Ocean Grove Voice - 4th November 2022

Trick or treat … if you dare

Trick or treaters hit the streets and footpaths across Greater Geelong for Halloween on Monday night.

The occasion keeps getting bigger in Australia and this year was no different.

Holly Downs-Johnston and Charli and Evie Gallop (pictured) were ready for trick or treating in Mick Vanbeek’s 196 Pontiac Hearse in Clifton Springs.

Mick decorates his beloved hearse every Halloween and takes it for a spin, much to the delight of trick or treaters. Mick has built up quite the following for his elaborate Halloween ritual.

Ambulance times falling

Despite enduring their busiest six-month period on record, Geelong paramedics have managedtostartreducingambulanceresponse timesforthefirsttimesincetheJuly-September quarter of 2020.

Demand for ambulance services in the Greater Geelong local government area (LGA) has soared since the beginning of the pandemic, increasing nearly 40 per cent since the first half of 2020.

Since that time, ambulance waiting times have steadily increased from 12 minutes to a peak of 14 minutes 25 seconds through April toJunethisyear,whiletheamountofcasesthat

were attended to in less than 15 minutes fell from 79.6 per cent to 69.9 per cent.

However during this last quarter, waiting times drop by 13 seconds to 14 minutes 12 seconds, with over 70 per cent of cases respondedtoinunderthe15-minutethreshold.

Ambulance Victoria Barwon South West regional director Terry Marshall said demand remained at record levels for the first quarter of 2022-23 due to the continued impacts of COVID-19 and the flu.

“July to September was our busiest first quarter on record, and the second busiest quarter ever,” Mr Marshall said.

“Togetherwiththepreviousquarter,thiswas by far the busiest and most challenging winter ever. Our paramedics and first responders worked tirelessly to keep delivering world class care.

“This quarter also marked one year since the Medium Acuity Transport Service crews, dedicated to non-urgent calls, hit the road, freeing up more ambulances for the most critical emergencies.”

Mr Marshall praised the efforts of paramedics and said Ambulance Victoria had implemented a range of strategies to be able to begin reducing waiting times.

“We’re working hard to relieve pressure acrossthehealthsystemwithmoreparamedics on the road, more resources at 14 hospitals statewide to help offload patients faster and our MATS crews providing high quality care to less-urgent cases,” he said.

“In their first year of operation, MATS crews attended a total of 28,144 cases statewide. This includes 2,115 cases in the Greater Geelong LGA.

“That is a lot of time saved for other paramedic crews to respond to the most critically ill patients, so it’s good to see these dedicated crews making a real difference.”

Charli and Evie Gallop with Holly Downs-Johnston.

Kemp)

Fire prevention work continues

Althoughbushfiresseemlikearemotechanceat the moment, Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) has been working closely with the Friends of the Ocean Grove Nature Reserve over the past four years on fire preparation and fuel management in the reserve.

Working closely with the community on fire preparation is reaping rewards for biodiversity in the reserve.

The Ocean Grove Nature Reserve protects the last remaining stand of original woodland on the Bellarine Peninsula and is a haven for native plants and animals.

Collaboration between FFMVic and the Friends has ensured the environmental group’s values have been incorporated in the fuel reduction program.

This has included a shift to using more mechanical fuel reduction strategies, including mulching, to compliment planned burning.

“We’ve seen really positive results in recent years with more diversity in the ground flora than we were seeing prior, as the burns open up the canopies and let in more sunlight,” Friends of the Ocean Grove Nature Reserve president Peter Sullivan said.

The fuel reduction program aims to promote an open grassy forest structure within the reserve that gives preference to native grasses, orchids and wildflowers, and allows the Bellarine yellow gum to reach its full potential, by managing over-crowding and competition. Large old trees provide valuable habitat for birds, arboreal mammals and a host of other critters important for the ecosystem.

Anopengrassyforestalsoallowsforplanned burning to be completed at different times of the year, creating a patchwork of fuel-reduced areasacrossthereserve.Thisresultsinamosaic

ofburntandunburntareas,providingadiverse range of habitat to support a variety of plants and wildlife.

“We’ve been working closely with the Friends of the Ocean Grove Nature Reserve to ensure we strike the right balance between reducing the risk of fire to community while maintaining and restoring the reserve’s important environmental values,” FFMVic Otways district manager David Roberts said.

“By working together to plan our mulching andburningprogram,wehaveseenbiodiversity in this important reserve flourish.”

Throw in a lineCelebrating Halloween, Mick style

For the last 13 Halloweens, Mick Vanbeek has been decorating his 1964 Pontiac Hearse with his niece Holly and taking it around Clifton Springs and Curlewis to the delight of local trick or treaters.

Mick and Holly, 11, begin decorating the Hearse about two weeks out from Halloween and have established somewhat of a cult following in the Bellarine town for their above and beyond effort to mark the occasion.

“Aboutaweekbefore,HollyandIgettogether and go over what we want to do and start to do the outside first,” Mick said.

“Some years we have the coffin on the inside, some years we have it on the outside. A couple of days to go we start doing the inside.”

Thedate,October31,hasgrowninpopularity in Australia over the years

“It was the best one ever and definitely the biggest one I’ve ever seen,” Mick said. “We had hundreds of people. My niece and I have been doing this since she was a baby.”

The drive culminates at Baybrook Avenue in Curlewis and at the skate park, where excited trick or treaters flock to see Mick’s latest car decorations.

“I’m probably a big kid at heart,” he said.

“I just love it for the kids and love to see the kids’ smiles. I think it’s a good thing and they get out and have a bit of fun.

“Holly said to me ‘oh no, there’s 365 days to go before the next one’.”

The region’s premier fishing event kicks off this weekend, with the Geelong and Bellarine Snapper Classic fishing competition running from Friday, November 4 to Sunday, November 6.

The event, which is open to members and non-members alike, is held by the Leopold Angling and Aquatic Club (LAAC) and offers over $18,000 worth of prizes.

Competition organiser Andrew McLaughlinsaidthefocusoftheSnapper Classic was sustainability and junior participation.

“It’s a photo-based competition, not a weight-based one, so basically when you catch a fish you take a photo of it on the brag mat then throw it back,” Mr McLaughlin said.

“It’s very much about the message of long-term, sustainable fishing, and making sure that fishing is there for the future of our kids and juniors.

“We also have fishing rod and reel combos that we’re giving to the first 50 juniors that enter, and junior entry is free. We’re really trying to encourage more young people to take up fishing.”

The competition is also part of the LAAC’s ongoing fundraising efforts for new clubrooms and facilities, which club presidentMurrayMcLarensaidwouldbe in operation by next year’s event.

“LAAC is currently planning to build new clubrooms on the water in Leopold,” Mr McLaren said.

“This will be the last Snapper Classic held in our current clubrooms and we would love to see as many entrants as possible. If fishing isn’t your go, our clubroomswillbeopentoallcommunity members from 3pm, Sunday, November 6, where we’ll have raffles, a barbeuc and drinks available to purchase.”

Details: leopoldaac.com/2022-snapper classic.

Justin Flynn

Top: Mick Vanbeek has been celebrating Halloween in his own unique style for 13 years. Right: Mick’s display drew plenty of young admirers. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 305963

‘‘ It was the best one ever and definitely the biggest one I’ve ever seen ’’ - Mick Vanbeek

Students learn to care for dunes

An Indigenous cultural heritage education session led by Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Anie Skinner has given Oberon High Schoolyear10studentsadeeperunderstanding oftheimportanceofduneecosystemsinOcean Grove.

The ‘Dunecare Secondary Schools Program’ incorporates on ground conservation activities with Indigenous cultural heritage education. Students learn from Wadawurrung Traditional Ownersaboutthesignificanceofthedunesand

surrounding ecosystems to the Wadawurrung People.

Students also learn about the importance of habitat conservation and biodiversity protection practices. The program aims to develop student and community stewardship for local dune conservation and protection.

The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority’s Dunecare Secondary Schools Program is a partnership between local secondary schools to promote coastal

environmental education, with a central focus on dune ecosystems.

Oberon year 10 teacher Kate Anderson said herclassactivelylooksforwardtotheDunecare Schools Program sessions and are excited to contribute to the rehabilitation of the dunes.

“The best part of the program is that it encouragesthestudentstoconsidertheirdirect impact on the coast,” she said. “Our students get to take part in lively discussions and learn from Wadawurrung Traditional Owners about

Filmakers shoot for festival honour

Year 12 student Phoenix Petterwood is one of two young local filmmakers that have been shortlisted for the North Bellarine Film Festival’s Emerging Filmmakers Award.

Phoenix’s ‘Vacant World’ and Joe Doedel’s ‘Goodbye’ will feature on the final night of the festival, up against nine other young Victorian filmmakers twenty-five years of age or younger who demonstrate excellence, talent and commitment to their craft.

