Articles by Craig Wilson

  • Change of hands at Zest Living

    MARCIA Parry from popular Ararat gift shop Zest Living admits she has mixed feelings about her decision to retire. Marce took over the business at the start of the pandemic from LeeAnne Slee and told the Ararat Advocate this week it was one of the best decisions of her life. But in recent months, Marce […]

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  • Cherry’s writing dream comes true

    For aspiring authors out there, who think it is too late to write their great Australian novel, take inspiration from Cherry Morgan, who has just had her first book published at the age of 78. A resident of East Grampians Health Service’s 70 Lowe Street, Cherry is quite overwhelmed by the fact that her murder […]

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  • Disability champion farewelled

    IT would be hard if not impossible to find someone who has done more for people with disabilities that Deborah Verdon.
    Throughout the region, Deb is known as a fearless warrior defending the rights of and fighting for better outcomes for people with disabilities.
    But after almost 23 years as the Executive Officer of Grampians disAbility Advocacy, the time has come to move on.
    This week, colleagues and friends gathered at Ararat RSL to mark the retirement of Deb Verdon.
    She told the Ararat Advocate it had been an amazing job which can deliver positive results and change lives.

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  • Top honour for Jean

    ANYONE who shops at Ritchies Ararat would know Jean Thomas. Jean is friendly towards everyone and is usually found on one of the registers. She’s the shops “go to” person. If anyone knows what is going on or where to find something it will be Jean. Her job as a service supervisor is basically to […]

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  • Sisters unite for MS

    TWO local sisters have taken up a challenge to walk 50 kilometres each over the month of May in memory of their sister. Debbie Shea and Sandy McCutcheon are participating in “The May 50K” to raise funds to support research and treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) The sisters are participating in memory of their sister […]

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  • Astbury returns home

    TATYOON Football Club has unveiled its secret weapon to win the 2023 Mininera League premiership cup. AFL premiership player David Astbury is to return to his boyhood club this season after his retirement from Richmond. Astbury played in three premierships over a 12 year career with Richmond (2017, 2019 and 2020). He was drafted in […]

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  • Veterans in training

    FOR Lisa Haddow and Josh McDougall, returning to the netball court and football field isn’t about reliving past glories, it’s about helping their local community. Ms Haddow and Mr McDougall will be competing in the fourth annual over 40s football and netball games at Ararat Alexandra Oval on March 25, organised by Grampians Community Health […]

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  • Great cast assembled for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

    ARARAT Musical Comedy Society has assembled a strong cast for its June production of the beloved musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Director Jodie Holwell and Musical Director Leanne McCready were thrilled with the great turnout to auditions in February, which enabled all roles to be filled, including 22 named roles as well as an adult […]

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