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Rodd provides an update on the current positions of planets and stars visible in South West Victoria, plus shares some tips for using a phone when stargazing.Some of the apps discussed include:Stellarium https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.noctuasoftware.stellarium_freeSkyView https://apps.apple.com/us/app/skyview-lite/id413936865Clear Outside https://clearoutside.com/forecast/50.7/-3.52Sky Safari https://skysafariastronomy.com/

Mia discusses the issues around privacy, taking photos and sharing them via social media. In public places like streets, beaches and parks, photography is generally legal, but how you use the images matters. If a photo is shared to harass, humiliate, threaten or abuse, it may become a criminal or civil issue. Commercial use of a person's image (e.g. using someone's photo in advertising or promotion) requires their consent, regardless of where the photo was taken. It's not illegal to photograph private property from a public space (like taking a picture of a house from the street), but photographing someone in a private act without consent may be an offence under voyeurism or image-based abuse laws.If you're unsure whether photography is allowed, always ask.If Someone Is Taking Your Photo Without Consent While being photographed in public is often lawful, intent matters. If someone is targeting you in a way that feels creepy, threatening or harassing, you have options:o Stay calm and move to a safer, more visible area.o Take note of the time, location, and what the person looks like.o Report it to venue staff, security or police, especially if the person refuses to stop.o If the photo is later shared to ridicule or shame you, report it to the platformo Report to police if it escalates into harassment or abuse.Be a Responsible Bystander Don't film or post images of others—especially strangers or children—for laughs, ridicule or content. If someone appears distressed, unaware, or unable to consent, don't share it. Step in or notify staff/security if you see someone filming others inappropriately. Speak up: report harmful content—don't repost it.Just because it's legal doesn't make it right.Always think: Is this respectful? Is this necessary? Would I be okay if it were me or my child?If someone crosses the line—from unwanted photography to online shaming or harassment—report it to the platform, the eSafety Commissioner, or Crime Stoppers Victoria.Online Privacy & Safety TipsProtect yourself and others from digital humiliation, harassment, and misuse of contentProtect Your Own Content Review your social media privacy settings regularly. Turn off location tagging or delay posting until after you've left an event. Be selective with who can comment, share or tag you in photos. If someone else tags you in a post you're uncomfortable with, don't be afraid to untag yourself or ask them to remove it.Think Before You Post Kids OnlineEven if you're proud of a great moment at a school concert or weekend footy match, it's important to think twice before uploading images of children—especially other people's children.Why it matters: You may be breaching another parent's privacy expectations. Images can be taken out of context or misused by others online (especially with AI capabilities). Children don't have the ability to consent to what's shared about them, and those images can live online forever.Safer sharing practices: Only post children if you have their parent or guardian's consent. Avoid sharing school uniforms, name tags, or location-specific identifiers. Use private or invite-only albums when sharing with family or friends. Consider covering faces or using stickers/emojis if you're sharing a group shot.Be a Responsible Digital Citizen Don't film strangers or children at public events for laughs, clout, or ridicule. Call out online bullying or shaming, and report abusive content. Remember: likes fade fast, but the harm can last much longer.If You or Someone You Know is Targeted Save or screenshot the content. Report it to the platform and, if serious, to Crime Stoppers Victoria.For further information head to Crimestoppers Victoria https://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au/

Xavier Meade talks about the transformation of the Colac Visitor Information Centre and the call out to volunteers and local producers to get on board with the new project.For further info visit https://www.facebook.com/colacunearthed

Rodd drops in to share some star gazing tips, interesting facts about Captain Cook's astronomy links and what we can look out for up in the sky over the coming week.

Simon chats about the program for the second half of 2025 that the Corangamite Film Society have put together.For more information visit https://corangamitefilmsociety.com/

Rodd Westwood joins us to talk local astronomy. This will be a regular feature on OCR FM, so if you've got a space themed question you'd like asked please send it in to admin@ocrfm.org.au.

Mia from Crime Stoppers Victoria discusses several different scams, red flags to be wary of and where to find more information if you become scammed.For further details visit https://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au/current-focus/onlinesafety/

Chelsea from the Colac Otway Shire discusses the current Youth Art Competition at COPACC, plus a number of upcoming youth activities including some improv and drama workshops.Full details at https://www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/Community-services/Youth-Services/Colac-Otway-Youth-Events

Gillian Brew talks about the upcoming Forrest School Fete which is being held over the King's Birthday weekend.

