Ailsa Brackley du Bois

I sincerely love life in Old Alfredton. The location is excellent and the light often seems golden. I've previously lived in Ball. Central, East Ball., Lake Wendouree, and nearby Learmonth, since leaving Melbourne 20 years ago.
The enormous Victoria Park is an easy walk away, as is Lake Wendouree, and the massive gym and aquatic centre. Ballarat HS is arguably the best public secondary school in Western Victoria.
The Arch Cafe is gorgeous. Aldi & Chemist Warehouse are a 5 min walk away. There's Cellarbrations where the staff are lovely, an Indian Grocery, old-style Butchers, the Park Hotel, plus dental and medical services. The Arch of Victory is iconic, and makes me smile every time I walk or drive past it. Like our own little Arc de Triomphe. It's lighting at night is simply beautiful. The Avenue of Honour, lined with memorial trees, is the longest in Australia.
The sense of community is perfectly balanced - civil and friendly, but not invasive. I've lived here over 4 years, often alone, and it's always felt safe. I also love the mix of architecture from the 1950s onwards - It's got a bit of mid-Century Australian optimism and nostalgia to it. Also, the two 1860s mansions in the old part here are so special. Best of all, it's a just a 5 min drive to Wendouree Train Station to visit Melbourne, or 10 mins drive to the Art Gallery & restaurant/bar precinct of historic Ballarat Central.
There's heaps of great homes here on good sized blocks of 6-700m2 ripe for renovation. Aside from being a bit windy (well, a lot windy!), I can not fault it. When there's fireworks over the lake, I can see them my front yard! It's probably my forever place.