August 28, 2020
Kindness vandemic By Luke Voogt A Jan Juc single dad delivering meals to those in need plans to expand his efforts after a fundraiser to fix his van exceeded his wildest expectations. Mitch Knapton has been using funds from his disability support pension to cook meals during COVID-19 and deliver them alongside his team of volunteer ‘isolation fairies’. “I really want to set this up as a mission that can continue long after COVID-19 is over,” he said. But recently his transit van broke down, putting a spanner in the works of his Saturday night deliveries. He put out a call on social media for mechanical advice and within hours three people contacted him suggesting he start a fundraiser.
‘‘
slowly becoming this really organic community mission - Mitch Knapton
’’
“I was like, ‘oh nah, it’s not my thing’. I didn’t want to reach out for help like that.” But eventually Mitch agreed to fellow local Ferne Millen creating a GoFundMe page on his behalf. “And it snowballed from there,” he said. The page has since raised more than $9000, smashing the roughly $3000 Mitch needed to fix the broken clutch. “I’m really embarrassed and overwhelmed about the whole thing but so stoked that someone in the community reached out and did this for me.” Mitch, who has post-traumatic stress disorder from a tough childhood, refined his cooking with an apprentice chef housemate after moving out of home at age 14. “I’ve been able to cook for as long as I can remember and I’m just a mad foodie,” he said. After moving to Jan Juc in 2006, the “time poor” dad began making big batches of food to freeze and heat up during the week. “Pre-COVID we were having dinner parties and people just loved my cooking, so it seemed natural to cook for others. “One weekend I made up a massive batch of spag bol and I put up something on a
Mitch Knapton in his Jan Juc kitchen. (Ferne Millen)
community page to see if anyone wanted it, and it went gangbusters!” Now 20 ‘isolation fairies’ help him cook for those in need, including a young girl who bakes cakes and an Indonesian expat who makes meals such as beef rendang. “It’s slowly becoming this really organic
community mission,” he said. After the success of the fundraiser a local businessman, who wished to remain anonymous, agreed to mentor Mitch in expanding his efforts, he said. Mitch hopes to hire a commercial kitchen to bolster his cooking prowess.
“Hopefully we’ll be handing out 35 to 50 meals a day for the elderly, disabled and vulnerable. “If need be we can branch out to Geelong – I’d love to do that.” Donations: www.gofundme.com/f/micksiso-meals-and-van-rescue
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Glass bin alternative floated By Luke Voogt A glass drop-off scheme could replace plans for a fourth rubbish bin in Geelong, with council leaving its options open on a state government recycling deadline. Council on Tuesday night allocated $10,000 toward the creation of a transition plan for a purple bin for glass or an “equivalent waste service�. An equivalent waste service could include a glass drop-off scheme similar to that in Ballarat, according to council’s waste services manager Rodney Thomas.
City of Ballarat last year introduced the scheme requiring residents to dispose of their glass at one of eight drop-off sites. The state government’s new circular economy policy requires Victorian councils to introduce a separate collection for glass by 2027. Geelong currently has three residential bins: yellow for paper, plastic and glass recycling, green for garden waste and red for other waste. City Hall officers will develop the transition plan for separate glass collection with a draft due at the end of September. “There is quite a bit of work to be done to
prepare greater Geelong for a move to the new waste system,� mayor Stephanie Asher said. “But we have a solid 10-year waste strategy in place and our team is already doing the necessary planning.� Waste management portfolio chair Ron Nelson said council’s 10-year Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy “set the vision� to “actively avoid waste and increase resource recovery�. “These reforms will help us recover and recycle more resources, reducing the amount of waste being sent to landfill and contributing to a circular economy.�
The state government’s circular economy policy also requires separate collection services for food and garden organics by 2030. Food waste currently amounts to about one-third of rubbish in household garbage bins. Council will begin a household food collection service trial this financial year in partnership with Barwon Water and neighbouring councils. Together the organisations plan to investigate a regional network seeking to use organic waste to generate renewable energy and soil fertiliser products.
Active virus cases continue to grow
Annelise Hardman prepares to MC Wear it Purple Day celebrations tonight. (Rebecca Hosking) 214007_08
Purple Day celebrations go online Geelong lip sync battlers and fashionistas will have a chance to strut their stuff in an online purple extravaganza tonight. Gender and Sexuality Project (GASP) participant and event MC Annelise Hardman invited Geelong locals aged 12 to 25 to get involved. “We’re just getting everyone to dress up in their best purple gear,� the 21-year-old Newcomb local said. The free online celebration for Wear It Purple Day, presented by council’s youth development unit, features a lip sync battle, a live DJ and an online fashion parade.
“We’re getting people to put their cameras on and strut their stuff as if they’re on a catwalk.� Annelise described the event as a welcome break from studying social work at Deakin University and helping businesses navigate COVID-19 while working from home for Business Victoria. “I think it would be a great opportunity to meet some new people and get involved in some fun activities after being bored at home,� she said. Tonight’s event, beginning at 5pm, would help keep Geelong’s young LGBTIQA+ community
connected, Annelise said. She became involved with GASP in year 11 to find a community of “like-minded people� in Geelong, she said. “I was thinking about the fact that I wasn’t ‘straight’ and I was really confused. “I didn’t know what to do. It was great to get into a community where I fit in. It’s taken me the amount of time I’ve been at GASP to recognise who I am and what I am.� For event details search ‘wear it purple Geelong’ at www.eventbrite.com.au
Geelong’s active COVID-19 cases increased by five on Thursday as the city recorded seven new cases, amid Victoria’s second deadliest day of the pandemic. Greater Geelong had 71 active cases as of midnight on Thursday, up from 66 on Wednesday, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Total cases increased by seven from 341 to 348 over the same 24 hours. The figures indicate that two active Geelong cases may have recovered, died or been reclassified by the department. Active cases for Colac Otway Shire and Surf Coast Shire remained on nine and five respectively, while Golden Plains Shire currently has no confirmed active cases. Another 23 Victorians have died after contracting coronavirus, including 22 linked to aged care outbreaks, bringing the state’s death toll to 485. The deaths include a man in his 60s, a woman in her 70s, four men in their 70s, six women in their 80s, three men in their 80s, five women in their 90s and three men in their 90s. The result is the deadliest day for Victoria since the state recorded 25 deaths on August 17. But the daily increase again slowed amid Melbourne’s stage four lockdown. Victoria recorded 113 new cases with seven reclassified, largely due to duplication, increasing the total cases to 18,714. Active cases dropped by 180 from 3488 on Wednesday to 3308 as of midnight on Thursday. Luke Voogt
Luke Voogt
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New $3.5m contract in AI mission By Luke Voogt The Australian Army’s mission to develop artificial intelligence to drive its tanks and trucks has resulted in a new $3.5 million contract for Deakin University. The technology could allow troop-carrying vehicles, such as trucks and armoured personnel carriers, to operate without drivers. The army and the federal government are pursuing driverless technology to keep more drivers and vehicle crew out of harm’s way during operations.
Deakin’s Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation (IISRI) director Saeid Nahavandi said the self-driving technology could be retrofitted to old and new vehicles including tanks. Advanced sensors and the institute’s “home-grown” software algorithms powered the “vehicle agnostic” technology, Professor Nahavandi explained. This allowed the vehicles to perform “very safe and trustworthy manoeuvres” in challenging terrain, he said. “This technology gives vehicles enormous
autonomous capability so that a group of vehicles can move from A to B quite easily. “Driving on a highway or cruising around an urban area is one thing. “But our technology allows these vehicles to travel off-road in far more complex, unstructured, rough terrain – over river beds and through creeks – even when there’s no markings on the ground.” Professor Nahavandi said the technology stems from his research findings in sensory technology and robotics over the past 30 years. “Aspects of the bolt-on pack will also have the
capability to be used in air and sea domains and the technology can easily be adopted in other non-defence sectors such as transportation and logistics, mining and agriculture, all of which are of immense value to the Australian economy.” The contract is part of a $12.2 million federal investment in industry contracts to increase the army’s experimentation, prototyping and exploration of autonomous vehicle and emerging technologies. The government also awarded a $2.9 million contract in late 2018 to IISRI for the development phase of the project.
Panda’s fur-ever home Hundreds of Geelong dog-lovers have been following the weight-loss journey of adorable seven-year-old malamute Panda and her search for a ‘fur-ever’ home. Panda and her canine companion Hammer were very overweight and struggled to get around when they arrived at Geelong Animal Welfare Society (GAWS) in April. With a starting weight of 65 kilograms, Panda lost 11.7kg over 12 weeks thanks to a special diet and three walks a day with GAWS volunteers and a temporary foster carer. Sadly and unexpectedly, Hammer died 11 weeks into the program, leaving staff, volunteers and foster carers devastated. But GAWS staff gave Panda plenty of extra attention to keep her paws-itive after the loss of her lifelong friend and got her to a weight where she could be safely de-sexed, and adopted. My partner Cindy and I had the absolute joy of continuing that journey, helping her lose a
few extra kilos. Panda was advertised for adoption as a “single dog” but we applied anyway thinking our energetic Siberian husky Jakhobi, who we adopted from GAWs last November, resembled her beloved Hammer. After GAWS contacted us, we fostered her to see how they would get along. Initially Panda was a little shy and would flinch when we went to pat her. But following the fantastic work of GAWS, she continued to come out of her shell. Now she enjoys copious belly rubs and head scratches, playing with local dogs on the oval, trotting after Jakhobi on daily walks and looking after her own ‘pet’ Peppy the toy skunk. We officially welcomed her into our family by adopting her on Tuesday and hope to provide plenty of love and belly rubs for years to come. Jakhobi and Panda. Right: Panda on the day of adoption; Panda rolls over in hope of a belly rub.
Luke Voogt
(Pictures: Luke Voogt)
“The people gasping for air it was terrifying.” Sam was admitted to the COVID ward, struggling to breathe, to the sound of others around him coughing and gasping for air. One by one, he watched patients get taken into negative pressure rooms, sealed off by multiple doors, with no support network. As a healthcare worker who’s now recovering at home, Sam’s hope is that in this fight against coronavirus, we all understand that we are the front line. We all have a part to play by staying home to help stop the spread of the virus. If you have symptoms - please get tested. Payments of $450 are available to help you stay home and wait for your test result.
To learn more of Sam’s story go to vic.gov.au/CORONAVIRUS
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Detectives investigating the cold case murder of Geelong West woman Annette Steward expect to charge a man after he admitted to murdering a Western Australian woman last year. Victorian detectives in January obtained a warrant to arrest Darren John Chalmers, 53, over Ms Steward’s murder in 1992. Chalmers on Wednesday pleaded guilty to last year murdering Dianne Barrett, a legal outcome that allows Victoria Police to now press charges against him.
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At age 13 Leopold’s Russell Cameron discovered firsthand Legacy’s important work for families whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice. The former national serviceman, now 80, first encountered the organisation after the death of his father Andrew Cameron, who served in World War I. Private Cameron served as a runner in France and Belgium from 1916 to 1918, sneaking into No man’s land to gather information for his commanding officers. “He was very quiet about the war,� Mr Cameron said. “Legacy stepped into my life and they cared for my mother and I.� After decades as a teacher and fitter and turner, following a year of national service
in 1959, Mr Cameron re-joined Legacy as a volunteer in 2000. Currently, Geelong Legacy Club supports more than 700 widows and widowers, 14 school-aged students and 14 disabled adult children of deceased veterans. “We get very, very little government assistance,� Mr Cameron said. “Almost all of our funds come from donations and Legacy Week badge sales.� COVID-19 has caused the cancellation of Legacy Week, which normally takes place at the beginning of September. Mr Cameron instead urged Geelong locals to donate online. Details email: legacyglg@gmail.com
Post Office sale Geelong council on Tuesday approved the sale of the 130-year-old former Geelong Post Office to developer Bill Votsaris. In selling the building to Mr Votsaris’ Batman Management Group, council approved a $20 million design proposal for the site including a wellness centre, restaurant, rooftop bar, cafe, public artwork and a rotating light sculpture installation.
Waurn Ponds shooting Police shot a man after he charged at them with a shovel in Waurn Ponds on Wednesday night. Victoria Police said the 46-year-old man was in hospital in a stable condition. Armed Crime Squad detectives will investigate the incident with oversight by Professional Standards Command, “as per standard protocol�. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: geelongindy.com.au Facebook.com/GeelongIndy Twitter.com/GeelongIndy
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Station parking boost underway By Luke Voogt Construction has begun on 90 new parking spaces as part of a $160 million upgrade of Waurn Ponds railway station. The work, which began on Monday, also includes the sealing of 120 existing gravel spaces, and improved lighting and CCTV, according to the state government. Workers will build two new access points to the carpark off Sugargum Drive, between Oakwood Crescent and Mumm Street, and via Rossack Drive.
The site will be closed to the public and reopened later this year when the state government expects the works to be complete. The timing of the project took advantage of current COVID-19 restrictions, South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman explained. “We are completing the largest section of carpark works first to help provide the benefits to the community sooner, and to minimise disruption while travel is reduced during coronavirus restrictions,” he said. “Much of this work is being done by businesses based in the region, which gives a
huge boost to the local economy.” The parking works are part of the overall station upgrade, which includes a second platform and an additional railway track. Contractors will build a pedestrian overpass, with lifts, and stairs and ramps connecting the two platforms. The upgrade will also feature an expanded station forecourt with a new drop-off zone and secure bike storage. Construction on the second platform commenced in June with more than 320 people working about 90,000 hours combined at the site since, according to the state government.
A number of local businesses have taken part in the upgrade. The $160 million upgrade is set for completion in late 2021 in preparation for a $1 billion duplication of the Geelong line between the station and South Geelong. Public Transport Users Association Geelong convener Paul Westcott has campaigned for several years for the “long overdue” duplication. Mr Westcott took aim at the political squabbling over the duplication between state and federal governments in June, which he said was continuing to delay the project.
Retirees in vaccine trial Grovedale retirees Joan and Brian Goudge have joined 100 participants in a Barwon Health clinical trial for a COVID-19 vaccine. Mrs Goudge said the couple believed clinical trials would make a true difference to their community. “It hasn’t been a pretty picture during the pandemic, but we’re trying to do all the right things and get on with whatever we can do,” she said. “We really need an antibody for it and when we were asked to volunteer, we thought it would be worthwhile to help everybody. “If the vaccine is passed and it’s acceptable, everybody is gaining from it. We would encourage people to be part of clinical trials when they have the opportunity.” Mr Goudge said while side effects were always a possibility with clinical trials, he and his wife were yet to have any issues in their past experiences.