The festival, held on November 18 and 19 at Drysdale’s Potato Shed Theatre, returns for its sixth year, boasting an impressive lineup of domestic and international films in addition to the Emerging Filmmakers Award.

‘Vacant World’, which was starred in, directed and shot by Phoenix, focuses on a younggirlwhowishesawayeveryoneinherlife after a fight with her mother.

“Throughout the film you see her slowly begin to regret her wish,” Phoenix said.

“You see how it gets sadder and sadder throughout the film. By the end, she just has her face in her hands.”

The young filmmaker credits her Geelong High School media studies teacher, John Foss, with the idea to enter the film in the festival.

“He quite liked it and told me I should submit it and give myself a chance,” she said. “He guided me to make the film better in many ways. He helped me figure out some of the shots, if I wanted to reshoot part of it he’d tell me how to do it and whether I should or not.”

Phoenix said she wanted to pursue filmmaking after she finished high school and was thrilled to hear her submission had made the final 11.

“I was just ecstatic, I was lying in bed when I got the email,” she said. “I sat up and ran out to my mum and had to tell her straight away.

“Filmmaking is definitely something I see myself continuing to do, I’m planning to go to university to do film and media.

“It’s one of my hobbies and I hope it’ll turn into a career.”

For further information on the festival go to www.northbellarinefilmfestival.org.

the importance of conservation”.

The Dunecare Secondary Schools Program is delivered by Bellarine Catchment Network, Ecologic, Marine and Fresh Water Discovery Centre, the Victorian Fisheries Authority, with support from the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.

The initiative is supported by the Australian government’s dunecare on-ground works program that protects fragile coastal dune systems between St Leonards and Marengo.

Works start at boat ramp

Work has begun at Ocean Grove’s Guthridge Street boat ramp, which will receive a much-needed suite of facility upgrades over the next year.

The project seeks to improve access to the Barwon River for local boating enthusiasts after both the upstream and downstream pontoons at the boat ramp sustained significant storm damage through 2020 and 2021, rendering them unusable.

The downstream pontoon will be replaced after receiving a $120,00 grant from Better Boating Victoria’s (BBV) 2021-22 Recreational Boating Structural Maintenance Program, while a further $250,000 provided by BBV will fund the refurbishment of the upstream pontoon.

The project will also see improved pedestrian access for fishing, a new platform for the fish cleaning facility and a structure for the launching and retrieval of boats, with the City providing in-kind and funding support including project management.

Bellarine MP Lisa Neville said the upgrades were an important investment in the region.

“These new pontoons will provide a great facility for recreational boaters and make it easier for the Coast Watch Marine Rescue Ocean Grove, which has passionately advocated for the upgrade, to carry out its important work,” she said.

“The government continues to invest in upgraded facilities like this to make it easier for families to get out on the water and enjoy time spent in the great outdoors.”

Phoenix Petterwood’s ’Vacant World’ has been shortlisted for this month’s North Bellarine Film Festival. (Ivan Kemp) 306183_11

Matt Hewson

New name for Bellarine Basin

A new environmental and community place that will replace the disused Bellarine Basin has a new name.

Barwon Water’s former Bellarine Basin on the corner of Grubb and Swan Bay roads will be known as ‘Murrk Ngubitj Yarram Yaluk’, meaning ‘head waters of continuous flowing river’ in Wadawurrung language.

Theformerbasin,whichisnolongerusedand will be transformed into more than 30 hectares of public open space, sits at the headwaters of Yarram Creek. ‘Yarram’ is a Wadawurrung word meaning ‘continuously flowing’.

The name aligns with works, already under way, to remove the basin and restore the

headwaters of Yarram Creek, and is a symbol ofBarwonWater’scommitmenttoworkclosely with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners on the project.

The name was recently agreed upon by the site’s agency advisory group, which includes Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, Barwon Water, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and City of Greater Geelong.

Plans for the site support its cultural and environmental values, and Barwon Water’s commitment to open the land for public use and recreational purposes.

Plenty on offer at fair

The people of St Peter’s Anglican Church in Ocean Grove are planning their much-loved annual fair.

This year the delicious morning teas will be back and scones, jam and cream and a wide variety of delicious cakes will be available all morning in the church hall.

There will be a large plant stall, stocked with a huge variety of vegetable seedlings and general garden plants.

Out the front on Draper Street will be a sausage sizzle and super stall selling jigsaws, CDsandDVDswillagainbeprovidingbargain entertainment for young and old.

In the Narthex or foyer of the church will be a huge craft stall with things for children as well as adults. “Hand-made Christmas cards will be selling fast and our flower stall has returned this year with beautiful bunches of garden flowers,” co-organiser Bob Fraser said.

“In the church hall will be the famous St Peter’s cake stall stocking sponges, cakes, biscuits, slices. A homemade bread stall will be featured this year. Of course our jams, pickles, relishes and other preserves will be there to tempt you and for parents looking for teacher presents there will be small gift baskets of preserves all ready to go.”

Christmas hampers will be raffled or you could win a decorated Christmas cake.

“We all love markets so come to St Peter’s, support them for their work in the community, and get lots of bargains and beautiful truly homemade produce,” co-organiser Gaye Fraser said.

“Please be aware we can only accept cash on all our stalls as we don’t have card facilities as we are a once a year event.”

The fair is on Saturday, November 12 from 9am to 1pm.

“We are pleased to see a name for this site that reflects Wadawurrung history of use by travellers going east to west to access fresh water,” Wadawurrung Traditional owners Aboriginal Corporation language officer Stephanie Skinner said.

Barwon Water managing rirector Tracey Slattersaid:“Caringforcountryandprotecting the natural assets we all depend upon is becoming increasingly crucial, and we are proud to be taking such responsibility with the Bellarine Basin rehabilitation project.

“Works at Murrk Ngubitj Yarram Yaluk –a new space with benefits to the environment and local community – will be carried out

progressively and will involve observing and responding to the environment, to ensure we protect and enhance the ecological values of the site at each stage.”

The Victorian government is supporting the project through its Distinctive Areas and Landscapes program for the Bellarine, from which Barwon Water received $650,000 matched funding for the $1.3 million project.

Barwon Water will be undertaking further communityengagementontheprojectoverthe next six months with a concept plan showing the proposed layout and activities for the site to become available soon.

Gaye and Bob Fraser have been busy organising the St Peter’s Anglican Church fair (Ivan Kemp) 304931_02

Labor’s $20m aquatic promise

A re-elected Labor state government would fork out up to $20 million towards the North Bellarine Aquatic and Leisure Centre.

Construction of the centre began in May this year after the City of Greater Geelong awarded Kane Constructions Pty Ltd the contract to construct stage one.

Stage one is jointly funded from the Commonwealth government ($10 million) and

the City of Greater Geelong ($5.5m).

Stage one of NBALC includes an eight lane 50-metre outdoor heated pool, all abilities change facilities, an entry pavilion, a kiosk, tiered covered seating, a landscaped community lawn area with umbrellas, more than 100 trees, and parking for 60 cars.

Labor candidate for Bellarine Alison Marchant announced the $20 million funding

boost. “Every parent wants to see their kids active and engaged – local sporting clubs are the heart of so many communities,” she said.

“Swimming and water sports are a way of life in Australia and a re-elected Andrews Labor government will make sure families on the Bellarine have world class facilities, with up to $20 million towards the project.”

The project followed an independent study

in March 2020 that found communities such as Drysdale, Curlewis, Portarlington, St Leonards andIndentedHeadhavelesseraccesstoaquatic facilities than those elsewhere in Greater Geelong.

The proposed indoor facilities in stage two feature a spa, sauna and steam room, which are not available at the indoor centre in Ocean Grove. A 30-seat cafe is also being planned.

Coastal plan is endorsed

The City of Greater Geelong has endorsed a 10-year strategy to enhance a key stretch of marine and coastal land on the Bellarine Peninsula.

The Southeast Bellarine Coast (4W-Collendina) Coastal and Marine Management Plan will now be submitted totheVictoriangovernmentforapproval.

The plan includes the foreshore dune running from 4W at Fellows Road, Point Lonsdale, through Buckley Park Foreshore Reserve to Collendina at Bonnyvale Road.

Council wanted the plan to consider theconnectivityofthecoastallakesofthe LonsdaleLakeWildlifeReserve,moonah woodland and adjoining foreshore areas, which all work together to form an important landscape-scale biolink.

The endorsement of the 2022-32 plan follows community consultation including an online survey, open houses, site tours, educational videos, monthly stakeholder meetings and symposium sessions to present the results of the project.

More than 400 submissions were provided, with more than 4000 visitors to the Have Your Say project page.

Scaled down reef finally installed

After years of delays an artificial reef is finally being installed at The Dell in Clifton Springs.

The project, first mooted in 2017, was meant to be a tourist attraction for divers and snorkellers, but was scaled back to a $250,000 projectthatwillcontain46modularreefunits.

