Ocean Grove Voice - 28th July 2023

Giant steps for teen stars

Teen bowls duo Maddie Jacobs and Maya Rees will strive for gold after being selected as part of a five-player Victorian team for the Under-18 Nationals in October.

The talented pair, who have spearheaded the Geelong Region’s Geelong Giants Under-18 team for the last four years, earned selection after a successful tri series in July against Queensland and New South Wales.

Ocean Grove Bowling Club’s Jacobs and Drysdale’s Rees were part of the eight-player Victorian girls team that won the overall event.

The eight players were then reduced to five in

what would have been a very difficult selection given the results from the tri series. Five under-18 boys were also selected.

Rees, at only 15 years old, will skip the triples and the fours combinations with Jacobs, 17, playing lead in the fours and lead in the pairs

with Berwick’s Amity Bickley. The Victorian team will be under the guidance of Victorian State Under 18 Coach and Ocean Grove’s GM of Bowls Development Matt Flapper.

“The selection for the final five was tough, both Maddie and Maya performed to a high standard, both have achieved terrific results this season to justify their selections,” Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Flappersaid.“Iamlookingforwardtowatching them both shine on the big stage.”

Both girls will prepare for the Nationals in

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October with a short trip to compete in the Under 18 Gold Nugget Singles on July 29 and 30 at Tweed Heads while Jacobs has also been selected in the School Sports Victoria team which will also compete in Tweed Heads in September.

Rees won a state silver medal in the girls triples in Bendigo earlier this year.

Jacobs won the Victorian Under 18 Girls Pairs late last year alongside Chloe Scherger from Fitzroy Victoria Bowling & Sports Club. Jacobs and Rees are further proof that more young people are taking up lawn bowls.

Maya Rees, Matt Flapper and Maddie Jacobs. (Ivan Kemp) 349197_03

‘‘ I am looking forward to watching them both shine on the big stage ’’

- Matt Flapper

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Fundraiser for film festival

Film fans will have the opportunity to support the Bellarine Historical Society (BHS) when it partnerswiththeNorthBellarineFilmFestival (NBFF) to present acclaimed Australian film The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson.

The Drover’s Wife is the directorial debut of Indigenous playwright and actress Leah Purcell, who also won Best Lead Actress at the 2022 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards for her performance in the film’s lead role.

The film will be screened at the Indented Head Community Hall on Sunday, August 6 as a fundraiser for the BHS.

The proceeds will be used to install a ramp for wheelchair and aged access at the society’s Court House Museum site in Drysdale, where it holds its impressive collection of photos, records and maps of the Bellarine area.

BHS president Lorraine Stokes thanked the NBFF for facilitating the event to help the historical society raise funds for the access ramp.

“The NBFF committee have come up with this idea and they’ll run the movie night for us, which is fantastic; it’s really good of them to help us out here,” Ms Stokes said. “We’re a volunteer organisation, we receive no funding from any level of government. We raise our own money through research, book sales and donations.

“We get busloads wanting to come in from aged care facilities and elsewhere, but we don’t have access for people who’ve got disabilities. So this fundraiser will allow us to be open to everybody.”

NBFF chair Bill Lussier said his organisation was proud to help the BHS with its fundraising efforts.

“The North Bellarine Film Festival is happy to support the BHS, which has an important role in documenting and educating residents and visitors about the region’s history and cultural identity,” he said.

Details: trybooking.com/events/ landing/1071365

Help for small business

The Geelong Small Business Festival gets underway from August 1 with community members encouraged to secure their seats soon to avoid disappointment.

The annual festival runs from August 1 to 31 andaimstoassistandinspireresidentswhoare keen to start a business and those looking to grow or improve their existing business.

Geelong Chamber of Commerce chief executive Jeremy Crawford said being a small business owner was both fulfilling and challenging.

“It’s empowering to be your own boss and work towards your goals but drawing on the expertise and support from the local business community will not only ease pressure but pave the way for further growth and success,” hesaid.“TheGeelongSmallBusinessFestivalis auniqueopportunitytotapintotheknowledge andexperiencesofsubjectmatterexpertsinthe small business world.”

Bookings for the more than 70 low-cost and free workshops, presentations and networking opportunities are building, with topics such as: embracing the power of divergent minds;

mastering bookkeeping; basic food labelling for food businesses; Masterclass: unlocking the code to website success; marketing for ecommerce; and sustainability and water efficiency.

Cherie Clonan, founder and chief executive of Australia’s leading social media training agency The Digital Picnic, is the gala dinner keynote speaker on best-practice social media marketing, community growth and transforming social accounts.

A limited number of seats are still available for gala dinner on Thursday August 3 from 6pm at GMHBA Stadium.

Mayor Trent Sullivan said council and Geelong Chamber of Commerce would deliver a jam-packed program for the festival’s 13th year.

“Free headshots, learning how to best utilise Artificial Intelligence, starting a home-based food business, improving SEO for your online store and business insurance tips are just a few of the many valuable workshops and talks available,” he said.

More information: gsbf.com.au

Bellarine Historical Society president Lorraine Stokes and North Bellarine Film Festival chair Bill Lussier. (Ivan Kemp) 347456_08

Vic Open returns to 13th Beach

The Vic Open will return to 13th Beach Golf Link early next year.

The international golf tournament is set to return at 13th Beach Golf Links, Barwon Heads in 2024.

Acting Tourism, Sport and Major Events

Minister Ben Carroll confirmed the tournament would return for the 11th year from February 1 to 4.

Attracting more golf players and fans to the region, the tournament will be played across the Beach course and the Creek course with

men and women players competing for equal prize money on the same courses at the same time, with $420,000 on offer for each event.

“The Vic Open remains an important tournament for our golf superstars, and it’s fantastic that it will return to the sparkling Bellarine Peninsula next February,” Mr Carroll said.

“We know how much this tournament means to the local community and hosting it at 13th Beach will encourage fans and visitors alike to experience all this beautiful region

has to offer.”

More than 200 men and women will start out in the first round, with the top 35 men and 35 women and ties making it through to the final day.

The 2024 Vic Open will again coincide with the Victorian Inclusive Championship for golfers with a disability, and the Australian Wheelchair Golf Championship, which will return for its third year.

“Our players love coming back to 13th Beach every year and competing in front of

OGPS rekindling Wadawurrung spirit

Ocean Grove Primary School (OGPS) has completed the first phase of its Rekindling the Wadawurrung Spirit in Ocean Grove project, transforming its entrance gates with a creation story mural.

The project, implemented in consultation with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, has seen Wadawurrung artist Billy-Jay O’Toole lead OGPS students in the painting of the work. The team of 14 students included First Nation students, Inclusion and Wellbeing Leaders, Cultural Ambassadors, Indigenous Leaders and Visual Arts Captains.

Supported by a $29,100 from the City of Greater Geelong’s First Nations Cultural Heritage Grant program, the project aims to help restore the cultural narrative of the region through actively promoting Wadawurrung People and Country as well as the broader First Nations’ Community.

The Rekindling the Wadawurrung Spirit in Ocean Grove project will now enter its second phase, which will include more artworks and signage using Wadawurrung language for the school’s new inclusion playground.

OGPS visual arts teacher Jo Chapman said

the school was proud of the project as part of its continuing role in highlighting the need for reconciliation.

“We are looking forward to strengthening relationships with the First Nations community,expandingFirstNationstudents’ connection to Country and developing the leadership skills of our Cultural and Arts Captains,” she said.

“The project will also increase school and community education and continue us on the pathway to becoming a leader in our community in promoting and fostering reconciliation.”

the wonderful galleries who turn out to enjoy seeing the women’s and men’s tournaments, plus the all abilities, contested side by side,” WPGA Tour of Australasia CEO Karen Lunn said.

“The Vic Open will be a key event on the second half of the 2023/24 Tour calendar. It has established itself as a major feature of our schedule and 13th Beach has played a huge role in its ongoing success,” PGA Tour of AustralasiaTournamentDirectorNickDastey said.

Coast and marine grants

Bellarine community groups looking after marine and coastal environments welcomed a funding boost from the state government.

Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management shared the $1.6-million Port Phillip Bay Fund with Bellarine North Rotary Club and the Jane Goodall Institute Australia to protect Port Phillip Bay.

Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management received $50,000 for its Northern Bellarine ClimateChangeCoastalAdaptationPlan as part of the $1.7-million Combined Coastal Grants.

Borough of Queenscliffe mayor Isabelle Thomas welcomed $40,000 from the Combined Coastal Grants for the Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale Cliff Stability and Beach Health Study.

“It will enable council to gain a deeper understanding of the current coastal risk hazards, and the interventions available to mitigate or reduce the impacts to our coastline and community,” she said.

As part of the more than $50,000 Coastcare Community Grant funding, Friends of the Red-Capped Plover Bellarine received $9,966 for increased awarenessofsustainablebeachbehaviour at breeding sites.

BellarineBaysideForeshoreCommittee of Management received $9,920 towards building on the community red-capped plover monitoring program.

Clifton Springs Curlewis Coastcare Group Inc received $9,600 to update the Clifton Springs Curlewis Information Booklet to increase marine environment knowledge and understanding.

Friends of Edwards Point Reserve’s exoticweedremovalprojectandSouthern Ocean Environmental Link’s volunteer program both received $10,000.

Back: Willow, Archie, Poppy, Skylar, Lilley, Tulip and James. Front: Jaxon, Ethan, Indy, Izabella, Billy-Jay O’Toole and Sadie. (Ivan Kemp) 347014_01

Sketches of Bill’s Hollow Grove

Ocean Grove artist William (Bill) Linford confronts a kaleidoscope of positive and negative memories and emotions in his Hollow Grove exhibition at The Royal Queenscliff. He spoke with Jena Carr about how he started in art and what his works mean.

William (Bill) Linford is known for his series of oil paintings on canvas like the farmers, cricketers or clowns collections, which have been displayed at art galleries around Australia.

Bill said he had always been interested in the arts and had been “sketching and painting for a long time”.

“I always wanted to draw and as a kid I used to draw at primary school for people, I’d do theircaricaturesandtheywouldgivemelollies forthem,”hesaid.“Igotencouragedatprimary schoolbyateachertocontinueandthatImight have had something, but I forgot about all that.

“I broke my shoulder in a work accident, and I was sitting at home for six months, and I decided to get some paints, have a go at that, and it became a hobby.

“We had children, and the hobby sort of moved into a bit more of a semi-professional thing and then become sort of professional about 15 years ago.”

Bill has been creating art since 1970 and said he liked many things about painting, but getting lost and immersed in the process was a highlight.

“When I get into the zone, I’m in the zone, and it’s just the most marvellous feeling,” he said.“Ithinkthere’stoomuchtotell.I’manold man, and I’ve had many brilliant experiences. Mosthavebeenverypositive,butsomeofthem have been questionable.

“I feel pretty good about it, and I try to encourage many other people, mainly young people, as I was a youth worker for a long time, to take up the brush.

“I’ve had a pretty great life and I just want to expand on my thought process, because what goes on up here (his head) is quite interesting.”

Many of Bill’s paintings are pretty bold, which he said he had done with the intention that they would “jump out” at the viewer, and that he had a process that mostly remained the same.

“I’ve got so many ideas in my head and not have enough time,” he said.

“I do a rough sketch first, which doesn’t take me very long, then I’ll put the sketch onto the canvas and start painting.

“I’ll keep going until I’ve probably done about seven or eight layers of paint until I get the feel I want.

“Once you get a process, it’s pretty hard to break that. I’ve tried different techniques and mediums, but I’m too old to be doing that now. I’d love to, but this is pretty good.

“People say, ‘I saw your cricketers’, and I’ll say, ‘Just look at the guy with the shoes on the wrongfeet,’andthey’llgobackandhavealook.

