News
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.
Business of the Week – The Barkly Bistro, Barand Accommodation
THE old Shire Hall Hotel has undergone a huge transformation over the past few years.
Owners Rob and Sandy Martin have painstakingly restored much of the old pub, with vast improvements to the dining area, accommodation and a new bar.
Under the new name Barkly Bistro, Bar and Accommodation, it’s a venue well worth a visit.
Locals bust their energy bills
MORE residents of Ararat Rural City can receive immediate bill relief and cut their energy costs thanks to the Victorian Government’s $250 Power Saving Bonus, already taken up by close to 1,600 local households.
It means around $400,000 in payments has been returned to Ararat Households in July, while also assisting people to find a better energy price.
Renegades go rural
MEMBERS of the Melbourne Renegades cricket team were in Ararat this week to inspire a new generation of cricketers.
Allrounders Georgia Wareham and Will Sutherland and their entourage visited students at Ararat Primary School and Ararat West Primary School to talk cricket, share techniques and sign autographs.
UK bound – Darcy Aitken has cricket in his blood
ARARAT’s Darcy Aitken has loved cricket all of his life and has his eyes set on playing in the United Kingdom next year.
House prices remain strong
THE average house price in Ararat continues to soar with new figures showing the average home is worth $100,000 more than a year ago.
A report from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria suggests the median house price in Ararat in the second quarter of 2022 was $378,000 compared with $273,000 for the same period in 2021.