TheDellEcoReefishopedtocreateamarine habitat and reduce wave energy and erosion.

The units have been installed at The Dell, just offshore from Clifton Springs.

A world-leading artificial reef designer and leading climate change researchers are key partners in the City of Greater Geelong’s stalled project.

Mayor Peter Murrihy said the Dell Eco Reef was in line with council’s Climate Change Response Plan, and goal of becoming a zero-emissions climate-ready city.

“The artificial reef helps to respond to future climate change impacts, such as increased coastal erosion, and is designed witheco-friendlycementtominimiselifecycle emissions,” he said.

“The project fuses elements of sculpture, technology and ecology to deliver a visually striking addition to the Bellarine.

“The innovative design will protect and enhance The Dell’s sensitive coastline and provide new habitat for vulnerable marine life.

“It also offers a unique educational and sculptural feature that will draw visitors to the beach.”

Exposed at low tide and submerged at high tide, the sculptural reef can be accessed by either wading or snorkelling.

Melbourne-based industrial designer and manufacturer Alex Goad, from Reef Design

Lab, designed and fabricated the reef modules.

Mr Goad said the undulating units created an exciting and unique wave break system for the region.

“A deep understanding of how these intertidal ecosystems work has allowed us to maximise surface area for colonising oysters and mussels, provide much-needed wave break protection, and also deliver a sculptural system that will enhance the beauty of the coast at both high and low tide,” he said.

The University of Melbourne and the National Centre for Coasts and Climate will assess the effectiveness of seeding some modules with juvenile native flat oysters.

They will also closely monitor the natural colonisation on the modules by native species such as fish, mussels, seaweed and invertebrates.

Frocking up for ovarian cancer awareness

To recognise the impact ovarian cancer has on women, this month’s Ocean Grove Evening VIEW Club’s dinner meeting supported Frocktober.

Members were asked to wear a dress and frock up for the evening in support of ovarian cancer research.

Every day five women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Australia.

About 70 members attended the dinner, which aimed to highlight the cause and bring awareness of the effects and impact of this disease.

“A number of our members have lost women close to them,” publicity officer Fran Kealey said. “It’s insidious and it’s difficult to detect.”

Symptomsofovariancanceroftenappeartoo late. Early signs include bloating, abdominal pain, and weight loss.

Fran said the dinner was a fun night that everyone enjoyed.

“VIEW is fun, friendship and fundraising,” she said. “Everyone loved the idea of getting frocked up. One woman said her legs hadn’t seen the light of day for 10 years.

“It’s a fun group of women who are so

proactive and supportive.”

Ocean Grove Evening VIEW Club was formed in 2012.

Currently,theclubsponsors16SmithFamily Learning for Life students and is actively involved in fundraising activities to raise donations for The Smith Family programs.

The Frocktober event, while not a Smith Family fundraiser, still highlighted the importance of being aware of ovarian cancer and its symptoms.

Donations can be made to ovarian cancer research via the Frocktober website.

Environment portfolio chair, councillor Jim Mason, said the managementplancontainedawiderange of actions to meet council’s priorities and toguideinvestmentoverthenextdecade.

“We want to strengthen our habitat links, improve water quality, and protect our significant cultural and heritage values,” he said. “Importantly, we want residents and visitors to feel an increased connection to the local environment.

“Wecandothisbyimprovingaccessto thesebeautifulareas,andbymakingsure the views and seascapes are protected.”

The plan spans from Queenscliff, throughBuckleyParkForeshoreReserve, ontothemouthoftheBarwonRiver,and beyond to Breamlea.

The adjacent natural areas are intrinsically linked via water flows from Bonnyvale wetlands, through to the natural coastal wetlands of Lake Victoria andouttoSwanBay.Theyincludehabitat for the endangered orange-bellied parrot and breeding areas for hooded plover.

Sue, Linda and Merryl enjoyed the Frocktober dinner. (Supplied)

The Dell Eco Reef was installed at Clifton Springs this week. (Supplied)

Arts trail exceeds expectations

By Justin Flynn

More than 900 people passed through the Bellarine Arts Trail hub in Barwon Heads at the weekend, delighting organisers.

The hub was the first port of call for trailgoers, who then drove off to some of the 32 venues across Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff.

More than 60 artists threw open their studio doors to the public for the two-day Barwon Heads Arts Council event on October 29 and 30.

Local artistic talent included painters, sculptors, photographers, illustrators, glass blowers, textile artists and more.

Bellarine Arts Trail co-ordinator Kaz Shirley said she was “blown away” with the response to the arts trail after a pandemic-enforced two-year hiatus.

“It was so good, just brilliant,” she said. “Saturday the weather wasn’t great, but all the venues reported good numbers on both days.

“The Hive and some of the other bigger venues had 500 or 600 people go through.

“People are asking me about next year already.”

The trail allowed visitors the opportunity to talk with artists who make the local art scene tick, admire and purchase their artwork.

“A lot of artists sold their work,” Ms Shirley said. “That’s not the main focus of the trail. It’s about connecting with the community, but when you sell work it just makes it that much better.

“The arts trail is really putting us on the map as an arts destination.”

Ms Shirley said the anticipation was already building for next year.

“It’s a huge amount of work, but when it all comes together like this it’s just so worth it,” she said.

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Above: Ballarat based artist Margie Delahunty Spencer discusses one of her paintings with Linda Muller and Harry Sulikowski.

Queenscliff artist Jane Millington completes a seascape at the Hive.

Left: Ceramic artist Kirsty Manger from Jan Juc puts the finishing touches on a vase Centre: Artists Christy Clancy from Ocean Grove and Lyne Hedley from St Albans Park. Right: Lyn Kerr from Ocean Grove and Marg Watts from Geelong at the Barwon Heads Arts & Community Hub. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 305796

YOUR VOICE

10-year plan for significant area

By Cr Jim Mason

It may be a relatively narrow stretch of land, about 5km long and 200 metres wide, but the Southeast Bellarine Coast foreshore reserve, managed by the City of Greater Geelong, is of state significance for its variety of plant and animal life.

The 119-hectare coastal dune reserve forms part of the vital green break between the urban fringes of Ocean Grove and Point Lonsdale.

With important cultural heritage and historical sites, it is part of the most important places for biodiversity remaining on the Bellarine Peninsula.

Council is guided by wider goals, of conserving the environment and achieving a net gain of biodiversity within the region.

With this in mind, council last week endorsed a new 10-year strategy to enhance the area, known as the Southeast Bellarine Coast (4W-Collendina).

The Coastal and Marine Management Plan contains a wide range of actions to guide investment until 2032.

Earlier community engagement detailed the importance of protecting natural values, while still meeting residents’ desire for increased access.

People use the public areas for passive activities such as exercise, dog walking or birdwatching. We want all visitors to feel an increased connection to the local environment.

Cr Jim Mason. (Supplied)

Wecandothatbymakingsuretheviewsand seascapes are maintained, and protecting the sites of cultural and heritage significance.

Oneoftheshort-termactionsistoinvestigate formal, safe pedestrian access between 6W and 7W.

Looking at opportunities to create pathways and cycling trails outside of the coastal area, to better connect people between the townships, is also on the agenda.

In collaboration with Wadawurrung TraditionalOwnersandotherstakeholders,the plan also focuses on promoting Wadawurrung Language and stories through naming of Country, connection and consistency along the coast.

For more information on the plan, please visit yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/SBCS

Briefs

Hayes Award open

Applications are open for the 2023 Monica Hayes Award for women who reside on the Northern Bellarine. Monica, a valued community activist and leader, died at home in Portarlington in 2016 from Motor Neurone Disease. Nominations are welcome from women who are involved in activities that contribute to community well-being that especially benefit other women and girls. Application forms are available at Neighbourhood Houses/Centres in Drysdale, Portarlington and St. Leonards, Indented Head general store and Portarlington’s Bendigo Bank. Applications close November 25 and the award will be presented at next year’s IWD celebration in March. Details: Jenny Wills, 5259 2032.

Fares to decrease

V/Line commuters on the Bellarine look set for reduced fares regardless of which party wins the state selection. A re-elected Andrews government will cap the cost of a daily ticket on the regional network at $9.20 for a full fare or $4.60 for a concession – the same price as a metro daily fare. It comes after the Liberal Party said it will slash fares by 50 per cent if it wins the state election.

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Farewell Max LeMaistre

By Matt Hewson

The Ocean Grove community farewells one of itsfavouritesonstoday(Friday,November4)as

Rex LeMaistre is laid to rest after a long battle with Huntington’s disease.

The second of three generations of LeMaistre builders in Ocean Grove, Rex is followed by his son Mark, who has taken over the reins of LeMaistre Builders.

Mark said his father would be remembered as a man who was always willing to pitch in for his community.

“He was always smiling, always happy and keen to have a joke, but the Ocean Grove community knew he was there for them and had their back,” Mark said.

