Here is what is making news for October 18, 2026.====================================15 drug drivers have been detected in Colac across the entirety of October showing a concerning rise in poor driver behaviours.

Colac Highway Patrol's Jamie Kahle says the consequences of driving under the influence of illicit substances can be catastrophic.
========================================================================Time is running out to nominate a local hero for Corangamite Shire's Australia Day Awards, with entries closing this Friday at 5 pm.

Mayor Kate Makin is urging residents to acknowledge the region's outstanding individuals and events.
========================================================================Beach Energy is in direct talks with developers to power new artificial intelligence data centres using gas from the Otway Basin.

The company intends to establish a network of gas-fired plants to meet high tech energy demands.
========================================================================As the south-west prepares for the twenty twenty-six, twenty-seven bushfire season, the state's elite airborne firefighters are ramping up their training.
========================================================================Emerging dairy leaders across the South West are being encouraged to apply for a twenty twenty-seven New Zealand study tour, organised by the Gardiner Foundation.
========================================================================Following the January Otway fires, emergency services across the south west are getting a major high-tech upgrade.

The State Government has announced a three-point-eight-million-dollar expansion of Victoria's A-I-powered bushfire camera network.
========================================================================AND IN SPORTMelbourne Football Club captain Max Gawn has been announced as the ambassador for the twenty twenty-seven T-A-C People's Ride.

Taking place this January as part of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, the event brings thousands of recreational cyclists to the spectacular Surf Coast. 
========================================================================There was plenty of action at the Birregurra Golf Club on Saturday, with Sonny Tupene and Ray Bradshaw taking out the four-B-B-B event with forty-four points.

Runners-up went to Sonny Tupene Junior and Shaun Wheadon on forty-two, while Ian Rowarth and Mat Bowen finished third.

In other weekend results, Ra Tupene and Brad Smith claimed the Henderson Shield final, defeating Rowarth and Bowen two and one.
========================================================================A free All-Abilities Football program is kicking off in Colac this November.

Running every Saturday from two until three pm, the sessions will be held on the basketball courts at the Bluewater Fitness Centre.

The program runs from November seven to December twelve. 
====================================

Here is what is making news for October 18, 2026.====================================15 drug drivers have been detected in Colac across the entirety of October showing a concerning rise in poor driver behaviours. Colac Highway Patrol's Jamie Kahle says the consequences of driving under the influence of illicit substances can be catastrophic. ========================================================================Time is running out to nominate a local hero for Corangamite Shire's Australia Day Awards, with entries closing this Friday at 5 pm. Mayor Kate Makin is urging residents to acknowledge the region's outstanding individuals and events. ========================================================================Beach Energy is in direct talks with developers to power new artificial intelligence data centres using gas from the Otway Basin. The company intends to establish a network of gas-fired plants to meet high tech energy demands. ========================================================================As the south-west prepares for the twenty twenty-six, twenty-seven bushfire season, the state's elite airborne firefighters are ramping up their training. ========================================================================Emerging dairy leaders across the South West are being encouraged to apply for a twenty twenty-seven New Zealand study tour, organised by the Gardiner Foundation. ========================================================================Following the January Otway fires, emergency services across the south west are getting a major high-tech upgrade. The State Government has announced a three-point-eight-million-dollar expansion of Victoria's A-I-powered bushfire camera network. ========================================================================AND IN SPORTMelbourne Football Club captain Max Gawn has been announced as the ambassador for the twenty twenty-seven T-A-C People's Ride. Taking place this January as part of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, the event brings thousands of recreational cyclists to the spectacular Surf Coast.&nbsp; ========================================================================There was plenty of action at the Birregurra Golf Club on Saturday, with Sonny Tupene and Ray Bradshaw taking out the four-B-B-B event with forty-four points. Runners-up went to Sonny Tupene Junior and Shaun Wheadon on forty-two, while Ian Rowarth and Mat Bowen finished third. In other weekend results, Ra Tupene and Brad Smith claimed the Henderson Shield final, defeating Rowarth and Bowen two and one. ========================================================================A free All-Abilities Football program is kicking off in Colac this November. Running every Saturday from two until three pm, the sessions will be held on the basketball courts at the Bluewater Fitness Centre. The program runs from November seven to December twelve.&nbsp; ====================================

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