“We’ve been assured we won’t get COVID-19 from the vaccine candidate, but you’ve got to be aware there is a risk of the unknown,” he said. “It gives us something to talk about together while we’re stuck at home twiddling our thumbs.” Mr Goudge said the couple had participated in several Barwon Health research projects over the past five years, including clinical trials for shingles and bone densitometry. “Our doctor first suggested we could be part of a bone density trial and we thought ‘why not?’ We’ve done four trials at this stage and became interested in the COVID-19 one because of the problems the virus has generated. “Anything we can do to help research and get this thing rolling would be handy. “People are frightened and don’t know what’s happening, so this gives them a bit more of a future to look into and it shows we’re on the right track of getting a vaccine.”
Brian and Joan Goudge have joined Barwon Health’s new COVID-19 vaccine trial. (Supplied)
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Eco group praises solar promise By Luke Voogt Supermarket chain Aldi’s pledge to install solar panels at all of its local stores has won praise from Geelong Sustainability, with the group calling for other supermarkets to follow suit. Currently seven Aldi stores in Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula and the Surf Coast have solar panels, according to a company statement. The supermarket chain on Wednesday announced its stores, including Geelong outlets currently without solar panels such as Waurn Ponds and Newcomb, would convert to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2021. “Aldi’s commitment … makes them a standout leader in the retail sector,” Geelong
‘‘
need strong leardership and ambitious goals
’’
- Vicki Perrett Sustainability president Vicki Perrett said. “As supermarkets are large energy users, Geelong Sustainability is pleased to see Aldi installing rooftop solar energy across their network of stores and warehouses. “We call on Coles Group and Woolworths Group to follow Aldi’s lead and publish much stronger targets for renewable energy and emissions reduction.” Ms Perrett said Coles was moving in “this
direction” but described Woolworth’s climate change policy as “unacceptable”. Woolworth’s policy states no specific renewable targets and instead commits to investigating “cost-effective investments as technology and commercial opportunities evolve”. “We’re in a global climate emergency and the next decade is crucial,” Ms Perrett said. “The scientific evidence is overwhelming and our lived experiences from last summer are real and frightening. Our community has a genuine desire to be part of the solution but we need strong leadership and ambitious goals.” Geelong Sustainability is calling for a target of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030 and zero net emissions by 2040 across the region.
“We all have a responsibility to reduce our carbon emissions … even small changes can make a big difference if done collectively,” Ms Perrett said. In 2018, Aldi’s Grovedale store was one of its first outlets in Australia to have solar panels installed. The location is one of 175 across Australia currently powered by the sun and Aldi plans to extend this to about 250 stores and warehouses – half its network – by the end of 2020. According to Aldi, this would include a total of 102,000 solar panels preventing 41,000 tonnes of carbon emissions a year, equivalent to taking 11,000 cars off the road. Aldi plans to complete the rollout at all its stores by 2021.
OFFICIAL MEDICAL ADVICE Anika Helene prepares for Bellbrae Singing for Fun’s online singalong. (Rebecca Hosking) 213765_03
Don’t risk it. Always follow the health advice.
Zoom singalong for fun Group singing over Zoom might be challenging but that’s not stopping a small community dedicated to belting out tunes just for fun. Long-time Bellbrae Singing for Fun member Anika Helene will join the group for a 90-minute singalong featuring a Blues Brothers classic at 6pm tonight. “If it’s not as good a singing experience as what we’re used to, that’s OK, it’s the connection that counts,” the teacher and mother-of-three said. “Maybe what is really important about our Zoom sessions is people actually seeing each other’s faces.” The singalong will be the group’s second online since COVID-19 put a temporary halt on their monthly sessions in Bellbrae Hall. “The whole singing thing on Zoom is hard but we had fun doing it,” Anika said. “By the end of the two hours we feel rejuvenated again.” For 18 years the group of 130 Geelong and Surf Coast locals has met at the hall, with 20 to 25 people per session and larger crowds for special events. Call and response songs like Cab Calloway’s 1931 classic Minnie the Moocher, which featured in The Blues Brothers, would help make the most of the online session, Anika said. Search ‘Bellbrae Singing for Fun’ on Facebook for details. Luke Voogt
It’s up to all of us to keep each other safe. You must continue to practise good hygiene, physical distancing, and if you’re even slightly unwell, get tested and stay at home. Don’t risk it.
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Backpackers return the kindness Backpackers stranded on the Surf Coast and in Geelong are helping to feed the hungry to repay the generosity of locals. One of the international volunteers, Cedric Michel, spoke to Luke Voogt about his journey to the Surf Coast
C
Cedric Michel (main) joins fellow stranded traveller Martin, from Argentina, and Torquay’s Brooke Murphy renovating a caravan for Feed Me Surf Coast. (Rebecca Hosking) 213871
Several dozen locals and Torquay Lions Club also support the group. The organisation delivers hundreds of meals and supplies weekly to the elderly, disabled, international students and anyone struggling to put food on the table. “I know what it’s like. I’ve been through hardship myself,” Cedric said. “I was in a very bad situation and people helped me, and I ended up in a place where I can help other people in return.” The self-described Jack of all trades is used to picking up odd jobs to fund his travels. So fixing up the caravan was a natural fit.
Cedric plans to keep volunteering, rather than spending several thousands of dollars on a flight to France and burdening his older brother, a student and his only family in the country, with the cost. “I didn’t choose my vocation to work in a big restaurant and cook for rich people,” he said. “I wanted to become a chef because I wanted to feed people who need it. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, it all makes sense now.” Cedric is one of nine backpackers restoring the food truck and fitting out Feed Me Surf Coast’s Torquay warehouse, according to co-ordinator Brooke Murphy.
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edric Michel is one of several stranded backpackers and seasonal workers repaying the generosity of locals – with interest – at Feed Me Surf Coast. A chef by trade, Cedric jumped at the chance to renovate a caravan into a food truck for those in need. “I really loved the idea of the project, I’m like, ‘I’m in!’” he told the Independent. “I get free food and accommodation. It was a good outcome; I was helped by people and now I’m part of an organisation that’s helping others. “I’m spending basically all of my days in the Feed Me Surf Coast warehouse where I’m working on this project.” After migrating from India to France with his older brother several years ago, Cedric began saving for a working holiday to New Zealand and Australia by working as a chef in an Italian restaurant. He was doing his mandatory farm work in Bundaberg earlier this year when coronavirus was still mostly confined to Wuhan. But his trip turned upside down when he moved to Melbourne to begin work as a chef, just before the city went into its first stage 3 lockdown. The lockdown decimated the industry and Cedric’s savings dwindled as he stayed in a Melbourne hostel. “I tried to find a job in cleaning or labouring,” he said. “I couldn’t find anything.” At a friend’s suggestion he found a job as a chef at Mount Buller, but Victoria’s second wave of COVID-19 hit just weeks after he arrived at the ski resort. “They shut the lifts and all the restaurants, markets and shops,” he said. “It was all of a sudden. I was maybe a bit too optimistic at the time. “I had two days to leave the accommodation. In those two days I was trying to figure out what I was going to do.” A friendly couple helped him out and later put him in touch with Marissa Mahon, who owns Freshwater Creek Cottages farmstay. With no credit on his phone and very little money, he hitched a ride to Mansfield with a baker and took a train to Waurn Ponds. “It was quite an adventure just to get out of the mountain and to the Surf Coast,” he said. “I was basically at the end of my savings when I [worked] out my plan for the mountain and I couldn’t really save money on the mountain, because rent was expensive.” Marissa picked him up and he is now staying with seven other backpackers at the farmstay. “In exchange we work maybe eight hours a week at the farm,” he said. He also has joined other backpackers volunteering for Feed Me Surf Coast, a smaller offshoot of its namesake charity on the Bellarine Peninsula.
“For me as a mother-of-three, these young international visitors have taught us the very lessons in life we hope to teach our children,” she said. Despite the loss of employment and accommodation, cancelled flights, isolation from their countries and families, and no government assistance, the backpacker volunteers were thriving, Brooke said. “It’s been remarkable to think that the very people we started off helping are now offloading [semi-trailers] into our cool room for tomorrow’s deliveries. It’s pretty cool watching hardship turn into purpose.”
FATHER’S DAY LUNCH FISHERMEN’S PIER GEELONG ORDERS NEED TO BE PLACED AND PAID BY FRIDAY 4TH OF SEPTEMBER
WAY A E K TA ONLY
PICK UP TIMES ARE BETWEEN 11:00-3:00PM SUNDAY 6TH OF SEPTEMBER (1A YARRA ST GEELONG, 3220)
For MENU go to our website TO CONTACT US PLEASE CALL - 5222 4100 OR THROUGH FACEBOOK MESSENGER 9 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
PHONE: 5272 5272
www.geelongaustralia.com.au 01-CI280820-INDY-LEFT
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
MEETINGS COUNCIL MEETINGS
COMMUNITY GRANTS ASSESSMENT PANEL
Ordinary Council Meetings will continue to be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month
We are seeking expressions of interest from community representatives interested in
at City Hall.
joining our Community Grants Assessment Panel.
Community Focus Council Meetings which are usually held on the second Tuesday of the
The panel is responsible for reviewing grant applications and making funding
month will also be broadcast via the City’s website.
recommendations to Council. In 2020–21, more than $4.33 million has been allocated to
The next Community Focus Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday 8 September at
7.00pm.
support community projects, arts and culture, infrastructure, events and environmental sustainability initiatives. If you live in Greater Geelong and are interested in representing the views and interests of
ATTENDANCE AT COUNCIL MEETINGS For the safety of the community, councillors and staff and to ensure physical distancing, the City will no longer permit public attendance at all Council meetings for now. Meetings will be accessible online to the public and will be live streamed on the City’s website.
our diverse community, we would love to hear from you. Please note that the community representative roles are voluntary and membership of the panel is for three years. Panel member will be required for at least one of three assessment periods throughout each year and this will involve assessing applications over a two-week period.
HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?
To find out more or register your interest, call 5272 5486 or email
If you wish to ask a question or make a submission at a Council meeting you can still do so
communitygrants@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
by lodging your question or submission online. Questions and submissions must be lodged
Applications close on Monday 14 September at 5.00pm.
by midday on the Monday before the meeting.
PUBLIC NOTICES
WWW.GEELONGAUSTRALIA.COM.AU/MEETINGS
GEELONG DESIGN WEEK RETURNS IN 2021
PUBLIC NOTICES
We’re now calling for organisations, groups and individuals
POWERLINE CLEARANCE PROGRAM 2020–21
to host events at Geelong Design Week 18 to 28 March
The City's annual pruning program to clear street trees from powerlines will commence on Tuesday 1 September and will be completed by Monday 30 November. Street and park trees in Breakwater, St Albans Park, Moolap, Norlane, North Shore and Highton will be pruned to maintain the required clearance space between trees and
2021. The theme is Unpredictable. Events will champion Geelong’s UNESCO City of Design designation, highlighting innovation, ideas and adaptations in: •
Technology, innovation and manufacturing
•
Culture and heritage
•
Social and community services
•
Equity, inclusiveness and encounter in the built environment: how we experience
9.00am and 4.00pm. Delays expected. For enquiries contact the City's Tree Management
•
Learning, knowledge and research
Powerline Supervisor on 5272 5272.
•
Sustainability: human, social, economic, environmental and ecological
•
Food and gastronomy
•
Art, craft, fashion, visual communication and multimedia
powerlines.
POWERLINE PRUNING – LATROBE TERRACE, GEELONG Vegetation clearance from powerlines will commence on Tuesday 1 September between
HAVE YOUR SAY NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMIT The land affected by the application is located at: 11 Dylan Place, Leopold
buildings and the spaces between them
Applications are open until Friday 18 September. Find out more and apply at www.geelongdesignweek.com.au
The application is for a permit for: Removal of Restrictive Covenant – PS438104V The applicant for the permit is: All General Surveying Pty Ltd
WANT TO BECOME A COUNCILLOR?
The application reference number is: PP–480–2020
NOMINATE AS A CANDIDATE IN THE 2020 COUNCIL ELECTIONS
You may look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the Responsible Authority or online at www.geelongaustralia.com.au/ advertisedplanning
Would you like to represent your local community and make a real difference for the future of Greater Geelong? The next Geelong Council election will be held via postal vote this October. People
Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions in place, Council offices are closed. You can
of all abilities from a variety of social, cultural and economic backgrounds are
view the application online through council’s website www.geelongaustralia.com.au/
encouraged to nominate as a candidate prior to the election. After all, it’s important
advertisedplanning. There is no charge for viewing the application.
local council reflects those who live and work in our community.
Any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other
To support potential candidates, the following opportunities are available:
submissions to the Responsible Authority (the City of Greater Geelong).
STAND FOR COUNCIL
An objection must:
ONLINE INFORMATION SESSION
Thursday 3 September
•
be sent to the Responsible Authority in writing.
Conducted by the Municipal Association of
4.00pm – 6.00pm
•
include the reasons for the objection.
Victoria (MAV)
•
state how the objector would be affected.
To register and for more information, visit mav.asn.au
The responsible authority must make a copy of every objection available at its office for any person to inspect during office hours (currently available online only due to COVID-19 restrictions) free of charge until the end of the period during which an application may
Mandatory Candidate Training Online training hosted by Local Government Victoria (LGV)
Running for Council? You must complete the Victorian Government’s Candidate Training course.
be made for review of a decision on the application. The Responsible Authority will
Find out more at localgovernment.vic.gov.au
not decide on the application before Sunday 13 September 2020. If you object, the
For further updates, visit www.geelongaustralia.com.au/elections
Responsible Authority will advise you of its decision.
CityofGreaterGeelong 10 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
@GreaterGeelong
@CityofGreaterGeelong
CityofGreaterGeelong
GEELONGINDY.COM.AU
SECTION
CORONAVIRUS SUPPORT www.geelongaustralia.com.au/covid19 02-CI280820-INDY-RIGHT
This is the City's Coronavirus support page, which includes information about the status of events, facilities and City services across the region. A MESSAGE FROM CR STEPHANIE ASHER, MAYOR
CURRENT RESTRICTIONS
While it’s been encouraging to see the daily
There are daily testing sites available in
Stage 3 'Stay at Home' restrictions are in place throughout regional Victoria, including
numbers of new COVID-19 cases locally and
Norlane, Newcomb and Torquay and tests
Greater Geelong. It is also now mandatory for all Victorians to wear a face mask when
across the state slowly going down, now is
can also be done on weekdays in Belmont
leaving their home.
not the time to be complacent.
and Ocean Grove.
