Ocean Grove Voice - 22nd September 2023

Sweetest victory of all

Ocean Grove is still basking in premiership glory after defeating Geelong Amateur in the Bellarine Netball League A Grade grand final.

The Grubbers played the almost-perfect game in a 53 to 45 win at Grinter Reserve, Newcomb on September 9.

Goal attack Ashton O’Brien was judged best on court.

The win was soured somewhat with Kelsey Ollis suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in her knee during the third quarter.

Ocean Grove fielded five teams in the netball grand finals with C Grade and 15 & Under Division 1 winning their premierships with B Grade and 13 & Under Division 2 being runners-up.

■ Our huge coverage of the netball grand finals starts with pictures from page 26 to 29 and match reports and interviews on page 31.

Drown victim remembered

By Jena Carr

Cienna Jervies is being remembered as a “happy“ and “artistic“ girl after she drowned while swimming near Ocean Grove.

The 12-year-old was swimming with a 13-year-old girl at Collendina Beach around 6pm on Tuesday, September 19, when they got into trouble.

Police said a passer-by entered the water, rescued one of the girls and brought her to

shore while Victoria Police Airwing assisted with the return of the second girl.

Ambulance Victoria said paramedics treated a man in his 40s, a woman in her 30s and a 13-year-old female who were taken to the University Geelong Hospital in a stable condition.

CPR was performed on Cienna, from Clifton Springs, who friends and family fondly knew as “Sissy”, but she could not be resuscitated and died at the scene.

Family friend Zoe Mayne set up a GoFundMe to help Cienna’s parents, Jodie and Brent Jervies, care for their sons while trying to navigate life and grief.

“(Her parents) are understandably unable to work at this time,” Ms Mayne said on the fundraising page. “Sissy was a much loved, artistic, happy, sometimes shy, and sometimes bubbly Year Seven girl.

“A daughter, sister, cousin, granddaughter, niece, and the most loyal and best friend

anyone could have.

“Cienna was a very important and loved member of the Clifton Springs and Bellarine community...our hearts are broken.

“Anydonationstohelpwithfuneralcostsand ongoing expenses to support the Jervies family through this time are greatly appreciated.”

At the time of writing the GoFundMe page had reached more than $21,000 in donations.

TosupporttheJerviesfamily,visitgofundme. com/cienna-rosse-jervies

THOUSANDS SAY ‘YES’, PAGE 5

Ocean Grove’s winning A Grade team. (Ivan Kemp) 358220_01

Christmas tree ready to shine

Geelong’s famous floating Christmas tree will be illuminated next month as part of a free community celebration on November 11. Thefamily-friendlyfestivitieswillcommence at Steampacket Quay at 7pm, culminating with a fireworks display at 9pm.

Performers and live entertainment will be announced prior to the event.

Following opening night, the six-minute Floating Christmas Tree Sound and Light Show will be staged each night from 8.30pm until midnight, running every 15 minutes.

Visitors can control the colourful light show

in between shows via mobile devices by logging onto a nominated URL.

Family-friendly shows will be staged on Saturdays in December commencing at 5.30pm, to give families and those not wanting tobeoutafterdarktheopportunitytoenjoythe show at an earlier timeslot.

The light show on the tree will be changed three times, running from November 11 to December 1, December 2 to December 25 and December 26 to January 7. The tree will also feature in a New Year’s Eve fireworks display.

Mayor Trent Sullivan said Christmas in

Geelong is a joyous time of the year.

“No Christmas in Geelong is complete without our Floating Christmas Tree Sound and Light Show down at the Geelong Waterfront. It attracts thousands of visitors from near and far,” he said.

“Once again this year we’ll give one lucky child the opportunity to help Santa light the tree at our opening night celebration.”

Decorating the floating tree is not a simple task, and lighting experts from Geelong company Total Events will spend the week before the opening event testing and

Gym community striving for No 1

An Ocean Grove gym community is calling for help to be the number one fundraising team for the 2023 Run4Geelong.

BFTOceanGroveisencouragingitsmembers to take part in this year’s Run4Geelong to raise funds for Geelong’s local health service, BarwonHealth.Sofarteam‘BFTOceanGrove’ is sitting in the second highest spot when it comes to team fundraising for the much-loved fun run.

BFT Ocean Grove owner Steph Carroll said momentum and excitement was growing.

“We’vegrownsuchanamazingandinclusive community here at BFT Ocean Grove in the two years since we’ve opened our doors,” she said.

“It’s no surprise that once we put the Run4Geelong call out that our members are embracing the cause and of course a new physical challenge.

“We will also be holding an unofficial Run4Geelong run club leading into Run4Geelong, to help prepare our team for race day.

“It’s really exciting to see our members push themselves in terms of their fitness but also to see the support and funds they are generating for this important fundraiser.”

The Barwon Health Foundation event is set to return to the streets of Geelong on Sunday November 12.

Barwon Health Foundation executive director Zoe Waters said it was great to see local businesses and the community coming together to support one another.

“Run4Geelong creates connections across the region, whether it be those running in support of family members who have received care at Barwon Health, or the many local businesses like BFT Ocean Grove, who come together to support our the event and in turn our local health service,” she said.

“Run4Geelong is a race for better local health, each and every dollar raised stays right here in Geelong.”

There will be Run4Geelong courses available for all ages including a 10km, 5.5km and 1km

kids course on offer to walk, run or roll. TosponsortheBFTOceanGroveRun4Geelong team visit barwonhealthfoundation.org.au/

fundraisers/bftoceangrove/run-for-geelong or to register to take part in Run4Geelong visit run4geelong.com.au

programming the LED lights. Total Events has worked on the Christmas lighting display for the last six years.

The full Christmas in Geelong program will be released next month.

More than 297,000 attended last year’s Christmas in Geelong program and there was an economic output of $15 million for the region.

The City consulted closely with local RSLs to ensurethereisnoimpactonRemembranceDay activities which are taking place in Johnstone Park at 11am.

Entries sought for art show

Melbourne Cup weekend is important for local artists when Rotary Ocean Grove’s 12th annual Art Show is held.

With prizemoney in excess of $10,000 it is one of the most lucrative art shows on the peninsula.

Art works are sought in the following categories: painting, printing, drawing, Australian flora and fauna and abstract/ semi-abstract.

“With so many talented people on the peninsula we think it is important that we support our artists,” Art Show secretary Alison George said.

”We advertise widely so an artist benefits from exposure with a wide range of talented exhibitors, secure in their own category as once again the show is included in this year’s arts trail.”

The Art Show is at Point Lonsdale Primary School Hall, Bowen Road Point Lonsdale and entries close on Friday October 20.

For further details or to download an entry form visit rotaryoceangrove.org.au and follow the links or contact Rod Bush on 0410-471 005 or rodnbush@gmail. com

Rotarians Neil Templeton, Beth Eustace and Jenny Templeton at last year’s Art Show. (Supplied)

BFT Ocean Grove’s Steph Carroll is encouraging her members to take part in this year’s Run4Geelong. (Ivan Kemp) 360671_05

Dutton continues power attack

By Matt Hewson

Federal opposition leader Peter Dutton has used a visit to Ocean Grove’s Feed Me Bellarine to continue promoting nuclear power as an alternative to Labor’s renewable energy policies.

Mr Dutton and Victorian senator Sarah Henderson visited the volunteer food relief centre Tuesday morning to highlight the work done by Feed Me Bellarine while also raising the spectre of power outages and energy bill increases under Labor’s planned transition to zero emissions.

Stating that “we’re all in favour of renewable energy” - a statement that would have been

unimaginable from a Liberal party leader only a handful of years ago - Mr Dutton said he couldn’t understand Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen’s “obsession against nuclear (power)”.

“If they’re going to turn off coal and… gas, then what will keep the cold rooms running here?” he said.

“What will keep the cold rooms at the local IGA or the butcher running? What (will keep) your deep freezer at home running?

“Thegovernmentjusthasn’tgotanyanswers. A lot of pensioners, a lot of Australians are doing it tough already, but will do it much tougher into the future because of Mr Bowen andMrAlbanese’sapproachonenergypolicy.”

The alternative put forth by Mr Dutton is to repurpose coal plants as small module reactors (SMRs), providing nuclear power using the plants’ existing transmission connections.

Earlier this week Mr Bowen rejected Mr Dutton’s nuclear model as too expensive, with analysis showing such a policy could cost taxpayers up to $387 billion.

Mr Dutton demurred when asked if refitting the Anglesea Power Station, which was decommissioned in 2015, as a nuclear plant would be “a hard sell” to local residents.

“I just encourage people to… have a look at SMRs,” he said.

“It’s the same technology the government signed up to on the nuclear submarines, and it

Geelong comes alive for holidays

Parents and kids will be spoilt for choice duringtheseschoolholidaysascentralGeelong businesses and the City of Greater Geelong partner to deliver a range of activities for families to enjoy.

With more than 50 activities, the Spring edition of the Central Geelong Fun Guide offers free and low-cost activities for children aged 3 to 18.

Families will be able to enjoy painting classes, storytelling sessions, learn to knit or record their own podcast.

The program kicks off with the launch of the Geelong Nature Festival at the Dome, where TV star Hannah Moloney will give gardening demonstration, a how-to on building a hoverfly lagoon and guidance on making an insect hotel.

TheBarbieRunwaywillbeanotherhighlight, offering photo shoots on a doll-sized fashion runway at Centrepoint Arcade’s Vintage Remixed throughout the holidays.

Councillor Melissa Cadwell said there would be something for everyone these

Groups continue vital help

Bellarine youth and environmental volunteer groups can continue protecting and restoring the region’s landscapes thanks to state government funding.

The $3.98 million 2023 Victorian Landcare Grants awarded grants of close to $20,000 to safeguard the state’s biodiversity or $500 for administration and running costs.

Local volunteer groups that received funding included the Swan Bay Environment Association to revegetate a park with indigenous plants and the Bellarine Catchment Network’s Biodiversity Care project to engage the community in biodiversity care. The Bellarine Landcare Group also received grants for its Foundation to Grow strategic plan and website and Sweeping the Beautiful Bellarine’s whole-of-peninsulastrategyforrabbitremoval.

Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant said

the funding would help volunteers deliver hands-on projects and outdoor educational activities.

“Encouraging children to get involved in projects like these can lead to a lifelong appreciation of nature and community,” she said. “Our volunteers are invaluable, and these grants will allow them to continue to make a significant difference at a grassroots level.”

The state government also distributes more than $470,000 to kindergartens, schools and other youth groups through the 2023 Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants.

St Aloysius Catholic Primary School, St Leonards Primary School, Leopold Primary School, and Surfside Primary School have received funding from the program for students to learn more about the environment and biodiversity.

school holidays.

“Council and Central Geelong businesses have teamed up to inspire and engage kids over the school holidays, and support parents and caregivers,” Cr Cadwell said.

“Our family-friendly program offers the opportunity to get crafty, learn about nature, delve into the arts or explore your own story.”

“Places are limited so make sure to book early where required.”

Go to centralgeelong.com.au/school-holiday to check out the Central Geelong Fun Guide.

provides a firming up of renewables.

“It can be done in a safe way, and it means that those coalfire generation assets… (are) being replaced with a new technology that can distribute onto existing poles and wires.”

