I would also like to thank all the other candidates for standing. There is no better sign of a healthy community than people wanting to represent their area.

It would appear that a message of both stability and change was sent at the election and I know this council will need to be aware of that message.

I look forward to getting to know the community better, to representing all interests and to making the workings of council more open and transparent so that people can understand council decisions.

- Peter Beales

THANK you to the residents and ratepayers of the Ararat Rural City who voted in our council election. 

Your level of support for me, a first-time councillor candidate, is overwhelming. Twenty five per cent of you voted to bring a newcomer to the council chamber as your first preference, expressing a clear message that you are ready for a fresh perspective of advocacy in our local government.

I am honoured to have been given this opportunity to work for our community to the best of my abilities.

Congratulations to my fellow candidates who were successfully elected: Paul Hooper, Gwenda Allgood, Glenda McLean, David Pettman, Peter Beales and Darren Ford. 

I look forward to working with you to implement a Council Plan that focuses on the betterment of our municipality.

Commiserations to the unsuccessful candidates: Murray Woods, Fay Hull, Frank Deutsch, Bill Braithwaite, Gary Hull and Bernadine Atkinson.  The fact there were 13 candidates in this year's election (compared to the uncontested 2012 election) indicates a healthy growth of interest in civic matters. 

I thank you all, for your preparedness to commit to serve on Ararat Rural City Council.

- Jo Armstrong, Yalla-Y-Poora

ON behalf of the Leukaemia Foundation and Victorian families affected by blood cancer, I would like to thank the local team behind Ararat’s amazing Light the Night event on October 16.  

Light the Night is the Leukaemia Foundation’s annual fundraising walk and money raised gives families the emotional and practical support they need and funds research to help more Australians beat blood cancer. 

In 2016, across cities and towns in Australia, 142 walks were organised, and more Australians than ever were involved in this beautiful evening.

The event at Ararat, raised vital funds for the foundation and is the result of the hard work and enthusiasm of those community supporters who volunteered their time and efforts to make the night shine. I would like to thank the community who participated by carrying a lantern and giving generously to the cause. It is your support that makes the Leukaemia Foundation’s crucial work possible.

For those who were unable to attend the Ararat Light the Night event, you can still support our cause by donating. Your donations are essential in helping us fund research and assist families affected by blood cancer. Every day, another 35 people are diagnosed with blood cancer. Although research is improving survival, sadly one Australian loses their life to blood cancer every two hours.  It’s not too late to be a part of this touching event.

You can continue to support Ararat’s Light the Night making a donation at lightthenight.org.au or by calling 1800 500 088.

- Meaghan Bush, acting general manager Leukaemia Foundation (Victoria)