Elders Southern Wool Report

“Because we had to make hard decisions, especially last year, it feels even better to be back,” she said.

“Every year the venue and the event improves. Kasey is going to be great.

“You can’t believe how far people travel to go to the festival.”

Ms Nolan said a large portion of the money raised from the festival went back into the community

“We have about 12 people on the committee and we get a lot of vol- unteers over the weekend to help,” she said. “There’s lots of effort the organisers put in and by the end, you are exhausted — but it is so worth it.”

Jayne Denham, Bill Chambers, Sandra Humphries, Danny Stain, Steve Bartel Band, Graeme Hugo, Heartland, Gavin Chandler, Rodney Vincent, Jarrod Stevenson and Brett Gray join Chambers on the bill.

Gray is an Adelaide-based acoustic rock and alternative country music artist who became interested in the music marathon when he attended with friends several years ago.

“I wrote to the organisers expressing my interest in performing as I have been in a band since 1996 and produced an album, ‘Eleven Days and Then Some’ in 2021,” he said.

“Due to cancellations, it has been a two-year process to be able to perform, but I am excited to be able to showcase my music.”

Gray will perform solo with a backing band at Lake Charlegrark and said he was looking forward to performing in front of a larger crowd than normal.

“I will be performing on both Friday and Saturday, so I might get a chance to throw in some originals that are not on the album,” he said.

“When you have the ability and the opportunity to play at festivals, you have to do it.

“It’s amazing to be able to get people listening to live music again and I think festivals are more and more appealing with people able to witness multiple artists at one event.”

Tickets can be purchased at tickets. oztix.com.au/outlet/event/2412fdae1456-4043-b3a4-efed96dbcc70

As we navigate our way through the easing of Coronavirus restrictions, it’s good to remember we’re #StrongerTogether.

Community Information

RATES REMINDER

Are you aware of the rate payment options available to you? Council has a range of rate payment options available to all ratepayers, including a continuous direct debit plan with the option of paying weekly, fortnightly, or monthly across the year.

A friendly reminder if you have elected to pay your rates in full, payment is due February 15 2023. If ratepayers wish to discuss the possibility of arranging a suitable payment plan, please call Ararat Rural City Council on (03) 5355 0200.

Council Meeting

The next Council Meeting is scheduled for 28 February. There is also a change of date to the April 2023 Council Meeting - Ararat Rural City Council will now be holding the April 2023 Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 18 April 2023, commencing at 6.00pm in the Council Chamber, Shire Hall, Barkly Street, Ararat. All meetings will be live streamed via Ararat Rural City Council’s Facebook page.

HAVE YOUR SAY - CHILD SAFE POLICY

Council is seeking community feedback on our Draft Child Safe Policy. Have your say on our engagement platform https://engage.ararat.vic. gov.au/draft-child-safe-policy

CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY - 5 MARCH

Australians are being encouraged to join together to take positive action. Registrations are officially open for Clean Up Australia Day. Registration is free, and participants receive a free Clean Up kit. To register or donate, please visit cleanup.org.au

Small Business Bus

Are you looking to start a small business or own a business and need expert advice on how to grow? The Victorian Government’s Small Business Bus is coming to Ararat on 27 Februrary between 10am - 4pm near the Ararat Town Hall (facing Vincent Street). Book your 1:1 session via https://business.vic.gov.au/learning-andadvice/workshops-and-small-business-bus/view?id=E24434

Ararat Town Hall

This year’s lineup of performances is set to delight audiences, boasting acclaimed comedians, musicians to kids’ delights, including:

- 22 Feb - Things of Stone and Wood

- 10 March - DIESEL - Greatest Hits Alone with Blues Tour 2023

- 15 March - Issi Dye & Legends of Rock N’ Roll

- 17 March - Get Rhythm - A tribute to Johnny Cash & June Carter

- 21 March - Multicultural Comedy Gala

- 24 March - The Alphabet of Awesome Science

- 31 March - The Black Sorrows

Find out more online via www.ararat.vic.gov.au

LOOKING TO ADOPT A CAT OR KITTEN?

Ararat Pound has several kittens and cats that are looking for the fur-ever home. Council offers a reasonable adoption fee of $50 for cats or kittens.

An ‘expressions of interest form’ can be found on Council’s website. Ararat Rural City Council community safety officers can assist with more information on pet adoption, call 5355 0920 or email locallaws@ararat.vic.gov.au.

Flexibility available for all ratepayers

Ararat Rural City encourages ratepayers experiencing hardship to contact Council and learn about payment options, and support available when it comes to keeping up with their rates payments.

Council has a range of rate payment options available to the community, including a continuous direct debit plan with the option of paying weekly, fortnightly, or monthly across the year.

Ararat Rural City Council CEO Dr Tim Harrison said Council has introduced more flexible payment options to reduce the financial burden on residents and the business community.

“Some ratepayers may be doing it tough – enabling people to spread the cost of rates across the year with a payment plan offers a more manageable option,” Dr Harrison said.

“Ratepayers can choose how and when they’d like to make their repayments, giving residents and businesses more flexibility when it comes to rates.”

“We strongly encourage people to get in touch with Council to discuss the options and support available to find a solution that works best for them.”

Choosing to pay with a Direct Debit payment plan means:

• Ratepayers can choose any day of the week/fortnight, or date of the month to have their payments deducted

• The new options allow for payments to be spread across the whole 12 months, helping to reduce the burden

Our Direct Debit plans are available to all ratepayers at any time of the year. Paying by our auto calculated Direct Debit method ensures your rates are always paid on time and you don’t need to keep track of due dates or worry about interest for late payment.

If ratepayers who have elected to pay their rates in one lump sum are unable to pay by 15 February 2023 or are experiencing financial difficulty and wish to discuss the possibility of arranging a suitable payment plan, please call Ararat Rural City Council on (03) 5355 0200.

Rural waste and recycling calendars have landed

Rural residents can expect to find an annual household waste and recycling calendar in their mailboxes, as part of Council’s waste and recycling program Revolution Ararat.

The ‘2023 Rural Zone Kerbside Collection Calendar’ comes in the form of a handy magnet, which will help residents keep track of their collection service. The calendar is conveniently sized to stick on your fridge and features those allimportant collections days for red, yellow, green and purple-lid bins.

To keep up-to-date on the Revolution Ararat program, visit the Revolution Ararat Facebook page or Council’s website www.ararat.vic.gov.au. The household waste and recycling calendar can also be viewed on Council’s website under the ‘Services – Waste and Recycling’ tab, where tips on avoiding single-use items, reducing general waste, and managing food waste can also be found.

For any other queries, please contact Council’s waste and recycling team on (03) 5355 0200.