The Liberal leader suggested the prime minister’s attention was dominated by the referendum on the Voice to Parliament at the expense of families and small businesses.

“I think at the moment the Prime Minister’s focus is elsewhere and it’s not on families and businesses who are most in need,” Mr Dutton said.

“It’s families (and) also small businesses who are really hurting under Labor at the moment.”

Fishing festival coming up

PortarlingtonwillcelebrateGoneFishing Day with a one-day festival, inviting recreational fishers and lovers of seafood to sample seafood delights and learn how to better catch and prepare their own.

Hooked on Bellarine, a family-friendly event showcasing the Bellarine Peninsula as a seafood and fishing destination, will take place at the Portarlington Safe Harbour foreshore between 10am and 4pm on Sunday, October 8. Hosted by the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA), the event will offer demonstrations of fish filleting, cooking sessions and skill clinicsincludingboathandlingandtrailer reversing. The VFA team will present information on research and aquaculture of bay species such as snapper, King Georgewhitingandgummyshark,aswell as tips and tricks for knots and rigs.

Women in Recreational Fishing and BoatingNetworkleaderswillsharefishing and filleting tips, while kids will be well catered for, with virtual reality fishing, prizegiveawaysandflyfishinginstruction offered over the day.

Foodies can enjoy freshly cooked seafood and locally made produce –includingbluemussels-frommarketstalls and relax in the food hub overlooking the waterfront.

Bellarine Member Alison Marchant said the event would have something for everyone. “The Bellarine Peninsula’s got somuchtoofferfishers,boatersandlovers ofseafoodsocomedown,makeaweekend of it with the family, and experience it for yourself,” she said. To celebrate National Gone Fishing Day, a recreational fishing licence will not be required to go fishing in Victoria on October 8.

Quincy has her dolls ready for the Barbie Runway. (Ivan Kemp) 359617_05

WaterSmart program launches

By Matt Hewson

Barwon Water has received $271,000 in funding from the state government to help businesses and organisations monitor water use as part of the WaterSmart program.

The program, launched last week in Portarlington by water minister Harriet Shing, will be delivered in partnership with water corporations across the state to gather water use data to help detect leaks and minimise the waste of potable water.

Also present were representatives from Barwon Water and public coastal land committee of management Bellarine Bayside, who administer a number of holidays parks,

playgrounds, boat ramps and boat sheds.

For the past year Barwon Water has worked with Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee ofManagementtoinstallwaterusedataloggers on committee-managed sites in Portarlington, St Leonards and Indented Head.

Bydetectingabout50leaks,BellarineBayside implemented repairs and early notification systems to save an estimated four million litres of water over the 12-month period.

Bellarine MP Alison Marchant said the projectdemonstratedthescaleofthebenefitsthe WaterSmart program could deliver to council organisations,committeesofmanagementand other large community-based organisations.

“Barwon Water is a leader in this space, I

think they’re doing incredible things,” Ms Marchant said.

“This program is really targeted at organisations that are using a high volume of water to monitor if there are places where they can improve their water efficiency.

“So it’s a great way of not only saving our precious water and being environmentally friendly, but also it’s going to benefit (these organisations) in the long run with these water saving measures having an impact on their water bills.”

Ms Shing said the project undertaken by Barwon Water and Bellarine Bayside was a great example of how the WaterSmart initiative would help business save precious

Warm blankets for chemo patients

Alocalcommunitygrouphasdonatedabatch of warm woollen blankets to chemotherapy patients at the Andrew Love Cancer Centre.

Ocean Grove Craft and Chat group, which meetsattheUnitingChurchOutreachCentre op shop, or the Dove, met with the centre’s Wellness Lounge employees last Monday to hand over the 17 hand-crafted blankets.

While the centre used to provide blankets to patients, new regulations introduced during the pandemic meant it could no longer do so in the interest of patient health.

Craft and Chat member Sue Arnott, who recently lost her husband to cancer, knows how important something as simple as a warm blanket can be to those undergoing treatment.

“When you’re down, you feel better when you get something nice,” Mrs Arnott said.

“My husband just died of cancer, so I’m very passionate about doing this. We do (a range of) things, patchwork, whatever people want to do, but if they haven’t got anything I push for knitting.”

The Craft and Chat group meets every Thursday morning at 9.30 at the Dove, and Mrs Arnott invited anyone interested in joining in or donating materials to come along.

“If anyone wants to join us, to come and knit or sew or whatever, between the 20 of us there’s always someone that can guide you,” she said.

“There’s some great ladies that do craft, cross stitch, crocheting, all sorts of things.”

For more information call Joan Koster on 0423 599 834.

Matt Hewson

drinking water.

“This free monitoring helps to identify any leaks or inefficiencies so they can be fixed quickly, saving water and delivering bill savings for businesses, other organisations such as councils, and the community,” she said.

Barwon Water chair Jo Plummer said the program would help them meet the region’s water needs.

“Water saving initiatives… are good for the environment and are strongly supported by our customers, which is why we’re leading the way with a variety of water saving programs to save water into the future, including through new technology,” Ms Plummer said.

Floating Christmas tree

Entries are now open for the popular Flick the Switch with Santa competition, giving children the chance to help Santa light up Geelong’s iconic floating Christmas tree.

12 finalists will be drawn from the pool of entrants and invited to attend the Christmas in Geelong Opening Night on Saturday, November 11 as special guests with their immediate family.

One of the finalists will then be randomly selected on the night to join Santa Claus to flick the switch and light up the floating Christmas tree, which will be illuminated with thousands of LED lights. Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan encouraged all children aged 12 and under to enter the competition.

“Don’tmissthisincredibleopportunity to create cherished memories for your child and your family at our Christmas in Geelong Opening Night event,” Mayor Sullivansaid.“It’samagicalnighttostart the holiday season off in style.

“There will also be roving performers, a stage show, fireworks, the tree’s light and sound show and fun activities for the whole family.”

Thiswillbetheninthyearthe25-metre floating Christmas tree graces Geelong’s Waterfront, providing sound and light shows each night from Opening Night till January 7. Deputy mayor Anthony Aitken encouraged residents to check out the Christmas in Geelong 2023 program, which will be distributed in October.

Entries are open to children aged 12 years and under and close November 1. Visit geelongaustralia.com.au/christmas and head to the competitions page to enter.

Kim (centre) from the Andrew Love Cancer Centre with the Ocean Grove Craft and Chat Group’s Sylvie English and Sue Arnott. (Supplied)

Youth Council nominations open

Geelong’s junior mayor has encouraged young people who are passionate about their community to nominate for the 2024 City of Greater Geelong Youth Council.

Junior mayor Irene Mulilo, who was elected as leader of the Youth Council in January this year, said the experience was a rewarding one.

“I’ve certainly enjoyed the opportunity to have my voice heard, along with learning more about processes at a local government level,” Junior Mayor Mulilo said.

“It’s important that Council understands what matters to young people within our community and becoming a part of Youth

Council is a practical way to achieve that.

“Every member of Youth Council joins from adifferentbackgroundandwithdifferentideas and priorities for the future, so I encourage all young people to consider becoming a part of this exciting opportunity.”

Eachyear,12youthcouncillorsagedbetween 12 and 17 years old serve their community by acting as a voice for the city’s young people.

Once the Youth Council has been selected, its members elect their own junior mayor and junior deputy mayor.

The Youth Council meets every month to discuss the important issues for young people

Thousands for Yes walk

More than 2500 Yes supporters walked across theBarwonHeadsBridgeonSundaySeptember 17 to show support for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament as part of the National Walk for Yes movement.

Joining together to sing John Farnham’s classic hit ‘You’re the Voice’ Yes supporters walked from Ocean Grove to Barwon Heads led by Federal Member for Corangamite Libby Coker MP alongside the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative. Ms Coker said the event was an opportunity for all Australians to walk together, united, as the October 14 referendum date draws closer.

“Walking across the bridge is symbolic, we want to walk together to bridge the divide, and so it was this morning when we walked the Barwon Heads Bridge,” she said.

“Whatanawesometurnouttoday,morethan 2500 people walking the Barwon Heads bridge,

singing John Farnham’s ‘You’re the Voice’, and hearing truly heartfelt messages from our local First Nations people.

“There was such a feeling of unity. The momentum is building, and with it a growing movement to support our First Nations people, they have waited such a long time, and this is our opportunity to walk together and accept the outstretched hand of our First Nations people.”

“Singing, cars tooting in support, and walking to the beat of John Farnham’s classic song, what a great day. I’d like to thank everyonefromacrossVictoriawhocamealong, and also thank all of our local volunteers.”

More than 2500 supporters for the Yes vote walked across Barwon Heads bridge. (@fernemillenphotography)

and advise their senior counterparts.

This year’s Youth Council has focused on issues such as climate change, mental health, diversity and inclusion.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan echoed the junior mayor’s call for all interested young people to nominate.

“Youth Councillors are the official ‘youth voice’ from within our community to assist Council in understanding what the priorities are for the region’s youth,” Mayor Sullivan said.

“Being a part of Youth Council also help our region’syoungpeopletolearnmoreaboutlocal

government while informing and influencing Council decisions.

“We want a diverse Youth Council that’s representative of the entire Greater Geelong community, so we encourage everyone to consider nominating, regardless of previous leadership experience.

“Our youth councillors will be supported by our Youth Development team and have the chance to develop their skills through a range of different learning opportunities.”

Nominations can be made at geelongaustralia.com.au/youthcouncil and are open until October 20.

Good time to join council

By Cr Elise Wilkinson

It’s an exciting time to join the council. With a new chief executive, Ali Wastie, and two other women councillors joining this year, there is a lot of shared optimism and fresh energy.

I am honoured to be elected and feel very fortunate to represent the Bellarine and wider Greater Geelong region.

It is an area I’ve called home since 2001, when my partner and I fell in love with Barwon Heads.

My family crossed the bridge into Ocean Grove earlier this year, and are fortunate to have strong ties in both townships.

All governments need to enhance the area’s natural assets, and protect the strong separate identities of both communities, wherever possible.

As a social worker, I have spent most of my career listening to people and working with them to find solutions and access services.

I also work as an actor and co-producer for a local dance theatre company and value the transformative power of storytelling.

I often draw upon my creativity to help address complex challenges.

These are skills I will use as a councillor.

I am committed to being accessible and listening to the needs of the community.

I want to be a voice for those people, who need stronger representation.

And I want to work collaboratively with my council colleagues.

Local government, when it’s working well, has a very big impact on residents’ lives.

Given the influence councils have, it is important that we are accountable, responsive and very clear in our decision-making.

In the past few years, some great steps

have been taken towards meeting council’s sustainability and climate-change related targets. We must continue to prioritise delivering on council’s commitment to a carbon-neutral future.

Thank you to everyone who has been in touch over the past few weeks.

If you would like to discuss anything, I am available via: email: elise.wilkinson@ geelongcity.vic.gov.au, or phone: 0458 769 380.

Cr Elise Wilkinson. (Supplied)

Sin City’s new single launched

By Matt Hewson

Many bands have a cool origin story, but that of soulful rock and roll band Sin City captures a moment in time, namely, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the world went into lockdown in 2020, Auckland pair Nick Armstrong and Jack Beesley found themselves stranded in Alicante, Spain, after the end of a European tour with hard rocking outfit The Cavemen.