“That’s for my benefit. I have to do quirky things for me just so it engages me a bit more too.”

Bill said he found it “cathartic” working on the Hollow Grove series displayed at The Royal Queenscliffandthatthepaintingshadallcome together well.

“This has been a long process, but a lot of the paintings just worked, and I’ve gone ‘well, I must be in a good place if I’m able to feel that’,” he said.

“I often became so engrossed in the individual pieces I had to be reminded to take breaks as time seemed to vanish.

“Idon’tgettooexcitedaboutthingsbecauseI don’t want to blow my own trumpet. I’m just a fairly casual person, but this (exhibition) looks pretty bloody good I think.”

The exhibition includes the collection’s centrepiece, ‘The Landing’, which creates the backdrop of an interconnected and complex community explored in the series’ other paintings.

Bill said the piece took 16 days to complete

and that there was a recurring theme of power throughout the Hollow Grove series of 18 paintings.

“This whole exhibition is all part of me,” he said.

“If I were doing other paintings that size, it would take me months because I’d paint lots of things, I’d paint three or four paintings at a time,butIjustworkedsolidonthatfor16days.

“There’s a lot of blue butterflies hanging around the exhibition and in the artwork, and this is all to do with whether the butterflies have the power or if it’s the vegetation.

“It’s a bit wacky, but that’s just my way of simplifying my thought process.”

The exhibition also draws inspiration from the 1962 film TheDayoftheTriffids, based on John Wyndham’s 1951 post-apocalyptic novel and the PiedPiperofHamelinstory.

“TheDayoftheTriffidswasaboutaliensthat came to Earth, they were very tall plants, and if

youlookedatthemyouwouldgoblindanddie, andasateenagerthatreallyfreakedmeout,”he said. “There’s also the story of the PiedPiperof Hamelin that is another part of this … about politics and people being greedy.

“These are all when I was younger and these stories have been in my head, and it’s taken a long time for them to come out.”

Bill said he was “fortunate to have a very supportive family” and loved that his children were interested in what he does.

“Myson’samusician,myotherson’sawriter, and my daughter is a manager and they’re just so skilled in their areas,” he said.

“I love my kids more than anything in the world, but just to have them appreciate it, I couldn’t think of anything better really.”

The Hollow Grove exhibition is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until August 19.

Bill Linford with his collection’s centrepiece, ‘The Landing’.

(Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 347425

Aquatic centre design approved

Geelong council has approved the concept design of stage two of the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre.

As stage one almost ready to open, with the outdoor, eight lane 50-metre pool now filled with water, stage two is focused on the indoor component of the aquatic centre.

After plenty of community engagement and passionate discussion around what the aquatic centreshouldinclude,theproject’sCommunity Advisory Panel reached a consensus with ScenarioI,theninthofnineproposedconcepts, at its final meeting on July 5.

Scenario I includes such features as an indoor, eight lane, 25-metre pool, a warm water pool and health and wellness facilities, including a gym and group fitness areas.

Stage two has a budget of $40 million, with Ffederal Corangamite MP Libby Coker pledging half that figure and state for Bellarine MP Alison Marchant committing the other half.

Scenario I exceeds that budget by $300,000, but the city has proposed that the “additional capital expense can be managed through the detailed design phase and internal project

efficiency and prioritisation measures”.

Councillors unanimously approved the conceptdesignatTuesdaynight’smeeting,with Geelong mayor and Bellarine Ward councillor Trent Sullivan thanking the community, council officers, the advisory panel, his fellow councillors and local MPs.

“(It) has been a dream for many, many decades for the Bellarine to have a full aquatic centre, that people don’t have to go all the way to Geelong to have full access to our aquatic services,” Cr Sullivan said.

“A lot of great work’s happened over

a long time to get to where we are now. It’s a tremendous job and it shows a lot of good will.

“I just can’t wait to see the ball rolling, and the community can’t wait to see the final outcome as well.”

Cr Stephanie Asher, who kickstarted the project during her time as mayor, said “This hasbeenaverylongtimecoming.Thankyouto the panel … (for coming) up with a facility that reallydoestryandmeettheneedsofeverybody in the community; well done to everybody concerned.”

Uni marine centre boosted by a $3.5m upgrade

Deakin University’s Marine Science Centre continues supporting new climate change and ocean health research thanks to a $3.5 million upgrade.

The state government invested $1 million through the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund (VHESIF) along with Deakin’s $2.5 million contribution to the project.

Improvements included two new seawater aquarium rooms, a refurbished tank area, and a high-performance computing lab for the experimental learning of bachelor of marine science students.

Deakin Marine Research and Innovation

Centre director Professor John Donald said he was “very proud” of the university’s “internationally renowned marine research scientists”. “They are addressing important issues such as ocean warming, fish growth, kelp restoration and plastics pollution, which significantly impact ocean health,” he said.

“ThenewfacilitiesatQueenscliffwillincrease the quality and quantity of our research to benefit the region and Australia and train the next generation of ocean scientists.

“Weareexcitedtoprovideourundergraduate studentswithroomsandequipmentthatdeliver the best hands-on educational experience and

practical skills for marine, environmental or conservation sciences careers.”

Works on the centre began in January 2022, with the project’s final stage of installing a high-speed AARNET cable for ocean modelling research computing capability due to be delivered in November.

The VHESIF program is a significant investment in Deakin research, with $133 million from Deakin University and the state government helping support eleven major projects across five locations.

The school conducts research on the impact of ocean warming, increased temperatures on fish physiology, threatened kelp ecosystem restoration tools, and oceanographic modelling.

With a long-standing partnership with the Victorian Fisheries Authority, Deakin collaborates on regional research projects.

These projects include resolving biological connections among southern ocean crab fisheries and the Corner Inlet Rock Flathead stock structure.

More information on Deakin University’s Queenscliff Marine Science Centre project is available at deakin.au/QMSC

Jena Carr and Matt Hewson

Deakin University’s Marine Science Centre in Queenscliff has received a $3.5 million upgrade.

Pools making a splash

By Cr Stephanie Asher

On the back of the state government’s decision to call off the Commonwealth Games, there are details around some promised sports facility upgrades in the Geelong region that are up in the air.

Thankfully, there’s much more positive news for the council-managed aquatic centre in Drysdale.

The first stage of the major development is almost ready to open, and we’re making significant progress on the indoor facilities that will follow.

Council this week approved the concept designs for the second stage of the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre.

Key features include:

• An indoor aquatic centre

• Eight-lane 25 metre pool

• A warm-water pool

• Aqua play area

• Hydrotherapy; and

• Various associated facilities

A lot of detailed and thoughtful work went into developing the approved concept.

I’dliketothankthe12-memberCommunity Advisory Panel for its valuable input, which has helped council settle on its preferred design.

The panel included people with specialist swimming/aquatics knowledge, people with a lived experience of disability and representativesfromlocalschools,community groups and sports clubs.

Their work has ensured that the stage two offering will meet the needs of the wider community.

Over four months the panel shaped and enhanced the project’s design via nine different concepts.

CELEBRATING NAIDOC WEEK

Thank you to all those who attended the National NAIDOC Week celebration on Monday 2 July on Bukareeyoo (Ocean Grove Spit).

Representatives from Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation performed a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, as well as a didgeridoo performance.

It was great to see over 160 community members and Barwon Coast staff come together to celebrate and recognise the Wadawurrung people’s connection to the local coastal environment.

It was the ninth concept that the panel unanimously supported and recommended to council, and it is that version that will now proceed to detailed design works.

The indoor centre will have something for all aquatic users. From babies taking to the water for the first time, through to seniors accessing rehabilitation and water exercise programs, the facilities will cater to everyone.

Stagetwohasbeensupportedby$20million each from the Victorian and Australian governments.

By working together across all levels of government, we are creating a lasting and

BARWON COAST SECURES $125K IN STATE GOVERNMENT GRANTS

We are pleased to announce that Barwon Coast has been successful in securing $125,000 in State Government funding through Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action initiatives and programs.

We will receive $90,000 under Victoria’s Resilient Coast Adapting to 2100+ program (Round 2) to develop a Coastal Adaptation Plan for Bancoora Beach. This project is about understanding the cultural, environmental and community values of the Bancoora beach and how it may be impacted by coastal hazards (such as erosion and inundation) now and into the future.

We were also successful in a grant to help implement Barwon Coast’s Coastal and Marine Management Plan The grant of $35,000 is for the preparation of a Precinct Master Plan for the for the Barwon Heads recreation node, going from Ozone Jetty to the Barwon Heads Bluff. The Master Plan will identify the important values, any threats to these values, and prioritise actions to manage the values appropriately.

We are pleased to receive funding for these important projects and we look forward to sharing more information about the projects incoming months.

well-considered facility that will serve the Bellarine for many years to come.

This welcome progress comes on the back of the final touches being applied to the outdoor lap pool in the Drysdale Sporting Precinct.

The $15.5 million development ($10m from the Australian government, $5.5m from council) includes an outdoor 50-metre, eight-lane heated pool.

It will open later this year, and will provide another option on the Bellarine for local and visiting swimmers.

For more information on the project, visit geelongaustralia.com.au/nbac

JUNE COMMITTEE MEETING RECAP

The Barwon Coast Committee of Management July meeting covered a range of topics, including project updates, governance and upcoming works. Following the meeting, representatives from 13th Beach Surf Life Saving Club provided an on the Club.

DAMAGED TOILET BLOCKS REOPEN

We were disappointed to discover significant damage to the Ocean Grove Main Beach toilet block in late June. We thank Victoria Police for their prompt attention to the matter.

The damage to walls, stalls, toilets and fittings meant the toilet block needed to be closed for a number of days for repairs. Thanks to our hardworking staff group, we were pleased to be able to reopen the block in early July.

advice from Victoria Police is to call 000 if you see a crime in progress, you’re in danger, or you request immediate police attendance

(left to right) Barwon Coast CEO Gary McPike, Wadawurrung Elder Aunty Mary, Barwon Coast Committee of Management Chair Sandra Gatehouse.

Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher. (Supplied)

Doom metal with funny twist

By Matt Hewson

Australia’s best-loved (and possibly only) Simpsons-themed doom metal band, Dr Colossus, will return to Geelong to celebrate the second anniversary of their latest album.

The seven-track album, I’m a Stupid Moron With an Ugly Face and a Big Butt and My Butt SmellsandILiketoKissMyOwnButt–named after a Bart Simpson prank call – reached the top five of the ARIA Australian album charts in May 2021.

Dr Colossus’ music fuses deep metal grooves with deep cuts from Simpsons’ dialogue and storylines, permeating their tunes with a definite comedic element.

Lead singer and guitarist Jono Colliver said he loved that the band could bring together metalheads, Simpsons fans and people who were simply curious.

“The beauty of our show is that there’s a lot of people that are going for the comedic element, who may not have ever been to a show like that,” he said.

“They probably have expectations of (a metal show) being quite exclusive, gate-kept, or kind of machoistic.

“The joy I get out of it is seeing people that have never been to a heavy show who end up coming away being like, wow, I’m going to go and check out a lot of other heavy bands and… heavy shows because it’s not what I expected.”

Dr Colossus will perform at the Barwon Club on August 5 and, unusually for a headline act, open the show soon after doors open at 6pm. “We’re going to play first and then we’re

A hell of a whale tale

Geelong Arts Centre (GAC) will host the world premiere of the Space Company’s Hells Gates, a theatrical retelling of Australia’s worst ever whale stranding event near Strahan, Tasmania in 2020.

The show will features well-loved actors LouiseSiversen(HouseHusbands,Prisoner), Natalie O’Donnell (Come From Away, Next to Normal) and Matu Ngaropo (Hamilton), as well as live musical accompaniment by celebrated violinist Xani Kolak.

