The South West Daily

Here is what is making news for April 27, 2026.===================================G21 is demanding the Victorian Government look beyond cheap fares and invest in actual service upgrades for Colac in the upcoming State Budget. ======================================================================The Barongarook West CFA is set for a major transformation following the announcement of the twenty-twen...

  Here is what is making news for April 24, 2026.====================================The Frank Minchinton Centre is celebrating ten years of providing world-class cancer care to the Colac Otway community. Affectionately known as the F-M-C, the facility has saved local patients a staggering 140,000 kilometres of travel since it first opened its doors.  ====================================...

Here is what is making news for April 23, 2026.===================================As part of National Palliative Care Week, Anam Cara Colac is inviting the community to a special event featuring author and cultural anthropologist Dr. Hannah Gould. Dr. Gould will discuss her new book, How to Die in the 21st Century, exploring contemporary death and religion in Australia. The session kicks off at 11...

Here is what is making news for April 22, 2026.==============================A very special visitor will be in the Colac region this weekend with Australia's Governor General - Ms Sam Moyston touching down this Sunday morning. Colac Otway Shire CEO Andrew Tenni says having someone as high profile as the Governor-General shows the strength of community that was displayed during the earlier months o...

Here is what is making news for April 22, 2026.=================================A thirty-four-year-old Colac district man has been hit with ten charges following a major investigation into stolen livestock. Police allege that forty cattle were taken from a Pirron Yallock property in late February and later recovered at an abattoir in Tongala, over three hundred kilometres away. The charges include...

Here is what is making news for April 20, 2026.=====================================The finalists for the 2026 Corangamite Business Awards have been officially named. From more than fifty nominations, fifteen local businesses have qualified as finalists, with three selected in each of the five categories. Mayor Kate Makin congratulated the finalists, noting the high level of service and community...

Here is what is making news for April 10, 2026.================================A south-west drone spraying business has been convicted and fined fifteen thousand dollars in the Colac Magistrates' Court following a significant spray-drift incident. ================================================================The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority is working with local councils and V-I-C-...

Here is what is making news for April 08, 2026.====================================The Salvation Army Colac kicks off its mini movers program today aimed at getting kids outdoors and involved in sport. Local team leader Josiah Van Niekerk says the program is a great way to get kids moving, active and engaging in healthy habits. ======================================================================...

Here is what is making news for April 7, 2026.=================================Regional communities have once again demonstrated their generosity, contributing significantly to the 2026 Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal raising nearly $6 million from a Australia wide total of more than $25 million. Colac played its part raising 37-thousand-900-and-59 dollars. Nearby towns such as...

Here is what is making news for March 02, 2026.================================Authorities have confirmed that two pythons discovered at an Apollo Bay property on Monday were stolen. An investigation into the incident revealed the reptiles had been taken from their rightful owner, who has since come forward.  ================================================================Nearly eighty percen...

Here is what is making news for April 1, 2026.================================The Federal and State Governments have announced a significant funding boost to help bushfire-affected residents in the Colac Otway and Corangamite shires rebuild. ================================================================Everyone across the Colac Otway region and beyond is invited to Colac's Botanic Gardens to hel...

Here is what is making news from March 31, 2026.====================================Colac Highway Patrol are appealing for Witnesses on Sunday afternoon near Queen and Hearn Street. Local spokesperson Jamie Kahle spoke with Ace Radio yesterday and says a car was clocked doing 130 kilometres per hour in a 50 zone and driving erratically. =============================================================...

Here is what is making news for March 30, 2026.=============================Cattle stolen from a Pirron Yallock property in February have been returned amid ongoing investigations from local Police. Police spokesperson Stephen Bull says a result following the theft is expected to come in the coming days.  ==========================================================The Corangamite Catchment Mana...

Here is what is making news for March 27, 2026.==================================Forest Fire Management Victoria is preparing for a major burning program across the Otway district to protect coastal and inland communities. ====================================================================Carlisle River Primary School is hosting a special community fun day this Saturday, March 28th. Running from...

Here is what is making news for March 26, 2026.==================================Earlier this week Australia signed a free trade agreement with the European Union, which has drawn much criticism from farmers across the region. Larpent Dairy Farmer Mark Billing spoke to Ace Radio's Country Today program saying the deal could negatively impact dairy prices. ==========================================...

Here is what is making news for March 25, 2026.====================================The deadline for submissions to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the 2026 summer bushfires has been extended to April 19. The inquiry will consider preparation and planning by the state government, emergency services agencies, causes and circumstances of the bushfires, funding equipment and appliances for the CFA=====...

Here is what is making news for March 24, 2026.==============================Camperdown police are reminding motorists that they are out in force following a double drink-driving bust on Saturday night. A 19-year-old P-plater and a man in his late twenties were both intercepted after returning breath test readings of approximately point-zero-eight.  ===========================================...

Here is what is making news for March 23, 2026.===============================A builder has now been appointed for the Colac West Primary school’s $10.2 million upgrade backed by the State Government. Construction will begin soon on improved learning spaces for students and staff. ==============================================================Latest crime data for the Colac Otway and Corangam...

Here is what is making news for March 20, 2026.=================================A 37-year-old Colac man has been remanded in custody after allegedly stabbing his sleeping housemate in an unprovoked attack. Police say the 34-year-old victim was asleep in his bed on Wednesday night when he was struck with a boning knife, leaving a 75-millimetre deep wound.  =====================================...

Here is what is making news for March 19, 2026.==============================A 26-year-old wanted man is facing the Colac Magistrates Court after being intercepted on the Cobden-Warrnambool Road. A Cobden Police Spokesperson says the arrest followed a sixty-dollar drive-off at the Cobden B-P on Tuesday afternoon.  ============================================================The Colac Showgroun...

Here is what is making news for March 18, 2026.==================================Crayfest Preparations are well and truly underway with the biggest instalment of the quirky local festival expected. Organiser Lee Mcleod says the event is now in its sixth year. ====================================================================Early estimates suggest more than $25,000 dollars were raised for Colac'...

Here is what is making news for March 17, 2026.===================================================A partnership between Surf Coast Council and the TAC is putting high-tech sensors in the hands of local cyclists to make regional roads friendlier for everyone. ======================================================================================================Recovery teams have successfully remove...

Here is what is making news for March 16, 2026.===============================Opposition Leader for Victoria Jess Wilson was in Colac yesterday joined by Member for the South West Coast Roma Britnell and Member for Polwarth Richard Riordan. The trio were at the Colac Police Station to discuss the faulty door which has now been inoperable for more than a month. =====================================...

Here is what is making news for March 13, 2026.================================Recent fires at Gellibrand and Carlisle River have highlighted the life-saving impact of early fire preparation. New evaluation results from the CFA’s "Get Fire Ready" initiative show that ninety-one percent of participants took active steps to protect their properties well before the smoke appeared.==============...

Here is what is making news for March 11, 2026.===================================The Colac Otway Shire is seeking community feedback on a landmark proposal to lease the Colac Otway Performing Arts and Cultural Centre to a private company. Councillors met today to announce IVG Global as the preferred operator to manage the cinema, auditorium, and function spaces.===================================...