Faced with months of being locked in a cramped apartment with just each other for

company, things could have gone either way.

Fortunately both the rent and the booze were cheap in Spain, so they decided to embrace the opportunity to start writing tunes for a new, southern rock-inspired project, which would become five-piece band Sin City.

Armstrong said the shift in tone, from the hard rocking indie-punk style of the Cavemen to the more dad rock tunes of Sin City, was likely the natural result of getting older.

“(With The Cavemen) we’d been playing this hardcore, heavy metal, hard-and-fast punk rock and roll stuff,” he said.

Blast off for holidays

A space adventure is coming to Drysdale these school holidays to bring laughter and enjoyment to audiences of all ages.

Geelong children’s theatre group Theatre 3triple2 4 KiDs new show 321...Blast Off features captain James Link and flight engineer Luna Tik as they travel around space.

Director Cait Reynolds said the children’s pantomime space adventure show coming to the Potato Shed from September 25 to 28 was more than a “50-minute exploration of comedy and fun”.

“It’s more about having a galaxy-centred themeddayforfamilies.Theycanexpectlaughs and parents can expect to maybe feel a bit heart warmed,” she said. “We have an education room set up that families can enjoy with lots of different space activities and costumes for the kids to try on and take photos.

“We also have Pluto who’s just discovered that he’s not a real planet anymore, so we tackle

some issues within the show as well for older audiences, but it’s definitely one for the kids.”

MsReynoldssaidherfavouritepartaboutthe 100 per cent original show was what audiences could take away from it and that she looked forward to seeing how people would react.

“We welcome families to come and enjoy the show and explore the galaxy with us,” she said.

“We would love to see parents coming in with their grandparents and with little ones, so babies and elderly people are more than welcome to come and enjoy the show.”

321...Blast Off will play daily shows during thesecondweekofschoolholidaysatthePotato Shed in Drysdale at 10.30am and 1.30pm from Monday,September25,toThursday,September 28.

Book tickets on 5251 1998 or at www. potatoshed.com.au

“But we noticed that, probably because we were approaching our mid to late 20s, as soon as we were on the road in the van we were listening to soft rock, more melodic stuff. Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison, Flying Burrito Brothers, Mink DeVille was a big one.

“And we’d never actually played that before. From the ages of about 17 to 24 or 25 we’d just been playing punk.”

Fast forward to 2023. The band has filled out to a five-piece and just recorded their second album, due for release some time early next year.

Am I The One You Love, the first single for the new LP, will drop September 29, the same day Sin City kick off their regional Victoria tour at the Barwon Club in Geelong.

Armstrongsaidthesophomorealbumwould be different from the band’s debut in important ways, but still “classic Sin City”.

“The last album had a lot of fiddle and lap steel on it; this one’s going to be a bit more raw, a bit more rock and roll,” he said.

“Also it’s with the live band, as opposed to studio musicians, so it’s got a bit of a different sound.”

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Captain James Link and flight engineer Luna Tik talk with Pluto, who has just discovered he is not a real planet anymore, in 321...Blast Off. (Kerrie Reynolds)

Jena Carr

October 14 Referendum

What you are voting on

If Australians say yes in favour of the Voice, the Constitution would be amended to add the following words

In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:

There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;

The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.

How will the Voice work?

The Voice would be an advisory committee of Indigenous people from across Australia that gives advice to Parliament and Government on issues that affect their communities.

When Parliament or Government want to improve outcomes for Indigenous Australians in areas like health and education, they’d ask the Voice to come up with solutions that would make a real practical difference to the lives of Indigenous people.

The current system isn’t working because instead of listening, Australia has been making assumptions about what First Nations people need – doing things to First Nations people, not with them.

That’s why Indigenous Australians are asking for a Voice to Parliament.

When governments listen to people about issues that affect them, they make better decisions, get better results and deliver better value for money.

Why say no?

A recent visit to WA’s Fremantle prison and Rottnest Island’s museum was a stark reminder of the abject cruelty experienced by many aboriginals in Australia’s history. Ten percent of those imprisoned on Rottnest over many years are buried there, and until recent times a tourist camping area was placed over the burial site.

Why do Dutton-inspired NO campaigners emphasise the lack of a universal language and percentages of blood as major issues regarding our indigenous people? Why don’t they ever mention our history of persecution and neglect? The eight year gap in life expectancy between white and indigenous Australians? Why don’t they highlight an indigenous suicide rate which is twice as high as ours? Why do they never list the numerous preventable diseases our First nations people have to endure due to the lack of medical services and care?

Surely these are some of the major issues needing to be addressed? The Voice, as a legislated but ADVISORY body to parliament (another factor never emphasised by NO campaigners) will raise these issues if the result of the forthcoming referendum is successful.

What a great opportunity for us to put matters right, once and for all.

Peter & Cathy Coghlan, Drysdale

Say No

There is no credible role or justification for the establishment of an Indigenous Voice to federal parliament via an amendment to our Constitution.

To begin with, we already have a federal minister with a special responsibility for looking after Indigenous or Aboriginal Affairs and have long done so. A similar minister also exists in all state and territory governments.

Secondly, we live in a multicultural democracy with more than 200 ethnic or cultural groups. Making special provision, constitutionally, for but one particular ethnic group (3 percent of the overall population) is inconsistent with

this social/political reality.

And, arguably, could be portrayed as racist. Voting yes for the Voice proposal is a slippery slope and a potential recipe for a whole range of social, economic and political problems given that its powers would appear to be so wide-ranging and open-ended.

Michael J Gamble, Belmont

Concern for trees

We are deeply concerned and saddened about the continual destruction of protected native mature vegetation in our local area, Ocean Grove.

As we write this, we can hear the chainsaws and woodchippers destroying three mature yellow gums, which are a protected native species unique to this small area of the Bellarine Peninsula, from a nearby 1200 sq metre property. These trees were once habitat for local wildlife and were providing intrinsic amenity to nearby residents.

Developers are using the state government’s Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) regulations as a loophole to remove trees from near existing homes, whilst concurrently submitting applications to construct new multiple dwellings. This is just development in the guise of fire prevention and protection.

The developers, with continual council permission, completely clear the blocks (including liveable homes destined for landfill) to construct duplex apartments, apparently refusing to work around any existing vegetation.

We have proposed the planning regulations be changed so that an existing dwelling can’t be removed (for development purposes) coinciding with the implementation of the BMO regulation to remove trees.

The abuse of this BMO regulation makes a complete mockery of the planning process.

The Geelong council says they want to increase tree canopy cover…this does little to help the cause.

Gerald Cornish & Robyn Grossman, Ocean Grove

About 2500 people walked across Barwon Heads Bridge in support of the Yes campaign for the October 14 referendum. (Juc_Media)

Hanging Rock proves bountiful

the left near Lake Connewarre was crowded with many birds including chestnut teals, grey teals, a hardhead duck with it part pale blue bill, hoary headed grebes, Eurasian coots and a couple of pink-eared ducks.

I had a lovely outing to Hanging Rock near Woodend.

There were many crimson rosellas, pied currawongs, brown thornbills, white-naped honeyeaters, laughing kookaburras and white-plumed honeyeaters.

While walking my dog around the racecourse I saw a robin, which I thought initially was a scarlet robin, but when it turned to face me, I saw a red patch on the crown, so it was a red-capped robin.

I was surprised to see this species, but further research revealed that these birds are seen this far south.

On the subject of crimson rosella, Christine from Ocean Grove messaged me to say that she saw four of these birds in a tree outside Geelong Hospital. There must have been some lovely seeds in the tree to attract these birds to that spot.

I received an email from Jillian, who walks regularly at Ocean Grove Nature Reserve. Jillian has noticed a lot more spiny-cheeked honeyeaters there this year compared to other years. Jillian also saw a couple of male and female golden whistlers, lots of silvereyes, superb fairy-wrens, a few yellow-tailed black cockatoos, eastern and crimson Rosellas, plenty of rowdy rainbow lorikeets and several of the resident wallabies.

She also spotted a grey shrike-thrush, nankeen kestrel, two black shouldered kites and a grey butcherbird. There were also lots

of male and female common bronzewings performing their courting ritual. The Australasian Grebe on the main lake was still there.

I must say that Jillian saw many more birds than I did when I walked around the OGNR. Jillian also drove down Mollers Lane in Leopold and the waterway at the end on

Barwon Coast Update

FIRST HOODED PLOVER EGGS

The first Hooded Plover eggs of the season (pictured below) have been found on 13th Beach, between 40 and 42W.

Rangers from our Natural Resource Management team quickly put signs up and roped off the area to give them the best chance of survival.

Hooded Plovers are protective parents and will see you as a threat, which may disturb them from looking after the nest, so please don’t stay and play if we’ve indicated Hoodies are nesting.

We appreciate your help protecting these vulnerable birds.

UPCOMING BEACH ACCESS STAIR REPLACEMENTS

Later this year we will be replacing two sets of existing beach access stairs that are nearing the end of their useful life. The works will include:

17W (Bukareeyoo): Replacement of the beach access stairs, removal of concrete and rocks and rehabilitation of the dune face.

36W (13th Beach): Replacement of the beach access stairs, and minor car park upgrades to improve safety and access and enhance the local amenity.

These upgrades will help improve access and safety for beach users and minimise the impacts of coastal processes on the surrounding coastal environment.

We will keep the community updated as the projects progress.

REFRESHING OUR COASTAL PATHWAYS

We’ve been updating our coastal pathways with a new, longer-lasting surface. Following an intial ‘settling’ period (where you may find it can be a little soft after rainfall), it is a long lasting, hard wearing material used widely along Victorian coastlines.

I received an email from Geoff, who spotted abushstonecurlewrecentlyontheGoldCoast. These iconic birds are large, ground-dwelling birds endemic to mostly coastal northern Australia. They can be seen mostly at night stalking invertebrates such as insects.

Closer to home Geoff spotted five nankeen night herons at Blue Waters Lake in Ocean Grove.

Barry Lingham informed me that there have been up to 15 of these herons in the same tree at dusk. I think Geoff will be hoping that the mighty Blues win the AFL premiership, so good luck to Geoff and the Blues.

IreceivedafewlovelyemailsfromJohn,who lives near Leopold. He has a very active bird bath on his property where a pair of brown thornbills visit daily at 8.20am. John has not seen any yellow-rumped thornbills, but superb fairy-wrens visit daily, including a male in breeding plumage with three brown females.

John built two pardalote nests from PVC plumbing fittings and mounted them in his fernery, so hopefully the spotted pardalotes will find these artificial nests.

Last year John accidentally disturbed a pardalote nest in the ground when he was gardening.

Johnhasalsoseenupto40welcomeswallows feeding very low over a paddock, but currently there are only a few pairs remaining and they are feeding at various heights depending on the wind strength and insect swarms.

There is a large raptor nest on the property, which currently seems unoccupied, although there are a few black kites and whistling kites around.

DONT MISS YOUR CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY

The community consultation period for the draft Barwon Coast Caravan and Camping Parks Master Plan closes on Monday 2 October.

Don’t miss your opportunity to provide your feedback through our online survey or by making a submission.

