THE tourists are well and truly back – and spending – if the past week around Portland is anything to go by. Retailers, tourism operators and accommodation providers contacted by the Observer reported by and large excellent trade during Easter, with the spinoffs continuing during the school holidays. It is a continuation from last year’s […]

PORTLAND’S James Chapple won’t be getting much of a break from cricket in 2023, with the former Portland Colts wicketkeeper signing with UK club Wakefield St Michael’s for their upcoming season.

WHEN you’ve played in the backing band for Frank Sinatra or forged a career as one of Australia’s premier jazz singers, it’s hard to imagine you might be found in little old Portland. But that’s exactly where you will find Bill Harrower and Linda Cable, who were what might be described in modern parlance as […]

PORTLAND has had to hit the reset button heading into the 2023 Hampden Football League season, with the departure of a number of key players from last year’s senior team leaving some big shoes to fill.

ALTHOUGH the whole district dug deep to support the Good Friday Appeal last week, some of the tinier towns in the area more than pulled their weight to raise money for the Royal Children’s Hospital. With a population that is less than one percent of Portland, Condah collected the most money of anywhere in the […]

THE South West District Football League season will finally get underway tomorrow, with round one to see some enthralling clashes between key teams to welcome in the 2023 campaign.

A BIG round one is set for the South West District Netball League with clubs going head-to-head for the first time in 2023 tomorrow.

PORTLAND’S 2023 South West Victorian Football Association (SWVFA) campaign will see the club take a markedly different form to the one which hoisted both the division one and two premiership cups aloft in 2022, with the most significant change to be at the top.

YOUNG local swimmer Ella Matters will come up against some fierce competition this week as she competes in the Australian Age Championships on the Gold Coast.

THE Portland Little Athletics Centre wrapped up season 2022-23 with its recent presentation night. Although weather had an impact on its weekly Thursday competition at Nelson Park, it was a big season for the club with its membership increasing to 117 participants – a rise of 39 athletes on the previous season. The club also […]