Articles by Craig Wilson
Iconic rock band to shake Ararat
ARARAT seniors will be able to enjoy an afternoon of rock-n-roll next month, as one of Australia’s most iconic ’70s rock bands Spectrum will visit Ararat Town Hall on March 9th. As part of the Victorian Seniors Festival, singer-songwriter Mike Rudd and lead guitarist Brenden Mason of Madder Lake will join for a long-overdue tour […]
Ten years on – the fight to save the outdoor pool
TEN years ago last week, a thousand people turned up to Alexandra Oval on a hot Friday night to fight for an important community asset. Ararat Rural City Council had decided to permanently close the town’s outdoor swimming pool because its dilapidated state made it unsafe for use. The decision outraged many. Petitions began, public […]
Therapy dogs in big demand
THERAPY dogs are in high demand in Ararat reflecting a nation-wide trend for their use in educational and health settings. 19-month-old Murray River Retriever Hollie was on hand at the East Grampians Health Service children’s clinic on Wednesday morning, to offer cuddles and support to children receiving their vaccinations. “It’s been amazing,” said student vaccinator […]
Turning 100 in style
GLORIA Pyke knew last Sunday was going to be a special day with family and friends, but she never could imagine how her day would transpire. Mrs Pyke, a resident at Stawell’s Eventide Homes, was looking forward to lunch at Pomonal Estate to celebrate her 100th birthday. But the day took an unexpected twist, when […]
Water woes in Elmhurst
GWMWater is working to improve the quality of the water supply to Elmhurst after a significant deterioration in recent weeks. Residents have complained that the water coming through their taps has an odour and is discoloured, making is unusable in most households. GWM Water says high levels of organic material have resulted in odour within […]
Festival pitch to businesses
ORGANISERS of Moyston’s fifth annual Pitch Festival are pleading with Ararat businesses to remain open throughout next month’s music event. More than 15,000 people will swamp the region from March 11 to 15 and are expected to inject $6 million into the local economy. Tickets for the festival sold out within minutes of going on […]
Heritage train coming to Ararat
RAIL enthusiasts are in for a rare treat later this month when the restored carriages of the 1937 Spirit of Progress will arrive in Ararat. Seymour Rail Heritage Centre is running the special train to Ararat on Saturday the 26th of February with 156 passengers. The diesel hauled train will stop for around two hours […]
Schools equipped with COVID arsenal
By Jack Ward. SCHOOLS will return next week equipped with new COVID-19 practices to help avoid more school closures in 2022. Ararat principals are optimistic about the year ahead thanks to the state government’s new measures to minimise the disruption to learning, however, they admit it is hard to predict the impact isolation requirements will […]