Latest News
Good times return to sheep country
THERE is a renewed sense of optimism among sheep producers. The paddocks are green, dams are full, wool prices are well ahead of a year ago and sheep and lamb markets have reached
28 September, 2026
General News
Trail vision moves closer
THE long-running push to extend the Grampians Rail Trail from Stawell towards Halls Gap is continuing to gather...
21 September, 2026
Care changes bring uncertainty
FOR Stawell resident Wendy Melbourne, home help is about much more than...
Gravity stays behind the cameras
THE team responsible for producing the television coverage of the...
Gearing up for Energy Breakthrough
GREAT Western Primary School is gearing up to take part in this year’s...
Council & Politics
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...
20 September, 2026
Audit validates years of road complaints
YEARS of complaints about deteriorating state roads across Northern...
Ararat News, Avoca News, Beaufort News, Stawell News
The speech pathologist unable to speak
LOCAL media outlets including the Pyrenees Advocate, Ararat Advocate and...
Nationals pledge help for country councils
THE Nationals say they are backing rural councils like Northern...
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
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...
Local News
Perfect mix: stage set for 'maximum' bird flu damage
THE concentration of a bird flu outbreak near the mouth of the Murray...
Lifestyle & Entertainment
Ready, set, bloom
ORCHIDS will fill the Stawell Entertainment Centre this weekend as growers and enthusiasts descend on the town for...
19 September, 2026
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...
A passion in full bloom
JOHN Welsh only has to step into his backyard to be surrounded by the...
Our People
Old mates weave plans for reunion
A SIMPLE idea to bring a few former workmates together for a photograph could become something much bigger for the...
25 September, 2026
A pair beyond compare
DI HOLDEN thought she had been told remarkably little for someone...
Life membership for history stalwart
AROUND 31 years ago, Diane Western and her husband Tim were the driving...
Stawell CFA returns to stair climb challenge
STAWELL CFA members will once again tackle the Annual Melbourne...
Sport
Quixley claims Giants best and fairest
Players and supporters gathered on Friday, September 11, at a dinner hosted by the Ararat Football Netball Club to...
23 September, 2026
Warriors' put up brave fight
The Stawell Warriors 15-and-under netballers did their town proud last...
Warriors fall agonisingly short in premiership defence
The Stawell Warriors C-Reserve netballers have fallen agonisingly short...
Warriors aim for back-to-back
The Stawell Warriors C-Reserve netballers are aiming for back-to-back...
Business
Cheers! It’s a deal for Seppelt
ONE of Great Western’s most important institutions is changing hands, with Treasury Wine Estates reaching an...
26 September, 2026