Young Minds Help Shape the Future of Ararat’s Eastern Entrance

Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Bob Sanders, recently visited St Mary’s Primary School in Ararat to hear firsthand how local students envision the future look of the town’s Eastern Entrance.

Grade 3 and 4 students teamed up to brainstorm creative and welcoming concepts for a refreshed entry point. Their inspired designs featured themes of multiculturalism, native wildlife, the Grampians, and Mount Ararat, alongside a strong emphasis on acknowledging the Traditional Owners. The forward-thinking students also pitched sustainable ideas, including innovative solar-powered lighting.

To bring their visions to life, the students created a series of colourful drawings and detailed sketches, which they proudly presented to the Mayor during his visit.

Mayor Sanders expressed his pride in the students’ civic engagement and emphasised the value of youth perspectives in Council initiatives.

“It’s wonderful to see our young people getting involved in designing a new entrance for our town,” Mayor Bob Sanders said. “It’s incredibly important that our community has a voice in Council projects, and that absolutely includes the bright ideas and input from our local schools.”

The innovative concepts gathered from St Mary’s Primary School will help inform Council’s ongoing planning for the Eastern Entrance project.

The feedback window has now closed, and Council is in the process of reviewing all submissions. Proposed designs will be shared for further public consultation in due course.

To stay up to date with the Eastern Highway Entrance, visit the dedicated project page: engage.ararat.vic.gov.au/eastern-entrance-signage

Residents can also sign up for Council’s regular eNews for the latest project updates and upcoming events across the municipality by visiting engage.ararat.vic.gov.au or calling Customer Service on (03) 5355 0200.