Ballarat Heritage Weekend 2020 moves online with stacked program

One of Ballarat's brightest annual events, the Ballarat Heritage Weekend, has been forced online this year because of the pandemic crisis, but a full program of fascinating talks and entertaining shows will still go on.

Federation University's senior lecturer in history, Dr David Waldron, said there are still plenty of ways for people to get involved and explore the city's past from home.

As well as voting in the notorious Beard and Moustache Competition, people can also watch videos detailing Indigenous history and language, tour grand old buildings, and comb through more than a century of archives - even enjoy some live music.

READ MORE: Ballarat Beard and Stache Competition goes virtual

At the Ballarat Mechanics Institute, Dr Waldron will be joining the team from Love, Ballarat, which has organised a series of theatre productions and talks to bring history to life online.

"What we're looking at doing is producing livestreaming of stories, historical theatre using original dialogue from the time presented by actors, and work from local historians and the Ballarat Wildlife Park as well," he said.

"It's a way of showing Ballarat's unique and quirky history to the public."

Dr Waldron is part of an exploration of Ballarat during the Great Depression in the 1930s, showcasing Jenny Beachem's research based on interviews from the 1980s with people who lived through that time.

He's also presenting his research on witch marks and other folkloric practices - good luck charms and marking against evil spirits etched into buildings across western Victoria.

READ MORE: Our colonial ancestors used ritual markings to ward away evil and protect themselves

"They're all over the place in England, and you find them in old goldfields properties," he said.

"We did a survey with the Australian Magic Research project, funded by the University of Hertfordshire last year - it's following the trajectory of those folkloric beliefs when they left England during the industrial revolution and arrived in the goldfields."

Some events are free to access, and some require a paid ticket available online - this will help support actors and other entertainment workers affected by the pandemic, according to Love, Ballarat's Katrina Hill.

"This town is full of talented performers, knowledgeable historians and brilliant technicians - some have been left with no support," she said in a statement.

"We worked on an excellent line up that all family members can find something they like. The best part is you can watch later if the timing is not right or watch live and ask our hosts questions and interact.

"Support us and you will be supporting the arts."

City of Ballarat mayor Ben Taylor added people across the world will be able to tune in and explore the city.

"What is also exciting about this year's online platform is that we get to showcase our beautiful city and genuine, authentic experiences to everyone, anywhere around the globe," he said.

"Through this experience, we have been able to produce a heritage product, documented by locals, that captures the stories of Ballarat."

Check out Ballarat Heritage Weekend website for more.

Love, Ballarat's online program at the Ballarat Mechanics Institute:

Saturday May 30

1pm - Anne E. Stewart - Stories of Old Ballarat

2pm - Brett Edgington - Rebellion to Revolution - Ballarat Trades Hall

3pm - Peter Freund - History of Theatre in Ballarat

4pm - Paul Michael Donovan - Songs of the Irish Rebellion

Sunday May 31

11am - Miss Webster's Schoolhouse

12pm - David Waldron - Written on the Walls

1pm - Ballarat Wildlife Park Reptile Park Presents: The Growling Grass Frog

2pm - Nathanial Buchanan - A Walk in the Cemetery

3pm - David Waldron - The Depression Years

4pm - Amie Brulee - The Music and History of Cinemas, Ballarat