“We’ve been able to help many families in need, doing backyard blitzes for people who had a family member, maybe a tradesman, who was suffering from cancer or some other illness.

“Dad was always there for people; he always used to say, never be second in line to help anyone. That’s just how he was, and that’s something that, as a son, you’re pretty proud of.”

The most important thing Mark remembers from his childhood was how much Rex was there for his children.

“Dad was always building cars and things for us when we were tiny, and then as we got older we were into skateboarding, so Dad would

build the skateboard ramps, half-pipes and cubby houses,” he said.

“Him being a chippy dad, we were very lucky and spoilt growing up, not only with what he could do with his hands, but the time he spent with us. It was very special.”

Mark said his dad had lived an amazing life, and one that not many people knew all the details of.

“There are good people right in our backyard andoftenwedon’tgetachancetoheartheirlife stories or find out who they’ve impacted in a positive way till they’re gone,” he said.

“You find out some incredible things about people when they’re gone. Most people in Ocean Grove have known the LeMaistre name for forever and a day because it’s such a silly surname, but not many people knew dad was adopted into the LeMaistre family.

“His birth mother, Joyce Lillee, searched for him for 60 years. So now we’ve got this whole other family, it’s quite amazing.”

Rex finally succumbed to Huntington’s disease after defying his projected life expectancy, which Mark said was typical of his dad’s toughness.

“He lasted probably an extra 10 years, he was maybe a bit too tough for his own good,” he said.

“He was one of the toughest human beings you’d ever meet. He’s famous for having a thumb completely crushed on site and not saying a word. He’s legendary for how tough he was, he’d just put a bit of old grey ducting tape around anything he smashed or cut up.

“But that was the hard thing when he got Huntington’sdisease,becausewhenhecouldn’t communicate it was hard for us as a family, not knowing whether or not he was in pain.

“It was very hard to watch that suffering, but we had the best care, and mum was absolutely amazing for him.

“As a family we’re so grateful for the love mum had for dad and the nurses we’ve had, who were second to none, and everyone involved in the Huntington’s community. We just can’t thank them enough.”

Rex LeMaistre’s funeral will be held at the Shell Road Pavilion at 1pm Friday, November 4, and can be watched via livestream at www. tuckers.com.au.

Seizures over whiting haul

The seizure of a boat at St Leonards and the apprehension of three men alleged to have taken more than their daily bag limit of King George whiting has led to an ongoing investigation into a Carlton restaurant.

Victorian Fisheries Authority education and enforcement director at the at the Ian Parks said the three men were observed relaunching their fibreglass boat after already catching a quantity of whiting. “The three men returned to the boat ramp in the early evening and were intercepted by fisheries officers a short time later, back at the nearby house, where they presented a quantity of whiting for inspection.

“Inquiries saw more whiting produced from the house and confirmed as catch from that day. In total, the three men had allegedly taken 68 whiting over two trips on the same day, with one allegedly catching 38. The daily bag limit for King George whiting is 20 per person.

“Recreational fishers are reminded that bag limits are personal, you can’t catch fish on behalf of others, and it is illegal to sell your catch.”

An investigation led to a Lygon Street restaurant in Carlton, where 25kg of whiting and 58kg of calamari were allegedly uncovered and seized. “The proprietor and company associated with the restaurant will face charges relating to the sale of recreationally taken fish, providing false documents and information, and other significant offences under the Fisheries Act,” Mr Parks said.

Much-loved Ocean Grove builder Rex LeMaistre has died after a long battle with Huntington’s disease. (Supplied)

‘‘ He always used to say, never be second in line to help anyone. That’s just how he was ’’ - Mark LeMaistre

Spooky time at the Shed

The first ever Spook Fest was held at the Potato Shed at the weekend and everyone got into the Halloween spirit a few days early. Voice photographer Ivan Kemp was there to get his spook on.

Magician Richard Vegas gets a helping hand from Arthur.

Amelia, Patrick and Will.

Holly Downs-Johnston and Mick Vanbeek.

Eliza Charters, Sam Durney and Lisa Harvey.

Above: Cherie, Gerhard and Tash Wighton. Below: Madison McCallum and Mika West.

Chantelle Fava.

Hilary Lloyd and Elaine James.

Breide Boyle with children Scarlett and Killian.

Gary and Lyn Stafford.

Luca and Preia.

Above: Tracey Sandstrom from Roaming Reptiles shares her snake with Isla and Kyle. Below: Jade and Lauren Sams with daughter Laney.

Alfie with a giant cockroach.

Scarlett and Noah.

Lucy, James and Charlie.

Trish Main, Sharyon Connolly, Leigh Connolly, Michelle Hoskin and Irene Nemaric (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 305780

Karen Borchers and Eric Simms. Trudy and Rebecca Mason.

Henry and Caitte Illingworth.

Tom Connolly and Pru Illingworth.

Addison Zou.

‘An Accidental Meeting’ takes out writer’s competition

Mark Towse is the winner of this year’s Bellarine Writer’s Competition.

Mark’s story about a troubled man jumping off a building is graphically expressed.

The conversation between the two main characters,TomandFrank,withreminiscences and pointed questions, maintains the tension to the end.

It is deftly crafted, a complex combination of the internal thoughts and dialogue which make it unique and entertaining to the reader.

Mark’s winning entry signalled the end of another high-quality competition that is the brainchild of Alan Cobham.

“The judges of the Bellarine Writers’ Competition would like to thank the 60 people who have entered the competition this year

and particularly the five finalists for their contributions,” he said.

“We are looking forward to receiving lots of entries during 2023.”

An Accidental Meeting by Mark Towse

Through swirling morning mist, I can only just make out the busy streets below.

Blood whooshes in my ears. My head spins, my mind racing with a thousand thoughts. What if I give it one more week?

What if Mary has a sudden change of heart? What if I don’t die, the permanence of any injuries a constant reminder of such hopelessness?

Stop it, Tom. You’re 70 floors high, for Christ’s sake.

Got to do it, got to jump before I chicken out again.

Come on!

I close my eyes, anxiously twirling my wedding ring.

This is it. Three. Two.

I’m falling, stomach tumbling and the wind in my face, braced for an impact I’ll not feel.

“Good morning.”

Startled, I snap my head around to see a pot-bellied man dressed in a three-piece suit, his smile almost disguised by a thick turned-down moustache. In contrast, there’s not a hair on his head. An image forms of him ushering lions into a cage.

“Name’s Frank,” he says, running his fingers along the impressive moustache. “Pleasure to meet you.”

“What the hell are you doing up here?” I say, taking a step back from the ledge. “Have you been sent to talk me down?”

He offers a burly laugh. “I have seen you up here before, but I can assure you that our paths

crossing today is purely accidental.”

Showing his palms, he takes a few steps forward. “I often come here to sit with my thoughts. Clear my head.”

“Look, I don’t mean to be rude, Frank, but will you please vamoose, skedaddle, bugger off.” My abruptness surprises me. “No offence, but I’m not here for a chinwag.”

“I didn’t mean to startle you, my friend. I’ve been there, though, standing on that same

ledge. Know what you’re going through.”

I’m beginning to get annoyed. “Frank, I—”

“Divorce? Separated? Kids want nothing to do with you? Retrenched? Money problems?”

“As I said, I didn’t come here to make friends.”

“Me neither. But we’re here now. What’s your name?”

I think about lying, but there seems little point. “Tom. It’s Tom.”

Connie Smith presents Mark Towse with his winning prize. (Supplied)

“You drink, Tom?”

“Bourbon, but not before 8am.”

That laugh again. “Wasn’t an invite. Single malt Scotch whisky.

Aah, yes. I went there once - the Highlands. Beautiful. Full of history and culture, not like this godforsaken place.”

This is insane. Adamant he won’t dissuade me, I shuffle across until my shoes once again poke over the edge. Car horns puncture the otherwise monotonous thrum of traffic, and faint music adds to the haunting effect of the now-thinning mist. Tyres squeal on tarmac, and sirens blare—orchestral notes of the city and a fitting soundtrack for my death.

“What was she like? Your wife, I mean, when you first met.“

We danced and howled with laughter. By evening’s end, her mascara was nothing but a stream of black running down to her chin. We were so free back then, ready for anything. We struck a deal that we would always be honest and open, cleansing wounds before allowing them to heal. Alas, we let ourselves get shackled, buried alive in the concrete jungle. I was going to be a writer. Mary had dreams of opening a yoga studio.

“How many children? One? Two? Three?”

A boy and a girl. Adam and Sophie. Adults now, of course. Both despise me. We were a close family once, sticklers for traditions: movie night, game night, even the bake-off and God-awful talent shows that Sophie used to organise. I’m even thinking about the house now, the one we swore we’d never leave. Full of warmth and joy in the earlier years, but more recently a battleground of resentment and disappointment, the inevitable wave of conformity eroding our dreams. Sorrow washes over me as I grieve for those earlier days of promise.