To find out more about the Caravan and Camping Parks Master Plan, visit barwoncoast.com.au/projects/masterplan

First Hooded Plover eggs for the season found on 13th Beach

Left: Jillian’s spiny-cheeked honeyeater at Ocean Grove Nature Reserve. Centre: John’s black kite with a large rodent for dinner. Right: Jillian’s golden whistler at Ocean Grove Nature Reserve.

Jen’s crimson rosella at Hanging Rock.

Dianne shares her rocky start

Geelong woman Dianne Speed suffered a huge stroke 18 hours after giving birth to her daughter 35 years ago. It took away her ability to talk, walk, use her right arm and care for her newborn baby. Jena Carr speaks with her about the experience of being a stroke survivor.

The birth of a child is one of the best times in many parents’ lives, at least it was for Dianne Speed, until a stroke turned her life upside down.

Diannewasonly26whenamassivestrokehit her 18 hours after giving birth to her daughter Bashia Speed.

It was her husband at the time who realised Dianne was having a stroke, and it wasn’t until she saw his face that she realised something was wrong.

“He saw my face drop and it was probably when I saw the panic on his face that I realised that I couldn’t talk,” she said.

“It was what I call a normal stroke, which was a blockage in the brain, and I couldn’t walk or talk, and my whole right side had gone limp.

“He ran and got a nurse who then got the doctor but, by the time the doctor got to me, it was too late as the stroke was over and done with.”

The stroke led to Dianne spending close to four months in hospital and meant that she missed out on many aspects of motherhood as she could not look after her daughter.

“The stroke took the joy out of something that is meant to be a special time in parent’s lives and it was hard,” she said.

“I had only nursed her once, and then the stroke happened, so I didn’t get that maternal bond most mothers get.

“We are close, but I don’t feel like I had that true connection that she and her father had as he was with her every day, but at least she had someone to form that connection with.

“I noticed when she became school aged that I couldn’t tie her hair up or do those things like other mothers could, and in ways, I feel guilty because I couldn’t give her what she needed.

“All she needed though was me to be there and she worked out ways to do things by herself.”

Dianne was living in Colac at the time of her stroke before moving to Geelong when her daughter was one and learnt how to walk and talk again at the same time as her daughter.

“We believe she learnt about talking and walking through my support sessions,” she said.

“She came with me to speech therapy when shewasaboutsixmonthsoldandgoingthrough the process where children start talking.

“She would sometimes try to copy the exercises and sounds I was making, and I believe being exposed to those therapies had some impact on her development. She speaks very well now.

“The biggest win for me is that I raised a beautiful, strong daughter through such adversity, and I am so proud of the young lady she has become.”

It has been 35 years since Dianne’s stroke, and she has had to learn how to live with the daily long-term side effects. She said a lack of resources in 1988 contributed to her slow recovery.

“There was no understanding of young stroke back then, the treatment was very different and there was no stroke community like there is today,” she said.

“I don’t have use of my right hand...so, I had to learn to write left-handed, which is amazing how the brain compensates.

“Cognitive-wise, sometimes I’m a bit slow to retrieve the words, and when I’m reading, I need to read two or three times for that to sink in.

“It takes its toll and fatigue is a big thing with stroke, I don’t think that ever gets better. You just learn to live with the fatigue and manage it the best you can.”

Dianne said she has lived a longer life than a stroke survivor might and that, despite her challenges, it has been rewarding.

“Thirty-five years is quite a long time to be a stroke survivor...and some people who have strokesdon’tthinktheywilllivealonglife,”she said.

“It takes a while to get rid of the fear factor thatanotherstrokewillhappen.I’vebeenlucky as I haven’t had another one.

“People think it’s a death sentence, but it’s not. It changes your life...just be patient, try to accept what’s happened, and do your best with what you have left.

“It’s taken a long time for me to be in that space, but you can get there, and reach out if you need help.”

Dianne is a volunteer for the Stroke Foundation and said the main lesson she wanted to convey was that “you can’t change” what happened and to reach out if you need help.

“They are an amazing foundation and I wish they were around when I had my stroke,” she said.

“They do stroke presentations, and I remember sitting in a room listening to everyone and for the first time since my stroke, I went, ‘I am not alone’ and ‘what I have been feeling is totally normal’.

“I had felt alone for so long, being so young and not old when having a stroke, and people could identify with what I was saying, and it was great.”

Stroke is one of Australia’s biggest killers and cause of disability, but more than 80 per cent of strokes can be prevented by learning the F.A.S.T (Face, Arm, Speech, and Time) acronym.

Dianne said the best thing people can do if they think someone is having a stroke is to call 000 as soon as possible, which could save a life.

Help is available by calling the Stroke Foundation on 1800 787 653 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Geelong Stroke survivor Dianne Speed shares her experience 35 years later. (Ivan Kemp) 360049_07

Dianne with her now adult daughter Bashia Speed. (Pictures: Supplied)

Dianne suffered a stroke 35 years ago, just 18 hours after giving birth to her daughter.

‘‘ The stroke took the joy out of something that is meant to be a special time in parent’s lives and it was hard ’’

- Dianne Speed

Experience the Beatles up close

By Matt Hewson

Renowned performers Darren Coggan and DamienLeithbringtheirmusicalcelebrationof two of the greatest songwriters and performers of all time to Geelong Arts Centre (GAC).

Part of GAC’s Grand Opening Festival, Two of Us - The Songs of Lennon & McCartney will be live in the Story House for one show only on Saturday, September 23.

Coggan and Leith, accompanied by the Strawberry Fields String Quartet, will delve

into the songbook of the Beatles as well as the solo efforts of both John Lennon and Paul McCartney, putting their spin on timeless classics from the pop icons.

Coggan said despite the fact some of the songs were written 60 years ago, the music of Lennon and McCartney was just as relevant and resonant today as it ever was.

“There are some pretty universal themes that run throughout all of the Beatles’ catalogue,” he said.

“Those great, timeless themes of peace, of

love, of understanding are very much welcome in our world today just as they were back in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

“And they just had a way of writing great song; the melodies are infectious, the lyrics and themessagesbehindthemarejustasimportant today as when they were first written.

“As soon as you launch into the first song you can feel it. Everyone enters the theatre as individuals, but they emerge as an audience, and I think they leave feeling quite uplifted and positive about things.”

Magic Dirt ready to play at home town show

Magic Dirt return to the place it all began when they appear at the Barwon Club as part of their national tour celebrating the 25th anniversary reissue of lauded album Young and Full of the Devil.

Young and Full of the Devil was Magic Dirt’s second album but the first with guitarist Raul Sanchez, who joined vocalist/guitarist Adalita Srsen, bassist Dean Turner and drummer Adam Robertson after the departure of guitarist Dave Thomas.

Sanchezsaidjoiningthebandwas“absolutely just being at the right place at the right time”.

Following the final gig of Sanchez’s band Muffcake in 1997, the guitarist dropped into a Magic Dirt gig before heading to the Muffcake after-party.

“We went to see Magic Dirt and we ended up bringing Adalita back to the after-party, and from there we became friends,” he said.

“A few months later I got a phone call. They were like, hey, Dave is no longer in the band, do

you reckon you can learn a set in a week? We got gigs.”

From there followed seven records, multiple overseas tours, TV and radio appearances and numerous festival circuit gigs.

“It was a dream come true,” Sanchez said.

“I was touring around not just Australia but the world. We were loving it. There were ups and downs, as with everything, but overall we were a tight unit.

“Weknewwhatwewantedtodoandwewere just doing it. It felt amazing.”

With Turner’s untimely death in 2009 to a rare form of tissue cancer, the band didn’t break up but experienced a lengthy hiatus that lasted till 2018.

In February that year Magic Dirt played a surprise set at the Barwon Club, a place the band have a long history with, and have continued gigging ever since.

Sanchez said he couldn’t wait to play the venue again this month.

“It feels like coming home,” he said.

“The Barwon Club is an institution of rock and roll in Geelong, if not in Victoria and Australia’s rock and roll history.

“Playing there is a privilege and an honour, albeit one full of blood, sweat and tears, spit and many beers.”

Magic Dirt are at the Barwon Club on Friday, September 22 supported by Moler and Green Blanket.

Matt Hewson

Magic Dirt return home to Geelong. (Mitch Lowe)

Damien Leith and Darren Coggan. (Supplied)

Helping clients get the most out of their NDIS plan

Sky Plan Management aims to provide a high-quality and personalised service, helping people navigate NDIS funding and get the best out of their plans.

Geelong resident and a diehard Cats supporter, Kirsten started Sky in April 2021, which dedicates 100 per cent of its time, energy, and resources to providing a premium plan management service.

Having worked in the plan management space for four years before starting her own business, Kristen used her knowledge and experience to create a service focusing on plan management.

The NDIS-designed plan management is a function to assist and support NDIS participants in managing their plan funding. A plan manager’s function is managing and monitoring a participant’s budget and NDIS claims, paying provider invoices for services delivered, and providing regular statements to a participant to show the financial status of their plan, including prompt notification of over or under-utilisation.

Participants can also receive advice from plan management providers about how to utilisebesttheirNDISplanfundingwhichcan assist in building their financial capacity and knowledge.

There are no out-of-pocket expenses to the participant, and plan management is fully funded within the NDIS plan, which allows more choice in service providers participants can access.

Whenfundingisplanmanaged,participants are not locked into using only providers registered with NDIS, with more options available when seeking services such as allied health, personal support and domestic support.

Sky Plan Management provides a quick

turnaround in payment to providers within one to two business days.

Participants and their nominees have completecontrolandvisibilityoftheirfunding through Sky’s online budget Dashboard. This provides a comprehensive breakdown of invoices paid and funding balances under the various categories set out by the NDIS. all invoices through the Dashboard before the Sky team processes them.

Sky Plan Management is a medium-sized plan manager that allows them to provide a very personalised and responsive service. PeoplecontactingSkybyphoneoremailwill notgetacallcentreoranautomatedemailreply but a real person who can respond quickly and assist them with their specific needs. ThenatureoftheserviceSkyprovidesallows

For those who prefer meeting face to face, call the Sky team, and they’ll be happy to arrange a meeting.

To find out more information on plan management, visit the NDIS website at www.ndis.gov.au and search for Plan

Sky Plan Management helps people navigate their NDIS services. (Supplied)

All the ‘supports’ and services you need to thrive DISABILITY

Access Your Supports (AYS) is a trusted and leadingNationalDisabilityInsuranceScheme (NDIS) registered provider in Geelong and the Surf Coast and has been operating since 2016.

AYS offers various services to participants under the NDIS, including Support Coordination Employment Support Peer Mentoring Plan Management Therapies (such as occupational therapy, behaviour support, early child intervention, psychology, group therapy and therapy assistants).

The NDIS rollout in 2013 proved to be the start of significant social reform in the nation, aiming to enhance quality of life, independence and participation for those living with disabilities in the community.

AYS’ Employment Support Program is one service that’s going from strength to strength after the COVID-19 years. The team assists individuals with disabilities in finding and maintaining meaningful employment, providing job coaching and skill development.

The team values social connections and rapport building with participants, their families, and care teams. They also go above and beyond to ensure employment-related goals are achieved.

This service is offered in a one-on-one context which allows their clients to have a more tailored and personalised approach that fits their individual needs.

One of AYS’ goals is to help those with disabilities find suitable and meaningful ongoing employment.

