Ballarat, Australia News

INTERNATIONAL rowing referee Victor Walter has given Lake Wendouree the biggest possible stamp of approval, saying the venue is ready now for world class regattas.

A SEBASTOPOL man helped steal a car then drove it to Shepparton where he was arrested trying to sell stolen power tools to Cash Converters, a court has heard.

The Australian naval frigate Ballarat arrives at a military port in Shanghai, China, May 17, 2012, to start its five-day visit to Shanghai till May 21.

A DEAFENING roar akin to the most parochial of football crowds swept Ballarat's central business district yesterday, as almost 1000 people rallied in protest at TAFE budget cuts.

Commerce Ballarat executive officer Jodie Gillett said a 2011 survey showed 67 per cent of Ballarat businesses didn't want a Show Day holiday.

Today, the ANZAC-class Guided Missile Frigate , HMAS Ballarat, will begin a five-day ship visit to Shanghai, China .

Rowing Australia national development and events director Matt Draper gave Lake Wendouree a tick of approval at Saturday's Victorian Masters championships.

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions - and only accept THE definitive answer.

FOR THE RECORD DOWNLOADS View the "For the Record" section of WA Business News as a PDF.

His father volunteered, and his grandfather volunteered, so as soon as Mr Cray reached the legal CFA volunteering age of 16, he put his hand up to get involved.

PETER CAVE: What a difference a few days can make in China-Australia relations. On Monday Foreign Minister Bob Carr was receiving the blowtorch from Beijing over increased Australia-United States military ties and today an Australian frigate is preparing for joint exercises with the Chinese navy.

AUSTRALIA'S peak competition watchdog is concerned a proposed takeover of a Ballarat hardware company by a multinational corporation will be unfair for local business.

Figures included in the Australian Crime Commission report released yesterday showed that a recent 16.1 per cent increase in drug offences in the Ballarat region formed part of a national trend.

Alleged drug mule Australian Edward Myatt during a press conference at the Custom office in Denpasar.

BALLARAT businesses stand to lose millions of dollars after the company in charge of building the Ararat Prison went bust this morning.

The Australian Education Union says up to 100 people will lose their jobs at the University of Ballarat because of cuts to TAFE funding.

More than 280 residents had the opportunity to view the hall's interior earlier this week as part of council's community engagement process.

TOUCHING HISTORY: Quartz-seams flecked with gold are still visible in the Central Deborah Gold Mine, a tourist attraction located just minutes from downtown Bendigo.

EDMOND ROY: In farm paddocks across Australia, large dogs are now working essentially as bodyguards to protect sheep, goats and even chickens.

TRUCK drivers and their supporters staged a nationwide protest against Coles yesterday, demanding that the retailer take responsibility for road safety for drivers.