Articles by Craig Wilson

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

MICA Paramedics commence in Ararat
ARARAT’s ambulance services have been expanded this week with two new Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedics starting on Monday.
The MICA paramedics deliver on a promise made in 2018 by Premier Daniel Andrews.
MICA paramedics have a higher clinical skill set and can perform more advanced medical procedures.
They can perform advanced airway management, manage complex head injuries, treat life-threatening chest injuries and provide advanced management of cardiac conditions.

Remember the victims says Father Andrew
A local Catholic Priest says the death of Cardinal George Pell will reignite memories for many victims of child sexual abuse by the clergy. Australia’s most senior Catholic, Cardinal Pell died in Vatican City aged 81. The former Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne and Sydney died from heart complications on Tuesday evening following hip surgery. He […]

Former MP in running for Liberals top job
FORMER Ripon MP Louise Staley is in the running to run the troubled Victorian division of the Liberal Party.
The Victorian Liberals suffered another disastrous loss at November’s election, failing to make any gains from the Andrews Government.
Previous state director Sam McQuestin has resigned, opening the way for a new direction under a new director.
Ms Staley confirmed to the Advocate this week she is an applicant for the job.

Now there are five
WHO is behind the mysterious Minions at Warrak?
It is the question on everyone’s lips as the small community of 68 residents waits for the arrival of the next Minion letter box.
Three editions ago, the Ararat Advocate reported the arrival of the first three Minion letterboxes, then last week there was a fourth up the road at Mt Cole.
This week, a fifth has arrived outside a home just up from Warrak Hall.

Countdown begins for 15th Ride to Remember
THE 15th annual Grampians Ride to Remember is drawing nearer with organisers expecting over 500 participants in this year’s event.
February’s ride will take participants through 197 kilometres of picturesque countryside from Ararat to Moyston, Pomonal, Lake Fyans, Halls Gap, Yarram Gap, Willaura and Maroona, returning to the Alexandra Gardens.
Organisers say over 200 people have already registered for the ride online with several hundred more expected before the big day.