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Image: Image: Brian Purnell, Michael Gudinski, Courtesy of Mushroom Creative House

Number One | Gudinski 

(currently open Thursday to Sunday | updated 13/10/21) 

This element of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale will be held in the Basement of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute.

We are thrilled to be a part of this wonderful event.

About this installation

In celebration of Michael Gudinski’s legacy, the Ballarat International Foto Biennale in partnership with Mushroom Group presents an exhibition of music photography. Through an Open Call, music photographers were given the opportunity to submit photographs featuring artists under the Mushroom Group and Frontier Touring banner. Number One | Gudinski is an ode to Michael Gudinski, whose passion for music was legendary. This exhibition celebrates his advocacy for the arts and lasting impact.

Often referred to by those in the know as the Godfather of Aussie music, Michael Gudinski is widely recognised as the most powerful and influential figure in the Australian music industry. As Chairman of Mushroom Group – the largest independent music and entertainment company in Australia and New Zealand, home to Frontier Touring, Chugg Entertainment, eight record labels and over two dozen other specialist divisions – Gudinski’s clout was undeniable. The exhibition features photographs of Elton John, Paul McCartney, Vance Joy, Courtney Barnett, Troye Sivan and many more.

About the Foto Beinnale

The Ballarat International Foto Biennale was founded in 2005 and attracts significant international and Australian photographers as one of Australia’s pre-eminent photographic festivals. It is a not-for-profit event that immerses the historic town of Ballarat in photographic art.

Now in its 16th year, the Ballarat International Foto Biennale has enriched the cultural landscape of regional Victoria, becoming the most significant, prestigious photographic arts festival in Australia. Held every two years we showcase work from domestic and international artists that is new, previously unseen in Australia or contextualised afresh; and in our Open Program we foster the development of emerging artists. Alongside there are public programs and education programs comprising talks, workshops and prizes which round out a rich and diverse cultural event that attracts more than 30,000 people, delivering significant economic and cultural impact.

The Ballarat International Foto Biennale is guided by the principle that it not only serves the community but also plays a vital role in cultivating it.

The Ballarat International Foto Biennale has attracted more than 200,000 visitors to Ballarat and was honoured in 2018 at the Federation Business School and Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards as the winner of the Visit Ballarat Events and Attractions Business Award. Its Founding Director, Jeff Moorfoot OAM received an Order of Australia Medal for services to photography.

We are Australia’s leading photographic festival. We’ve done this by consistently finding new ways to engage audiences with photography, responding to our audience’s needs, their changing vision of art and culture, and the role it plays in shaping Ballarat. We recognise and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people as the First Australians. Through photography, we see our world reflected back in unexpected ways through the eyes of others: artists, community and new perspectives.

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A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | August 2025

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A Woman’s Voice Alli Sinclair A sweeping romantic adventure based on true events of the women’s liberation movement. She is defiant – She is strong – She will be heard Don’t miss Alli and author Chloe Adams on Wednesday 6 August at 6pm. When violin virtuoso Laura Hartley’s priceless instrument is stolen, her celebrated European career collapses — and with it, her rare gift of seeing music in colour. Fleeingto her grandmother’s home in the Australian outback, Laura discovers anextraordinary

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Raise a Glass for Brass

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portrait of author with book cover

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