to Ballarat.”
Today’s announcement is the culmination of many months of planning and consultation between Ballarat City Council, Vertex Australia and the State Government. A team from the City of Ballarat Economic Development Unit worked closely with Vertex Australia management for six months, helping to ensure the company’s new Australian operation came to Ballarat.
“Local government plays a very important role in developing and supporting local economic development. We are committed to attracting new businesses to our city as well as consolidating and strengthening existing businesses and services,” said Mayor Verlin.
“Ballarat City Council has created an optimum environment for business in our city. We are putting Ballarat in the forefront of the business community and letting them know that Ballarat is ‘open for business.’
“It’s not luck that attracted Vertex Australia to our city – it’s a direct reflection of our whole of Council commitment.”
Ballarat’s ICT sector is one of the Victoria’s strongest and is positioned for future growth. It has been identified as an emerging, high growth sector with the potential to drive economic activity growth in the future.
“The new Vertex Australia operation will directly enhance the city’s Business Services and Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) sectors,” said Mayor Verlin.
“The City of Ballarat’s Economic Strategy 2010-2014 clearly identifies a target of increasing the ICT sector by 1,100 jobs over the next 20 years. The Vertex Australia operation will meet 55 percent of the target within the first two months of the strategy being in place.”
The recently-adopted strategy delivers a detailed analysis of Ballarat’s current economic environment and identifies seven key growth sectors that will be the focus of economic development activities.
“The Economic Strategy is an evidence–based snapshot of Ballarat’s economy and Council’s clear understanding of the local economic climate gave Vertex Australia the confidence to invest in Ballarat,” said Mayor Verlin.
Vertex Australia will supply leading blue-chip companies with ICT and business services at its new Ballarat operation. The company’s Australian head office is in Melbourne. Internationally, Vertex has a workforce of more than 8000 people across 70 locations in the UK, US and India.
Vertex is a provider of business process outsourcing and technology services and is one of the UK’s major customer service suppliers. Key services provided by Vertex include IT Applications and Services, Business Process Outsourcing, Customer Management Outsourcing, Collections, Consulting and Decision Sciences.
MAJOR JOB BOOST FOR BALLARAT AND REGIONAL VICTORIA
21st June 2010
Leading UK company Vertex will establish its first major Australian operations in Ballarat, creating 600 new jobs over the next two years.
It is expected that these jobs will drive further job growth in other sectors right across the region.
This major announcement represents an important partnership between the City of Ballarat and the State Government to attract quality jobs and drive economic growth across a key region of Victoria, and follows the release of the State Government’s Ready for Tomorrow – A blueprint for regional and rural Victoria document.
Ballarat Mayor Cr Judy Verlin said the Vertex Australia announcement was vindication of Council’s focus on being ready for growth.
“As a key regional centre Ballarat is growth ready, with the strategic planning, infrastructure and skilled workforce in place to meet the needs of a major international company such as Vertex.
“The City of Ballarat plays a vital role in facilitating, influencing and nurturing economic development, not just in Ballarat, but right across Western Victoria.
“This announcement is proof positive that regional Victoria can attract the types of quality jobs that will help underpin projected population growth and provide a true lifestyle alternative for people looking to move to regional and rural Victoria.
“The decision by Vertex Australia to set up operations here in Ballarat supports all of our hard work and dedication to growing the Ballarat economy and creating jobs for our residents now and into the future.
“These are good quality, key driver jobs, driving further job creation not just in the ICT sector, but also through the flow on effects to other industries such as education, housing and retail.
“This announcement sends a clear message to other companies and investors out there that Ballarat, and the region, is open for business.”
Ballarat is a thriving regional city with a population of around 90,000. As one of the nation’s fastest growing inland cities, Ballarat’s population is planned to surge over the next 25 years. Located only 60 minutes drive from the outskirts of Melbourne, the city offers a range of lifestyle attractions and services that you would expect to find in a capital city, including first class education and health facilities, affordable housing, a premier art gallery and theatre and a thriving tourism industry.
The City of Ballarat Economic Strategy sets out a 20-year vision for the Ballarat economy and identifies seven key growth sectors that will be the focus of economic development activities moving forward, one of which is Information, Communications and Technology (ICT). Ballarat has a competitive advantage in this area and is well positioned for future growth.
The investment by Vertex Australia to set up operations in Ballarat further demonstrates its position as a centre for ICT, not only in Victoria, but also Australia and beyond.
