15/05/2026
As a long-time local supporter of Ryans IGA Supermarkets Ballarat in Mount Clear, where I do probably 95% of my family’s grocery shopping, I was genuinely excited this afternoon to see one of the regions best buskers, Rod Gear, out the front performing his beautiful original acoustic music.
That excitement quickly turned to disappointment when I learned the duty manager had told Rod to move on, under threat of police involvement. Rod packed up quietly and told me he wouldn’t be returning.
Honestly, that’s a real loss for the community.
Maybe I’ll take my shopping elsewhere with him. Somewhere that actually values local arts, talent, and community connection.
Hiding behind “private property” feels like a weak excuse when so many supermarket entrances and shopping centres are already filled with aggressive charity spruikers, and raffle sellers pushing causes onto people who are already struggling through a cost-of-living crisis.
A genuinely talented musician playing original songs for loose change and the occasional CD sale is hardly a nuisance. In fact, it’s one of the few things that actually adds warmth and humanity to the shopping experience. I own Rod’s entire discography purely because he was there playing his music in the community.
Ballarat talks a lot about supporting the arts. Moments like this are where businesses get to prove whether they actually mean it.
