About: Angus Smith
- Profile
- Angus is a multimedia reporter at the Surf Coast Times. He has experience with breaking news, investigative and feature stories. Follow him on Twitter @angussmithh.
April 16, 2025
Victoria pushes for real increase to minimum wages
THE Victorian government has called for a real wage increase for workers on minimum and award wages as part of its submission to the...
April 12, 2025
From logs to legends: Rare vintage surfboards hit the market
SURFBOARDS from the golden era of Australian surfing are up for sale, as 80-year-old Torquay collector Rob Dunn clears out the final pieces of...
April 9, 2025
Regional tourism spend hits record $645 million
TOURISTS spent a record $40 billion in Victoria last year, according to new data from Tourism Research Australia. The latest figures show total tourism spending...
April 9, 2025
Victoria records leading cardiacarrest survival rate
VICTORIA has recorded its highest cardiac arrest survival rate on record, with 41 per cent of patients surviving to hospital discharge in 2023-24. New data...
April 9, 2025
Wurdi Baerr Stadium to get showcourt upgrade
A NEW show court with tiered seating is on the way for Torquay's Wurdi Baerr Stadium, with a contractor confirmed to begin work on...
April 8, 2025
AEC clears Gazette News of political ad breach
THE Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has found no evidence digital publisher Gazette News or its publications breached political advertising rules, following a complaint by...
April 7, 2025
Surf challenge raises awareness for mental health
LOCAL surfers are being encouraged to spend 22 hours in the water this month to raise money and awareness for mental health. The Ripple Effect...
April 2, 2025
Aireys Inlet top shops project moves into design phase
AIREYS Inlet's top shops area is one step closer to a revamp, with the Surf Coast Shire appointing a landscape architect to begin detailed...
April 1, 2025
Labor commits $5.45 million to Drysdale club
A RE-ELECTED Federal Labor Government would invest $5.45 million in upgrades at Drysdale Recreation Reserve to support the Drysdale Football Netball Club. The funding would...
April 1, 2025
Kennett River residents call for restrictions on large tour buses
A PUSH to exclude large tour buses from Kennett River has gained momentum, with residents, local government and land managers backing the call amid...
April 1, 2025
AMA backs transparency push but says fee tool overhaul must go further
THE Australian Medical Association (AMA) has welcomed the federal government's commitment to improve transparency around private health costs but says broader reform is needed...
March 31, 2025
Liberals pledge $2.7 million for Geelong palliative care facility
AN ELECTED Liberal Government would commit $2.7 million to help complete the final stage of upgrades at Anam Cara House Geelong, including eight additional...
March 31, 2025
One year on, Surf Coast marks seismic victory – and warns the fight’s not over
A YEAR after thousands paddled out at Torquay's Cosy Corner to oppose offshore seismic blasting, Greens candidate for Corangamite Mitch Pope returned to the...
March 28, 2025
$10m project to protect Karaaf Wetlands, Surf Coast water supply
A NEW $10 million infrastructure project will reduce stormwater runoff into the Karaaf Wetlands and boost water reuse across the Surf Coast region. The Growing the...
March 26, 2025
Victoria cracks down on engineered stone to protect workers
A BAN on the processing, manufacture, and supply of engineered stone is now fully in effect across Victoria, as authorities continue efforts to prevent...
March 24, 2025
Nike exec takes the reins at Rip Curl
ASHLEY Reade has been appointed chief executive of Rip Curl and will join the surf brand in the coming months. The Victorian-raised executive will be...
March 3, 2025
$8.5 billion Medicare boost to expand bulk billing and GP access
THE federal government has pledged $8.5 billion to strengthen Medicare, promising more bulk-billed GP visits, increased doctor and nurse training, and reduced out-of-pocket costs...
March 3, 2025
Councils push for housing infrastructure funding
PERI Urban Councils Victoria (PUCV) is urging federal and state governments to fund infrastructure for housing developments in high-growth regional zones. A delegation led by...
March 2, 2025
Torquay to get Medicare Urgent Care Clinic
LABOR has announced plans to open a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Torquay if re-elected, following strong community advocacy for better local healthcare. The clinic...
February 26, 2025
Free TAFE legislation moves closer to becoming law
THE federal government's plan to make free TAFE a permanent fixture has moved a step closer after legislation passed the House of Representatives. The bill,...
February 25, 2025
Call for manuscripts as First Nations Writers Festival returns in 2025
ASPIRING First Nations writers across the region are invited to submit their manuscripts for the 2025 First Nations Writers Festival (FNWF), which celebrates Indigenous...
February 25, 2025
Federal government expands marine park protections in South-east region
THE federal government has introduced new conservation measures to protect marine biodiversity, finalising its South-east Marine Park Network Management Plan. The plan establishes 11 new marine...
February 22, 2025
Southern Ocean win sparks community celebration in Torquay
A MAJOR victory in the fight to protect the Southern Ocean from offshore gas exploration will be marked with a celebration in Torquay this...
February 21, 2025
Bellbrae fire brigade left without mains water despite critical role
THE Bellbrae Volunteer Fire Brigade serves as a key staging area for catastrophic bushfires in the Otway Ranges, yet it remains without a mains...
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