Creative producer Joel Carnegie, who founded the award-winning Geelong-based productionstudio,andwriterJamesJackson engaged in hundreds of hours of face-to-face interviews with people connected to the event, mostly west coast Tasmanian locals, to gather the raw material for Hells Gates.

“It’s the story of a community who, in the face of the impossible, decided to turn up and deal with an ecological disaster that was unfolding in front of them.

“Butit’salsoveryfunny.Therearegenuine laugh out loud moments, and I think that’s sort of a coping mechanism for the people who were telling us these stories. Dealing with trauma through camaraderie, through sharing those experiences together and having a laugh about it.”

Carnegie said he was thrilled to premiere the work at GAC as the redeveloped venue reopened to the public.

going to watch our favourite bands in our favourite venue and hang out with everybody rather than missing the social atmosphere of it,” Colliver said.

Carnegie said the resulting blend of poignant drama and poetic comedy resulted in a narrative that was quintessentially Australian.

“It’s really been infused with the character of the west coast of Tasmania; the people we met, how they interacted with us, the way in which they described the events that unfolded, how they felt about it,” he said.

“To be on stage at the dawn of this new era of the performing arts scene in Geelong, to be a Geelong-based company and share this story at this new venue is an incredible opportunity,”hesaid.“Thisisareallyspecial show that we know audiences are going to love. It’s a real emotional rollercoaster ride.”

Hells Gates will have four shows from Aug 10 to 12 at the GAC’s Story House. For information and tickets visit geelongartscentre.org.au

Matt Hewson

Louise Siversen and Natalie O’Donnell star in Hells Gates. (Sarah Walker) 349749_01

Dr Colossus will be supported by Planet of the 8s, Two Headed Dog, Spawn and Full Tone Generator.

Dr Colossus will split the rocks of ignorance when they bring their Simpsons metal experience back to Geelong on August 5. (Supplied)

Eastern barn owl night sighting

The last few weeks have been freezing, and reading a book by the fire has been much preferable to being outdoors.

Most of my birdwatching has been performed on my way to and from work, as usual. The highlight was seeing an eastern barn owl flying over the roundabout at the corner of the Bellarine Highway and Grubb Road, near the new BP service station, when I was driving home from afternoon shift at 10pm.

It’s not great for me or other drivers when an owl is spotted as it’s so distracting when driving, so fortunately there were no incidents.

I’ve been driving to Point Henry on my way to work, as I usually can guarantee to see a ‘raptor of the day’ if I detour to this area.

I spotted a black-shouldered kite, a few brown falcons, a pair of nankeen kestrels and a whistling kite, so there were raptors to spot.

There was a flock of around 20 red-necked stints. They are a species of migratory shorebirds in one of the shallow ponds at Point Henry. Many of these birds would be currently breeding in the Northern Hemisphere, and each year a small number of thesebirdschosetoremaininAustraliarather than flying 10,000km to breeding grounds in Siberia and Alaska.

Apparently, it is mostly young birds that remain on our shores and brave the cold winter months.

There have also been approximately 15 banded stilts at Point Henry in a mixed flock with pied or black-winged stilts. Banded stilts are bigger than pied stilts (39cm compared to 35cm) and are dispersive when seeking out feeding and breeding sites. They are such graceful and beautiful birds.

I received a message from Robyn, who lives on a lovely property in Wallington.

Robyn said there has been a flock of up to

100 yellow-tailed black cockatoos visiting her property at dusk to feed on the banksias and hakeas along the driveway. I called around oneday,butunfortunatelythecockatoosmust have found an alternative feeding site that day but did have a lovely walk around the garden.

I was happy to hear about the good number of cockatoos seen by Robyn and can only imaginehowmuchnoise100cockatooswould make.

I received an email from Geoff, who spotted a little pied cormorant drying out its wings while perched at Blue Waters Lake. Cormorants, like some other bird species, possess glands that secrete oil that keeps their feathers waterproof. However their feathers can become easily waterlogged after diving under the surface of the water for food, so they spread their wings to dry them out after diving.

Jen’s banded stilts at Point Henry, and right, Geoff’s cormorant at Blue Waters Lake. (Pictures: Supplied)

75 years for fire brigade

Ocean Grove Fire Brigade turned 75 years young and celebrated in a big way on Saturday to present significant service awards and national medals.

CFA board member Beth Davidson attended and helped present six CFA Service Awards.

Neil and Caroline Hickman were awarded life membership and Jason Barry was named firefighter of the year.

Captain Andrew Cooper said there were generations of firefighters in the room to celebrate the brigade’s history.

“It was great to come together with everyone to mark the milestone,” he said.

“Itwasaworthwhileevent,withmanystories shared around the room.”

Mr Cooper said the brigade has embraced and grown through change over the course of its 75-year history.

The inaugural meeting of the Ocean Grove Fire Brigade was held on 16 November 1946 and was attended by 29 interested residents. Volunteers registered their interest and the brigade was officially registered on 19 December 1946.

The next year, the brigade purchased a block of land in Hodgson Street and in 1950 an old army hut was relocated and repurposed into the fire station.

Thebrigadeupgradeditsfacilityin1977with a new $110,000 modern brick station built at the site. Eventually the brigade would outgrow theHodgsonStreetsiteand movetoitscurrent site at Shell Road, that was officially opened in 2011.

In 2012, the Ocean Grove Fire Brigade became a CFA integrated station with career firefighters working alongside volunteer firefighters.

“This was a major change for the brigade and we worked hand-in-hand with the CFA catchment team and District to ensure a

smooth transition,” he said.

“It was a great success and we have worked very closely with career firefighters ever since.

“Whenever we respond out the door, we do so with the same purpose, to protect lives and property.”

The brigade currently has 33 members, including 21 operational firefighters and 12 support members.

Riding for SIDS awareness

Bellarinecyclistsareencouragedtojump on their bikes to raise money for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) through the Red Nose support service.

The Ride the Month of August for SIDS encourages cyclists of all ages and abilities to ride their bikes on the road, gym,orintheirhomestoraisemoneyfor grieving families and SIDS research.

The event coincides with August 5’s Ride the Bellarine for SIDS, where 30 cyclists travel 110km of the Bellarine Peninsula, and director Peter Herrick said it was the first time riders could join online.

“We’re thrilled to roll out the Ride the Month of August for SIDS online in 2023,” he said. “We’re excited to welcome not only Victorians but riders from across the country to join us for this important cause.

“You can clock up your kilometres in the comfort of your own home, at the gym or your favourite riding spot, it’s all up to you. The best part is that every cent raised goes directly to Red Nose.”

Mr Herrick said the 2023 event had alreadyraisedmorethan$12,000andthat cyclists that joined the fundraiser event online could ride as many kilometres as they like throughout August.

New exhibition at QNH

A new photography exhibition showcases the natural beauty of Queenscliff’s landscapes and inhabitants.

Queenscliff Neighbourhood House’s (QNH)

Through Our Eyes gallery exhibition features works from five amateur photographers that opened on July 15 and will run to August 20 from 10am to 4pm.

Gallery committee member Jocelyn Adam said she was glad to be able to offer a “very unique” opportunity for the photographers to showcase their work.

“It’s a real thrill to watch them all come together,” she said.

“We like to support emerging artists and artists that haven’t exhibited before.”

One of the five featured photographers, Dennis Parrish, said his inspiration came from his travels and that it felt “a bit strange” to have his photos included in the exhibition.

“Ilikehowyoucanplayaroundwithdifferent angles and techniques of photographing to create an interesting image that evokes a

thought or feeling,” he said.

“To actually see them up on the wall with people looking at them is a bit surreal, but it’s exciting and quite thrilling.”

Mardi Simons said she liked to focus on how light, design, pattern, and colour could occur in a photo and that being included in the exhibition was “exciting” and “rewarding”.

“I don’t take photos with the view of exhibiting them,” she said. “I take them because something there has caught my eye and because it’s satisfying to me.”

Fran Faulkner said she used her phone to produce photos and that the exhibition “came together really well”.

“It’s nice to have people looking at them and appreciating the things we’ve appreciated,” she said.

The exhibition will also include works by Ocean Grove photographers Grant Allen and Carole Poustie.

“The event was heart-warming – our brigade has such a rich history and we have members fromarangeofbackgrounds,”MrCoopersaid.

“It’simportanttoreflectonwhereourbrigade hascomefromandthepeoplethathaveshaped it into what it is today.

“Many people don’t realise the volume of work necessary to create the strong and trusted asset the brigade is to the community today.”

“We are blown away by the community’s continued support and generous donations,” he said. “However, there’s still plenty of time to sign up, jump on the bike and raise funds to be part of this wonderful cause. “You can also donate directly to the ride, so please dig deep this winter for Red Nose.”

Fran Faulkner, Dennis Parrish and Mardi Simons exhibit their work at Queenscliff Neighbourhood House. (Ivan Kemp) 347932_05

Jena Carr

Main: Doug Pearce and Morrie Barry cut the anniversary cake. Left: Captain Andrew Cooper and board member Beth Davidson present 75th anniversary certificate to the brigade. Centre: ACFO Brendan Lawson presents a 25-year service medal to Anne Geerings. Right: Beth Davidson presents a National Medal with 1st Clasp to Jason Barry. (Pictures: Supplied)

Hundreds set to flock to Gordon Open Day on July 30

The Gordon is set to welcome hundreds of schoolleaversandcareerchangerstoitsannual Open Day event on Sunday, July 30.

Hosted at its Geelong City Campus from 11am to 3pm, the career showcase has the potential to be a game changer for career changers or those looking to gain practical experience and enter the workforce sooner.

“TAFE is a really clever choice. It offers the hands-on experience you need to be job-ready and get into the workforce faster, without the large debt,” executive director of student experience Colin Hatcher said.

The Gordon offers more than 200 courses, from certificates I-IV to advanced diplomas, as well as apprenticeships and traineeships, which allow students to earn while they learn.

“We have a comprehensive range of courses leading to jobs in high growth sectors, including health, science, construction and information technology,” Mr Hatcher said.

“Additionally, service-based industries, including business, cookery, tourism, and hospitality will be featured. Other offerings encompass automotive, engineering, education, community services, early childhood education, and creative courses like floristry, hairdressing, and art and design.

“I welcome everyone to our campus to meet our teachers, learn about the many career paths a TAFE qualification offers, and tour our contemporary training facilities.”

Customer service will be on hand to assist those looking to enrol and learn more about Free TAFE. With more than 40 Free TAFE courses at The Gordon, there has never been a better time to study.

Attendees can also look forward to displays from barbering offering fresh cuts, a Tesla presentation from the automotive team, and an eclectic art exhibition staged by graphic design

and visual art students. There is also an extravaganza of prizes to be won, including a cubbyhouse designed and

built by carpentry and painting apprentices, dining vouchers to the iconic Davidson restaurant,andpamperpacksfromTheStudio,

the TAFEs hairdressing and beauty salon. Those who register and apply on the day also go into the draw to win a laptop.

The Gordon students Anika Ginn (beauty), James Dean (commercial cookery), Anneka Kypirtidis (floristry), Brooke Blaney (graphic arts) and Sarah Bensted (hairdressing). (Supplied)

More than a quarter of a century of first-class learning

Formorethan25yearsVFALearninghasbeen delivering first-class, nationally recognised qualifications in the health and education industries.

VFA offers various learning options and flexibility, including face-to-face, online and traineeships, as well as training programs such as VET in school and school-based apprenticeships.

As a finalist for the Victorian Training Awards two years in a row the simple mission is to provide education combining knowledge, preparation,andexperience.VFAbelievesthese are the hallmarks of an excellent education.