It can be easy to drop your defences, go in
For further information about testing,
for a hug or handshake or forget to wash
please visit www.barwonhealth.org.au/
your hands.
coronavirus/where-to-get-tested
But I encourage community members to
A big thank you to the community for
continue staying home and keeping up our
looking out for one another, by continuing
new social distancing and hygiene habits,
to wear a mask in public and following
as we’re not out of the woods just yet.
Stage 3 restrictions.
Stage 4 restrictions are in place across metropolitan Melbourne. Further details can be viewed at www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorias-restriction-levels-covid-19
FOUR REASONS THAT YOU CAN LEAVE HOME:
In fact, Barwon Health has identified a cluster of positive cases in the region that Shopping for food or other essential items
involve young people. The healthcare provider is urging Greater Geelong residents aged 14-24 years
Cr Stephanie Asher
old with symptoms to get tested for
Mayor, City of Greater
coronavirus.
Geelong
To provide care giving, for compassionate reasons or to seek medical treatment
For exercise (applies to outdoor exercise, and with only one other person or members of your household)
Work or study, if you cannot work or study from home
GATHERINGS
CURRENT DIRECTIONS
FACILITIES CLOSURES
In Greater Geelong; Borough of
The following facilities remain open
Queenscliffe; Colac-Otway; Surf
but you must maintain a distance of at
In line with Stage 3 'Stay at Home' restrictions, the following City facilities are closed:
Coast; Golden Plains and Moorabool
least 1.5 metres from other people and
municipalities, the following directions
observe the directions on gatherings
apply for gatherings:
SWIM, SPORT AND LEISURE CENTRES
SPORT AND RECREATION STADIUMS
All SSL memberships remain on hold.
The Geelong Arena, Barwon Valley Activity Centre, Leisuretime Sports Precinct.
CITY-MANAGED PLAYGROUNDS, SKATE PARKS AND BIKE PARKS
COMMUNITY CENTRES, HALLS AND YOUTH CENTRES
TENNIS COURTS
DRINKING FOUNTAINS AND BARBECUES
GOLF COURSES BOAT RAMPS, PIERS AND JETTIES
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Except for essential services.
NO VISITORS TO YOUR HOME
(with only one other person or members of your household)
EQUESTRIAN CENTRES
STAYING IN TOUCH NATIONAL WOOL MUSEUM AND POTATO SHED
THE CAROUSEL
BELMONT MARKET
LIBRARIES
OUTDOOR EXERCISE EQUIPMENT
SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS OWNERS We are offering free expert advice and mentoring for local businesses through our Geelong Business Support program. Receive personalised help with legal advice, human resources, financial management, marketing, occupational health and safety, health and wellbeing, plus business mentoring and COVID-19 workplace training. Find out more and apply at www.geelongbusinesssupport.com.au
SUPPORTING Local MATTERS!
Via phone 5272 5272 Mon–Fri from 8.00am to 5.00pm
Tourism enquiries 1800 755 611 visitgeelongbellarine.com.au
Via web www.geelongaustralia.com.au
Download the Geelong City app for your mobile phone.
Via email contactus@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
Please avoid sending hard copy documents to the City. Where possible, please send documents to us via email.
OUTDOOR GROUP EXERCISE TRAINING If you exercise and train at ovals, sporting tracks and other outdoor spaces, please remember to observe the following restrictions:
Businesses in our community have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s Our Backyard is about backing Geelong and thinking local first when seeking supplies and essential services. Pictured above: Pet supplies from Grovedale’s Family Pet & Aquarium. Please adhere to Stage 3 ‘Stay at Home’ restrictions and wear a face covering when leaving home for one of the four reasons permissible.
www.geelongaustralia.com.au/covid19
CityofGreaterGeelong
•
Maximum two people plus a trainer
•
Physical distancing to be maintained
•
Masks to be worn or carried. (Masks do not have to be worn when engaging in vigorous exercise but must be put on as soon as you finish your exercise.)
@GreaterGeelong
•
Equipment to be sanitised before and after use.
The restrictions on numbers does not apply to members of the same household who are exercising together.
@CityofGreaterGeelong
CityofGreaterGeelong
11 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
NEWS GEELONGINDY.COM.AU
MY GEELONG From the crowded neighbourhoods of Guadalajara in Mexico to South Geelong, Ana Fernanda Covarrubias is pioneering the art of refashioning clothes. She speaks to Luke Voogt. Tell us a bit about you. A grew up in Guadalajara, Mexico, and I just turned 36. It was a good birthday, considering the [COVID-19] situation. Nowadays social media helps a lot. I received messages and calls beginning early in the morning from my friends in Australia and Mexico. Even in the distance, you can feel when people are thinking about you, and that really makes your day. It was a good opportunity for me and my partner to count our blessings. We have family all over Canada and the US; they’re still healthy and alive, so we’re happy with that. When you see all these people that are suffering and who have lost family, you realise you don’t need anything else. What’s your connection to Geelong? We moved to Australia because we were looking for a better quality of life. We went, ‘let’s do it, let’s go to Australia’. We had to make a lot of sacrifices – economically speaking – but at the end of day it’s been worth it. We started our immigration process nine years ago. We lived in Dubbo for over two years. A year and a half ago we were like, ‘there’s nothing to do in Dubbo.’ It’s beautiful but it’s a quiet place. We fell in love with Melbourne and we thought, ‘Geelong is a beautiful place too’. It’s not too crowded, it’s more affordable and it’s regional, so here we are.
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I was raised by two aunties and my grandmother, and one of my aunties was a seamstress. When I grew up in Mexico it was very common that, when your mum and dad both work, you’re raised by another family member. When I was a kid, I used to make clothes for my dolls and repair clothes. I used to do my drawings and pretend that I sold them in the street market. Years later I discovered op shops on a trip to the US. It’s just crazy how much people discard, the amount of clothing that goes to landfill just because of a little hole, a stain or a broken zipper. The fabric is still beautiful, and we can still make something beautiful or useful out of it, rather than just throw it in the bin. For me there is no excuse. About 14 years ago I had my fashion business in Mexico. It was a big job because it was pretty much myself doing everything – the drawing, the design, the making – even selling and promoting. I’m not a good salesperson but I did well. I used preloved fabric, and deadstock fabric – that’s when the big fabric companies buy stock but they overestimate their needs. I’ve continued refashioning clothes in Australia.
12 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
(Pictures: Rebecca Hosking) 213809
How did you get involved in refashioning clothes?
Tell us about your involvement in National Wool Museum’s We the Makers Create. A friend of mine called me one day and said, ‘Ana, do you know about this festival?’ I went to the link and said, ‘oh this is fabulous!’ I was so busy creating my collection because I was going to have a fashion parade for Geelong Design Week. I finished the collection while making extra pieces for We the Makers Create. I don’t know how. Then COVID-19 cancelled the fashion
parade. Even if I wasn’t able to launch my collection, the joy I got from creating it made me realise it’s what I love doing. What are your favourite things to do locally? I love going to the waterfront and the cafes. Another thing that I love is the Barwon River. I take my bike and go for a ride, it’s just beautiful. What’s something people might not know about you?
I’m very shy, believe it or not – it freaks me out having to talk to someone in public. If you see my Instagram, people might be like, ‘she’s pretty out there,’ but I’m not. I love cooking, if fashion wasn’t my life, I would probably be a chef. I actually wasn’t crazy about Mexican food when I lived there but now … I never thought I would miss my Mexican food so much! Details: www.wethemakers2020.com.au
GEELONGINDY.COM.AU
SECTION
GEELONG & THE BELLARINE
IT’S OUR BACKYARD
Find out what’s happening across the region Showcasing the best of local business
Photo courtesy of Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine
SECTION GEELONGINDY.COM.AU
JOHN EREN MP STATE MEMBER FOR LARA
This is an unpredictable pandemic, but there’s one thing local small businesses can be sure of: we will back them no matter what happens. A new $5,000 grant is available to employing small businesses in regional Victoria – if you received the earlier round of funding, this will be paid automatically. We’re extending payroll tax deferral, meaning eligible businesses with payrolls of up to $10 million can defer liabilities for the Þrst half of the 2020/21 Þnancial year. We’re also investing $26 million in mental health support to help deal with the challenges of running a small business during a crisis. Visit business.vic.gov.au for more information.
E: john.eren@parliament.vic.gov.au P: 5275 3898
@johnerenmp
FUNDED FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY BUDGET
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14 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
The Greater Geelong community is again enduring a very challenging time as we continue our battle against COVID-19 with a second period of stay-at-home restrictions. We all understand that the health of our community has to be the top priority, and collectively we’re showing a determined commitment to protecting ourselves and each other. Nonetheless, it’s a time of incredible stress for local business operators and employees whose livelihoods are being threatened. What we’ve seen throughout this pandemic so far is that our local business community is amazingly resilient, clever and creative. So many businesses adapted quickly to the restricted conditions the first time around with new ideas and ways of operating. We’re now seeing what was learned then being put into practice again, and developed even further. It is truly inspiring. Thank you to the Geelong Independent and Ocean Grove Voice for running this feature to highlight some of these inspiring stories of business survival. To everyone in Greater Geelong, please safely support our local businesses by buying local whenever possible – be it takeaway food and drink, masks or online shopping. It’s our backyard, and it’s now as important as ever that we all pull together to help each other however we can. By doing this, I have no doubt our collective spirit will help us meet any challenge that comes our way.
(Pictures: Geelong City Council)
Mayor’s message
Let’s take a grateful breath One of the keys to good mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, say the pundits, is to tap into purposeful gratitude for all the good stuff that’s still around – in spite of facing challenges of historic proportions.
takeaway, collect and home delivery services. The various cafes, pubs and restaurants have definitely done their bit in maintaining the region’s foodie cred – and helping families enormously along the way.
To kick off the gratitude journey, let’s stop and consider: The Greater Geelong and Bellarine regions would have to be some of the prettiest and most explore-worthy and most innovative in the state.
As medical centres and other businesses turn to video consultations and meetings, the use of technology to keep everyone connected has skyrocketed – and this uptake through necessity has likely forever changed the future landscape.
In other words, if we must face coronavirus restrictions, this is a mighty fine place in which to be “confined”. And once COVID-19 loosens its grip, it’s expected that the need to get out and about will hit hard, but people will be still thinking and wanting to act “local”. The sense of community has only heightened, and we now have a clearer understanding of how dollars spent locally can literally save the livelihoods of friends and neighbours.
The lifeblood of tourism has also been seriously curtailed, but once freedom returns we have the chance to support our locals by taking holidays close by, weekend trips to the region’s many attractions, and spending money that will rebound back into the community.
Stay healthy everyone, and please support your local business.
There are about 19,000 businesses in the region, each responding to the crisis in its own way.
So let’s all stop, take a grateful breath, and realise that everything wonderful in Greater Geelong and the Bellarine is waiting to welcome us back, show us things we’ve not yet discovered, and introduce us anew to just how special are the people and places that surround us.
CR STEPHANIE ASHER Mayor, City of Greater Geelong
The hard-hit hospitality industry, for example, has been very proactive by introducing
It’s our backyard, after all, and its care and maintenance is more vital than ever.
STUART GRIMLEY MP Member for Western Victoria State Leader of Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party
We’re Open (virtually)! We are here to help you with any concerns or issues you have throughout the second wave and beyond. My office is operating virtually during Stage 3 restrictions. This means whilst my office is physically closed, you can contact my staff and I via phone, email or social media.
