Articles by: Hannah Toohey

State Treaty gives voice to First Peoples
First Peoples from across south-west Victoria have praised the latest historic step forward in the Statewide Treaty process, with the bill now becoming law across the state.

Incident leaves two hospitalised
Emergency services have responded to a crash on a notorious Birregurra road that left two people injured.

Damage sustained to Colac property
A quiet section of Queen Street became an emergency scene yesterday following a crash into a residential property.

Crash victim still critical
A man who was left fighting for his life after a crash west of Cressy remains in a critical condition.

Crews respond to fallen horse rider
Colac and district emergency service crews have worked together to assist a fallen injured horse rider in the Otways.

Emerging artist wins at Birre
Emerging artist Jen Cromarty has achieved a rare double win in recent weeks, with her latest top prize at the Birregurra Art Show.

Ambos target success improves
The average response time by Colac Otway paramedics has slightly increased, according to new data.

PREPARE NOW: Fire restrictions declared, potential for a ‘bad summer’
“Don’t be complacent because we could end up with a bad summer.” That’s the message CFA officials are reminding residents, following the announcement of District Six fire restrictions.

New EV charger in Winch
Winchelsea’s public electric vehicle charger is now live and is ready for residents and visitors to use.

Authority probing on-farm death
WorkSafe is continuing to investigate a work-related death at a farm west of Cressy last week.

Surf Coast leaders ready for big year
A Surf Coast Shire councillor has entered her third term as mayor after being elected this month, with a Winchelsea Ward councillor also in a new leadership role.

Feedback called for on renewable zones
Consultation is now open on Victoria’s proposed renewable energy zone orders, one of which includes a small part of the Colac Otway Shire.

Hoodies hatch on Bay coast
The first Hooded Plover chicks of the season have now hatched in the Apollo Bay area.

Plenty of fun at twilight fair
The countdown is on for the Anglican Parish of Colac’s Twilight Fair, an event that promises a wide display of goodies and festive fun.

Time left for key health study
Colac Otway residents have just over two weeks left to contribute to a community survey on food shopping experiences that is the first of its kind.

CFA warning ahead of fire period
Winchelsea and district residents have this week to prepare before fire season restrictions kick off across the region.

Colac treadmill rescue
Colac SES unit controller Steve Tevelein says the unit has been paged to a series of unusual incidents in recent months, following an incident with a treadmill on the weekend.

Winchelsea welcomes boost for war memorial
Upgrades to Winchelsea’s war memorial are now complete, with RSL members welcoming the long-awaited project.

Past and present celebrate 175
Colac’s first school celebrated a special milestone with the community on the weekend, marking its 175th anniversary.

Author to discuss new thriller at Colac Library
The creative mind behind a dark thriller will welcome fellow bookworms in Colac this week.

Camperdown man remains in custody
Police have flagged concerns over the homemade manufacturing of firearms, following a seizure in Camperdown.

Documenting drought: Region’s conditions on display
Artist Robyn Hook has spent the past 12 months painting drought-stricken landscapes across the Beeac district, revealing the raw reality of desolate paddocks and desperate livestock.

Health divide for rural women
Experts have weighed in on a new State Government report into women’s pain, with a series of recommendations aimed at improving womens’ wellbeing across south-west Victoria.

Single-vehicle crash injures teenage girls
Emergency services have responded to a crash at Larpent that left two teenagers hospitalised.