VFA Learning has four guiding principles thatitstandsbytoprovidepositiveoutcomesfor its students – support, credibility, progression and fun.

Support – The Student Wellbeing Assistance Program – or SWAP Learning – is a tailored pastoralcareservicedesignedtoassiststudents through their qualification by encouraging good study habits and class attendance.

Credibility – VFA is proud to have spent a quarter of a century growing its business in the Geelong area. In that time, it has partnered with many local organisations and established a reputation as a well-known and trusted provider of nationally accredited courses. There is a good chance that you already know someone who has studied at VFA before or visited the onsite student massage clinic.

Progression – Courses span across high-demand professions that also teach valuable life skills. This means a VFA Learning qualification will future-proof the career success of our students, so they can meet their goalsandembarkonacareerthey’repassionate about. VFA has tailored its offering to allow for career enhancement through upskilling and pathway programs as well as various delivery modes to suit different needs.

Fun – VFAusesamodifiedFlippedLearning teaching method across its courses. Using a combination of online and face-to-face delivery allows students to complete theory at home before class so the face-to-face sessions can focus on ‘doing’ rather than reading or listening. Students can then better understand keyconcepts,initiatefurtherinvestigation,and increase their active participation in learning.

Students love this way of learning. VFAlovestoshareitsstudents’achievements, have strong, above-average completion rates, and most graduates secure jobs or university placements. We’re all about empowering our students to achieve their goals and build a better life through education.

VFA Learning empowers students through education and transforms careers through

traineeships. VFA believes education can unlock your potential and open doors to endless opportunities. Whether you’re seeking a career in nursing, aged care, fitness, massage, educationorchildcare,you’vecometotheright place.

For more information, visit vfalearning.vic. edu.au or call 5223 6800.

At VFA Learning, we're here to help you develop the skills and experience to live your passion in a job you'll really love. Whether you've recently finished year 12, are returning to work or considering a career change, our learning environment is fun, practical and supportive. We offer various delivery modes, including classroom, blended online, and traineeships to suit your study needs. The skills you gain at VFA Learning will help you to graduate job-ready or transition into a university degree.

VFA Learning has four guiding principles that it stands by – support, credibility, progression and fun. (Supplied)

Wisdom, honour and purpose at Lutheran College

Geelong Lutheran College (GLC) has a proud history of educating young people in the Greater Geelong region.

With two campuses at St John’s Newtown (K to Year 6) and Armstrong Creek (Prep to Year 12), the College provides a Christian education in the Lutheran tradition, where a range of engaging, hands-on and inquiry-based learning opportunities are provided, tailored to the developmental stages of the students.

GLC St John’s Newtown has 360 students andissetintheurbancommunityofNewtown in Geelong.

GLC Armstrong Creek, with over 900 students, is located on 11 hectares within the growing coastal community of Armstrong Creek, between Geelong and the Surf Coast.

The College has a broad catchment area that extends from Lara in the north, Bannockburn and Winchelsea in the west, the Surf Coast in the south, and the Bellarine Peninsula in the east.

Bus transport to and from school is available to students, with a fleet of 11 buses.

Intheprimaryschools,thereisastrongfocus on literacy and numeracy, complemented by a diverse range of specialist classes in languages, performing and visual arts, technologies, STEM, physical education, music, and food technology.

In2023GLC’scandidacyfortheInternational Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP)

was approved. This will provide a renowned pedagogical approach to learning steeped in an inquiry process with a focus on global citizenship.

Our approach to secondary school embraces three Learning Communities (Years 7 and 8, Years 9 and 10 and Years 11 and 12), each catering for the unique developmental needs of our students as they navigate the movement from early teenage years to young adults.

EachLearningCommunityissupportedbya Dean of Students who oversees the culture and pastoral support of the students in their care.

GLC has a diverse student cohort and embraces every member of the community regardless of their culture or background. Guided by our three core values of wisdom, honour, and purpose, we focus on the whole child, encompassing the social/emotional, academic, physical, and spiritual dimensions of their development.

GLC offers a range of co-curricular and extracurricular experiences, catering for a broad variety of interests and passions.

Interested families can find out more by visiting the GLC website, glc.vic.edu.au, and registering for college tours.

Westronglyrecommendyouvisitustoseethe GLC campuses in action, meet members of our caring and dynamic schools, and experience for yourself our unique environments.

Personal and professional development is your Destiny

DestinyPursuitCoaching&Trainingprovides both Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) training and coaching to the growing ranks of people seeking personal and professional transformation in Geelong and beyond.

NLP contains the most accessible, positive and useful aspects of modern psychology, and can be helpful in virtually every aspect of personal and interpersonal relations.

Ourteamrespondstoyourneeds–whether you are overcoming a fear of public speaking, need to master the art of dealing with difficult people, want some focused coaching or are keen to build your communication mastery, our team tailors coaching and training programs to meet your specific needs.

“First time I’d taken part in anything of this nature,” James Goldsworthy said.

“It was well run, extremely beneficial for me and interesting. Will definitely be doing more in the future.”

The empathic and caring principles of NLP assist in the practical application of ethical and moral considerations as well as using compassionate ideas in work and life.

NLP is an enabling tool for emotional intelligence because we learn strategies to communicate effectively, not only with other people, but also with ourselves in order

to achieve and reproduce excellence in all contexts. Using NLP techniques, we can develop and sustain mutually satisfying and enriching relationships with other people on a variety of levels.

“This training is life changing in a way that makes you understand yourself and others better and helps you communicate more effectively,” Leighanne Crocker said.

“I definitely believe everyone in the world should learn this, highly recommended.”

Our graduates say that the NLP techniques theyhavelearnthelpedparticularlybymaking it possible for them to reduce stress, increase self-belief, assertiveness and confidence, understand and reduce conflicts, set clear goals, which meant they got to improve their effectiveness and productivity.

With a focus on the importance of living withconsciouspurposeNLPgraduatesutilise their skills in their profession, personal life, parenting, as well as for their self-talk and self-nurturing.

Bringing NLP Practitioner training online has been a game changer for our students. In the past many could not complete all the pre-learning and then take seven days out of their busy lives to complete the Certified Practitioner training. Offering the

Practitioner Certificate online has increased accessibility opening this valuable training up for full time workers, busy parents and even students travelling or living overseas. Despite the initial apprehension of some students to online training ours has proven to be highly successful, engaging and enjoyable.

Joanne Clark from Geelong’s Destiny Pursuit Coaching & Training is one of the few NLP trainers authorised in Australia to deliver online NLP Practitioner training that meets both the NLP Association of Australia and international standards for NLP Certification. You will graduate as a certified Practitioner of NLP in three months of part-time study.

“I enjoyed the zoom meetings with the interactive learning exercises most and the discussions that followed,” Carinne Fidge said. “The group was very supportive of each other and coming to zoom class was something I looked forward to.”

The first step to a better and more emotionally healthy life starts here. If you would like to find out more about NLP training or our range of other courses call us on 0420 305 989 or visit destinypursuit. com.au/nlp-practitioner-online.

Geelong Lutheran College has a diverse student cohort. (Supplied)

Destiny Pursuit Coaching & Training provides NLP learning and coaching. (Supplied)

In 2023, Newcomb Secondary College embraced a renewed focus on instilling good order. (Supplied)

Renewed focus on order

Fostering good order is vital to optimise effective teaching time and promote better learning outcomes.

In 2023, Newcomb Secondary College embraced a renewed focus on instilling good order.

This initiative was spearheaded by the college’s new principal, Scott McLeod, who drew inspiration from the Berry Street Education Model’s emphasis on consistency of practice. Remarkable improvements resulting from this shift have already become evident within just six months.

By maintaining good order, students can concentratefullyontheirlearning,minimising distractionsandmaximisingvaluablelearning time. This not only cultivates a more pleasant social environment, but also contributes to higher academic achievements, as students are better able to meet high expectations set by

Working together in love

Nazareth Catholic School is a vibrant foundation to year Six community situated in Grovedale within the Nazareth Catholic Parish.

As a primary educational facility we are focused on enabling all students to experience success, guided by our school motto - ‘Let all you do be done in love’.

AtNazareth,ourcurriculumisunderpinned by highly developed relationships between teachers, students and parents and caregivers. We have high expectations for all and view one another as capable, developing various types of thinking and learning.

Our learning community fosters the conditions for students to have a voice in the design process, working actively in partnership with teachers who draw upon

the Victorian Curriculum and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.

We also celebrate the many successes we achieve together and foster a love for learning with others in a collaborative learning environment.

There are multiple opportunities for students to apply what they are learning by joining a school band, enrolling in Lego club, engaging in social justice actions and leading others in areas of personal expertise.

At Nazareth Catholic School, we value ourselves, our relationships with others and the world around us.

We invite you to book a private tour through our school office (03) 5243 0502.

their educators.

Promoting good order is particularly beneficial for students who may be neuro-diverse, trauma-affected, or new to the educational setting.

The bustling atmosphere of a secondary schoolcanbeoverwhelming,withmuchchange throughout each day. The implementation of predictable routines and fostering calm and organised learning environments can significantly aid all students in maintaining their focus throughout the entire day.

Such collective efficacy in creating conducivelearningspacesenhancestheoverall educational experience and contributes to the success of each individual within the NSC community.

Contact the school with enrolment enquiries on 5248 1400.

Nazareth Catholic School’s motto is ‘Let all you do be done in love’.

Genuine prep experience on offer at Christian College

Christian College’s Discover Prep Week runs from August 7 to 11.

The Bellarine Campus in Drysdale invites you to immerse yourself in the College’s unparalleled prep program, including opportunities to join a class for a firsthand experience.

The prep program features strong core elements focusing on literacy, numeracy and integrated studies, complemented by six other learning areas – music, Japanese, art, health and PE, library and digitech – which are delivered by specialist teachers.

Head of Bellarine Campus Nick Watson said during Discover Prep Week three information sessions, and two opportunities

to participate in the prep experience, are offered.

“The information sessions provide an overview of our outstanding prep learning program, and the opportunity for people to meet teachers and campus leaders, and have their questions answered,” he said.

“The Prep Experience sessions are where interested parents, and their children, can get a genuine insider’s view by being part of a prep class and participating in learning activities in real time.

“In Discover Prep Week, we are not simply offering to tell families about what we do, we are letting them observe and be part of what wedo.Webelievethisprovidesadeeper,more

experiential way of discovering Christian College’s approach to educating the whole person through a mix of curriculum and care – right from the start of the school journey.”

Bellarine Campus extends from prep to Year 9, before students transition to Year 10 at Christian College’s Senior Campus in Waurn Ponds.

Mr Watson said there are still vacancies at Bellarine Campus for prep in 2024 and beyond. Enrolments are also open for other year levels, including some very limited places for Year 7 in 2024.

In Discover Prep Week, there are prep information sessions running on Tuesday

August 8 between 9am and 10am with two sessions offered on Thursday August 10 – one from noon to 1pm and an evening session from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.

Two Prep Experience sessions are running – one on Wednesday August 9 between 9.30am and 10.30am and another on Thursday August 10 between 2pm and 3pm. For more information, and to make bookings for the session(s) you would like to attend, click on the Discover Prep Week hotlink at christiancollege.vic.edu.au

Enrolment enquiries for any level at Bellarine Campus are always welcome –call 5253 2998.

Tuesday August 8, 9:00-10:00am Prep Information Session

Wednesday August 9, 9:30-10:30am Prep Experience Session

Thursday August 10, 12:00-1:00pm Prep Information Session

Thursday August 10, 2:00-3:00pm Prep Experience Session

Thursday August 10, 7:30 – 8:30pm Prep Information Session

Digitech – one of six areas within the Prep program taught by specialist teachers Right: Discovery Learning takes Prep students to bush and beach environments. (Pictures: Supplied)

Dead heat in writing comp

Therewere24entriesfortopicfourwithahigh standard of expression and a large number being discussed as possible winners of the Bellarine Writing Competition.

