Ballarat

Ballarat Community

Ballarat’s community life is shaped by places where people can learn, make things, share food, grow gardens and take part in local projects. Neighbourhood houses offer regular activities and social connection, while volunteering networks can help residents contribute through community organisations across Ballarat and the Grampians. There are also groups for young people, parents and carers, people with disability, veterans, Aboriginal community members and newly arrived migrants, alongside practical assistance when circumstances call for it.

The organisations below offer different ways to participate: joining an activity, helping with a project, meeting others through a shared interest or seeking support. Conditions vary by program, including age, membership, enrolment, appointment and eligibility requirements.

🏘️ Neighbourhood & Community Centres

Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre

Operating in Sebastopol and Delacombe, Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre provides adult and community education, social activities, community lunches, Chatty Cafés, walking and garden groups, and volunteering opportunities. Its Delacombe Community Hub also hosts a supported playgroup. People with disability are welcomed in regular community programs, while some education courses have enrolment requirements.

11 Tuppen Drive, Sebastopol, Victoria. ☎ 03 5329 3273 — Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre and Delacombe Community Hub.

Ballarat East Neighbourhood House

Based at Barkly Square, this community-managed charity supports Ballarat East and surrounding neighbourhoods with regular low-cost and free activities. Auslan, Tai Chi, Qigong, walking groups, Chatty groups, community workshops and digital literacy support are among its activities. The house also welcomes volunteers and serves residents across Bakery Hill, Canadian, Eureka, Golden Point, Mount Pleasant and Warrenheip.

Room 102, Ground Floor, Barkly Square, 25-39 Barkly Street, Ballarat East, Victoria 3350. ☎ 0422 612 052 — office and community rooms.

Ballarat North Neighbourhood House

Ballarat North Neighbourhood House runs education programs, workshops, social activities and community support across several northern Ballarat venues. Its activities include playgroup, creative groups and a neurodivergent craft and activity group. People can also approach the house about membership, volunteering, student placements and collaboration proposals.

7 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat Central, Victoria 3350. ☎ 0491 753 307 — general enquiries.

🤝 Volunteering & Service

Volunteering Ballarat

Volunteering Ballarat, a Ballarat Foundation program, helps people explore volunteering with local organisations and supports organisations that involve volunteers. It also convenes the Volunteer Coordinators Network for volunteer managers across the Ballarat and Grampians region. Individual roles may have organisation-specific screening requirements, such as a Working with Children Check or police check.

Hugh Williamson House, 7 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat Central, Victoria 3350. ☎ 03 5331 5555 — Ballarat Foundation general enquiries.

🌱 Community Gardens & Local Projects

Food Is Free Inc.

Food Is Free is a grassroots, community-led not-for-profit focused on food security and inclusion in Ballarat. Volunteers can help maintain food-sharing spaces and gardens, sort donated items, recycle jars and bottles, assist with workshops and markets, or contribute through arts and administration. The organisation also collaborates on the Grow & Thrive Garden, supporting culturally appropriate food growing and sharing.

Barkly Square, 25 Barkly Street, Wadawurrung/Ballarat East, VIC 3350.

Ballarat Community Garden

This not-for-profit garden promotes organic and sustainable gardening for members and associates. Associate membership offers participation in broader garden activities, while people seeking a plot can join the plot waitlist. Community events are open to the wider public, creating opportunities to exchange local produce and take part in garden-based activities.

Corner Queen Street and Dyte Parade, Ballarat East. ☎ 0407 190 207 — plant donations coordinator.

Ballarat Repair Cafe

Operated by BREAZE, this volunteer-run project helps people repair broken household items and keep them in use for longer. Sessions take place at Barkly Square in Ballarat East. One monthly session requires booking, while the last-Saturday session is listed as drop-in, offering different ways to bring an item along or contribute repair skills.

Barkly Square, 25-39 Barkly Street, Ballarat East, Victoria 3350.

