Articles by: Zara Cuthbertson
Groups respond to review
Colac’s fire brigade would like to retain its training track on the Lake Colac foreshore and Friends of the Colac Botanic Gardens want to retain and create heritage in the iconic Colac precinct.
Monthly sale boosts industry
Colac’s monthly store sale which yarded more than 1000 cattle has given the local livestock industry hope, but the industry is remaining wary of future trends and weather conditions.
Billy finds his calling upon return to farm
From Telstra to the family dairy farm. Despite the difference, Jancourt East’s Billy Buckingham says there’s a lot of skills that overlap between the two industries.
Warrion Flower Show stands the test of time
Boasting 123 years of history, the Warrion Flower Show has stood the test of time with no sign of slowing, with the 111th show just around the corner.
District’s gem enthusiasts ready to shine
Colac Gem Club secretary Russell Adams says chatting and socialising with mates is the shining jewel of being involved with the club.
Two-day show for orchid lovers
The Colac Orchid Club is back with its 33rd annual show, featuring an array of beautiful blooms, stalls, demonstrations and more.
Successful milk season is thanks to farmers’ efforts
Record profits for the region’s dairy farmers are positive, but largely thanks to a favourable few years in the industry, WestVic Dairy board member Jacqui Suares says.
Vacant house tax raises concern
Victorian Farmers Federation has voiced concerns over a recent government announcement to extend the vacancy tax to houses in regional Victoria that have been vacant for more than six months.
Survey captures record-high milk profits
The 2022-2023 Dairy Farm Monitor Project has found Victorian dairy farmers had a record profitable year, thanks to high milk prices and carefully managed high costs.
Toolkit to help farmers prepare
Agriculture Victoria’s new Fire Preparedness Toolkit is designed to assist farmers and land managers to prepare their farm for the fire season.
District producers claim medals
Colac’s district farmers have demonstrated their high-quality produce and stock at this year’s Royal Melbourne Show.
Environmental transformation
Upper Barwon Landcare Network facilitator Andrea Montgomery says maintaining healthy waterways is key for maintaining our local farms well into the future.
New dairy advocacy group ‘open’
Dairy farmers across the Colac district and the rest of the state can now look to a new association for advocacy, after the Dairy Farmers Association of Victoria opened for business.
Colac refugee volunteers waiting for family’s arrival
Colac and District Rural Australians for Refugees members are eagerly awaiting news about the arrival date of a family from Africa.
Year 12 Countdown series – Sophie Ewert
When it comes to exam season, Lavers Hill K-12 student Sophie Ewert knows the drill.
Start preparations for fire season now
Larpent CFA captain and dairy farmer Mark Billing says Colac district farmers must begin preparations for an early fire season.
Busy weekend for Colac police
Police are appealing for information following the theft of a motor vehicle from a property near Simpson, while a 38-year-old male has been charged after allegedly burgling a Colac home and stealing two motor vehicles in two separate incidents.
Year 12 Countdown series – Josie Robbins Amatneiks
Colac Secondary College Year 12 student Josie Robbins Amatneiks says she’s as ready as she’ll ever be for her upcoming exams.
Kaye cooks up Christmas cheer
After five years of volunteering, there’s still nothing Beeac’s Kaye Cheng loves more than seeing lots of happy faces chatting away together at St Mary’s Christmas lunch.
WorkSafe charges company
WorkSafe Victoria has charged a water tank manufacturer after a tank fatally struck a man at Barwon Downs in one of two separate incidents.
Bureau officially declares El Niño
Colac and district residents can expect a hot, dry summer this season, after the Bureau of Meteorology declared an El Nino weather pattern is underway.
Year 12 Countdown series – Tim Mooney
Trinity College Year 12 student Tim Mooney says he’ll feel a weight off his shoulders once he reaches the end of exams.
Events impact calving season
For Deans Marsh beef farmer Richard Morrow and farmers across the region, the start of spring is a crucial time of the year for his herd.
Carbon capture concerns for Otway Basin
OCEAN member Lisa Deppeler has expressed her outrage at a Federal Government decision to release new areas for energy and gas companies to explore for offshore greenhouse gas storage.