The judges couldn’t separate Helen Friee and Janet Campbell.

Notable mentions go to Ali Holborn, Jenny Macaulay, Terry Draper, Dennis Butler, Mark Towse and Wes Furyk.

Topic five is the last one for the year before the Final to be held during September/ October. Simply write a story about the picture in the advertisement on this page.

“HelenFrieepresentedan18th-centuryview of an historical character and light-heartedly commented about his love of alchemy and the views of his watchful female neighbour,“ the judges said.

“The language is rich and tightly controlled.

“Janet Campbell presented a vivid description of a family celebrating a special occasion in a way that means much to them, especially Joe and his father, involving the reader in the experience.“

Joe’s birthday

By Janet Campbell

On Joe’s birthday we had a great morning playing cricket with the kids from over the road. He used his new bat, but he let us have a go – only on the grass. Then Joe, Tom, Frankie and I went out on the mudflats to check the

pots we’d set with Dad the day before. Mary’s too young to handle the suck-down, so Kev minded her and the carry crates while they explored around the rocks near the track. Dad called it payday when the pots filled. Fresh mud crabs on special bread with butter, salt and pepper for tea. Ripper. We had to be back by three, because that’s when Dad would get home with crusty bread from the posh bread shop, marshmallows for toasting and bags of ice for the crab bath. Kev had Mum’s old watch so he kept yelling out the time to us. There wasn’t time for mucking around.

We scored eight crabs all up. Frankie and I got spiked getting them into the two crates, but the others were lucky. Skilful, they said. Inside me I could smell the fire and taste the crabs as we walked back, I was that excited. Everyone picked up a stick along the track to use for fire-prodding and marshmallowtoasting later.

Dad had a regular crab-cooking performance. He’d fill the pots with water to the‘perfectlevel’,add‘secret’amountsofthose bigpinksaltcrystals,weirdleavesandherbsto each one, add the crabs, put the pots to boil and tell us again that we’d get the secret to the perfect crab cook when we turned 13. We never thought he’d actually tell us because the secret seemed so important to him. He’d even won a cook-off at the Christmas Fair once. His prize was a big iron thing with hooks to hang the pots on over the fire.

Janet Campbell

Janet lives on the northern Bellarine where she is a member of Portarlington Neighbourhood House Fiction and Haiku writing groups. She volunteers with Friends of Point Richards, has a productive vegie patch, regularly tries to play golf and enjoys the Bellarine’s beauty. Her eclectic paid-work experiences have included non-fiction writing and editing, and also provided lots of opportunity to see the funny and poignant side of human sagas.

Joe was 13. He should be told the secret. Out in the mud, Tom, FrankieandIhad come up with seven dead-set ways we’d get him to tell us the secret if Dad told him. Joe laughed us down on each one saying that he was old enough to deal with juveniles if Dad trusted him. To be truthful, I reckon I would be too, if Dad trusted me with the secret. But that wasn’t going to be for another four years, if ever.

I was hopeful, since it was a birthday, that mum wouldn’t make us have salad with the crab or suck a mango to death afterwards. I saw her making a cake in the kitchen before we headed out but she wouldn’t let me taste it. Little Mick was making gurgles and squeaks while he watched her from his high chair. He was just one year old, but he knew what was goingon.He’dgettotastebeforehisafternoon sleep; we all did when we were little.

Dad got home just before we did. He’d already dumped ice into the old baby bath and put water to a level just below the ice. If you put too much water in, the bath doesn’t stay cold enough to put the crabs to sleep before you spike them to kill them.

We have to cook crabs outside because the kitchen is too small to handle it. When we got

back, Kev and I were allowed to start the fire for the boiling-pots. We had to hose off all the mud on our legs, feet and hands then put on anoldwooljumperandbeanie(eventhoughit was summer, which it always is when it’s right for crabbing), before we could start. Dad has scars on his arm, neck and head from getting burnt by a campfire when he was a kid.

The fire and coals were perfect by the time the crabs had been spiked and cleaned. We expected Dad to start his usual crab-cooking performance, but he didn’t. He put water in the pots, left them beside the fire and asked Joe to go inside with him. Mary chucked her stick into the fire and it hissed and squeaked like green sticks do. I loved the smell and the different flame, but she started to cry as it disappeared. I told her she could use my stick for the marshmallows.

ThenJoeandDadcameout,grinned,tipped paper bags of stuff into the pots, loaded the crabs and hooked the pots onto the iron thing.

The Alchemist

By Helen Friee

A noted gentleman named Isaac moved in next door not three months ago. No family at all,nowife,nochildren,notevenanyservants, although he can certainly afford them. I watched him move in. I like to know the neighbourhood goings on, who’s living a fine life, who might need a hand, and newcomers, well, we all need to make sure they’re the right type, and won’t make any trouble.

Isaac didn’t move in with much. A few pieces of furniture: a wooden table, just one armchair – comfortable looking enough – a single bed, a cupboard, and a fancy wardrobe. What he did have a lot of were books, and papers, and I saw large manuscripts with all sorts of hand-written inscriptions, diagrams, lists, and, well just scrawls and scratches. And he had some wooden boxes of, I’m not sure what, but when they were being carried I could hear the clunks and squeak of different metals as some scraped against each other, glass bottles clinked together, and liquids sloshed around. All very curious.

He’s an older gentleman, must be at least 70. The first thing I noticed was his long wavy silvery white hair, framing an unsettled face with a pointed nose and probing eyes. A bit of a pallor about him, like he spends all his time inside, out of the sunlight. Thin as a wisp too, looks like he doesn’t eat well, which is hardly surprising since he hasn’t any wife or maidservant to cook for him. His clothes are fine, although a bit ragged and scruffy. He also needs the toils of a half-decent washerwoman. Word was that his last house burnt down. One of his experiments gone wrong. Isaac had converted one of his rooms into a laboratory where he mixed his concoctions over a flame

Helen Friee

Helen lives with her family in Ocean Grove, and they have lived on Bellarine Peninsula for more than 20 years. She is a member of a local book group as well as a writing group. When she’s not working, she enjoys a good story, a good book, and is taking the slow road to study creative writing online. Taking it slowly allows her to immerse herself in the stories and the theory fully, and to ponder the layers of plot, character and meaning in the vast worlds of literature and pop fiction that exist around us.

and watched them bubble, spark, and transform into goodness knows what. A small but vicious explosion caused a fire which burned the building, taking with it most of his belongings, including his precious scientific writings.

Isaac is known for his research into mathematics and physics that will continue into history, so I’ve been told. He invented ways of gauging how things move, how they start and stop; they call it calculus, those that care. Then he sat under a tree and watched an apple fall to the ground. Hardly miraculous, but give it a scholar’s name, ‘gravity’, and it’s an epiphany and everyone is most impressed. Queen Anne made him Sir Isaac a few years ago, such is his acclaim.

Hedidn’tseemtooaccomplishedwhenIsaw him earlier today wandering outside his house in the street. All those silver waves of hair were a right mess, his face grey and blotchy, his eyes tired and drawn, but his mouth curled in a smug grin. He walked unsteadily and his hands trembled.

“Good day to you, Sir Isaac. Are you quite well?”

“Couldn’t be better!” His arms wavered wildly, “I am so close, so close to triumph Mrs…”, he frowned.

‘Oh?’

Remembering my name was of no perceptible consequence, as, with an air of self-assurance despite his dishevelment, he rattled off his latest discovery. Gossip was rife of the passions of some, including Isaac, to manufacture gold from any ordinary bits of metal. Isaac talks about science and discovery, but others talk of sorcery, the occult. How does someone so learned get mixed up in such silliness and scandal?

He told me he mixed a solution containing a silver crystal and mercury, and he reckons he’s got a fusion that’s growing and forming branches like a tree. He called it the philosopher’s stone. All he has to do now is heat it with some iron, and it will turn into gold!

I’ll admit I lost a bit of the detail after he mentionedmercury,asIobservedhismemory loss, jerking shoulders, facial lines quivering as I was pierced by his red stalked eyes and the spittle of his slurred ramblings.

“Come and have a look M— my good woman. It’s quite wondrous!”

“No!” I exclaimed, horrified, “No. Thank you Sir Isaac. I have cooking to do”’

I offered my own transforming blend of ordinary elements: haricot verts, lupins and broad bean gram combined with potatoes, pumpkin, beets and peas. I will simmer these in a thick onion gravy over a fire and add foraged thyme, sorrel and rosemary, together with the leftover fowl from yesterday’s roast. The reward will be my hearty beanie braise that I will serve with buttery dumplings, enticingly golden.

“Why don’t you come over later and enjoy some supper with us Sir Isaac? You look like you could do with some nourishing and sensible alchemy.”

TOPIC 5: Write your own story about this picture.

750 words max.

Entries close Friday, 1st September.

Please include a phone number with your entry.

Entries to acobham@bigpond.com

Winner notified by phone on Sunday, 3rd September.

(Supplied)

A cider salute to an Australian icon

Local favourite Flying Brick Cider Co has just launched a unique and seriously delicious new cider, SPLICER.

Sound kind of familiar? You’re right.

SPLICER is Flying Brick’s beverage salute to an iconic Australian ice-cream.

It’s cloudy blonde chartreuse in colour with lashings of fresh passionfruit, pineapple and lime curating a sublime fusion with the soft, creamy vanilla pear cider base. Refreshing tropical sweet fruit flavour balanced with naturally dryish zesty acid crunch.

SPLICER was recently launched at the famous GABS Festival (Great Australian Beer Spectacular) and received massive cheers from the GABS crew and attendees alike.

This cool new cider joins Flying Brick’s stable of fresh, fruity, natural ciders on the pour and in the can for convenient take home enjoyment.

The super popular PACHINGA (Pear, Ginger, Lime and Chilli) features all-natural ingredients with no artificial flavours, colours or sugars. Co-fermented with ginger, chilli

and lime and then back sweetened with fresh pear juice. Driving with chilli and ginger, the lime adds a level of freshness and zest to lighten. Slightly cloudy with the inclusion of fresh pear juice.

PANGO is another Flying Brick recent addition which has low alcohol loving RTD drinkers in a whirl of excitement for good reason.

Crafted from pear and mango the cider features a cloudy sunburnt orange profile with ripe mango aromas leaping out of the glass.

Lush mango sweetness abounds within a dignified foundation of freshly crushed pear.

For the berry lovers, there’s RasPERRY which is crafted from Victorian Packham pears infused with a high-quality raspberry extract. With freshly crushed berry notes and loads of fruit sweetness on the nose, the palate is light and delicate with the dryness of the pear cider delivering a clean fresh feel.

Drop into Flying Brick Cider House in Wallington to get your hit of these naturally fruity charmers. flyingbrickciderco.com.au

LEURA PARK ESTATE

Artisan wines without compromise

• Sensational setting

• Stunning pizzas, platters & fresh local fare

• Live Music Sundays

• Wine Tastings

• Open Thurs - Sunday 11am - 5pm

1400 Portarlington Rd, Curlewis 03 5253 3180 leuraparkestate.com.au

12606035-SN21-23

FLYING BRICK CIDER CO

Funky, Fabulous, Fun.

