Latest News
Councils unite to fight for region’s water rights
THREE local councils have teamed up to call for a commitment for the proposed Southern Wimmera and Northeast Pyrenees Water Supply Project. Pyrenees Shire, Northern Grampians Shire
20 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
Nationals pledge help for country councils
THE Nationals say they are backing rural councils like Northern...
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...
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
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...
19 September, 2026
Ready, set, bloom
ORCHIDS will fill the Stawell Entertainment Centre this weekend as...
From tentative sketches to gallery walls
KELLIE Russell still seems a little surprised that people want to hang...
A spectacular experience
FIVE Halls Gap Primary School students have gone from rehearsing songs...
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
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...