The South West Daily

Here is what is making news for March 06, 2026.==================================Across the Corangamite region, Landcare groups and environmental volunteers are being urged to apply for a slice of three-point-five-five million dollars in state government funding. ====================================================================Maintenance is being conducted on two sections of the Cobden-Warrnam...

Here is what is making news for March 03, 2026.==================================A solo sailor bound for Apollo Bay was rescued after a mechanical failure left his vessel anchored in a major shipping lane. At the entrance to Port Phillip Heads, the yacht’s anchor winch failed, causing ninety metres of heavy chain to run out and pin the vessel to the seabed. =============================...

Here is what is making news for March 3, 2026.=================================At the Theatre Royal in Camperdown, music lovers are invited to a special tribute honoring those who served our country.  ==================================================================In the Colac Otway and Corangamite regions, four-in-five students are forced to leave home to pursue higher education or trainin...

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Here is what is making news for February 27, 2026.========================================A thirty-one-year-old Colac P-plater has narrowly avoided a jail sentence after crashing his utility while almost six times over the legal blood-alcohol limit. The court heard the driver returned a reading of point-two-eight-eight after a series of collisions on Corangamite Street last year.  ===========...

Here is what is making news for February 26, 2026.================================Geelong and Colac are serving as the bookends for a major charity adventure this week as the Beyond Bitumen car rally returns to Victorian roads. ================================================================Paramedics in the Colac Otway and Corangamite shires are bracing for a busy long weekend, with a reminder to...

Here is what is making news for February 25, 2026.=======================================Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West has returned from a major advocacy week at Parliament House. C-E-O Jodie Hill joined sister organizations in Melbourne to meet with M-Ps and Ministers, securing pledges of support for the sector. ==============================================================...

Here is what is making news for February 24, 2026.=====================================Colac Otway Scholarship recipients have been named for the Australian Dairy Farmers Corporation. Local recipients include Eisha Howard, Nadia Vogels and Genevieve McGuane, while Sophie Noy and Luke Hannigan will also be awarded with their scholarship in the coming weeks. =========================================...

Here is what is making news for February 23, 2026.==================================New research from the Regional Australia Institute shows many Australians are still considering a move to the regions including Colac Otway and Corangamite regions. More than one thousand people were surveyed about whether they plan to leave the city, when they’d do it and why. External Affairs Director Amand...

Here is what is making news for February 20, 2026.=======================================Blaize Aid has set up in Gellibrand to help farmers and property managers affected by the recent bushfires in efforts for recovery. Camp Coordinator Judith Robbins says they are in town to help out any way they can. ==============================================================================Colac truck drive...

Here is what is making news for February 19, 2026.=================================A Camperdown man has been sentenced to two months behind bars after twice fleeing from local authorities during a drug and property damage investigation. ==================================================================Funds raised currently sit at 30,000 but the Carlisle River CFA station is searching for more. Th...

Here is what is making news for February 18, 2026.=========================================A temporary bridge at Carlisle River which has been in place since June last year has come undone after excessive use over the last month. Member for Polwarth Richard Riordan says instead of using a nearby paddock to access the township, a more permanent fix should be prioritised.============================...

Here is what is making news for February 17, 2026.=======================================Camperdown, Cobden, and Timboon residents are being invited to help shape a new roadmap for water security across Western Victoria. ==============================================================================Colac Otway residents are being briefed on the 2026 duck hunting season, which is officially set to o...

Here is what is making news for February 16, 2026.========================================Colac paramedics are reaching the most critical emergencies nearly two minutes faster thanks to a major boost in local ambulance performance. New data from late 2025 shows that crews in the Colac population centre reached nearly 79 per cent of Code 1 cases within the target 15 minutes, up from 70 per cent in...

Here is what is making news for February 13, 2026.=======================================Apollo Bay Golf Club will host the legendary "100 Hole Hike" on Friday, March 13th, to raise vital funds for the local C-F-A. The epic endurance challenge requires participants to play 100 holes of golf on foot in a single day, with only 18 spots available for solo players or relay teams.  ===============...

Here is what is making news for February 11, 2026.===========================================The Australian dairy industry has raised serious concerns over the long-term impact on their sector as the Federal Government prepares to finalise the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement. Australian Dairy Industry Council Chair, and Pomborneit farmer Ben Bennett, says it is clear negotiations are effectively...

Here is what is making news for February 10, 2026.=======================================As recovery begins across Carlisle River and surrounding districts, local primary producers are being encouraged to review their long-term farm plans before starting major repairs==============================================================================Corangamite Shire has officially launched its new Arts...

Here is what is making news for February 9, 2026.=====================================Arterial roads across the Gellibrand and Otways region have officially reopened following the devastating January bushfires. While state-managed routes are now clear for travel, several local roads managed by regional councils remain closed for ongoing safety works.  =========================================...

Here is what is making news for February 05, 2026.=====================================Gellibrand residents can now safely use their drinking water taps again. Barwon Water Managing Director Shaun Cumming thanked residents for their patience while the issue was fixed. ==========================================================================Bulla's has officially opened its new Ice Cream facility...

Here is what is making news for February 4, 2026.========================================Beeac Farmers from Mingawalla Ag in the Barclay family have been listed as finalists for The Weekly Times Coles 2025 Farmer of the Year Awards in the Beef Farmer category. Lachie Barclay says it's special to be nominated for the award given the quality of beef producers Australia wide. ========================...

Here is what is making news for February 3, 2026.===================================Farmers in Carlisle River and Gellibrand are being urged to clear floating debris from their dams to prevent water supplies from becoming toxic following the recent bushfires.  ======================================================================Colac Area Health is helping aid recovery efforts for those who...

Here is what is making news for February 2, 2026.=============================Barwon Water says progress is being made to restore safe drinking water in Gellibrand. Drinking water is available at Rex Norman Park, while tap water should only be used for essential non-drinking purposes. ==========================================================It was a big week for Victorian families, with nearly 90...

Here is what is making news for January 30, 2026.=======================================HOPING FOR AUDIO FROM SHAUN CUMMING Barwon Water is urging customers across its service region to use water carefully as fires continue burning in the Otways and hot weather drives up demand. Parts of the region fall within active fire and Watch and Act zones.  Barwon Water will release a further upda...

Here is what is making news for January 29, 2026.=========================================An Advice message has been issued for a number of communities following the Carlisle River bushfire. Authorities say it is now safe to return for residents who evacuated from Barongarook, Barramunga, Barwon Downs, Forrest, Gerangamete, Murroon, Upper Gellibrand, Yaughter, Yeodene, Wymbooliel, Pennyroyal, Birr...

Here is what is making news for January 27, 2026.============================================Residents all across the Otways are reminded to check the Emergency Victoria app frequently today, with watch and acts across much of the region. Deputy Incident Controller Alistair Drayton says today's extreme heat and blustery condition make for a challenging day to contain the fire. ====================...