• Landmark Bellarine venue

• Innovative space

• Delicious food

• 100% naturally crafted ciders

• Luxurious grounds & vineyard

• OPEN 7 Days 11am-5pm 1251 Bellarine Hwy, Wallington 03 5250 6577 flyingbrickciderco.com.au

12606701-KG21-23

JACK RABBIT VINEYARD

• Iconic Bellarine winery

• Unrivalled panoramic views

• Contemporary a la carte

• Sophisticated wines

• Lunch / Wine Tastings

• OPEN 7 Days 85 McAdams Lane, Bellarine 03 5251 2223 jackrabbitvineyard.com.au

12606706-RR21-23

THE RANGE @CURLEWIS

Finesse your form or just for fun.

• Lunch / Dinner / Snacks

• Burger, Beverage & Balls packages

• Barista coffe, beer, wine & cocktails

• OPEN 7 days 1201 Portarlington Rd, Curlewis Ph 5251 1111 curlewisgolf.com.au

The SPLICER is a refreshing anytime drink.

Foodie precincts abound

Thirsty or a rumbling tummy? From fish and chips on the beach, to full-scale dining and burgers and beers, take your pick.

OceanGrove:TheTerracehasanabundance of quaint cafes. Take a walk on both sides of the street and take your pick. There’s also a burgeoning foodie scene at the Industrial Estate and Kingston Village.

BarwonHeads:HitchcockAvenuehascafes, restaurants and even ice cream.

Drysdale: a plethora of wineries are just a stone’s throw away while gin and whiskey loverscancheckoutseveraldistilleriesaround

the area.

Queenscliff: grand old pubs and cafes galore and there’s even a brewery.

Portarlington: Port’s eating scene has been boosted by a mini revival of late.

Wallington: a cider house (with great food) and some hidden gems of eateries at nearby wineries.

St Leonards: Nothing beats downing a beer or wine in the big grassy beer garden overlooking the water at the pub and the main strip on Murradoc Road has seen an explosion of cool little places to grab a bite.

SOURDOUGH CROISSANTS,

BREADS,

PASTRIES & ARTISAN FOODS

We’re a family-owned artisan bakery, located on the Bellarine Peninsula. Visit our beautiful bush surroundings and try our 100% sourdough croissants, breads and small batch pastries, all made with love to nourish.

ORDER ONLINE AT KETBAKER.COM.AU TO SKIP THE QUEUES

Daily

AWARD-WINNING WINES

SCOTCHMANS RESTAURANT

Open for lunch Thursday - Sunday & dinner Fridays from 5.30pm

THE CELLAR DOOR

7 days a week 11am - 4pm for tastings & wine sales

190 SCOTCHMANS ROAD, DRYSDALE scotchmans.com.au

BISTRO MEALS

Every Friday from 5:30pm

DEVONSHIRE TEAS

Every Sunday from 1:30pm-3:30pm Please call our office to book.

Club Italia Geelong also offers: Private functions such as weddings, birthdays, corporate events, Christmas parties and more

• Shows • Family discos

• Markets • Bingo

• Italian community events

Twilight & Saturday market on 22nd & 23rd September.

515 Bellarine Hwy Moolap

5250 2349

Info@clubitalia.com.au

Follow us on

Everyone is welcome!

12616725-AP31-23

Stroll along both sides of Hitchcock Avenue in Barwon Heads for some terrific eating and drinking options. (Rebecca Hosking)

MY BELLARINE

What is your connection to Ocean Grove?

It is my home. I grew up in Ocean Grove, from kindergarten through to high school. I’ve also always been involved in the local sporting clubs and helping the community where I can.

What do you like about where you live?

I like how close I am to the ocean, nature reserves, parks and wetlands, that allow me to explore and enjoy the outdoors. The community is also so supportive, and we all look out for one another.

What, if anything, would you change about where you live?

As the economy continues to boom, the expenses associated with purchasing and renting properties are rising.

The community is experiencing rapid growth, exacerbating the issue of insufficient living spaces for young people to inhabit.

Where is your favourite place to spend time?

I love spending time at the beach, especially along the river or Barwon Bluff, or enjoying a coffee at one of the local cafes.

What is something people may not know about you?

I’m not a true local as I’m originally from England. My family and I migrated to Ocean Grove when I was five.

What do you like about your Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club role?

I love the opportunities my role within the surf club has provided me with.

The awards, skills, knowledge and employment along the way have all benefited my personal growth and my studies.

The ability to notice dangers before they occur is also a skill learnt through my role within the club, and the ability to remain calm in ever-changing environments.

I also enjoy the community, challenges, and lifelong friendships I have developed throughout this role.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED? Community Calendar is made available free of charge to not-for-profit organisations to keep the public informed of special events and activities. Send item details to Voice Community Calendar, 1/47 Pakington Street, Geelong West, 3218, or email to newsdesk@voicegroup.com.au. Deadline for copy and announcements is 5pm Tuesday.

Book club

Leopold CAE book club meets second Tuesday each month from 6.30pm. Very friendly group. New members welcome.

■ Shirley, 0488 055 969

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

Ballroom dance

Leopold Hall, 805-809 Bellarine Hwy, Saturdays, 7.30pm-11.30pm. Admission $10 includes supper.

■ 0400 500 402

Scottish country dancing classes

GOG Scottish Country Dance classes

7.30pm Tuesdays at Leopold Hill Hall, $5. No partner needed, just comfy casual clothing and flat shoes.

■ Jane, 0481 126 022, or Barbara, 0419 511 781

Cards

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 six players adjust to any number and you will enjoy the friendship of like-minded players.

Cost: $20 annually and coffee included. At 102 The Terrace, Ocean Grove.

■ Lyn, 5256 2540

Drysdale Day VIEW

Supporting The Smith Family for fun and friendship while supporting disadvantaged Students. Meetings at Portarlington Golf Club for lunch on the fourth Friday of each month.

■ Margaret, 0431 636 090

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)

Ocean Grove Evening VIEW Meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6.30pm. Email oceangroveevening.viewclub@gmail.com for details.

■ 0428 546 796

CWA Drysdale Meets Drysdale RSL, Princess Street, Drysdale on the second Tuesday of the month. Meetings start at 1pm followed by afternoon tea. Friendly group looking to recruit new members.

■ Jenni, 0452 258 333

TOWN club

The Springs TOWN Club (Take Off Weight Naturally) 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.

■ Bev O’Meara, 0421 636 830

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.

■ Barry, 0409 161 129

Ocean Grove on Barwon Probus Meets 9.45am for 10am every third Wednesday at Ocean Grove Golf Club.

■ gwen.anne.james@gmail.com

Drysdale Ladies Probus Club Meets at 10.30am on the fourth Monday of each month at the Clifton Springs Golf Club.

■ Lorraine, 0412 805 858

Portarlington Senior Citizens Bus trip to Fyansford Paper Mill then Bunjil’s Lookout in Maude for a BBQ lunch. Thursday September 21, 9am start back about 4pm.

■ Shirley, 0438 720 076

Ocean Grove Senior Citizens 101 The Terrace, Ocean Grove

Weekly

•฀฀Tuesday:฀indoor฀bowls,฀snooker฀and฀ chess 1pm

•฀฀Wednesday:฀beginner฀art฀painting฀class฀ at 9.30am, bingo 1.30pm and chord club jam session for musicians 4pm

•฀฀Thursday:฀social฀afternoons,฀cards฀500฀ and snooker 1pm

•฀฀Friday:฀sketching฀art฀class฀9.30am,฀ indoor bowls 1pm

Afternoon tea dance

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

■ 5251 3529

Orlagh Davison is an Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club member and one of its Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) athletes. She speaks with Jena Carr about what she loves about living, working and studying in Ocean Grove.

Ocean Grove’s Orlagh Davison. (Ivan Kemp) 341256_03

Out and about

1/ Audrey Greer and Lani. 2/ Donna Hunt with Jett. 3/ Brother and sister, Greg Isgrove from Point Lonsdale and Suzanne Velk from Woodend. 4/ Brian and Leah Mulcaire with their daughters Astrid and Daisy and eight-week old Peggy. 5/ Derek and Pam Rathbone with Molly. 6/ Chad Barnes after a surf. 7/ Helen Jakobi from Echuca. 8/ Trevor and Anita Sainty. 9/ Jennifer and Randall Thain with Milo. 10/ Colleen Fletcher and Peter Cullen. 11/ Norma Gray from Swansea, Wales. 12/ Juanita Barnes. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 349050

Voice photographer Ivan Kemp ventured to Ocean Grove main beach on Monday, July 24 to see how beachgoers were filling in their day.

PUZZLES

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

QUICK CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Of the finest type or standard (7)

5 Destructive insects (7)

9 Able to be maintained consistently (11)

10 Hair product (3)

11 Country (6)

12 My friend (Fr) (3,4)

14 Regulation (4)

15 Timber tree (10)

17 Extremely greedy (10)

19 Poke (4)

20 Inhabitant of Malta (7)

22 Forces out (6)

25 Harass (3)

26 Unfortunate (11)

28 Drink made with wine, fruit and brandy (7)

29 Dressage movement (7)

No. 143

DOWN

1 Throw (4)

2 Nation continent (9)

3 Graduated measure (5)

4 Following each other (11)

5 Room for scientific experiments (abb) (3)

6 Neatly (7)

7 Happiness in Hindi (5)

8 Round of beef (10)

12 Dimension (11)

13 Medications given to a patient (10)

plate supporting

DECODER WORDFIT

No. 143

3 LETTERS AGE AMP APE APT BAN EAT EEL GEL IMP MOW

9-LETTER WORD

Today’s Aim:

12 words: Good

O R S

C A E

25 words: Excellent

U D N G N A

aloud, annul, annuli, audio, auld, dual, dung, dunlin, gluon, guano, guild, languid, laud, lauding, lingua, loud, lung, noun, ulan, ulna, undo, undoing, union, unload,

No. 143

QUICK QUIZ

N E

T S Y F A T A L A R O S E C E A S E E N D E R T A S T Y

1 Was Gloomhaven originally a board game, a video game or a film?

2 AgainsttheLovelessWorld is a 2019 novel by which author?

3 In terms of printing, what does CMYK stand for?

4 The Nintendo Switch was released on March 3 of which year?

5 Tenet is a 2020 film by which British-American film director?

6 Which of the following is not a fruit: tomato, eggplant, potato or pumpkin?

7 What main

make

up the Pyramid of Giza?

8 Amanda Collin (pictured) stars as Mother in which 2020 sci-fi series?

9 The period during the Dutch Golden Age in which tulip bulb prices skyrocketed and then dramatically collapsed is called what?

10 Turquoise is a birth stone for which month?

NOT NUT OUR OVA PEG PEP ROB RYE SEC SEE SHY TNT TOE WHO 4 LETTERS ARCH ARTS DRIP DYES ECHO INTO KEEN PASS SACS SEES SLED SUMS TREE TWOS 5 LETTERS ADOBE AGILE ALONE APTER ATONE AWAIT BITES CHINA COAST COOKS CREPT CROON ERODE HONEY HONKS HOVER IDEAL IMAGE MANIA MARTS NANAS NERVE OBESE OGLES PACTS PASTA POUCH PRAYS PROBE ROGUE RUDER SASSY SEDAN SEEDY SENSE SHINE SITES SLATE SMASH SONGS STOOD STORE THANK TREAD TREND TRUED TWICE UNITE WAITS WASN’T 6 LETTERS APPEND CREEPY PENDED WASTED 7 LETTERS CERTAIN COASTED COMPILE EARLIER EVASION TORPEDO 8 LETTERS ALLERGIC ROMANTIC THROWING THWARTED 12 345678910111213 1415 1617181920212223242526 U G V N X T J O Q E R L M I W Y C D B A K F Z H S P Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down. NOTE: more than one solution may be possible 28-07-23 Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com 587419236 613548729 168254397 321765948 754921683 275193864 946832175 892376451 439687512 easy medium hard 836149257 314572869 421657983 142765398 987316524 793428615 579283146 265894731 658931472 759213468 573692841 185436927 461978235 614857392 237189654 328564719 892341576 946725183 1 14 7 20 2 15 8 21 3 16 9 22 4 17 10 23 5 18 11 24 6 19 12 25 13 26 HP ANSWERS: 1. Board game 2. Susan Abulhawa 3. Cyan, magenta, yellow, key 4. 2017 5. Christopher Nolan 6. Potato 7. Limestone and granite 8. WolvesbyRaised 9. Tulip mania 10. December

No. 143

1300 666 808 BusinessDIRECTORY

1300 666 808

Building drivers’ electric dreams

By Alistair Kennedy

Although the name BYD will be well-known to electricvehiclebuyers,it’sstilllargelyunknown in the Australian motoring mainstream – but that’s about to change.