Mia from Crimestoppers phones in to discuss safety precautions around car theft and car jacking.More information can be found at https://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au/safecheck/

Robyn Alexander talks about the upcoming Circular Fashion Parade fundraiser on Sunday 1st of June.For further details visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1018681106450649

Geoff Sharp, the CEO of Volunteering Victoria, chats about the importance of volunteering and how people can get involved with their community.Interested individuals can visit the GoVolunteer website or https://www.volunteeringvictoria.org.au/

Robyn Alexander from the South West Community Foundation talks about the upcoming 15th anniversary celebration at COPACC on Friday 23rd of May.For further details and to rsvp visit https://www.southwestcommunityfoundation.org/

Mia from Crimestoppers chats about strategies to prevent bike theft and what to do if your bike is stolen.Topics include:- locking your bike properly- engraving your ID- mindful parking - exercising caution online - insuranceWhat to do if your bike is stolen: Completing an online theft report. Calling the Police Assistance Line on 131 444. Contact your local police station.https://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au/current-focus/bike-security/

Sara Cashman from the Polwarth CWA discusses the upcoming Creative Arts and Home Crafts Exhibition.For further details visit https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079982313689

Jen from the Polwarth CWA and Jennifer from Colac Toyota drop in to discuss the May donation drive, collecting items to support Meli.For safety and hygiene reasons Meli is only able to accept new or unused items.The following items would be suitable:Toiletrieso Toothpasteo Toothbrusho Toothbrush holdero Shampooo Soapo Soap Holdero Deodoranto Hairbrushes Lineno Towelso Face washero Polar Fleece BlanketsContainers/Bagso Backpackso Toiletry bagso Large Carry Bago Bucketso Washing Baskets Cleaning Itemso Mopso Broomso Dustpan and Brusho Sponges/Scourerso Toilet Brusho Dishwashing Brusho Rubber Gloveso Pegso Cleaning Clothso Disinfectanto Bathroom Cleanero Surface Sprayo Washing Powdero Toilet Cleanero Dishwashing LiquidDonations will be accepted at the Colac Toyota Showroom and the Colac Toyota Service Centre during the month of May.

Paul chats about the launch of the new Plastic Cheeses single 'Mid Strength Crisis'.You can hear it live at the Bell's Beach Brewing launch tonight.Check out all their released tunes at https://plasticcheeses.bandcamp.com/

Andy Gray from Central Otway Landcare Network phones in to discuss the series of Urban Landcare activities being run locally throughout May.For all the details visit https://www.coln.org.au/ or https://www.facebook.com/Centralotwaylandcarenetwork

Mia Gardiner from Crimestoppers Victoria shares information about preventing aggravated burglary and keeping your valuables safe.For details about the discussion or Crimestoppers visit https://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au/current-focus/aggravated-burglaries/

Melissa from Let's Talk Colac talks about the launch of the 2025 Walk the Walk Festival, plus a numbed of other local Let's Talk intitiatives.Stay up to date with all the details at https://letstalkaustralia.org/initiatives/walk-the-walk-festival or via https://www.facebook.com/letstalkcolac

Community Liaison Nurse Brianna Baillie talks about the upcoming Palliative Care Week event at Anam Cara.For more information or to RSVP to the event, please email liaison@anamcarahousecolac.org.au

Ivan Carter here from the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party chats about the noxious weed many people mightn't know much about.For details about identifying Serrated Tussock, managing it or the Working Party, head to https://serratedtussock.com/

Community Hub Inc Programs Coordinator Liz Bishop talks about the Colac Community Roadmap Workshop, which is happening on Wednesday 14th of May.For more information and tickets visit https://events.humanitix.com/ircf-community-roadmap-workshop-colac/tickets

Camperdown Theatre Company director Madidi McKenzie chats about bringing the mystery, hilarity and nostalgia of the Cluedo board game to life at the Theatre Royal in May asCamperdown Theatre Company presents Clue: On Stage.For tickets and further information visit www.camperdowntheatrecompany.com.au

