Latest News
The gift that keeps on giving
THE dust has settled on one of the most talked-about Stawell Gift carnivals in recent memory, with organisers now turning their attention to building on the event’s success in
10 June, 2026
General News
Ararat rail gains hard to measure after free fares
VICTORIA’S free public transport initiative may be over, but questions remain about how much impact it had for Ararat...
9 June, 2026
Outback Car Trek rolls into Ararat to support Royal Flying Doctor Service
ARARAT’S Town Hall welcomed an unusual sight last week as the Royal...
Minister drops in on local police
POLICE Minister Anthony Carbines was in Ararat recently to meet with...
Reject shop takes on a new look
AFTER a month long closure, customers flocked back to Ararat’s Reject...
Council & Politics
Council records strong community satisfaction results
ARARAT Rural City Council has welcomed the results of the 2026 Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey, which...
7 June, 2026
CEO resigns
Ararat Rural City Council Chief Executive Officer Dr Tim Harrison has...
Local News
Coalition guarantees a fair share
THE Liberal-Nationals coalition has promised 25 per cent of all...
Mayors unite over ageing roads and bridges
PYRENEES Shire Council has joined forces with neighbouring...
Rural & Agriculture
Snake Valley unites against gorse
THE distinctive yellow flowers of gorse are appearing across the region to the dismay of local farmers. Gorse is a...
6 June, 2026
Local News
Increased local crushing capacity key to scaling up canola production
EXPANDING domestic crushing capabilities will be key to scaling up...
Ararat News, Avoca News, Beaufort News, Stawell News
Fox bounty extended as $84 million flows to agriculture
LAST week’s state budget will deliver $84 million to support...
Ararat News, Avoca News, Beaufort News, Stawell News
Australia to have another 'crack' at Indian trade deal
AUSTRALIA will go back to the drawing board with India on expanding its...
Lifestyle & Entertainment
Music and coffee for a good cause
STAWELL residents gathered at the Town Hall Hotel Lounge Bar recently for an afternoon of live music, coffee and...
10 June, 2026
GLOW festival countdown begins
HALLS Gap is preparing to shine again, with GLOW — Bringing Light to...
Beaufort ready for big art weekend
BEAUFORT will become a lively creative destination this King’s Birthday...
Grease tickets now on sale
DON’T be a beauty school dropout, be liked greased lightning and book...
Our People
The long way home: Fifty years of friendship, service and community
FOR most people in Stawell, the Monaghan name probably arrives with Terry attached to it. The real estate signs, the...
9 June, 2026
Celebrating 45 years of dedication to education
AFTER nearly five decades of dedication to education, Beaufort Secondary...
Joyce Dowsett OAM recognised posthumously in King’s Honours
As the sun set on Stawell resident Joyce Dowsett’s life in September,...
Pyrenees stalwart receives King's Birthday honour
PYRENEES resident Rodney McErvale has been recognised with the...
Sport
Redbacks under-18 girls sign off in style
The Ararat Redbacks under-18 girls have signed off their Ararat representative basketball careers in the best...
9 June, 2026
Redbacks under-16 boys reach quarter-finals
The Ararat Redbacks under-16 boys produced a strong showing at the...
Redbacks under-12 boys reach semi-finals
The Ararat Redbacks under-12 basketball team produced an impressive...
Beaufort Cricket Club gears up for Centenary Celebrations
It’s footy season. It’s cold, windy, and finally wet outside, but the...