🛠️ Friendship & Shared Interests

Ballarat Community Men's Shed

Ballarat Community Men's Shed is a community-based shed for men of all ages and abilities. Members take part in woodwork, furniture restoration, repairs and maintenance, as well as market stalls, fundraising and social activities. The practical projects provide a shared focus for people interested in making, restoring and helping with useful work.

25 Barkly Street, Ballarat East, Victoria 3350. ☎ 0448 567 909 — Ballarat Community Men's Shed.

🧸 Youth & Family Participation

5th Ballarat Scout Group

Based in Golden Point, 5th Ballarat Scout Group offers youth-led, adult-supported Scouting programs built around adventure and practical skills. Sections are available for Joey Scouts aged 5–8, Cub Scouts aged 8–11, Scouts aged 11–15 and Venturers aged 15–18, giving young people age-specific ways to participate and develop interests.

684 Humffray Street South, Golden Point, Ballarat, Victoria.

🫂 Older People, Carers & Peer Support

Pinarc Parent Support Groups

Pinarc supports peer connection for parents and carers of children and young adults with disability or additional needs. Ballarat options include Parent Carer Connect, Autism Parent Connection, Autism Early Years Connect and Down Syndrome Parent Connection. Participation does not require use of another Pinarc service or an NDIS plan, allowing these groups to stand on their own as peer networks.

Pinarc Pennyweight, 222 Otway Street South, Ballarat, Victoria 3350. ☎ 1800 746 272 — Pinarc general enquiries.

♿ Disability & Inclusion

Inter Club Drop-In Centre

Inter Club Drop-In Centre is a social club and community hub for people aged over 16 with disability in Newington. Members can socialise and join group activities, while staff provide information about recreational pursuits, holidays and other community services. Membership fees apply, and NDIS-managed plans are accepted.

Newington, Ballarat.

🌍 Cultural & Newcomer Connections

Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council

Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council operates the Ballarat Welcome Centre and provides settlement support for eligible newly arrived migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum. Its wider work includes community engagement, multicultural capacity building and social-support programs. Volunteer pathways include English and computer tutoring, and individuals and organisations with a multicultural focus can seek membership.

Ballarat Welcome Centre, 25-39 Barkly Street, Ballarat, Victoria 3350. ☎ 03 5383 0613 — Ballarat Welcome Centre and general enquiries. ☎ 03 5331 1123 — Social Support services eligibility enquiries.

Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative

Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative is an Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation established by members of the Ballarat and district Aboriginal community. It delivers health, social, welfare and community development programs across four local government areas. Services are open to the public, with priority given to members.

108 Armstrong Street North, Ballarat, Victoria 3350. ☎ 03 5331 5344 — general enquiries.

❤️ Practical Help & Community Support

The Salvation Army Ballarat

The Salvation Army Ballarat combines practical assistance with community activities. Material aid, emergency relief, financial counselling and budget services are available by appointment, with financial help dependent on individual assessment and available assistance. Social and creative activities include a choir, brass band, community café and women’s groups; these community offerings are distinct from worship activities.

102 Eureka Street, Ballarat, Victoria. ☎ 03 8873 5288 — financial help and Doorways support enquiries. ☎ 03 5337 0600 — general enquiries and community activities.

⭐ Veterans’ Support

Ballarat Veterans Assistance Centre

Ballarat Veterans Assistance Centre supports veterans and their families across Ballarat and the Central Highlands. Its work includes advocacy, financial and welfare assistance, help accessing entitlements, connections to essential services and wellbeing activities. The centre’s focus on veterans and families distinguishes it from general community support services.

41 Barkly Street, Ballarat, Victoria. ☎ 03 4349 6339 — general enquiries.

Whether you are looking for a regular activity, a practical project, a peer group or a way to contribute, these organisations offer different starting points across Ballarat. Take part at a level that suits you, and consider the shared work behind each group: repairing, growing, teaching, welcoming, supporting and creating. Relevant local groups, charities, volunteer teams and community organisations are warmly invited to add or update their listing so residents and newcomers can find them more easily.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on ballarat.city.