Colac Herald

Colac Herald

Front page from 23 April 2025
Type	Triweekly newspaper
Format	Tabloid
Owner(s)	Greenstone Media Pty Ltd
Founded	1868
Headquarters	37–41 Bromfield Street, Colac, Victoria, Australia
Website	http://www.colacherald.com.au/

Colac Herald is a newspaper servicing Colac, Victoria, Australia, and surrounding areas. It was first published on 21 December 1868. The newspaper is published three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.Throughout its history, the newspaper has remained one of the few independent media outlets in Australia, maintaining a focus on local journalism. In March 2017, the Colac Herald was acquired by Greenstone Media Pty Ltd. Despite the change in ownership, the paper has continued to operate as a locally owned publication.

With a long-standing presence in the region, the Colac Herald continues to play a significant role in regional media, offering coverage of local events, issues, and sporting achievements, and serving as a platform for local advertising.

History

The Colac Herald front page from 31 Dec 1869

The Colac Herald traces its origins to the Colac Observer, which was first published in 1866. The Colac Herald itself began publication in 1868 and later absorbed the Observer in 1874. The newspaper was owned by the Woods family from 1868 to 1949. John Woods, considered the founding figure of the Herald, owned and operated the publication until 1928, when ownership passed to his son, Hamden Woods, who managed the newspaper until 1949.

In 1949, G.C. Adams, proprietor of The Colac Reformer, acquired the Colac Herald and merged the two publications. By the time of the Herald's centenary in 1966, the newspaper had a circulation of nearly 6,000 and employed 26 permanent staff members.

In 1978, the newspaper was purchased by Frank and Mary Gannon. Following Frank Gannon’s death in 2003, Mary Gannon continued as the sole proprietor and remained actively involved in the operation of the newspaper.

Masthead Evolution

The evolution of the Colac Herald's newspaper mastheads

Over its history, the Colac Herald's masthead has undergone several design changes. Originally featuring a gothic typeface in the 1860s, it transitioned to a simpler style in the 1970s. The most recent redesign occurred in 1997, incorporating red lines and a combination of traditional and modern typefaces. A subsequent update retained the red lines while introducing a bolder, more contemporary aesthetic. According to production manager Aaron Lamanna, the redesign aimed to maintain the newspaper’s established identity while presenting a modernised appearance.

Awards

The Colac Herald has received numerous accolades over the years. It has been recognised by the Victorian Country Press Association (VCPA), winning the Overall Newspaper Excellence Award in both 2018 and 2019. In 2018, it also received awards for Best Photographic Study and Best News Story, along with several commendations in journalism, advertising, and photography.

Some of the Colac Herald's Awards

External links

• Official website
• The Colac Herald (Vic. : 1875 – 1918) at Trove
• Digitised World War I Victorian newspapers from the State Library of Victoria