Articles by Craig Wilson
Testing and vaccination demand grows at EGHS
THERE has been a big increase in the number of COVID tests and vaccine booster shots administered this week at East Grampians Health Service as infection numbers grow across Victoria. Yesterday was another horror day, with 21,997 positive cases of COVID-19 detected across the state. In recent weeks, testing sites in Melbourne and regional centres […]
Foundation provides $50,000 towards birthing suite upgrade
THE East Grampians Health Service Building for the Future Foundation has generously provided $50,000 towards the upgrade of the health service’s birthing suite. The works will include building a small storeroom on the east side of the building to allow for equipment to be moved into that area, so doctors and midwives will have more […]
Missing cherub a thorn in CEO’s side
ARARAT Rural City Council is actively seeking another contractor to complete work on the Memorial Fountain after years of frustration and delays. Council CEO Tim Harrison said the fountain outside Ararat Town Hall has become his “biggest frustration” after the contractor ceased work almost two years ago. Plumbing and wiring work on the historic fountain […]
Rapid antigen tests in short supply
THE national shortage of rapid antigen tests has been mirrored in Ararat with our local pharmacies all out of stock. Pharmacists are hoping the availability of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests will increase in coming weeks after disruption of supply over Christmas meant shelves were stripped of the sought-after product. The Ararat Advocate contacted pharmacists this […]
Melaine scores top broadcast award
FORMER Willaura resident Melaine Robinson admits she is a natural born story teller. 51-year-old Melaine is legally blind and her life took a different direction in 2020 after she became redundant from a job she loved at the Lost Dogs Home. “I worked 31 years for the one organisation, started off as a trainee veterinary […]
Voices of Wannon choose Alex
Voices of Wannon choose Alex Former triple j host, media personality and author Alex Dyson has today announced his candidacy for his home seat of Wannon at the 2022 Federal Election. After his run at the seat in 2019 as an independent, Alex has seen partisan infighting, inaction and incompetence worsen, making the case for […]
Library reading challenge to slow the summer slide
THE Ararat Library is encouraging children to read over the holidays with a summer reading challenge, rewarding enthusiastic readers with prizes for their efforts. The BIG Summer Read program aims to prevent what is known as the ‘summer slide’, where children take a break from their regular school routine results in a decline of literacy […]
Ethan donates savings to rescue dogs
A SIX-year-old boy has restored faith in Ararat Dog Rescue volunteers after handing over his annual savings. Ethan McAskell saved $204 throughout 2021 and after losing his own dog, Jemma, in May, decided there was no other charity he wanted to donate to. Ethan’s parents Reece and Susan introduced a three tin savings system for […]