Ocean Grove Voice - 28th June 2024

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Together we thrive

The Ocean Grove Voice is shining a light on local issues facing Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula.

Over the next 12 months, our ‘We are Geelong: together we thrive’ campaign will focus on the achievements and challenges facing local women, Indigenous people and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Our region encompasses a diverse population, including Indigenous Australians, LGBTQIA+ community members and women who are striving for equality. Despite their significance, their stories, concerns and achievements are often underrepresented in mainstream media.

This week we feature Lily Shields (pictured) from Drysdale. Lily is a black belt in karate and has launched a free self-defence program for women in Greater Geelong. See page 4 for Lily’s story and more.

We also want to hear from you about your individual experiences. If you have a story you would like to share, please get in touch via news@oceangrovevoice.com

Rate caps bite at budget

Geelong council finalised its 2024-25 budget at its monthly meeting this week, incorporating a raft of changes in response to community feedback gathered since the draft version went out in April.

Thechanges,worthmorethan$2.7millionin total, include $432,000 to keep North Bellarine AquaticCentreopenduringwintermonthsand an extra $50,000 for Neighbourhood Houses. Bellarine Ward councillor Elise Wilkinson acknowledged community members who took the time to complete submissions as part of the budget process.

“I am really pleased that we’ve been able to fund a number of projects within the Bellarine Ward, including keeping the Bellarine Aquatic Centre open,” she said. “The Ocean Grove Bike Park is a really exciting new project and work on the shared trails is long overdue.

“It’s been a very interesting process, this budget,notquiteasstressfulasperhapsitcould have been. I think that people really worked together, and it’s a balance; it’s not perfect, but there’s some really good projects and work in there.”

Bellarine Ward councillor Jim Mason emphasised the number of projects receiving funding across the Bellarine.

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“One small but very important project is the emergency fire track on Peninsula Drive (Drysdale), which is budgeted for $100K, that will provide a greater safety factor for the three schools, the sporting precinct and the Potato Shed” he said. “The Drysdale Sporting Precinct Master Plan, though to some extent delayed, will still have over $6 million over four years applied to it. The Leopold Sporting Precinct female change rooms, St Leonard’s Lake Reserve, the Portarlington Master Plan, $3.5 million to be implemented.

Mayor Trent Sullivan emphasised the importance of careful spending given the 2.75 per cent rate rise cap, well below the rising cost of expenses.

“Having caps such as that, under CPI, does make it difficult to make those dollars go further,” he said.

“But this is a budget that I believe shows that this is what the council group, the executive, the officers have focused on: How can we do what we do better? How can we get the most value out of the ratepayers’ dollar?

“There’s something in this budget for absolutely everybody… No one’s getting left behind. We’re not just focusing on one area, this is a well-balanced, well-spread out budget.” Go to geelongaustralia.com.au/budget to view the full budget.

Trivia night building up

Nearlyamonthbeforeitkicksoff,theinaugural Queenscliff Literary Festival (QLF) Trivia Night fundraiser is already a huge success, with tickets all but sold out this week.

Held at the Queenscliff Town Hall on Saturday, July 20, the event will raise money for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, an award-winning not-for-profit working to address the educational disadvantages faced by many Indigenous Australian children.

Celebrity host Brian Nankervis, writer/ producer/co-host of SBS’s RocKwiz and presenter of ABC Radio’s The Friday Revue, will bring his inimitable style of wit and charm to the night.

QLF president Pauline Nunan said the

festival committee was thrilled tickets had sold so quickly.

“It’s really great because it’s such a good purpose for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation,” Ms Nunan said.

“So we’re thrilled to bits. Brian Nankervis is probably the main attraction really, I think that’s probably what’s made people really interested But it’ll be a good night for a good cause.”

Ms Nunan said supporting the Indigenous Literacy Foundation was a chance for the festival to build on the work it did each year with its Schools Program in the Borough of Queenscliffe.

“Each year in May we bring authors and illustrators to speak and do little workshops with all the kids in the schools and the

kindergartens,” she said. “We’ve been doing that for some years and so I guess this is a way to expand that a little bit and to be able to give Indigenous kids more of an opportunity.

“The Indigenous Literacy Foundation provides books for Indigenous kids in remote communities where they haven’t got so much access to books. They support preschool early literacy skills with story times and things like that, and also helping Indigenous people write their own stories.”

Ms Nunan thanked the Queenscliff community for the many prizes donated to the trivia night.

“We’ve been going around asking for businesses to give us prizes for the Trivia Night and people have just been fantastic, it’s been a brilliant response,” she said.

Planting for the future of wetlands

Sparrovale Wetlands has undergone a makeover, with new native plants and trees planted during a World Environment Day –Planting for Change event.

Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) partnered with Geelong City Council for the Sparrovale Wetland Restoration Project in Charlemont, with the event taking place on Wednesday, June 26, from 11am to 2pm.

CVA project officer Leah Edwards said the community was invited to participate in the tree-planting day to help restore the wetland, which was “vital for migratory bird species“.

“Together with the local community, we aim to plant each seedling and contribute to the rejuvenation of our degrading wetland ecosystems,” she said.

“Lake Connewarre, hosts an array of bird species and unique biodiversity, which we work to protect during our volunteering events and Sparrovale is a significant part of this lake.”

Ms Edwards said native seedlings were planted in the area to offer food and habitat for wildlife and that she loved seeing the excitement tree planting generated.

“At CVA, we believe that individuals making everyday actions are the most powerful contributorstothefutureofourenvironments,” she said. “These events are excellent for the community to spend time in nature and connect with like-minded individuals, which is something we don’t get enough of in our current way of living.

“When we contribute to our local environments by planting trees, weeding invasive species, collecting litter, or attending educational workshops, we become more connected and aware of our surroundings.”

Sparrovale Wetlands is a vital ecosystem connected to Lake Connewarre, which is an internationally significant RAMSAR site.

Best of the best in pies

The pie that was judged best in Australia almost wasn’t entered into the 2024 Best Pie and Pastie Competition.

Rolling Pin Pies & Cakes general manager Nathan Williams said the prawn laksa pie that won the Ocean Grove bakery’s major award was a complete afterthought.

