News
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 […]
Ag careers pitch to Defy the Drift
LOCAL students have embraced the opportunity to immerse themselves in an agricultural careers program at Longerenong College, delivered by Ararat Rotary Club in conjunction with other western district Rotary Clubs. Louise Cooper and Nathan Start from Marian College and Brydy Atkinson of Lake Bolac College were among the participants. The three-day residential program, known as […]
Visitor Information Centre push towards paperless
ARARAT Visitor Information Centre’s (VIC) latest development, ‘Experience Ararat – Scan and Go’ encourages visitors to ditch the paper brochures and go paperless with a quick scan. A range of tourism activities previously found within paper brochures has been digitised so users can simply scan, download and save. According to Visitor Experience Officer Colin Driscoll, […]
16 day closure angers NAB customers
CUSTOMERS of Ararat’s National Australia Bank branch have vented their frustrations over a 16 day closure. The branch closed on the 24th of December and won’t reopen until January 10. One NAB customer drove 30 minutes into Ararat to do banking only to find the closed sign on the door. “I needed to do a […]
Sixty years of service
A love of people and a deep commitment to God led Ararat’s Sister Maree Holt to a lifetime of service to the Catholic Church. Sister Maree recently celebrated 60 years as a nun, and doesn’t expect to slow down anytime soon. She told the Advocate this week, the influence of nuns during her final years […]
Ararat College Dux has media in his sights
ANYONE who knows Jack Ward would not be surprised that he was last week named Dux of Ararat College. From a very early age, Jack has had his eyes set firmly on a career in the media and has successfully juggled his school studies with a part time role with this newspaper over the past […]
Lake Bolac College celebrates Dux
LAKE Bolac College year 12 student, Maia Ratana, has been crowned Dux, one of three students at the school to receive their scored VCE results last week. Ms Ratana is pleased with her ATAR and is confident it is enough to get into her dream nursing course at Deakin University when offers roll around in […]