Articles by Craig Wilson
Open for Business
AFTER a tough few weeks, Pomonal and Halls Gap have reopened their doors to visitors this week after authorities declared the Grampians bushfire contained. Local businesses were upbeat when the Advocate visited yesterday morning despite many losing tens of thousands of dollars in lost trade due to road closures. In Pomonal, the general store, Barney’s […]
Ruby to represent Ararat in Flapper Shield
YOUNG Ararat bowler Ruby Jackson has been selected to play with the Murray Mallee Bushrangers in the prestigious Flapper Shield.
The statewide tournament which is for under eighteen bowlers will be held at the Sebastopol Club on the 15th of January.
Ruby has been training for the event on Monday nights for the past five weeks at the Sebastopol Club with the Ballarat Nuggets which is for players aged eight to sixteen.
For non-bowlers, the shield is named after Matt Flapper who has represented Australia on many occasions and is a household name in bowls circles.
NEW YEAR PARKRUN
ARARAT parkrun welcomed in 2025 with a New Year’s Day run. 55 people were up early on New Years morning to kick off a healthy 2025 with a run around Ararat’s Alexandra Gardens. The participants included a number of visitors from across Australia and one from Sussex in the United Kingdom. Organiser Tricia Ruthen said […]
Southern Cloud finds a home
Southern Cloud finds a new home
AN important part of Ararat’s history has found its final resting place
Southern Cloud was the creation of the late Eric ‘Whirley’ Wilson, originally made for the 1958 Golden Gateway Festival.
Known affectionately as “The Old Bomb”, the novelty car appeared in no fewer than eight Moomba parades and has been a highlight at countless community gatherings around the Ararat district.
Upgrade in 2025 for killer intersection
A dangerous intersection on the Glenelg Highway will soon see improvements to slow down traffic. The intersection of the highway with the Eurambeen-Streatham Road at Streatham has long been regarded as dangerous with several accidents and a recent fatality. A woman died after a crash at the intersection in October. A government spokesperson confirmed to […]
Extra weekend trains in 2025
MEMBER for Ripon Martha Haylett remains confident extra weekend train services will be delivered for the Ararat line in 2025.
The Victorian Government has confirmed planning has begun for additional weekend train services to Ararat and Beaufort.
In the 2023 state budget, the government announced two additional weekend services on Saturday and Sunday.
It means Ararat and Beaufort will have five services to and from Melbourne each day of the week.
Producers on show at Forage and Feast Festival
THE 2025 Forage and Feast Festival is set to put local producers in the spotlight over coming weeks.
A collaborative event from Central Highlands Growers and Producers Hub, the festival spans a number of municipalities, offering a wide range of unique experiences which allow our regional producers to show their passion for their craft.
Participants include Pomonal Estate, Black and Ginger, Mt Langi Ghiran and Grampians Estate.
Skate Park Leagues Competition ready to roll into Ararat
ON 19 January, the Bill Waterston Skate Park in central Ararat will host its first Skate Park Leagues (SPL) event as part of the 2025 Melbourne Metro Series.
The grassroots competition will bring up to 600 participants to the park to showcase their skills in skateboarding, BMX, and scootering, all taking place on the ramps and rails of our facility.
SPL is all about celebrating skate park culture and creating a positive space for young people of all ages and abilities to shine, whether competing or cheering from the sidelines. Launched in 2007 in partnership with the Victorian Skateboarding Association, SPL now runs over 100 events a year across Australia.