The pie has been entered into previous competitions,butwasmarkeddownfora lack of stability.

“Normally I’d like to ease into a comp, play around with a few flavours and get the recipe perfect,” Nathan said.

“It was too runny, you don’t want it to end up on your lap. One to two points in this competition can make all the difference.”

But at the insistence of his wife Kristy, Nathandecidedtofillthefinalspotinthe oven with the prawn laksa version. He added cornflour to the recipe to thicken the sauce and initially thought he had gone too far.

“I thought I’d way overdone it and immediately said to my wife ‘I won’t be sending this’,” he said.

“I put it back in the coolroom, but there was room in one of the trays that were going in the oven. Kristy said ‘what have you got to lose?’. I knew the flavour was great, it was just the consistency. I certainly didn’t anticipate winning.

“An Asian-inspired seafood pie won it last year, so it was a surprise that ours got it this year.”

Nathan thought Rolling Pin’s award-winning chunky beef and bacon or a chicken pie would fare better than the prawn laksa.

It is the third time in four years that Rolling Pin has won the top gong for the nation’s best pie.

About 2000 pies from 367 bakeries across Australia were submitted for the competition.

Volunteers Australia project officer Leah Edwards. (Louisa Jones)
Rolling Pin Pies & Cakes general manager Nathan Williams. (Louisa Jones) 415756_04

Punch like a girl, inspire change

girls talking about other girls, it’s just not nice. We need to be supporting and empowering each other, not bringing each other down” she said.

“I do (karate) with my brothers, and our dojo is a close family. We all are so supportive of each other. It’s a fun and enjoyable environment, and I love being able to feel stronger about myself.

Lily Shields, 20, is teaching women how to identify dangerous situations and protect themselves throughout Geelong.

TheDrysdalewomanisablackbeltinkarate, which she had been doing since she was four, and launched the free self-defence program

Punch Like a Girl on June 23 at the Geelong waterfront.

Lily said recent issues of violence against women across the country had inspired her to start up the program.

“Even when you’re at school and there’s girls bullying other girls, or you go out and there’s

“Iwishwedidn’thaveto,butit’simportantto have an idea of how you could protect yourself. Basic skills will help you if you are ever in a dangerous situation so you can protect yourself or others.

“Being able to read a dangerous situation, avoid dangerous areas and situations where you might feel unsafe, and just being confident in yourself is definitely a very important thing for a woman.”

Lilysaidshehopedtheprogramwouldcreate a social group for women to feel comfortable and safe around each other and be who they want to be.

“We just focused on the basic punch, just the

Poetry for reconciliation

Maeve Shaw has taken a school project to raise awareness for First Nations people and call for reconciliation.

The Grade 5 Barwon Heads Primary School student wrote a poem about First Nations history and culture to inspire change.

Maeve said she knew as soon as her teacher asked the class to write a poem that she would write about her passion for First Nations culture.

“I think it’s important because it was a really hard time for the Indigenous people when the British took over,” she said. “My dad and his friend did some songs using Wathawurrung language, but I wanted to add on to that and I take every opportunity I can to get the message across.”

Maeve said her favourite line from the poem was, ‘we stole their land, washed their footsteps away in the sand’, which starts the poem.

“I like that line because its kind of like a metaphor but it’s in real life. They stole the land and kind of washed them away, and I think that starts the poem really well,” she said.

“I love poetry as it’s really fun and you get to rhyme words, but there’s lots of other poems, like haikus, and I think it’s one of my favourite things to do at school.”

Maeve said she also used two lines from an Archie Roach song she loved in the poem after learning about the singer-songwriter and Aboriginal activist during Reconciliation Week.

punch to the face or throat, broke it down and just slowly worked through it, just to get the basics,” she said.

“I didn’t expect so many people to show up on the first class, but there was over 30 people there and it was amazing. I can’t believe how much support there’s already been for it.

“It’s quite fulfilling knowing that I can make a difference to one person and be able to teach one person how to do this. It’s just an amazing feeling, and it’s very rewarding.

“If I’ve got the knowledge and the skills, then I don’t know why I wouldn’t want to share it with others and help others...and it would be amazing to see a change happen.”

The program will run fortnightly sessions at various locations around Geelong, with the next session taking place on Saturday, July 6, at the Geelong Botanical Garden at 9.50am.

Contact Lily at punchlikeagirl.geelong@ gmail.com to confirm attendance for the Punch Like a Girl’s sessions, with participants encouraged to bring a drink bottle and yoga mat.

Wathaurong continues to grow

Big things are happening at Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative.

This week Geelong council progressed Wathaurong’s application to rezone the site of its headquarters in North Geelong to allow for the construction of a new $43 million centre, allowing the organisation to have all its services at the one site.

Wathaurong also played host to Victorian Minister for Employment and Prevention of Family Violence Vicki Ward, who met with the organisation’s staff and board to officially open the recently installed Aboriginal Access Point and view designs of the new hub.

Since forming between 1978 and 1980, Wathauronghasprovidedacentralpointfor the Indigenous community in the Geelong area, providing health, community and family services and a way for Aboriginal people to connect.

Through that time, the organisation has evolved, grown and sometimes been forced to reassess its direction.

Wathaurong chief executive Simon Flagg began his career at the co-operative in 1996 as an Aboriginal Worker trainee before embarking on a 20-year career as a public servant

Since taking up the head role in 2021 he has worked to return the organisation’s focus to community building rather than service delivery.

“Community focus is really what this

organisation was created for… in the 80s Geelong wasn’t a place where you’d really know where other Aboriginal people were, or a safe place to say you’re an Aboriginal person” Mr Flagg said. “As we evolved and grew through funding, it became more service-delivery focused. We just lost the key focus of why we were created.

“So we’ve reshaped that and refocused to being community first, service delivery second. And that has been the game changer for reconnecting to our community and getting them to come back to our organisation.”

During her visit, Ms Ward said it was fantastictoseeastrongcommunityworking together to become even stronger.

“When you’ve got people who absolutely understand the strengths in the community, understand how to build on that, but also understand the challenges a community might experience, it creates that environment where things can happen easier and faster,” Ms Ward said.