Keep an eye on my Facebook page for future Zoom sessions - an opportunity to ask me questions! Contact: E: stuart.grimley@parliament.vic.gov.au W: stuartgrimley.com P: (03) 5218 5001
Funded by Parliamentary Budget 12458059-CG35-20
15 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
BELLARINE GEELONG &
IT’S OUR BACKYARD I think it all comes down to adapting and widening your net Bridgette McLachlan
Say it with flowers Flowers are still very much in full bloom at Lustre Blooms. While many of life’s milestones are unable to be celebrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, florist owner Bridgette McLachlan said locals are still shopping for flowers for their loved ones. “Floristry-wise, it [the pandemic] hasn’t really affected us other than the fact we are unable to book weddings,“ she said. “Normally this time of the year, we have half, if not all, of the upcoming season at least booked. “I know a lot of other businesses are booking weddings but we just see it as a little but too risky. “Couples have been completely understanding that we don’t want to be taking deposits.” Ms McLachlan said if anything, more people were turning to florists to help them send special messages to their family and friends because they can’t see them during the strict lockdown. “In terms of the retail side of things, it has gone up because people cannot see each other,” she said. “There are a lot of really beautiful gifts that are being sent. People are saying ‘we are still thinking of you’ or ‘congratulations on the baby’ or ‘congratulations on the engagement’. “Younger guys are sending flowers to their grandmothers, so it has been really nice.” In a world where face-to-face meetings have become restricted, Ms McLachlan has adapted her business to an online platform and has begun sending dry flowers to customers all over Australia. She said changing the way a business worked and locals supporting small businesses as much as they could, was the key to keeping a business afloat during these uncertain times. “If you have been thinking about your mum or you have been looking at your kitchen bench and want to put a plant on it, then definitely get out there and reach out to those local businesses in any way you can,” she said. “A lot of businesses have pushed to online so we are shipping dry flowers all over the country. “I think it all comes down to adapting and widening your net as far as you can to allow for more customers to reach you.” Lustre Blooms, 65 Myers Street, Geelong lustreblooms.com.au/
Richard Marles MP Federal Member for Corio “When you support local businesses, you support local people. if you can, go local first.” Authorised by R. Marles, ALP, 17a Yarra Street Geelong VIC 3220 12458070-CG35-20
16 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
A taste of Leura Park at home A cheesy takeaway twist on high tea and multi-course meal kits are just two ways Leura Park Estate has reinvented its offerings amid COVID-19. “We realised we had to adapt fast and we did – this is not the time to sit around and wallow in self-pity or be like a rabbit in the headlights,” says Leura Park Estate’s Lyndsay Sharp. “Around 80 per cent of revenue across the business was decimated overnight.” The estate owns Jack Rabbit Vineyard and Flying Brick Cider Co, which have been closed since March. In response the estate launched High Cheese at Home and Jack Rabbit at Home. Locals can enjoy the “Flying Brick institution” of High Cheese, based on the concept of high tea, by taking home a plethora of varieties with matched beverages, Lyndsay explains. Jack Rabbit at Home, on the other hand, offers locals a chance to feel like a chef in their own kitchen. “We’re bringing a taste of Jack Rabbit to your home with meals nearly ready to eat – all you need to do is finish them off,” Lyndsay says. “The response has been very positive and the culinary team is looking at introducing new menu items each week. “That’s been great for the morale of our awesome kitchen teams, it’s a version of doing what they love and do best – cooking great food.” Lyndsay has a straightforward philosophy to surviving the daily uncertainty of COVID-19. “We all realise that this is a situation beyond our control,” she says. “We’re rolling up our sleeves, staying calm and focusing on what we can control, and doing those tasks to the best of our ability.” That includes keeping Leura Park Estate’s cellar door open seven days a week from 11am to 6pm. And currently, the estate is holding a ‘barrel shed sale’ with premium wines at less than half price. “I’m bringing in new wines every day to keep things interesting,” Lyndsay says. Curlewis Golf Club, owned by Leura Park Estate, also remains open with strict regulations to protect golfers. Along with adapting to the pandemic, keeping staff engaged and checking on their morale and mental health has been a priority, according to Lyndsay. “Everyone copes differently, so we are regularly communicating with everyone via email and manager-to-team calls,” she says. “Most of us are pining to return to a bustling workplace and hospitality buzz. We are in this industry because we love people and providing a great experience. “During closure, all venues have been scrubbed, repaired and varnished up to their eyeballs. “We can’t wait to reopen – there will definitely be a few tears of joy when we throw open the doors.” Lyndsay and David
leuraparkestate.com.au
(Louisa Jones) 212807_46
“See my Instagram page for more information on supporting our local Geelong businesses and to have your business featured.” richard.marles 17A Yarra Street Geelong Vic 3220 | 5221 3033 | www.richardmarles.com.au 12458071-CG35-20
17 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
BELLARINE GEELONG &
IT’S OUR BACKYARD
Shining a spotlight on Geelong businesses Just like the businesses it represents, Geelong Chamber of Commerce has kept a positive focus during the pandemic, despite the many real challenges faced on all sides. As testament to this, the go-ahead organisation’s annual Geelong Business Excellence Awards (GBEA) this year tackle COVID-19 head-on by staging a free virtual event that everyone’s welcome to join and watch it all unfold. Believed to be the only business awards event in Victoria this year, GBEA has already announced finalists, with the winners revealed from 7pm on October 15. Ben Flynn, chief executive of Geelong Chamber of Commerce, is chuffed with the number of entries received from outstanding local businesses.
“It’s terrific that we’ve received so many entries this year, which is quite an achievement given we’re in the middle of a pandemic and facing an unprecedented economic downturn,” Mr Flynn says. “The purpose of the GBEA remains the same, pandemic or not. We’re about creating a platform to shine the spotlight on our clever, creative and resilient Geelong businesses and business leaders.” To view finalists or for more information, go to www.gbea.com.au/news BUSINESS MENTORING PROGRAM Geelong Chamber of Commerce has another reason to be excited and upbeat about the future.
The thrills of Business Excellence Awards go virtual this year. (Supplied)
In partnership with the Victorian government and City of Greater Geelong, it has introduced its new mentoring program. It has been designed to give the business
community an exciting mix of opportunities to connect and engage with experienced mentors and other business people – including the winners of GBEA. Mr Flynn, agreeing with other Chamber members, believes this is a great time to establish such a program. “The mentoring approach can offer real assistance to business people as they navigate their way through the crisis,” he says. “Programs focus on building capacity as well as connecting participants with other great people. “The health and wellbeing of our business community is driving our response and we believe there’s no better way to connect than through mentoring.” www.geelongchamber.com.au/mentoring/
(Louisa Jones) 212880_01
Built to last
Shopping locally has never been more important. That’s the message from Geelong West-based Furniture by Design.
The Gordon Avenue business has been operating for the past 15 years, designing, building and selling custom-made furniture.
Like many other businesses, the custom furniture designers are doing all they can to stay open during the second lockdown.
They also stock and sell furniture from other manufacturers.
“A lot of people have special requirements, they have special things they need to get into their unit, like a record player.”
Phil says Furniture by Design prides itself on being able to produce furniture that meets customers’ individual needs.
Furniture by Design employs a team of five people, boasting more than 60 years’ experience in furniture making.
“It’s really about the service we are trying to offer to meet what people want. We colour match, we can paint in any colour…
The business is most commonly asked to make fitted wall units, dining tables and entertainment units, as well as bedroom furniture.
Co-owner Phil Lear says the community’s support will be the key. “As with most things, if people have a requirement for something, if they can get it locally instead of getting imported stuff, then it’s good for everybody,” he says.
“A lot of times, people will come to us and
AGED CARE
they have seen something online or they have a certain space they need a unit to fit in.
“But the people that do come in are serious buyers,” he says. “Fortunately, we had a lot of work on but it does hurt with staffing – our cabinet makers have young children who need home-schooling.” Furniture by Design, 4 Gordon Avenue, Geelong West. www.geelongfurniturebydesign.com.au/
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Phil says while it is too early to tell how the second lockdown will impact the business, he has noticed a drop-off in the number of people visiting the shop.
LIBBBY COKER MP
GED KEARNEY MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR
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18 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
St Leonards Pier. (Rebecca Hosking)
Victoria’s best, on our doorstep It’s no secret that the tourism industry has been one of the hardest hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. In Victoria, the tourism economy is expected to shrink from $32 billion in 2019 to just $9 billion this year. Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine (TGGB) has seen its role as supporting the industry to navigate this period of restriction, and plan for a recovery that will help businesses get back on their feet. The board waived membership fees from March until the end of 2020 and businesses that subscribed get a free listing on the official website for 12 months. TGGB acting executive director Tracy Carter says she has seen the local tourist industry respond to the many challenges.
Barwon Heads Wine Store (Supplied)
“We’ve been proud to see the tourism industry roll up its sleeves and respond to the crisis with agility and great support for each other,” she said. “Many tourism businesses have been able to pivot quite successfully, like the takeaway and delivery model for hospitality operators. Others have used the JobKeeper support to initiate and trial new business models or improve their infrastructure ready for a better visitor experience when guests can return.” Ms Carter says all TGGB’s training and development activities are available for all subscribed businesses until the end of the year. TGGB has been supported by City of Greater Geelong funding for specific recovery marketing campaigns to be implemented as soon as travel restrictions are lifted in Victoria. “The tourism industry is incredibly resilient and full of positive characters, but it will need support for some time yet to regain its footing and start to grow again,” Ms Carter says. “The local community can play a role in helping the industry by supporting businesses who’d usually rely on visitors. “That might be using local retail and hospitality more than you normally would, inviting friends and family to visit here or even indulging in a stay-cation in the region when accommodation is open again.” visitgeelongbellarine.com.au
19 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
BELLARINE GEELONG &
IT’S OUR BACKYARD
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Through the ages Geelong has come a long way since its first post office was opened in June 1840. After gold was discovered in Ballarat during 1851, Geelong’s population grew to 23,000 residents by the middle of the decade, as the Gold Rush began in earnest. In 1852, Geelong Hospital opened, and creation of the first shipping channel in Corio Bay started the following year. In 1855, construction of the Geelong Town Hall commenced; the Geelong-to-Melbourne railway line was built two years later. The Geelong department store, Bright and Hitchcocks, was established in 1861.
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Three years later, HM Prison Geelong opened after being built using convict labour. The prison’s notable inmates included the bushranger Frank McCallum (alias Captain Melville); James Murphy, who killed a police officer at Warrnambool Court House; and Angus Murray, an associate of the gangster Squizzy Taylor. The prison closed in 1991 and is now a museum. Victoria’s first woollen mill was opened in
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20 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
South Geelong in 1868. The town of Geelong officially became a city on December 8, 1910. Electric trams began operating in the city in 1912, and travelled from the city’s centre to the suburbs until 1956. Throughout the 1920s, Geelong’s industrial sector took off, in the form of woollen mills, the Ford Motor Company’s plant in Norlane and the Corio whisky distillery. The Great Ocean Road was opened in 1932. Two years later, the T & G Building opened on the corner of Ryrie and Moorabool streets. By 1936, Geelong had displaced Ballarat as Victoria’s second-largest city. On the eve of World War II, the International Harvester works were opened beside Ford at North Shore and the Shell Australia oil refinery was established. Geelong’s first parking meters were installed in 1961. The city’s first supermarket, operated by Woolworths, opened in 1965.
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1. A group of men standing with a car in Geelong in 1922. (Photo by A Arnell); 2. Geelong looking towards the south east, June 1948. (Charles Daniel Pratt); 3. Geelong looking towards the south east, June 1948. (Charles Daniel Pratt); 4. Geelong from the ocean, circa 1905. (Published by Victoria Stamp Market, Melbourne); 5. The front of the Geelong Harbour Trust office building at 16-8 Brougham Place. Shows entrance doors and portion of glass curtain wall façade, in 1957. (Wolfgang Sievers); 6. Tramway opening, Moorabool Street, Geelong, 1912. (Photograph printed by J. Lockwood Studios, 136 Ryrie Street); 7. Construction of main Tanker Jetty, Shell Oil Refinery, Geelong, circa 1953-54. (Helmut Newton); 8. S.S. ‘Edina’ leaving Geelong on its last trip, June 21, 1938. (A Rogers); 9. Business premises of J. T. Windsor, coachbuilder and carriage factory, 48 Little Malop Street, Geelong, circra 1910-1930. 10. Malop Street, Geelong, circa 1873-82. (Photo from the Wanda Berman collection) All photos courtesy of the State Library of Victoria.
21 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
BELLARINE GEELONG &
IT’S OUR BACKYARD
In pursuit of happiness Keeping the school community connected has been an integral part of Surfside Primary School’s plans for the second wave of home schooling. Pupils from the Ocean Grove school have again been learning from home after schools across the state were closed to the majority of students earlier this month. Surfside principal Peter Walsh says that while remote learning is a challenge for all involved, the school had taken valuable lessons from the first round of home schooling. “In term two, remote learning was thrust upon us and it was brand new for all. There were elements that we used within the classroom but it was new learning for teachers, students and parents,” he says. “In version two we have used student, staff and parent feedback to guide our approach for term three. “As a school we have highlighted three key areas – connection, wellbeing and clarity. “We feel that if we are able to connect with the students through live teaching and activities with … a focus on wellbeing that our
students and families will be more engaged and connected and therefore happier – and our key ingredient through this challenging time is happiness.” While keeping a school community of about 500 pupils connected on a regular basis is an enormous task, Mr Walsh says teachers are striving to ensure everyone feels well supported. “Everyone has come together to see that student, staff and family wellbeing is at the centre and that we can continue to build happy and resilient kids,” he says. “We offer live assemblies, community-based competitions and different wellbeing supports for families and we hope that even though we are apart during remote learning, that as a community we are all there for each other.” Surfside Primary School has also strived to make the return to remote learning as flexible as possible for families, Mr Walsh says. “I think it is always going to be a tough juggle for families – work, schooling, exercise, dinner, sleep – and trying to keep the family unit positive and together when so much is missing from our daily lives.”
Matilda and Leila with their dad and year 6 teacher Adrian, and Layla with mum and casual relief teacher Diana.
Clockwise from above: Michele and Sue; Muhamed and Owen; Alexis busy studying; Jayka digs for worms. (Pictures: Supplied)
Doors open when everything is shut While much of the state has been shut down due to strict COVID-19 restrictions, one community is working harder than ever. Hamlyn Views School, a special developmental school located in Geelong, has continued to help a younger generation that needs it most. Assistant principal Michele Marcu said it had been an enormous effort by staff, families and students to keep everything running smoothly. “Our staff have been absolutely fantastic, they’ve put their personal concerns aside and just done what needs to be done to make this period as smooth for the children as possible,” she said. “Given the nature of a special school,
22 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
there’s the need for close contact, whether that be changing nappies, feeding … things like that. “Given some of our students fall in to the most vulnerable category, there was a few fears around what would happen if a staff member or someone passed the virus on to them.” With the second wave hitting, the school has managed to perfect its COVIDSafe plan. “The most vulnerable students are staying at home and we’re able to link up with them electronically so we can all keep in touch. “For those still here, it’s business in a little bit of a different manner.” Students were initially a little taken aback by seeing their teachers donning face
masks and the introduction of distancing measures, but the school has found some creative ways around that. “We’ve just tried to make everything as fun and easy as possible for them ... at the start it was a bit of an adjustment, but most of the students have adapted really well,” Ms Marcu said. While things may be going well, the ever present fear of the virus hangs heavy on the shoulders of those in charge. But Ms Marcu credited the school’s staff with going above and beyond what’s normally expected. “I guess there’s a lot of people doing much more than what would normally be required, but our staff have really done that.
“They’ve put personal fears and to some extent health fears aside, rolled up their sleeves and helped make this as easy as they can for all our children. “It’s been absolutely amazing to see the power of work they’ve put in during these difficult times and the fact we’re still open with happy students is proof that they’ve done a tremendous job. I can’t thank them enough.” Ms Marcu said the wider community had also played a helping hand. “The parents have also been really supportive and helped make this period as easy as possible on the kids, so I’d also like to single them out for special thanks.”
Working together to stay healthy It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult and stressful time for many people in our community. Healthcare workers are no exception to this and many have the added concern of balancing their commitment to care for their patients with their own fears of being exposed to the virus and infecting their loved ones. According to Barwon Health spokesperson Kate Bibby, staff have worked overtime, extra days, or joined other teams within the organisation to help achieve everything that needs to be done in response to the changes in our community, as well as being prepared for the unexpected. “There has been a great shift towards utilising telehealth, which involves appointments
through phone and video conferencing, and staff have been quick to adjust to the challenges of providing care without being hands-on and face-to-face with patients,” Ms Bibby said. “After creating capacity for the expected demand of COVID-19, our planning focus shifted to reducing and measuring the spread of the virus in the community through testing.” Ms Bibby said preparations in the Intensive Care Unit included increased education with staff, training with new equipment, and up-skilling staff who are new to the ICU environment. “As we’ve planned ahead for COVID-19, we have been conscious of our responsibility to
care not just for our local community, but for much of the Barwon South West region. “Barwon Health’s ICU is fortunate to have a high level of expertise with the ability to provide care for the most complex patients.
