Latest News
Beaufort set for a weekend of big band music
BEAUFORT will come alive with the sound of brass, percussion and music this weekend. Brass bands from across the district will come together at the Beaufort Town Hall this Saturday
19 September, 2026
General News
CFA members train to save lives
LOCAL residents have good reason to feel safer in the event of a fire, now that members of the Willaura and Halls Gap...
16 September, 2026
Local News
Telstra upgrading 4G coverage in Westmere
TELSTRA has advised the Advocate it will be upgrading its mobile base...
Ararat records warmest winter
ARARAT has notched up its warmest winter on record despite receiving...
Potholes leave motorists counting the cost
SAFE, reliable roads are one of the most basic services governments are...
Council & Politics
Nationals pledge help for country councils
THE Nationals say they are backing rural councils like Northern Grampians Shire with a plan to deliver fair funding...
8 September, 2026
On an island over farmer fines
A NORTHERN Grampians councillor has stood alone against calls for fines...
More police to make Stawell safer
MEMBER for Lowan Emma Kealy said operating hours at Stawell Police...
Liberals’ plan to make Ararat safer
THE Coalition says it will increase the operating hours of the Ararat...
Rural & Agriculture
Bird Flu detected in Pyrenees Shire
THE Pyrenees Shire has reported its first confirmed case of the H5 virus also knows as bird flu. The Department of...
4 September, 2026
Ararat News, Avoca News, Beaufort News, Stawell News
Bird flu edges closer to the Grampians
POULTRY farms and people with backyard chickens are being urged to...
Ewe beauty, a ripper day at Marnoo
TORRENTIAL rain failed to dampen spirits at Marnoo last Wednesday as...
289 ewes stolen from Lexton
BEAUFORT Police are investigating the theft of 289 pregnant ewes from a...
Lifestyle & Entertainment
From tentative sketches to gallery walls
KELLIE Russell still seems a little surprised that people want to hang her drawings on gallery walls. The Stawell...
15 September, 2026
A spectacular experience
FIVE Halls Gap Primary School students have gone from rehearsing songs...
Old blankets tell new stories
WOOLLEN blankets once made to keep people warm have found a very...
A passion in full bloom
JOHN Welsh only has to step into his backyard to be surrounded by the...
Our People
Speed, science and human power
MAROONA Primary School students are gearing up for this year’s Energy Breakthrough in Maryborough, with senior...
18 September, 2026
A pair beyond compare
DI HOLDEN thought she had been told remarkably little for someone...
Beaufort CWA celebrates 100 years of service
A cold Wednesday in Beaufort was warmed by a strong sense of community,...
Life membership for history stalwart
AROUND 31 years ago, Diane Western and her husband Tim were the driving...
Sport
Belcher prepared for biggest test yet
Fifteen-year-old Ryder Belcher faces his biggest test yet, lining up in a senior grand final after cementing his...
18 September, 2026
Rats aim for historic four-peat
The Ararat Rats will be eyeing history tomorrow when they take on Nhill...
Warriors aim for back-to-back
The Stawell Warriors C-Reserve netballers are aiming for back-to-back...
Rats prepare for Demons challenge
Ararat’s under-17 footballers will face off against Horsham Demons on...