Get a grip, Tom!

“What are your favourite smells?”

Woodland. The scent of pine, petrichor, adventure. We often used to hike in the nearest forest. The kids and I had an ideal spot off the trail where we’d hide, making loud farting noises with our armpits as people walked by.

And the smells of Sunday afternoon baking, rooms filling with a wholesomeness that we could smell for days afterwards. And my wife’s perfume.

Come on, Tom!

“Three,” I say firmly.

“Favourite food?”

Steak with peppercorn sauce. “Two.”

“Do you remember the first time you made love?”

Vanessa Taylor. Her parents were away for the weekend.

“One.”

“What will you miss most, Tom?”

God. I can’t do this. I don’t want to die.

As I step back and double over, thoughts and memories race through my head, this time filling me with hope rather than emptiness.

“I mean, aside from people, estranged or not. Will it be the sunsets? Smells? The touch of the wind? The taste of bourbon?”

But as I turn to the circus master, he bows his head. “It’s a strange feeling, for sure. Takes some getting used to,” he says nonchalantly. “A kind of disconnect.”

“I jumped?”

“Wasn’t much of a jump. Three out of ten.”

“No, that’s not possible. I—I—”

“Bit late for regrets, my new friend.”

Four of the

Mark Towse, Helen Friee, John Farrington and Jen Eddy. Helen Booth was absent for the photo. (Supplied)

Gigs galore at Chook Shop

Ocean Grove’s beloved intimate live music setting at the Piping Hot Chicken

Things of Stone and Wood

by on their

The iconic Aussie band formed in 1989 and is well known for its smash hit ‘Happy Birthday Helen’, which reached number nine on the ARIA singles chart in 1992.

The Things Of Stone & Wood (acoustic) tour will see Greg Arnold and Justin Brad play a selection of intimate venues. This is a chance to hear these wonderful songs right up close, remember how good they are as well as be reminded of what an electrifying instrumentalist Brady is.

On Friday, November 25, Mic Conway and Robbie Long are at the Chook Shop.

The Aria award winning Conway (Captain Matchbox) and multi-instrumentalist and flatpickin’ champion Long present an evening of vaudeville, meets cabaret, meets magic, meets fire eating, tap dancing and loads more madcap fun.

Stripped back, irreverent and shameless, MicandRobbieplayunusualandidiosyncratic tunes that make jaws drop, toes tap and sides split.

OnFriday,December16it’sthenewGeelong rock supergroup Grytt, Smoke Witch and Sacramento Sweaters that will put a bounce in your step.

Get your tickets now at trybooking.com. com

Mic Conway and Robbie Long are coming to the chicken shop on November 25. (Supplied)

JACK RABBIT VINEYARD

BELLARINE

Unrivalled panoramic views across the bay. Savour a Restaurant experience or kick back in the ‘House of Jack Rabbit’ cellar door and café.

Top wines cap it off!

Open hours: Open 7 Days 10am – 5pm. Dinner Friday & Saturday nights. 85 McAdams Lane, Bellarine Ph: 5251 2223 www.jackrabbitvineyard.com.au

THE RANGE @ CURLEWIS

CURLEWIS

Get amongst this epic dining destination! Great space, chilled vibe and a fab array of food and bev to choose from.

Culinary cool meets timeless favourites.

Open 7 days from 7am – late Brunch. Lunch. Dinner. Snacks. 1201 Portarlington Road, Curlewis www.curlewisgolf.com.au Phone 5251 1111

CLARIBEAUX

The Bellarine’s newest and most dynamic dining destination. French focus. Contemporary fusion. Sustainable focus. An impressive local and international beverage list guarantees a state of blissful indecision.

Open 7 Days for Breakfast & Dinner

Claribeaux Curlewis Golf Club 1345 Portarlington Road, Curlewis P 5251 1111

www.claribeaux.com.au

LEURA PARK ESTATE

Sensational wines in a funky, rustic chic setting. Enjoy stunning stone based pizzas, platters and seasonal culinary offerings. Live music every Sunday – contemporary pop & rock classics all the way!

Open hours: Thursday – Sunday 11am – 5pm. Open 7 Days January Private functions on request. 1400 Portarlington Rd, Curlewis Ph: 5253 3180 www.leuraparkestate.com.au

DRYSDALE

CHUI YUAN CHINESE RESTAURANT

Serving authentic Chinese cuisine Choose from an extensive Menu. Banquets from $25 pp (4 courses)

Our Specialty – Delicious Homemade Dim Sim. TAKEAWAY available - BYO

Open hours:

Lunch: Wed – Sun 12 – 2pm. Dinner: Tues – Sun from 5pm

Closed Mondays – except public holidays 26-28 High St, Drysdale Ph: 5253 1788

MERNE AT LIGHTHOUSE

www.oceangrovevoice.com

DRYSDALE

Set amongst beautiful trees overlooking panoramic ocean views. Our dedicated and passionate restaurant devotees unite to give you Merne at Lighthouse, a contemporary restaurant with a view. Caleb Fleet, Matt Dempsey, Graham Jefferies and Joshua Smith have travelled long individual journeys before arriving at this point. You can check out their personally crafted menus or make a reservation online, or contact the restaurant for more information or to make a booking

Open hours: Lunch Thursday to Monday Dinner Friday & Saturday Bookings – phone 5251 5541 www.merne.com.au

OCEAN GROVE

PIPING HOT CHICKEN & BURGER GRILL

The Piping Hot Chicken and Burger Grill is an Ocean Grove institution. It is the place people flock to for passionately made comfort food and an amazing line up of original live music.

63A The Terrace, Ocean Grove, Victoria 3226 Ph 5255 1566

www.pipinghotchickenshop.com.au

CHEEKY COW – OCEAN GROVE

Only café directly across the road from the beach. Plenty of parking, and space both inside and out. Child friendly menu, play area and park right next door. Great coffee and food in a friendly relaxed setting.

Open hours: Open 7 days for breakfast and lunch 131 Ocean Throughway, Ocean Grove PH 5255 1677

www.cheekycow.com.au

DRIFTWOOD CAFÉ

The Driftwood Cafe - Outside catering for any event large or small. Let us bring The Driftwood to you. Speak with Ty Ph: 5225 1832

Open hours:

Sunday - Thursday 7am – 4.30pm. Friday & Saturday 7am – 9pm

64D The Terrace, Ocean Grove Ph: 5255 1832

OCEAN GROVE

OCEAN GROVE BOWLING CLUB

Members bistro open - 7 days, Noon - 2pm & 6pm - 8:30pm $16 2 course lunches

$22 Pot and Parmi Thursday nights Bookings essential.

Open hours: Venue open 7 days 11am - late 18 The Terrace, Ocean Grove Ph: 5255 1540

www.oceangrovebowls.com.au

GROOVE CAFE

Family owned cafe providing great coffee, homemade pies and sausage rolls, delicious burgers and a large range of takeaway meals.

Open hours:

Monday - Saturday 6am - 6:30pm Sunday 6:30am - 4pm 56 Wallington Rd, Ocean Grove Ph: 5256 3094

www.facebook.com/groovecafe

OCEAN GROVE HOTEL

Family friendly hotel open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. Large bistro to accommodate group bookings with outside play area and inground trampolines. Perfect for Family dinners. Public Bar great for catch up drinks with friends with Foxtel, Open Fire place and ice cold beers.

Hours:

Monday/Tuesday 3:00pm - 7:00pm Wednesday/Thursday 3:00pm - 9:30pm Friday/Saturday 12:00pm - 9:30pm Sunday 12:00pm - 6:00pm 175 Bonnyvale Road Ocean Grove Ph: 5255 1122

KINGSTON VILLAGE FISH & CHIPS

We are doing gluten free Fish and chips here and we offer 10% discount for all the seniors card holders. Open hours: 11am - 8pm Shop 10, 11-31 Coastal Boulevard, Ocean Grove (opposite Aldi) Ph: 5256 2099

OCEAN GROVE PIZZA & PASTA

Dine-in, Take away or Home delivery. Wide selection of Pizzas & Pasta. Gluten free available. Why not get online and see full menu on: www.oceangrovepizza.com

Open hours: Monday - Friday 4:30 - 11pm Saturday & Sunday 12pm - late 80 The Terrace - Ph: 5255 5555 Marketplace, Shell Rd -Ph: 5255 3040 www.oceangrovepizza.com

OCEAN GROVE

OCEAN GROVE SEASIDE PIZZA & PASTA

Family owned pizza shop providing delicious pizza’s and pasta’s. Delivery and pick up available.

Open hours:

Sun – Thurs 4.30pm – 9pm

Fri – Sat 4.30pm to late

Shop 6 Park Lane, Ocean Grove 5255 4330 and 5255 4861

WALLINGTON

FLYING BRICK CIDER CO.

