In order to avoid ever settling for a career path, Jon adds 'political columnist' to residential support for people with a disability, sound engineering, welfare, office administrator and politics.
Jon played a key role in organising the first Walk Against Warming in Ballarat, probably just to make some new friends and give concerned layabouts something to do.
Somewhat annoyingly if you're unlucky enough to have a conversation with him, Jon sees politics in everything from food and music to waste and recycling. Expect content relevant to the local community with a political edge and make sure you comment and criticise: we're relying on you for some balance.
With 22 candidates standing for the Ballarat City Council elections, it's not easy to sort out who's who and what they stand for. The Ballarat Independent is here to help. We've put the same eight questions to all candidates and published their responses, along with their contact details so you can
Cr Craig Fletcher, Mayor of the City of Ballarat at the time of this interview, describes himself as a "boy from Sebas" and just wants to sit down for a chat. Jon Stanger sat down for a chat with the Mayor, the only thing was that a media minder was also in attendance. This aside, Craig Fletcher com
Interview with John Barnes, Chairman of Ballarat Bicycle Users Group: making Ballarat a bicycle-friendly city and a look at the progress of Council's Cicycle Strategy.
The community has been asking a lot of questions about the proposed demolition of Civic Hall and the $40 million proposed Council development on the site. Jon Stanger put a series of questions to Mayor Craig Fletcher and his responses are published in full here.
'Nanna-technology' is back in fashion and the arts in Ballarat look set to make a resurgence. Put these elements together and you get the wonderful Ballarat Artisan Festival. Find out how the 2011 Festival went over the weekend and check out some colourful pictures of the event here.
CFA community meetings are scheduled for November in the Ballarat region so residents can learn about fire risk in their area and how to turn awareness into action.
Check out the extended video interview Victoria's new top fire chief did with The Ballarat Independent here.
After a weekend rally of over 500 people opposed to a $40 million Ballarat City Council proposal to demolish Civic Hall and build new offices, it's worth revisiting a public meeting organised by the Ballarat Residents and Ratepayers Association on Sunday 18 September.
At a packed full community meeting of 150 people in Bacchus Marsh on Tuesday night, the Moorabool Environment Group announced they had joined the Lock the Gate Alliance. This alliance consists of landholders, community groups and people across Eastern Australia who are concerned about Coal Seam Gas
While local sustainability group Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions (BREAZE) joined national environment groups in welcoming the price on carbon passed by the lower house in federal parliament recently, it hasn't been their focus of late. Instead, energy has been focused on the Victorian L
Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions (BREAZE) hosted a forum in September called "Climate Change and a Carbon Tax: just hot air?" at the Wendouree Centre for the Performing Arts. Around 200 people came to hear Professor David Karoly, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change lead author and
Small local breweries will continue to be held back or slugged by a tax they say is unfair and restricting growth for small brewing businesses.
Current excise regulation allows microbreweries that produce up to 30,000 litres of beer an excise refund, capped at $10,000. However Scott Wilson-Browne f
Double Bassist Leigh Barker is coming to Ballarat as part of an Australian tour this spring. Leigh will bring his band 'The New Sheiks', featuring blues great Heather Stewart on vocals and violin.
Students in the Studio and Future Art groups at BRACE Education Training and Employment will open an environmentally-inspired show at the Post Office Gallery on Thursday between 5:00-7:00pm.
Young people and more experienced knitters have joined together to improve their knitting skills and provide some warmth for African children.
Anyone looking to make a difference and learn some great knitting tips can join the 'Knitty Gritty' team at YHQ. Young people are of course always welcome a
Jeff Moorfoot, Director of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale (BIFB) 2011, announces the winner of the Fringe Prize. Watch the announcement and an interview with the winner Ewen Bell, a Melbourne based photographer. Ewen's show 'The Elephant Camp' was chosen from a shortlist of 16 BIFB Fringe
Ballarat International Foto Bienalle (BIFB) 2011 has been a great success thanks to thousands of volunteer hours bringing the festival together. Festival Director Jeff Moorfoot told The Ballarat Independent that the festival was an economic boost for Ballarat, with at least $2 million injected into
Ballarat's community media are joining forces to deliver you the best content and give you ample opportunities to have your voice heard and your story told. Leon and Jon from The Ballarat Independent had the honour of being invited as guests of Amy and Lauren on their program 'Tinderbox' on VoiceFM,
Around 200 people gathered at the Shire Public Hall in Bacchus Marsh on Monday night to find out more about Mantle Mining's proposal to explore and mine for brown coal nearby. Coincidentally, Mantle Mining had begun their exploratory drilling near the Bacchus Marsh airstrip that same day.
As well a
Communities across Ballarat and the surrounding region are being asked to help get fire management and Township Protection Plans right. Recognising that often local people know best, you've been invited to participate in the development of your local plans.
The politics of roads can very quickly increase cynicism in the casual observer. Jon Stanger examines the ongoing saga of Ballarat-Buninyong Road (Geelong Road) and the politics of traffic, election promises and short memories.
