DEPARTMENT of RURAL HEALTH Living and Working in Ballarat

DEPARTMENT OF RURAL HEALTH

Living and Working in Ballarat, Victoria INFORMATION PACK

CONTENTS.

LIVING IN BALLARAT 3

Attractions, Culture and climate 3

Getting around Ballarat 5

Local Facilities 6

Eating out 7

UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE 8

Rural Clinical School 8

Creswick Campus 8

Going Rural Health student support team 9

Accommodation 10

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BALLARAT 11

This information booklet has been developed to provide you with relevant information about your living and working arrangements within Ballarat Australia. We acknowledge that re‐locating to a new region is a daunting yet exciting experience, and there are many logistical aspects to consider. Therefore the ‘Going Rural Health’ team wish to make this transition as easy for you as possible. Please consider the information in this booklet as a general guide to living and working in Ballarat, Victoria. Our information booklet contains general information and is to be used as a guide only.

This activity has been supported by the Australian Government Department of Health through the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training Program programme. The Department of Rural Health takes no responsibility or liability of the accuracy of the information provided in this document or information provided on the listed websites. This booklet does not endorse the products/services listed throughout.

LIVING IN BALLARAT

Ballarat is located in the Grampians region, just over 100 km west of Melbourne. It is home to approximately 100,000 people, with 1‐2% of the total population being of Indigenous origin.

The Ballarat region has a rich history thanks to the Gold Rush which began in 1851. Many impressive buildings were financed from the wealth generated by the diggings. Many of these buildings remain today, and tourist attractions celebrate the city’s history. Many areas and buildings are also heritage listed.

Ballarat is one of Australia’s fastest growing cities. Its largest industry by employment is health care and social assistance, though retail and industries related to tourism are also prevalent. Ballarat has a thriving restaurant scene, ranging from fine dining to cafes. Many wine regions are also close by.

The median age of residents is ~35 years old, as many families have found the lifestyle and affordability of housing better than metropolitan Melbourne, while still within easy commuting distance to the capital.

ATTRACTIONS, CULTURE AND CLIMATE:

Ballarat is renowned for its Botanical Gardens, and the adjacent 200 hectare man‐made Lake Wendouree, a couple of kilometres west of the city centre. The lake hosted rowing events in the 1956 Olympic Games, and its rowing course is still used today. The gardens feature the Prime Ministers Avenue, historic statues, a conservatory with seasonal displays of begonias and other plants and flowers, flower display beds and many mature trees.

Revisit Ballarat’s fold mining days at Sovereign Hill, where a gold township of the 1850s has been re‐ created. The Museum of Australian Democracy is situated close to the site of the 1854 Eureka Stockade, and houses the original Southern Cross flag. Kryal Castle at Warrenheip is a medieval adventure park and resort where you can stay the night, and it also houses weddings and events.

Other notable attractions include: the Ballarat Aviation Museum, Ballarat Bird World, Ballarat Wildlife Park, Ballarat Vintage Tramway and Museum, and Ballarat Observatory & Museum. Ranging a little further afield you can visit the historic townships of Creswick, Clunes & Buninyong.

Ballarat has a thriving arts, tourism and cultural scene. The Art Gallery of Ballarat is Australia’s oldest and largest regional gallery, with a comprehensive collection of Australian art. Her Majesty’s Theatre hosts many diverse performances. The city hosts various festivals throughout the year, such as the Begonia Festival, Heritage Weekend, the Rockabilly Festival, and cabaret performances.

The Ballarat region has a temperate climate. Summers are hot but not always dry, and the temperature tends to drop at night. Spring and autumn are typically cool and wet. Winter mornings are cold and often frosty, and occasional light snowfalls can occur.

Season Average maximum Average minimum Summer (December to February) 24.5 C 10.4 C Autumn (March to May) 18.1 C 7.5 C Winter (June to August) 11.0 C 3.5 C Spring (September to November) 17.5 C 6.2 C

Various sport and recreation centres exist across the region, including the Ballarat Aquatic Centre; Ballarat, Midlands and Buninyong golf clubs; Gold Rush Golf, Redline Speedway, ten‐pin bowling lanes, and indoor go‐carts. Heritage tours, Ghost tours and Gold & Relics tours also run on a regular basis. See www.travelvictoria.com.au/ballarat/ or www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attractions‐g255346‐ Activities‐Ballarat_Victoria.html for more details on attractions & recreation in Ballarat.

GETTING AROUND BALLARAT:

Public Transport.

Buses and taxis operate a regular service throughout Ballarat, and also travel to Creswick. Local bus timetables are available from the Ballarat Information Centre or via the Public Transport Victoria website https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/timetables (under Regional), while Ballarat Taxis can be booked by calling 131 008.