Vertex is one of the UK’s major customer management service suppliers. At its Ballarat operation, Vertex Australia will supply blue-chip companies with ICT and business services.
With approximately 8000 employees, across 70 locations in the UK, North America and India, Vertex will be a major addition Ballarat’s ICT industry.
Vertex Australia has its head office in Melbourne.
The Victorian Government regional blueprint document Ready for Tomorrow is designed to drive economic development growth in regional and rural Victoria by attracting jobs and population growth, major new investment and more opportunities for young people to keep them living and working locally. Ballarat, as a leading regional city, is a key driver of this new regional approach.
BALLARAT'S CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS TO BE MADE MORE ACCESSIBLE
21st June 2010
Photo opportunity:
Who: Councillor Samantha McIntosh
What: Showcase of City of Ballarat’s cultural and historical collections
When: Today, Friday 18 June 2010 at 12noon
Where: Ballarat Town Hall, Committee Room Two
Ballarat City Council will embark upon a strategy to enhance its significant collection of cultural and historical assets and make them more accessible.
Council currently boasts a robust collection of cultural and historical assets and has the potential, in partnership with various external organisations, to boast a world class historical collection.
Council, working in partnership with Public Records Office Victoria, will establish a working group to determine an appropriate model to manage the city’s cultural and historical assets and seek funding for a purpose-built regional archive and collections centre.
The purpose built centre would centralise Ballarat’s cultural and historical collections which are currently housed at a number of locations across the city and would address the current issue of limited storage space. The centre would also house State records and have the capacity to provide additional storage for the Art Gallery of Ballarat.
Council will also explore the possibility of having a central location for the community and visitors to access items from the State records office and the City of Ballarat collection.
City of Ballarat Councillor Samantha McIntosh said access to Council’s extensive collection was essential in order to promote the city as a leader in area of cultural and historical tourism
“By making our collections and historical records more accessible there will be a number of positive social and cultural effects for the community and visitors to our city.
“We know that from a tourism perspective, interest in cultural and heritage activities is expected to increase considerably in the future. There is already a growing interest in the area of genealogy, which is of great importance to our city, in that one in five Australians can trace their family history back to the Ballarat goldfields.
“This process is all about making our history more relevant and accessible so that people can discover some of the hidden stories and treasures the City of Ballarat is so fortunate have in its collection.”
The City of Ballarat’s cultural and historical collection is made up of a number of items such as paper based records, furniture, artworks, books, photographs, maps, plans, costumes, war trophies and statues.
ST NICHOLAS CHURCH EXTERIOR TO RECEIVE A FACELIFT
21st June 2010
Photo opportunity
What: St Nicholas Church restoration project open day
When: Tomorrow, Saturday 19 June 2010 at 10am
Where: 116 Humffray Street North
The brick exterior of one of Ballarat’s historic churches will receive a facelift thanks to a partnership between Heritage Victoria, the Greek community, Ballarat City Council and the University of Ballarat.
The Greek Orthodox Community of Ballarat and District has received $15,000 in matched funding from Heritage Victoria towards the restoration of the exterior brickwork of St Nicholas Church. The University of Ballarat’s Building Construction Training Centre is involved in the project and Council is providing heritage advice and support.
The building’s brick exterior is a prime example of previous incorrect masonry repairs and deterioration that occurs in similar brick buildings of this age. The restoration project will involve the removal of incorrect and damaging cement mortar and the use of traditional lime mortar as well as the removal and replacement of over 400 bricks.
An open day will be held tomorrow, Saturday 19 June from 10am for interested members of the community to learn more about the lime mortar techniques that will be used in the restoration project.
City of Ballarat Councillor Samantha McIntosh said the project was a practical example of Council’s recently adopted Preserving our Heritage Strategy.
“The restoration project is a great example of what can be achieved through a partnership approach.
“The conservation works will be documented to highlight common problems to masonry buildings of this era as a reference and a model for the care and maintenance of similar brick buildings in the Ballarat area.”
Greek Community President Andrew Grinos said the building was of great significance.
“The partnership that has been developed between the University of Ballarat and City of Ballarat means that this project can be used as a learning tool on how to restore historic buildings using traditional techniques.
The project will be undertaken by local heritage restoration bricklayer Paul Britt in conjunction with the University of Ballarat Building Construction Training Centre, keeping the economic benefit derived from the project within the regional community while at the same time further developing the skill base of local tradespeople.
Located at 116 Humffray Street North the church was built in 1867 by carpenter S.H. Lugg and started its life as the Brown Hill Bible Christian Church. It then became the Brown Hill Methodist Church until it was purchased by Ballarat’s Greek Community in 1975.
