Holiday & Cruise Centre Ballarat

28/06/2024

Proudly sponsoring the Ballarat Dsncr Eisteddfod these school holidays ❤️🩰❤️

🩷 With only a little over a week to go until BDE 2024, we would like to thank and acknowledge the following sponsors for their generous contributions towards making our event possible.

⭐️Major sponsor:
Capezio

⭐️Advertisers:
No Fight Tights
Golden Nugget Bakery
Newington Physiotherapy
Holiday & Cruise Centre Ballarat
Sovereign Press
Showbiz Cinemas Ballarat
FlyingHorse-Entertainment
Stems Flower Market and
Ballarat Podiatry Clinic /Ballarat Dance Clinic

⭐️Section Sponsors:
The Laundry King Ballarat
Keiran's Village Bakehouse - Aussie Oggie
Attitude Tutus and Stagewear
Belle & Beau Stagewear Design
Dance School of Distinction, Ballarat.
Brick Lane Bagels
Angel Lain
Chris McAteer - Buxton
Mr V & Co. Barbershop
UFS Dispensaries
Nunn Bros Haulage
Cathie Weideman
Kerryn & Steve Opie
Kim Wood
FS8 Ballarat and
Impact Teamwear Embroidery and Screen Printing Specialists

We sincerely appreciate your support and generosity, and as a not-for-profit eisteddfod that is run solely by volunteers, we cannot thank you enough.

16/12/2023

Heading away - here’s some great plumbing tips for your home. 🏠 👌

SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT

Chances are if you're a property owner in Ballarat, you know this guy.

Jamie Sleep has owned and operated Sleep's Plumbing since 1997 and now has nine staff on the books. While no longer on the tools (unless absolutely necessary), he still has plenty to do. We asked him what he enjoys about plumbing and got some tips on taking care of things at home to avoid those common plumbing disasters.

"I like being able to help people by diagnosing problems and solving issues. It's always interesting and I get to meet great people."

Is there a job from the past that still gives you nightmares?
"About 25 years ago when I was a young guy just starting out, I misread the plans for a new home and laid the sewer pipes in the wrong place, but I only noticed the mistake after the concrete slab was laid. I had a guy on a jackhammer for two days breaking up the concrete so we could fix it. It still haunts me."

What are your plumbing tips for people going on holiday?
1) Turn off your water meter, so if anything goes wrong, your house won't flood.
2) Turn off your gas meter too.
3) Clean your spouts, box gutters and roof of any leaves and clutter in case there's a heavy downpour.
4) Don't flush baby wipes down the toilet - it blocks the pipes and that can cause real problems.

One final word... Gotta leak? Get Sleep! 😀

18/11/2023

https://gallery.socialexposure.com.au/photo/Z9bZJJ

24/10/2023

Travelling to Europe in 2024?
Europe's ETIAS visa-waiver has been delayed again.
News snip below

19/05/2023

We are constantly asked about travelling with phones overseas.. some great tips in this article.
What type of bag you take & how you wear it is also a very important factor.. A cross body, slash proof travel bag has been my go to for many many years.. never carry items of value behind you (backpack) or in pockets.

What would you do to reclaim and protect essential data if your device was suddenly stolen? If the answer is “no idea”, read on.

27/03/2022

Wishing Caryn a very Happy 50th Birthday today 👏❤️
We were lucky enough to have you for a big chapter of your working life at Holiday & Cruise.. Now St Johns Hospital are very lucky to have you as a ward clerk in ICU. So many great adventures & fun times working with you. Love & best wishes from Nic, Cathy, Jo & families ###

09/03/2022

Holiday dreaming ☀️❤️🏝Whitehaven beach ☀️❤️🏝

Whitehaven Beach. This is what paradise looks like.

15/12/2021

23/11/2021

Share from The Courier Mail Article - 23 November'21
**please note information can change at very short notice - please refer to the websites listed for each state at the bottom of this post for most update border policies and requirements

EXPLAINED: Every state’s border rules for travelling this Christmas
We’ve collated all the most up-to-date rules for travelling between the different Australian states this Christmas period.