Employment is a valuable and important aspect of life for everyone, including those of us with disabilities, as it allows us to gain independence, drives us with purpose and a sense of accomplishment, and helps us to

create new social networks and bonds.

ThisiswhyAYSstrivestofindopportunities throughout the community for their clients to obtain work that fits their needs and abilities allowing them to enjoy the benefits most of us take for granted through having ongoing employment.

The majority of participants engaged in

the program are those with School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES), a support eligible to participants to help them with the transition from school to work.

Support is available in the final years of school and directly after leaving school.

AYS offer a comprehensive range of services that complement and enhance each other to

achieve the best outcomes for their clients to help them plan and achieve their life goals.

If you or a loved one would like AYS to assist you in finding meaningful ongoing employment, or you would like to access their wide range of other services visit ays. com.au or call them today on 03 4222 7479.

One of Access Your Supports goals is to help those with disabilities find suitable and meaningful ongoing employment.

Crossing the Gap team are ’something special’

Staff are the backbone of any business, but when it comes to disability support services the quality and care of staff is critical.

That is why Geelong’s Crossing the Gap Disability Services company director Kristy Browning has focused on assembling a team of “amazing and genuine” staff members.

“They have such compassion and a desire to help people succeed in life,” Kristy said.

“They’ve each got their own backstory, and each one of them brings something different. My team is absolutely fantastic, and I wouldn’t be able to do what I do as a company owner without them working behind me.”

Personal care assistance worker Erin, who has her own children but also takes foster children into her home, believes she has found her calling at Crossing the Gap.

“I don’t look at what I do daily as a job, I look at it as my life’s calling to provide this service to my clients.” Erin said.

Crossing the Gap’s newest staff member Corey brings a wealth of knowledge in health, fitness and rehabilitation to the team.

“I have an interest in providing optimal healthandfitnessoutcomesthroughexercising, injury rehabilitation and education,” Corey said.

“Although my background has been in high performance training, I have taken a keen interest in rehabilitation, as I have lived through and experienced that from start to finish myself.

“I am committed to helping others in their rehab or fitness journeys.”

Support worker Suzie was previously a beauty therapist, but after helping support a friend’s mother she fell in love with the job.

“Ilovemeetingdifferentclientswithdifferent needs and helping them reach their goals,” Suzie said.

“I enjoy being there to support them on their bad days. I help them celebrate their achievements, however big or small they may be.

“I love helping them to maintain their independence and bringing joy into their day. Each client teaches me something different.”

Having been diagnosed with ADHD and ADDasayoungperson,supportworkerJemma brings her personal experience to the job.

“I understand now that I can be myself, but I wanted to show others that they are important and they can be themselves.” Jemma said.

“I love working with Crossing the Gap. It’s very rewarding; you’re helping those in need and it brings me joy.”

Kristy describes support worker Donald as a “calm and chilled, gentle father-figure”.

“I’mfun-lovingandfamily-orientated,Ihave been in Australia for about nine years now and

it’sbeennothingbutanamazingexperiencefor me,” Donald said. “Most of all, I am a caring person who likes to have a laugh.”

To find out more about Crossing the Gap’s services and start getting help from the team you deserve contact Kristy Browning at kristy@ctgdisability.com.au or call 0493 057 276.

Left: Support worker Suzie has “fallen in love“ with her job. Centre: Donald brings a calm nature to his support work. Right: Crossing the Gap personal care assistance worker Erin. (Pictures: Supplied)

The fresh approach to disability accommodation

genU’s new Specialist Disability Accommodation in Highton combines accessible design and an innovative onsite support model, offering people living with disabilities new levels of independence.

Brad Holloway’s new apartment at Highton Green features the latest accessible design for wheelchair access and daily independence.

When he first heard about the new development, the design, the concierge-style support, and the location near Deakin University seemed like the perfect fit.

“This has been a long time coming. I have been looking for a suitable house for twenty years,” said the 45-year-old, who shares his new home with his dog Tex.

Brad is one of 12 people living in new specialist disability accommodation apartments by Emerge Living, who share 24-hour-a-day onsite support from genU.

Sharing onsite support with other residents was a new but attractive concept for Brad and an important factor in his decision to sign his long-term lease.

“It gives me comfort knowing someone is downstairs to help me and knowing I don’t have to call mum, or I don’t have to wait until tomorrow when a support worker comes,” Brad said.

genU operations manager Rose O’Brien at Highton Green said the shared support model provides flexibility.

“genUstaffarebasedinaseparate,dedicated unitinthebuilding.Theyareavailabledayand night to provide planned support including check-ins, or unplanned help as and when needed,” she said. “It can create new options for how people access or combine types of support and use their Funding.”

For genU vacancy coordinator Tanya Sexton, this support style and the Emerge

Living apartments’ accessible design offer new residents and their families peace of mind.

“It maximises independence, giving people the option to live in their private space with a concierge- style service that offers onsite assistance for short times in their day.”

As he settles into his new home, Brad is enjoying a layout, cabinetry and features that

Experience the difference

MaudCare is a holistic day service that believes in running smaller group programs and one-on-one support.

The small residential farm-style property has many onsite facilities, including two unique program rooms, a sensory room, a kitchen, veggie patches, a fully equipped gym, and even a sauna.

They also have four resident chickens who produce eggs daily and a beautiful zen garden to centre yourself.

Staff and participants start each day with morning mindfulness, where they check in as a group, go through breathing and movement exercises, talk about how they are all feeling

and set some goals for the day.

They help participants start each day relaxed to create purpose moving forward and have 12 programs ranging from fitness, adventure, arts and crafts, cooking, music, dance, gardening and more.

Maudcare is here to help if you or a loved one are seeking fun interactions with others, connection with nature and animals, the ability to be present, and want to create lasting relationships.

Book yourself a free two-hour Maudcare experience today by calling 0484 532 269 or find out more at maudcare.com.au/join-us

were designed with easy wheelchair use in mind from the very beginning.

His apartment also features a second room, which can be used as a guest room, study or for carers if needed.

“This place is so advanced compared to my last place,” Brad said.

MaudCare’s farm style property has four resident chickens that produce eggs daily. (Supplied)

Brad Holloway is among 12 people living in genU’s new specialist disability accommodation apartments. (Pictures: Supplied)

Wendy’s extraordinary journey

Geelong’s Wendy West has beaten doctor’s odds after they gave her close to 18 months to live when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Small Cell Lung Cancer in 2021. She speaks with Jena Carr about her cancer experience and how she is thankful for a clinical trial for keeping her alive.

After having a fall that fractured her back, Geelong woman Wendy West had scans taken at the hospital, which led to a shocking discovery.

Doctors diagnosed her with Stage 4 Small Cell Lung Cancer, a fast-growing cancer that startsinthelungandmultipliesuncontrollably.

“Doctors found out that I had cancer that had already spread. It’s just by accident that they picked it up,” she said.

“They were X-raying my back, and a photo was accidentally on the wrong angle, which caught one of my lymph nodes, which they noticed was swollen, so they thought they’d look further into it.

“They came out first and said I had Stage 4 cancer, but the worst was when they came back and said that it had reached my brain, so that was just devastating.”

Wendy said hearing about her diagnosis “was awful” and that doctors didn’t think she would live to see 2022.

“I was diagnosed in June 2021, and they gave me 12 to 18 months, but December that year is when the ones grew in my brain,” she said.

“Two grew from nowhere, and they had grown to two centimetres in six weeks.

“Doctors didn’t think any treatment could beat that growth rate, but they did try the radiotherapyandatthatpoint,itwasNovember when they noticed the tumours had grown.”

After Wendy received the cancer diagnosis, her boyfriend of four and a half years proposed and the two got married three weeks later.

“My husband Dave West has been my rock, I wanted to know what love is and he showed me,” she said. “He plays in the Glitter Gang Band (a Geelong-based 70s glam rock band), and he got me on stage and proposed to me. We had the wedding organised and were married in three weeks.

“The wedding was amazing. It was just so touching, emotional and beautiful.”

Wendy said she had suffered 30 years of domestic violence before she met Dave and that her husband had “been amazing”.

“Domestic violence is horrible, and I believe there is a reason for everything,” she said.

“I believe my experience of it has made me stronger by helping me fight cancer. To me, I would rather be facing and fighting cancer than living domestic violence.”

Wendy is a current Barwon Health’s Andrew Love Cancer Centre patient undergoing a new clinical trial at the Adrian Costa Clinical Trials Centre.

The trial is a ‘Phase 2 open label study of

Sacituzumab Govitecan (IMMU-132) in subjects with metastatic solid tumours’.

Wendy said the trials had come at the right time for her and were helping keep her alive.

“It’s just amazing and I can’t believe the results they have made. Certain cancers have disappeared altogether, and the others have all shrunk,” she said.

“It’s just incredible. They call me a miracle, but I think it’s this trial, the doctors and all the staff. I’m very lucky.”

Wendy said her work was one of the biggest supports for her and that it was important for people going through a similar experience to remain positive.

“I’ve stayed positive the whole way through. Initially we grieved and it was a horrible time, but I stayed positive the whole way through,” she said.

“Don’t give up. Just get out of bed and try to do as much of the normal things you used to do; that’s my best advice.

“My everyday things were to get up, go to work routinely and live a normal life. Go out, have fun, and don’t fall into the sad hole.

“When I go to chemotherapy, I say, ‘I’m going in to recharge my batteries’, and that’s how I look at it.

“I still work full time now and I am a purchasing officer which involves data entry and purchasing which I enjoy...and my bosses have been fantastic in supporting me on the way back to work.”

Wendy has now lived close to two years

longer than doctors originally predicted and said she was thankful for the many people who have helped her through her cancer journey.

“My family and loved ones have been so supportive; they give me what I need to live for,” she said.

“I am proud of how they have handled my diagnosis, and like me, they remain strong and positive. They provide me with support and love that gives me hope.

“Without the Andrew Love Cancer Centre, I would not be here, and you can’t thank someone enough for that.

“Radiologist oncologist Tracie Gleisner took a chance on me with radiation to my brain, which worked when she thought it wouldn’t... and two new brain tumours died from that.

“If it weren’t for the clinical trial and its people,doctors,staffandoncologistDrShuFen Wong, I wouldn’t be here either. I didn’t know there were such beautiful hearts out there.

“HearingoftheCostaFamilies’contributions to the trials has brought me to tears. It’s just so generous and lovely of them.

“At the end of the day, I wasn’t meant to make it into 2022. I’m here now and it’s nearly two years past when they thought I would live, so I’m very lucky.”

