Dusty road could get upgraded
A dusty and badly worn road in Elliminyt has been nominated for sealing under the Colac Otway Shire council's 2026-27 road sealing program.
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Awareness event starts discussions
Community members from Colac and the surrounding district turned Memorial Square purple for the second annual Walk for Respect against family violence. The event was held on October 27, 2026.
No birds for Colac Show’s ag section
Colac Show will not hold a poultry section this year, after organisers decided to remove it to reduce the risk of bird flu. Officials described the choice as a tough one, noting that many other Victorian country shows have made the same decision during the current H5 bird flu outbreak. The poultry section has been cut from the 160th edition of the event, according to Ray Thomas, who confirmed the decision on behalf of the show's organisers.
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Get the appNew V-Line six-carriage trains launch
V-Line has introduced six-carriage trains on the Warrnambool Line, addressing overcrowding concerns raised by Colac and district residents after months of limited services. The new carriages aim to improve passenger capacity and comfort.
Colac Herald· Few hours ago
Centenarian’s remarkable legacy
The Warrnambool Line has introduced six-carriage trains, addressing long-standing concerns from Colac and surrounding areas about overcrowding and inadequate service. This upgrade follows persistent feedback from local residents, aiming to improve passenger comfort and capacity. The new trains are expected to alleviate congestion during peak travel times, enhancing the overall travel experience for commuters. This development marks a significant step in addressing transportation needs in the region. The initiative reflects ongoing efforts to enhance public transport infrastructure in response to community demands.
Magic of marmalade
The Dalemain Australian Marmalade Awards in Birregurra showcased a vibrant spectrum of global marmalade varieties, each offering distinct flavour profiles. Artisans from across the country presented their tangy creations to a panel of judges. The event highlighted the craftsmanship and diversity of marmalade-making in Australia. Participants included Belinda Stewart, Kylie Edwards, Jill Martin, Georgie Seebeck and Ami Hillege. The competition celebrated the rich tradition and innovation in this beloved preserve.
Nature play and craft at Winch family event
A recent news item highlights a program that has broadened job aspirations among young people in the Colac district. Three local young people took part and were exposed to the variety of career paths across the agricultural sector. The same listing page also features items on heifer prices recovering, a Probus club celebration, and an upcoming historic flower show. The provided text offers no detail on the program's organisers, its duration, or how many young people overall have taken part, so those specifics remain unstated.
Historic flower show tomorrow
The 2026 Warrion Flower Show is set to open tomorrow, inviting gardeners, flower enthusiasts and anyone wanting more colour in their lives to attend. Marking its 114th year, the event will be held at the town's public hall. The Colac Herald, which reported the event, is cited as the source of this update, with the story dated 27 October 2026.
Celebrations go on for Probus
Clubs across Australia are celebrating 50 years of Probus this October. The organisation brings social activity and enjoyment to retired and semi-retired people around the world. Local groups in Colac are taking part, including the Lake Colac Ladies Probus, the Probus Club of Colac and the Probus Club of Colac Otway, and the Colac Central Ladies Probus. Club office holders include presidents Margaret Morrow, Graham Sutherland and Lois Steffen, along with trips co-ordinator John Angel, secretary Lynette Genua and committee member Suzii Holt.
Farm office efficiencies workshop – Colac
A free workshop in Colac on Tuesday, October 27, will help farm businesses improve their office systems and make better use of accounting software. It runs from 8.30am to 2.30pm at the DEECA Office on Gellibrand Street. Participants are asked to bring a laptop and can work through examples using their own records or a demonstration program. Topics include emailing invoices, processing batch payments, reconciling accounts, tracking fuel, grain and livestock inventory, and creating custom reports. Attendees will also learn ways to manage emails, receipts, paper records and cloud-based storage.
Remembering Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Birch
Tamborine Mountain resident Betty Birch has died at the age of 83 after several years of illness. She is remembered for her devotion to family, her love of cooking and her collection of teddy bears. Born in Victoria in 1942, Betty later moved to Queensland with her husband Richard. The couple ran a bed and breakfast on Tamborine Mountain, where Betty took over the local shop Teddies on Tamborine. The shop drew collectors from across the country and overseas until changing retail habits and online shopping led to its closure.
MP pledges $2 million for Birregurra Recreation Reserve
Polwarth MP Richard Riordan has promised $2 million towards the redevelopment of the Birregurra Recreation Reserve. The pledge is conditional on the Coalition being elected at next month's state election. The money would go towards upgrading the reserve's pavilion, which would use modular designs from district business Echidna Built. Mr Riordan was photographed with Birregurra football captain Indy Paddick, netballer and reserve committee member Tamara Parker, and Echidna Built owner Chris Meade.
Mayor breached code
Colac Otway Shire Mayor Jason Schram has been directed to publicly apologise after an arbiter determined he violated the council's code of conduct. The finding followed complaints from two councillors, Chrissy De Deugd and Chris Potter, who alleged Schram failed to uphold standards of respect and fairness. The arbiter's report concluded that Schram's behaviour did not meet the required professional benchmarks for municipal leaders. This marks the first such finding against Schram during his tenure as mayor. The Colac Herald first reported the story on October 23, 2026.
Research exposes rural abuse
Colac residents have again raised concerns about a growing carp population in Lake Colac and Barongarook Creek. An authority has revealed plans to reduce the number of carp in the waterways.
Influx of carp across waterways
Colac residents have raised concerns about the number of carp at Lake Colac and Barongarook Creek. The noxious pest is becoming increasingly visible in the waterways. Pam Cuthbertson, who has lived in Colac for more than 70 years, says she has never seen so many carp in the area. An authority has also revealed plans to reduce the carp population.
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Get the appYoung seal returns to sea
The headline refers to a young seal returning to the sea, but the supplied text offers no details about the animal, its rescue, or where the release took place. The surrounding material consists of unrelated local news items, including a Colac service club raising $14,000 for community causes, funding for volunteer projects, road resurfacing, and a reminder to enrol to vote. Nothing in the text confirms the location or circumstances of the seal's release.
Funds flow back to Colac
Residents in the Coragulac district are reportedly puzzled after a road was resurfaced roughly a year after it had been upgraded. Local people have expressed confusion over the decision, which they say came so soon after the earlier work. The headline indicates that funding is returning to Colac, though the available text offers little detail on the amounts or reasons behind the spending. Other local items listed on the page cover state election enrolment, a fundraiser and a trail anniversary, but none of these is explained in depth here.
Kind gesture for targeted brigade
A dog breeder in Larpent is pursuing a planning application to legitimise their existing operation and build a dedicated animal shelter. The application, submitted recently, aims to address the current lack of formal approval for the breeding activities. The proposed facility would provide permanent housing for the animals, ensuring their welfare and the breeder's compliance with local regulations. This initiative follows a period of informal operation, highlighting the breeder's commitment to establishing a lawful and sustainable business. The application is currently under review by the relevant authorities.
Larpent dog breeder seeking permit
A Larpent dog breeder is seeking a permit, according to the headline of this story. Its body instead consists of unrelated local news items, including a report that independent federal MP Dr Helen Haines remains in critical condition after being struck by a car outside her Wangaratta office, which is described as an alleged attack. Other listed items cover a Colac awareness campaign, a grants announcement for first responders and a store's shift arrangement. Because the text offers no detail on the permit itself, no further particulars can be confirmed from it.