News
Rapid antigen tests in short supply
THE national shortage of rapid antigen tests has been mirrored in Ararat with our local pharmacies all out of stock. Pharmacists are hoping the availability of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests will increase in coming weeks after disruption of supply over Christmas meant shelves were stripped of the sought-after product. The Ararat Advocate contacted pharmacists this […]
Melaine scores top broadcast award
FORMER Willaura resident Melaine Robinson admits she is a natural born story teller. 51-year-old Melaine is legally blind and her life took a different direction in 2020 after she became redundant from a job she loved at the Lost Dogs Home. “I worked 31 years for the one organisation, started off as a trainee veterinary […]
Voices of Wannon choose Alex
Voices of Wannon choose Alex Former triple j host, media personality and author Alex Dyson has today announced his candidacy for his home seat of Wannon at the 2022 Federal Election. After his run at the seat in 2019 as an independent, Alex has seen partisan infighting, inaction and incompetence worsen, making the case for […]
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 […]