Articles by: Third Party Contributor and Alison Martin
Praise for district firefighters
Colac district fire crews remain on high alert today, after a weekend of scorching heat and northerly wind gusts reaching more than 60 kilometres an hour.
Community grants program open
Colac Otway Shire’s 2024-25 Grants Program is now open and community groups, sporting clubs, local event organisers and businesses are encouraged to apply.
Rain a rarity in February
Less than a millimetre of rain fell across the Colac district in February and Colac’s water storages have dropped 10 per cent in the past week.
Cows unfazed by dairy visitor
Colac district dairy farmer John Ryan says he has been milking at Bungador for 45 years and has never had a koala take up residence in his dairy before.
Council reschedules meeting
Colac Otway Shire Council will reconvene its February meeting to a later date after adjourning Wednesday night’s meeting in response to concern for a councillor.
Hub feasibility funding consideration
A potential decision today to seek government funding could be the first step to create a "cultural and tourism hub" with at least four-star tourist accommodation in Colac's CBD.
Letters to the Editor
Thanks to Lake Colac swimmers On checking the death column in Monday’s Colac Herald, to our delight, I found out that the four elite superfish had not come to any mysterious death, from being so totally defiant and swimming from Meredith Park to the foreshore beach, rising up out of the water like four Neptunes, […]
Sighting triggers big cat memories
A recent “panther sighting” near Deans Marsh might have proven to be the infamous timber cut-out created by a local artist, but it did trigger a Winchelsea resident’s clear memories of big cats in the Otways.
Harbour development plan review complete
The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority has confirmed that a review of Apollo Bay Harbour Development Plan is complete, and the design finalised in 2020 will change.
Woman rescued at Lorne
In just 14 minutes, a woman was seen being dragged out to sea, a triple-zero call was made, a Lorne police officer responded, swimming almost 300 metres into a rip, lifesavers arrived in an IRB and the woman was brought back to shore. Alive.
Mayor corrects MPs claim
Colac Otway Shire Council Mayor Marg White has taken to social media to “correct” claims about the council and GORCAPA made by Polwarth MP Richard Riordan in State Parliament last week.
Call for proactive approach to fire risk
Apollo Bay’s Alan Hopkinson has been raising concerns about the fire and health risk caused by his neighbour’s poorly maintained block for almost 20 years.
Colac Camp Quality Convoy raises $40K
Colac’s Camp Quality Convoy For Kids’ team has thanked the local community for its support which has catapulted it to claim the title of “Highest Fundraising Community Team” for a second consecutive year.
Prominent Colac property hits market after 30 years
One of Colac’s most prominent commercial properties in Murray Street is being offered for sale for the first time in almost 30 years.
Production to pause at Irrewarra sawmill
Production will stop at AKD’s Irrewarra sawmill at the end of February and impacted staff are being transferred to the Colac site in response to a nation-wide decline in demand for timber.
Grower defends crop against butterfly plague
Colac district vegetable grower Joe Sgro says he has never seen white butterflies in plague proportions to the extent the region has experienced this week, with high humidity the key contributor.
Speeders lose licences
Colac Police caught two drivers travelling almost 30 kilometres an hour over the speed limit in the Colac district yesterday.
CEO to stay for investigation
Colac Area Health chief Fiona Brew has decided to continue working at Colac until the investigation into allegations made public last week are complete, rather than starting at Portland District Health today.
MP seeks independent inquiry
Member for Polwarth Richard says he supports an independent investigation into the Colac Area Health “fake patients” allegations and has questioned why the department didn’t investigate six months ago.
Polwarth Medal nominations
Polwarth MP Richard Riordan is calling for the community to nominate a local for the 2024 Polwarth Medal.
EDITORIAL – Trust and transparency
Few could question the amazing work of Colac Area Health leaders and staff during Covid, particularly the early outbreaks in Colac which were incredibly well managed.
‘Serious consequences’ if allegations proven
Colac Area Health Board chair Tim Greene has confirmed he will stay at the helm of the health service board as the Victorian Health Department continues investigations into the “fake patients” scandal that has rocked Colac’s hospital this week.
Police to target crash intersections and schools
Colac Police will focus their attention on motorists at Colac intersections this week in the wake of a series of local crashes and as traffic increases with the start of the school year.
Careless-driving charge expected after crash
Five people escaped serious injury on Saturday night after a car allegedly failed to give way, colliding with a police divisional van and causing it to roll in Colac’s main street.