“We’ve been in regular communication with regional centres, offering support as far as Hamilton and Warrnambool to let these healthcare providers know they can count on our resources.” Barwon Health has been focused on keeping its staff healthy and its vulnerable patients safe, Ms Bibby said. “The message is clear and staff have been excellent about doing their bit to reduce the risk of infection, with many workers getting tested for even the mildest of symptoms,” she said. “We all have a role to play in Geelong and we are working together to stay healthy as we take important steps towards a brighter future, as we learn to live with COVID-19.”
Metafit for life For many people, a trip to the gym is about more than toning those abs or building up strength. It’s a chance to escape and switch off while being surrounded by like-minded people. A way of having some time off and also improving yourself. When the global pandemic shut down gyms across the state earlier this year, Metafit Bellarine sought to keep that connection with their clients going, while also helping them stay fit and healthy throughout the shutdown. Owner Courtney Cox and her team began doing classes online, and the response was overwhelming. “We’ve always had a focus on fitness in a fun and friendly environment,” Ms Cox said. “So when we were faced with the situation where we couldn’t do that in our own space, we decided to take it online and the response has been fantastic. “We just do it from our own homes, and people log in and do whichever workout they would like, and it’s helped us all stay in touch and help get each other through this.
Lisa Bennett, Courtney Cox, Cath Warren, (Louisa Jones)
“We’ve had a lot of people say that it has been their sanity through this and knowing that we
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were there to help guide them through was a real comfort for people.” As well as physical training, the team at Metafit Bellarine has also been providing mental health support and holistic wellness tips along the way. “We like to focus on lifestyle as well, so nutrition and overall health,” Ms Cox said. “Physical health and the movement side of training is a big part of what we do, but it’s also a whole philosophy on a healthy lifestyle that we love to work with.” While they are unsure when the doors will reopen for a return to face-to-face training, Ms Cox said the best way to support Metafit was simply to give it a go. “The best thing people can do is just come and give us a try,” she said. “Come along to a class, it’s for women and men, and very family-friendly, so there’s no excuses there. “We can tailor our workouts to anyone and any fitness level, so when we get back there it would be great to see some new faces down to give us a go.” https://www.facebook.com/metafitbellarine/
Keynote speaker
MIA FREEDMAN “How I built a media company from my lounge room” – FREE EVENT – Thursday 3 September 12.15pm
23 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
BELLARINE GEELONG &
IT’S OUR BACKYARD Sam Routley enjoys one of their renowned pies. Inset: A Bliss Box delivery. (Pictures: Supplied)
Baked-in goodness Routleys is a name synonymous with this region – a Geelong family providing beautiful baked goods for families and businesses. The business has been churning out its renowned cakes and pies for more than 70 years and continues to see locals through the current pandemic, providing takeaway breakfast and lunch staples. Kate Harriott, of Routleys Bakery, says an online delivery service has made it convenient for families to shop safely throughout lockdown. “Our stores have been open as normal right throughout COVID restrictions and people have also been able to access our online shop for home deliveries,” she says. “We make a wide range of different products that are renowned for their flavour, and most of our clients are regulars who know a great pie when they taste it. “In addition to supplying food outlets, we also offer a bread and cake delivery service and can provide catering and fundraising options to suit our customers’ specific needs.” The trusted business began with Vic and Verna Routley, who both grew up in Geelong, in 1947. The couple moved to Williamstown where Vic worked as a baker. He then decided to buy the shop where he had been working and operate it with Verna. In 1971, Vic and Verna handed the baton on to their son Lawrie and his wife Anne. They expanded the business with the help of their five children, Simon, Penny, Michael, Kate and Sam, to what it is today. Some of the great-grandchildren are also now working in the business. Today, the main bakery is at the North Geelong-based head office with other outlets in Altona, Belmont, East Geelong, Newport, Grovedale, Colac, Torquay, Lara Village and Williamstown. Throughout the pandemic, Routley’s Bakery has been offering plenty of breakfast, lunch or snack options and an array or wholesale frozen pies, gourmet cakes, bliss boxes and vegetarian options for delivery six days a week. Routleys Bakery, 3 Ormond Road, East Geelong. 5229 8438 email orders@routleysbakery.com.au or visit www.routleysbakery.com.au/
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24 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
To Lara, with love A coffee shop is brewing much love among the locals in Lara. Known to its regulars as ‘Anna’s Coffee’, @7 cafe is a husband and wife business owned by Anna and Ray Huang. Ms Huang said they took over the cafe – their first ever business – in January 2019. Since then, the number of regular customers keeps growing and it is they who have helped the business succeed even through COVID-19. “Some of them come in almost every day, some of them come in a few days a week,” Ms Huang said. “We’ve actually got lots of local people who are supporting us. “I wanted to say a big thank you to the local people. Sometimes, they buy a cup of coffee but they give me $20. “They wanted everybody to feel the love. “They even give me flowers from their garden, so I always have flowers in my shop from my regulars.” In normal times, the cafe has an environment where people come to meet their friends for coffee and brunch, or to relax by themselves while reading newspapers. During restrictions, everything on the menu is available for takeaway. Ms Huang said her husband, who is in charge of the kitchen, served up an array of popular
brunches. “He is always improving on his cooking skills and finding some interesting things to attract the residents around here – and it’s good value,” she said. “I think the best selling for brunch, on top of the list, is eggs Benedict. “I’ve got really nice feedback – basically everybody loves it, lots of orders on the eggs Benedict. “I think my husband makes really good poached eggs, also. His poached eggs are very, very good – fantastic – my customers say. “Also, our coffee is quite good, I have to say, because I use a top-of-the-range coffee bean and I use A2 milk. “I’ve never wanted to drop the quality that I sell, and since I opened I have never raised the price once. “I think, with COVID, everybody is already suffering. All they can do is come into the cafe shop and enjoy the moment ... this is what I can offer. “I’ve got my regulars and I keep on getting more and more regulars when the first time they come in they feel the energy and then they want to come back. “I just hope everyone stays safe. It’s a very difficult time for everybody to go through. “Please be safe – that’s all I want.”
Anna Huang prides herself on @7 cafes’ quality coffee. (Louisa
Jones) 212378_02
Heroes don’t always wear capes
Louella and her teacher Christy Thompson at last year’s awards. (Supplied)
Heroes walk among us and the Bethany Group is on the lookout for them with the launch of this year’s Bethany Superhero Awards Competition. The annual awards are a celebration of children-identified positive adult role models. Bethany Group chief executive Grant Boyd says the awards are for everyday heroes to be acknowledged publicly – where acts of kindness and bravery from businesses to individuals are celebrated “This includes neighbours, healthcare workers, delivery drivers … and mums, dads and grandparents – who have all had to exert super powers to survive.” “With the January bushfires, followed by COVID-19, 2020 has been a year like no other and the impacts are evident in our community. For children, their lives have also
changed, with learning from home, being restricted from normal activities and seeing friends and broader family members. The awards provide them with the ability to reflect on the meaningful relationships they have.” Primary school-aged children can nominate a superhero in their life by writing a story or poem, drawing pictures, using photographs or uploading a video to describe their special person. The winner of last year’s Teachers, Coaches and Community Superhero category, Anakie Primary School teacher Christy Thompson was recognised for her “remarkably selfless, humble and courageous” attribute. She was nominated by one of her students, Louella Carroll. “She was just inspiring to me and someone I looked up to,” Louella says. “The way that
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she handled her own illness and was still so nice to everyone and how strong she stayed for us all was really inspiring to me. “When I’m older I want to be strong and as brave as her.” Superheroes can be nominated for one of two categories: Family and friends or Teachers, coaches and community. “A number of organisations have come onboard to support the awards including Humans in Geelong, Bendigo Bank, Geelong Connected Communities, Rotary Club of Geelong and the Geelong Football Club,” Mr Boyd says. “This shows that there is a strong desire for the community to share and celebrate the everyday actions which enrich the lives of others.” Entries close on September 18.
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25 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
BELLARINE GEELONG &
IT’S OUR BACKYARD
Mark Dillion (Louisa Jones)
Business goes mobile The staff at Scooters and Mobility Geelong are meeting the challenge of COVID-19 “head on” for their older clientele, according to manager Mark Dillon. “Generally, our clients are from an older age bracket and are very health conscious,” the Whittington father-of-one says. “They know that they can deal with us in a safe environment where everyone’s health is the highest priority.”
David and Marion Hamilton at Uniting Agewell, Geelong
While clients are spending less time outside of home, their need for mobility and independence is as important as ever, Mark says. “Business has been tough, however, as we are classed as an essential service, we have been able to trade and meet our customers’ needs. “This has ensured that our customers have been able to access supermarkets, chemists and the healthcare services that they require.” Mark and his staff have set limits to the number of people in the store at any one time and have increased cleaning “three-fold”, along with purchasing personal protective equipment and hand sanitiser. Staff no longer do in-home repairs and services, picking up scooters and wheelchairs from clients’ homes instead, Mark explains. They then complete the service or repair at Scooters and Mobility’s store at 52 Charles Street, Newcomb, before returning the scooter or wheelchair fully sanitised and cleaned. “This reduces the amount of time a staff member spends at the client’s house, which in turn reduces the chance of a transmission of COVID-19 occurring,” Mark says. “Our customers have been amazing. “They are happy to wait that little bit longer to get their scooter after a repair or service knowing that we are doing everything possible to protect them from COVID-19.” scootersandmobility.com.au
(Supplied))
From problems to possibilities The pandemic may have stopped some organisations and services in their tracks, but for not-for-profit aged care provider Uniting AgeWell, these past months have been even busier. Placing quality of life, safety and wellbeing at the centre of everything has enabled Uniting AgeWell’s Geelong care teams to be nimble, to do things differently and focus on supporting people with heart and kindness. And if virtual high-fives, laughter and the width of smiles are measurements of success, then Uniting AgeWell is managing to turn problems into possibilities for clients in the community and in residential care during COVID-19. Residents at Uniting AgeWell’s Kalkee Nangatta and Murray communities in Belmont are keeping in touch with loved ones by chatting to them on Zoom or teleconferences, thanks to a massive roll-out of computer tablets and smart phones across the organisation, which operates across both Victoria and Tasmania. Kalkee Nangatta senior care manager Glenda Harvey says many of their residents who live with dementia as well as those in
care at Kalkee Murray, say they’ve never felt more connected, as they chat to family and friends across the globe. And this will continue post the pandemic. Another innovation is the love window, so residents who can’t see their loved ones in person can see them through the window. Nangatta resident David Hamilton, 87, chats to his wife Marion on the mobile phone as she stands on the other side of the glass. “David is happy and cheerful,” Mrs Hamilton, 80, says “and this is a great way to see him until iso lifts and things get back to normal.” Wellbeing and staying fit are paramount, along with celebrating events such as Christmas in July. Residents continue to be engaged in a range of activities from arts and crafts, high teas, exercise classes including dancing and walks in the garden, bingo, footy tips, simple cooking sessions and more – all with appropriate social distancing. Special attention is also given to spiritual and pastoral care. A recent highlight was the Nangatta Olympics with games including balloon volleyball.
Kalkee Murray senior care manager Sue Payne says they’re also introducing online shopping for residents. When it comes to supporting people in their own homes through a home care package, thinking outside the square is easy – being able to think outside the jagged, spiky edges of the coronavirus has been the challenge and one that Uniting AgeWell staff have risen to. Being agile is key, says Uniting AgeWell’s Barwon client advisor Kaye Hollingworth, who says there has been a significant increase in the number of clients choosing a home care package delivered by Uniting AgeWell since the start of COVID-19. With 80 per cent of clients living alone, extra welfare checks are being conducted across the board to ensure they’re OK and that they have sufficient supplies. Added to this are activity kits with arts and crafts and puzzles sent to clients to keep them busy, while telehealth is also popular for those who want physiotherapy sessions at their homes. Ms Hollingworth says Uniting AgeWell has also provided computer tablets to clients who want to keep in touch during isolation. 12459251-CG35-20
Times are tough and we all have to work together to get thru this Pandemic.
CR. PETER MURRIHY 26 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
Supporting local businesses is more important than ever and there is so many ways we can do this. Buying local products, using take-away options and even sharing recommendations on Socials are some of the ways we can make a difference. This is a self funded advertisement
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Coastal treasures Chief executive Gary McPike said the pandemic had a huge impact on the operation of the business. “We had to shut our caravan parks through the Easter school holiday period, which significantly reduced our revenue,” he said. “This in turn impacted the way we operate and we had to rationalise our services across the coast to ensure we stayed viable. “Our team has been nothing short of fantastic during this period. Staff have quickly adapted to all the extra requirements that working in a pandemic situation has required of them. “We also appreciate the support of the state government to help us retain operations despite losing our main revenue stream.” Along with all other Victorian caravan parks, Barwon Heads fully closed its operation in late March, effectively reducing revenue for this period to zero until it was able to reopen in a limited capacity in June. It opened fully in late June until parks were shut again on August 5 with the reintroduction of stage 3 restrictions.
Mr McPike said Barwon Coast was working hard to ensure prospective caravan park guests and the local community using coastal reserves in Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads were being kept well informed as restrictions and services changed. “With the re-introduction of stage 3 restrictions imposed across the region, we are closing the caravan parks again,” he said. “This is of course another big blow to our organisation, but a necessary step we happily take to assist with stopping this deadly virus. “We are busily working through the shutdown on some great offerings for visitors to our caravan parks when they reopen, including gourmet glamping packages and environmental education packages for schools and community groups. “We hope that locals … can help us out by encouraging friends and family to stay with us when we are all allowed to travel again.” www.barwonheadscaravanpark.com.au www.riverviewfamilycaravanpark.com.au www.barwoncoast.com.au
Barwon Coast chief executive Gary McPike. (Louisa Jones) 212485_01
(Pictures: Louisa Jones)
It’s a treasured part of the coast for locals and tourists alike – 15 kilometres stretching through the Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads townships, along the Bass Strait coast of the Bellarine Peninsula. Barwon Coast Committee of Management Inc (Barwon Coast), appointed by the state government to manage the Crown land, says the community has really valued being able to enjoy the coast during the COVID-19 pandemic. The coastal reserves have provided a space for people to exercise during restrictions, with an extensive network of walking trails as well as beautiful sandy beaches that have proven popular for dog walking, running, surfing and swimming. Barwon Coast funds its operations through the revenue raised from its tourist accommodation businesses: Barwon Heads Caravan Park, Riverview Family Caravan Park and the seasonal Riverside Campground. A major local employer in Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove, it has more than 50 staff working across the coastal reserve.