'EAGLE'S CRAG' RESTORED THANKS TO ADOPT AN ARTWORK PROGRAM
23rd June 2010
Photo opportunity:
What: 19th century painting ‘Eagle’s Crag’ to be rehung at Art Gallery of Ballarat after restoration funded by local resident Maria Ridsdale through the Adopt and Artwork program.
When: Today, Wednesday 23 June, 11am
Where: Art Gallery of Ballarat, 40 Lydiard Street North
Who: Art Gallery of Ballarat Director Gordon Morrison, Ballarat resident Maria Ridsdale
A significant 19th century painting titled ‘Eagle’s Crag’ has been diligently restored and will be rehung at the Art Gallery of Ballarat thanks to the generosity of Ballarat resident Maria Ridsdale and the Gallery’s Adopt an Artwork program.
Mrs Ridsdale’s contribution to the initiative has enabled a number of works to be restored to their original splendour; though the refurbishment of ‘Eagle’s Crag’ is the largest and most significant piece to be restored.
The painting will be showcased in the Art Gallery of Ballarat’s Oddie Gallery, which houses many of the Gallery’s first purchases.
Lead Councillor for the Art Gallery of Ballarat Mark Harris was thrilled that ‘Eagle’s Crag’ would finally be redisplayed.
“After almost four months of conservation, it will be fantastic to see ‘Eagle’s Crag’ back on display in the Gallery. Having been purchased with the proceeds of a Mayoress’s ball in the 1890s, this painting is a rare example of a Municipal gift.
“I thank Mrs Ridsdale for her generous contribution which has allowed ‘Eagle’s Crag’ to be redisplayed after having been removed from the Gallery in 2007. I encourage the community to visit the Gallery to see this wonderful work of art back on display.”
Through the Adopt an Artwork program local businesses, families and individuals have donated almost $150,000. Launched in March last year, the program was introduced to restore and conserve the Gallery’s extensive collection.
The Gallery owns a number of works that are currently unsuitable for exhibition. This is primarily due to damage, deterioration, or the need for new or more appropriate frames. These works remain in storage and cannot be displayed publically and enjoyed by visitors to the Gallery or included in touring exhibitions.
Artworks can be adopted by individuals, corporations, philanthropic trusts and foundations, and also by groups of individuals contributing towards a group adoption.
Anyone interested in adopting an artwork can explore the works in need of conservation on the Gallery Foundation’s webpage www.bfagfoundation.org.au
Gallery staff can show interested donors the work and discuss its conservation needs. Donations are tax deductible.
MAYOR FAREWELLS LOCAL SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN
30th June 2010
Mayor Cr Judy Verlin is the Principal Official Guest at a Farewell Parade for servicemen and women of the 8th/7th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment, at RAAF Williams in Laverton, tomorrow, Thursday, 1 July.
The 8th/7th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment is a Victorian regional unit with its headquarters in Ballarat.
Mayor Verlin will address the servicemen and women of Operation ANODE (OP ANODE) Rotation 22 at the official Farewell Parade.
OP ANODE is the name of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution to the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).
OP ANODE Rotation 22 is a Combined Task Force (CTF) known as CTF 635-22 drawn from Army Reserve units across the 2nd Division but primarily the 4th Brigade. The CTF is primarily manned and staffed by officers and soldiers of the 8th/7th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment.
“It is an honour to personally farewell the Ballarat servicemen and women of the 8th/7th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment, as they embark upon overseas service in the Solomon Islands. The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands is a valuable long-term regional partnership project that is making a very real difference to the lives of the people of the Solomon Islands,” said Mayor Cr Verlin.
“Ballarat is a city with a long, proud history of military service in Australia and abroad. City of Ballarat is proud to share a close association with the 8th/7th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment, headquartered here in the city, and we wish the dedicated servicemen and women a safe and rewarding tour of service.”
There are a number of other contributing units with headquarters all over Australia including Sydney, Townsville, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart; and Metropolitan and Regional Victoria.
Members of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force are also attached to the CTF and will be present on Parade.
The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) is a partnership between the Government and people of Solomon Islands and the contributing countries of the Pacific region.
RAMSI was deployed on 24 July 2003, with a mandate unanimously approved by the Solomon Islands National Parliament, to help the Solomon Islands Government restore law and order, strengthen government institutions, reduce corruption and re-invigorate the economy.