Latest News
Prison expansion to start, but there’s a hitch
WORK is about to commence on an expansion of the Hopkins Correctional Centre although specific details aren’t immediately clear. The Ararat Advocate understands the government is
20 July, 2026
General News
Local winners set stage for Stawell trots
A burst of success for Stawell district harness racing names will provide the backdrop when the action returns to...
20 July, 2026
Playgroup kicks off
FAMILIES with young children have welcomed the opening of the Beaufort...
Nursing home redevelopment on track for September
THE $2.3 million redevelopment of Beaufort Nursing Home is taking shape,...
Get your hands dirty to celebrate 40 years of Landcare
PROJECT Platypus is inviting locals to roll up their sleeves and help...
Council & Politics
$5 billion pledge to fix roads
NATIONALS candidate for Ripon Jo Armstrong said a $5 billion road maintenance fund announced this week by the...
17 July, 2026
CCTV push reaches Opposition Leader
A campaign for public CCTV cameras in Stawell has reached the state’s...
Councils unite for improved funding model
COUNCILS from around Australia including Pyrenees Shire have taken the...
Hotel changes approved after split vote
NORTHERN Grampians Shire councillors have approved amended plans for a...
Rural & Agriculture
Help to build a stronger wine industry
THE Federal Government has introduced new legislation to boost Australia’s wine industry. The legislation supports...
19 July, 2026
Local News
Tiny ancient fungi could slash Aussie fertiliser bill
A team of scientists has built Australia's first highly detailed...
Local News
Precautions urged as sixth bird flu case confirmed
AUSTRALIA’S sixth bird flu case has been confirmed as the nation's top...
Local News
Planting more trees on farms
LANDHOLDERS across Victoria are being supported to integrate more trees...
Lifestyle & Entertainment
ARTS presents awards for Grease
FOLLOWING the successful staging of Grease at the Ararat Town Hall in June, Ararat Regional Theatre Society presented...
14 July, 2026
The battle for the Golden Mug is back
THE search is on for the region’s best brew. The Greater Ararat Business...
From collar and tie to come as you are
FOR much of its early history, the Stawell Club was a place where men...
Model railway exhibition return to Stawell
ONE of the regions largest annual community events has returned to...
Our People
From Around the World to Regional Victoria: How Country Therapy is Creating Connections
Relocating to a new country is a major life change. Along with starting a new job comes the challenge of settling...
14 July, 2026
Steve’s journey with cancer
A few weeks ago we received word that well known Stawell identity Steve...
Dylan goes bald to help beat blood cancer
ARARAT’S Dylan Macreadie has swapped nearly a year's worth of hair...
A place where people belong
EVERY few months, hundreds of people walk through the doors of Stawell...
Sport
Finals race goes down to the wire
The race for the Central Highlands Netball League finals is set to go down to the wire after another pivotal round of...
20 July, 2026
Rats to face Warracknabeal
Ararat's footballers and netballers return to action this weekend in...
Baggies return to action
CKS Swifts return to action this weekend, with both the footballers and...
Warriors push Demons all the way
Stawell's A-Grade netballers came agonisingly close to producing the...