“To be able to have an access point where you know you’ll be treated respectfully, safely, and be able to find your pathway is really important and it’s wonderful to see how well they’re doing it here.”

Visit wathaurong.org.au for more information on Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative and its services.

Creator of the Punch Like a Girl program Lily Shields. (Louisa Jones) 415075_09
Member for Lara Ella George, Wathaurong CEO Simon Flagg and Minister Vicki Ward at the official opening of the Aboriginal Access Point Barwon service. (Louisa Jones) 414875_28
Maeve Shaw with her poem. (Louisa Jones) 415773_07

Hunters compliant during season

Hunters were well-behaved and compliant during the latest duck hunting season, according to the Game Management Authority (GMA).

GMA issued 22 banning notices to activists for breaching public safety laws by hindering and harassing hunters and recorded 26 hunting-related offences during the season from April 10 to June 5.

Lake Conewarre and Lake Murdeduke State Game Reserve were closed to shooters three days before the season began on April 10, with

Lake Modewarre also closed on April 13.

GeelongFieldandGameconservationofficer

Trent Leen said hunters “did everything they were meant to do” despite the shortened season and wetland closures.

“We had plenty of roadblocks put in front of us and our activist cohorts certainly antagonised us and may not have behaved very well themselves,” he said.

“Hunters have always been quite compliant, and our level of compliance is exemplary, but the same might not be said for the activists.

“They’ve got a bit desperate in their attempts this year and have overstepped the mark on

Driving marine safety

Queenscliff’sMarineSearchandRescue(MSAR) Unitvolunteerswillreceiveanewvesseltoprotect thesafetyofitsmembersandcommunity.

The vessel’s build has been supported with more than $2 million through the 2023-24 state budget to boost safer waters across the state, which will be delivered to MSAR in the middle of2025.

The vessel will have the capacity to operate close to 60 nautical miles from the Coast Guard Queenscliff’s MSAR Unit base and can respond across Port Phillip, Bass Strait and Port Phillip Heads.

Coast Guard Queenscliff flotilla commander Michael Donohue said the new vessel would “significantly enhance safety” for the coast guard’smembersandboatingcommunity.

“Thenewvesselislargerandmorecapablethan thevesselthatwehaveatthemoment...andItwill enable us to handle larger vessels that often break down,”hesaid.

“With the conditions in Bass Strait often being rough and perilous, boats get the strife. This will give us greater capacity to deal with vessels and vesselsthatgetintotrouble.

“It will give us greater range of our ability to traverse the Heads and in Bass Strait in often difficult conditions. This new boat being larger andmorepowerful,willbeabletodealwiththose events.”

The vessel will help MSAR volunteers conduct search and rescue responses, tow damaged or disabled vessels, support aerial and police operations, assist flooding vessels and promote boatingsafety.

Member for the Bellarine Alison Marchant said it was “vital” that MSAR received the vessels “theyneedtokeeppeoplesafeonthewater”.

“MSAR volunteers operate in a challenging environment, navigating rough waters and changingweatherconditions,”shesaid.

Jena Carr

more than one occasion, which is noted by the number of banning notices handed out.

“A lot of people weren’t very happy with the closures and, myself personally, the lateness of the closures and the amount of closures as they didn’t meet the required thresholds in many cases.”

Geelong Duck Rescue co-ordinator Natalie Kopas said she felt duck-hunting protesters had been targeted during the latest season.

“It’s a real worry that they’re (state government) going to be making decisions on future seasons based on only a fraction of the information,” she said.

“I was still out there (on the wetlands) in the morning and at night as much as I could be just monitoring for illegal shooting, which was still happening.

“I have had many conversations with authorities over the years about how I can be on the wetland and remain lawful. Despite keeping to all of those things, I was given a banning notice.

“Other rescuers were given banning notices as well and there were more banning notices given out (to rescuers) in this one year than there had been in all the years put together pretty much.”

Coast Guard Queenscliff members Chris Legg, David Dent, Paul Hicks and John McMillan. (Louisa Jones) 414684_06

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Prime minister’s in-and-out visit

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a rare visit to the Bellarine Peninsula to congratulate TAFE graduates, pose for photos, and pour a cider and was gone half an hour later.

Mr Albanese arrived at Flying Brick Cider Co for the pre-scheduled appearance close to two hours later than expected on Thursday, June 13, cutting the visit down to 30 minutes.

A representative of Mr Albanese’s team said he was late leaving Adelaide due to plane troubles and would not address media while in the Geelong region.

The prime minister did, however, have time to speak with local TAFE graduates who had used the Fee-Free TAFE initiative, alongside federal member for Corangamite Libby Coker.

“This is a wonderful part of Victoria and a great part of the nation, and we promised 180,000 fee free TAFE places last year,” Mr Albanese said in a short address. “Sometimes when you (make a) promise you aim to make sure that you deliver, but we actually delivered 350,000 and that’s because the demand for it was far greater than we thought.”

Ms Coker said she was glad to celebrate the graduates’Fee-FreeTAFEsuccessstoriesonthe

Promoting water safety

Barwon Water and Bellarine Bayside have come together to continue saving water with the help of digital technology.

The water-saving partnership deployed data logger technology at Bellarine Bayside sites to monitor water consumption, facilitate leak detections and pinpoint areas for water efficiency improvements.

Barwon Water managing director Shaun Cumming said the technology could achieve annual savings of close to 1.2 billion litres.

“Using smarter water management like digital technology can make community water-savings go even further into the future,” he said.

“While technology and everyday water savings are only part of the solution to a secure water future for the region, they are an important part.”

Barwon Water and Bellarine Bayside were alerted through data logging technology

to

higher-than-expected water usage at the Portarlington caravan park due to toilet leaks or flushes stuck down.

These issues led to elevated water consumption at the site, particularly during peak holiday periods, leading to Bellarine Bayside replacing nine toilets with more water-efficient models.

BellarineBaysidechiefexecutiveBruceElliot said the technology supported non-residential customers to be more waterside thanks to the state government’s WaterSmart program.

“These efficiency improvements not only align with Bellarine Bayside’s commitment to sustainability but also promise substantial savings in maintenance costs and water bills,” he said.