Gifts inspired by travel Travel agency Helloworld Ocean Grove is usually bustling with eager travellers booking that long-awaited getaway. But the COVID-19 pandemic has put a pause to interstate and overseas travel. Agency co-owner Nicole Bryan said the pandemic had “decimated” her business. “We are a shop with no product,” she said. “We cannot sell travel with the borders closed. “Cruise ships were all starting to be affected in January so we were cancelling bookings before our borders were closed.
“We were already getting inundated with cancellations by February and then by March the borders all closed and it went pear-shaped.”
including jewellery, handbags, photo prints and greeting cards, all bought from small, local businesses.
Ms Bryan said about 500 clients from her Ocean Grove business had cancelled their plans or received a credit to postpone their holiday to 2021.
“We have to pay rent so we thought we could pivot the business,” Ms Bryan said. “It gave us something positive to focus on ... and to feel busy with. “Where we can we are trying to support Australian-made. Most of the suppliers are so excited because retailers are struggling.” Although strict stage 3 restrictions have forced Ms Bryan to shut the shop to customers, she has moved her business to an online platform.
But with customers not confident Australians would be travelling overseas any time soon many are now wanting a refund not a credit. In a bid to stay afloat, the travel agency opened Just Landed in the Grove – a travelled-inspired gift shop, selling holiday-themed items
She said her businesses, and countless others affected by the pandemic, is heavily relying on locals to stay afloat and be standing at the other end of the dark COVID-19 tunnel. “There is a real movement for people to support local and shop local,” she said. “We can’t rely on Melbourne tourists coming down on the weekend so we are solely reliant on locals now at least until the next stage.” “We won’t survive this unless communities support us.” justlandedinthegrove.com.au/
We are excited to be part of the launch of the ‘Its Our Backyard’ campaign.
CR ANTHONY AITKEN AND CR KYLIE GRZYBEK ARE PROUD TO BE COUNCILLORS WHO REPRESENT THE NORTHERN SUBURBS AND RURAL NORTH OF GEELONG. COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS HAVE IMPACTED ON US ALL, BUT ESPECIALLY OUR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES.
Cr. Anthony Aitken
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27 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
SECTION GEELONGINDY.COM.AU
SUPPORTING l a c o L MATTERS! Businesses in our community have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s Our Backyard is all about backing Geelong and thinking local first when seeking supplies and essential services.
Check them out TOWNHOUSE LIVING, CENTRAL GEELONG A flower and hamper delivery for Geelong West’s Angela Rayson from Central Geelong business, Townhouse Living’s Emma Akamacic.
Supporting businesses in our backyard helps local people, industries and Geelong’s economy. If you can, when sending some flowers, doing your grocery shop or sharing a post online – remember to think local first.
Share and like a post, tag a friend, say something nice, post a pic, write a review, sign up to an EDM, or give a shout out (your opinion counts)!
Eat take out and try new dine-at-home options, choose local wine, grab a cook at home pack, enjoy a virtual wine tasting or cocktail making class!
Shop locally and choose local products and services, buy a gift voucher, book for use later, try something new, donate to those in need.
Please adhere to Stage 3 ‘Stay at Home’ restrictions and wear a face covering when leaving home for one of the four reasons permissible.
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28 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
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NEWS
FROM THE ARCHIVES Geelong Independent looks back through the pages of our archives ...
20 years ago
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August 25, 2000
August 26, 2005
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August 28, 2015
The Christian Brothers has made a formal apology to former students of St Joseph’s College in Geelong for sexual abuse at the hands of teachers. School principal Paul Tobias, who declined to be interviewed yesterday, published the apology in this week’s college newsletter.
His dream of a boat haven at Leopold has died but landowner Dennis More says he still wants to give the community access to a little-used stretch of Corio Bay foreshore. Mr More faces prosecution at the hands of City of Greater Geelong after it discovered he constructed a boat harbour without a permit.
The Liberals are facing defeat in Corangamite after knocking back the offer of a stooge Nationals candidate, according to a former councillor. The former councillor said he offered three weeks before the election to stand as a National and direct preferences to Liberal Sarah Henderson but her party believed she could win without his help.
A real estate agency connected with a Torquay woman facing up to 1200 fraud charges has closed, leaving clients in limbo. St George Real Estate’s office at 194 Pakington St, Geelong West, is now occupied by a builder unconnected to the agency.
dinkum battlers in the commuity? Millions of Australians, now. To add insult to injury, none of these “fat cats” has seen fit to make a symbolic gesture by announcing that they will take a significant pay cut when more than 5 million Australians are now on one form of income support or another – JobSeeker or JobKeeper. Not one.
version is ready, when it will be “sent to councillors for information”. A recent flood of complaints relates to road blocks in North Torquay. What problem was the shire trying to solve? What solutions were considered? Why was that solution selected? Other than the officers who made the decision, no one seems to know. Certainly not the affected residents, norcouncillors. Councillors must do more than support a policy – councillors must demand transparency. Residents would do well to ask every candidate for election in October whether they will champion councillors’ and residents’ rights to access information about council’s business.
failure of the public service. The first is the hollowing out of the public service due to ongoing austerity and cost cutting across all departments and over many decades. This has resulted in the loss of expertise and the breakdown of effective mentoring for new recruits. The second is the replacement of dedicated fearless senior public servants with ideological hacks. Whilst in government, all political parties are culpable. For example, when I started farming in the early 1960s, the Department of Agriculture believed it was in the public good to invest in research and extension as well as regulatory responsibilities. Over the intervening years the focus has changed to making the minister look good. Both major parties are culpable here as well. And so today we are faced with a charade of stuff-ups; from border crossings for agricultural workers and produce, to meat works and wool auctions. Basically, the problem is we do not have the robust corporate knowledge left in the departments to do the pre-planning, nor are they ready to offer sound advice when it is needed. Pity our leaders and pity us! But all of us are derelict in our duty as citizens if we fail to ask who is responsible for this state of affairs, then persist until the answers are received.
YOUR SAY The good old days In the light of recent cyber interference and espionage, now would be a good time to consider the safety and conformity of “the good old days”. Admittedly, in the past the pace was slower, but there was little chance of fraud or deception, or international foul play, as all dealings were recorded and kept in ledgers, minute books, docket books, and receipt books; whilst carbon copies of transactions were stored in filing cabinets and safes. Payments were made in cash or by cheque, both of which could be personally delivered for extra security in some circumstances. Meetings were held in person, in closed rooms, with no cameras or hidden recorders. Reports and minutes were handwritten or typed and couldn’t be hacked. Typewriters can’t be bugged, and interfering spell-check systems did not alter meanings or facts. Deals required legible signatures to be valid, and agreements were signed by both parties to confirm the details. Information was sent by post, where handlers were trusted and honourable people on the whole. Deliveries were made twice on week days plus Saturday morning. It was impossible to click the wrong key when transferring information, so it was more accurate and provided less room for human error. There could be no premature forwarding of any documents. And the use of red ink to indicate debts, readily exposed to the auditor, whether a business was “in the red” or “in the black”. Melva Stott, Anglesea
Leaders out of touch When political leaders, like Labor’s Daniel Andrews, are pulling in nearly $10,000 a week, and have a salary guaranteed by taxpayers, how can you expect them to identify with the fair
Michael J Gamble, Belmont
Transparency – more than a policy Surf Coast Shire council considered its transparency policy this week, but a new policy alone won’t fix the culture of secrecy that permeates the organisation and the local government sector. The community has a right to know what council is doing. Council should release information proactively to councillors and the community, welcome questions and answer them frankly and completely. Why are residents limited to 200-word questions of council, with some topics off limits? Why are individual councillors prevented from answering residents’ questions? Why can’t councillors individually submit notices of motion for debate? Why does council tolerate officers ‘bundling up’ residents’ questions and giving non-specific answers? Why have I had to resort to FoI to access documents that in other settings officers would provide routinely to members of the governing body? I spend significant time helping residents deal with the shire on planning matters, often with associated complaints by residents about poor communication and/or incorrect advice. Officers actively discourage councillors from engaging with the community on such matters. Officers are about to publish a document addressing ‘contemporary planning enforcement issues in rural areas’ but have refused my request for a copy until the final
Heather Wellington Councillor for Winchelsea Ward Surf Coast Shire
Cracks in the system Each day that the COVID-19 pandemic persists, more cracks appear in the system. Our state and federal leaders are engaged in the most grinding marathon of their lives. And it is far from over. Running on adrenaline, our leaders’ minds and bodies must be near exhaustion. How could any of us endure such pressure day after day? These are the circumstances under which serious mistakes are likely to occur. A wellfunctioning public service should reduce the risk of mistakes, but we do not have a wellfunctioning public service; the evidence is painfully laid out before us each day. As our leaders tire, we can only expect the situation to deteriorate, placing all our lives and businesses at risk! And as the Greek philosopher Euripides proclaimed in 400 BC, “Whom the Gods would destroy they first make mad.” There are two fundamental causes of this
Peter Small
HAVE YOUR SAY Geelong Independent welcomes letters to the editor as well as comments and story tips on our website and Facebook page. Post: 1/47 Pakington St, Geelong West, 3218 Email: editorial@geelongindependent.com.au Web: geelongindy.com.au facebook.com/GeelongIndependent 29 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
ENTERTAINMENT
Dive into mysterious new thriller By Luke Voogt Geelong locals can crack open their favourite vintage at home and dive into the mysterious world of thriller writer and comedian Benjamin Stevenson next Thursday. Stevenson joins fellow up-and-coming crime novelist Kyle Perry in Geelong Regional Library’s Wine and Crime night on September 3. “Get the cheeseboards out and all that kind of thing,” the 31-year-old told the Independent. Stevenson’s new book, Either Side of Midnight, tells the story of twins – a news anchor who shoots himself on air and his grief-stricken brother who is convinced he was murdered. The title alludes to the two lead characters being born within minutes of each other on different nights, real-life twin Stevenson explained. “The one who gets killed off is the funny one, the charming one, the successful one,” he said. “My twin brother is not happy because he thinks he is the one that is killed off.” A real-life suicide of a news anchor in the US in the 1970s inspired the novel, Stevenson explained. “I read about that and I was horrified – they didn’t have the live television dumps and those kinds of things that we have now,” he said. “I took that idea and figured out how that can
be a murder at the same time.” While other authors had “toyed” with “that kind of theme”, Stevenson believed his book was unique. “After that suicide-murder opening scene there are so many more questions than a whodunit. It’s a how done it and why done it too. “But at its core, it’s a thrilling crime novel of our detective tracking down a killer.” The evolution of laws such as involuntary manslaughter to keep pace with social media added another dimension to his research, he said. “The law has changed from when I started writing the book to when I sent it off to the printers.” Stevenson hoped he and Perry could provide an interactive escape for viewers as they plummet into the depths of their literary work in next Thursday’s live stream. Having a hateable villain in a crime novel could be therapeutic for readers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, he explained. “I hope the book gives them a few days of entertainment,” he said. “It’s more fun to hate a rapscallion murderer in a novel than think about the overarching semi-end of the world that we’re in.” As a literary agent, Stevenson has worked with some of Australia’s best non-fiction and
Thriller novelist and comedian Benjamin Stevenson. (Supplied)
fiction crime writers. “I’m kind of the go-to guy for thrillers,” he said. “I pride myself on picking twists early on in the manuscript.” As a kid, JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series put Stevenson on the path to becoming a literary
sleuth. Stevenson is also a stand-up comedian and had been about to board a plane for a 110-show tour when the pandemic hit. “I was lucky because I was putting the final edits on Either Side of Midnight,” he said. While he likes to keep comedy and crime writing separate, at times they overlap. “I think comedians are very good at observing things,” he said. Like crime writers, comedians often misdirected their audience before the punchline, Stevenson added. “Once you give the story context it reveals the joke. “Crime novels are just a long version of that. And there’s certainly black humour that runs through them.” Along with finishing off his second book, Stevenson proposed to his fiancée during lockdown with a jigsaw of a photo of them together. “It sounds romantic but in the actual process of doing it there were lots of arguments,” he said. “Don’t zoom in a high-res photo of your future fiancée and cut it into a thousand of pieces if you want to have a good time.” Details: www.grlc.vic.gov.au/whats-on For help call Lifeline on 131114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636
Artist’s work is never over Aireys Inlet artist and musician Kasper Raglus describes himself as a “surfer guy from the coast who likes minimalist art”. Eight paintings by Raglus will be featured in one of three exhibitions at Newtown’s Boom Gallery and Big Boom to September 6. The exhibitions will also feature works by Christopher Jewitt, Cat Bailey, Michael McCafferty and Nina Rose Prendergast. Raglus’ exhibition is titled Never Over. Raglus said he enjoyed creating abstract art because it allowed him to express anything which comes into his mind. He said one of his objectives in creating the paintings featured in Never Over was to reflect the emotions people have been feeling as the coronavirus pandemic swept the globe. “The colours I chose sort-of reflect what’s going on at the moment, how I’m feeling, how people who talk to me are feeling and how people are feeling across the world,” he said. However, Raglus said that abstract art was always open to interpretation. “Some people look at it and see something else, which I really like,” he said. He said that growing up with two creative parents, pursuing a career in the arts had been a natural progression for him. “My father is a painter and my mother has done everything from being a clown doctor to staging puppet shows to show the importance of dumping rubbish on the coast,” he said. “My earliest memories are of bothering dad in the studio. “I’ve always just wanted to be in a studio making stuff.” Raglus said from a young age, he knew he wanted to use tools for his art, doing practical work such as cutting, sanding and prepping. He said his upcoming exhibition at the Boom Gallery was a home-coming of sorts. The gallery gave him the opportunity to have his first art show, about 2013, when he was in his early twenties. Since then, he has had about four other shows in different formats at the gallery. “I have always had a soft spot for Boom,” he said. “I think it’s really good because it gives artists, including lots of up-and-coming artists, a chance to show their work. “It’s cool to have something like that up the road and I think Geelong needs more of that.” The Boom Gallery is located at 11 Rutland Street, Newtown and Big Boom is at 5 Rutland 30 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
Aireys Inlet artist and musician Kasper Raglus; Some of Raglus’ artworks. (Pictures: Supplied)
Street, Newtown. As a commercial gallery Boom can still operate under stage 3 restrictions, according to director Kate Jacoby. Previously open seven days a week, Boom
Gallery has reduced its opening hours to 9am to 4pm, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Art lovers can visit Never Over without an appointment but will need to book online to
visit Big Boom. Details: boomgallery.com.au, instagram. com/boomgallery. Alesha Capone
ENTERTAINMENT
Staying positive in pandemic Whether it’s watering his plants, watching Neighbours or singing in the shower, Trent Inturrisi has plenty of tips on how to stay positive during the pandemic. Inturrisi, an acting teacher from the CentreStage Performing Arts Academy (CPAA) in Geelong, stars in a comedic online video about boosting your mental health during the COVID-19 crisis. Inturrisi appears in the clip with fellow performer Gemma Eastwood, while Nina Chivers directed and edited the video, and also did the cinematography. The trio created the clip as part of a CentreStage project on how to maintain positive health and wellbeing during the pandemic.