V‐Line trains and buses run numerous times a day from Southern Cross Train Station in Melbourne to Ballarat. There is also an infrequent service to Creswick station (on the Maryborough line) from Ballarat. For travel information and an up to date timetable, please visit the V‐Line website (https://www.vline.com.au/) or phone 136 196. If traveling to and from Melbourne Airport, Airport Direct have a regional bus service that connects with coach and train timetables in Ballarat – please visit http://www.airportdirect.com.au/ for more information.

Myki is your ticket to travel on trains and buses in the Ballarat region. For more information on the myki card, please visit: https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki

Cycling.

Cycling is very popular in the Ballarat area, and is an excellent way to get around. Bike lanes are often available.

Driving Yourself.

Ballarat is situated at the intersection of many highways. Take the M8 to Melbourne to the east, or NW to the Grampians, Ararat, Stawell and Horsham. The A300 also passes through Ballarat – take it south to go to Geelong, and north to Daylesford, Castlemaine and ultimately Bendigo. SW is the B160 to Dunkeld, Hamilton and Portland, or turn off the B160 to go to Warrnambool via the C171. NNW is the B220 to Avoca, St Arnaud and ultimately Mildura, and north to Maryborough via the C287.

From / to: Bendigo Geelong Melbourne Warrnambool Mildura

Ballarat 121 87 113 176 447

(www.travelvictoria.com.au/victoria/distances/)

Further information on transport within and to/from Ballarat can be found at: www.travelvictoria.com.au/ballarat/transport/

For up to date emergency information and warnings for weather and bushfires, please see the VicEmergency website (www.emergency.vic.gov.au), or the VicEmergency app.

LOCAL FACILITIES:

Shopping:

 Regional markets: www.visitballarat.com.au/events/markets  Supermarkets: Ballarat ‐ www.travelvictoria.com.au/ballarat/supermarkets/, Creswick ‐ www.travelvictoria.com.au/creswick/supermarkets/  Shopping centres: www.travelvictoria.com.au/ballarat/shopping/ ; & Sturt Street precinct

Entertainment:

 Regent Cinemas: www.regententertainment.com.au/Page/Home  Mini‐golf: Ballarat Mini Golf, 263 Scott Pde Ballarat ph: 53348150 or Gold Rush Indoor & Outdoor Mini Golf, 4/9367 Western Highway, Warrenheip, ph: 53348150  Ten‐pin Bowling: Oz Tenpin Ballarat, 901 Doveton St North, Ballarat North, ph: 53315610

Medical facilities:

 Medical Centres Greater Ballarat – see www.yellowpages.com.au/find/medical‐ centres/greater‐ballarat‐vic  Ballarat Health Services – 1 Drummond Street North, Ballarat Central, ph: 53204000. 24 hour emergency department on site.  St John of God Hospital – 101 Drummond Street North, Ballarat Central, ph: 53202111. 24 hour emergency department on site.  Creswick Hospital & Community Health Centre, 1 Napier Street, Creswick, ph: 53459100

Health / leisure:

 Ballarat Aquatic Centre www.ballarataquaticcentre.com/health/group‐fitness.aspx  Federation University Uni Sports ‐ www.federation.edu.au/about‐us/facilities‐and‐ services/campus‐life/unisports  Fernwood Gym Ballarat ‐ www.fernwoodfitness.com.au/clubs/vic/ballarat/  Curves Ballarat – multiple sites, see www.curves.com.au/find‐a‐club using postcode 3350 (Ballarat)

Banks:

See the links below for bank locations, opening hours and ATMs. The postcode for Ballarat is 3350; Creswick is 3363.

 NAB ‐ see www.nab.com.au/locations for nab, and rediATM  Westpac ‐ see www.westpac.com.au/locateus/#/  ANZ – see www.locate.anz.com/anz/australia/  Bendigo Bank – see www.bankofmelbourne.com.au/locator#/  Commonwealth Bank – see www.commbank.com.au/digital/locate‐us/  Bank Australia – see www.bankaust.com.au/tools/find‐us/  Rabobank – see www.rabobank.com.au/branch/

Child care facilities:

Visit www.careforkids.com.au/child‐care‐centre/vic/ballarat‐western and enter 3350 postcode for Ballarat, or 3363 for Creswick.

EATING OUT IN BALLARAT:

Ballarat has a large range of places to dine out, catering for a variety of cuisines, diets and budgets. Some of the more popular facilities are listed below, including their price range.

