Colac Herald

Colac Herald The award-winning Colac Herald is Colac and district’s newspaper of choice. The Colac Herald rolled off the presses in 1868 and absorbed the Observer in 1874.

Produced by a dedicated team based in Colac, the Colac Herald arrives each Monday, Wednesday and Friday with the district’s most up-to-date and in-depth news and sports reports and advertising that’s a proven winner. A newspaper created for Colac and district by people who make Colac and district their home, the Colac Herald continues a tradition dating back almost 150 years to the launch of the C

olac Observer in 1866. Other newspapers have come and gone during the Colac Herald’s history but the Herald has stood the test of time and proudly continues to serve Colac and district as one of the few truly independent locally owned media outlets remaining in Australia. The Colac Herald is much more than simply words and pictures and has won a string of international, national and state awards, including the Victorian Country Press Association’s Overall Newspaper Excellence Award. The journalism, photography and advertising awards which fill the Herald’s bulging trophy cabinet are proof that the Colac Herald is a shining light in regional Victoria’s media industry and guarantees our readers and advertisers get value for their money. With news stories that focus on issues that matter to Colac and district, sports reports that embrace and acknowledge the achievements of our sportsmen and women, advertising tailored to the market, the region’s best real estate guide and a guaranteed readership, it’s obvious why the Colac Herald is Colac and district’s number one media outlet. DISCUSSIONS POLICY:

The Colac Herald welcomes discussions of topics relating to our coverage, and the wider Colac and district community. All content and posts on the Herald’s page are bound by the following:
• Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities
• Australian, Victorian and international law

We will remove posts and comments that:
• condone or encourage illegal activity
• promote prejudice
• are personal or generalised insults or attacks
• contain excessive swearing
• appear intended only to anger or belittle others
The Colac Herald has the right to remove content from this page at any time without prior notice for any reason deemed to be in the Herald’s and the community’s best interest. To report concerns about posts or violations of this policy, please contact the Colac Herald at [email protected]
Decisions about removing posts are at the sole discretion of the Colac Herald page administrators. The Colac Herald accepts no responsibility or liability for posts or comments made by other users on this page. We want to remind readers that while the Herald supports free speech, posts and comments by individuals do not reflect the opinions or policies of the newspaper. If posts are to report a complaint about the region, society or organisations, refrain from defamation. If making a complaint, it is best to offer a constructive solution. Posts designed only to offend rather than constructively advance a discussion will be removed. Where disagreements arise, please remain respectful: use your comments to increase understanding, not score points. If you suspect someone aims only to stir up anger, you can ignore the provocation and give a neutral, honest response, or not respond at all.

The Powell Legacy Fund established to honour the lives of Port Campbell heroes Ross and Andy Powell has distributed the ...
18/02/2025

The Powell Legacy Fund established to honour the lives of Port Campbell heroes Ross and Andy Powell has distributed the last round of scholarships.

The legacy fund supports students across the Port Campbell and Timboon districts, and has recently distributed nine new scholarships in its fifth and final round.

The Powell Legacy Fund established to honour the lives of Port Campbell heroes Ross and Andy Powell has distributed the last round of scholarships.

A world-first deep water sponge restoration project is well underway off the coast of Apollo Bay, with cultivated sponge...
18/02/2025

A world-first deep water sponge restoration project is well underway off the coast of Apollo Bay, with cultivated sponges deployed to an artificial reef this week.

Scientists from SeaGen Aquaculture and Gippsland-based biotech company Offshore Biotechnologies teamed up for the largest rapid assessment of marine sponge cultivation in Australia, collecting adult sponges from 80 metres deep, about 19 kilometres offshore from Apollo Bay last year.

Using methods borrowed from coral restoration, more than 100 different species of deepwater sponges were reproduced in the SeaGen Aquaculture hatchery on Phillip Island.

A world-first deep water sponge restoration project is well underway off the coast of Apollo Bay, with cultivated sponges deployed to an artificial reef this week.

Colac Area Health’s Frank Minchinton Centre is facing more demand than ever, providing more than 1050 cancer treatments ...
17/02/2025

Colac Area Health’s Frank Minchinton Centre is facing more demand than ever, providing more than 1050 cancer treatments last year.

The 1050-plus treatments at the Frank Minchinton Centre last year marks a 45.9-per-cent rise from 2020, when the centre cared for 721 patients.

It comes as recently-released Cancer Council data shows Victoria recorded its highest-ever number of cancer diagnoses in 2023.

Colac Area Health’s Frank Minchinton Centre is facing more demand than ever, providing more than 1050 cancer treatments last year.

Birregurra families are super excited to see plans for the town’s pump track progress, following community consultation....
17/02/2025

Birregurra families are super excited to see plans for the town’s pump track progress, following community consultation.

Parents and children attended the Birregurra Skatepark for community consultation for the Birregurra Pump Track last week, with discussion around what aspects the community specifically wanted to see take shape in the facility.

Common Ground Trails designers attended the consultation held in partnership with the Birregurra Community Group and Colac Otway Shire Council.

