Ararat Rural City Council

02/06/2026

We’re hitting the road!

Ararat Rural City Council Councillors and staff will be visiting Ararat, Warrak, Streatham, Willaura, Moyston, Pomonal, Wickliffe and Lake Bolac from 29 June to 2 July 2026.

Join us for informal, drop-in sessions to:
- Chat about what matters to you
- Share ideas and feedback
- Hear updates on Council’s recent projects and initiatives

These conversations will help inform Council's daily operations and longer term strategic planning, and getting out to our towns and villages enables us to continue to build and maintain strong community relationships.

We’d love to see you there - even for a few minutes! Get the locations and times here: https://www.ararat.vic.gov.au/events/community-drop-sessions

02/06/2026

Farmers across our region are reminded that the Victorian Government’s Farm Drought Support Grants are now open, with applications closing on 30 June. If you’ve already invested in eligible on-farm improvements to manage drought conditions, you may be able to claim some of those costs—making the application process simpler than you might expect. Learn more and apply via Agriculture Victoria: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/drought-support/grants-and-financial-support/drought-support-package

If you’re unsure where to start or need a hand with your application, the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) is available to support you through the process. Their experienced team can provide free, independent and confidential assistance. Contact RFCS on 1300 735 578 or visit: https://wswrcs.com.au/disaster-recovery -recovery

01/06/2026

Victorians can now apply for 20% off their vehicle registration through the Service Victoria Rego Rebate program. Applications open today, Monday 1 June, and will be available until 31 July 2026.

To apply, you’ll need your registration number, Victorian driver licence or VicRoads customer number, full name, and bank details. Applications can be completed online via the Service Victoria website or app.

Find out more and apply at service.vic.gov.au/rego-rebate or call 132 VIC (132 842) if you need assistance.

01/06/2026

Community Support Grants are now open, giving local clubs, groups and not-for-profit organisations a chance to bring new ideas and projects to life across Ararat Rural City. From events and equipment to programs that support health, wellbeing and inclusion, these grants help strengthen the places where we live, work and connect.

If your community group has a project in mind, now is the time to apply. Visit our Community Support Grants page https://www.ararat.vic.gov.au/communitygrants to check the guidelines, confirm your eligibility and submit your application before they close on 30 June 2026.

To find out more and get started, head to the Community Support Grants section on our website and follow the prompts to apply online.

01/06/2026

This is a marvellous initiative by Ararat Gallery TAMA and we encourage you to take your Mini Makers down!

Mini Makers Art Club is this Tuesday! Join us on Tuesday 2nd June at 11am to sing, read and make art! This month our book pick is 'Rainbow Days' by Margaret Hamilton and Anna Pignataro 🌈

Our monthly Mini Makers Art Club is designed especially for preschoolers and toddlers. Each session includes singing, story reading and a guided craft activity designed to develop creative expression and fine motor skills in a fun, inclusive and encouraging environment. At the end of each session, children will have created a lovely piece of art to take home and share proudly with their family! 🎨

Mini Makers is free, we warmly welcome new families and there is no need to book. Sessions are from 11am to 12pm.

2026 dates
→ Tuesday 2nd June
→ Tuesday 1st September
→ Tuesday 1st December

araratgallerytama.com.au/event/mini-makers-art-club-2026/

31/05/2026

Please note that the Lake Bolac Transfer Station is closed today, 31 May 2026, due to unforeseen circumstances.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

28/05/2026

This Friday, a Community Recovery Officer will be at Streatham Hall to support residents impacted by the recent bushfires. Please feel welcome to drop in anytime between 1pm and 4pm to chat about the assistance and services available - we’re here to help.

The recovery hub will also continue throughout May on Fridays, providing ongoing support for the community.

For Pyrenees Shire residents, a separate recovery hub will also be available at the Stoneleigh CFA Station every Thursday from 12pm to 2pm until further notice, hosted by Pyrenees Shire Council.

27/05/2026

Loving homes are needed (again) as the Ararat Pound has reached cat-pacity, and Council is inviting residents to consider adopting a cat (or two). There is a wide range of cats ready to go, from playful kittens through to more relaxed adult companions, all fully vetworked – microchipped, desexed, vaccinated and ready to settle into their new homes.

Following a successful cat and kitten adoption day last month, which saw 11 cats find new homes, there are now even more cats available, with a real mix of personalities to suit different households. Adopting a cat gives an animal a second chance while also helping Council manage capacity at the pound and support animal welfare across the municipality.

If you’re thinking about adding a feline friend to your family, get in touch with our Community Safety team to discuss options and arrange a meet and greet. Call Council on (03) 5355 0200 or email [email protected] to find your purr-fect match. You can see our current available cats on Petrescue here: https://www.petrescue.com.au/groups/11302?species=cat -listings

27/05/2026

Analog Art Club is back at Ararat Gallery TAMA and we encourage you to check it out.

Slow Looking in the Gallery x Analog Art Club
Saturday 13th June, 2pm – 3.30pm
🔍 Book your spot: araratgallerytama.com.au/event/analog-art-club-2026-slow-looking-in-the-gallery/

Join Visual Arts Coordinator Katy Mitchell to spend time in the current exhibitions, engaging in guided slow looking exercises, including conversational prompts or observational drawing. For the June session, the exhibition focus will be Lisa Waup's 'after ever here'.

→ No experience required
→ Materials provided
→ Phone-free event: please keep your phone on silent in your bag or pocket
→ Suitable for ages 14 and over

Analog Art Club is a statewide initiative that invites Victorians to slow down, switch off their screens and connect in real life - through art. Hosted by galleries across Victoria, these phone-free events offer a welcoming space to reflect, discuss and experience art together, making creativity social, accessible and refreshingly analog.

Analog Art Club is a joint initiative of Public Galleries Association of Victoria (PGAV) and ArtsHub.

📷 Installation view ‘Lisa Waup | after ever here’, Ararat Gallery TAMA, March 2026. Photos: Fred Kroh.

27/05/2026

Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) will be undertaking important track maintenance works in the Ararat area from 6am Tuesday 26 May to 6pm Monday 31 August 2026, weather permitting. Works will take place within the rail corridor, with traffic management in place to safely guide road users while crews are on site.

ARTC has advised that crews will work continuously during this period and that some noise, dust and light will be noticeable at times. To help minimise impacts on nearby residents, light towers will be directed away from homes and the number of machines operating at any one time will be limited.

If you have any questions about these works, please contact ARTC’s Community Line on 1300 550 402 or email [email protected].