Think innovative space, naturally crafted ciders, amazing food without the ‘fancy’, top Bellarine wines, beer, Friday night live music. In a nutshell - fabulous, funky, fun!

Open hours:

Open 7 days 11am - 5pm

Dinner Friday & Saturday nights 1251 Bellarine Highway, (entry via Swan Bay Road), Wallington Phone 5250 6577

www.flyingbrickciderco.com.au

Call us on 5255 1255 or book/order online

www.mrgrubbatoakdene.com.au

oceangrovevoice.com

Waterways get good drenching

The spring rains have continued to relentlessly fall, and the great thing about this is that the waterways will most likely not dry out over summer, which is great news for waterfowl.

For the sake of communities in northern Victoria, I hope that the mighty Murray River does not flood any more than it has already.

Meanwhile there’s been some lovely birdwatching opportunities on the Bellarine Peninsula. In the ponds behind Woolworths on Shell Road there is a family of purple swamphens, where one of the adult birds has a broken wing and can not fly. There are at least four hatchlings that seem to be thriving in the small pond.

Across the road in the Tareeda Way ponds there are two dusky moorhen hatchlings that also seem to be flourishing.

The little egrets that have nested in a colony at Queenscliff over the past few years are back in the nesting tree, so I imagine they will be preparing for the breeding season.

I’ve also been watching a family of Australian magpies in the street near my house. Fortunately, the parent birds and two fledglings live in a quiet street where there is a scarcity of car traffic. The parent birds have been very diligent in teaching the fledglings to feedandflyandlookfordanger.Manyfledgling magpies do not live long especially if they live on a busy road.

The family of tawny frogmouths that I watch in Ocean Grove also have two hatchlings in their nest that are growing rapidly and I have my fingers crossed that all goes well for them.

OCEANGROVEVOICE.COM.AU

I received a lovely email from Phil and Sandy from Ocean Grove, who noticed a pair of spotted pardalotes in their carport. Phil has a workbench in the carport and the pardalotes are nesting under the workbench. They must negotiate a small gap in the draws under the bench to get to the nest. I paid a visit to Phil and Sandy’s house and watched the parent birds flying in and out of the carport carrying food to the nest. They seemed to knowthatPhilandSandywerenotathreatand seemednottoworryabouttheirpresenceinthe carport.

IreceivedanemailfromCarole,whotoldme some good news in that she spotted nine ruddy turnstones on the beach near St Leonards pier. They were so well camouflaged that in Carole’s photo it was difficult to differentiate between birds, seaweed and rocks.

Ruddy turnstones are migratory shorebirds that have arrived from the Northern Hemisphere so it is so important that dogs are kept on leads on the beaches to protect these birds.

I received an email from Kevin, who with the help of a local named Donna, had a lovely time photographing and locating blue-billed ducks and other waterfowl and Lake Lorne in Drysdale.

Kevin also observed chestnut teal, Pacific black ducks, eurasian coots, hoary-headed grebes, black swans and dusky moorhens, many looking after hatchlings.

Kevin also photographed a brown falcon at close quarters on Winchelsea-Shelford Road and commented that it wasn’t often that people are able so come so close to a raptor in the wild. Manyofthehoodedplovernestsonthebeaches aroundtheBellarinewerewashedawaybyhigh tides on the Melbourne Cup weekend, which was such a crying shame. These birds have such a difficult time nesting and rearing their young. I wish them better success with their next nesting attempts.

Carpet bowls

Leopold Hall 805-809 Bellarine Highway, Leopold on Wednesday and Friday from 1pm to 3.15pm. Admission $4 includes afternoon tea.

■ 0400 500 402

Chess clubs

For chess fun simply come along and see yourself, play some chess, meet some members, with no obligation to join. We welcome players of all abilities. Ocean Grove, Tuesdays at 1.30pm at 101 The Terrace, Ocean Grove; Portarlington, Mondays at 9.30am, Parks Hall, 87 Newcombe Street, Portarlington; and St Leonards, Thursdays at 9.30am, unit 2 1375-1377 Murradoc Road, (on Blanche Street), St Leonards.

■ Ralph, 0431 458 100 (Ocean Grove), Rob, 5259 2290 (Portarlington), Lyn, 5292 2162 (St Leonards)

Scottish dancing classes

GOG Scottish Country Dance classes are on at 7.30pm each Tuesday at the Leopold Hill Hall. All welcome.

■ Jane, 0481 126 022 or Andrew, 0408 369 446

Ocean Grove Seniors

Ocean Grove Seniors play card game 500 every Thursday at 1.15pm. If you are new to the game a quick lesson will get you in play. The core group of 6 players adjust to any number and you will enjoy the

friendship of likeminded players. Cost of $20 annually and coffee included.

102 The Terrace, Ocean Grove.

■ Lyn, 5256 2540

TOWN club

The Springs TOWN Club (Take Off Weight Naturally) clubs meets Mondays, 9-10.30am at the Community Hub, 23 Eversley Street, Drysdale. Weigh-in, group

therapy and regular relaxation sessions.

Cost: $5 per session, $54 annual fee.

■ Janice Bell 0403-221 737 or bellsbythebeach@bigpond.com.au

Life Activities Club

Arvo tea dance every Thursday, 2pm to 4pm at Belmont Pavilion. $5 entry, all welcome.

■ 5251 3529

Drysdale Day VIEW Club

Drysdale Day VIEW Club supporting The Smith Family for fun and friendship while supporting disadvantaged students. Please consider joining us and coming to our meetings at Clifton Springs Golf Club for lunch fourth Friday of each month.

■ Margaret, 0431 636 090

Ocean Grove Evening VIEW Club

Ocean Grove Evening VIEW Club meeting day is the fourth Wednesday of the month at Flying Brick Cider Co, 6.30pm.

■ 0428 546 796

Probus Club of Ocean Grove men’s Probus Club of Ocean Grove men’s meets at 10am on the first Monday of each month, except January, at the Surf Life Saving Club on Surf Beach Road for fun and friendship.

■ Barry, 0409 161 129

Drysdale Ladies Probus Club

Drysdale Ladies Probus Club meets at 10.30am on the fourth Monday of each month at the Clifton Springs Golf Club. New members and visitors welcome for fun and friendship.

■ Lorraine, 0412 805 858

Afternoon tea dance

Life Activities Club [Geelong Inc] hosts an afternoon tea dance on Thursdays, 2-4pm, at Belmont Park Pavilion. Entry $5.

5251

Main: Phil and Sandy’s spotted pardalote that resides in their carport. Above: Jen’s photo of a parent and fledgling magpies; and Kevin’s brown falcon on Winchelsea-Shelford Road. (Supplied)

Out and about

Members from four local Probus clubs gathered at Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club on Tuesday. About 120 prople from Ocean Grove in the Barwon, Ocean Grove Surf Side, The Probus Club of Ocean Grove and The Combined Probus Club of Ocean Grove mingled on Cup Day and Voice photographer Ivan Kemp was there.

1/ Merle and Ross May. 2/ Fay Johnson (centre, Winner of Fashions on the Field) with runners-up Brigitte Brickwood and Meryl Holloway. 3/ Di and Mal Gent. 4/ Susanne Clarke and Glenis Cook. 5/ Tony Collis and Charlotte Purcell. 6/ Louise Frances, winner of best hat. 7/ Michelle Ryrie, Lyn Williams and Michael Laffin. 8/ Ruth and Ron Milner. 9/ Robyn Laffin, Debbie Connor and Chris Barrett. 10/ George and Marie Marshall. 11/ Glenda Peek and Gordon Field.

Ivan Kemp)

Atlas contents (4)

musician and former

of hair (7)

to monks (8)

DOWN

Extremely big in size,

Actor (9)

Heights (9)

etc. (4)

Savoury jelly (5)

Artless young girl (7)

Path (5)

Settler (9)

Self-referential (4)

Contingent (9)

Painting of the countryside (9)

Removed from power (9)

Furnace parts (7)

Divided country (5)

Russian country cottage (5)

as true (7)

Luxuriant (4)

Catch sight of (4)

wrote the Australian

1928,

SUPPORTED JOBS and sponsored internships in:

• Animal handling

• Petting Zoo

• Micro-business

• Aquarium maintenance $25 p/h equiv.

Please note these are supported jobs and internships offered to young Victorians with neurodiverse barriers.

Neurodiverse and intellectual disability applicants encouraged to apply at: www.neurodiversity.org.au/careers Or phone (03) 5261 4172

Neurodiversity Victoria 12566160-ET36-22

Toyota C-HR GR is a head turner

By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring

The Toyota C-HR is a compact SUV that arrived here in 2016 when it filled the gap left by the RAV4 as that long-serving and popular model steadily grew in size into the mid-size vehicle that it is now.

Our test car was the top-spec C-HR GR Sport. The GR stands for Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s global motorsport division, but if you’re looking for a hot-hatch type SUV then you’re going to be disappointed.

