Seriously Shiraz returns to J Ward

FANS of the Grampians’ signature peppery reds will descend on Ararat this Father’s Day weekend as Seriously Shiraz returns with a bang on Saturday 3rd September, the first time the event has been held since 2019.
The leading event that will officially kick off the Grampians Wine Festival held all month long, Seriously Shiraz invites visitors to discover the region’s award-winning Shiraz through tastings and winemaker masterclasses, alongside renowned local produce and unmissable live music.
After a two-year hiatus, it will be the perfect day out to support the Grampians’ distinguished wineries and winemakers. 
Hosted at the iconic J Ward Museum in Ararat, the one-day event will showcase a variety of some of the best Shiraz and other Grampians wines from the region with wine tastings available from 12 noon until 4pm and glass or bottle purchases available from 4-5pm.

New Doctor for Lake Bolac

After many years without a regular doctor, the Lake Bolac Bush Nursing Centre welcomed Dr  Pushparani Ravindranayagam to their team of health professionals yesterday.
Dr Pushpa works from the Beaufort Medical Practice and will run a clinic each Thursday at Lake Bolac.
Lake Bolac Bush Nursing Centre CEO, Jan Milliken, was excited to announce the appointment.
“It has been a long process and years of negotiations to obtain a doctor for our district,” she said.

Reserve closed as redevelopment picks up pace

WORKS are well underway on the Gordon Street Recreation Reserve, which will deliver a new world-class sporting facility for Ararat.
With work underway on the new pavilion and lighting towers, Gordon Street Recreational Reserve will be closed to the public until the entire redevelopment is delivered.
Once complete, Gordon Street will feature a new multi-use pavilion, upgraded AFLW/Cricket Oval, a new FIFA Soccer Pitch, plus Mini Roos and Little Athletics playing surfaces and oval lighting upgrades.

Business community kicks in for toy appeal

ARARAT’s annual Christmas Toy Appeal has been given an early boost thanks to the local business community.
The Greater Ararat Business Network recently held a successful Christmas in July networking night at the Barkly Bar and Bistro with the proceeds going to Ararat Emergency Relief Committee.
The event raised $763, and last week the proceeds were handed over to committee member Captain Greg Turnbull from the Salvation Army.

Growing a new generation of swim teachers

ARARAT Rural City Council has partnered with a local school to support and provide applied learning opportunities for senior secondary students as part of their VCAL studies.

The council-run program will support three Year 11 students from Marian college by covering the cost of their AUSTSWIM course and provide mentoring sessions led by Ararat Fitness Centre aquatics co-ordinator Judy Young.

Council CEO Tim Harrison said council’s mentorship program will help guide the next generation of Ararat swimming teachers to attain a nationally recognised swimming and water safety course, AUSTSWIM.

A stole of many colours

LOCAL Catholic priest Father Andrew Hayes has a new and colourful stole to wear for Mass thanks to 70 Lowe Street resident Nina. Nina spent many hours fashioning the stole, which is reminiscent of Joseph’s multi coloured coat. Father Andrew was moved by the gift and has proudly worn the stole during Mass. “Different churches […]

Little boxes of memories

PHOTOS, knick-knacks, sporting memorabilia, post cards – they all trigger memories, but are particularly important for older people and even more important for those living with dementia.
Memory boxes have been installed at East Grampians Health Service’s aged care facility Garden View Court, with the Ararat Woodies generously donating their time and materials to construct the boxes for each of the 24 residents.
The memory boxes are like the old fashioned ‘shadow boxes’ and sit adjacent to the door of each resident’s room.

Joanne Byron – Willaura’s quiet achiever

Written by Heather Fleming.
MANY people from the Willaura community and its wider district know how fortunate they are to have Jo Byron live and work amongst them.
In a small community where volunteers can be thin on the ground, Jo has done a power of work to ensure community life is strengthened. Her organisational skills and dedication seem boundless, and her unpaid efforts have encompassed a wide range of activities.
For many years the community has enjoyed the numerous events and fundraisers she has been actively involved in creating, and her volunteer efforts within various sporting and educational organisations have helped make them operate more smoothly.
Jo is extremely modest about her considerable achievements, and not one to seek the limelight or look for any recognition. Instead she works steadily to ensure that everyone is on board, and that whatever needs doing is done efficiently.
Jo’s attention to detail and capacity to sort tasks, roles, numbers and activities is remarkable. Her “job lists” are legendary and she has ensured that everything from publicity to co-ordinating the accommodation for visiting artists has been covered.