Here is what is making news for September 21, 2026.====================================Colac Police are urging second-hand car buyers to utilise a new vehicle-checking program.

Sergeant Stephen Bull says buyers can search a car's number plate to see if it has been reported stolen.

He says this simple process helps ensure local transactions are both safe and legal.
========================================================================An ancient Myrtle Beech located in the Otways has been named a finalist for the Victorian Tree of the Year twenty twenty-six.

The competition celebrates significant trees that contribute to the state's natural, cultural, and community heritage.

Organisers say the contest highlights the need to protect living landmarks for future generations. 
========================================================================Time is running out to nominate community heroes for the twenty twenty-six Wannon Sport and Volunteer Awards.

Member for Wannon Dan Tehan is making a final call for submissions across sports and volunteering categories, which close on Sunday, October fourth.
========================================================================Poultry owners across the Colac Otway region are being urged to remain vigilant, as H5 bird flu continues to spread among wild birds along the Victorian coastline.
========================================================================Residents aged over fifty-five, people living with a disability, and their carers are invited to the upcoming Corangamite Shire Community Expo.

Running from ten A-M to two P-M on Tuesday, October six, the free event at Camperdown's Theatre Royal will feature twenty-nine local community groups and support services.

Mayor Kate Makin says the expo is designed to support independent living and healthy ageing. 
========================================================================The Colac Otway and Corangamite shires are leading a positive downward trend in animal cruelty across the south-west.

New data from R-S-P-C-A Victoria for the twenty twenty-five, twenty twenty-six year shows local municipalities are sitting at the very bottom of the state rankings for animal seizures.

Fewer than five animals were removed for cruelty reasons in both the Colac Otway and Corangamite regions. 
========================================================================Farmer Confidence in Victoria including the Colac Otway and Corangamite areas has rallied in the past quarter... according to the latest Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey

It found fewer victorian farmers are expecting agricultural business conditions to decline over the next 12 months
========================================================================AND IN SPORTA spectacular final-term comeback has secured the Lorne Dolphins the C-D-F-N-L Senior Football premiership.

Down by seventeen points in the last quarter, the Dolphins booted five goals to win by eleven points.

Paddy Hughes took home best on ground honours.
========================================================================In a perfect day weather wise for football and netball on Saturday Premiers were crowned at Central Reserve,

Lorne has a day out on the football field winning the senior, reserves and under 18s premierships.

Irrewarra-Beeac beat the previously undefeated Western-Eagles to take out the Under 15s football, also winning the Under 17s netball.

Birregurra broke a 42 year A Grade premiership drought in a thriller against the Colac Imperials.

South Colac claimed the B Grade netball and the Under 12s football premierships.

The Colac Imperials claimed the lower grade premierships winning C and D Grade.

Alvie rounds out the days winners with a 13 and Under Netball win.
========================================================================It was a day of mixed results for the Colac Otway Rovers in Grand Final action yesterday.

The senior side went down 1-nil in a heartbreaking loss to Geelong SC.

The Under 15s however faired much better producing a 2-nil win over Geelong City.
========================================================================The Colac Tigers have celebrated their top performers at the club’s twenty twenty-six season awards night.

In the senior football count, Kody Spoke and Zach Zdybel were crowned dual best and fairest winners, with Micah Robb named runner-up.

On the netball court, Georgia Finn took home the A Grade best and fairest honours, finishing ahead of runner-up Monika Hammond.
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