The group has a strong focus on supporting young people as well as community groups with their fundraising efforts and Mayor, Cr Paul Hooper said it continues to show great leadership in new initiatives for the community. 

“They are a strong leader in providing assistance in times of disaster such as last year’s Moyston fires, when they prepared and cooked meals each week for volunteers working to rebuild fences in the Moyston area,” Cr Hooper said. 

Accepting the award was Ararat Rotary president Ron McCormick, who thanked his team for its hard work.

“We’re a not huge group, but we have plans for the future to fix that,” he said. 

“I want to thank the citizens of Ararat for supporting our fundraising efforts, from the market to our current car rally. It’s what goes on behind the scenes that amazes me.” 

Mr McCormick outlined a couple of projects the group has been working on, including the building of a barbecue shelter at Emu Park that is soon to open to the public.