Ballarat is Victoria's largest inland city and the home centre of Victoria's rich goldfields history. The Ballarat municipality covers 739sq/km and has a population of approximately 85,000. The city is located 112 km northwest of Melbourne. Although the Ballarat region has a strong sense of history, it has a clear direction in the future.

In 1867, Robert Clark and Edward J.Bateman established The Courier under the name of Bateman Clark & Co. The first office was located on the south side of Sturt Street, east of Albert Street. The newspaper consisted of four broadsheet pages and was printed on a hand press, turning out approximately 300 copies an hour. In 1871 the office moved to 24 Sturt Street and in 1889 the Clark and Bateman partnership dissolved, with Clark becoming the sole proprietor. In 1922 the newspaper became a private company called the Ballarat Courier Proprietary and a year later bought out the opposition, The Star. The Courier changed format from broadsheet to tabloid in 1944.

These combined operations provide permanent employment for nearly 140 Ballarat people and part-time work for another 80 people.Rural Press Ltd has recently invested $32 million in a new state of the art press facility.

Ballarat has a strong industrial presence due to large organisations such as Bendix Mintex, Mc Cains and Mars. Sunicrust is also part of Ballarat's most noted businesses who provide constant community support. The State Data Centre and the Technology Centre contribute to the growing emphasis that the region places on advancing technology. The facilitation of commercial change and development in shopping centres is leading extensive growth in the Ballarat region.

The rural community and its activities play an important role in the Ballarat region. The rich soil supports the growing potatoes and pasture grasses. Sheep, cattle and speciality farming such as Deer are becoming more dominant. Ballarat is the centre of outlying farming region, with daily stock sales and Mc Cain Foods on the northern Ballarat fringe.Victoria's State Revenue Office is now based in Ballarat as is the regional headquarters of Ambulance Victoria. Ballarat has established quality education institutions and a growing tertiary education sector. Ballarat Clarendon College, Ballarat Grammar, St Patricks College and Ballarat High School provide wide support to students from outlying area. The long established School of Mines (now part of Ballarat University) provides a variety of subject choices and works closely with all of Ballarat's education institutions. The University of Ballarat is a thriving institution with excellent curriculum, services and a growing attendance of local and international students. The Australian Catholic University, Aquinas Campus, provides excellent specialist education in both nursing and teaching.

Website: http://www.thecourier.com.au