Zara Cuthbertson

Zara Cuthbertson grew up in Colac and took the leap into local news reporting straight out of Year 12, working as a newspaper cadet during her studies at Deakin University. Growing up in the south west, Zara is passionate about what the community she calls home has to offer. When she’s not reporting, you’ll find her at a concert or music festival, trying new restaurants and cafes, taking a walk or trying out a new hobby.

Canola is booming in West Vic. Where does it go?

Growers are being paid about $800 a tonne for seeds, and the Iran war could see this spike back to $1,000.

Agriculture

How much pressure are West Vic’s urgent care clinics taking off emergency departments?

The goal was to keep people out of hospital if they didn’t need to be there.

Health

A matter of degrees: Why this West Vic public pool needs a thermal blanket

Solar panels and a heat pump would complete the trifecta.

When the mercury hovers around 25C, West Vic snakes are on the move

Catcher Benny McNamara, who can take up to nine calls in a day, says warmer weather is shortening the hibernation season.

Wildlife

How does western Victoria break the cycle of higher domestic violence rates during AFL finals?

“If nights when the footy is on usually end with your family feeling afraid, that is the sign it's time to get help.”

Cousins show canned

Plus: No plans for smart glasses ban

Ararat’s repeat animal cruelty offender allegedly caught with another 20 pets

The RSPCA said inspectors have removed more than 400 animals from the person over 10 years.

Wildlife

West Vic councils say no need for smart glasses policy as they are already prepared

The relatively new tech has recently been banned at pools and parks in parts of Brisbane and Melbourne.

Local Government

After years of planning, the Western Renewables Link has become a political football

Premier Ben Carroll has followed the opposition in calling for a review of the project’s cost.

Politics

Stolen HiLux leaves couple on first child-free getaway stranded in Warrnambool, a long way from home

“Our first destination was supposed to be a bit more of a fancy part, staying at a nice hotel with an ocean view, a spa.”

Warrnambool

Floods, fires and 22,000 plants later, meet the West Vic landholder who refused to let his wetlands evaporate

The rare golden-rayed blue butterfly, a species only found in the Wimmera, has been spotted.

Wildlife

Colac school to grow veggies for new mums in mega Deakin health trial

The boxes will have a seasonal focus and include other locally-made ingredients from the region such as olive oil or lentils.

Colac Otway

Mainie madness

Plus: Beef over bore water at Birregurra

Newsletters

Wrong item in your wheelie bin? Three strikes and you’re out, says Southern Grampians Council

There will be a six-month grace period before fines kick in.

Southern Grampians

Warrnambool prepared to write off $1.7 million as hardship squeezes households, business

Locals are struggling to pay for rates and traffic infringements.

Warrnambool

Birregurra beef over bore water, quarry expansion and dead cows

Two farmers have raised concerns about possible nitrate contamination, while the pit’s owner says current limits mean it can’t compete for major local contracts.

Colac Otway

The $299 million industry swimming along the Great Ocean Road

Follow the bait fish.

Wildlife

Warrnambool train pain attracts pollies with promises

Major parties say they’ll deliver more seats, but in different ways.

Transport

Western Victoria produces a fifth of Australia’s milk. Farmers say the processors who own it need to start putting them first

Karrinjeet Singh-Mahil and Brian Schuler have farmed since 1997. They've watched processors claw back payments, buy each other out, and reshape the industry.

Agriculture

Newer technology, same old problem for West Vic residents dealing with mobile blackspots

Locals and farmers say poor reception and internet connection remains a major regional issue after the 2024 3G network shutdown.

News

Newsletter: Prison inmates fixing potholes?

Plus: Exploring West Vic's GP shortage

The GP shortage putting Western Victoria’s health at risk

A state MP and practising GP says the region needs a new model of primary care as doctors face mounting pressure and patients struggle to access care.

Health

Mobile blackspots, local knowledge and volunteer numbers: What West Vic has learned from January’s bushfires

With below-average spring rainfall forecast across parts of the region, locals will look to July’s parliamentary inquiry recommendations for better preparation and response.

CFA

“You don’t ask, you don’t get”: Glenelg joins push for $1 billion rural council fund

The campaign is calling on all political parties and candidates to back a four-year investment for the regions.

Glenelg

Moyne councillor urges state government to take more action on H5N1 bird flu outbreak

“I think this is a tragedy that's unfolding right along our coastline.”

Wildlife

Zara Cuthbertson

Canola is booming in West Vic. Where does it go?

How much pressure are West Vic’s urgent care clinics taking off emergency departments?

A matter of degrees: Why this West Vic public pool needs a thermal blanket

When the mercury hovers around 25C, West Vic snakes are on the move

How does western Victoria break the cycle of higher domestic violence rates during AFL finals?

Cousins show canned

Ararat’s repeat animal cruelty offender allegedly caught with another 20 pets

West Vic councils say no need for smart glasses policy as they are already prepared

After years of planning, the Western Renewables Link has become a political football

Stolen HiLux leaves couple on first child-free getaway stranded in Warrnambool, a long way from home

Floods, fires and 22,000 plants later, meet the West Vic landholder who refused to let his wetlands evaporate

Colac school to grow veggies for new mums in mega Deakin health trial

Mainie madness

Wrong item in your wheelie bin? Three strikes and you’re out, says Southern Grampians Council

Warrnambool prepared to write off $1.7 million as hardship squeezes households, business

Birregurra beef over bore water, quarry expansion and dead cows

The $299 million industry swimming along the Great Ocean Road

Warrnambool train pain attracts pollies with promises

Western Victoria produces a fifth of Australia’s milk. Farmers say the processors who own it need to start putting them first

Newer technology, same old problem for West Vic residents dealing with mobile blackspots

Newsletter: Prison inmates fixing potholes?

The GP shortage putting Western Victoria’s health at risk

Mobile blackspots, local knowledge and volunteer numbers: What West Vic has learned from January’s bushfires

“You don’t ask, you don’t get”: Glenelg joins push for $1 billion rural council fund

Moyne councillor urges state government to take more action on H5N1 bird flu outbreak

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