People can find out how they can help cancer patients like Wendy by visiting www. barwonhealthfoundation.org.au

Help is available by contacting Safe Steps on 1800 015 188, 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732, or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Wendy West was diagnosed with Small Cell Lung Cancer in 2021 and credits a clinical trial for keeping her alive. (Ivan Kemp) 362076_08

‘‘ It’s just incredible. They call me a miracle, but I think it’s this trial, the doctors and all the staff. I’m very lucky ’’

- Wendy West

2023 AFL GRAND FINAL

1. Geelong won the 2022 AFL Grand Final by how many points?

2. Which player won the 2022 Norm Smith medal?

3. The Brisbane Lions joined the AFL in 1999 after a merger between Brisbane Bears and which other team?

4. In which year did the league change its name from VFL to AFL?

5. The International Rules series includes AFL and which other sport?

6. Charles Brownlow played for which VFL club?

7. How many rounds did the 2023 AFL season have?

8. In which year will the currently unnamed Tasmanian team join the league?

9. Not including Australia, which two countries have hosted AFL regular season games?

10. Which city hosted the 2023 ‘Gather Round’?

11. Which two teams typically play in the Dreamtime at the ‘G annual match?

12. After the MCG, what is the largest AFL stadium in Australia?

13. What was the first non-Victorian based team to make it to the AFL Grand Final?

14. In the past decade (2013–2022), how many times has a non-Victorian team won the AFL Grand Final?

15. True or false: Collingwood won the replay match of the 2010 Grand Final after the first match ended in a draw?

16. Out of the current players in the 2023 season, who has played the most AFL games?

17. True or false: Western Bulldogs have never won a minor premiership?

18. How many times have Port Adelaide been minor premiers?

19. Which team occasionally plays home matches at Blundstone Arena?

20. Which artist was the first person to perform at the AFL pre game show and the NFL Super Bowl?

21. Since 2008 which cartoonist creates the caricature for the Premiership winners that is published in the HeraldSuneach year?

22. The Alex Jesaulenko Medal is awarded each AFL season for what accolade?

23. In 1972, the highest scoring AFL Grand Final was played between which two clubs?

24. The Jock McHale Medal is named after a coach from which club?

25. The AFL Grand Final is contracted to be held at the MCG every year until when?

26. True or false: the 2022 Grand Final was the highest attended league sporting event in the world?

27. OneDayinSeptemberis a 1980 song written and performed by who?

28. Which AFL field umpire has umpired the most games, reaching 500 in July 2023?

29. What company has made all the AFL premiership cups since the inception of it?

30. Which former AFL player was renowned for a victory handstand?

DOWN

1 Exclamations of joy (7)

2 Carlton winner of the 2019 NAB Rising Star Award (3,5)

3 Doctor (6)

4 GWS player Stephen – (8)

5 Referee (6)

6 Star quality (7)

8 St Kilda ruckman, with the supposed ‘best smile in the AFL’ (5,8)

14 Hold back (8)

15 Sports stadium in Brisbane (3,5)

16 Opposing team conflict (7)

17 Sports-ground (7)

19 Melbourne ruckman, Brodie – (6)

21 Restless (6)

7 Showing compassion (6)

8 One who shares accomodation (8)

9 AFL’s best and fairest award (8)

10 Frozen formation (6)

11 Young people (8)

12 Latitude (6)

13 Location (11)

18 Door features (6)

20Scholars (8)

22 Big cat (6)

23 Crows club (8)

24 Gather Round city (4,4)

25 Conquer (6)

BOMBERS BRISBANE BULLDOGS CROWS

Isaac Smith

1. After the Brisbane Lions mascot Bernie ‘Gabba’ Vegas retired, which brave lion took his place?

Ray

Roy

Rick

Rob?

2. What kind of bug is the mascot of the Essendon Bombers?

Wasp C. Bee

Mosquito

3. Which of these team’s mascots is not an animal?

North Melbourne

GWS Giants

Coast

4. What is the name of the fictional house that the AFL Mascots live in? A. Mascot Manor

Footy Farmhouse

Costume Casa

Happy House

1B, 2D, 3C, 4A

The Bellarine Peninsula is a winemaker’s paradise

The Bellarine Peninsula, with its cool maritime climate and diverse soil types, provides an ideal environment for vineyards to flourish.

This unique combination of factors has given rise to a thriving wine scene, with wineries producing a wide range of varietals, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or just looking for a delightful day trip, the Bellarine Peninsula has something to offer every wine lover.

Must-visit wineries

Jack Rabbit Vineyard: Perched on a hill overlooking Corio Bay, Jack Rabbit Vineyard offers not only exceptional wines but also breathtaking panoramic views. This family-owned winery is known for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines. The on-site restaurant, with its delectable menu, is the perfect place to complement your wine tasting experience.

Oakdene Vineyards: Oakdene Vineyards is a true architectural marvel, boasting whimsical and eclectic designs that make it as much an art gallery as a winery. Here, you can enjoy a wide variety of wines, including their award-winning Pinot Noir and Riesling. The quirky and charming atmosphere is sure to make your visit memorable.

Scotchmans Hill: Established in 1982, Scotchmans Hill is one of the oldest wineries on the Bellarine Peninsula. They are renowned for their cool-climate wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. The rustic cellar door provides an authentic experience, where you can sample their exceptional wines in a welcoming setting.

Leura Park Estate: If you’re seeking an atmosphere of relaxation and live

entertainment alongside your wine tasting, Leura Park Estate is the place to be. Known for its sparkling wines and Pinot Gris, this winery offers a vibrant and festive ambiance. The estate often hosts events, making it a favourite spot for locals and visitors alike.

Bellarine Estate: This family-owned winery is a perfect stop for those seeking

a diverse range of wines, from Shiraz to Sauvignon Blanc. The lush vineyards provide a picturesque backdrop for tastings, and their friendly staff is always eager to share their knowledge about the winemaking process.

The Bellarine Taste Trail

One of the best ways to explore the Bellarine

Peninsula wineries is by embarking on the Bellarine Taste Trail. This self-guided journey takes you through a selection of wineries, where you can sample wines, savour local produce, and take in the stunning scenery. The trail also showcases the region’s commitment to sustainable practices and the preservation of its natural beauty.

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

• 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

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

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

Cheers at Jack Rabbit, with beautiful views over the bay. (Pictures: Supplied)

The awards keep ‘rolling’ in for outstanding bakery

Rolling Pin Pies & Cakes continues to rake in the awards, this time being judged as baking the best potato topped, best red meat and best gourmet pies in the country.

The bakery, which has two branches in Ocean Grove, and one in Leopold, Queenscliff and South Geelong, took home the awards fromtheOfficialGreatAussiePieCompetition in Sydney last week.

Out of more than 1500 pies judged, Rolling Pin’schunkybeefandbaconpieisofficiallythe best red meat, and gourmet, pie in the nation while the lamb and minted pea and potato version is the best potato top/Shepherd’s pie.

Last year, Rolling Pin was inducted into the competition’s Hall of Fame, one of only three bakeries in Australia to be awarded the honour.

Local foodie precincts

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.

Barwon Heads: Hitchcock Avenue has cafes, restaurants and even ice cream.

Drysdale: a plethora of wineries are just a stone’s throw away while gin and whiskey lovers can check out several distilleries around

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.

“We’re really stoked, it was a bit of a surprise,” owner Nathan Williams said.

“It’s been a great couple of years for us in this comp. We’ve been entering this comp for 30 years.

“I didn’t think we could top last year, but here we are.”

Overall, Rolling Pin won 17 gold medals, one silver and three bronze at the competition.

Mr Williams said he sent 18 pies to Sydney for the judges, but had to take three more on the plane with him because there wasn’t enough room.

The Aussie Pie Comp is the longest running and largest pie, sausage roll, and pastie competition in Australia.

Justin Flynn

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

Left: Baker Brayden Pryor tucks into one of Rolling Pin Pies & Cakes’ award-winning pies. (Ivan Kemp) 361229_04 Right: Rolling Pin’s Nathan Williams has some important carry-on luggage. (Supplied)

Holiday makers shopping local

Voice photographer Ivan Kemp was at The Terrace in Ocean Grove this week to see how visitors and locals were spending the start of the school holidays.

etc.

Left: Deb and Gary Clarke with Billie. Centre: Molly, Caylee and Abbie Cooper. Right: Christine and Geoff Fitzpatrick with Sonia Jones and Gerry Parkinson. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 360674

Declan Sicari and Georgia Byrne with Roxy.

Above: Molly, Caylee and Abbie Cooper. Left: Rosalie Dalziel with daughters Charlee and McKenzie.

Maggie Johnson with Sonny.

Ruth Chapman.

No.

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

1 Commend (6)

4 Well-known (6)

2

DECODER

WORDFIT

Today’s Aim:

S R N

C R L

I N N I T G

rings, rinsing, rising, sign, signing, sing, singing, siring, siting, sting, stinging, stir, string, STRINGING, tiring, trig

gins, girt, gist, grin, grins, grist, grit, iris, nisi, rigs, ring, ringgit, ringing,

D C

S E S L E E K S A R E N A C O R A L E D I C T S E E K S

1 In which sport was the first national Australian team formed in 1922?

2 TheLivingSeaofWaking Dreams is a 2020 novel by which Australian author?

3 In which year was the Gregorian calendar adopted in Soviet Russia: 1917, 1918 or 1919?

4 Dan Levy (pictured) stars as John in which 2020 Christmas film?

5 True or false: the Earth has an axial tilt of approximately 13.4 degrees?

6 What was the pen name of British author David Cornwell?

7 Which two states or territories do not observe the King’s Birthday on the second Monday in June?

8 Which Australian capital city is on the traditional lands of the Kulin nation?

9 Mo Dao Zu Shi is a Chinese xianxia novel that was adapted into which Netflix fantasy series?

10 What type of instrument is a xiao?

No. 151

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Ocean Grove Voice looks back through the pages of our predecessors

7 years ago

September 28 to October 11, 2016

Ocean Grove’s iconic Rolling Pin Pie and Cake Shop has done it again. The award-winning pie shop added to its already impressive haul of trophies with three more gongs at the Great Aussie Pie Competition.

COMMUNITY

5 years ago

September 26 to October 9, 2018

Liberal candidate for Bellarine Brian McKiterick has hit back at comments made by Lisa Neville over his recent move to Ocean Grove.

The current member for Bellarine, Ms Neville, questioned Mr McKiterick’s move from Torquay to Ocean Grove labelling it as “taking the piss out of the community”.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Bellarine Women’s Workshop, Thursday September 28, 10am-1pm, Portarlington Girl Guides Hall. Meets every second Thursday, and second Saturday of the month.

■ Facebook page – Bellarine Women’s Workshop

Book club

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

■ Shirley, 0488 055 969

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)

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

3 years ago

September 25 to October 8, 2020

An Ocean Grove cafe owner has reassured non-hospitality businesses on The Terrace that there were never any plans to close the street to vehicles.

Driftwood Cafe’s Ty Simons spoke with Geelong Chamber of Commerce president Mark Edmonds about the possibility of allowing cafes and restaurants to extend their trading space into adjacent car parks.

1 year ago

September 23 to October 6, 2022

Wallington Recreation Reserve will get a $3 million facelift if the Liberal Party wins the November state election.

Liberal Party candidate for Bellarine Donnie Grigau announced the funding at Bellarine Bears Baseball Club’s presentation night.

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 Fortnightly

•฀CWA฀1st฀and฀3rd฀Thursday฀7.30pm Monthly

•฀Book฀group฀1st฀Friday฀1pm

•฀Inhouse฀movies฀3rd฀Wednesday฀1.30pm

•฀฀Ocean฀Grove฀Stamp฀Club฀4th฀Wednesday฀ 10am

■ 5255 2996

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 Highway, Sunday October 1, 2pm-4.30pm. 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

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

Ocean Grove Day VIEW Meets second Wednesday of the month, 10.30am for 11am.

