A B-double was parked on Scallan Street and the back of the trailer was in line with the "give way" sign on Alfred Street, creating a dangerous situation.

After parking my vehicle, I approached the driver informing him of the dangerous and unlawful parking, after which a verbal altercation ensued.

I have on numerous occasions over the past two years brought this illegal parking problem to the attention of the council and police.

The police informed me that a nine-metre clearance was needed to be lawful at all entrances and exits.

This offence is regularly committed several times a week, making a dangerous situation for drivers exiting.

Lines for parking bays are worn out and misleading. Plus lineage in wrong place. 

A sign in wrong place being hidden behind tree and indicating arrow for parking shows wrong direction. 

Some signs on Scallan Street cannot be read as they are parallel to street and not travelling vehicles.

We waited with bated breath when the mirror for exiting traffic was placed at the exit from the Town Hall parking area, then to be extended to the two car parks further up the street. 

But no, 100 per cent more traffic flow does not equate to safety at the exit at Town Hall.

To correct this situation, the following tools are needed: a drill and spanner, crowbar and shovel, bag of cement, can of paint and brush.

As you can see, minimal cost, no grants needed or long meeting of infrastructure Committee.

Thirty years ago this would have been handled by works foreman and fixed in a day.

In confronting the truck driver, he did have a strong point in that there is no truck parking bay in the street.

This may be a road traffic matter to be strongly put by council to solve illegal parking at that area.

All these matters have been brought to the council's attention over some considerable time by those so-called "whinging old farts" from the ratepayers' association and the safety for the people of Stawell.

On Sunday, June 19, l attended my second Ararat Gardening Club expo at Chalambar Golf Club with two friends.

I thought that the first garden expo was absolutely fabulous with two Gardening Australia television personalities. 

But l have to say that this year’s garden expo has definitely topped the previous one.

Everyone that was lucky enough to get a ticket to the expo, approximately 120 people, were treated to an outstanding garden information session presented by the very popular Gardening Australia personality Sophie Thomson from South Australia.

Nothing was too much trouble for Sophie as she answered any garden question, signed autographs for anyone and had photos taken as well.

You could really tell how passionate Sophie was about gardening and the environment and the affects that some pesticides have on our garden, environment including insects (good bugs) and our priceless bees. 

Congratulations must go to all of the members of the Ararat Gardening Club for another extremely successful and well-organised garden expo.

The whole organisation of the day – from meals, garden plant sales and raffles – was terrific, so much put into the day.

I know one thing for sure, l will be definitely going to the next Ararat Gardening Expo.

Well done Ararat Gardening Cub.