Stories of a city in isolation
The challenge of lockdown during the global pandemic has been a life-changing one for many people. Ballarat in regional Victoria, Australia, is far away from the epicentres of COVID-19 and yet the reverberations of the disease are playing out even here. How does a regional city respond? What does it mean to those who live in this tight-knit community?
What lives has COVID touched even if the disease itself has not made a significant appearance in the town?
Once Upon a Lockdown is a series of short stories from the people of Ballarat - examining everything from how we’ve adapted and responded to this weird turn of world events, through how through acts of selflessness and self understanding, we might have changed a city.
episode 7 - released thursday 2 July 2020 - a new hope
Episode 7 and the end of our podcast series. What a ride it has been. This week’s final segment is about hope. We’re hopeful that we all come through this, and we can create a better world beyond. We hope you’ll enjoy this. Thank you to everyone who took part.
episode 6 - released friday 26 june 2020 - being grateful
It’s time to be grateful. Episode 6 is a reflection of those things our community is grateful for. Della Vreeland discusses the concept of gratitude through faith. We hear from the Mayor on what it meant to be in charge of a city facing a global pandemic and what that meant personally to him, his family and how his opinion of the world shifted overnight.
EPISODE 5 - RELEASED FRIDAY 19 JUNE 2020 - COMMUNITY SPIRIT
In this episode we are celebrating community spirit in 3350 and beyond. We listen to the words of refugee Luna as he explains how his newly adopted city has embraced him, and he it. Shiree from the Centre for Multicultural Youth introduces us to the more hidden voices of community members laid low by the economic and social impacts of lockdown. We wrap our arms around our Ballarat community and hold on tight.
episode 4 - released friday 12 june 2020 - all for one and one for all
It’s episode four, and we’re taking a look at selflessness. What do you say to a carer who really wants to be involved in their community, but COVID19 prevents them from doing what they do best? And how does a grant-making Foundation deal with the increased pressures of the new reality, responding to the existing problems as well as the new ones?
Episode 3 - released Thursday 4 June 2020 - creative juices
We’re still in lockdown (kind-of) as this week’s episode examines the City’s creative response to isolation. Whether you’re knocking out a sourdough courtesy of an infamous Ballarat starter, or rocking the world from the sanctuary of your bedroom, this is the episode for you.
episode 2 - released tuesday 26 may 2020 - facing adversity
This week we talk to Lorraine Gittings from Soup Bus about those in our community directly facing adversity; Raquel Cowan, Infectious Diseases Physician from Ballarat Health Services about the impact of the virus on our city; Mick Trembath speaks as a freelancer and gig economy practitioner who wonders if much has really changed for him; and recent migrant arrival Moses on life, love and how being in Ballarat means freedom from adversity.