The partnership will feature water audits at BellarineBaysidesitestoidentifyopportunities for further efficiency improvements like alternative water sources.

day, which coincided with the announcement that the rollout would continue for another year.

“(Thisis)providingcost-of-livingsupportfor Australians choosing to study in priority and skills-need areas,” she said.

“After smashing out Fee-Free TAFE targets last year with almost 300,000 enrolments, I’m delighted we are rolling out a further 300,000 Fee-Free TAFE and VET places in 2024.”

The additional 300,000 Fee-Free TAFE and VET places would be available between 2024 and 2026 and supported through a $414.1 million Commonwealth investment alongside

state and territory governments.

The announcement came a day after TAFE teachers from The Gordon participated in a statewide strike for better pay and work conditions for the first time since 2008.

Australian Education Union (AEU) The Gordon Geelong branch president Matt Henry previously told the Independent that the biggest issue currently facing the TAFE sector was a shortage of teachers.

“Whilst the government thinks they can solve the TAFE problem by offering free TAFE, free TAFE is no good if you’ve got no teachers,” he said.

Bellarine Bayside chief executive Bruce Elliot and Barwon Water Sustainable Water Use team leader Jacinta Burke at a recently upgraded bathroom facility. (Supplied)

Theft up as crime spikes in region

Crime has increased in Geelong as people across the region continue to feel the cost-of-living pressures, according to the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA).

The CSA’s recorded crime statistics for the year ending March 31, 2024, were released on Thursday, June 20, and found that Greater Geelong’s total criminal incidents were up by 11 per cent from last year.

Incidents had increased from 15,180 in 2023 to 16,855 in 2024, with the rate of incidents per the 100,000-population growing by 8.9 per cent from 5367.6 to 5849.4.

Geelong hasn’t seen as many incidents since 2020, when 16,996 were recorded, with the primary offences being property

and deception offences (15.2 per cent) and drug-related offences (24.3 per cent).

Theft was up by 13.9 per cent from 4617 incidents last year to 5261, the highest since 2020 at 6192.

Geelong Investigation and Response Manager Acting Inspector Nicholas Uebergang said the theft of items such as liquor, groceries and clothes were among the most common items stolen from retail stores.

“Our top priority is community safety, which is why police are out every day and night to prevent crime in our community, including home burglaries and car thefts,” he said.

“Our dedicated detectives in Geelong are also continuing to target and arrest drug traffickers and manufacturers, to reduce the

harmful impact of drugs in our community.

“When population growth is considered, overall crime in Geelong has dropped 4.5 per cent when compared to pre-COVID levels. This includes decreases in burglaries, thefts and serious assaults.”

Burglary/break and entering offences were up by 14.2 per cent from 1401 incidents last year to 1600, and deception-related offences have spiked to a 10-year high at 42.2 per cent from 739 to 1088.

CSA chief statistician Fiona Dowsley said the “rapid increase” in crimes that involved property “may be related to cost-of-living pressures”.

“The increase in property-related crime was the largest contributor to the overall increase in crime in the last year,” she said.

Farm My School growing success

Kids across the Bellarine are learning how to grow their food and connecting with the community as the Farm My School project continues.

The 2024-25 state budget provided $106,000 to the project, which helped Bellarine Secondary College’s Drysdale Campus turn a disused soccer pitch into a working farm.

Member for the Bellarine Alison Marchant said the project was an investment in the region’s students and future.

“This funding will help young people at Bellarine Secondary College gain vital skills, all while nourishing and connecting our community,” she said.

The food education program transforms unused land within schools into regenerative

market gardens that feed, educate and connect communities.

The Bellarine Secondary College farm gives students a hands-on learning experience that leads to pathways for a career in agriculture, horticulture, and science.

The farm also creates a space for health and wellbeing, boosting students’ confidence, resilience and self-esteem, with close to 675 students involved in the program.

The project looks to engage, educate and embed sustainable, regenerative farming practices into the school’s curriculum.

It also allows students to learn about food systems and how they impact health, the environment, and the community.

The one-and-a-half-acre market garden

with more than two kilometres of no-dig garden beds was built at the school two years ago during a 24-hour ‘Build a Farm in a Day’ event.

Farm My School builds on the state government’s $750 million investment to improve senior secondary education.

“Alleged offenders being recorded for these crimes are drawn from all age groups, especially stealing from a retail store which is above pre-COVID levels.”

Drugs were a much smaller offence category among the Greater Geelong region, with 100 more incidents recorded than last year at 511.

Cultivation and manufacturing of drugs was up by 93.3 per cent, drug dealing and trafficking was up by 22.9 per cent, and drug use and possession was up by 14.4 per cent.

Other crime categories remained relatively stable, or at least under the overall increase, with justice procedure offences recording an increase of 10.3 per cent.

Crimes against the person decreased by 0.4 per cent, and so did public order and security offences by 0.1 per cent.

Treasurer Tim Pallas visits Bellarine Secondary College with Member for the Bellarine Alison Marchant to celebrate the Farm My School project. (Supplied)

Plenty to do locally this winter

A campaign is putting the region on the map as not just a place to visit during summer but also a great winter destination.

The Tourism Greater Geelong & The Bellarine (TGGB) ‘Greater Happens Here’ campaign highlights the many things to see and do around Geelong and The Bellarine over the cooler months.

TGGB executive director Tracy Carter said

the new campaign showcased the region’s diverse experiences during winter and highlighted how Geelong had “truly changed”.

“It aims to encourage local residents, both long-term and new, to get out and about and discover something new this winter,” she said.

“In turn, they then become advocates for their friends and family, encouraging them to join them on their explorations around the region.

“The clever use of language throughout the campaign plays on the Greater theme, demonstrating to locals that Greater is right here in your backyard.

“Whereas for visitors, it encourages them to visit the region for Greater experiences... This is an invitation to come and explore a region that has lots of exciting new options on offer.”

The multi-platform campaign leverages the

existing ‘Greater Than’ campaign and will roll out across digital and social media, shopping centre signage, street posters, billboards and media outlets. It will also include a series of short video snippets showcasing winter experiences, GIF-style visuals and static imagery, with the campaign on the market until the September school holidays.