Birregurra families are super excited to see plans for the town’s pump track progress, following community consultation.

Organiser Ross McIntosh says the Mount Hesse Farm Dog Trials are an ideal opportunity to show off the history of the pro...
17/02/2025

Organiser Ross McIntosh says the Mount Hesse Farm Dog Trials are an ideal opportunity to show off the history of the property.

The dog trials ran across the weekend, with star talent from across Victoria.

Organiser Ross McIntosh says the Mount Hesse Farm Dog Trials are an ideal opportunity to show off the history of the property.

South-west organisations are calling on all political candidates to commit to urgent reforms to address the region’s sev...
17/02/2025

South-west organisations are calling on all political candidates to commit to urgent reforms to address the region’s severe shortage of early learning and childcare services.

The SouthWest Victoria Alliance and Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West recently joined The Parenthood’s Access for Every Child Rural Coalition – a group of 72 organisations advocating for improved early learning access.

The SouthWest Victoria Alliance includes Colac Otway, Corangamite, Moyne, Southern Grampians and Glenelg shires, the Warrnambool City Council and representatives from Deakin University and Wannon Water.

South-west organisations are calling on all political candidates to commit to urgent reforms to address the region’s severe shortage of early learning and childcare services.

A team of experts are testing a new tool in Colac this week that could help people make healthier food choices.It’s the ...
17/02/2025

A team of experts are testing a new tool in Colac this week that could help people make healthier food choices.

It’s the latest development in a long-term project that aims to boost nutrition-related health in the shire, with a supermarket study also planned for this year.

Read the full story in today's Herald, plus all the latest news and sport updates.

A team of experts are testing a new tool in Colac this week that could help people make healthier food choices.

Documentary producer Roslyn Walker’s mission to give centenarians a chance to share their life stories and worldy wisdom...
15/02/2025

Documentary producer Roslyn Walker’s mission to give centenarians a chance to share their life stories and worldy wisdom has led her to two Colac district women.

Roslyn co-founded The 100 Project, which lends the screen to Australians aged 100 years and older.

Documentary producer Roslyn Walker’s mission to give centenarians a chance to share their life stories and worldy wisdom has led her to two Colac district women.

Apollo Bay’s Harold Cockerell will be remembered for his community dedication in all aspects of his life.The community s...
15/02/2025

Apollo Bay’s Harold Cockerell will be remembered for his community dedication in all aspects of his life.

The community stalwart died on February 3, at age 97, and was farewelled by family, friends and the wider community on Wednesday.

Harold served his communities for decades in a variety of roles, helping out wherever he could.

Apollo Bay’s Harold Cockerell will be remembered for his community dedication in all aspects of his life.

A Colac GP is pleased with the Federal Government’s recent announcement of $570 million towards delivering better health...
15/02/2025

A Colac GP is pleased with the Federal Government’s recent announcement of $570 million towards delivering better healthcare for women across the country.

The package is a five-year investment by the government informed by consultation with women, healthcare providers, advocacy groups, the work of the National Women’s Health Advisory Council, and the findings of two separate Senate inquiries.

Corangamite Clinic GP Anne McGuane said it was wonderful news for all women.

A Colac GP is pleased with the Federal Government’s recent announcement of $570 million towards delivering better healthcare for women across the country.

A woman facing homelessness in Colac says she is preparing to sleep rough because there are no affordable rental options...
15/02/2025

A woman facing homelessness in Colac says she is preparing to sleep rough because there are no affordable rental options.

But a closer look at transitional housing shows there is a strong success rate – with more than nine in 10 securing a long-term outcome, a local provider said.

Danielle Turner said she was preparing to sleep in the streets as her 13-month transitional housing contract ends this month.

A woman facing homelessness in Colac says she is preparing to sleep rough because there are no affordable rental options. But a closer look at transitional housing shows there is a strong success rate - with more than nine in 10 securing a long-term outcome

Need for increased access is among chief feedback from the community on a proposed residential development plan at Ellim...
14/02/2025

Need for increased access is among chief feedback from the community on a proposed residential development plan at Elliminyt.

Colac Otway Shire Council met on Tuesday afternoon for a submissions meeting on the Hillview Development Plan, hearing from three people after receiving six objections in response to informal notice given to surrounding residents.

Concerns raised in objections included traffic issues, noise and dust pollution, noise and light control infrastructure, insufficient details on the residential village, no indoor community meeting places, a lack of paths and more.

Need for increased access is among chief feedback from the community on a proposed residential development plan at Elliminyt.

“There’s something going on in Wannon.”That’s Colac’s Brian Woodcock, local leader of the effort to elect independent ca...
14/02/2025

“There’s something going on in Wannon.”

That’s Colac’s Brian Woodcock, local leader of the effort to elect independent candidate Alex Dyson at this year’s federal election.

As Mr Dyson returns for a 2025 tilt, Mr Woodcock addressed the crowd at a campaign launch in Colac on Tuesday night.

“There’s something going on in Wannon.”