QUEENSLAND (currently 73.4% double vaccinated)
Overseas: Fully vaccinated international travellers must undergo a PCR test within the previous 72 hours and quarantine for up to 14 days at home or in a hotel from December 17, or when 80 per cent of the state is vaccinated
Interstate:Fully vaccinated interstate travellers can enter by air or road without quarantine, provided they have a negative PCR test within the previous 72 hours if they have been in a hotspot
Testing: Fully vaccinated international and interstate travellers can come into Queensland without quarantining or obtaining a PCR test when the state hits 90 per cent vaccinated.

WA (currently 72.9% double vaccinated)
Vaccination: WA has not set a reopening date yet, but it will likely be decided next month when 80 per cent of the state is expected to be vaccinated
Overseas: Fully vaccinated international travellers currently must do 14 days of home quarantine and have proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours before departure. Once the state reopens quarantine is dropped, but testing remains.
Interstate:Fully vaccinated interstate travellers are currently permitted, but only avoid quarantine if in a “very low risk” jurisdiction - only Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania right now.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA (currently 77.4% double vaccinated)
Overseas: Fully vaccinated international travellers must undergo a PCR test and quarantine for 7 days at home or in hotel from November 23, and again test negative to Covid on day 6. Once out of quarantine, international travellers must get tested again on day 13 and check their symptoms daily using the SA Health app. They cannot go to high-risk settings.
Interstate:Fully vaccinated interstate travellers will only have to quarantine for 7 days and get tested if they arrive from an LGA with community transmission and a double-jab rate of less than 80 per cent.
Testing: PCR tests are free in SA

TASMANIA (currently 84.8% double vaccinated)
Overseas: Fully vaccinated international travellers won’t need to quarantine from December 15 if they return a negative COVID-19 PCR test 72 hours before arriving.
Interstate: Fully vaccinated travellers from low-risk interstate areas, which at the moment includes Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, will not have to quarantine or provide a negative COVID-19 test.
Testing: Returning Tasmanians do not need a PCR test if they leave the state for less than seven days.

NORTHERN TERRITORY (currently 73.4% double vaccinated)
Overseas:Fully vaccinated international travellers won’t need to quarantine from December 20 if they test negative after a rapid antigen test on arrival. Until December 20, 7-day home quarantine is required for arrivals from hot spots and select international destinations.
Testing: All travellers must be fully vaccinated and a negative PCR test is also required for anyone arriving prior to December 20

VICTORIA (currently 89.2% double vaccinated)
Overseas: Fully vaccinated international travellers do not need to quarantine, but must test negative to Covid less than 72 hours before departures avoid high-risk settings for 14 days and do further PCR tests 24 hours after arriving and between days 5 and 7.
Interstate:Fully vaccinated interstate travellers must apply for a permit, which will not be granted if they have symptoms, have been to an exposure site or are a close contact of a case.
Testing:If travelling from a place determined to be a “red zone” you must undertake a PCR test on arrival and isolate until a negative result if you are vaccinated, and if unvaccinated you must undergo 14 days’ quarantine.

NSW (currently 91.9% double vaccinated)
Overseas: Fully vaccinated international travellers do not need to quarantine, but need to undergo a PCR test at their own cost within 24 hours of arriving in NSW and on day 7 after arriving. They are banned from high-risk settings until the negative test on day 7.
Interstate:Fully vaccinated interstate travellers do not need to quarantine or fill in a declaration form if they have not been to an “affected area”.
Home quarantine:If an interstate traveller has been to an area of concern or place of high concern within the previous 14 days, a period of quarantine may apply.

ACT (currently 97.6% double vaccinated)
Overseas: Fully vaccinated international travellers do not need to quarantine, but need to undergo a PCR test within 24 hours of arriving in NSW and on day 6 after arriving. They cannot attend high-risk settings until after a negative test on day 6.
Interstate: Fully vaccinated interstate travellers who have been in a hotspot the previous 14 days do not need to quarantine, but must complete an exemption form and get tested immediately if symptoms develop
Home quarantine: Fully vaccinated interstate travellers who have not been to a hotspot do not need to quarantine or complete an exemption form.

