Articles by: Ruby Manson
Our local Olympians throughout history
Ahead of tomorrow morning’s opening ceremony for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the Colac Herald’s Ruby Manson and Liam McCullagh have dug into the history of Colac and district’s past Olympians, or Olympians who have moved to the area since their careers.
Strong urge to create art drives big change in life
Colac visual arts student Nicole Franklin says she simply couldn’t suppress her urge to fully commit to her art any longer.
Award-winning farm finds success in trees
An esteemed national Landcare award is the result of Deans Marsh’s Stewart family prioritising the ecological functionality of their farm for 50 years.
No Crown land camping for region
The State Government is finalising new regulations to allow camping on Crown river frontages, but no Colac Otway rivers are currently under consideration.
Music charity inspires Nik to share struggle
A Colac retail store manager has used his decade-long music hobby to begin processing his mental health struggles.
Goodacres farewell paint shop
Respected Colac businesspeople Dale and Trish Goodacre will hand over the reins of Haymes Paint Shop Colac after 26 years of trading.
The grass is greener for aspiring farmer
A family move to the country has quickly become a career for young farmer Shae Stout. The 17-year-old works at her neighbours Clint Theodore and Brooke Lane’s dairy farm after watching them from through her window most of last year.
Reading ramps up for MS research
Students across Colac and the Otways will hit the books hard this month for the MS Readathon.
ARTS FOCUS: Childhood interest rekindled
Apollo Bay artist Jo Dunsmuir has used time confined to her home to rekindle her childhood love of painting, though it has taken a different turn.
Wet season threatens canola
Canola croppers say record prices could offset losses from waterlogged paddocks, and are hoping for a mild couple of months to ensure a bumper harvest.
Events endure woolly period
Irrewillipe sheep farmers Chris and Paula Riches are disappointed at the cancellation of two major events in the sheep calendar due to coronavirus.
Pickers’ pay under debate
A labour union is pushing for a guaranteed minimum wage for farm workers. Otway Blueberries’ Wayne Knight said the proposed change wouldn’t affect his business, but warned of impacts on low-value crop producers.
Creativity flows from lockdown
The COVID-19 pandemic has given Apollo Bay artist Sarah Doyle the time to hone her incredible raw painting talent.
State refutes backdown claim
The State Government has quashed claims that it has backflipped on giving campers access to Crown land river frontages, but remains tight-lipped on how it will regulate campers.
Farm injury impacts on whole family
October 1, 2020 is a day Swan Marsh’s Mulheron family won’t easily forget.
Online project against weeds
The Wye to Wongarra Landcare Group has created a video to inform the Otways community about some of the area’s most noxious weeds.
Business booms for young farming entrepreneur
Werneth’s Chloe Mitchell is continuing her family’s contribution to the sheep industry, starting her own business at just 21.
Testing change pleases expert
A former Colac school principal is cautiously optimistic that changes to national literacy and numeracy testing will improve its value for teachers.
Corangamite officials to review resort works
Construction has stopped on a Princetown eco-tourism resort while Corangamite Shire Council reviews if the developer has done enough work to “commence development”.
Otways campus work begins
Construction on Ballarat Clarendon College’s Yuulong campus is well underway, with plans for the site to house students from 2022.
Protestors hope work paid off
“That would be the ultimate, that everybody comes to their senses and realises this is just not the right site.”
Harry on a mission to improve quality
A Gerangamete dairy farmer is one of Australia’s top dairy producers, but it didn’t come without hard work.
Marvellous marquee for artists
About 20 Colac Otway artists have created a luxurious, moveable marquee that will pop up across the shire for arts events.
Vehicles left damaged after hitting pothole
The Transport Department has done emergency repairs on a Pirron Yallock pothole that caused vehicle damage this week.