Bringing generations together to benefit all

Young people and older clients with Bellarine Community Health (BCH) are being brought together following the successful expansion of an intergenerational program on the Bellarine.

The program, which connects school age children with older adults in a variety of settings, has been expanded from a successful pilot at the BCH Point Lonsdale site to a second location in Portarlington.

“Wesurveyedbothclientsandstudentsatthe end of the pilot program to determine whether it had been successful, and whether clients and students would like to continue, and it was a resounding yes from both parties,” BCH social support coordinator Karen Crockford said.

“It made me happy because they were kind andfunny”,“Ienjoyedthechildren’sopenness”, “I was happy seeing everyone because everyone was smiling”, “they had patience and respect for us”, were just some of the responses from both students and clients.

The program has now been expanded to link studentsfromStLeonardsPrimarySchoolwith BCHclientsinPortarlington.Thecollaboration with St Leonards and Point Lonsdale Primary Schoolsbringsthechildrenandclientstogether

to form meaningful relationships and give the different generations opportunities to share experiences and knowledge.

“We’re creating opportunities for all generations to feel valued and part of their community,” Ms Crockford said.

“The program also helps reduce ageism, improves physical and mental health, builds cognitive abilities including communication and contributes to positive relationships between young and old.”

Students visit with clients once a month for

a range of different activities including writing letters, playing games, intergenerational education, story time sessions, and craft activities.

Learn more at bch.org.au or call 1800 007 224.

Ruby, 10, with BCH client Jackie Sorrenti. Right: Students, clients and Bellarine Community Health staff. (Pictures: Supplied)

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YOUR VOICE

Bellarine Budget boost

This month’s council meeting was very important as my fellow councillors and I voted to endorse the final 2024-25 to 2027-28 Budget.

Following a robust community consultation process, council made a number of changes to April’s draft budget.

This included allocating an extra $423,000 to keep the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre pool open during winter.

Over the past decade, Greater Geelong has grown remarkably, boasting the fastest population growth in Victoria and second fastest in Australia.

Council is investing heavily to keep up with this growth and is set to spend $752.6 million on capital projects over the next four years.

I am pleased to report that the Bellarine Ward, specifically Ocean Grove, will benefit enormously from this significant investment.

Noteworthy highlights include Devlins Road Reserve, which will benefit from nearly $8 million in upgrades before 2027, including a new pavilion, sports fields, and lighting.

Ocean Grove’s Kingston Park will also receive $3.5 million towards developing a new bike track. The facility will have various features, including a pump track and jumps, catering to a range of rider experience levels.

Meanwhile, Collendina Reserve will receive more than $700,000 towards its pavilion upgrade and Wallington Reserve will receive almost $3.5 million before 2026 to contribute to the redevelopment of the sports pavilion, upgradepublictoiletsandimprovecarparking.

These planned investments show our firm commitment to providing high-quality outdoor spaces across the Bellarine, which the community have told us they value highly.

While this budget provides significant

investment in facilities, it achieves this in a financially sustainable way, with a forecasted operating surplus of $1.514 million.

Outsideofcapitalworksfunding,thisbudget also recognises council’s role in encouraging community projects, driving environmental sustainability, supporting small businesses and hospitality venues, and boosting our arts and culture venues and libraries.

As part of this, we have increased our community grants budget, reduced al fresco and busking fees, and allocated significant funds towards supporting the operation of arts and culture venues.

We aim to be a high-performing council that provides outstanding value to its community, and this budget sets the platform for us to do that in a sustainable way.

Finally, if you haven’t already done so, I urge

you to investigate the 2024-25 Community Grants program, which has a total funding pool of almost $4.48 million.

The total available funding pool has increased by $431,000 since last year and excitingly, to recognise the importance of community-led environmental projects, our climate change grants budget is up $50,000 to $180,000.

The application process is now open, and with the substantial funding available, I’d love to see as many of Bellarine’s hard-working community groups benefit from it as possible.

For full grant guidelines and to apply, visit www.geelongaustralia.com.au/grants.

For further information or support completing an application, contact the City’s grants team via communitygrants@ geelongcity.vic.gov.au or 5272 5560.

BARWON COAST TO HOST NAIDOC WEEK CELEBRATION

This July, we invite the community to join in on a NAIDOC Week celebration honouring the cultural heritage of our First Nations peoples. The event, organised in partnership with the Wudawurrung Traditional Owners, promises to be a special experience for all attendees.

Set against the backdrop of Ocean Grove’s coastline, the celebration will take place at “Mick’s Steps” (30 meters west of the Dunes Café) on Monday July 8, starting at 10 am.

The programme features a traditional Welcome to Country led by a Wudawurrung Traditional Owner and a sacred smoking ceremony, offering a rare opportunity to witness and participate in ancient customs that have been practised on Country for thousands of years.

Attendees will also experience a captivating didgeridoo performance. This musical interlude will provide a unique auditory connection to the world’s oldest living culture. The event is free and open to all. It offers an opportunity to deepen our understanding of Aboriginal culture, fostering a spirit of reconciliation and mutual respect within our community.

For more information, contact us during egular business hours.

The beloved “Cylinders” beach access point at 31W on 13th Beach Road is once again open to the public. This follows a temporary closure due to significant sand erosion, a natural process that had taken longer than usual to resolve naturally. Recognising the importance of this location to beachgoers, Barwon Coast took action by extending the existing staircase. This proactive measure ensures safe access to the beach while respecting the dynamic coastal environment. The improved infrastructure demonstrates Barwon Coast’s commitment to maintaining public amenities along our cherished shoreline. Beachgoers are reminded to follow safety guidelines and respect the natural surroundings.

PORT OF BARWON HEADS RECEIVES SIGNIFICANT UPGRADES

The Port of Barwon Heads has undergone substantial improvements, enhancing both safety and functionality for local boaters and visitors. A new boating safety camera has been installed at the Main Jetty, providing real-time images of swell and wind conditions at the Barwon River entry and coastal river bar. Updated every five minutes, these images are accessible online and via the ‘Boating VIC’ App, offering crucial information for navigating the inherently unpredictable coastal waters.

