Latest News
Ararat’s new dog park officially opens
ARARAT’S Centenary Dog Park was officially opened last week, giving local dogs a new space to run, play and socialise. The project was funded through the Victorian Government’s New
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
Liberals’ plan to make Ararat safer
THE Coalition says it will increase the operating hours of the Ararat Police Station front counter if successful at...
31 August, 2026
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...
Treasurer tackles regional issues
NEW Victorian Treasurer Colin Brooks spent Tuesday in Ararat meeting...
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
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...
Rats prepare for Demons challenge
Ararat’s under-17 footballers will face off against Horsham Demons on...
Rats reserves hunt redemption
The Ararat Rats reserves will be looking to bounce back from last year's...