The Connecting Sebastopol Community News is a project of the Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre. The newsletter was established with funding from Spotlight on Sebastopol, a partnership between Regional Development Victoria and the City of Ballarat, with the first issue published in October 2022.
We are proud to work alongside residents, community groups and schools to share local stories that connect and celebrate our vibrant and diverse 'Burra' community.
In 2024, the newsletter was awarded the top honour at the Community Newspaper Association of Victoria (CNAV) Annual Awards, being presented with the title of 'Best Community Newspaper 2024'. Read more about our win here: Connecting Sebastopol Newsletter awarded top honour! In 2025, we celebrated another win at the CNAV Awards, being presented with the award for ‘Best Sports Reporting’ for an article by the Sebastopol Football Netball Club. Read more about that win here: Sebastopol Newspaper wins sports award.
GET INVOLVED!
We are always on the look out for new contributors and volunteers. If you're interested in writing articles, taking photos, fundraising, or helping to deliver the newsletter around the Burra, please get in touch with the Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre:
FREQUENCY AND DISTRIBUTION
The newsletter is published quartely in March, June, September and December and is delivered by volunteers to over 4000 Sebastopol households, businesses and community organisations.
EDITORIAL POLICY
Generally, contributions should not exceed 250 words and up to two photographs per item may be submitted (but may not necessarily be published). Longer articles may be accepted if space allows. Material may be edited due to space, style, clarity or for legal reasons. The name of the person submitting any material must be provided. Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre reserves the right not to publish material considered to be offensive or inappropriate or which is not deemed to have community interest or relevance. The views expressed or information provided in this publication are not necessarily those of the Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre or its advertisers, sponsors or partners.
ADVERTISING
We would like to thank our advertisers for financially supporting this important project for Sebastopol. Advertising rates per edition for 2026 are:
- $50 + GST: Business Card - 90mm x 55mm
- $150 + GST: Advertorial* - 90mm x 270mm
- $250 + GST: Banner or Quarter page - 180 mm x 55mm or 85mm x 135mm
- $500 + GST: Half page - 180 mm x 135 mm
*Advertorial offer is for community groups and small locally owned businesses only
