Apollo Bay, what's happening in paradise!

Community Meeting
Meet the new team
Sunday 7 October, 2 pm - 5 pm The Bottom Pub - Krambrook Room The Apollo Bay Music Festival Committee would like
to invite you to join them for nibbles, drinks and the
opportunity to meet the new staff and have your say
about the 2008 festival. Local entertainment will also be on show. Our new team is Julian Davis (General Manager) and
Caroline Moore [Programming and PR Manager).
Julian has stood down from his position as Treasurer
and we are in the process of appointing a new
Treasurer. Julian has been involved with the Apollo Bay area for over 25 years. He has extensive knowledge of and
involvement in the music industry, including event /
festival / artist management, performance, song writing, sound engineering and teaching. He owns a recording studio in Melbourne has a degree in law. Caroline lives in Anglesea and comes from a strong festival background having worked on Melbourne Fringe, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Melbourne Festival and has worked with many international and local artists. The committee and staff will truly value your input, as this is your community festival, we hope to see you there. The Music Festival Committee is aware that there are on going legal matters surrounding the events of last year. We hope that all parties can resolve these matters quickly and amicably for the benefit of all

Colac Otway Ratepayers & Residents Association (CORRA)
'Phone: 03 5237 3196
Decision to close Colac Library imminent
Colac Otway Shire Council has just revealed that the Colac public library may be closed at the current site. There has been no community consultation on the proposal to close the library. For some time there has been discussion about the merger of the government schools in Colac and the construction of a new school and associated facilities. Council has been discussing the possibility of the new school library being accessible to the public. This proposal is well advanced with agreement on plans to be made by December 2007.
It is unfortunate that the Colac Otway Shire Council has used discussion about a worthwhile plan to build a new government school facility as a means for the Shire Council to secretly work on a plan to close Colac public's library. A Councillor recently revealed that Council plans to close the Colac public library at the current site and use the existing library building to house shire staff. Following this, a new group "Friends of the Library" held a public meeting at the Colac library on Tuesday 18/9/'O7.
At the community organized public meeting a Council representative stated the decision to close the Colac public library had not yet been made. However, an article in the local paper on Friday gave the clear impression that future discussion on the library will only be on how the new joint use school library will operate. The new school library will be at a less central location to the current library. No one has made the case as to why the existing Colac public library should close. Once closed it is extremely unlikely that Colac will regain its own public library in the future.
The "Friends of the Library" have been allowed to send two representatives to the Committee considering the alternative library arrangements. CORRA calls on Council to hold genuine and open consultation with ALL library users and interested members of the public to consider the following:
"Should the Colac library branch be closed at the current site? If so, what should be the form of the alternative library?" Has the decision to close the public library at Colac effectively been made already? Where are our Councillors defending the retention of this important community facility- a public library? (Stephen Hart) CORRA

Business Speed Dating During Business Week Meet new people, make new business contacts and get ideas at Business Speed Dating, being held on October 18 as part of Colac Otway Business Week. The structure of the evening is based on the 'speed dating' principle and offers an ideal opportunity for businesses to meet face to face to network and form new partnerships. Popular Business Week facilitator, Janet Schulz will keep the night running smoothly.
Colac Otway Shire Manager Economic Development,
Mike Barrow said Business Speed Dating, sponsored
by Mixx FM, would be a great, fun evening. "Business Speed Dating is an effective way to gain new business contacts, promote your business and gain new ways of thinking," Mr Barrow said. "It's also a good way of finding out who is doing what in the Shire and share your experience of doing business locally." Mr Barrow said the format put the focus on business but didn't rule out people finding Mr or Mrs Right at the event. "The format is similar to the traditional speed dating
most people are aware of, with participants taking away contacts at the end of the night," Mr Barrow said. "You never know what may happen," Mr Barrow added. Business Speed Dating proudly supported by Mixx FM will be held at Otway Estate Winery on Thursday, October 18 from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. To book a place, contact Chris Spalding on 52329485.