Tim Nordwind from OK GO chats to Jof about the release of their new album And the Adjacent Possible, plus a bit of history about the bands music and iconic video clips.Check out the singles: ‘Take Me With You': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_-6jYb8exs‘This Is How It Ends': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6InWEdemMsI‘A Stone Only Rolls Downhill' (features 64 videos on 64 phones laid out as a moving mosaic): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOEULOSVNK4A Good, Good Day at Last' (Ben Harper, Shalyah Fearing, and BEGINNERS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0WsTp_SqsUFull album available on your favourite music player here https://sym.ffm.to/andtheadjacentpossible

Ros Scanlan talks to Jof about the upcoming Colac Players performance of Hotel Sorrento. Tickets go on sale Monday.For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/colacplayers

Susan Langridge talks about the upcoming community forum focused on the increasing risk of bushfires in the Colac-Otway region.For more information and to RSVP visit https://events.humanitix.com/hotter-drier-riskier-bushfire-in-the-colac-otway-region

Here's a few snippets from our live broadcast at the 2025 Colac Truck and Ute Show

Jof chats to Simon and Jacinta from Headspace at the Colac Kana Festival.For further information about HeadSpace and their services visit https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/colac/

Chelsea from the Colac Otway Shire chats to Jof about a number of local upcoming events for youth whilst at the badge making stall at the Colac Kana Festival.This includes;- Youth Sunday Music Session on Sunday 23 March at Lake View Café- Creative Conservation: Youth Nesting Box Workshop Monday 7 April- Youth Art Workshops Thursday 10 April- World Art Day at Colac Library Tuesday 15 April- Youth Food Handling Course Wednesday 16 April- Youth Art Competition

Liz Bishop from Colac Community Hub chats to Jof at the Colac Kana Festival about the L2P program and the upcoming information session on Wednesday the 19th of March from 5.30-6.30 at 34 Connor Street Colac.  Come along to hear how you can become a volunteer.

Jan chats to Jonathan about the upcoming performance of 'Dignified Anger' at the Red Rock Regional Theatre and Gallery on Friday 21st of March.

Festival of Small Halls producer Isobel Bartlett chats to Jof about the performers coming to Deans Marsh Hall, Skipton and the Port Fairy Folk Festival this March.For tickets and further details visit https://festivalofsmallhalls.com/

Ozact President and director of the upcoming performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream Matt Young chats to Jof about their 30th anniversary tour.For ticketing and further information visit https://www.ozact.com/

Callum Alsop from 2nd Colac Sea Scout Group chats to Jof about Clean Up Australia Day. To sign up or get involved head to https://www.facebook.com/events/1359695825036776

Jof chats with a new stallholder at the return of the Beeac Community market.

Jof chats with Mario from the Pennyroyal Raspberry Farm about his stall at the Beeac Community market.

Stephen Parker talks about the Elliminyt bike track proposal and community consultation session this Monday.For all the details visit https://www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/Community-Consultations/Colac-Bike-Park-Predesign-Consultation

Emma from the Heytesbury Agricultural Society chats about everything happening at this years Heytesbury Show.You can find all the details on their website at https://heytesburyagsociet.wixsite.com/heyteshow

Matthew Taylor chats to Jof about the return of the Beeac Community Market.For all the details visit the Beeac Progress Association Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/beeacprogress

Enid O'Connor chats to Jof about the huge range of celebratory activities across the weekend of March 8th to celebrate 150 years of the township of Timboon.For all the details visit Timboon 150 on Facebook or email timboon150@gmail.com

Thea drops in to the studio to chat to Jof about her fundraising mission for the Good Friday Appeal.For more information and to make a donation visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/1009384393480043 or directly at https://fundraise.goodfridayappeal.com.au/fundraisers/thea500

Linnet chats to Jof about the return of the Birre Bears Parachute Championships on Sunday 19th of January. For further details visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/1440357499597273/user/61567792637973/

Hannah Rayment from Lifeblood talks about the importance of donating blood. The mobile donation van is in town for the next fortnight. Bookings and more information can be found at https://www.lifeblood.com.au/donor-centre/vic/colac-mobile-donor-centre

Chris Potter and Julie Hallifax dropped in to talk about the upcoming Community Picnic near the Colac Botanical Gardens for families across the district.

Nat Bignell chats to Jof about the huge array of 'Make a Splash' themed school holiday activities over the coming weeks at the Library. For more information visit https://www.grlc.vic.gov.au/locate/colac-library

Francois reflects on Cyclone Tracy, 50 years on.