The Ararat Advocate

22/01/2024

Vale Kingsley
You would be hard pressed to find a member of the Ararat community who didn’t know Kingsley Spalding.
Kingsley – or Kinga as he was known to closest – was an unassuming man who achieved great things. Kingsley died on the 26th December at the Ararat Hospital. He had just experienced his 99th Christmas and sadly fell just short of his 70th wedding anniversary, which was due to occur on January second.
See his story here.

You would be hard pressed to find a member of the Ararat community who didn’t know Kingsley Spalding. Kingsley – or Kinga as he was known to closest – was an unassuming man who achieved great things. Kingsley died on the 26th December at the Ararat Hospital. He had just…

16/01/2024

An amazing bit of rain is currently falling on Ararat, but not everyone will be happy.
How much have you received?

02/01/2024

The Ararat Advocate, bringing local news home to you.
Subscribe Now www.theadvocate.net.au/subscribe

13/12/2023

Do you know a house of business that's looking particularly festive in the lead up to Christmas?
The Ararat Advocate is printing a map of Ararat's BEST Christmas Lights on Friday and we'd love to include your house or the house of a neighbour or friend.
Please let us know the address of "festive" homes in comments and we will include it in Friday's print edition.

11/12/2023

Marian College year 12 student Riana Drendel is the toast of her school today, achieving at ATAR score of 95.25.
The school Dux hopes her high score will get her into a psychology course next year.
Riana is pictured here with school principal Carmel Barker.

09/12/2023

THE eagerly anticipated redevelopment of Alexandra Gardens playground is now complete, creating a vibrant new play space to be enjoyed by families of all ages.
The state-of-the-art play space features a tower play unit with a two-storey slide, farm-themed play structures, nest swing and community swings, as well as a number of rocker and passive play items.
Key elements of the project include a redesign with a focus on safety and inclusivity, including all-abilities play equipment, and resilient rubber flooring.
Demolition and excavation, as well as landscaping and in-ground service works, were carried out as part of the playground renewal project.
The playground was funded by the Victorian Government and council as well as a contribution from Ararat Lions towards the all-abilities Liberty Swing.
Mayor Bob Sanders took his grandchildren to the playground this week and said it will be a fantastic asset for young families.
“Alexandra Gardens is a special place for many locals. I have spent many afternoons there with my family,” Cr Sanders said.
“Council is thrilled to deliver a new play experience that all community members can enjoy.”
Located in Alexandra Gardens, the nature-inspired play space has a great mix of inclusive and challenging play equipment, soft fall rubber surface, as well as park benches – all set among the beautiful trees and landscaping of the gardens.
“The addition of the all-abilities play equipment such as the Liberty Swing allows wheelchair users the opportunity to experience the joy of having a swing in the park,” Cr Sanders said.
“The inclusive playground is set to become a cornerstone of the community, in creating an accessible space where residents can come together for fun and play,” he said.

08/12/2023

** UPDATE : We are advised the highway is now open.

Earlier:
The Western Highway between Ararat and Buangor remains closed after a truck accident.
It’s understood the accident occurred just after 5am near the turnoff to Hillside Road.
More information as it comes to hand.

05/12/2023

Discover the little hidden treasures in Zest Living Ararat. There are so many gift ideas for all ages this Christmas and beyond 🎁. The lovely Sarah also took the opportunity to create the slideshow with us and share some of her beautiful products with all of you 🎄✨

04/12/2023

🎄✨ Celebrate the season with joy and creativity! 🎁 We're thrilled to share that Sarah from SkinCo Ararat was the first to embrace our special offer this Christmas. Together, we're creating a beautiful slideshow to showcase their amazing products. 🌟 Here's to spreading holiday cheer and making memories that last a lifetime! 🎅🏻🎉

03/12/2023

Ararat is set to experience significant disruptions to mobile telecommunications from tomorrow (Monday)
See the story here.

TELSTRA customers could face disruptions in Ararat from tomorrow (Monday) as the telco undertakes an upgrade of its transmission facilities. Telstra advises that as part of its program to improve 4G and 5G capacity, the planned works will require a series of temporary outages or reduction in mobile....