Local firefighting crews were busy bringing a Barongarook grass fire under control yesterday, with the cause still yet-t...
14/02/2025

Local firefighting crews were busy bringing a Barongarook grass fire under control yesterday, with the cause still yet-to-be-determined.

The fire took hold in the area just before noon, about three and a half kilometres north-east of Kawarren.

Forest Fire Management Victoria confirmed the fire was under investigation when the Herald went to print yesterday.

Local firefighting crews were busy bringing a Barongarook grass fire under control yesterday, with the cause still yet-to-be-determined.

An Elvis tribute concert in Colac has sold out so fast that organisers have scheduled a second show.But it came after ti...
14/02/2025

An Elvis tribute concert in Colac has sold out so fast that organisers have scheduled a second show.

But it came after ticketing chaos left more than a few hopeful showgoers all shook up.

Tickets to see acclaimed tribute artist Jack Gatto perform with Colac’s own 16-year-old prodigy Charlie Gaylard on the COPACC stage sold out in just 90 minutes yesterday.

An Elvis tribute concert in Colac has sold out so fast that organisers have scheduled a second show – but it came after ticketing chaos left more than a few hopeful showgoers all shook up.

LEARNING THE ROPES ⛵The next generation of sailors took part in the first day of the Colac Yacht Club's 2025 Learn to Sa...
13/02/2025

LEARNING THE ROPES ⛵

The next generation of sailors took part in the first day of the Colac Yacht Club's 2025 Learn to Sail Program last weekend.

Check out the photos below!

A former forestry worker and a pair of Otways historians are working on a project to honour lives lost in the district’s...
13/02/2025

A former forestry worker and a pair of Otways historians are working on a project to honour lives lost in the district’s timber industry.

Jim O’Dowd started researching the people who had died in the Otways timber milling industry about 12 years ago.

The plan is to erect a memorial at Beech Forest commemorating the timber workers.

A former forestry worker and a pair of Otways historians are working on a project to honour lives lost in the district’s timber industry.

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Videos

Almost 16 years to the day after he first walked through the doors of St Mary’s Catholic Church, Father Michael O’Toole will hang up his stole and enter retirement – well, semi-retirement. Hear from Fr Michael in the video below about his experiences in Colac over the past 16 years.

Motorists are urged to exercise caution at the intersection of Murray and Gellibrand Street where traffic lights have stopped working. The traffic lights for traffic east and west and north and south are all flashing yellow. Please be careful if you are travelling in the area.

A YEAR OF SPORT
A YEAR OF SPORT

As 2024 comes to a close, the Colac Herald team wants to say a huge thank you to the incredible Colac and district community for your unwavering support throughout the year. Thank you for sharing your lives, stories and photos with us during the past 12 months. Check out the video below showcasing some of the incredible sporting moments captured by the Colac Herald and community members! Don’t forget to pick up Monday’s edition of the Colac Herald for our bumper 40-page end of year paper, filled with the latest local news, a super quiz, year in review across news, rural and sports, and our New Year New Career feature!

As 2024 comes to a close, the Colac Herald team wants to say a huge thank you to the incredible Colac and district community for your unwavering support throughout the year. Thank you for sharing your lives, stories and photos with us during the past 12 months. Check out the video below showcasing some of the incredible moments captured by the Colac Herald and community members! Don’t forget to pick up Monday’s edition of the Colac Herald for our bumper 40-page end of year paper, filled with the latest local news, a super quiz, year in review across news, rural and sports, and our New Year New Career feature!

And the people's choice is... 36 Wynne Street! 🥳 Congratulations to all winners and thank you to everyone who participated and brought the Christmas cheer to our community. Merry Christmas to all! Mixx1063

Colac Herald journalist Naomi Newcombe has been visiting the US as part of a digital news study tour to San Francisco, Washington DC and New York City. Naomi was out and about on Tuesday for the US election getting a grasp of the political system, sharing the video below!

1️⃣ Vote One Mick McCrickard for Colac Otway Shire Council Authorised by Mick McCrickard 895 Nalangil Road, Corrunnun

1️⃣ Vote One Chrissy de Deugd for Colac Otway Shire Council Advertisement authorised by Chrissy de Deugd, Jeff Cooke. 43 Gravesend St Colac 3250

1️⃣ Vote One Max Arnott for Colac Otway Shire Council Advertisement authorised by Max Arnott PO Box 341, Colac East, VIC, Australia, Victoria

Apollo Bay locals have joined together early this morning to take part in Cold Nips 100 sunrise dips in 100 days Aus Tour. Their aim is to get thousands of Aussies to go for a sunrise ocean dip and raise $1 million for mental health. Keep an eye on future Colac Herald editions to see more from the event!

1️⃣ Vote One Cheryl Miller for a stronger, vibrant, inclusive and diverse community. Advertisement authorised by Cheryl Miller PO Box 610, Colac 3250

BALLOT DRAWN The ballot order for the Colac Otway Shire Council election has been drawn, with the candidates ordered from 1 to 18 for how they will appear on the ballot paper. See Friday's Colac Herald for more on the election.

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