Home

Discover

Sign up for free to listen for longer

Get unlimited radio, access to exclusive and original podcasts and non-stop music stations.

Control the way you listen to your favourite music, podcasts and radio.

Already have an account?

Log in

Home

Discover

Sign up for free to listen for longer

Get unlimited radio, access to exclusive and original podcasts and non-stop music stations.

Control the way you listen to your favourite music, podcasts and radio.

Already have an account?

Log in

The South West Daily

The South West Daily

The latest local news and sport stories impacting South West Victoria. Presented by the newsroom of 3CS & Mixx FM.

Follow
Share
Episodes
You might also like
2 min•
Yesterday

March 18, 2026

Here is what is making news for March 18, 2026.==================================Crayfest Preparations are well and truly underway with the biggest instalment of the quirky local festival expected.Organiser Lee Mcleod says the event is now in its sixth year.====================================================================Early estimates suggest more than $25,000 dollars were raised for Colac's emergency services after the Colac Truck and Ute Show last weekend.Colac Fire Brigade's Dan Williams says the funds are vital, especially given the busy start to 2026.====================================================================Victoria’s new anti-price gouging laws have officially come into effect as the state government targets opportunistic fuel retailers.Premier Jacinta Allan has announced a four-point-six million dollar investment for more inspectors to ensure stations aren't hiking prices mid-day.====================================================================Landholders in the Southern Otways are invited to a free introduction to the twenty-twenty-six Master TreeGrower Course this May.Otway Agroforestry's Becky McCan says the course hosted by the Otway Agroforestry and Southern Otway Landcare networks, kicks off on Friday, May 1st, with an information day and farm walk in Apollo Bay.====================================================================The Old Beechy Rail Trail will come alive this Sunday for the twenty-twenty-six AKD Otway Trail Run.Runners and walkers can choose between a sixteen-kilometre trek from Barongarook or a six-kilometre loop from Kawarren, with all paths leading to the finish line in Gellibrand. ====================================================================Apollo Bay’s main beach will be a hive of activity this Saturday for the annual Swim the Bay ocean event.Swimmers can tackle distances of five hundred metres, one-point-two, or two-point-five kilometres, with the first waves hitting the water at nine a-m. ====================================================================AND IN SPORTThe Colac Tigers have announced another boom recruit ahead of the 2026 season.Talented youngster Hunter Wright will cross over from Golden Square in Bendigo also featuring on the Geelong Cats VFL list for 2026.====================================================================Lara’s sporting crisis has deepened, with the club’s A-grade netball team officially entering recess for the 2026 season.The decision comes just six weeks after a mass player exodus forced the club to fold its senior football program. ====================================================================Colac Paddler Thomas Russell has had a successful weekend at the National Championships in Perth.Russell claimed first place in the MK1 18 and under 1000-metres.====================================================================See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March 18, 2026
Mark as played
Share
Share
2 min•
Monday

March 17, 2026

Here is what is making news for March 17, 2026.===================================================A partnership between Surf Coast Council and the TAC is putting high-tech sensors in the hands of local cyclists to make regional roads friendlier for everyone.======================================================================================================Recovery teams have successfully removed four vehicles and two camper trailers from Cumberland River beach following January’s flash flooding.The operation was carried out at low tide last week using an excavator, after previous attempts to airlift the wrecks by helicopter were unsuccessful. ======================================================================================================The Geelong Cats used their first home game of 2026 to thank the Gellibrand CFA Station for its work in containing and fighting fires in January.Cats Forward Shannon Neale presented Gellibrand Fire Brigade's Paul Hicks with a fully signed jersey to say thank you for their courage and commitment fighting fires.The Cats posted the video to their social media pages with Neale saying the jersey was a small gesture to show their appreciation.======================================================================================================The Otways community is celebrating a massive weekend of fundraising after raising $25,400 dollars for their local fire brigades.The Gellibrand River Hotel took to Facebook to thank everyone for their support with the funds to be evenly split between three local stations.Carlisle River CFA, Kawarren CFA, and Gellibrand CFA will each receive $8,500, thanks to the auctions and live entertainment performances across the weekend. ======================================================================================================The regions farmers have been asked to check over recent land tax documents which may have been incorrectly issued from the State Government.Nick Lenehan-Anderson from Sewell's Lawyers in Colac says, it's important those across the region especially primary producers check the list of exemptions before paying the tax.======================================================================================================AND IN SPORTEMBARGOED - The first ever Bill Johnston Medal winners have been crowned following the awards night held at the Colac RSL last night.Heytesbury-Princetown's Matthew Love adds to his 2021-22 win with Stoneyford, becoming a joint winner with Birregurra's Alex Inglis.The dual winners polled 13 voted to take out the award.Colac's Will Ruddell was named the Champion Player.The Division 2 Champion player was Darryn Murrell while Division 3 was won by Rueben Dare.======================================================================================================Colac City’s Hayley Murnane has dominated the green at the West Coast Regional Finals in Warrnambool.Murnane secured a massive double victory, claiming both the Ladies State Singles title and the Ladies Champion of Club Champions for the region.======================================================================================================The Wednesday night tennis season has wrapped up in style following a massive night of Grand Final action.In Division A, the Elliminyt Hot Shots proved too strong for the Elliminyt Rippa, while Elliminyt secured the Division B flag with a win over Beeac.Beeac White claimed the Division C title in a thriller against the Elliminyt Serves to round out the competition's most successful season to date.======================================================================================================NOT CONFIRMED - WAITING ON THE GO AHEAD FROM JASON ARMISTEAD - SHOULD BE RIGHT THIS ARVO.The Colac Tigers have announced another boom recruit ahead of the 2026 season.Talented youngster Hunter Wright will cross over from Golden Square in Bendigo also featuring on the Geelong Cats VFL list for 2026.Wright has previously represented Vic Country and the Bendigo Pioneers at junior level.The Tigers also announced Birregurra Under 18s footballer Hamish Darroch will make the move to Colac, after spending the pre season training with the Geelong Falcons.======================================================================================================See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March 17, 2026
Mark as played
Share
Share
2 min•
Sunday