03/12/2023

Cyril Bond is the latest Ararat resident to reach the golden milestone, turning 100 years old recently.
See the story here.

Long time Ararat resident Cyril Bond turned one hundred last week with a big celebration at Parkland House Willaura, where he now resides. Cyril was born in Hampshire, England, and migrated to Australia after the Second World War. As a young man he joined the British Navy, later serving in…

27/11/2023

🎄✨ Make your business shine this Christmas!
🎁 Advertise with us and let customers discover the magic you offer.
🛍️ Our festive offer starts now and will let your brand sparkle and stand out!
🌈🔍 Ask me how! Email: advertising@theadvocate,net.au
🎅🏽📢

24/11/2023

Look at this amazing collection of teddies. Nothing over $5 at the Uniting Church garage sale on now at the Unitich Church Hall in Barkly Street.

24/11/2023

Don't forget to drop by the St Andrews Uniting Church garage sale today for plenty of bargains.
The usual cake stall is complimented by trash & treasure, furniture,
teddy bears, a raffle - there's something for everyone.
It's all happening in the church hall in Barkly Street from now until sold out.....
(Photo of last year's garage sale)

18/11/2023

An unusual layer of cloud hangs over Ararat this morning. Should clear soon 👍

17/11/2023

Don’t forget, the Ararat Men’s Shed are holding a car boot sale and open day today.
Call in at 26 Wilson Street.

14/11/2023

Cr Bob Sanders is the new Mayor of Ararat Rural City, with Cr Jo Armstrong taking on the role of Deputy Mayor.
Cr Sanders is pictured here with his proud family.

11/11/2023

Appeal for old photos to identify unmarked graves
THE volunteers from the Ararat Cemetery Trust are on a mission and they’re hoping old photographs in the community might help.
Not only do the volunteers keep the grounds of the cemetery in immaculate condition, trust members have done a lot of painstaking work in recent years to identify people buried in a number of unmarked graves.
It’s a slow and tedious process, but one which the cemetery trust has embraced.
“We’ve got at least 60, possibly 70 graves that we have to find locations for,” said Ararat Cemetery Trust Chairman Bill Jones.

See the story here.

THE volunteers from the Ararat Cemetery Trust are on a mission and they’re hoping old photographs in the community might help. Not only do the volunteers keep the grounds of the cemetery in immaculate condition, trust members have done a lot of painstaking work in recent years to identify people.....

08/11/2023

Get Noticed More!
"Eat, Drink, Enjoy" is a fantastic segment in our paper, highlighting the culinary delights and beverage experiences across the beautiful Ararat region. It serves as a wonderful guide, showcasing the diverse and delightful food and drink venues nestled within our area.
To find out how you can be featured in this segment, contact Rochelle at [email protected]

05/11/2023

ARARAT dentist Charlie Reid has been recognised by his peers for excellence in his profession at a recent awards presentation evening in Melbourne.
For 37 years, Dr Reid has been looking after the oral health of people in Ararat and district.
The lifetime Dentistry Achievement Award was presented at the Australian Dental Association’s awards night last Friday.
“It’s a recognition for years contributing to dentistry,” Dr Reid said.
See the full story here.

ARARAT dentist Charlie Reid has been recognised by his peers for excellence in his profession at a recent awards presentation evening in Melbourne. For 37 years, Dr Reid has been looking after the oral health of people in Ararat and district. The lifetime Dentistry Achievement Award was presented at...

04/11/2023

The sun is out and five of Ararat's best gardens are open to the public today raising money for a good cause.
The owners of the five gardens have agreed to show the public their ‘pride and joy’ while raising funds for Ararat Retirement Village Ladies Auxiliary.
This year’s open gardens includes a ‘quirky’ garden in Princess Street South and a native garden in Girdlestone Street.
People can view all five gardens for $20 with all proceeds going to Ararat Retirement Village Ladies Auxiliary.
The gardens participating at this year’s Open Gardens Program include;
• 61 Girdlestone Street.
• 67 Chalambar Road.
• 1 Mulcahy Road.
• 29 Selwood Road.
• 11 Princes Street South.
Devonshire tea will be available for $5 in the Princes Street South garden while assorted plants will be on sale in the Selwood Road garden.
All five gardens will be open from 10am until 4pm TODAY (Sunday)