SomewhatquirkilyBYDstandsforBuildYour Dreams and the Chinese company is actually the world’s second-largest manufacturer of fully-electrified vehicles, second only to Tesla.

When plug-in hybrids (PHEV) are added, it’s the largest, with over 1.6 million built in 2022.

Although there were a couple of BYD models sold in Australia from 2017 onwards these were private imports.

It wasn’t until the arrival of the Atto 3 in June, 2022 that the brand made any impact, and an impressive one at that, with sales of nearly 7000 in its first year.

A fully-electric compact SUV, the Atto 3 comes in two variants. There’s Standard Range and Extended Range, priced at $48,011 and $51,011 respectively (plus ORCs).

That’s around the same price as its closest competitor and compatriot, the MG ZS EV whichalsocomeswithstandardandlong-range variants.

Styling

With a length of 4455mm, Atto 3 is around the same size as Mazda CX-3, Nissan Qashqai and Toyota CH-R – but 135mm longer than the MG.

Although the overall design of the Atto 3 is neat and attractive, it’s relatively conservative especially when compared to the Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.

As with most electric cars there’s no real or pretend grille.

A horizontal bar with the BYD insignia on it merges into narrow sweeping LED headlights with a thin band of LED daytime running lights between them.

The profile is similar to many similarly-sized SUVs although we did love the design of the 18-inch alloy wheels.

We find the ‘Build Your Dreams’ lettering spaced across the rear a bit too quirky.

We understand that some owners have been able to successfully remove the letters without causing damage – but don’t take our word for it.

The rear also features a full width LED brake light and powered tailgate.

Four colours are offered. White is standard while the other three (grey, blue and red) are $700 extra.

Interior

When you step inside the BYD Atto 3 Monty Python’scatchphrase“AndNowForSomething Completely Different” springs to mind.

It is very different with a number of groundbreaking interior features. We reckon buyers who are willing to think outside the square and buy a BYD will love the adventurous approach of this newcomer to the Australian market.

With predominantly sculpted soft-touch materials, overall build quality and fit and finish of the Atto 3 is excellent.

Some of the features are gimmicky, others are functional. Some are both, such as the three guitar-type strings that act as sides of the door storage pockets, but which are just asking to be twanged.

We shudder to think how annoying that could be on a long trip with children in the rear.

After initially searching for the interior door handles, we found they were flip-up levers on top of the small round speakers in each door. In this case however form and function combined nicely and we quickly adapted to them.

Large circular air vents dominate the front of the centre console but are easy to adjust and provide excellent air flow.

In front of the driver is a 5.0-inch screen that effectively combines a head-up display with a digital instrument panel cluster.

The front seats are large, supportive and comfortable although the headrests are moulded into the seatbacks, so they can’t be adjusted.

They also partially block forward vision of rear-seat occupants.

Otherwise, rear passengers are well catered for with a similarly comfortable bench seat, although they do have adjustable headrests.

There’s plenty of leg, ankle and headroom with the flat floor making the centre seat more bearable than vehicles with a transmission tunnel.

The air vents are the same design as those in the front.

The panoramic sunroof extends across the full roof with a powered blind, although only the front section can be opened.

Available boot space ranges from 440 to 1340 litres with a powered bootlid and two adjustable floor levels.

There is no spare wheel, just a tyre repair kit below the boot floor.

Safety

Atto 3 scores a full five stars for safety, with an extensive list of safety equipment, starting with seven airbags, six radars, adaptive cruise control with stop/start, automatic emergency braking, front and rear collision warning, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert and braking.

There are front and rear parking sensors, rear-view 360-degree cameras, Isofix child seat anchor points and hill descent control.

Infotainment

The standout feature is the 12.0-inch high-definition tablet-style touchscreen which, at the touch can rotate between landscape and portrait format.

So, for features like map and camera displays it works best in landscape, while for most other features, portrait is not only more suitable but also brings the screen within closer reach of the driver.

The original Atto 3 did not come with either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto but these have been added with the MY2023 update and will also be installed as part of the latest upgrade for earlier models.

Apple CarPlay is wired, Android Auto is wireless.

There is a wireless smartphone charging pad at the base of the front console.

Sound comes through an eight-speaker Dirac digital audio system.

There are USB-C and USB-A ports underneath the centre console and also in the rear.

Thecamerasprovidealargevarietyoffeatures including a dashcam which automatically records and saves action in front of the car.

The videos are stored on a memory card which can be extracted and the videos transferred to an external source. Very handy if there are any incidents or even to monitor the driving habits of different drivers. Young or inexperienced drivers – you have been warned!

Driving

At this point in time, BYD doesn’t have the same media fleet as almost all other brands, so we weren’t able to conduct our normal week-long test.

Fortunately, however, one of our neighbours recently bought an Atto 3 and she was able to give us a guided tour of the car and let us take it around our usual drive route.

Apart from the normal key fob the Atto 3 comes with a plastic card which opens and closes the car by tapping it on the driver’s side door handle.

Entry is quite easy even for larger occupants and the seats are large, supportive and comfortable.

There’s an aircraft-style gear selector which is fun to use.

Like all other electrified vehicles, the instant torque provides exhilarating speed off the mark. The dash to 100km/h takes 7.3 seconds which is brisk but not nearly as quick as many EVs.

Drive is to the front wheels through a single speed transmission, with a single electric motor for the front axle that puts out 150kW of power and 310Nm of torque.

The standard model gets a 49.92kWh battery and the long range, 60.48kWh.

Regardless, energy consumption is 16.0kWh/100km with a driving range that is listed for the two variants at 410km and 480km under the old NEDC system or 345km and 420km using the more realistic WLTP measure.

Our test car was the Atto 3 Extended Range variant.

BYD’s Atto 3 . . . the best EV you’ve never heard of. (Pictures: Supplied)

Atto 3 Standard Range: $48,011

Atto 3 Extended Range: $51,011

SPECIFICATIONS

BYD Atto 3 fully-electric five-door SUV

Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local BYD dealer for drive-away prices.

Itslargerbatterybringskerbweightto1750kg -- 70kg heavier than the Standard Range. Inevitably extra weight affects performance and we found the Extended Range Atto 3 a little more sluggish than competitors with lighter batteries.

So, something of a trade-off there.

The car’s regenerative braking has only two modes, standard and high, operated by a small toggle lever on the centre console rather than the more convenient steering wheel paddles of most EVs.

Nor is there a single-pedal option so the brake pedal needs to be employed to bring the car to a stop.

Atto 3 is built on 400-volt electrical architecture and supports maximum AC charging (Type 2) of 7 kW (standard) or 11 kW (option) as well as DC fast charging (CCS2) at a maximum rate of either 70kW (Standard Range) or 80kW (Extended Range).

It does have V2L (Vehicle-To-Load) charging which allows external items to be powered from the vehicle.

Summing up

More and more people are asking us about fully-electric cars. Our standard response is to hold off until prices reduce and the driving ranges increase.

That time is moving closer, triggered mainly by the arrival of Chinese EVs such as the MG ZS EV, GMW Ora and – most impressive of all – the BYD Atto 3.

Although it lacks the head-turning looks and performance of rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV 6, the Atto 3 is significantly cheaper and, at the end of the day, most EV owners are looking for sensible, affordable transport rather than sportiness.

There’s no doubt the Atto 3’s interior, with its combination of quirkiness and gee-whiz technology, will attract most sales.

So, if you are going to take one for a test drive, and we’d certainly recommend doing so, then set aside plenty of time to experiment with the many features.

It’s an ideal size for a small family and for urban commuting, with very competitive pricing.

And, with zero emissions, the planet will thank you.

Tight contests against Ammos

Voice photographer Ivan Kemp was at Queens Park Reserve in Highton to capture footy and netball action from Ocean Grove’s round 15 matches against Geelong Amateur.

Above: Harrison Dolley kicks the opening goal of the game. Top right: Josh Lange is tackled by Jack Gaspari; Tom Chalkley clears the ball out of defence. Right: Ed Dayman races into the forward line.

(Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 348264

Top left: Annika Willis takes a pass. Top right: Ruby Cook takes a pass under pressure.

Above: Maggie Drake looks for a forward option (top); Grace Tolley takes the ball under the basket. Above right: Laura Ahearn streams out of defense. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 348315

Above, top to bottom: Rebecca O’Neill leads well for a pass; Emily Moroney is crunched in this encounter by Elyse Boyer; Georgia Finn and Georgia Duncan compete for the ball.

(Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 348273

Gold medal for Ocean Grove

Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club has returned from a successful Sharkskin Australian and Interstate Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) Championships in Kingscliff, New South Wales.

Ocean Grove claimed gold in the Under-23 women’s mass rescue and Under-23women’stuberescuewhileBarwon Heads 13th Beach picked up bronze in the Open women’s teams rescue.

ShowcasingtheIRB,oneofthemostpopular pieces of modern lifesaving rescue equipment, the event saw teams from across the nation battling it out across four fast and furious days of racing.

Pulling on the navy and white cap for team Victoria,Geelong-SurfCoastmembersselected in the Victorian state and development teams took home two medals and helped Victoria place third overall in the interstate component of the competition.

Life Saving Victoria general manager sports participation Ryan O’Connor congratulated Geelong-Surf Coast athletes, coaches and team management for their outstanding performance on the national stage.

“Victoria is a proud IRB racing state in the

Results

Open men’s mass rescue

Open men’s tube rescue

2nd: Victorian state team (Stephanie Dimitrio, Thomas Lenehan, Conor McKinnon, Keely Peatling)

3rd: Victorian state team (Jake Pownall, Stephanie Pownall, Ryan Wilson)

Under-23 women’s tube rescue

Finals time for indoor bowls

Bellarine Indoor Bias Bowls Association (BIBBA) is in full swing with a seven-week home and away season making way for finals.

Around 40 players competed for Ocean Grove, including many first-year players, and have enjoyed yet another successful time on the mat with four of their seven teams making this season’s finals.

Finalswilltakeplaceoverthenexttwo Monday nights for the Grovers where they will be looking to win Divisions 1, 2 and 3.

This year’s BIBBA competition consisted of six clubs from Drysdale, St Leonards, Clifton Springs, Leopold, Lifestyle and Ocean Grove with more than 120 players competing in the weekly Monday night competition.

Every club will be represented in finals which is great to see the growth of the game in the Bellarine area.

Ocean Grove held its Indoor Club Singles on July 23 with a great day of competition with 18 men and nine ladies competing.

The ladies final was taken out by first year player Jill Dwyer, claiming a 16-10 victory over Sue Collins.

The men’s event saw another first-year player, Tyson Cromie, make the final but was defeated by multiple times champion Matt Flapper 19-9.

lifesavingworld,andIcouldnotbemoreproud to see Team Victoria on the podium placing third overall in the Interstate Championships andourclubshavingsuchastrongperformance in the Australian Championships,” he said.

