Latest News
‘Joy Bell’ celebrates patients’ journeys
PATIENTS at East Grampians Health Service’s Oncology Unit can now celebrate significant milestones by ringing the ‘Joy Bell’. The initiative was patient-lead, with patients
21 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
The speech pathologist unable to speak
LOCAL media outlets including the Pyrenees Advocate, Ararat Advocate and Stawell Times-News are becoming increasingly...
19 September, 2026
Liberals’ plan to make Ararat safer
THE Coalition says it will increase the operating hours of the Ararat...
Local News
Ripon candidate announced by One Nation
A speech pathologist from Gippsland has been selected as One Nation's...
Council appoints new CEO
ARARAT Rural City Council has announced the appointment of Phuong Au as...
Rural & Agriculture
Bird flu edges closer to the Grampians
POULTRY farms and people with backyard chickens are being urged to monitor their birds as the deadly bird flu virus...
25 August, 2026
289 ewes stolen from Lexton
BEAUFORT Police are investigating the theft of 289 pregnant ewes from a...
Local News
Perfect mix: stage set for 'maximum' bird flu damage
THE concentration of a bird flu outbreak near the mouth of the Murray...
Kelvin remains Australia’s top sheep assessor
ARARAT’S Kelvin Donnan has been crowned AuctionsPlus' Top Throughput...
Lifestyle & Entertainment
Old blankets tell new stories
WOOLLEN blankets once made to keep people warm have found a very different purpose in a new exhibition at Ararat...
6 September, 2026
Beers to flow again at Elmhurst
AFTER its closure six years ago, the Elmhurst Pub is preparing to...
Ella Hooper brings the songs of Linda Ronstadt to Ararat
ARARAT will welcome Ella Hooper and an all-star band to the Ararat Town...
Local News
Dolly Parton, queen of country music, dies at 80
Queen of country and the singer songwriter behind Jolene, 9 to 5 and I...
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
Backing the Blizzard one parma at a time
ARARAT RSL is throwing its support behind local Olympian Sarah Blizzard,...
Medal presentation at Government House
ARARAT’S Jane Richardson made her way to Government House in Melbourne...
A hot meal and a friendly face
EVERY week, a team of dedicated volunteers go to work delivering a vital...
Sport
Jennings making his mark in Rats’ premiership push
James Jennings has established himself as one of the most improved players in the Wimmera Football Netball League in...
18 September, 2026
Cosgriff looking to cement legacy
When Baydn Cosgriff runs out for the grand final tomorrow, he will be...
Belcher prepared for biggest test yet
Fifteen-year-old Ryder Belcher faces his biggest test yet, lining up in...
Rats aim for historic four-peat
The Ararat Rats will be eyeing history tomorrow when they take on Nhill...
Business
Opening success for Elmhurst Hotel
ELMHURST Hotel has wasted no time welcoming locals back through its doors, with the newly reopened pub already...
18 September, 2026
Grampians Vinegar wins gold
GRAMPIANS Vinegar has brought home an impressive haul from two of...