Here is what is making news for November  18, 2025.========================================There’s still time to celebrate the people who make Colac Otway such a great place to live.

Nominations are open for the 2026 Colac Otway Shire Community Awards — but time is running out, with entries closing at midday on Wednesday the 26th of November.
================================================================================180 community organisations across Australia, from local surf clubs to indigenous youth initiatives, are being celebrated and awarded $4.2 million in total to help them continue delivering meaningful change.

Among last years recipients were the Colac Kindness Network which received $20,000.
================================================================================Last week in State Parliament the controversial emergency services tax was debated, the chamber received its largest ever petition of over 40,000 signatures to scrap the tax.

Member for Western Victoria and former Colac Otway Mayor Joe McCracken who led the campaign says volunteers are already doing it tough in our community and then being asked to pay.
================================================================================The Noorat Show was put on hold with a HEMS Ambulance Victoria helicopter attending a callout on Saturday afternoon.

Ambulance Victoria was called to an incident in Noorat at around 1:30pm on 15th November.

Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedics, Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) and Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) assessed and treated one patient at the scene.
================================================================================Winchelsea Pool opens for the 2025–26 season on November 29, kicking off a busy summer of lessons, carnivals and community activity.
================================================================================A sold-out 40th anniversary dinner celebrated WRAD Health’s long-standing contribution to the community.
================================================================================AND IN SPORTWinchelsea lawn bowler Max Heaton Harris has enjoyed a successful nationals campaign with Victoria.

Heaton-Harris came home with a gold medal in the fours, silver in the pairs and silver overall in his final year before being to old for the age bracket.
================================================================================The Colac Kookas men's side had a 5 point win over the Terang Tornadoes in round 7 CBL action.

William Smith starred with 27 points while Luka Gerber had 25.

The women's team had a 30 point win over the Warrnambool Mermaids with Indian Cameron scoring 27, and Kiara Foster 23 points.
================================================================================In the Colac Golf Club's Club Men's Club Championships competition Rhys Tillack leads the way in A Grade followed by Nick Welsh and Hunter Togni.

Kai Fraser narrowly leads B Grade ahead of Donald Whitham.

Harper Rix leads C Grade ahead of Tony Holland while Mick Maxwell leads D Grade.

Rounds 3 and 4 will be completed next weekend.
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