“IRB racing is one of the best examples of sportprovidingactivetrainingforrescue-ready lifesavers, with our athletes braving the colder water at this time of year to practice their rescue skills in a competitive setting, skills that directly translate to saving lives between the flags during the summer patrol season.”

1st: Ocean Grove SLSC (Orlagh Davison, Mackenzie Hooper, Lars Ralph)

Open women’s teams rescue

3rd: Barwon Heads 13th Beach SLSC (Zoe Campbell, Georgia McKinnon, Keely Peatling, Aaron Robson, Tara Scott, Amy Veenendaal)

Under-23 women’s mass rescue

1st: Ocean Grove SLSC (Olivia Ball, Orlagh Davison, Benjamin Eales, Drew Honey)

Collins and Flapper will take on the Champion of Champions this week in a bid to claim honours as the best in the Bellarine.

The Bellarine Pairs took place in June with 32 teams entering the event. On one half of the draw, it was the St Leonards pairing of Bill Maloney and Tam Munster who worked their way to the final and on the other side of the draw Leopold’s Jane McMenaman and Nicole Shortis reached the big dance. The Leopold duo cruised to a 20-4 win claiming the 2023 title.

All Saints close in on junior comp finals spot

LOCAL TENNIS

Donna Schoenmaekers

It was near perfect winter weather for Tennis Geelong’s juniors this week and Section 3 Boys made the most of the conditions with some of the longest matches of the round and the race to make finals getting closer.

All Saints put themselves within four points of fourth spot when they registered a 4-2 win over Drysdale. The teams split the doubles with Daniel Lazzaro and Alexander Williams winning 6-0 for the Saints while Taj Croft and Patrick Lonegran got through in a tie breaker for Drysdale.

From there All Saints took over winning the first three singles, with Lazzaro winning 6-0 to not drop a game for the day, while Lonegran posted Drysdale’s second set winning the fourth singles 6-3.

Western Heights Uniting closed the gap on fourth to seven points when they pulled through by 11 games when tied at three sets all with Highton. Evie Ryan and Lima Begg won the first doubles 6-1 for Uniting while Highton’s Charlie Hair and Ivan Cottom came through in a tie-break in the second.

Ryan backed up her doubles win with a 6-0 wininsinglesandwithMadisonMuirwinning the third singles 6-1, the result was put beyond doubt.

Grovedale Black put themselves within two

points of second with an away win against Ocean Grove. Will Clayton and Sebastian Broad were well matched at number 1 with a lengthy tie-break in the singles going to Ocean Grove’s Broad while Clayton teamed with Jaylen Sach to get through in the doubles in another tie-break.

Sach, along with Yvette Harman won their singles 6-1, and Harman teamed with Jess Lee to win the second doubles 6-3 giving Black the win four sets to two.

The final match of the morning saw second placed Grovedale Yellow host Geelong Lawn

in an epic battle with the result being decided by only two games. Jake Peck and Joshua Severin-Harvey came off court first winning 6-3 for Lawn, before Yellow’s Guy Wingrave and Hanna Schoenmaekers took the second doubles 6-4.

Fletcher Allen found some good form in the second singles, winning 6-1 while in the first Peck faced a lengthy battle with Aki Bhatt eventually coming through in a tie break.

The fourth singles saw Alfie Oliver and Schoenmaekers running themselves ragged in a hard fought match. Oliver got to a 3-0 lead

before the match started to tighten.

At 2-3 down, Schoenmaekers failed to hold a marathon game, going down 4-2 and Oliver eventually took the match 6-2. With the final singles underway, Lawn held a three sets to two lead with only one game in hand, and things were getting tense on the sidelines.

Joe Traficante and Wingrave traded points and games until they reached a tie-break, and withTraficantehittingalungingbackhandjust over the net for a winner on match point, the win was sealed for Lawn at four sets to two and two games.

Left: Grovedale Yellow’s Guy Wingrave. Centre: Joe Traficante in action. Right: Fletcher Allen found some good form in the singles. (Donna Schoenmaekers)

Top left: Ocean Grove competed in the Australian and Interstate Inflatable Rescue Boat Championships. Above: Orlagh Davison, Mackenzie Hooper, Lars Ralph came first in the tube rescue. (Pictures: Harvpix)

The action was on at Kingscliff for the Australian and Interstate IRB Championships.

Improved Grubbers show depth

By Justin Flynn

The evidence is there for all to see.

Ocean Grove’s past three games, while resulting in losses, have emphasised just how this team has come this season.

A combined margin of 29 points against top two sides Barwon Heads and Torquay and fifth placed Geelong Amateur means that the young Grubbers are staying in matches for longer than they were during the first of the season.

Ammos have beaten Ocean Grove by six and three points this season, but the round 15 loss on Saturday, July 22 may have been one of the better performances of the year.

CoachDaveFarrellsaidhissidewaslearning all the time.

“On the surface it doesn’t seem the players’ confidences have been done any harm over the last few weeks,” he said.

“Each week we’ve had a number of changes forced through injury and unavailability, which has confirmed the depth of our list is developing, there’s a number of players prepared to come in and play their role and trust what the coaching group have put in place.”

Farrell said the past three games have been “complete or near to” in concentration and application.

“You can’t control full games but you can stay in them and where our group was having big lapses earlier in the year, periods that we struggledtohaveanycontrolover-I’mhopeful we have seen the last of them,” he said.

Geelong Amateur vs Ocean Grove

Gelong Amateur 1.6(12), 4.9(33), 6.15(51), 9.16(70)

Ocean Grove 2.1(13), 5.4(34), 6.7(43), 9.13(67)

GOALS

Geelong Amateur: Max Hunderford

2, Aaron Willitts 2, Harry Kershaw, Samuel Bucovaz, Brydon Barnett, Jai Sheahan, Jack Gaspari.

Ocean Grove: Brady Pritchard 2, Harrison Dolley, Jye Walker, Josh Horton, Jacob Talarico, Joe McDonald, Jace Collins.

BEST

Geelong Amateur: Aaron Willitts, Harry Kershaw, Daniel Lovick, Zac Nelson, Jai Sheahan, Tom Zeitz.

Ocean Grove: Max Sutton, Edward Dayman, Harley Pearce, Campbell Snookes, Grady Slocombe, Charlie Every.

“To see that application for one week or two weeks you could be forgiven for remaining sceptical, but for a third week in a row under a lot of opposition pressure gives me huge confidence that type of footy is behind us.” What Ocean Grove needs to do now is learn how to win the close ones.

“Experience and onfield leadership are key in close games, we’re tracking well in our development in both areas and learnt heaps form the last three minutes against Ammos especially,” Farrell said.

“You can train to scenarios, time and scores but to play under those conditions is tough and an invaluable experience.

“We had a couple of chances, long shots at goal inside the last two minutes then they were able to control the ball and create a couple of stoppages which shut the game down completely.”

OceanGrovefacesModewarreandAnglesea in the next fortnight. Both teams are fighting for a finals spot. The Grubbers finish off with

Queenscliff in the final round, a game they might expect to win.

“Sounds cliche but internally once finals became a distant chance this year we doubled down on our focus being game method development and not losing control of games,” Farrell said.

“We have narrowed our focus further rather than be all out result to make sure we are in a position where we can win games with 10 minutes left.

“Asmarterpersonthanmewouldlikelydraw the conclusion that that hasn’t helped us inside the last 10 minutes to close out any of the last three games, but it does feel internally it keeps us all focused on process over result for now.”

Grubbers beat league leader for double chance

Ocean Grove guaranteed itself a double chance come finals time with a thrilling two-goal win against the previously undefeated Geelong Amateur in round 15 of Bellarine Netball League on Saturday, July 22.

Down by seven goals in the first term the Grubbers kicked into gear and got the game back onto their terms, running out winners 59 to 57.

It was a complete team performance and although Ammos had several key players out, Ocean Grove’s confidence going into the finals in three weeks is now sky high.

Co-coach Bec O’Neill said the “team mentality” changed after a slow beginning.

“We started a bit slow and made a few errors early,” she said.

“Once we eliminated those and lifted the intensity, we played much better.

“We were just more concentrating on feeling we can match it with them.

“We weren’t too concerned with the scoreline at the end of the day because we knew they didn’t have a complete team. It was more of a bonus that we came away with the four points.”

Georgia Berry played a superb game on star Ammos’ goalshooter Ruby Watson and with Kelsey Ollis chipping in and Rhiannon Whitson doing her job at goal defence, Ocean Grove stifled its opposition in attack.

Goal defence Georgia Finn and goal attack Ashton O’Brien were also terrific contributors while O’Neill herself scored 42 goals.

“It was good having someone who can match Ruby’s height,” O’Neill said of Finn’s performance.

Ocean Grove now faces the prospect of going from playing an undefeated team to a side that hasn’t tasted victory at all this season in Modewarre.

“We need to go into this week and put last week completely behind us and move forward,” O’Neill said.

“They (Modewarre) have been very

competitive. We need to step up.”

With three rounds to go before finals and Ocean Grove assured of a top three spot, O’Neill said the coming weeks will be spent ironing out some creases.

“We’ll just try a few different combinations and work on our four-quarter efforts,” O’Neill said.

“We’ll look to really work hard on 15-minute efforts each quarter.”

Round 15

A Grade: Ocean Grove 59 def Geelong Amateur 57. Best: Rhiannon Whitson, Ashton O’Brien, Georgia Finn.

B Grade: Ocean Grove 49 def by Geelong Amateur 61. Best: Amelia Cunningham (34 goals), Dannie Hoiles, Claudia Britt.

C Grade: Ocean Grove 39 def by Geelong Amateur 42. Best: Kate Titheridge (31 goals), Heidi Bennett, Matilda Kelly.

D Grade: Ocean Grove 37 def Geelong Amateur 33. Best: Tarryn Stanley, Jorja Connellan, Emma Sinkinson.

D Grade: Ocean Grove 29 def by Geelong Amateur 30. Best: Hannah Quinn (20 goals), Anabelle Sargeant, Emilie Punton.

19 & Under: Ocean Grove 19 def by Geelong Amateur 26. Best: Lexie Annand, Milla Bell, Anika Bult.

17 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove 32 def Geelong Amateur 23. Best: Sofia Dickeson, Tilly Peace-Teague, Lucy Sampson (18 goals).

17 & Under Division 2: Ocean Grove 26 def Geelong Amateur 25. Best: Grace Sadler, Alice Molloy (14 goals), Sienna White.

15 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove 25 def by Geelong Amateur 28. Best: Alice Sampson, Laura Ahearn, Emma Barry (14 goals).

15 & Under Division 2: Ocean Grove 20 def by Geelong Amateur 29. Best: Lucy Neaves (13 goals), Charli Burke, Piper Needham.

13 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove 7 def by Geelong Amateur 44. Best: Alana Farrow, Heidi Armstrong, Ruby Cook.

13 & Under Division 2: Ocean Grove 19 def Geelong Amateur 16. Best: Willow Stephenson, Arabella Johnson, Joie Clarke.

Above: Rhiannon Whitson clears up in defence. Right: Ashton O’Brien was again in Ocean Grove’s best players. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 348273

Left: Max Sutton was named best for Ocean Grove. Right: Glenn Campbell is collared in a fierce tackle. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 348264

AN INVITATION TO ATTEND...

Arlington Villa Display Open Day with Morning Tea

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Freecall: 1800 777 898

DATE Monday July 31, 2023

TIME 10.00am - 12.00pm

VENUE Meet in the Armstrong Green Clubhouse

722-742 Barwon Heads Road, Armstrong Creek

RSVP Monday, July 24, 2023 by calling the sales team on 1800 777 898

DISCOVER THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

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722–742 Barwon Heads Road, Armstrong Creek