City Partnerships Program will deliver major benefits for Ballarat

Pictured: City of Ballarat Deputy Mayor Cr Ben Taylor with recipients* of the City Partnerships Program.

Through its 2026/27 City Partnerships Program, the City of Ballarat will invest more than $1.4 million in eight local organisations over the next three years to support projects and services that create lasting benefits for the Ballarat community.

City of Ballarat Deputy Mayor, Cr Ben Taylor congratulated the recipients this week, highlighting the program as a strong example of how partnerships can deliver positive outcomes for the community.

“Ballarat is home to many organisations doing valuable work across our community, and the City Partnerships Program helps expand that impact,” he said.

“These partnerships allow us to support initiatives that deliver positive community and economic outcomes for Ballarat, while helping achieve the priorities set out in our Council Plan.”

The program supports well-planned initiatives that deliver meaningful community impact, including multi-year projects, programs and activities. Applications are assessed against criteria including community impact, value for money and contribution to the local economy.

Funding is available for proposals exceeding $20,000 across both community and commercial streams, supporting not-for-profit organisations and businesses to deliver programs or projects that support Ballarat’s growth and development.

Recipients were determined by the City Partnerships Delegated Committee in June following a competitive application process that first commenced in 2025.

The recipients of the 2026/2027 City Partnerships Program are listed below: 

Community funding stream

Ballarat Carols by Candlelight 

• Ballarat Carols by Candlelight 2026, 2027 and 2028 are free, inclusive and accessible festive celebrations for the entire Ballarat community and surrounding regions. 

Ballarat East Neighbourhood House

• A partnership-led program delivering workshops, resources and tailored support to build governance skills, strengthen compliance and support the sustainability of Ballarat’s community groups.

Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute

• The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute Marketing & Community Reach Initiative is a three-year strategic project designed to strengthen community participation, improve discoverability of programs and events, and build sustainable internal marketing capability.

Community Care Centre Ballarat (CCCB)

• Support that enables Community Care Centre Ballarat to store and provide essential household goods to individuals and families in need, helping them create safe and stable homes.

Commercial funding stream

Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society Inc.

• Development of a strategic masterplan to guide the future of the Ballarat Showgrounds & Event Centre at Mount Rowan.

Ballarat Marathon Pty Ltd

• Support the continued development of a multi-day festival of sport, anchored by the Ballarat Marathon running events that showcase Ballarat's iconic landmarks, which engage people across our city and beyond.

Ballarat Performing Arts Community

• Support the adaptive reuse of existing buildings to provide spaces for rehearsal, performance, meetings, administration, workshops, and small events.

Sovereign Hill Museums Association

• The Sustain and Grow Events project underpins Sovereign Hill’s role as a major economic driver for Ballarat by sustaining and expanding a year-round program of high-performing events that attract visitation, extend length of stay and stimulate local spending, while actively engaging the local community.

*Recipients pictured from left: Gary Morgan from Community Care Centre Ballarat, Paula Nicholson from Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute, Carolyn Bennett from  Ballarat Carols by Candlelight, Kerri Gallagher and Belinda Glass from Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society, Kesh Manton from Ballarat Marathon and Beth Lamont from Ballarat Performing Arts Community.