Articles by: Third Party Contributor and Alison Martin
Russell ready to retire
After more than 52 years playing a key role in the production of the Colac Herald, Russell Beatty will step away from his career today which started with hot lead and newsprint, into semi-retirement with a focus on vinyl.
Apollo Bay loses Place of Last Resort
Apollo Bay no longer has a bushfire Place of Last Resort due to vegetation planted by state authorities on the dunes, despite the threat of a high-risk summer.
Virtual medical option to avoid long wait
Colac Area Health is encouraging local residents to access online medical services for non-life-threatening illness or injury, to avoid long waits and take the pressure off the hospital’s urgent care service.
Spate of car thefts reported
Colac district residents have taken to social media to warn other community members of a spate of car thefts on the weekend.
Barongarook residents consider legal action
Barongarook homeowners are considering legal action against planning authority Colac Otway Shire Council, as the increase in silica dust covering their homes and flowing into water tanks causes significant health concerns.
Forrest park upgrade concerns as holiday season approaches
Colac Otway Shire Council says improvements to Forrest Holiday Park are taking longer than expected but it is confident visitors will be supported.
Top Places To Live Along The Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is a must-see for any tourist planning to spend time in Melbourne.
Council to consider Old Beechy Rail Trail land swap
Colac Otway Shire Council will meet today to consider a land exchange proposal and road deviation which could ensure safe off-road access along the popular Old Beechy Rail Trail through the Ditchley Gully.
Community engaged in park upgrade plan
The Colac West community has celebrated plans to upgrade the Donaldson Street park and taken the opportunity to share their ideas on what improvements could make the area a place families love to visit.
Numbers steady at saleyards
A total of 222 cattle went under the hammer at Colac Regional Selling Centre at Thursday’s sale, with prices remaining low.
Bids to upgrade facilities
Colac district soccer players, and cricketers who play in Apollo Bay or Colac could gain the support of Colac Otway Shire Council this week for funding bids to upgrade facilities.
Planting seeds for healthy futures
Colac West Primary School students, including Georgia Crabbe, left, and Joseph Cox, right, hosted Colac Otway Shire mayor Marg White during a healthy meal preparation session, supported by the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation and Colac Area Health.
Safety upgrade to start mid-2024
Construction of ‘splitter islands’ to improve safety at a notorious Elliminyt intersection is not expected to start until the middle of next year.
TAC launches new campaign
Victoria’s year-to-date road toll has reached 258, more than 20-percent higher than at the same time last year.
Barwon Water’s infrastructure investment
Investing in a new pipeline linking Birregurra to Colac’s water supply, upgrading Colac Reclamation Plant and finalising a renewable-energy deal with the Mount Gellibrand windfarm, were among highlights of Barwon Water’s 2022-23 Annual Report.
Urban forester to assist residents
One of Australia’s leading urban foresters will assist Colac and other communities across Colac Otway Shire to be greener and support a long-term project to address climate change.
Lake Colac anchor’s future awaits
Swan Marsh farmer and former Colac Otway Shire councillor Chris Smith says an anchor discovered in the dry bed of Lake Colac in 2016 is in storage until an appropriate place to display the impressive piece of history is identified.
Join the ‘Ray of Giving’ Christmas appeal
Ray White Colac has teamed up with The Salvation Army again this year for its annual Christmas Gift Appeal.
Poppy sales support struggling veterans
Ahead of Remembrance Day on November 11, Colac RSL president Brian Lloyd is urging community members to buy a poppy and help raise much-needed funds for veterans and their families.
Tree stops train in its tracks
Train travellers had an unexpected stop at Swan Marsh yesterday, with their mode of transport changing from rail to coach after a tree fell on the tracks. More than 100 passengers escaped injury when the train came to a sudden stop between Swan Marsh Road and Swan Marsh-Stonyford Road yesterday morning. Damage to the train […]
Colac Police Station to close doors overnight
The doors at Colac Police Station are set to close overnight from the end of this month, leaving the entire Colac-Otway region without a 24-hour station.
Hundreds at Halloween hall haunting
Hundreds of trick-or-treaters visited Colac’s log-cabin Scout Hall to celebrate Halloween.
Letters to the Editor
Congratulations to campaigner Re: Barwon Water ‘Never Again’ Colac Herald October 30, 2023. Congratulations and thank you Malcolm Gardiner for your tireless and persistent ongoing efforts over many years, all worthwhile with an excellent outcome. Heather Smith, Murroon Trick-or-treaters should use bin Next Halloween, I wonder if organisers and parents might ask or insist […]
No approval for nature-strip planting
Climate Action Team members are frustrated that a nature-strip planting demonstration in Colac planned for this month cannot proceed because council guidelines were “under review”.