Cast members from the upcoming CentreStage production of West Side Story took part in the video project, after stage three pandemic restrictions resulted in the show being postponed until next year. Inturrisi, Chivers and Eastwood’s video was selected as the winner of the project and shared on the CentreStage Facebook page, where it has recorded more than 2700 views in three weeks. The video starts off with Inturrisi saying: “Hi, I’m Trent, and I’m mentally well”. He is seen going through his health-boosting daily activities, including walking, cleaning, setting off to buy plants at Bunnings, playing video games and singing along to a West Side Story song in the shower. Inturrisi said he did plenty of improvising
while filming the clip. “It didn’t take long, between the three of us, it took about three hours to film,” he said. “It was so much fun to film, I wanted to make it as wanky as possible. “I liked being laughed at – if I can make you laugh, by laughing at me, I’m happy.” In addition to teaching children in year 8 and under as part of a small team at CPAA, Inturrisi is studying primary school teaching. Details: https://www.facebook.com/ centrestageaus Alesha Capone Trent Inturrisi is seen tending to his beloved plant collection in the video. (Supplied)
Grovedale sisters Lauren and Sheridan Harvey, known as Lash78, come to Geelong Arts Centre for live-streamed show Bored in the House tonight. (Lucinda Goodwin Photography)
Sassy sisters bring the harmony By Luke Voogt After a roller coaster of chance and not-so-chance celebrity meetings and international tours, Grovedale sisters Lauren and Sheridan Harvey are now carving their own musical path. The dulcet duo known as Lash78 plan to debut tracks they wrote in iso for Geelong live-streamed show Bored in the House tonight. “Not even our closest friends have heard them yet because we’ve been in lockdown – we wrote one of them the other day,” older sister Lauren, 23, told the Independent. After a long hiatus from the stage, tonight’s live-streamed gig at Geelong Arts Centre is a homecoming for the Harvey sisters. “My first ever solo was at GPAC (then Geelong Performing Arts Centre) at age four so it’s nice to perform there,” Lauren said. The sisters have been singing “for as long as we can remember” and their three other siblings and grandparents are also musicians. “Singing was in our blood,” Lauren said. “I remember at kindergarten they had a little
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- Lauren Harvey
fake microphone set up for me.” At home the sisters would sing Wiggles hits as their dad played the drums. “We had the old Australian Idol karaoke set,” Sheridan, 22, said. “There’s heaps of memories like that.” Their band name has a simple origin – the first two letters of their names and their ages at the time of a family trip to Tamworth Country Music Festival. “I think mum came up with it, she’s pretty good with that sort of stuff,” Sheridan said. “One night mum and dad decided we would stay in the most expensive hotel where all the celebrities were.” There they spotted country music icon Lee Kernaghan and the sisters played a tune for him.
“Lee looked at us and said, ‘I want you to open my Outback to the Beaches tour [in Geelong]’,” Lauren said. The sisters opened for Kernaghan in front of up to 25,000 people in subsequent shows, but playing together helped with the nerves. “We could just look over and see each other and it would be like the crowd wasn’t even there,” Sheridan said. “It was like we were in our lounge room.” When Lauren scored a role in a Melbourne production of Billy Elliot at age 12, the sisters would spend spare hours busking on Swanston Street. “The crowds would actually block the footpath and people would go onto the road just to see us,” Sheridan said. With the Melbourne International Comedy Festival across the road, they ran into both David ‘Hughesy’ Hughes and Stephen K Amos. The meetings led to gigs on Hughesy’s radio show and at the festival with Amos. About five years later the sisters’ busking on Bourke Street caught the attention of rapper Lupe Fiasco and his entourage, which led to
tours of the US and Europe. They have since supported names such as Darryl Braithwaite, Thirsty Merc, Mental As Anything and Kingswood. Last year they released debut EP Who, which made waves at Airlie Beach Music Festival, and they had plans for a US tour this year. But despite being grounded by COVID-19, the sisters recently played an online set for the aforementioned festival, which is set to air in the UK. “It’s been an absolutely crazy ride, hopefully from here on out things just get bigger and better,” Lauren said. They plan to release new tracks in tonight’s Geelong Arts Centre show. When the sisters were young, music teachers urged them to perform together after hearing their voices combine. That same sweet harmony, combined with clever lyrics, is the centrepiece of their rocking tunes and smooth ballads. “We have such different voices but they blend so beautifully,” Sheridan said. Details: geelongartscentre.org.au 31 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
NEWS GEELONGINDY.COM.AU
Out and about We might have limited opportunity to get outside because of COVID-19 stage three restrictions, but locals are taking advantage of the beautiful surrounds and winter sunshine for their daily exercise. Independent photographer Rebecca Hosking caught up with some people taking in the fresh air along Geelong Waterfront this week.
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1/ Luke Mamaj and Jackson Rae (far left). 2/ Rachael Fellner with Luisa, 2, Hugo, 3, and Sophie Dalliker. 3/ Laura Cambuts with Chester, 20 months, and Catrona Kelly. 4/ Melissa Shears and Edward, 3, with dog Bentley. 5/ Anne Krikwood and Lyn Gibbs. 6/ Janet Illingworth and Peter Chandley. 7/ Kirra Spence, Miles, 8 months, Debbie Hutchings and Lottie, 4. 8/ Police and defence force officers on patrol. 9/ Lisa Allthorpe with dog Elsie. 10/ Cousins Linlay Ratawa and Jerry Ratawa. 11/ Julie Reynolds with Rusty and Leanne Scarlett with Almas. 12/ Daryl Kelly, Marguerite Kelly and Ian Watson. (Pictures: Rebecca Hosking) 213872 32 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
SHOPLOCALSUPPORTLOCAL#InThisTogether
A self-care affair in Central Geelong This winter feels longer than most and as we continue to juggle family needs, home-schooling and work from home demands, there’s never been a more important time to check in on yourself and enjoy some self-care. Central Geelong businesses continue to offer a range of products, services and virtual experiences to help you keep a spring in your step and maintain your glow from home. Serenity Skin and Body Care’s skincare experts can provide you with a complimentary virtual consult to diagnose your skin and recommend personalised home solutions to keep your skin bright and illuminated. They are also providing two complimentary samples with all online orders. Visit www.ellabache. com.au to book your virtual consult or browse their skincare range. If you, like many others are suffering from ‘maskne’ – acne or breakouts caused by mask wearing – visit the award-winning Body Recon Cosmetic Clinic online and view their range of products to help sooth and calm your skin. Their Stressed Skin Pack has been designed to give your skin a professional boost and ensure you’re looking your best at your next Zoom meeting. Purchase online at www.bodyrecon. com.au or click and collect directly from their clinic in Gheringhap Street. Waterfront Health Studio is temporarily closed, however the team of skilled physiotherapists is still able to help you reach your personal health and fitness goals from home. Using telehealth, they will explore your current abilities and functional needs and plan a home-based program to help you be your personal best. If your work from home office has literally become a pain in your neck, they can also provide an individualised assessment to ensure you are ergonomically set up and prescribe
Smellies Wellness Box; Body Recon Cosmetic Clinic; and Good Folk Yoga. (Pictures: Supplied)
a program to avoid the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Book online at www.waterfronthealthstudio.com.au Blondie Hair + Cosmetica in Ryrie Street is offering a live, online Q&A session this Friday, August 28 hosted by their dermal clinician and guest naturopath, ‘The Clear Skin Coach’ who specialises in acne and women’s hormones.
This is a unique opportunity to tune in and learn about all things skin nutrition. Follow Blondie @blondie.skin on Instagram for details. Luminosity Skin and Laser Clinic has created a Hydrate and Repair Pack to nourish and hydrate your skin and combat the effects of mask wearing.
Check out their huge range of skincare products you can safely use at home at www.luminosityskin.com.au. How about a total mind and body workout with the happy people at Good Folk Yoga? They offer a pre-recorded library of more than 125 classes ranging from 15–60 minutes plus five live-streamed classes each week. Visit www.goodfolkyoga.com.au for a free 35 minutes session. Smellies in Moorabool Street can also help you spoil yourself with a beautifully packaged Wellness Box containing a range of Australian made and owned self-care products including hand cream, soap, hand-poured candles, organic tea, a Love Lavender heat pack and more. Browse their wonderful range of goodies at www.smellies.com.au. And of course, there’s always the humble bath, a simple yet tried and tested way to relax and sooth the soul at home. A good bath is not complete without an uplifting scented candle to set the mood. Townhouse Living in Yarra Street stock a wide range of charming and mood elevating candles by The Aromatherapy Co. and Miel D’Ete. Visit www.townhouse-living. com.au to view their range. Perfect your bath experience with a range of gorgeous products available from Our Satellite Hearts’ in James Street. Their online store stocks the Bopo Women range including the Stardust Organic Sugar Scrub, Goddess Bath Soap or Bath Soak Trilogy Set. For an extra treat, check out their best-selling Self Love Gift Set complete with body oil and a crystal infused essential oil roller. Visit www.oursatelitehearts. com.au find a product to suit you. To find out how Central Geelong businesses are doing things differently and how you can keep supporting local businesses visit www.centralgeelong.com.au or download the Love Central Geelong app.
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Take Away & Home Delivery Due to Stage 3 Restrictions (Deliveroo, Menulog & Easi)
’Wine & Beer available for Take Away with 3 LIC restaurants’
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33 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
PUZZLES Quick crossword 1
Fill the grid so every column, every row and 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.
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WordFit
Each number represents a different letter of the alphabet. Write the given letters into all squares with matching numbers. Now work out which letters are represented by the other numbers. As you get the letters, write them into the main grid and the reference grid. Decoder uses all 26 letters of the alphabet.
Fit the words into the grid to create a finished crossword
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Quick crossword solution
B S N A E How many words of three or more letters, including plurals, can you make from the five letters, using each letter only once? No foreign words or words beginning with a capital are allowed. There’s at least one five-letter word. Good 7 Very Good 10 Excellent 14
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abs, ban, bane, banes, bans, bas, base, bean, beans, ben, bens, ens, nab, nabs, nabe, nabes, neb, nebs, san, sane, sea, sen
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Insert the missing letters to make ten words — five reading across the grid and five reading down. Note: more than one solution may be possible.
Which country is the world’s largest producer of cheese? At 2918m, what is the highest peak in Greece? In what area of the fashion industry did Vidal Sassoon become famous? Which 1993 novel of E Annie Proulx was made into a 2001 film with Kevin Spacey as protagonist R G Quoyle? 5. Daryl Kelligan is the main character in which 1997 Australian film? 6. “It’s in His Kiss” is the subtitle to which 1991 hit song for Cher? 7. In poker, which is more valuable, a flush or a full house? 8. “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” was the theme song for which American TV series? 9. Which animal appears on the state flag of Tasmania? 10. Can you give the first name of either Dr Jekyll or Mr Hyde?
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EATER EDGED EERIE ELATE ELVIS OILER OLDER OPERA ORATE ORDER OVATE PRAMS RONDO ROUTE SCARS SNAKE STARE STEAD STERN
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1 United States, 2 Mount Olympus, 3 Hairdressing, 4 The Shipping News, 5 The Castle, 6 The Shoop Shoop Song, 7 Full house, 8 Cheers, 9. A lion, 10. Henry Jekyll, Edward Hyde.
34 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
SOAP SOIL STEP SWAP TASK TERN WALL WERE
Sudoku solutions
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3 LETTERS ACE ADO AGE AIM AIT ALE ASP DUG EEL FOX GEN HOE IMP LEA LET MAR NET RAT SAC SEE SIP SKI STY WOK YES ZIP
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Across: 1. Elastic, 5. Cabaret, 9. Dross, 10. Unadorned, 11. Easter egg, 12. Dingo, 13. Sling, 15. Innocuous, 18. Resilient, 19. Solid, 21. Leave, 23. Ourselves, 25. Pistachio, 26. Atoll, 27. Extreme, 28. Satisfy. Down: 1. Endless, 2. Acoustics, 3. Taste, 4. Cauterise, 5. Clang, 6. Boondocks, 7. Run-in, 8. Tedious, 14. Golden age, 16. Notorious, 17. Oblivious, 18. Relapse, 20. Display, 22. Asset, 23. Ochre, 24. Exalt.
WordBuilder
Down 1. Infinite (7) 2. The study of sound (9) 3. One of the five senses (5) 4. Burn or sear, surgically (9) 5. Resound (5) 6. US equivalent of backblocks (9) 7. Physical or verbal dispute (3-2) 8. Tiresome (7) 14. Time of prosperity and peace (6,3) 16. Infamous (9) 17. Unaware (9) 18. Fall back into old ways (7) 20. Exhibit (7) 22. Valuable possession (5) 23. Yellow-orange colour (5) 24. Praise, glorify (5)
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Across 1. Stretchy (7) 5. Nightclub entertainment (7) 9. Rubbish (5) 10. Undecorated (9) 11. Seasonal chocolate gift (6,3) 12. Australian wild dog (5) 13. David’s weapon (5) 15. Harmless (9) 18. Able to recover from adversity (9) 19. Reliable, decent (5) 21. Time off work (5) 23. Us (9) 25. Edible green nut (9) 26. Coral island (5) 27. Radical (7) 28. Please (7)
C R A N E
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Sudoku
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MOTOR
Long, low and very fast By Ewan Kennedy, Marque Motoring
AT A GLANCE MODEL RANGE
Having four-door practicality in a full-on sportscar is a clever bit of engineering from Bayerische Motoren Werke in Germany. To make the extra space for the back seats the Gran CoupÊ is longer than the 8 Series CoupÊ and Convertible and rides on a 200mm greater wheelbase. It’s more likely to be purchased by those looking for a fast long distance cruiser than a sports machine, but the choice is there thanks to the ability to select from variable suspension choices. BMW 8 Series Gran CoupÊ is offered in two models, the 840i and M850i xDrive. The latter is the subject of this road test.
