107.9 ABC Ballarat is one of ABC Local Radio's newest stations, beginning its on-air existence one chilly winter morning on June 30, 2003. It is the largest ABC regional station in Victoria and is home to a team of broadcasters, journalists and program-makers producing news and programs primarily serving Ballarat, Ararat and Daylesford as well as the greater South West Victoria region including Hamilton, Portland, Port Fairy and Warrnambool.

Regional Program Manager Dominic Brine presents Breakfast between 6am and 7:45am weekdays for the Ballarat region on 107.9, covering Ballarat, Daylesford, Ararat, Camperdown, Mortlake and Colac with regular local news, sports and weather bulletins. Programs on ABC Ballarat Steve Martin presents the morning program for South West Victoria between 8:30am and 11am.

Kathy Bedford presents Statewide Drive between 3pm and 6pm. 107.9 ABC Ballarat includes a news room staffed by two journalists, with an online department including national rural online producer Caleb Cluff and radio/online producer Jarrod Watt, who manages and produces content for both the ABC Ballarat and ABC South West Victoria websites.

Together they endeavour to supply a dynamic source of audio, visual and broadband content for what is seen as one of Australia's most 'wired' regional centres, from a radio station equipped with some of the latest in digital broadcasting technology. As Victoria's largest inland city, Ballarat is steeped in history dating back to 1838, when a squatter called William Yuille camped on the shores of the Black Swamp, now known as Lake Wendouree. "Balla" "Arat" was derived from the local Aboriginal dialect, meaning resting or camping place.

It is considered by some as the birthplace of Australian republicanism, with the Eureka Stockade in Ballarat commemorating the miners' rebellion led by Peter Lalor on 3 December 1854. The remnants of the miners' blue and white flag can be seen in the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery. The Eureka Centre also in Ballarat is a tribute to those who participated in this rebellion.

With its massive Eureka flag dominating the Ballarat skyline, the Centre brings to life a turbulent time in Australia's political history. Ballarat is a city of major industry, with well-known food and confectionery companies and building industry suppliers established there, as well as an increasing number of local and multinational IT companies. Some of the area's primary industries include gold, clay, potatoes, wool and meat.

It is also the home of some of Victoria's top tourist attractions, including Sovereign Hill and the Gold Museum, both of which showcase the 'golden' history, as well as the world-reknown South Street Eisteddford, a debating and performance arts competition begun in 1891 which has grown to an annual event attracting nearly 8,000 entries in 17 disciplines. 107.9 ABC Ballarat is one of ABC Local Radio's newest stations, beginning its on-air existence one chilly winter morning on June 30, 2003.