Latest News
A message from Member for Ripon Martha Haylett
One of the biggest reasons I got into politics was healthcare. That passion comes from my own life experience. As a child, I had hearing difficulties and needed surgery. My family
1 November, 2026
General News
Recycled wastewater released into Hopkins River
WET conditions have made it necessary for GWMWater to release Class C water from the Ararat Wastewater Treatment...
31 October, 2026
$407,000 boost to restore Beaufort creek
BEAUFORT’S Garibaldi Creek is set for a major environmental makeover,...
Hospital upgrade a “done deal”
PLANS to build a new emergency department at Ararat Hospital have been...
Remembering Sergeant John McNally at Cathcart cemetery
MEMBERS of the public, Victoria Police and the Ararat Blue Ribbon...
Council & Politics
Push to restore an Ararat icon
ARARAT Rural City Council and Grampians Community Health are calling on Victorian election candidates to commit $15.8...
1 November, 2026
Hyslop to step down as mayor
IT ALL began over lunch with a few girlfriends, when Karen Hyslop...
Ararat News, Avoca News, Beaufort News
Another week passes…. but no Donna
ONE Nation’s Candidate for Ripon remains a bit of a mystery and is yet...
$8m pledge towards pool redevelopment
THE long-awaited redevelopment of Stawell’s indoor swimming pool has...
Rural & Agriculture
Getting youth back into agriculture
THREE Ararat students have been busy exploring future career opportunities in agriculture after taking part in ‘Defy...
27 October, 2026
Local News
Optimism high at southern ram sales
THE Southern Victorian Merino Group’s on property ram sales were...
Local News
Spring rains a godsend
LOCAL farmers are delighted after more than two inches of gentle rain...
Local News
Farmers adding AI to their toolkits
FARMERS are training AI to help them make business decisions while...
Lifestyle & Entertainment
Stawell Show delivers a day of family fun
A GRIM weather forecast failed to dampen spirits at last Saturday’s Stawell Agricultural Show, as the worst of the...
31 October, 2026
A spooktacular tradition
Things are about to get seriously spooky at Melissa Milosevic’s Stawell...
Step back in time at two gothic mansions
HISTORY lovers will have a rare opportunity to explore two of the...
Art and history combine for successful Avoca weekend
AVOCA has enjoyed a successful weekend of art, community celebrations...
Our People
Final act of generosity from the Y-Zetts
THE Stawell Y-Zetts have donated $10,000 to the Stawell Hospital Foundation, marking the conclusion of more than 50...
25 October, 2026
Nepal ties run deep for Avoca
THERE is a long and deep connection between Avoca and Nepal. For Deborah...
Ararat virtuosos head to Sydney Opera House
Ararat’s Sing Australia group is preparing to take its voices to one of...
Race to the top for Stawell CFA
SEVEN members of the Stawell Fire Brigade recently took on the gruelling...
Sport
Wildcats under-14s finish runners-up
The Stawell Wildcats under-14 boys' representative basketball team finished runners-up at the Warrnambool Seaside...
29 October, 2026
Wildcats Under-12 boys light up Warrnambool
The Stawell Wildcats under-12 boys representative team lit up the...
Redbacks under-14 girls show growth
Ararat Redbacks’ under-14 girls showed plenty of determination and...
Wildcats Under-14 girls show promise
The Stawell Wildcats under-14 girls showed positive signs at the...
Business
GABN Member profile – G.J. Gardner Homes Ararat, Horsham & Hamilton
BUILDING a custom home should be an exciting journey backed by transparency and trust. At G.J. Gardner Homes Ararat,...
19 October, 2026
Who will take the Golden Mug?
THE second Golden Mug competition run by the Greater Ararat Business...
Seppelt revival starts with wine
GETTING Great Western’s historic winery ready for the 2027 harvest will...
Back in the market
BRUCE McIlvride had been out of real estate for more than two years, but...
Opinion & Perspectives
A message from Cr Megan Phelan
It’s hard to start the column anywhere other than with news of the devastating attack on Helen Haines, Independent...
31 October, 2026
Local News
A message from Maryborough District Health Service Acting CEO Leanne Shea
As October comes to a close, we've had the opportunity to recognise and...
A message from East Grampians Health Service Chief Executive Nick Bush
It is with sadness that I write this Advocate column. This is due to the...
This Christmas, give Stawell a gift too
By Llewelyn Clark, President of StawellBiz