Here is what is making news for August 13, 2026.=====================================Cobden local Abbie Hanks has just returned home from Brisbane after representing Victoria and winning the National Dairy Young Parader of the Year.

Abbie first started parading at the age of 8, and kept coming back due to her love for the animals. (also sent for CT)
==========================================================================The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority is pleading with the public not to collect dead birds, after one was brought to the Apollo Bay Visitor Information Centre.

Authorities warn residents must avoid all contact with sick or deceased wildlife, including marine mammals. 
==========================================================================Bulla Dairy Foods has announced the appointment of Peter Hall as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Mr Hall returns to Australia after more than twenty-five years leading global food and beverage businesses across North America, Europe, and Latin America.
==========================================================================Better Boating Victoria will soon assist with the relocation of a pontoon at Lake Bullen Merri, aiming to improve water access for local boaters.

In 2022 Better Boating Victoria completed an upgrade of the Lake Bullen Merri boat ramp.. which delivered a new dual-lane concrete ramp, retaining walls and a central floating pontoon==========================================================================The popular Catch a Carp Festival is returning to Lake Colac on Sunday, September thirteenth, offering families and anglers a fun day dedicated to tackling one of Victoria's worst aquatic pests.

Hosted by the Victorian Fisheries Authority, the free community event features kids fishing clinics, a carp fishing competition, and market stalls along the foreshore.==========================================================================Colac Police are asking for public help following repeated break-ins at the local Driver Reviver.

Senior Sergeant Stephen Bull says the incidents follow recent break-ins at sports clubs and emergency services.
==========================================================================Upcoming community meetings have been announced for Eastern Maar community members regarding a proposed native title determination application.

Information sessions will take place in early September across Fitzroy, Colac, Warrnambool, and online, ahead of a formal authorization vote in October.
==========================================================================AND IN SPORTSouth-west cricket stalwarts have been celebrated with major state honours by the Victorian Country Cricket League.

Bookaar Life Member Keith Baker and Cobden legend Colin Gaut have both been inducted into the V-C-C-L Hall of Fame for their decades of service.

Australian Country Cricket legend Ben Boyd, who now resides in the south-west, was also inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Completing a massive weekend for local cricket, Heytesbury-Princetown’s Matthew Love and Simpson’s Shae De Francesco were both named in the V-C-C-L Team of the Year.
==========================================================================In this weekend's local soccer action, the Colac Otway Rovers seniors will face Corio Bay S-C.

Meanwhile, the Rovers reserves take on Bell Park, and the Corangamite Lions hit the road to play the Forest Rangers.
==========================================================================Five local netballers have been selected in Netball Victoria's Top Fifty State Squads for twenty twenty-seven.

Camperdown duo Kiara Love and Madison Lucas, alongside Western Eagles' Lila Morris, have made the Under-Seventeen squad.

Meanwhile, Irrewarra-Beeac's Ruby Hall and Camperdown's Piper Stephens have been named in the Under-Nineteen state squad.
=====================================