Your locally owned Ararat Advocate is out today with a big wrap of local news, sport and events. This week, Ararat Probus celebrates 40 years, the Mess and Barracks underway, Ararat Fire Brigade to open its doors, funding for ‘Kitchen Gardens” in Willaura and Ararat, 60 gather for Police Remembrance Day, a minor earthquake strikes […]

Ozy wants to break the barriers

OZY Kokcu is well known to many Ararat residents.
Known affectionately as Ozy the Kebab Man, he has thrown his hat in the ring to be one of Ararat’s next councillors.
Ozy has lived in Ararat for over 20 years and told the Advocate this week he wants to be part of a team working to improve Ararat for all residents.
“There is big gaps between council and the community so I would like to break that barrier and bring council and the community together when making decisions.

Poster liftout this week

After the Ararat Eagles A&B Grade netball grand final wins, our cartoonist Paul Dorin has put together this magnificent poster in Friday’s edition of the Ararat Advocate.

Victorian Socialists endorse Fiona for council

FIONA Tipping is the only candidate running for this year’s election under the banner of a political party.
With the backing of the Victorian Socialists, Fiona is keen to make Ararat a better place to live for all residents.
“Having a long history of working in the community sector of the Grampians, Pyrenees and Central Highlands including Ararat, I was privileged to be able to purchase my home in Ararat over four years ago.

A younger perspective

LUKE Preston has entered the race to become a councillor at next months election, saying he wants to influence projects that will serve Ararat for future generations.
Born and bred in Ararat, he told the Advocate this week council needs to be a mix of youth and experience.
“There is no young voice on council. I moved away from Ararat for a few years and then came back home where I realised Ararat has a lot of potential. There are a big handful of things that just need a bit of a push,” he said.

Brass is back

ONE of Ararat’s most popular musical attractions returns to Ararat Town Hall in October.
Grampians Brass will showcase some of Victoria’s best brass bands on Saturday the 5th of October.
Ararat City Band is hosting the Grampians Brass Festival which presents four renowned brass bands to each year.
This year’s festival will feature Western Brass for a third year along with Harmony Brass and Diamond Valley Brass Band.

Welcome to Ararat

Members of the local community and new arrivals to Ararat came together on Sunday for a Welcoming Week celebration. Welcoming Week is an annual campaign that promotes and celebrates communities that welcome all new residents, including migrants. The celebration was held in the Alexandra Gardens where participants were also encouraged to bring a dish from […]

Rotary supports Pomonal fire victims with $20,000+

IN a heartfelt display of community support, the Ararat Rotary Club has reached out to Pomonal’s Resilience Community Group, providing relief to those affected by the devastating fires earlier this year.
Last Thursday saw the handover of debit cards funded by over $20,000 raised to assist residents who lost everything.
The initiative was part of Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS), a program dedicated to helping communities in need across the country.