Articles by Craig Wilson
Adrian calls end to stellar career
WHAT was to be a five week deployment led to a 37-year career for Ararat’s Clerk-of-Courts Adrian Pieters.
Friday was Adrian’s last day on the job, ending a career which saw him work with many colourful, interesting and in some cases notorious individuals at different courts over 50 years.
Pristine pool
ARARAT’s popular heated indoor pool is back open to the public after a major facelift.
The pool was closed to the public in early December allowing it to be drained ahead of a new coat of paint and line marking.
Local business Matt Harris Painting was engaged to freshen up the pool.
Matt and his team pressure cleaned the entire surface before applying a coat of paint and finishing off the job with line marking.
It then took several days to refill the pool before it reopened on Monday.
The eight lane, 25 metre heated swimming pool has a regulated temperature between 28 to 31c, making it a popular venue, particularly in colder months.
The pool is used for a variety of exercise programs including lane swimming, squads, aqua classes, water resistance walking, swimming lessons as well as kid’s wet and wild activities.
Ararat Fitness Centre also has a spa, sauna and toddlers pool.
To celebrate the reopening of the indoor pool, a ‘pool party’ has been organised for Friday the 13th of January from 6pm to 8pm.
The pool party will include music, inflatables and prizes.
Minions on the move
THE phenomenon sweeping Warrak appears to be on the move with a mysterious letterbox appearing this week at Mt Cole.
Last week, the Ararat Advocate reported three hand crafted Minion letterboxes had appeared at properties around Warrak under the cloak of darkness.
But it appears their maker is on the move, with a fourth letterbox turning up this week outside the Dunn family resident in Mt Cole.
Police wellbeing a top priority for new Chaplain
ARARAT Police have a new source of support for members with the appointment of a Police Chaplain.
Anglican Priest Father Martin Nadarajan was appointed to the role late last year.
He told the Ararat Advocate, Police do a tough job and he wants to be a source of support to all members.
“It’s a new challenge for me and I’m here to learn,” he said.
NBN upgrade underway
WORK has started on the upgrades to the nbn Fixed Wireless network in One Tree Hill and Moyston, which will benefit households and businesses across the region.
The upgrade once complete will provide access to faster speeds and extend the coverage of the nbn Fixed Wireless across Ararat and the wider region.
It is part of a $750 million investment in the nbn Fixed Wireless and nbn Sky Muster satellite network with $480 million from the Australian Government and $270 million from nbn.
Aerators will improve lake health : CEO
ARARAT Rural City Council has commissioned three new aerators in Alexandra Gardens Lake in a bid to prevent further cases of blue green algae.
Council has invested around $40,000 on the new aerators which were deemed the best way of dealing with outbreaks of algae.
Blue-green algae developed in the lake in March due to limited water flow and a high nutrient load in the water.
At the time, council quickly commenced excavations works to allow water to flow more freely and placed an order for three new fountains (aerators) to help oxygenate the water.
The new aerators were switched on Thursday lunchtime by Deputy Mayor Bob Sanders.
Recycler faces imminent closure
JAMES Downes is Ararat’s original recycler.
For decades, he has diligently collected and disposed of Ararat’s recyclable waste, keeping hundreds of tonnes of glass, cardboard and plastic from landfill.
It was for many years a good business, but Mr Downes said things have changed dramatically and he is now in a difficult position where there is no longer a market for recycled glass and cardboard.
Now in his 80s and wanting to retire, Mr Downes said he’s in limbo.
“We cannot get rid of paper and cardboard. We can take it to Stawell to a recycler up there but he can’t get rid of some of it,” he said.
“It costs me money to get it up to Stawell. We do charge some people to pick up paper and cardboard around town but it doesn’t cover our costs.”
RSL backs local organisations
ARARAT RSL has continued with its tradition of supporting the local community with a series of community grants announced last week.
Twelve local organisations will share in $10,800.
The successful groups include Lake Bolac Music Club, Ararat Emergency Relief, Moyston Willaura Football Netball Club, Ararat Alexander Croquet Club, Ararat Eagles Football Netball Club, Lake Bolac and District Little Athletics, Ararat Lions Club, Ararat Genealogical Society, Ararat Musical Comedy Society, Ararat Men’s Shed, Ararat Neighbourhood House and Ararat City Band.