Links for each state below
Queensland
www.covid19.qld.gov.au
Western Australia
www.wa.gov.au
South Australia
www.covid-19.sa.gov.au
Northern Territory
www.coronavirus.nt.gov.au
Tasmania
www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au
Victoria *** permit required when returning to Victoria***link below www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus http://coronavirus.vic.gov.au/travelpermits
New South Wales
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/border-restrictions
ACT
https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/

Health Direct web link:
Travel advice and restrictions related to COVID-19 ...
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-advice-and...

➡😷✈️🚗Stay up to date – Travel safe 🚗✈️😷

30/10/2021

Happy Halloween 🎃

BOO! 🎃 No Halloween costumes are needed Down Under 😜

IG/pattomkinswildlife captured this curious cassowary waiting eagerly for some trick-or-treaters near Kuranda in Visit Queensland, Australia. If you're heading to Explore Tropical North Queensland be sure to keep a close eye out for these elusive creatures!

18/10/2021

Today's announcement regarding the new Internationally recognized Vaccination passport - click the link below

https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-release/ticket-safe-travel-overseas

We will keep sharing Government updates as they are received
🌏🙏❤

06/09/2021

Lets hope our current cocoon stage can blossom into a beautiful butterfly in 2022 🤞🙏🌏.

🙏🥂❤️

06/08/2021

❤️ Commerce Ballarat supporting small business - shop small & enter this fabulous giveaway 👏👏👏

We are challenging Ballarat (if you can) to spoil yourself this lockdown with ‘a little local lockdown retail therapy!'

Whether it’s a new lawn mower, a gym membership, a dressing gown or a pamper package tell us all about it!

Post a pic of your purchase or proof of purchase on Facebook or Instagram from a Ballarat business that is essential for lockdown or something to use later coming out of lockdown… and tag

And you could win one of these amazing prizes...

🚗Mercedes C Class Sedan - Yours for a weekend! Thanks to Mercedes-Benz Ballarat and Rix Cars
👨‍🍳Private cooking class with renowned Ballarat Chefs
- Liam Downes from Moon & Mountain & Ragazzone
- Peter Ford from Peter Ford Catering
💪A Gym membership to the value of $400
💆‍♀️Day Spa package valued at $300
🛍️ 2 x $200 retail vouchers
🏢 One week of advertising on the Sturt St digital billboard valued at $2,000, to be used by 5 September, generously donated by Total Outdoor Media

*All prizes must used with a Commerce Ballarat member

If you or someone on your team require mental health support, Contact Commerce Ballarat on 5333 3233 during business hours or Partners in Wellbeing Helpline is available on 1300 375 330 from Monday to Friday 9am–10pm, Saturday to Sunday 9am–5pm. For mental well-being assistance outside of these hours contact Life-Line on 13 11 14

05/08/2021

***Domestic Border updates & requirements to travel****
Border closures and reopening’s are changing quickly and can be rather difficult to keep up with.

Below you will find the link for each state

Testing maybe required prior to departure plus also whilst on holiday. Please also ensure you also check if a permit is required for your destination prior to travel and the required timeline for applying.

Queensland
www.covid19.qld.gov.au
Queensland Border pass
https://www.qld.gov.au/border-pass
Western Australia
www.wa.gov.au
South Australia
www.covid-19.sa.gov.au
Northern Territory
www.coronavirus.nt.gov.au
Tasmania
www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au
Victoria
www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
New South Wales
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/border-restrictions
ACT
https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/travel/entering-the-ac

Health Direct web link:
Travel advice and restrictions related to COVID-19 ...
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-advice-and...

Ballarat Health Services COVID19 vaccination info:
Vaccination - Ballarat Health Service
https://www.bhs.org.au/news-and-events/covid-19-information/vaccination

➡😷✈️🚗Stay up to date – Travel safe 🚗✈️😷

16/07/2021

Supporting Ballarat Small Business during lockdown. You will even get a visit from Nicole 😷🥧🥟🚗

Award winning artisan made Traditional Cornish pasties & gourmet pies. Made with the local regions quality meats and organic vegetables. We also have pasties for our vegetarian & vegans lovers and look after our seafood pie fans. Made in Ballarat, the heart of the Victorian Goldfields (These

28/06/2021

😷😷😷 for the Southern areas in QLD announced today - click on the link for the full details 🌏❤️🙏😷😷😷

Restrictions are being reinstated in Queensland after a miner returned to the Sunshine Coast infected with the highly infectious Delta strain.