Apart from some suspension tweaks and 19-inch alloy wheels the enhancements are largely cosmetic.

The complete C-HR range comes with two drivetrains, 1.2-litre naturally aspirated turbocharged petrol and 1.8-litre turbo petrol/ electric hybrid; three equipment levels, GXL, Koba and GR Sport; and either front- or all-wheel drive with the petrol-only models but only FWD with the hybrids.

Styling

The C-HR, marks quite a change in styling from the relatively conservative looks that have worked so well for Toyota over the years. No doubt aimed at younger buyers.

The acronym C-HR stands for Coupe High Rider and this does describe its styling – a coupe-like upper body but with the reasonably high stance of an SUV.

The steeply sloped roofline tops off a lower body with plenty of creases and curves, especially around the rear.

‘Hidden’ rear door handles near the top of the C-pillar add to the coupe-like styling but can be a bit awkward to use.

Enhancements added to the GR Sport include bespoke two-tone 19-inch shadow chrome alloy wheels; a bold vertical grille split by a thick chrome horizontal bar; and new foglight surrounds.

ThereareGRSportbadgesonthefront,sides and rear as well as on the brake calipers.

Interior

The sporty external theme is continued inside the C-HR GT Sport with dark silver highlights around the instrument panel and doors, piano black surrounds for the centre console and power-window switches.

Enhancements include GR Sport badging, leather accented sports seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The rear seats are quite cramped although headroom is better than expected.

Children are not going to like the tall front seats and high tapered side windows which combine to seriously limit outward visibility.

TherearenoventilationcontrolsandnoUSB ports in the rear.

The boot has a 318-litre capacity. There are tie-down and carry hooks. The spare wheel is a space saver below the boot floor.

Powertrains

C-HR comes with the choice of two powertrains. There’s a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol in the GXL and Koba variants, with either front- or all-wheel drive. Outputs are 85 kW and 185 Nm at 1500 rpm.

The Koba hybrid and C-HR GR Sport use a naturally aspirated 1.8-litre engine, with maximum power of 72 kW and 142 Nm of torque, with a 53 kW / 163 Nm electric for a combined power output of 90kW and an undisclosed amount of combined torque.

The 1.2-litre runs on standard unleaded petrol, the hybrid on premium.

Transmission is via continuously variable transmission although there is no manual mode in the hybrid variants.

Safety

Standard safety features across the C-HR range include seven airbags, enhanced ABS brakes with forward collision warning, brake assist and autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, road sign assist, rear cross traffic alert, hill-start assist, brake hold function and trailer sway control.

Also standard in all models is the Toyota Safety Sense package which adds lane trace assist, automatic high beam, active cruise control and pre-collision safety system with pedestrian detection.

Infotainment

Compared with the expansive wide screens which are becoming increasingly common in many vehicles the 8.0-inch touchscreen looks quite bland. However, infotainment screens are there to provide access to a large number of functions without distracting the driver from the road ahead and we found the C-HR screen one of the easiest to use.

The screen is angled slightly towards the driver and within easy reach.

There are four rectangular short-cut buttons on each side of the screen that open up the various options on the screen itself.

Like many other embedded satellite navigation systems, the version in the C-HR is difficult to use with tiny symbols that don’t clearly indicate their functions. It’s hardly surprising that many drivers chose to use smartphone maps instead.

Bluetoothpairingissimpleandallowsaccess to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, both wired, but no digital radio.

There’s 4.2-inch multi-information display in front of the driver with the usual features.

Driving

While the Toyota C-HR GR Sport talks the Gazoo Racing talk it certainly doesn’t walk

AT A GLANCE MODEL RANGE

C-HR GXL 1.2-litre turbo-petrol FWD: $30,915

C-HR GXL 1.2-litre turbo-petrol AWD: $32,915

C-HR Koba 1.2-litre turbo-petrol FWD: $35,165

C-HR Koba 1.2-litre turbo-petrol AWD: $37,165

C-HR Koba 1.8-litre petrol hybrid FWD:

C-HR GR Sport, 1.8-litre petrol hybrid FWD:

SPECIFICATIONS

Toyota

Note:

the walk. Unlike its GR Yaris, GR Supra and recently-launched GR86 there are no performance enhancements.

Of course, the other three are hatches or coupes while the C-HR is an SUV.

Having said that the C-HR is a capable and competent car to drive in normal day-to-day running.

It’s easy to manoeuvre around the suburbs and a cinch to park.

The option of all-wheel drive in the non-hybrid variants is a bit pointless with a

ground clearance of just 137 mm effectively ruling out any off-road ventures.

Ride and handling in the GR Sport is excellent thanks to adjustments to the shock absorbers, spring rates and stabiliser bars. There’s also a new centre brace which improves body rigidity and contributes to a more direct steering response.

Toyota was one of the pioneers of petrol/ electric hybrids and almost every vehicle in its large range has a hybrid option.

They have been refined the years and fuel consumption is a major selling point, never more so with soaring prices.

We were able to average 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres during our week-long test not that far above the claimed 4.3 L/100 km.

Summing up

There’s plenty of competition in the sub-$40k compactSUVmarketsegmentwheretheC-HR sits mid-field behind the top-selling Mitsubishi ASX.

In addition to this rivalry with other brands, C-HR is certain to face a serious intra-brand challenge from the just-released Corolla Cross.

Both vehicles are built on the same platform but the Corolla Cross is marginally larger in all exterior dimensions.

TheadventurousstylingoftheC-HRislikely to be one point of difference, especially with younger buyers.

We’recurrentlydoingareviewoftheCorolla Cross shortly and will report back on what is likely to be a game-changer for the small SUV market.

Koba (but not GR Sport) adds automatic braking to the rear cross traffic alert.

Toyota C-HR GR Sport is a real head-turner. (Pictures: Supplied)

Rain continues to wreak havoc

It was an on again, off again kind of day for local cricketers on Saturday, October 29. Some games got a start and others didn’t. The games that did go ahead were interupted by several rain delays. Justin Flynn was at Ray Menzies Oval and Collendina Reserve to brave the

wet.

Lachie Wilson plays a drive that would result in him being caught and bowled by Dean Britt.

Bailey Le Maistre kept things tight as usual. 3/ Monty Juffermans-Goodluck

his second A Grade game for the Snakes.

Collendina’s Gus Peters takes a catch in his A Grade debut. 5/ Ocean Grove skipper Dan Roddis picked up a wicket

Jasper George.

Jason Malcom made 36 for Drysdale. 8/ Drysdale skipper Nick Hallam will resume his innings on 46 next Saturday.

Thornton secured an

wicket for Ocean Grove.

Kobe George played

innings of

SPORT

Tight race at the top of the ladder

The Geelong Bowls Region Pennant competition has three clear-cut premiership fancies after round five on Saturday.

Ocean Grove 1, Eastern Park and Highton sit have emerged from the pack with fourth placed Queenscliff 12 points adrift.

Ocean Grove and Eastern Park are level on 66 points and Highton is two points behind.

Ocean Grove defeated Queenscliff by 14 shots with Peter Loe, Andrew Gower, Callum Hanna and Tyson Cromie blitzing their rink with a 25 to 11 triumph.

Highton didn’t have things all its own way

against the winless Lara, but still did enough to take all 16 points on offer.

Highton won all three rinks against a dogged Lara side with Jeremy Fitzgerald leading his to a seven-shot victory.

Eastern Park had to work hard to overcome Bell Post Hill.

In the end it was a 10-shot win with Glenn Slattery’s rink enjoying a huge 19-shot win, but Ben Toner salvaged two points for Bell Post Hill with an impressive 29 to 16 effort.

Drysdale defeated City of Geelong by 10 to snare fifth spot on the ladder.

John Fry, Maya Rees, Adrian Marston and

John Coe set things up thanks to a 21 to 14 win.

Bareena defeated Ocean Grove 2 in a three-shot cliffhanger.

Both sides sit on two wins each. The Grovers won two of the three rinks played, but it was Ben Wilding’s rink that saved the day with a 20-shot victory.

This weekend’s match of the round is undoubtedly between Ocean Grove 1 and Eastern Park.

The winner will assume outright top spot on the ladder and early season premiership favouritism.

Outer harbour the spot to find snapper

ON THE BITE

Snapperarestartingtofireupintheouter harbour with Clifton springs through to Portarlington producing some fantastic fish.

Along the channel near the bend has been one of the hotspots with fish to over 5kg being taken with lots of sub 2kg fish amongst them.

Bait fishing with pilchards, squid and salmon have all been lethal to run.

Fishingonthetidechangesasperusual are the preferred times, an hour or two either side of the change. Portarlington rock wall has been producing some fantastic fishing for shore based anglers and with the windy and wild conditions the fish tend to come in close to the shore to feed, with addition to the small reefs out the front of the rock wall this makes for a fantastic location to fish at the moment. Launching out pilchards on a paternoster rig has been successful.

