In the beginning ...

For my first ever post I want to share some thinking - nothing too deep, but something that swirls around my head a fair bit.

I've been wondering - what is the real Ballarat? In my short few years here it's been clear that the town, it's people, it's habits, have and continue to change considerably. It's a modernising town, or at least it's a town with a vibrant and growing 'street' scene - cafes, art, gardens and beautifully designed modern spaces - but scratch the surface and the reminders emerge that it's a town built on a rich heritage of blue collar labour, adversity, agriculture, and perhaps to some extent, poverty.

So while we see this modernising face, at least commercially, and a seemingly progressive city council, does this really reflect the true Ballarat? Is it a cultural change? Are we now a liberal community, and do we need to be? Are we tolerant, open minded, business oriented, free thinking? Is this the template for a safe and harmonious place to live? Is an educated, wealthy and city-centric sub-class emerging, attracted to Ballarat's beautiful wide streets, quiet lifestyle, excellent schools and affordable housing, and projecting it's middle and upper class expectations, wants and needs on a town that is quite happy to remain small, quiet and unassuming?

Where does the current transformation end? Is it real? Are people happy?

More questions than answers, I know. I'll work through them in future posts, and look forward to your comments and thoughts.