■ oceangroveday.viewclub@gmail.com

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

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

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

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

CWA Drysdale Meets Drysdale RSL, Princess St, 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

(iStock)

Out and about

1/ Maja, Stella and Oscar. 2/ Anne-Marie and Jamie Nicholson with Jive. 3/ Jarrod and Sara Weiss with son Liam. 4/ Local surfer Danni Rogan. 5/ Jonte and Sophie from Ballarat. 6/ Oscar Mullen and Harry Charlesworth. 7/ Daniel Inturrisi with daughter Bella. 8/ Mac Hooper and Lucy Teese. 9/ Nikita Smith from Melbourne. 10/ Robert and Loretta Schirato with daughter Laura. 11/ Wes and daughter Matilda. 12/ Ned Taylor. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 360672

Voice photographer Ivan Kemp caught up with locals and visitors who were making the most of the extended warm spell at Ocean Grove main beach on Monday.

Mid-sized SUV making an impact

By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring

The MG HS +EV is a mid-sized SUV from the Chinese manufacturer that is making such an impact on the Australian market.

The name can be a little misleading because it’s not fully-electric but rather a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and so comes with a petrol engine together with a battery that can be charged in the same manner as an EV.

Plug-in hybrids are an excellent concept but in practice, at least at this stage of their development, they don’t make a lot of sense. Firstly, they are typically at least $10,000 more expensive as their petrol-only equivalents.

Secondly, because they use relatively small batteries, the EV-only range is quite low and once the battery has expired, they just become another hybrid but a tad heavier due to the battery.

The MG HS +EV competes against similarly-sized PHEVs such as the Mitsubishi Outlander, Ford Escape and the just-released Mazda CX-60. With driveaway prices starting at $49,690 it’s the cheapest of the four and comes with the longest (seven-year) warranty.

MG HS +EV comes in two variants, Excite and Essence. The latter was our test vehicle.

Styling

MG HS +EV is a neat and conservative vehicle without anything to make it stand out from the SUV crowd. The front is dominated by a large honeycomb grille with the familiar ‘MG’ badge at front-and-centre. We often wonder how many buyers, especially younger ones, recognise that iconic badge and its history – we suspect not many.

The grille then flows into wide, narrow headlamps with daytime running lights above extended lower air vents, also honeycombed.

The Essence variant comes with 18-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, LED headlights, front foglights, puddle lights that project the MG logo onto the ground and a panoramic glass sunroof with a sunshade.

Excite only gets halogen headlights and 17-inch alloys.

Four body colours are available, all metallic: pearl white, sterling silver, black pearl and diamond red.

Interior HS +EV is a good size, with large comfortable seats, plenty of rear legroom and air vents for back seat passengers. Entry is easy to manage and there’s good interior space. Rear legroom is acceptable and there’s plenty of headroom despite the Essence’s panoramic sunroof.

Excite comes with polyurethane/PVC seats while the Essence steps up to two-tone leather front sports seats with power adjustment and heating as well as LED ambient lighting.

Boot space is a reasonable 451 litres with the rear seats in place and expands to 1275 litres with the seatbacks folded. Essence comes with a powered tailgate. The battery charging cable is stored below the boot floor meaning that there’s no room for a spare wheel, instead you’ll need to rely upon the supplied tyre repair kit if you get a puncture, a growing risk in pot-hole riddled eastern Australia.

The boot is shallow but offers a reasonable 451 litres rear seats up and 1275 litres with the seat backs folded. The Type 2 charge cable is stored under the boot floor where it doesn’t get in the way, but also leaves no room for a spare wheel (a reinflation kit is provided).

Powertrain

Power comes from a 1.5-litre 119 kW / 250 Nm turbo-petrol engine, together with a 16.6kWh battery pack and 90kW electric motor that combine to provide an impressive combined output of 189kW and 370Nm.

It is mated to a 10-speed EDU II automatic gearbox, which consists of six-speed auto for the internal combustion engine and four-speed electronic drive unit.

All-wheel drive is available in the petrol-only HS but, at this stage, the +EV is front-wheel drive only.

HS 1.5 Vibe 2WD: $32,990

HS 1.5 Excite 2WD: $35,990

HS 2.0 Excite X AWD: $38,990

HS 1.5 Essence 2WD: $39,990

HS 2.0 Essence X AWD: $43,990

HS 1.5 Essence Anfield: $41,690

HS +EV 1.5 Plug-In Hybrid Excite 2WD: $49,690

HS +EV 1.5 Plug-In Hybrid Essence 2WD: $53,690

SPECIFICATIONS

MG HS +EV Essence 1.5-litre petrol / electric plug-in hybrid five-door wagon

Battery charge time is listed at around seven hours from a normal household socket. We were able to charge from empty to full in just under four hours from our home 7kW JetCharge wall box.

Infotainment

Inside there are two large screens, a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster with built-in satellite navigation and a 10.1-inch multi-function high-definition infotainment colour touch screen with large user-friendly displays.

The twin information screens are easy to read and operate although, as is becoming increasingly common, too many of the most-used features needed screen taps rather than through physical knobs.

Smartphone mirroring is available through cabled Apple CarPlay or Android Auto with two USB ports at the front and another pair at the rear. Satellite navigation is standard in both variants.

The big touchscreen is impressive and provides sharp and clear vision through the reversing camera.

One side of the digital instrument cluster is devoted to the petrol engine, while the other keeps you up to date on the battery level as well as how much assistance the electric motor is providing – with three figures for consumption across the bottom.

Both variants get the same six-speaker 3D surround sound audio system.

Safety

The HS PHEV is yet to receive an ANCAP crash rating but the petrol variants were tested in 2022 and received the maximum five stars.

Standard safety features in both variants include six airbags; enhanced ABS brakes; electronic stability program; active cornering

brake control; front seat impact absorbent door padding; hill start assist; emergency automatic door unlocking and hazard light activation; tyre pressure monitoring; reversing camera; and rear parking sensors.

Essence adds a 360-degree surround-view camera.

Both models also come with the MG Pilot package which adds enhanced features such as adaptive cruise control; forward collision warning; automatic emergency braking; lane departurewarning;trafficjamassist;intelligent cruise assist; blind spot warning; rear cross traffic alert; intelligent headlamp control; and speed assistance system.

Driving

As with most hybrids the HS +EV takes off using the battery but once under moderate acceleration the petrol engine takes over. Unlike some others though it is possible to drive purely under battery power by tapping the ‘EV’ button on the centre console which ensures that the engine doesn’t activate while ever there is charge in the battery.

Fuel consumption is listed at 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres under the city cycle but drops down to just 1.7 L/100 km on the combined city/highway cycle.

Note that it does need 95 RON premium fuel and charging with a standard power point takes about seven hours using a standard 10A power point.

Maximum range under battery-power alone is a claimed 63 kilometres so the only way to get even close to the 1.7 L/100 is to stop the car every 100km and fully recharge the battery before heading off again. Not a very practical scenario.

Midway through our week in the HS +EV we did a specific test entirely in EV mode with the battery fully charged. We chose the

flattest available route and with conservative driving he got close to the 63 kilometre distance.

At the other end of scale we tested the fuel consumption with no charge in the battery and averaged 6.9 L/100km on our predominantly motorwaydrivefromGosfordtoSydneyhelped along by the usual brake regeneration feature of most hybrids.

These issues aside we found the plug-in MG to be a pretty impressive vehicle. The instant torque and silent running of EVs contribute to a very enjoyable driving experience. There’s little or no excitement, but that’s the norm with vehicles at the smaller end of the SUV segment. Steeringisabitontheheavysidebutresponsive enough.

The amount of brake regeneration when decelerating cannot be adjusted but we found that the level was just right, effective without being too intrusive.

The steering is okay but doesn’t provide a lot of feedback and the same can be said of the brakes which could do with more feel.

Summing up

Whether the extra $10k for the +EV over its petrol-only HS equivalents can be justified will depend on buyer’s individual circumstances. For urban buyers with short distance commutes and a home fast-ish wallbox it would make sense.

Ataround$50kthepriceisnotthatmuchless than mainstream offerings from the Japanese, principally Toyota’s best-selling RAV4 Hybrid, which although it is not a plug-in does provide excellent fuel economy.

Importantly, with long waiting times for most of its competitors – including the aforementioned RAV4 – buyers can get into most MG models within weeks rather than waiting many months.

MG HS +EV (nee PHEV) is the Chinese carmaker’s first plug-In hybrid. (Pictures: Supplied)

Note: These are drive-away prices and include all government or dealer delivery charges.

AT A GLANCE MODEL RANGE

Ammos too good in B grade final

Voice photographer Ivan Kemp took these images of the B Grade grand final between Ocean Grove and Geelong Amateur.

Geelong Amateur celebrate their win while Jesse Sutton feels the pain of defeat. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 358224

Left: Danni Hoiles looks for a pass. Centre: Karina Sproal splits Meg Badrock and Emma Jones to get to this pass. Right: Sharon Ford passes to a teammate.

Above: Karina Sproal and Meg Badrock compete for the ball.

Left: Jesse Sutton in action.

Amelia Cunningham has the ball on her fingertips.

Left: Claudia Britt, best player in a grand final with her medal. Centre: Ammos winning B Grade team celebrate their win. Right: Jessie Allen stretches.

Above: Claudia Britt accepts a pass in a tight contest. Right: Emma Jones gets airborne.

Young Grubbers win flag

Ocean Grove won the 15 & Under Division 1 premiership against Geelong Amateur on Saturday September 9. Voice photographer Ivan Kemp was there to capture all the action.

Harriett Shaw waits under a pass.

Far left: Holly Britt looks to offload the ball.

Left: Laura Ahearn with the ball.

Right: Maggie Drake leaps high.

Caitlin Totton wins this contest.

Above: Phoebe Walker takes possession. Right: Alexandra Whatley faces some stern opposition.

Above: Arabella Clarke has the ball on her fingertips. Left: Smiles all around for the winning team. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 358228

Abhi Sanjeev intercepts this pass.

C Graders produce the goods

Left: Kellie Morrish (co-captain), Alicia Dalton (co-coach), Alyse O’Keefe (co-captain) and Rhiannon Whitson (co-coach) celebrate Ocean Grove’s C Grade premiership. Right: The winning team.

Remi Bennett in action.

Remi Bennett takes control in centre court.

Maddy Goodger wins this contest with Alyssa Crestani.

Left: Alyse O’Keefe passes to teammate. Centre: Heidi Shaw moves out of defence. Right: Emily Quinten takes an intercept pass. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 358226

Above:

Ocean Grove comes out on top

Voice photographer Ivan Kemp captured these images from the Geelong Amateur vs Ocean Grove A Grade netball grand final at Newcomb’s Grinter Reserve on Saturday September 9.

Left: Geelong Amateur skipper Ashlea Creasey accepts a pass. Centre: Ruby Watson takes the ball under the net. Right: Ashton O’Brien was judged best on court. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 358220

Above: Georgia Duncan was one of Ammos’ best.

Left: Rebecca O’Neill hugs Kelsey Ollis who was injured during the game. Below: Captain Emily Moroney is ecstatic with the win.

Prolific shooter Rebecca O’Neill sinks another goal.

Above: Darcy McFarlane looks for passing option.

Left, centre: Georgia Berry outpoints Ruby Watson in this contest.