March 16, 2026

Here is what is making news for March 16, 2026.===============================Opposition Leader for Victoria Jess Wilson was in Colac yesterday joined by Member for the South West Coast Roma Britnell and Member for Polwarth Richard Riordan.The trio were at the Colac Police Station to discuss the faulty door which has now been inoperable for more than a month.==============================================================Member of Otway Rotaract Jennifer Chiu has taken out the Polwarth Medal for 2026 for her work helping make sure Colac Otway and Surf Coast students have packed lunched to eat.Chiu and her team of volunteers have been making sandwiches for the regions youth since 2017 after being inspired by the Chairty Eat Up.Chiu says she credits her parents for instilling their beliefs on education and her team of volunteers for helping her achieve their goals of feeding local students.==============================================================Forest Fire Management Victoria is preparing to take advantage of stable autumn weather to conduct critical fuel reduction burns across the Otway District.Deputy Chief Fire Officer Scott Turner says twenty-nine burns, covering over fourteen-thousand hectares, are ready for ignition to protect communities and the environment.Priority areas include state forests and reserves along the Great Ocean Road, with works scheduled near Lorne as early as this week.==============================================================Liberal MP's joined forces in Colac yesterday with a stop at the Colac Train Station to talk about the growing need for investment in regional transport.Member for Polwarth Richard Riordan was joined by Opposition Leader Jess Wilson and Member for the South West Coast Roma Britnell to talk about the current state of transport in the south west.==============================================================Surf Coast Shire Council has released a draft design for the Aireys Inlet top shops, aiming to make the precinct safer and more accessible.Following feedback from hundreds of locals, the plan proposes a new two-metre-wide continuous pathway and a safer pedestrian crossing at Albert Avenue. ==============================================================AND IN SPORTThe Stage is set for the first ever Colac South West Premier Cricket Grand Final after preliminary finals were played over the weekend.Birregurra's total of 8-236 thanks to a Jack Jarvis ton was too much for the Cobden Knights.And Stoneyford made lightwork of Colac's 161.==============================================================The Colac and District Cricket Association's lower grade action has wrapped up with Grand Finals played on Saturday.In Division 2 Colac defeated Irrewarra by 46 runs.In Division 3 West Warrion overcame Apollo Bay to win in a two wicket thriller.==============================================================Colac Basketballer Georgia Fitzpatrick has earned selection in the Victorian Under 16s Women's Country team.The National Championships will take place this July in Bendigo.==============================================================The Colac Kookas Basketball sides had two under 16s sides play in thee Victorian Junior Country Championships in Shepparton.Both the boys and girls teams recorded 2 wins and 1 loss from their matches.==============================================================See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March 16, 2026
Mark as played
Share
Share
2 min•
Thursday