The Main Jetty’s also had a much-needed facelift. Rotted planks and beams have been replaced, there’s new capping on the approach, and they’ve put in stainless steel fasteners to withstand salty air. In true local spirit, Barwon Coast is keeping the old timber for community projects and furniture. These improvements underscore the commitment to maintaining vital infrastructure while prioritising public safety and environmental sustainability.

POPULAR BEACH ACCESS POINT REOPENS AFTER EROSION REPAIRS
Cr Elise Wilkinson. (Ivan Kemp) 358386_01

New Lions committee

sworn in

Ocean Grove Barwon Heads Lions Club has a new committee following the club’s handover dinner recently.

District governor Les Cropley attended the function to induct the club’s incoming president, Bob Marmion, and board.

Mr Cropley spoke about the privilege to serve our communities and the amazing work that Lions clubs nationally achieve.

Outgoing president Alan Daw presented awards for Exceptional Service in Lions to Neil Rankcom and Lyn Jenkins.

MrDawspokeofthemanyaccomplishments of the club this year, which includes supporting Licola Lions Camp, Bellarine Training and Community Hub camps, donations to local schools, eye tests for local schools, the learn to drive program and many more.

Immediate past president Alan Daw, Geof Gardiner, Les Cropley, incoming president Bob Marmion, Bruce Clark and Greg Spaull.
Left: Deb Stallard, Lions District governor Les Cropley, incoming president Bob Marmion and Silvia Marmion. Right: Alan Daw with Neil Rankcom. Neil and Lyn Jenkins (absent) received awards for exceptional service. (Pictures: Supplied)
Diners at Ocean Grove Barwon Heads Lions Club’s handover.

ABUDGET THAT WORKS FOR WOMEN

Helping kinders’ future

Preschools across the Bellarine Peninsula have benefitted from the state government’s $28 million Building Blocks grants to upgrade facilitiesandpurchaseequipment.

Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant visitedCliftonSprings’BeaconPointPreschool, which was successful in its application for $1788toenablethepurchaseoftwoiPadsanda five-portUSBchargingstation.

Grants will be given to 123 kindergartens acrossVictoriaincluding:

Bop Bop Karrong Barwon Heads, Clifton Springs Preschool, Drysdale Preschool, Allanvale Preschool, Leopold Kindergarten, Leopold Child and Family Centre, Woodlands Kindergarten, Ocean Grove Preschool, Boorai Centre Ocean Grove and Portarlington Preschool, which were all successful in receivingfundingtobuyiPads.

Goodstart Early Learning Drysdale will receive $1789 to enable the purchase of a

projector, portable projector screen and two Kodak Waterproof Digital Cameras for use by educators, teachers and children in the three-year-old and four-year-old kindergarten programs.

Bella Wiyn Biralee Family Centre received $1449topurchaselisteningposts.

Queenscliff Kindergarten receives $1708 to enablethepurchaseofITequipment.

“Every child deserves a safe and inviting learning environment, that’s why the government continues to invest in local kindergartens,”MsMarchantsaid.

TheBuildingBlocksProgramoffersgrantsto contribute to kindergarten infrastructure and iscriticaltoensurethesuccessoftheroll-outof theBestStart,BestLifereformsacrossVictoria.

Since its launch in 2020, Building Blocks has invested more than $200 million to plan and build new and improved early childhood servicesacrossthestate.

have experienced miscarriage.

Funding crisis accomodation for women and children fleeing violence.

Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant visited Clifton Springs’ Beacon Point Preschool. (Supplied)

Great-crested grebe a sight to see

On my way to work one day I drove via Swan Bay Pier, where there were many little pied cormorants, pelicans and silver gulls.

There was a lone great-crested grebe, which is one of my many favourite birds.

To my amazement, the grebe paddled to the shoreline of Swan Bay and proceeded to walk to the edge of the bay to have a rest on the bank. It is not very often that grebes are seen walking on land, as their legs are so far back on their body that they struggle to balance. This is an adaptation to being expert swimmers.

I took a few photos of the grebe walking, and then watched as a silver gull harassed it. Fortunately, the grebe didn’t seem too concerned and eventually the grumpy gull retreated.

I saw on Facebook that there were a few crescent honeyeaters at Geelong Botanical Gardens, as reported by Geelong Field Naturalist member Donna Hall. I have seen these birds in Tasmania and Wilson’s Promontory, as well as at Anglesea, but have never managed a decent photo.

I went to the gardens on my way to work on a sunny morning, not expecting to see the honeyeaters as it was a few days after I saw the post. When you’re a birdwatcher you know that they can be here one day and gone the next. I watched many eastern spinebills hovering around the salvia flowers, as well as a few female pink robins feeding on insects in the garden beds.

Then a flash of yellow grabbed my attention and a crescent honeyeater joined the spinebills feeding on the salvia nectar. These birds are knowntomovetocoastalareasduringautumn and winter from mountain forests.

I also read on Facebook that Robin Spry was walking at Ocean Grove Nature Reserve when she spotted a weebill, which is a tiny bird that is rarely seen in this area of Victoria. IreceivedalovelyemailfromAlan,wholives

aroundBlueWatersLake,whoremarkedthatit was Interesting to see that Voice reader Lynne saw an eastern spinebill in her garden, as Alan also saw one for the first time in his garden about two weeks ago, but only fleetingly. It landed on a bare plum tree then took off again. Within 20 minutes a brown thornbill (I think) landed in the lime tree and stayed for about 10 minutes, possibly interested in the scale or other bugs on the tree. It was long enough for Alan to grab the camera and get a shot as it took off from the vegie garden. Alan was thrilled to spot two birds that he had personally not seen at Blue Waters Lake all within 20 minutes and from the back deck.

Alan also updated me on the pair of tawny frogmouths that seem to be hanging around Blue Waters Lake. They are around and hopefully they might be preparing to nest once the weather is not so cold.