Cafes:

 Cafe Lekker, 11 Doveton Street North, Ballarat. Ph: 5332 8141 $$‐$$$  Ballaarat Yacht Club, Wendouree Parade, Ballarat. Ph: 5331 2208 $$‐$$$  Webster’s Market, 61 Webster Street, Ballarat. Ph: 5331 2498 $$‐$$$  Turret Cafe & Catering, 802 Sturt Street, Ballarat. Ph: 5334 4744 $$‐$$$

Pubs & Wine Bars:

 Mitchell Harris Wine Bar, 38 Doveton Street North, Ballarat. Ph: 5331 8931 $$‐$$$  North Britain Hotel, 502 Doveton Street, Ballarat. Ph: 5331 1291 $$‐$$$  The Lake View Hotel, 22 Wendouree Parade, Ballarat. Ph: 5331 4592 $$‐$$$  Hop Temple, 24‐28 Armstrong Street North, Ballarat. Ph: 5317 7158 $$‐$$$

Restaurants:

 Meigas (Spanish), 33 Armstrong Street North, Ballarat. Ph: 5331 9444 $$‐$$$  The Forge Pizzeria, 14 Armstrong Street North, Ballarat. Ph: 5337 6635 $$‐$$$  Japanese Restaurant Kambei, Shop 1 501 Main Road, Ballarat. Ph: 5331 1468 $$‐$$$  Brown Grain Thai Restaurant, 212 Sturt Street, Ballart. Ph: 5340 0517 $$‐$$$

Only a small number of the many restaurants in the area are listed. Find more on Trip advisor at: www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurants‐g255346‐Ballarat_Victoria.html

UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE – Department of Rural Health

BALLARAT CAMPUS (DUNVEGAN HOUSE)

The Ballarat Rural Clinical School for medical students has been in operation in Ballarat since July 2002. Academic ‘Going Rural Health’ staff have been on site since October 2016, to support nursing and allied health students. Melbourne University has many subsidised accommodation options for clinical placement students in the Ballarat area, including at the Creswick campus.

CRESWICK CAMPUS

The University of Melbourne established its School of Forestry and Ecosystem Science in Creswick, 20 minutes from Ballarat in 1910. The campus adjoins a 610 hectare demonstration forest, and has easy access to a diverse range of other forests. There are a range of accommodation options on campus, which are available to clinical placement students.

See www.ecosystemforest.unimelb.edu.au/about/creswick for more details.

GOING RURAL HEALTH STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM:

‘Going Rural Health’ is a Commonwealth funded initiative run by the University Department of Rural Health (UDRH), as part of the University of Melbourne. Our programs have been developed to support Nursing and Allied Health students undertaking placements in a rural setting throughout the broader Shepparton, Wangaratta, and Ballarat regions. Our team actively works with health services and education providers, along with students directly to assist and improve the learning and experiences that students gain during their rural clinical placements. All of our programs and initiatives are targeted towards developing our future rural health workforce.

Some of the ways we are assist are: ‐ Accommodation ‐ Promote other local accommodation options for students ‐ Clinical supervisor support & training ‐ Work with local organisations to develop pathways in the health workforce ‐ Financial assistance through student support schemes ‐ Training in Cultural Competency in Aboriginal Health ‐ Online Introduction to Rural Health Training

Team Members: Shepparton Campus:

 Keryn Bolte (Student Placement Manager)  Renee McCance (Education Support Co‐ordinator)  Cath Cosgrave (Research Fellow – Nursing and Allied Health Rural Workforce)  Ash Sloan (Community Placement Co‐ordinator)

Wangaratta Campus:

 Kirrian Steer (Education Co‐ordinator/Simulation Co‐ordinator)  Ben Flanigan (Community Placement Co‐ordinator)  Joelene Mitchell (Student Placement Project Officer)

Ballarat Campus:

 Trish Thorpe (Education Support Co‐ordinator)  Charmaine Swanson (Community Placement Co‐ordinator)

For more information, see our website: http://goingruralhealth.com.au/

ACCOMMODATION:

The University of Melbourne’s UDRH has accommodation to support health professional student clinical placements within our region. The accommodation is available to both undergraduate and post graduate health professional students. Residents are allocated a bedroom, while the kitchen, laundry and bathroom facilities are shared.

Rural health students also have access to accommodation managed by health service partners.

All bedrooms in Department of Rural Health accommodation have a bed (either single or double), a desk with chair, bookcase, wardrobe, drawers and bedside table. A mattress and mattress protector are also provided.

You should bring your own bed linen, including:

 Sheets and pillow case  Pillow  Doona/quilt/blankets

You may also wish to bring a:

 Study lamp  Stereo with headphones  Computer and TV with you

To make an accommodation enquiry for the Ballarat region, please visit the following website, and follow instructions:

http://goingruralhealth.com.au/student‐information/accommodation/

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BALLARAT:

For more information on the region, and what it has to offer, please visit the web links below.

Tourist information: www.travelvictoria.com.au/ballarat/

Ballarat City Council information: www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/

More links have been provided in the relevant information sections above.

Should you have any further questions, queries or concerns about placement in the Ballarat region, please don’t hesitate to contact the ‘Going Rural Health’ team on the following details: General enquiries:

Website: www.goingruralhealth.com.au

Phone: (03) 5823 4500

Email: going‐[email protected]

Specific enquiries:

Website: www.goingruralhealth.com.au

Phone: (03) 4301 6853

Email: [email protected]