March 13, 2026

Here is what is making news for March 13, 2026.================================Recent fires at Gellibrand and Carlisle River have highlighted the life-saving impact of early fire preparation.New evaluation results from the CFA’s "Get Fire Ready" initiative show that ninety-one percent of participants took active steps to protect their properties well before the smoke appeared.================================================================A new framework for managing septic and wastewater systems is being introduced across the Corangamite Shire.================================================================E-bike accidents are now the most common injury for teenagers aged 15 to 18, as millions of Australians embrace e-mobility.While e-scooters are popular, the higher speeds reached by e-bikes are causing a spike in serious collisions.Roadsafe Otway's Matt Daniels says new data shows that more accidents are occurring on bikes opposed to scooters due to the increased speeds they can reach.================================================================Children across the South West are now better protected online following the full introduction of the Age-Restricted Material Codes this week.These nine industry codes require tech companies, app stores, and search engines to implement meaningful protections to prevent minors from encountering inappropriate content.================================================================The sixth annual Crayfest returns to Port Campbell next weekend for a three-day celebration of local seafood, music, and art.Committee president Lee McLeod says the festivities kick off Friday evening, March 20th, with the Flotsam and Jetsam art exhibition and live music. ================================================================Victorian Farmers Federation President Brett Hosking has announced he will step down from the top job on June 2nd.After fifteen months at the helm, the shock resignation has sparked rumors of a potential move into state politics ahead of the election. ================================================================AND IN SPORTIn this weekends Division 1 Colac South West Premier Cricket preliminary finals,Birregurra will face Cobden.And Stoneyford faces off against Colac.The winners will advance to face off in the inaugural Colac South West Premier Cricket Grand Final.================================================================Camperdown Football Netball Club is celebrating a major win off the field, with co-president Caitlin Fitzgerald selected for the 2026 A-F-L Victoria Lead Your Way program.The initiative is designed to empower women and gender-diverse leaders by enhancing their skills and confidence on club committees.================================================================The CDCA's lower grade competitions will wrap their season this weekend with Grand Finals.In Division 2, Colac takes on Irrewarra at the Colac Cricket Ground.Division 3 sees West Warrion host Apollo Bay at the Western Oval.================================================================See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March 13, 2026
Mark as played
Share
Share
2 min•
10 Mar

March 11, 2026

Here is what is making news for March 11, 2026.===================================The Colac Otway Shire is seeking community feedback on a landmark proposal to lease the Colac Otway Performing Arts and Cultural Centre to a private company.Councillors met today to announce IVG Global as the preferred operator to manage the cinema, auditorium, and function spaces.======================================================================An extraordinary piece of Australian history is now on the market in Aireys Inlet as the iconic estate "Jumbunna" heads to expressions of interest.The twenty-three-hectare property is famous for its Spanish-inspired residence, which was originally envisioned and created by the world-renowned opera soprano, Dame Joan Hammond.======================================================================The Corangamite Rural Women’s Network is hosting an International Women’s Day workshop this Friday, March 13th.Dynamic facilitator Helga Svendsen will lead the "Give to Gain" session at the Corangamite CMA office in Colac.======================================================================The Colac Truck and Ute Show will hit the Colac Showgrounds this weekend with live entertainment, a show and shine, merchandise stalls and something for everyone.Colac Fire Brigade's Dan Williams says they are expecting their biggest crowd yet with funds raised for local emergency services.======================================================================Corangamite Shire Mayor Kate Makin is calling on the State Government to ensure local residents receive "real benefits" from the newly announced Twelve Apostles entry fees. ======================================================================South West commuters are expressing growing frustration as V-Line continues to replace overcrowded trains with supplementary bus services.The regional rail operator has confirmed that coaches are being deployed whenever seat reservations on the Warrnambool line are exhausted. ======================================================================AND IN SPORTWinning ways continue for the Colac Bowls Club following their weekend victory against rival Warrnambool in the West Coast Bowls Region Weekend Pennant Final.The team has officially qualified for the State Pennant Championships at Moama Bowling Club, starting April 25th.======================================================================The pathway from local footy to the big stage is wide open for South West talent this season as thirty-eight Barwon-region players secure V-F-L contracts.Leading the charge for the C-D-F-N-L is Lorne standout Charlie McCartin, who has officially signed on for the 2026 state-league campaign.Colac Tigers stars Ethan Liddle and Jack Skinner have also locked in spots at Geelong and Port Melbourne respectively.======================================================================The Colac Imperials have bolstered their 2026 roster with the massive triple-signing of the Sanders brothers.Nick Sanders makes a permanent move to the club from St Joseph’s in the G-F-L, bringing elite wing and half-back experience.He is joined by brothers Will and Oliver, who both arrive from Newtown following successful stints in the Geelong junior and senior systems.======================================================================See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March 11, 2026
Mark as played
Share
Share