Ballan and the Red Dot!!

Today - 22nd March 2013 - we have been in Ballan exactly one year. 

Sometimes it feels a lot longer than that, sometimes less, but all I can say is that it has been a huge year for us both, a year of settling in, a year of upheaval, lots of laughter, some sadness, being cold, friendships and everything in between!

..... and after 12 eventful months we are settled in and love it!

Way back in June 2009, a young man named Ayob bin Ismail also arrived here from Singapore, but as Wombat Regional Arts Network's International Artist/Designer-in-Residence.

Each artist/designer-in-residence was asked to make an artistic or design contribution to the Shire and Ayob’s gift was a piece of windart for Ballan. 

Ayob's windart weathervane is called The Red Dot.

The term "little red dot" is used by both Singaporean politicians and ordinary citizens with pride and with a sense of the nation's success despite its physical limitations. Most people refer to Singapore as the "little red dot" with affection, there is even a Red Dot Award for best Product Design etc. So the term is widely used in and around Singapore.

When we decided to leave Singapore to return to Australia, the big decision was "where to live" and after much thought and discussion we settled on Ballan ..... its a big move from The Red Dot to Ballan. There was a lot of thought about where to go, what to do, where to live and our heads were up in the air over many things. A bit like a weathervane!

It was not until a few weeks after moving here that we came across Ayob's Red Dot and it felt like there really was a link between Ballan and Singapore!

The Red Dot - as seen above - has 7 red plates with differing diameters. Each plate represents an element contributing to the arts and design landscape synergy in Ballan.

The elements represented include the town's:

• community
• landscape
• historic values
• cultural values
• arts practices
• vibrancy and energy
• tourism.

the above image is not mine, but is a copy of the front page of the Moorabool News in which Ayob and his Red Dot take pride of place!

Ayob's visit was generously supported by Nanyang Polytechnic (School of Design), Wombat Regional Arts Network and by Velislav Georgiev and Tor Roxburgh's public art business Zabelski Han and their gallery studio complex Omnibus Art Gallery.


Tor Roxburgh has written an extensive blog on Ayob's visit to Ballan, and can be viewed HERE.

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Road Trip (Ballan to Mt Egerton)

Last week we explored the area south of Ballan along Glenmore Road, towards Bacchus Marsh. Today we decided to have a look at the area south-west of Ballan and so headed towards the Ballan-Mt Egerton Road.

After leaving Ballan and turning left onto the Geelong-Ballan Road, it was not long before we needed to turn right, onto the Ballan-Egerton Road - as seen above.

This really is another delightful area to explore, to get off the main freeway and see what this regional road has to offer the tourist.

From Ballan it is only 14.5 klms, or 20 minutes drive time. Though it will take longer than that if you want to stop and admire the views along the way!

Today we are actually on our way to Buninyong via Mount Egerton which is an historic gold mining town in Victoria, Australia. The town was named after settler George Egerton.

In 1838 he held approximately 35,000 acres of stock farming land which to outsiders was known simply as "Egerton's Run".  Gold was discovered in this area in 1853.

The town's main street is Main Road and consists of an historic gold mine and battery, general store and hall. While nearby are the local primary school and recreational reserve.

The following images were taken along the Ballan-Egerton Road on the way to Mt Egerton .....

we stopped often to admire the scenery and of course, to take many photos along the way, but there was a cold wind blowing and didn't want to stay out too long. We are looking forward to exploring this area in the springtime now!

It was not long before we came to the intersection at Mt Egerton, it was here that we turned left (see image below) and followed the Yendon-Egerton Road - crossing the Moorabool River - towards Yendon, which is only a 12 klm journey.

The next blog post is on that section of our journey, to read about it click here.

exploring the area south of Ballan.

Today was a beautiful day to be out on the bike exploring the area where we live, as you can read in the previous blog post John rode Glenmore Road earlier today.

We left Ballan mid morning to do the circuit to Bacchus Marsh and back along the freeway - the M8 - to home.

all of the above images were taken along the Ballan-Geelong Road, between Ballan (E) and the turnoff to Glenmore Road. As seen in the greyed area on the following map:

Once we turned left into Glenmore Road, John rode the bike into Bacchus Marsh, see the previous blog post.

The scenery can be quite extreme along this part of Glenmore Road, as seen in the following images:

 

above: and it was here at this intersection that we needed to turn left to go towards Bacchus Marsh.

To explore this part of Moorabool, you can take the car along these quieter roads, so one does not need to ride a bike!
Blog post to follow on the next section of the ride into Bacchus Marsh.

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John's ride along Glenmore Road .......

The weather this morning was superb ... clear blue skies and the temperature was expected to reach 13 deg.  So the decision was made to get out for some fresh air ..... John on the bike and myself in the car and stopping where possible for any photo opportunity!

Last week we had seen the VisitMoorabool website and in particular noted one of the bike tours that was suggested out of Ballan. It was called the PARWAN VALLEY GRASSLANDS Touring route that covered approx 40 klms. But have since been told it is actually the Rowsley Valley as Parwan Valley is east of Bacchus Marsh. Never mind, we decided this is what we would be doing anyway!

above: We left Ballan (E) mid morning and headed south on the Ballan-Geelong Rd (B), after approx 15 klms we turned left into Glenmore Road. This is where John started riding the bike.

above: The following images were taken along this east west section (grey) of the Glenmore Road.

above: as we turned left into Glenmore Road, the first thing we see is a sign that warns John of a "very steep decline" ahead.

above: those white spots on the hill are sheep and the lonely rider on the road is John!

above: and it was here at this intersection that we needed to turn left to go towards Bacchus Marsh.

John continued riding for awhile, until we hit a headwind. Next blog post will be of the scenery I captured along the way. Truly is a beautiful area to explore, the road is mostly narrow and there is one very steep decline of about 2.5 klms. Other than that it is a good area for bike riding.

Just be aware the vehicles do travel close on the narrow tarmac.

It was certainly a ride (and drive) through a landscape of extremes.



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