Articles by Craig Wilson
Cold winter places strain on Ararat charity
THE rising cost of groceries, fresh produce and fuel is placing additional strain on the resources of one local charity.
Ararat Emergency Relief Committee is made up of five local churches working to provide food and assistance for people doing it tough.
As the temperature has dropped, the committee has seen a noticeable increase in the number of people seeking help, especially families.
At last, some movement on the fountain
SINCE arriving at Ararat Rural City Council, CEO Tim Harrison admits one of his greatest frustrations has been lack of progress on the restorations of the town’s historic fountain.
Work on plumbing and wiring was completed over two years ago, but the contractor charged with carrying out the restoration disappeared during the pandemic and hasn’t resurfaced.
All that’s needed for the project to be completed is a cherub and some orbs.
Dr Harrison told the Advocate this week, there is finally some good news, with a new contractor has been sourced to carry out the remaining work.
Blue vanilla slice raises $3,601 for MND
WILLAURA baker Peter Sporton set himself a challenge last week to raise $1,000 for motor neurone disease through the sale of blue vanilla slices.
The response was overwhelming according to Peter, with just over $3,600 going to FightMND.
Rhonda Waterson and Wendy Smart – Ararat’s ‘checkout chicks’
WE’VE all been there. You’re grabbing some groceries and you want a fast yet courteous experience at the checkout, and you certainly don’t want to muck about with that new-fangled self-service contraption.
Ah, thank goodness, you think. There’s that nice lady on Express.
Chances are, said nice lady is either Rhonda Waterston or Wendy Smart, two stalwart ‘checkout chicks’ who have been at Woolworths for 34 years. Back when it was Safeway. Yep, that long. And they tell me they are never late for a shift.
Recognition for Elmhurst heroes
A number of Elmhurst firefighters have been recognised for bravery following their actions to help save a man in 2019.
Jonathon Keith, Sarah Keith, Justin McKenzie, Geoff Penna, Geoff Rogers and Steven Whiting of Crowlands were joined by off duty South Australian fire fighters Peter Wilson and Mark Stephens to help save the man from a burning house near Elmhurst Hotel.
The eight attended a Victoria Police Awards Investiture Ceremony last Friday at the Police Academy in Melbourne to be recognised with a Citizen’s Commendation for their efforts on the 28th of December, 2019.
Neighbourhood House welcomes new manager
THERE’s been a changing of the guard at Ararat Neighbourhood House, with Talwinder Kaur taking over as the new manager.
Mr Kaur, also known as Teli, officially commenced on the 16th of May after former manager Lou Makin moved interstate.
Long serving nurses reflect on a lifetime of care
97 years is a long time in anyone’s book.
TWO staff at Ararat’s Gorrinn House share a remarkable 97 years of service between them as they continue to serve the needs of their residents.
CEO and Director of Care Robyn Woods-Gebler has 50 years nursing and Clinical Supervisor Jo Simmonds 47 years, but they both admit retirement is on the distant horizon.
Boy in blue; Mario Miocic signs off after 28 years service
SERGEANT Mario Miocic has given 28 years of his life to Victoria Police, and 25 of those were spent here in Ararat.
Mario’s decision to move to Ararat was Melbourne’s loss and our gain.
“We’ve never looked back,” he said. “Country policing not for everybody. But it’s a great place. I’ve had an absolute ball.”
Born in Melbourne in 1968, Mario entered the police force because he felt policing offered job security, and “looked like fun.”
Mario met future wife Michelle, who had moved to the city from Ararat. The couple married and welcomed their children Olivia and Jake. They were living in East Bentleigh when they decided it was time for a change.