04/11/2023

Ararat Early Learning Centre children joined their Grandfriends from Patricia Hinchey Centre and Gorrinn Village for music and fun in Alexandra Gardens.
Despite the chilly weather, singing and dancing warmed everyone up!
Organised by EGHS Patricia Hinchey Centre Leisure and Lifestyle officer Lionel Holt and daughter Isabel Nacarrow from the Ararat Early Learning Centre, the Grandfriends of young and old, and children’s parents, carers and friends were joined by 48 children from Ararat Early Learning Centre.
“We originally dreamed up this event as part of the Golden Gateway Festival, and it turned out it also landed in Children's Week and Seniors’ month! Such a wonderful way to celebrate young and old,” Ms Nancarrow said.
Lionel Holt, a talented musician, lead the singing and kept everyone involved and engaged.
This event is just one of many occasions Grandfriends and children have come together.
Ms Nancarrow said Ararat Early Learning Centre has been working with EGHS, particularly Lowe Street and Garden View Court since 2018, enjoying fortnightly visits throughout 2018.
In 2019 the childcare centre moved across town and the visits changed to monthly, made possible by sponsorship from the RSL and VLine who paid for bus transport. Unfortunately COVID-19 prevented the visits continuing for a few years.
“In 2023 we have been building new grandfriend relationships with Gorrin Village independent living unit residents who we visit for picnics, composting and had all our emergency service visits with this year, and Patricia Hinchey Day Centre, where we visit monthly for music and craft,” she said.
EGHS chief executive said the bonds formed between children and their Grandfriends from the Patricia Hinchey Centre and Gorrinn Village was great to see.
“I would like to extend my thanks to Lionel Holt and Isabel Nancarrow for planning the event in Alexandra Gardens and fostering the friendships between the children and their older friends,” he said.

Ms Nancarrow thanked Gorrinn Village for helping provide, transport and set up chairs for grandfriends and also thanked EGHS and Gorrinn Village for their ongoing support of the intergenerational events.

28/10/2023

Don’t forget the Ararat show is underway. Come on down and enjoy the fun. Kids get in free.

28/10/2023

The Ararat Show makes a welcome return tomorrow with heaps of activities.
The usual rides will be there along with show bags and activities for the kids.
Come and see entries in the cooking, floral art, photography and arts categories.
There will also be a vintage tractor pull, vintage machinery and static machinery display.
Plus there will be a big display of poultry, fleeces , the return of the popular spinning wheel and show boy and show girl competitions.
Entry for children is free.
Gates open at 9am tomorrow.

27/10/2023

ARARAT Fire Brigade has thrown open its doors to the public TODAY in a bid to attract additional volunteers to protect the local community.
All members of the public are invited to come along to the new Ararat fire station and see what the CFA is all about.
Today’s open day will allow member of the public to look over the fleet of fire trucks as well as provide fire safety and volunteering information and training demonstrations.
Ararat Fire Brigade is 100% volunteer run and attends 150-170 callouts a year.
The Brigade’s Community Safety Officer Michelle Turnham said it was important to continually find new volunteers.
“By coming down to the open day people will be able to get information and speak with other volunteers about some of the roles at the brigade,” she said.
“There are plenty of roles people can fill as a volunteer. They don’t have to necessarily go out and fight fires, there are many other roles.
The Open Day started at 10am and will run through until 2pm today.

27/10/2023

BUANGOR Community Sports Centre is among 57 projects across Australia receiving funding from the Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grants Program.
The program is in its third year and offers grants of up to $5,000 for projects that contribute to community wellbeing and vibrancy in remote, rural and regional communities.
Buangor Community Sports Centre submitted an application after reading an article in the Ararat Advocate.
See the story here.

BUANGOR Community Sports Centre is among 57 projects across Australia receiving funding from the Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grants Program. The program is in its third year and offers grants of up to $5,000 for projects that contribute to community wellbeing and vibrancy in remote, rural and reg...

26/10/2023

And the Business of the Year goes to …..
Acacia Caravan Park.
Congratulations Matt and Kaylene.

26/10/2023

Grampians General Store is th winner of the “People’s Choice” award at tonight’s East Grampians Business Awards. Well done.