Articles by: Naomi Newcombe
Local artist blasts, boycotts streaming giant
A decorated Otways musician has joined a boycott campaign against a streaming giant.
Forty years and still going
Colac’s Lorraine Black has spent more than half her life helping generations of students safely cross the road – and she has no plans of stopping.
Vet looks after injured eagle
A wedge-tailed eagle might not be the typical patient for Colac vet David Broomfield, but that’s exactly what landed on his table over the weekend.
Farmers need zero-interest loans
The federal Opposition is calling on the government to “step up to the plate” and reinstate interest-free loans to support drought-stricken farmers in Western Victoria.
Councils continuing to support older residents
Corangamite and Surf Coast councils say they are continuing to support ageing residents despite having exited the delivery of care services.
No local disposal bin for machetes
The State Government has revealed locations for its machete safe disposal bins, with the closest bin for Colac Otway residents more than an hour away.
Support group marks milestone
What started as an introduction between two Colac mums has flourished into a support network of carers navigating the complex world of eating disorders.
Students question YouTube ban
Colac and district students have weighed in on YouTube being added to the Federal Government’s social media ban for children under 16.
Police: Be an ‘upstander’
More victim survivors are speaking out against family violence, figures show.
July rain boosts region
Much-needed rainfall has made its mark during July, with multiple areas across south-west Victoria receiving their highest or second-highest rainfall totals for the year.
No plans for LPG to leave city
Colac owners of LPG vehicles can breathe a sigh of relief, with one of the city’s two surviving providers confirming there are no plans to remove the gas bowser.
High price to cut down district tree
A $12,000 tree removal in the Colac Otway Shire has resulted in calls for improvements to burdensome planning provisions.
Brigade responds to suspicious spill
Police are calling for information on a suspicious oil spill near Winchelsea this week.
Police seek theft information
Apollo Bay police have released another image of a suspected tool thief.
Men should take part in important campaign
Colac district men are encouraged to join the fight to end period poverty this month with the Share the Dignity August donation drive kicking off today.
Turntable on track for revival
Colac train lovers have celebrated the 148-year anniversary of the Colac train station opening.
Brave boys intervene in attack
A Beeac woman has expressed her gratitude for three boys who stepped in to rescue her dogs when they were being attacked along the Lake Colac foreshore.
SCRAP THE TAX: Colac Otway joins forum to keep fighting new levy
Colac Otway Shire Council has united with municipalities from across the state to discuss how to approach the new Emergency Services Volunteer Fund “tax grab”.
Perpetrator’s final chance
A Colac district man who strangled his partner while under the influence of ice has avoid a jail sentence but if he commits family violence again, he is likely to be locked up.
Record year for Colac fireys
Colac’s fire brigade has completed its busiest year on record with more than 300 callouts, with one young firefighter responding to about 90 per cent of incidents.
Unspent funds support pool pump upgrade
Apollo Bay’s P-12 College will reinvest unspent council funds to upgrade critical infrastructure at the town’s pool, ensuring the facility can continue to provide year-round access.
Community encouraged to check out plan
Colac Otway Shire Council has released its Draft 2025-2029 Council Plan with a focus on people, prosperity and place, and now it’s time for community feedback.
Woman uses fake note for McDonalds dinner
A Colac district woman who used a counterfeit $100 note to pay for her late-night McDonalds has avoided a criminal record but needs to stay out of trouble with the law for the next six months.
Councillor: Canberra conference is beneficial
A Colac Otway Shire councillor says his trip to Canberra for an Australian local government conference was well worth it.
