Articles by: Rachel Simmonds
Abel’s ready for a career in farming
It’s easy to tell that Abel McBroom is destined for farming when he shows up at Colac Regional Saleyards in his Ringers Western outfit among the regular buyers.
Prices follow statewide trend
Colac Regional Saleyards’ weekly fat sale and monthly store cattle sale have both followed state-wide trends.
Leaving the city behind for an adventure in goat farming
Forrest farmer Renée Holmes has harnessed her IT skills to develop a specialty app to bring out the best in her goat dairy, beef and pygmy goat production.
Grass slashed on fire track
A fire access track near Irrewarra has had urgent slashing to vegetation after a local firefighter told Colac Otway Shire Council that it was in a “serious state of disrepair”.
New councillor looking ahead
New councillor Max Arnott says he believes in creating positive partnerships between Colac Otway Shire Council and its community.
Plenty of precedent for singular ‘they’
We have received comments about the use of the word “they” as a singular pronoun, particularly when referring to people who identify as non-binary gender.
Aussie flag failure apology
Colac Otway Shire’s mayor has publicly apologised after a resident questioned the council’s lack of an Australian flag outside its offices on January 26.
Vote countback to fill shire seat
Colac Otway Shire could have its seventh councillor today, after the second electoral countback for this year.
Spray tackles Otways dieback
State and federal governments are partnering with experts, community groups and Traditional Owner groups to help save plants and threatened species in the Otways.
Visitor centre trial extended
Colac Otway Shire Council has extended Colac Visitor Information Centre’s full-time hours until “at least after Anzac Day” to make the most of upcoming public holidays.
Push to close Cressy street
Colac Otway Shire Council will close a Cressy street because it fails to meet road management requirements.
Dream result for beef breeder
Hills View stud owner Luke Nowell, 27, who is a shed builder by day, has spent the past three years developing his cattle stud before he sold his first bull for $50,000.
Flying the flag for equality: Colac Otway to hoist LGBTQIA+ symbol
Rainbow colours will grace Colac Otway Shire Council for one day a year after councillors voted to fly the LGBTQIA+ flag to promote gender equality.
Million-dollar campsite boost: Council allocates cash windfall from Bruce Street sale
Lake Colac Holiday Park will have an infrastructure boost to the tune of a million dollars, after councillors decided that the park’s next tenant must put in $500,000 to match a council commitment.
Big plans for council millions
Colac Otway Shire councillors will decide today whether to spend half a million dollars on Lake Colac Holiday Park improvements, using money from its $2.6-million Bruce Street land sale.
Colac team’s terrific truck trip
A dedicated group of Colac truckies and kids have led a fleet of almost 200 motorbikes and trucks along Victoria’s major highway for a Camp Quality fundraiser.
Beeac phone tower nearly ready after delays
A Beeac phone tower is “very close to completion”, with 700 metres of trenching being the last piece of the puzzle.
Colac could fly rainbow flag
Colac Otway Shire Council could join its neighbours in flying a rainbow flag to recognise IDAHOBIT and support the shire’s LGBTQIA+ community.
Cattle prices stay mostly firm
Colac is staying on-par with state-wide cattle prices after Colac Regional Saleyards’ weekly fat sale.
Right recipe for success
Pirron Yallock farmers Ulke and Sarah De Kleine have created “just the right mix” for healthier cows and optimised dairy production.
Couple escapes injury near Gellibrand
A young couple are “counting their lucky stars” after escaping injury when an otherwise healthy large tree fell on the car they were travelling in.
Birregurra road upgrade starts
Birregurra road users will face detours and delays for the next 10 weeks while road crews work to rebuild a 3.4-kilometre stretch for travellers.
BUILDERS BUSY: $123 million in construction approved for Colac Otway
A new $17-million campus for Colac Specialist School has helped Colac Otway record another big year of construction spending, despite the shire-wide spend plateauing.
Trusty potato bag saved Neville’s life
Neville Bennett’s fellow firefighters were fearing the worst 40 years ago when they saw him go up in smoke after the Ash Wednesday fires, but he was protected by his gear and a spud bag.