27/06/2021

****Border updates****
Here we go again ☹
With border closures and reopening’s being an ever-changing situation and rather difficult to keep up with, we have tried to make it as easy as possible to access current information.
Below are the website links for each state. If you are travelling soon, please ensure you check the information for both the state you are travelling to plus the requirements for the state you are returning to.

Queensland
www.covid19.qld.gov.au
Western Australia
www.wa.gov.au
South Australia
www.covid-19.sa.gov.au
Northern Territory
www.coronavirus.nt.gov.
Tasmania
www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au
Victoria *** permit required when returning to Victoria***link below
www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
http://coronavirus.vic.gov.au/travelpermits
New South Wales
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/border-restrictions
ACT
www.covid19.act.gov.au/help-and-advice/travellers
Health Direct – updates for each state
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-advice-and-restrictions-faqs

19/06/2021

***Victorian border update for Regional Victoria***
Shared from ABC News - updated on Saturday 19 June

Please ensure you recheck prior to travel to ensure restrictions havent changed 🙏❤️🌏.

New rules for Victorians planning interstate travel during school holidays. Victorian families will head into the winter school holidays in June. But as the state recovers from yet another coronavirus outbreak, some parts of Australia are yet to open their doors to travellers.

***Here are the different rules and restrictions that apply to those living in metropolitan and regional areas***
So read our handy guide before you plan your break✅
This was last updated at 7:26am on Saturday, June 19.

✅Queensland✅
Melburnians are not allowed to enter Queensland, except those permitted for essential purposes.
Regional Victorians are welcome but must apply for and receive a Queensland border declaration pass at least three business daysbefore entering Queensland.
If going by road, travellers must use private transport, stopping only for essentials like fuels or supplies or to manage driver fatigue, wear a mask when stopping and do not stay overnight in a hotspot.
If regional Victorians are travelling by air, they ➡️➡️ must use private transport to get to the Melbourne airport⬅️⬅️
❌❌ No use of public transport, including shuttle buses, is allowed. ❌❌

❎South Australia❎
Melburnians are not permitted to enter South Australia, except for essential travellers.
Regional Victorians are required to get a COVID-19 test on day one and self-quarantine until they get a negative test.
Those flying from the Melbourne Airport are permitted to transit through Greater Melbourne as long as they travel via the most direct and practical route.
They must only stop in the case of an emergency or respite or essential purposes. They must wear a face mask for the entire time.
Travellers cannot leave the airport before boarding their onward flight.

✅Australian Capital Territory✅
Victorians are allowed to travel into ACT, if the Victorian government permits them to do so. However, all travellers must complete a declaration form within 24 hours prior to arrival. These requirements will remain in place until 11:59pm, Thursday, June 24, 2021.

✅Northern Territory✅
Greater Melbourne is currently considered a hotspot, so Melburnians travelling to Northern Territory must quarantine for 14 days at Alice Springs or Howard Springs quarantine facilities at their own expense.
Regional Victorians can travel freely.

❎Western Australia ❎
All Victorians must self-quarantine for 14 days in suitable premises. They are also required to complete a declaration stating they do not have COVID-19 symptoms and present for a COVID-19 test on day 11.
Those arriving by air at Perth Airport will have to undergo screening and temperature test on arrival. They may also be required to take a COVID-19 test at the airport COVID clinic.

