New tourism boss

GRAMPIANS Tourism has recently appointed a new chairman to lead the organisation though the post-pandemic period.
The Ararat Advocate understands former Victorian Farmers Federation President David Jochinke was elected at a recent meeting of stakeholders.

Raising funds for new tanker

GREAT Western Fire Brigade have stepped up their fundraising efforts, with a new tanker in their sights.

The brigade have recommenced their Friday night meat tray raffle at the Great Western Hotel after a two year break due to COVID.

The brigade also recently received the proceeds of the Punters Club at this year’s Great Western races.

Rotary helps flood effort

ARARAT Rotary Club is helping flood impacted areas of New South Wales and Queensland by co-ordinating the collection of pet food. The local club is assisting Alfredton Rotary Club, which intends sending a semi-trailer of pet food to flood impacted areas later this month. Ararat Rotary is urging members of the local community to make […]

Celebrating 40 years of service

GREG Gason reached a remarkable milestone last week; 40 years of service to the iconic Ararat manufacturing business bearing his families name.
Mr Gason commenced his career at the Gason factory in 1982 after he graduated from university with a degree in mechanical engineering, and spent 30 years as the manager of the engineering department.

On with the show

ARARAT Show Society will be hoping for third time lucky, with plans to return the Ararat Show in October.
The pandemic led to the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 annual shows, but the committee are confident this year’s event can and will proceed.
The committee recently met to give the show the green light.
Show Society President Gwenda Allgood said the committee now has a big task ahead resurrecting the show after a long absence.

Rare vintage cars to visit in March

SOME of Victoria’s oldest cars are coming to the region in March.
The Veteran Car Club of Australia (Victoria) is holding a three day event on March 18, 19 and 20 featuring one and two cylinder cars, all manufactured prior to 1919.
Club spokesman Michael Holding said all of the cars are at least 110 years old and range in speed between 30 and 60 kilometres per hour.

Ararat photographer on show

MANY local residents would have seen some stunning photographs on social media sites taken by Ararat’s Martin Stringer. Martin is a passionate photographer, film-maker and nature lover. For almost a decade he has aimed to showcase to the world how the organisation Rainforest Rescue protects rainforests. He has also worked creatively with organisations that are […]

Home fires burn for acclaimed author

YOU only need to open one of Tony Cavanaugh’s books to see the impression his hometown has left on him.
Now a best-selling author and award-winning writer and producer of a string of Australian television shows and movies, Cavanaugh still draws on experiences and friendships forged here even though he left town more than 50 years ago.
The 65-year-old is now based in Sydney but spent his early childhood in Ararat, attending primary school at Ararat West then returning home from boarding school in Geelong whenever he could.