MICHELE Francis hadn’t done much formal learning throughout her adult life, so when the now 64-year-old decided to go ‘back to school’ as it were last year, it wasn’t a decision made lightly.

MEMBERS of the Portland Returned and Services League (RSL) Sub Branch gathered at the city’s Memorial Triangle on Wednesday night to commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day. Full story in Friday's Observer.

THE mystery artist(s) art trail building up around the Portland CBD took a new twist earlier this week when a hippo made an appearance at Nuns’ Beach.

THE 2021 Western Victoria Female Football League’s senior premiership is up for grabs on Sunday when Portland and South Warrnambool square off in Mortlake. Full story in Friday's Observer.

AN ecstatic Portland has secured a place in the Hampden Football League’s 2021 finals series for the first time since joining the competition in 2013 after a convincing win over Hamilton Kangaroos on Saturday. Full details in Tuesday's Observer.

WHILE the rock wall is the highest-profile part of the Cape Bridgewater foreshore work, and is due to be completed some time next month, there are plenty of pieces of the puzzle coming together to complete stage one of the Cape Bridgewater Master Plan. More pictures in Tuesday's Observer

A COMMISSION set up to investigate injustices experienced by Indigenous people is raring to go – but the coronavirus pandemic has put a slight brake on its work. Full story in Tuesday's Observer

PORTLAND’S own Des Jeffree ticked off a long-time ambition in the Northern Territory over the weekend. More details in Friday's Observer.

AFTER two coronavirus-induced cancellations last year, the annual Rotary Art Show is poised to make a much-awaited return as part of the 2021 Upwelling Festival. Full story in Friday's Observer.

THE Chinese ban of Victorian log exports has been a major contributor to a 300,000-tonne drop in volumes going through the Port of Portland. Full story in Friday's Observer