Calamari remain a hot target species this past week with anglers finding great success right across the peninsula.

Clifton Springs through to Portarlington hasbeenproducingplenty,StLeonardsto Swan bay a few but Queenscliff yet again being the standout location.

Anglers have been landing bag limit numbersofsquidandsomehoodstoover 50cm. Size 3.5 Jigs are definitely the way to go when fishing out here.

King George whiting also remain on the chew across the Bellarine Peninsula with St Leonards through to Queenscliff holding the best fishing. Fishing the tides has been very productive with fish to over 40cm being taken.

Gone Fishing Charters have been puttingtheircustomersonsomefantastic fish lately.

SnapperandgummysharksoffBarwon Heads continue to hold in good numbers with reports of boats landing snapper to 5kg and gummy sharks to 15kg. Fresh salmon and squid baits have been most productive.

The foul grounds in 40 metres has been a very popular area to fish lately with some great reports coming through.

The Otway streams and rivers have responded very well from the heavy rain withsomegreatfishingbeingreportedon with brown trout thriving and chewing.

Casting small hardbody lures and soft plastics have been accounting for plenty of fish. When the rivers are dirty like this it can really turn the fish on as they’re super aggressive.

A new doubles format

The weather managed to hold out just long enough for play to go ahead for the second week of Tennis Geelong’s Monday Women’s Doubles Pilot.

Registrations of teams and players meant that 11 teams are playing in a six-week trial to see what they think of the new offering from the association, the first time women’s tennis has been tried across the city at night.

The aim of the trial is to look at what the players think of the format, the amount of play and a number of other factors before rolling outthenewcompetitioninFebruarynextyear. The teams were split into two sections, with four matches played this week, at Highton, St Mary’s and Wandana Heights.

Section 1 saw non-club teams Acing Gracefully and Platypi face off at St Mary’s. The Aces Jo Puckett, Fiona Walker, Mimi Armstrong and Sara Williams proved too strongonthenighttakingallfoursets,butthey didn’t have it all their own way with several games producing multiple deuce points.

The second match was a much closer affair when Highton 1 hosted Drysdale Clifton Springs. The teams were evenly matched with Sophie Harris and Rachel Shanks taking the first set 8-3 for the visitors, while Michelle Dawson and Kirsty Rixon countered for Highton winning the second 8-5. Harris then paired with Nicole Nicholls to take the third 8-5, and

Highton’s Rixon and Nerida Povey took the last to give Drysdale Clifton Springs a two-gamewin.Section2alsohadtwonon-club

teams, Wallabies and Sunday Tennis Ladies, compete, with Wallabies getting over the line. Wallabies made good use of pool emergency Lisa Sherwell with the team, also consisting of Breanna Hulands, Grace Wrigley and Joanna Harriott, winning four sets to love.

In the final match, Western Warriors (Western Heights Uniting) and Wandana Warriors (Wandana Heights) battled it out at Western’s substitute home, Wandana Heights, and made the most of the evening. Kelley Callanan and Ruth Shirley kicked off the night with a 8-4 win which team mates Karen Barlett and Debra Brackley matched in the second. Wandana hit back in the third with Jules Gower and Jacqui Blampied scoring a 8-5 win, but Western Warriors sealed the win with Callanan and Brackley getting up in the last 8-2.

Platypi (back): Donna Schoenmaekers, Lynette Marshall, Annie Cayzer and Marci Sanderson. Acing Gracefully (front): Mimi Armstrong, Jo Puckett, Sarah Williams, Maslow and Fiona Walker. (Supplied)

LOCAL TENNIS

Donna Schoenmaekers

Nicholas Romano with some calamari. (Supplied)

Peri Stavropoulos

Cobras hit back after Drysdale’s impressive start

CollendinahitbackwiththeballafterDrysdale made a superb start on day one of A2 Grade on Saturday.

Charlie Clode and Jason Malcolm gave the Hawks a super start with a 95-run opening stand.

Clode then fell to the nagging medium pace of Dean Britt for a well-made 51 from just 60 deliveries and Malcolm was stunningly caught at short gully by Richie Peters just after Noah Jeffrey was introduced for 36 from 82. Britt and leg-spinner Jeffrey then tightened the screws on the Drysdale innings.

Only captain Nick Hallam dug in while his middle order succumbed. The Hawks lost five wicketsfor18runsduringatenseperiodbefore tea was taken minutes early due to heavy rain.

Ben Spencer’s 19 from 17 balls probably won’t be spoken about much, but in the context of the day’s play, it was important. He broke the shackles that Britt and Jeffrey

were applying and with Hallam unbeaten on 46, Drysdale will enter day two on 8-184 with 20 overs still at its disposal before compulsory closure.

Despitethemiddleordercollapse,theHawks are still in the box seat for all six points.

Second gamer Monty Juffermans-Goodluck grabbed three wickets for Dina in a mature display while evergreen Britt also claimed three and teenager Jeffrey continued his rapid improvement with two.

Collendinamade149inB2GradewithGarry Wingrave (34) top scoring and Des Every (26) lending a hand.

Peter Davidson picked up 4-28 from 15 overs for Drysdale and Pat Brady claimed three Dina scalps.

Drysdale will resume on day two at 14 without loss.

Sharks claim first innings points

JanJuchasalreadyclaimedfirstinnings points against St Leonards on a day where 17 wickets fell for just 138 runs.

A stunning bowling display from spin bowler Tomas Kearney was largely responsible for the Sharks’ A1 Grade routing of the Saints.

Kearney took five wickets for just one run while the reliable Jordy Graham snared three and star paceman Nicky Smith two as the Saints were bowled out for just 50.

TheonlyrunfromKearney’sbowling was from a dropped catch.

First-innings points didn’t come easily, though. Jan Juc was 4-24 in reply and ended up declaring one run ahead for the loss of six wickets.

Wickets fall to McGlynn

By Justin Flynn

Debutant Sam McGlynn took three early wickets to give Ocean Grove the upper hand in its A1 Grade round five match against Inverleigh.

McGlynn’s opening, and only, spell netted him 3-16 from eight overs. The young seamer pushed into the breeze and looked right at home at the top level.

Inverleigh was bowled out for 142, but lost four wickets for no runs after being 0-22.

Kobe George rescued the innings for the awayteamwithamature56from141deliveries while Locke Perrett played an important role with his 25 from 62.

Spinners Rob Rutley and Paul Jubber picked up two wickets each while Mick Thornton, Dan Roddis and Bailey Le Maistre grabbed one each.

The Grubbers are four without loss going into this weekend with Shaun Fankhauser and Jake Taylor surviving a tense two overs before stumps.

Noah Brooks, 13, also made his A Grade debut for Ocean Grove.

Ocean Grove made 205 in B1 Grade with DavidTurnertopscoringfor32andsixbatters scoring between 18 and 26.

Turner and Adam Arnold (26) put on 68 for the opening partnership.

Jason Wood snared four scalps for Port and youngster Jackson McGrath three.

In reply, St Leonards fared much better with the bat and is 1-37 going into day two. Outright points are on the radar for Jan Juc and they should succeed, but St Leonards is still an outside chance of claiming six points fromthegameifitcanbatwellandtake 10 second innings wickets.

Anglesea made 9-208 against Barrabool with Brett Venables (43 from 98), Simon Umbers (42 from 136), Toby Sudweeks (42 from 54) and Ty Norman (32 from 74) getting most of the runs.

Kane Pickering grabbed 5-42 from 15 overs for the Bulls.

Armstrong Creek was 2-148 from 42 overs against Queenscliff when rain ended play prematurely.

Chris Marsiglio (46) and Clay Mulgrew (30 not out) put on 107 for the opening partnership for the Titans and they will probably look to score quickly next week to have a chance at winning.

In A2 Grade, Barwon Heads is headed for first-innings points, needing 65 runs with all 10 wickets intact against Newcomb.

It was young leg-spinner Harry Hyland who was the star of the afternoon with 5-29 from 14 overs.

Veteran Matt High grabbed 3-13 from 12 with Newcomb all out for 129.

Andrew Morrison played well for the Bulls for his 40 from 86 balls.

In reply, the Heads are 0-75 with Ben Harris (38) and Matt Bode (34) to resume on day two.

Justin Flynn

Portarlington is 5-101 in B2 Grade and will continue its innings on day two. The Demons will have 28 overs at their disposal to try and push past 200 before

Ocean Grove has its turn at the crease. Off-spinner Troy Wiseman has three of the five wickets to fall while Anthony Travers will resume on 25 for Port.

Sam McGlynn enjoyed his A Grade debut, picking up three early wickets for the Grubbers. (Pictures: Justin Flynn) 305768

Paul Jubber takes a catch for Ocean Grove.

Richie Peters catches Jason Malcolm with a sharp take at short gully. (Justin Flynn) 305768_16

Justin Flynn