The BWL resident swan pair have been actively chasing off other swans, possibly their own cygnets which are now about 10 months old. The previous two clutches were chased off at about six or seven months once the adults had started breeding again. Alan wonders whether this is a sign that the swans are going to breed again, now that there is sufficient water in the lake? Alan and his partner Anne were visiting friends in the Maryborough area who pointed out a spot where they had sighted some swift parrots. They did not see any the first two days but the next very frosty morning (-3 degrees) standing quietly in the forest, about 11 of these beautiful parrots came in and proceeded to feed in the canopy above. What a privilege to encounter these critically endangered birds, recently estimated to number only 500 in the wild. Swift parrots are also seen in Ocean Grove when they make their way to Tasmania both before and after the breeding season.

Top: Alan’s swift parrot at Maryborough. Above: Jen’s crescent honeyeater and pink robin, at Geelong Botanic Gardens. (Pictures: Supplied)

Grove’s own Chook Whisperer

Ocean Grove’s Elaine Janes, also known as the Chook Whisperer, has released her first book of short stories about her adventures and experiences with chooks. She speaks with Jena Carr about her love for the birds and what the book means to her.

Elaine Janes, 79, and her family of rescued chickens and roosters are well known among the Geelong and Ocean Grove communities.

The Ocean Grove woman started rescuing and rehoming the birds nearly 12 years ago and takes the chooks to cafes, beaches and parks.

Elaine said her goal to help and train them began with the first chicken she picked up off theroadnearherhome.Thatchookwasknown as Flapper and was a mini-celebrity.

“She was lost, starving, and dehydrated, but she became the love of my life and feared nothing. It wouldn’t matter what ride you took her on or what you did, she was loving every minute,” Elaine said.

“No one will ever replace her, and when she went, I’ll be honest, I wanted to die because I wanted to be with her.

‘‘

If you’ve got a chook that will not look you in the eye, and I’ve got

a couple of them, you know they’re going to be naughty ’’
-

“I suppose you can say the universe looked after me. I pulled myself together and decided to give other chooks a life.

“My number one chook, where all this started from, I always tell her that whoever’s on the way will cross the rainbow bridge and that my first chook has to welcome the new one.

“Itissadwhentheygo;it’sheartbreaking,but one goes, and another comes along...roosters do not live as long as chooks; when you’ve won a rooster’s heart, you’ve won it forever.

“Even with roosters where they’re so wild, some of them could rip you to pieces if they wanted to, but watching the transformation to becoming happy is great.”

Elaine used to train dogs before chickens and roosters but said she used a similar trick for both, which involved hand signals and eye contact.

“I feel the universe will always look after us. Chooks give you a purpose, someone to love and they keep you busy,” she said.

“I give a chook a five-minute lesson and keep that up for a week or two and then stop it for a week before coming back to it again.

“They’ve all got different personalities, and when you’ve got someone with a strong personality, you’ve got to work out what you can teach it.

“Chooks have a good memory, and they know where to find things too...if you want to teachthemsomethingindividuallyyouneedto

have five-minute lessons.”

Elaine said her chickens can be naughty, not waiting for her to put food down or learning how to open a gate.

“They won’t do what you want them to do, they’ll do what they want to do right and just be naughty,” she said.

“If you’ve got a chook that will not look you in the eye, and I’ve got a couple of them, you know they’re going to be naughty.

“They’ll fly at me and even at the jug, so they knock it out of your hands, and the whole lot goes in one place instead of four different areas.

“They worked out how to open one gate. I have eight fairly strong magnetic catches that, rather than opening and closing, I can push it and it magnetically closes.

“They worked out while having a committee meeting that if six of them line up against the door and all push at the same time, guess what, the door comes open.”

Elaine has one chicken she takes surfing and said you cannot force a chicken or rooster to

love the water.

“I feel this particular one is reincarnated because there’s got to be somebody up there that wants to feel the power of the ocean waves,” she said.

“When I take her, I take her alone because thenshehas100percentofmyfocus.Undertow can take her sideways, and then I’ve got to start running.

“She will not voluntarily come out of the water. I know when she’s used enough energy, and she knows she’s ready to go, but she won’t come out on her own.”

With the release of her new illustrated book Under My Wing, Elaine shares stories that she has with her chickens and roosters, which people of all ages can enjoy.

“I’m just very thankful to Janet Brown (publisher), who made a phone call to me asking me to do this and I had so many stories, but I’ve never done anything with them,” she said.

“It’s taken nine months to get it all together...

andIhavebeentoldthatIamleavingsomething behind when I go, which is the book, and that will be around forever.

“ItcanbequitesadwhenIthinkaboutallthe things I’ve done with roosters, I love them in a different way to chooks. It’s an achievement, but it’s also good to be able to share feelings with other people.”

Besides rescuing chickens and writing stories, Elaine volunteers, knits, takes ballet and karate lessons and is a retired weightlifting champion.

“I don’t like people putting me down like I’m too old, as I’m very active...I’m 79, but I’m not planning on falling off the perch,” she said.

“My relaxation time is knitting, and I’m helping a young girl knit this little leopard, and she is loving it. It’s rewarding when you finish an item, especially when you give it away.

“I think I better start knitting some more chook jumpers, as they’ve all got football jumpers and I only ever use them if Geelong has been in the grand final.”

Elaine Janes with her chooks and new book Under My Wing. (Louisa Jones) 413538_29

The Animals are still rocking

For six decades, generations of budding guitar players (this writer included) have begun their musical journeys with The Animals’ 1964 hit House of the Rising Sun.

The enduring legacy of The Animals’ catalogue, which also includes We Gotta Get Out of This Place, It’s My Life, and Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, has kept the band’s original drummer John Steel playing ever since.

“It’s such a pleasure to play these songs, they still stand up so well, and it’s just great to be able to play to an audience which could range from people of my age to teenagers and young kids just starting out in the first band,” Steel said.

“We always go out at the end of the show... and there’s always somebody who’ll say, ‘House of the Rising Sun was the first song I ever learned on my first guitar.’

“It could be a guy in his 60s or it could be a

kid of 15 years old, but the number of times people say that to us, it’s amazing.”

The Animals formed in 1962-63 in Newcastle, England and exploded onto the world stage in 1964 with their transatlantic number one version of House of the Rising Sun.

Steel recalled those heady days, heading to the USA on the band’s first American tour.

“To be flying across the Atlantic to our first gigs in New York in 1964 was just like a dream come true; they were absolutely exciting times,” he said.