3.0 840i: $204,900 4.4 M850i xDrive: $277,900 4.4 M8 Competition: $354,900
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local BMW dealer for drive-away prices.
seats, three-point inertia-reel seatbelts on all seats, belt latch tensioner and belt force limiter. BMW 8 Series Gran CoupĂŠ uses the latest driver assistance systems.
Driving
Styling The BMW 8 Series Gran CoupĂŠ has a swooping roofline and a tucked-in glasshouse, flared wheel arches and trapezoidal exhaust pipes. The M Carbon Exterior package is optional and includes various M Performance carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) accessories such as M carbon Air Curtain, M carbon mirror caps and single-piece carbon finishers around the tailpipes.
Long, low, sleek and very fast, the BMW M850i xDrive. (Supplied)
middle rear seat. As a true passenger car the Gran CoupĂŠ has 440 litres of luggage capacity. There are folding rear seat backrests with a 40/20/40 split. These can be folded independently of each other.
Interior Multifunctional seats for the driver and front passenger with additional adjustment functions for superior comfort, are trimmed in BMW Individual Extended leather ‘Merino’ upholstery. The two rear seats are individual units and have high levels of lateral support in case the driver gets over enthusiastic during cornering. A fifth passenger can be accommodated, without a great deal of comfort in the squeezy
Infotainment BMW Operating System 7.0 has a 10.25-inch infotainment display which can be operated via the iDrive Controller, also by steering wheel controls, touchscreen, gesture control or voice control. BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, enables interaction and command operation through voice command.
Engines / transmissions The M850i has a brilliant 4.4-litre V8 dual-turbo petrol engine producing up to 390kW of power and 750Nm of torque. It has the M Performance specific xDrive all-wheel drive system. It accelerates from zero to 100km/h in only 3.9 seconds. The 840i uses a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with 250kW and 500Nm peak torque. It drives the rear wheels.
Safety As well as excellent ability to avoid having a crash the big Bimmer has airbags for driver and front passenger, side airbags for driver and front passenger, head airbags for front and rear
It’s absolutely delightful to drive. Throttle response is virtually instantaneous. It’s so far ahead of any other turbo we have driven to date that it makes the others feel dull by comparison. BMW M850i has xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system with a pronounced rear bias, and Adaptive M Suspension Professional with an active anti-roll stabilisation system. If you get an opportunity to sample that zero to a hundred in under four seconds part of your test drive - take it! The steering reacts the moment you move the wheel and sends excellent feedback so that you know exactly what is happening.
Summing up Confession time: Having road tested many thousands of cars over almost 50 years I almost invariably walk away from the vehicle at the end of the week without a backward glance. It wasn’t like that with the BMW M850i Gran CoupÊ xDrive, if I had a spare $300,000 I would buy one – but I don’t. Sigh ‌
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thorough and keep extensive records of each service. This means we’re aware of wear, tear and potential issues well before they become a problem. “And regular log book servicing results in a better sale price when it comes time to sell.” Brett says that prices are very competitive, and customers can trust that any parts used will always maintain their new car warranties. He also has some advice for anyone who’s about to buy or sell a car. “We encourage them to talk to us first. We are VicRoads roadworthy testers, able to issue roadworthy certificates, and offer comprehensive pre-purchase car inspections.” As well as tyre fitting, the modern workshop carries out a wide range of mechanical services, with Holden, Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Subaru, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Honda, Hyundai, Kia and Suzuki all covered. BJT Automotive, 8 Maxwell Avenue, Belmont. Opens 8am-5.30pm MondayFriday. Inquiries: 5244 3337 or www.bjtautomotive.com.au
We are open and operating fully through all stages of restrictions
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Porsche, Mercedes Benz, Audi, Volkswagen germanautomotive.com.au (03) 5222 2555
8 Maxwell Ave, Belmont
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BMW, Mini, Land Rover, Jaguar huntercuthill.com.au (03) 5229 4299
• Log Book Servicing with warranty not affected • Courtesy Car • Roadworthy Certificates
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TRIO OF INDEPENDENTLY OWNED WORKSHOPS SPECIALISING IN ALL EUROPEAN BRANDS
Volvo, Skoda, Peugeot, Renault, Citroen geelongwestautomotive.com.au (03) 5221 5522
T J B 12441572-LB07-20
No one wants to pay extra at the petrol pump, but unfortunately, we will pay more – unless we put our vehicle in the hands of a good mechanic to keep things ticking over properly. And that’s where Brett Turley’s BJT Automotive in Belmont comes in. BJT Automotive has established a solid reputation as a reliable and thorough workshop with exceptional customer service and is a leading independent workshop in Geelong. “We are renowned for our fussiness and attention to detail, and that’s exactly how we like it,” Brett says. “We genuinely care about you and your vehicle.” Brett says BJT’s high standards mean they are an excellent alternative to dealership servicing. “To ensure our mechanical services are cutting edge and up to date we are constantly refreshing and improving our mechanics’ skills and knowledge.” Personalised service is front and centre as well. Brett and his team offer a loan car and courtesy car service, and also like to get an understanding of each customer and their car. “Our mechanics take note and listen. They’re
From minor scratches to full restorations, we have all you need. Paint & panel, detailing & paint protection. Aerosols made instore.
Automotive & industriAl PAints 413 Moorabool St, Geelong P. 5229 3884 www.darbyspaints.com.au
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37 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
SECTION GEELONGINDY.COM.AU
THE ORIGINAL Round 14 & 15 2020
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70
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59
74
66
LW 5
LW 9
LW 8
LW 5
LW 9
LW 8
Mark Ward
Jess Case
Stan Bougadakis
Josh Watts
George McBride
Leigh Keen
The Amazing Mill Markets
Tuckers
Auto Master
Chas Cole Cellarbrations
Aarons Outdoor
Forty Winks
Round 14
Round 14
Round 14
Round 14
Round 14
Round 14
Essendon Richmond Geelong Port Adelaide GWS St Kilda Collingwood Gold Coast Suns
Essendon Richmond Geelong Port Adelaide GWS St Kilda Carlton Gold Coast Suns
Essendon West Coast Geelong Port Adelaide GWS St Kilda Carlton Gold Coast Suns
Hawthorn West Coast Geelong Port Adelaide Fremantle St Kilda Collingwood Gold Coast Suns
Hawthorn
Gold Coast Suns
Essendon Richmond Geelong Port Adelaide Fremantle St Kilda Carlton Gold Coast Suns
Round 15 Hawthorn West Coast Richmond Sydney GWS Brisbane
Round 15 Hawthorn West Coast Richmond Sydney Carlton Brisbane
Round 15 Hawthorn West Coast Richmond Melbourne Carlton Brisbane
Round 15 Hawthorn West Coast Fremantle Sydney Carlton Collingwood
Round 15 Hawthorn West Coast Richmond Melbourne GWS Brisbane
Round 15 Hathorn West Coast Richmond Melbourne GWS Brisbane
Richmond Geelong Port Adelaide GWS St Kilda Collingwood
Thu, Aug 27 Hawthorn vs Essendon Richmond vs West Coast Fri, Aug 28 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong Sat, Aug 29 Port Adelaide vs Sydney Fremantle vs GWS Melbourne vs St Kilda Sun, Aug 30 Carlton vs Collingwood Gold Coast Suns vs North Melbourne Bye: Adelaide, Brisbane
Adelaide Oval Metricon Metricon Adelaide Oval Optus Oval TIO Stadium Gabba Metricon
Round 15 Tue, Sept 1
Hawthorn vs Adelaide
Adelaide Oval
West Coast vs Essendon
Gabba
Wed, Sept 2
Richmond vs Fremantle
Metricon
Thu, Sept 3
Sydney vs Melbourne
Cazalys Stadium
GWS vs Carlton
Metricon
Fri, Sept 4
Brisbane vs Collingwood
Gabba
Bye: Geelong, Gold Coast Suns, North Melbourne,
www.millmarkets.com.au
Phone: 5221 4788
Phone: 5222 6858
Phone: 5223 3322
Phone: 5272 1307
Phone: 5221 4399
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LW 8
LW 6
LW 7
LW 8
LW 7
LW 7
John Eren MP
Paul Ramia
Mark Dillon
Luke Voogt
Mark Sostheim
Sam Routley
Member of Lara
Fishermans Pier
Scooters and Mobility
Journalist
Modglass
Routleys
Round 14
Round 14
Round 14
Round 14
Round 14
Round 14
Essendon West Coast Geelong Port Adelaide GWS St Kilda Collingwood Gold Coast Suns
Hawthorn West Coast Geelong Port Adelaide Fremantle St Kilda Collingwood Gold Coast Suns
Essendon West Coast Geelong Port Adelaide Fremantle St Kilda Collingwood Gold Coast Suns
Essendon West Coast Geelong Port Adelaide GWS St Kilda Carlton Gold Coast Suns
Essendon Richmond Geelong Port Adelaide GWS St Kilda Collingwood Gold Coast Suns
Hawthorn Richmond Geelong Sydney Fremantle St Kilda Carlton Gold Coast Suns
Round 15 Hawthorn West Coast Richmond Melbourne GWS Brisbane
Round 15 Hawthorn West Coast Richmond Melbourne GWS Brisbane
Round 15 Hawthorn West Coast Richmond Melbourne Carlton Brisbane
Round 15 Adelaide West Coast Richmond Melbourne GWS Brisbane
Round 15 Hawthorn West Coast Richmond Sydney GWS Brisbane
Round 15 Adelaide West Coast Richmond Melbourne Carlton Brisbane
STATE MEMBER FOR LARA Phone: 5275 3898
Phone: 5222 4100
38 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 28 August, 2020
Phone: 5248 7338
Phone: 5249 6700
Phone: 5222 2252
Phone: 5278 9299
Port Adelaide, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs
Tipsters Leaderboard George McBride
74
Jess Case
70
John Eren
70
Stan Bougadakis
70
Luke Voogt
69
12459412JW35-20
Round 14
SPORT Carp on the bite ON THE BITE Peri Stavropoulos
Selwood in doubt again By Luke Voogt Joel Selwood appears set to miss another game due to a knee “niggle” with Geelong Cats looking to protect their skipper as finals approach. “We’ve got great confidence that the little niggle he’s got around his knee is minor,” Cats coach Chris Scott said. “But we’re at the stage of the season and he’s at the stage of his career – to be frank – as a 32-year-old, where we should only ask him to play when he’s close to 100 per cent capacity.” With four games still left in the season, the Cats would not take “any liberties” by resting him unnecessarily, Scott said. He admitted Selwood was raring to go for tonight’s clash with the Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium. “He would play with no arms and legs if you left it completely up to him,” he said. “We’ll give him a chance to train today and see how he goes and keep an open mind. “But I think it’s unlikely. We’ve been through
the situation with Joel in past, in particular last year, where we probably left the decision to play up to him too much. “If we simply left it up to the player, they’d be out there every week and they’d do themselves a disservice, I think. “There is an element of saving Joel from himself.” “Having said that, I think he’s shifted a little bit from where he was, even last year and certainly a couple of years ago, where he just felt for the team to play well, he needed to be in the team leading the way, whether he was fit or not.” Scott said he had great respect for the Bulldogs, especially after purple patches such as their dominant six-goal third quarter against Melbourne last Saturday. “Their midfield’s looking really, really strong. They’re a fast ball-moving team and they’re really dangerous when they get the ball on their terms.” The inconsistent Bulldogs have a 0-5 record against the top eight sides this year but are
UP TO
coming off back-to-back wins. Bulldogs forward Mitch Wallis said playing the Cats would be a good test of his side’s recent form. “Geelong, I think, are one of the two or three teams that are the hot favourites to take it out this year, so we’ll definitely find out where we’re at.” The Cats momentarily let their guard down on Sunday against last-placed the Adelaide Crows who, surprisingly, brought ferocious pressure to the clash. But the Bulldogs defence will struggle to contain tall forward Tom Hawkins, who is in career-best form and leading the race for the Coleman Medal. The Cats successfully challenged a one-match ban for former Bulldog Luke Dalhaus earlier this week for rough conduct for a tackle on Crows player Mitch Crouch. In a lengthy hearing, the tribunal downgraded the suspension to a $1500 fine, giving Geelong the option of yet another dangerous small forward to support Hawkins. Cats by 23 points.
Flathead from offshore. (Supplied)
50% OFF BACK CARE RANGE
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MUST END SUNDAY
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12459426-DL35-20
Geelong Cats captain Joel Selwood. (Supplied)
Fishing around Geelong is still pretty good, despite the less than average conditions, with the Barwon River fishing quite well after all this rain. Carp have come on the bite well, with most parts of the system producing fish – breakwater being one of the standout locations. Bait fishing with a lightly-weighted running sinker rig with corn kernels or bread for bait is by far the most effective way to target them, however casting soft plastics also works and is more likely to catch redfin too. The Barwon may be hard to fish at the moment due to slight flooding. The Geelong waterfront has slowed a little, but there are still plenty of fish to keep anglers entertained. Snotty trevalla and pinkie snapper still hold their title as the number one target species for most fishos, with bait being most effective. Anglers fishing into the dark with big baits have seen some reasonable snapper reports start to roll through, which is fantastic for this time of year. Pilchards and fresh squid have been by far the most effective baits to use, with fish reaching upwards of 7kg. Queenscliff through to Swan Bay has seen the squid fishing continue to improve with some cracking specimens being caught and seeming to be in good numbers too. Size #3.5 jigs have been most effective with natural colours being the top pick for most anglers drifting over the weed beds in about 3.5 metres. The whiting up towards St Leonards are still chewing well on the tide change. Bag limit captures and quality fish are on offer. Mussels and pipis are the best baits. Offshore, Barwon Heads has still got some good fish on offer if you can get the weather on your side. Gummy sharks are holding in good numbers on the 30-metre mark, along with a few snapper and other tasty reef species.
12454852-CG35-20
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103
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116
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