Willaura has been without its only petrol station since August this year when the former operator closed its doors.

Ararat Rural City Council rural business officer Ann Maree Browne said the closure had struck a blow for the township, with the nearest fuel now a 25-minute drive away.

''Around 60 residents attended a public meeting about this issue and a number of them voiced concerns about having to leave the town to buy fuel, especially some of the older residents who don't like to travel unless they have to,'' Ms Browne said.

In a bid to re-establish the vital service in the town, the building's owner has offered the premises for a peppercorn rental of $5 per week plus Council rates and insurance.

The region's 500-strong population has also thrown its weight behind the initiative, offering to provide a warm welcome to the newcomers.

Willaura Development Group spokesperson Scott Price said the offer represented a once in a lifetime opportunity for a person or family to realise their dream of owning and running their own business in a family friendly community.

''This is a very tightknit and supportive community, and we're prepared to offer whatever we can to help the new operator get off to a great start,'' Mr Price said.

''There is demonstrated demand for a garage and service station in Willaura, and as a community, we're very keen to see it reinstated within the town.''

The building, which houses the local garage, has been owned by the same family since 1919 and has served as a garage and service centre during that entire time.

Willaura serves as an important service centre to the surrounding farming community, many members of which have been customers of the town's service station in the past.

Today, Willaura is home to one of Victoria's oldest bakeries, a Bendigo Community Bank as well as the local hotel which has dominated the main street since the early 1900s.