Articles by: Carla Okai
Colac lifesavers save drowning schoolies
TWO Colac teenagers became heroes when they saved four Colac schoolies from drowning at Wye River beach.
Parents want playground fenced
PARENTS are lobbying Colac Otway Shire Council to put a fence around the city’s Memorial Square playground.
State award for Gellibrand fireman
GELLIBRAND'S John Cochrane is on a mission to meet everyone in his town.
Bikers deliver festive joy
COLAC motorcyclists took their Christmas cheer to the streets as part of an annual toy appeal.
Teens get input into health hub
COLAC'S young people can help design the city’s new Youth Health Hub.
Forrest too good for undermanned Kawarren
A CONVINCING win over Kawarren has provided Forrest with a timely confidence boost in Polwarth and District’s A Grade tennis competition.
Surge in district dialysis treatment
CHARMAINE Robbins is one of a growing number of Colac district people who need dialysis to keep their kidneys working.
Parents praised for child immunisations
A COLAC health worker has praised parents for immunising their children, with the district continuing to beat the state’s immunisation rate.
Hospital births up but finances down
COLAC Hospital’s birth rate is climbing and is up more than 30 per cent in five years.
Family garage sale helps Asian children
A COLAC family is raising money for children in the Philippines.
Police will monitor district firebugs
COLAC police will visit known arsonists on high-risk bushfire days.
Opposition to Great Ocean Road toll
GREAT Ocean Road residents and business owners have protested against a proposal to charge motorists tolls on the iconic tourist route.
Police nab high-speed P-platers
POLICE say they prevented tragedy by catching three probationary drivers speeding along the Great Ocean Road up to 60 kilometres an hour over the limit.
Palliative care demand declines
COLAC'S hospital chief says demand for palliative care in the hospital is declining.
Roadblock to Great Ocean Road fee proposal
STATE Roads Minister Terry Mulder has dismissed a proposal to charge motorists to use the Great Ocean Road.
Youths want compulsory defensive driving
TWO Colac district youths want authorities to make defensive driving courses compulsory for young drivers.
Safety concerns over town’s bushfire evacuation
A ONE-MAN protest threatened to bring an evacuation fire drill in the Otways to a standstill.
Fire chopper will arrive in December
COLAC will be the base of a water-bombing helicopter this summer, despite a State Government cut to Victoria’s firefighting aircraft fleet.
Garden visitors help teenage stroke victim
AN open garden will inspire with its blooms and raise money for a Colac teenager recovering from a stroke.
$7.5-million school job will boost economy
A COLAC builder says a $7.5-million school upgrade tender will help create jobs and boost Colac’s economy.
Young drivers should never stop learning
COLAC'S Nicole Parker says a defensive driving course helped her feel safer on the roads, adding weight to safety campaigners' calls to improve young drivers' skills.
Winegrowers welcome pest test
COLAC district winemakers have welcomed tests to prove their vineyards are free from a pest that devastates grapevines.
Music program promises entertaining year
COLAC theatre-lovers are anticipating an entertaining year after the launch of the city’s 2012 Morning Music Season.
VCAT buries Birregurra quarry plans
BIRREGURRA residents have won a case to stop the development of a basalt quarry.