✅Tasmania✅
Tasmania is not open to metropolitan Melbourne, except to essential travellers. That rule is being reviewed but will be in place till Monday.
Regional Victorians are allowed into Tasmania and do not need to quarantine. However, they must register their travel and contact details at least three days before they arrive.
They are permitted to travel through Melbourne to get to the airport or port by private vehicle, only stopping for fuel. They can also travel using public transport as long as they disembark to make another connection and do not leave the station.
The travellers cannot leave the airport, except to stay overnight in an approved airport hotel, transiting directly from the airport terminal to the hotel and only leaving the airport hotel to return to the airport terminal.
New South Wales
All Victorians can travel to NSW but must complete a travel declaration, either 24-hours before entering or upon entry.
However, those in the border region do not need to complete the declaration.
But you cannot enter NSW if you have been in close contact with a recent case or have been to an exposure site.
What you need to know about coronavirus:
The symptoms
The number of cases in Australia
Tracking Australia's vaccine rollout
Global cases, deaths and testing rates
Zendesk COVID form embed
please see border our other post with full website links to clarify any information 🙏🌏❤️

15/06/2021

Wow.. Wilpena Pound ❤️🌏🙏

South Australia, you've left us speechless... (almost 😉)

Michael Waterhouse Photography captured this incredible shot of the galaxy above Wilpena Pound, also known as Ikara (‘meeting place’), in the heart of the Flinders Ranges. According to the indigenous Dreaming story of the Adnyamathanha people, the walls of the sunken amphitheatre are the bodies of two intertwined Akurra (giant serpents). Stay at Wilpena Pound Resort - Flinders Ranges, SA and immerse yourself in Adnyamathanha country to learn more about this incredible part of Australia.

12/06/2021

Wow!! Here’s another reason to put Tassie on your must visit list ❤️🌏🙏

Prepare to enter a magical underground world. 🔦😌
The perfect adventure. 😍
TIPS BELOW ⬇️

📷: Ryan Shan Photography
📍: Newdegate Cave, Hastings Caves Reserve, Hobart & Beyond

TRAVEL TIPS:
🚗: Hastings Caves is 102 km south of Hobart.
✅: Newdegate Cave's ancient subterranean formations are largest dolomite cave in Australia.
👙: Cave entry fees includes the use of mineral-rich thermal springs set in a lush forest glade. Experience warm thermal pool water that remains 28 degrees, year-round.
🍗: This is the perfect spot for a picnic with tables and free electric barbecues.
🥾: Explore the 10 minute Platypus and 20 minute Hot Springs forest walks.
👕: Be sure to dress in warm layers as the cave temperature is 9°
💰: $24 for adults and $12 for kids (45 min tour)Plan to arrive at least 45 minutes early to collect tickets and self-drive approximately 20 minutes to the cave car park. There is a short walk through the forest to the cave entrance.
👣 PLEASE NOTE: tours are currently limited to 8 people max and must be booked prior to visiting.

11/06/2021

One of our favourite organisations to support is Eureka Mums.
One of their biggest days of the year is fast approaching - GIVING DAY on Wednesday 16 June. Donations are QUADRULED by Eureka Mums matching partners - turn a $20 donations into $80, $100 into $400. Donations are now open via the link below.
https://www.mycause.com.au/events/eurekamums
Give, Share & Care this Giving Day.💙

Eureka Mums

10/06/2021

Great news. update below 👏👏👏

: Regional Victorians, welcome back! 👋

The NT's acting Chief Health Officer revoked the regional Victoria hotspot at 6 PM last night.
It means travellers to the NT from those regions will no longer have to enter supervised quarantine.

Greater Melbourne remains a hotspot.

😷 Live COVID updates: https://ab.co/3irOIUZ
ℹ️ NT COVID website: https://bit.ly/38oE7Vy
📍 Hotspot map: https://bit.ly/3pzwjqP

14/05/2021

Another stunning magical Aurora photo, this one was taken in Tasmania ❤️🌏🙏

What an amazing shot!

This eerie image of green aurora light reflected off water was taken just after midnight in Franklin, Tasmania, last night.

Photographer Sophie said she was busy shooting the aurora across the river when she suddenly noticed this view of it behind her.

📷: Sophie Fazackerley via ABC Northern Tasmania

13/05/2021

Wow!! so many travel the world to see these magical Auroras - this beautiful photo was taken in our home town of Ballarat. Thank you for sharing Andy smith photographic 🌏🙏❤️

This was something a bit special to see. An Aurora over Ballarat. A huge solar storm hit last night and as such could be seen from here in Ballarat which doesn’t happen very often, especially on this scale.

25/04/2021

❤️ Ballarat Wedding Collective ❤️
This is the go to for all things Wedding.

24/04/2021

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."