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 locals on how to handle a snakebite emergency.
================================================================Colac Otway Shire C-E-O Andrew Tenni has been appointed to the Colac Area Health Foundation Board, bringing over twenty years of public sector experience to the role.

Mr Tenni, who previously led the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, says he is eager to contribute to the delivery of quality healthcare for the local community. 
================================================================Colac Otway Shire Council is introducing a brand-new funding stream this week specifically designed to support the region's agricultural sector.

The Trees for Farms grant will provide up to three-thousand dollars for native tree-planting projects on properties over five hectares.
================================================================Environment Victoria has formally condemned the federal government’s plan to open new areas of the Otway Basin for gas exploration.

In a submission to the Department of Industry, the group argues that the 2025 acreage release is a "plan for climate chaos" that ignores the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels. 
================================================================The Colac Otway Shire Councils feasibility Study on the future of a potential of a Colac Soccer hub is now open for public comment.

Shire Mayor Jason Schram says it will be open for comment for the next six weeks. 
================================================================AND IN SPORTAFL Barwon has delivered a stunning financial recovery, turning a six-figure loss into a thirty-four thousand dollar profit.

the region’s peak body revealed a two-hundred thousand dollar turnaround, fueled by a surge in finals revenue and a fifty-thousand dollar increase in sponsorships. ================================
================================In Corangamite Midweek Pennant Bowls Preliminary Finals action,

Winchelsea 1 has booked its pot in the grand final against Camperdown Magpies 1 after beating City 1.

Lorne 1 lost to Camperdown Magpies 2 in Division 2 who will now play Cressy 1.

In Division 3 City 3 defeated Central 2 to book a spot in the decider against Winchelsea 2.===============================
================================

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 locals on how to handle a snakebite emergency. ================================================================Colac Otway Shire C-E-O Andrew Tenni has been appointed to the Colac Area Health Foundation Board, bringing over twenty years of public sector experience to the role. Mr Tenni, who previously led the Magistrates&rsquo; Court of Victoria, says he is eager to contribute to the delivery of quality healthcare for the local community.&nbsp; ================================================================Colac Otway Shire Council is introducing a brand-new funding stream this week specifically designed to support the region's agricultural sector. The Trees for Farms grant will provide up to three-thousand dollars for native tree-planting projects on properties over five hectares. ================================================================Environment Victoria has formally condemned the federal government&rsquo;s plan to open new areas of the Otway Basin for gas exploration. In a submission to the Department of Industry, the group argues that the 2025 acreage release is a "plan for climate chaos" that ignores the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels.&nbsp; ================================================================The Colac Otway Shire Councils feasibility Study on the future of a potential of a Colac Soccer hub is now open for public comment. Shire Mayor Jason Schram says it will be open for comment for the next six weeks.&nbsp; ================================================================AND IN SPORTAFL Barwon has delivered a stunning financial recovery, turning a six-figure loss into a thirty-four thousand dollar profit. the region&rsquo;s peak body revealed a two-hundred thousand dollar turnaround, fueled by a surge in finals revenue and a fifty-thousand dollar increase in sponsorships. ================================ ================================In Corangamite Midweek Pennant Bowls Preliminary Finals action, Winchelsea 1 has booked its pot in the grand final against Camperdown Magpies 1 after beating City 1. Lorne 1 lost to Camperdown Magpies 2 in Division 2 who will now play Cressy 1. In Division 3 City 3 defeated Central 2 to book a spot in the decider against Winchelsea 2.=============================== ================================

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