Latest News
Continuity at the top
ARARAT Rural City Council has re-elected Cr Bob Sanders as Mayor, with Cr Teli Kaur also returned as Deputy Mayor for the 2026/2027 year. The appointments were confirmed at a
13 November, 2026
General News
Honour roll entry for Ararat volunteers
FOUR Ararat volunteers have been recognised for their dedication to the local ambulance auxiliary. Gwenda Allgood,...
10 November, 2026
Mystery surrounds Elmhurst BNC
ELMHURST Bush Nursing Centre has closed its doors, but the reason why is...
Pyrenees communities prepare to remember
COMMUNITIES across Pyrenees Shire will pause and reflect at 11am on...
Outdoor pools remain free
ARARAT Rural City Council will continue to open outdoor pools for free...
Council & Politics
Hyslop to contest state poll
NORTHERN Grampians Shire Mayor Karen Hyslop is a surprise nomination for the November 28 Victorian election. Cr...
8 November, 2026
Local News
Does this pass the pub test?
COUNCILLOR expenses at Pyrenees Shire Council have come under scrutiny...
Avoca Rail Return?
THE Coalition says it is actively looking at the inclusion of Avoca on a...
Donna’s here. Has anyone seen Craig?
AFTER weeks of unanswered emails, increasingly exasperated headlines and...
Rural & Agriculture
‘Race to the bottom' on migration hurts rural Australia
MIGRANTS are wrongly blamed for fraying social cohesion in the bush, with cost-of-living, isolation and populist...
8 November, 2026
Local News
Hot hay, high risk
HARVEST has started and so has the risk of heating hay. Every year,...
Getting youth back into agriculture
THREE Ararat students have been busy exploring future career...
Local News
Optimism high at southern ram sales
THE Southern Victorian Merino Group’s on property ram sales were...
Lifestyle & Entertainment
In full bloom
FOR more than 15 years, Beth Day has filled her Lamplough garden with a colourful collection of irises, and she is...
9 November, 2026
Ararat Gold Cup to showcase club upgrades
The Ararat Turf Club is looking forward to welcoming the community to...
Seven beautiful gardens open today
GARDEN lovers will have the opportunity to explore some of Stawell’s...
Orchid enthusiasts prepare for annual summer show
ORCHID enthusiasts from across the region will converge on Stawell this...
Our People
Little instruments make a mighty sound
THEY might be little instruments, but there was nothing small about the sound coming from the Stawell Senior Citizens...
4 November, 2026
Painting with a needle
JILLIAN Gough has discovered that a needle and thread can do just about...
Final act of generosity from the Y-Zetts
THE Stawell Y-Zetts have donated $10,000 to the Stawell Hospital...
Nepal ties run deep for Avoca
THERE is a long and deep connection between Avoca and Nepal. For Deborah...
Sport
Beaufort prepares to celebrate 100 years of cricket
The countdown is on for the Beaufort Cricket Club's celebration of 100 years of cricket in the town, with the...
6 November, 2026
Stawell News, Great Western News
Combine remains unbeaten after three rounds
Centuries from Zachary Marrow and Max McMahon on day one, along with a...
Ararat News, Lake Bolac News, Landsborough News
Grampians Playing Area Lawn Bowls pennant review - Round Four
Following another wet morning, the rain cleared to allow bowlers to take...
Stawell Clubs dominate round four
Stawell and Stawell Golf enjoyed outstanding performances in round four...
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 Member for Lowan Emma Kealy
For the past four years, I’ve had the privilege of representing Stawell, building on more than a decade of working...
5 November, 2026
Local News
A message from Cr Murray Emerson
Over the past few weeks there has been some very concerning publicity in...
Local News
A message from Ararat Mayor Cr Bob Sanders
There is a great deal to be proud of in our local business community,...
Local News
A message from Amy Yole, Grampians Health Stawell
Healthcare is a partnership. While healthcare teams bring knowledge,...