News
Here’s to 40 years
KATHLEEN Leggett is the epitome of a great volunteer.
Kathleen, or Kathy as she prefers, recently clocked over 40 years as a volunteer at the St Vincent de Paul Society op-shop in Ararat, including over 30 years as manager.
Six days a week, Kathy is in the shop helping with everything from serving customers, setting up displays and co-ordinating the shop’s 22 volunteers.
Last weekend, her service was recognised at a “call to serve” ceremony hosted by the St Vincent de Paul Society in Melbourne.
Bakers Delight serving up classic treats
MICK Menzies and the team at Bakers Delight are baking up 10,000 hot cross buns this Easter.
Every Easter, Mick bakes three times a day, twice in the morning and once in the afternoon, to ensure that locals can enjoy fresh-baked hot cross buns all throughout the Easter period.
Bun-lovers can choose from three flavours – traditional, chocolate, and apple and cinnamon.
Of the 10,000 buns baked this year, Mick said that they sell most of them, if not all.
Dr Brennan reflects on 35 years
AFTER treating literally tens of thousands of local animals over more than three decades, popular local vet John Brennan is moving on.
Dr Brennan recently sold the Ararat Veterinary Clinic to Dr Alexandra (Ali) Cuttler after 35 years treating local pets and livestock.
Council works to restore memorial
ARARAT’s Edith Cavell memorial has recently undergone a facelift after local residents complained of its “shabby” condition.
The memorial and reserve, located at the corner Barkly Street and Viewpoint Street, was erected by the Mothers Club of the State School Ararat in 1931.
It commemorates Edith Cavell , an English nurse who was executed by a German firing squad in Belgium on 12 October, 1915.
Local Police honour Grant
LEADING Senior Constable Grant Healey is the toast of the Ararat policing district after being awarded a valour medal from the Chief Commissioner.
As we reported in last week’s Ararat Advocate, Leading Senior Constable Healey is only the 352nd recipient of the Victoria Police Bravery Award since the force was established 169 years ago.
The award was for his selfless actions in 2019, when he entered a burning house in an attempt to save an elderly man.
Pomonal student makes district final
MARION College student Jayde McMurtrie has earnt his place in the Lions Australia V201 Youth of the Year District Final.
One of five students from across the region, Jayde made it to the district final after winning the Regional Final at Mortlake in March.
The Lions Australia Youth of the Year is a national competition that begins locally at club level and winners advance to competitions at regional, district, state and national levels.
Hero copper receives top honour
ELMHURST’s local policeman last week yesterday joined an exclusive group reserved for police officers who’ve demonstrated extreme bravery.
Leading Senior Constable Grant Healey became just the 352nd recipient of the Victoria Police Bravery Award in the 169 year history of the force.
The Advocate met up with Leading Senior Constable Healey recently to discuss his selfless actions to try and save an elderly man in 2019.
Council works to eliminate algal bloom
ARARAT Rural City Council has moved quickly to address an outbreak of blue green algae in Alexandra Lake.
In recent weeks, numerous complains have been made to council about the condition and smell of the lake following evaporation over the summer months and high nutrient load.
Council CEO Tim Harrison told the Ararat Advocate, a number of measures are being adopted to restore the lake to good health.
He said a council crew commenced excavation works around the lake last Friday to allow water to flow more freely.