Left: Georgia Finn intercepts.

Left: Ashton O’Brien, winner of the most valuable player award.

Right: Rhiannon Whitson fires off a pass.

Two-week break for tennis players

LOCAL TENNIS

Donna

Schoenmaekers

After four rounds, Tennis Geelong’s teams get a two-week break in Tennis Victoria’s Associations Junior Pennant to recoup and refresh for the 10-week season that finishes in November.

Tennis Geelong has 10 teams entered across six age groups, from 10 and under through to Open encompassing juniors up to 18 years of age, from a variety of clubs in the association.

The teams are enjoying the competition against opponents from across metropolitan Melbourne in both singles and doubles,

The youngest team in 10B Mixed have been competitive with a win against Bayside and a close loss to Berwick & District in their five-team section. The boys are playing well, and will relish their fifth round match against Western Region who are sitting just above them on the ladder.

12B Boys have had mixed results with a win over North Eastern, a close four-game loss to Western Region, and defeats to Berwick & District and North Suburban, who are topping the ladder, with a match remaining against Waverley before rematches begin.

12D Boys are unlucky not to be atop the ladder when they split points in round 4 with Bayside 1, due to a washout. The team has had good wins against two Eastern Region teams, and will face ladder leaders North Suburban in round 5 to see who goes into the second half of the season ahead.

12B Girls have played well, but haven’t managed to notch up a win to date. They have been competitive against the top three teams, so will be liking their chances against North

Suburban in their next round.

The two 14 Boys teams have had mixed fortunes with Section B only managing one win, but with only 16 points between them and top position shows how close the matches have been.

Section D have had three wins, but with one bad loss they are sitting third, as again the results for all teams are close.

There are also two sections in 14 Girls in B and C divisions. The girls have played well without coming away with a win yet, but with their form improving as the season goes on, it will only be a question of when they manage to break through.

Barrels are running red hot this week

ON THE BITE Peri Stavropoulos

The barrels have been running hot with plenty of reports of local anglers making the most of the hot action.

The fish have been widely spread, holding from Bells Beach right through to the western entrance of Western Port and even further east to Cape Patterson.

The Open A Boys team has had some of the closest matches across the season, with three wins and a loss, with the biggest margin four rubbers to two. The team sits in second ahead of Eastern Region only by percentage.

Sitting at the top of their ladder is the Open B Boys team with three wins and one loss. The section comprises eight teams, and the team is still to play three teams outside of the four, so are in a good position to finish high and potentially take out the section.

Thereisplentyoftennisstilltobeplayed,and all teams are performing well and settling into the schedule, so we anticipate that all the teams will finish strongly coming into November.

The fish are primarily feeding on whitebait so getting bites can be a challenge but with persistence the rewards are on offer. Small 6.5 inch Skirts from JB Lures have been a standout as it’s the perfect size to represent the bait the fish are feeding on. Finding the fish isn’t too much of a mission either as if you just find bait, birds, whales, dolphins and seals, the bluefin won’t be far away.

Cody Carruthers christened his new boat in style, landing a barrel tuna the first time he hit the water. Cody was fishing alongside Ethan Solly with the fish hitting the scales at 118kg. Snapper have started to come onto the radar after getting a taste of the good weather and have wasted no time in getting out and soaking a bait.

The outer harbour of Corio Bay has been productive with both the north and south sides of the channel producing fish with some at 6kg. If bait fishing, the best baits are pilchards, squid, silver whiting and just about anything you can get fresh. At the moment the water is still quite cold so try to fish on a tide change. Anglers are picking up some small to medium size gummy sharks whilst chasing snapper over the past weeks. The gummies have been picking up snapper baits, so there’s no real need to put a big bait out.

Portarlington Rock Wall has great land based snapper and over the next few weeks, those windy nights should only fish better.

Calamari remain a popular target, spreading right along the region from Clifton Springs to the bight in Point Lonsdale. Fishing from the Clifton sticks to smaller 2.5 to 3.0 jigs and ramp it up as you go around. If fishing

Wallington-based Bellarine Bears won the Geelong Baseball Association Division 1 premiership. (Supplied)

Bears take out Div 1 win

By Justin Flynn

Bellarine Bears have taken out the Geelong Baseball Association Division 1 title with a 12 to 9 victory against Guild Lions.

The grand final was played at Geelong Baseball Centre in Waurn Ponds on Saturday September 9 and the Bears prevailed in a see-sawing game.

The Bears’ bullpen was superb throughout the game even though both sides had their offences going.

At one stage the Lions were 5-4 up in the fourth and had 11 hits to the Bears’ one.

Bears coach Chris Barker said the game

could have gotten away from them early.

“They came out of the blocks pretty quickly and were outplaying us but we were still in the game,” he said.

However, the Bears changed the momentum with a five-run inning at the bottom of the sixth to take a 10-7 lead.

Josh Crotty started for the Bears while Paddy Brackley, Brock Wells and Chris Hockey provided superb relief.

The Bears got what Barker described as “insurance runs” in the bottom of the eighth and then closed out the game in the top of the ninth, eliminating the need for the Bears to bat again.

TheBearscollected11hitsforthegamewhile the Lions had 14.

Barker said his bullpen had been consistent all season and that the success of the club could be attributed in part to its T-Ball junior program.

“We’ve been lucky all year to have a number of pitchers to be able to rotate them all season,” he said. Barker said players and supporters were elated at the final result.

“Absolute elation for the players but probably relief for me,” he said. “The team we had was pretty strong all year and to get it done was fantastic.There’sa lotoftalentedplayersinthat group and they were pretty easy to coach.”

AJP 12B Girls: Elsa Grgic, Sienna Grgic, Zara Wilson, Esther White, Emily Carr and Nine Grigsby. (Supplied)

Cody and Ethan with a 118kg tuna caught locally. (Supplied)

Ocean Grove’s incredible climb

By Justin Flynn

Ocean Grove came from fourth spot on the ladder to win the Bellarine Netball League C Grade premiership.

The Grubbers did it the hard way, but triumphed against top side Drysdale in the preliminary final and then overcame Geelong Amateur in the grand final.

A blistering start helped Grove to an eight-goal lead at quarter time and a 12-goal advantage at half time before Ammos mounted a comeback.

But Ocean Grove held firm and ran out winners38to30atGrinterReserve,Newcomb.

Co-coach Alicia Dalton said her side started brilliantly and that she wasn’t surprised by it.

“They came out firing, came out confident and never let them back,” she said. “I wasn’t surprised because I knew the girls wanted it so badly. At half time I was saying to them ‘look, there’s a lot of netball left, keep a lid on it’.

“They stayed composed, but all the while my lid was completely off and I was doing a little jig at the same time as saying ‘stay calm’.

“They (Ammos) got back to within four, but I was confident that they would hold on. They weren’t going to let it slip through.”

Goaler Matilda Kelly was best on court after coming on in the second quarter to shoot 17 goals.

Wing defence Kellie Morrish played a strong game and Remi Bennett was brilliant in midcourt.

Daltonsaidshe,andherco-coachRhiannon Whitson, were super proud of the team after suffering an extraordinary amount of injuries.

“We had four people at training throughout the year so we had juniors come up to fill in,” she said.

“To come from the injury-stricken scene that we were in, we sort of hit our straps at the right end of the season. We couldn’t be any prouder.”

Sweet victory as Grubbers stun on grand final day

Ocean Grove’s Bellarine Netball League A Grade premiership was built on the back of trust and care for each other.

The Grubbers knew they needed to play the almost-perfect game to defeat Geelong Amateur in the grand final and almost perfect they were on the way to a 53 to 45 win at Newcomb’s Grinter Reserve.

Ammoshadlostjustonegamefortheseason, but Ocean Grove didn’t care much for form or reputation.

AmmosstruggledtodealwithOceanGrove’s full-court dominance. Every player performed their role.

The only downside was a serious knee injury to defender Kelsey Ollis in the third quarter, but Rhiannon Whitson stepped in to play her role with aplomb.

OllisdamagedherACL,hasapartialrupture of her MCL and has tibial bruising and will undergo surgery next month.

“We feel like we probably couldn’t have done it any better if we tried again,” co-coach and star goal shooter Bec O’Neill said.

“We just had to be steady and be in control from the get go. Otherwise, if you give Ammos even a sniff of a chance to take it from us they would have.”

Ammos scored the first three goals of the game and the Grubbers could have been forgiven for doubting themselves after falling behind early in their grand final loss last year.

“In the past, we’ve let them get up to, I think aboutnineorsoaheadofusinthefirstquarter,” O’Neill said.

“We just said if it gets to five or more, we really need to change something up. But thankfully, I think it might have got to five, but that was the most we let it get to, and then we switched on.

“It takes a full team effort to beat them. The defensive pressure caused Ammos to make a few errors and then we just capitalised on it and the girls brought it down the court beautifully.”

O’Neill’s partner in crime Ashton O’Brien won the medal for best on court for a stunning game at goal attack.

“She’s just a runner, she’s just nonstop, just an absolute workhorse, she just keeps going,” O’Neill said. “There was no stopping her.”

While Ocean Grove didn’t start poorly by any means, it conceded the first three goals, however nonplaying co-coach Candice Parker said she wasn’t in any way concerned.

“At the start I could see what we were trying to do and it was really just a couple of errors and we just needed to catch back up and next thing we’re level at quarter time and I was like ‘yeah, we’ve got a game on’,” she said.

“Something we talked about was getting really high hands. Restrict the ball that goes

into (star Ammos goal shooter) Ruby (Watson). I think the defence did a really good job of hands over.

“We’ve watched the replay quite a few times, but we had hands over every ball and they were having to go backwards.”

Parker, who retired from playing at the end oflastseasonandplayedintheclub’slastflagin 2004,saidcoachingapremiershipwasdifferent to playing in one. There are no regrets about perhaps retiring a year too early.

“I can’t remember the last time (2004), I think we partied too hard, but it was pretty exciting,” she said.

“But I’d only been at the club for a year when we won. It’s different having to watch. I think I’m just happy that I was a part of it, getting around the players and helping them get up each week and working on things.

“I was more than happy to retire and take this role.”

Captain

“We knew going into it that if we played like

75 percent at our best, we weren’t going to win,” she said.

“Everyone on the court and on the bench, the entire team has to be 100 percent ready and wanting it. We wanted it so bad and it showed.

“I think it was probably the best game we’ve played all year, so that was awesome to have that timing for us.

“It was a really fun, enjoyable game from my perspective. I think the first few moments of the game were a bit nerve wracking. We kind of fell away with a few things but then after that first three to five minutes, we got our heads back in the game and from there we really excelled and played our style of netball, which was awesome.”

After celebrations at the club on the Saturday night, Moroney hosted ‘Silly Sunday’ at her house and the girls enjoyed brunch together on Monday morning.

Justin Flynn

Emily Moroney said her side saved its best performance for the final game of the season.

Ashlea Creasey and Georgia Finn battle for the ball in the grand final. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 358220

Rebecca O’Neill wins this contest.

The winning 15 & Under and C Grade netball teams. (Ivan Kemp) 358226_04

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Don your racewear, enjoy complimentary hospitality, prizes galore and have your photograph taken with the 2023 Lexus Melbourne Cup.

We look forward to seeing you there!