“Just about all our inspiration for when we were teenagers in the 50s was from across the Atlantic. It was music, movies, books... America at that time to us, it was like a different planet.

Laughing it up at the Potato Shed

Women of Wit is coming to Drysdale with a lineup of hilarious comedians ready to make everyone laugh.

The show will feature the comedic talents of Prue Blake, Patti Fawcett, Alex Ward and He Huang as they make their way to The Potato Shed on Saturday, July 13.

Sarah Maree Cameron will also join the lineup for her first Women of Wit show and said she was excited to collaborate with other “incredible comedians”.

“It’s one of the great things about doing comedy that you get to cross paths with people and meet new comedians...and it’s a real honour to be part of a lineup like this,” she said.

“I only got into comedy, doing stand-up, about six years ago. I’ve been performing and doing improv and theatre and have been in the media space for a very long time previous to that.

“It was very much thanks to me seeing so many women and other gender diverse people in comedy and in that art space that I felt comfortable that I could do this.”

Cameron said she always feels honoured when people come to see her shows and that events like Women of Wit were a great way to encourage women into the comedic space.

“I always think what a privilege I have to be up on stage and hopefully making most of, if not all, the room laugh,” she said.

Iconic whodunit’s longevity

Geelong will play host to the longest running play in the world when Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap comes to Geelong Arts Centre (GAC) this week.

Barring a brief hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic,theshowhasruncontinuouslysince its world premiere in 1952 with more than 29,500 to date.

The Australian production of the by turns thrilling and humorous whodunit is returning after a sell-out capital city tour last year, with legendary Australian performers Gerry Connolly (Mr Paravicini) and Geraldine Turner (Mrs Boyle) and Helpmann Award winner Alex Rathgeber (Giles Ralston) reprising their roles from that tour.

Actor Hannah Fredericksen (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Dream Lover), now based in Geelong, has joined the cast this year as Mollie Ralston.

She said she was having “an amazing time” being part of the iconic mystery.

“It’s both an honour and a little bit intimidating, we have the amazing Robyn Nevindirecting,andshe’sbeenreallyincredible

at allowing us to find our own versions of these characters,”shesaid.“Thesecharactersarevery well-worn shoes, but there’s something really beautiful in the writing that is so clever. There’s so much on the page for you, you’re really held by what Agatha Christie has given you.

“There’s an amazing thriller aspect to it, it keeps people on the edge of their seat.

“But the thing that really surprised me is that it’s so entertaining, it’s really funny. I don’t think people who come to see a whodunit thriller expect to laugh, and they really laugh.”

The show has a tradition where audiences members are asked not to reveal the twist after the show.

“It’s pretty incredible, the audience is complicit in continuing the mystery of the show,” Fredericksen said. “It amazes me that it’s been running for as long as it has and there isn’t really that information out there. It’s sort of a bond between the audience and the show across the world.”

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is at GAC from July 4 to 7.

Matt Hewson

“It’s really special to be able to make people smile and make people laugh...and it’s reassuring to know that shows like this are the tip of the iceberg for what is possible and what’s to come.”

Tickets for Women of Wit at 8pm on July 13 are $35, or $32 for concessions, and are available through The Potato Shed.

Sarah Maree Cameron joins the lineup for Women of Wit in Drysdale on July 13. (Louisa Jones) 415694_09

“We saw America in the movies and on the television, but it always seemed so far away from our provincial life in the UK.”

TheAnimalsnowconsistsofSteel,frontman Danny Handley, keyboard player Barney Williams and bassist Norm Helm, who will present the band’s classic repertoire.

“It’s just so much fun, you can get a buzz going every night and everybody locks in,” Steel said.

“We just love doing it, it’s not hard work. And it seems like the audience gets something of that vibe from us, because we always end up with a standing ovation, so we must be doing something right. It’s criminal that we get paid well for doing something that we love doing.”

The Animals are at the Geelong Art Centre’s Story House on Sunday, July 7.

The Pharmacy Pilot Program is improving access to health care in the Bellarine.

There are seven local pharmacies on the Bellarine included in this pilot offering pharmacy consultations for:

• UTIs

• Mild skin conditions

• Resupply of the contraceptive pill

• A range of vaccinations for travel and other health vaccines

Scan the QR code for more information about the Pharmacy Pilot.

Hannah Fredericksen and Alex Rathgeber star in Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. (Joel Devereux)

Grubbers give back to sponsors

Crackerjack Kids is dedicated to unlocking the potential within every child.

Its mission is to provide specialised instruction in literacy, numeracy, and school readiness, catering to children and adolescents with specific learning differences such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia.

Crackerjack sets itself apart with its commitment to delivering multi-sensory instruction and evidence-based programs.

It uses Orton Gillingham-based methods for teaching reading and spelling, as well as multi-sensory approaches for teaching math concepts.

Thisensuresthateverychildreceivestailored support that suits their unique learning needs.

The Crackerjack Kids team believes in the power of collaboration.

The proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” resonates deeply with the team.

Staff work closely with parents, carers, and

schoolteachers to provide holistic support for their students. They offer resources and guidance to help parents and teachers understand and assist with students’ learning journeys.

Crackerjack programs start with an initial assessment to determine the best course of action for each child.

Whether it’s screening assessments for dyslexia, multi-sensory instruction for numeracy, or Crackerjack’s school readiness program, the team is there to help every child reach their full potential.

Join Crackerjack Kids, where every child deserves the chance to shine.

Together, you and Crackerjack can empower your child for a brighter future.

Call 0400 816 105 or email contact@crackerjackkids.com.au to learn more and schedule an assessment.

1/ Guest speaker and three-time premiership Cat Paul Chapman and Ocean Grove secretary Simon Jarvis. 2/ Paul Sutton, Paul Ritchie, Chris Abery and Delvin O’Meara. 3/ Travis Coote and Matt Gibbon behind the bar. 4/ Bob Duggan and Megan McKnight. 5/ Mick Laffin, Garry Connor and Glen Wiolfe. 6/ Damian Clark, Harvey Stephenson, Shane Connolly and John Haxby. 7/ Kerrie Davies, Katie Sankey and Davis Gibson. 8/ Paul Cusma, Tom Warren, Brian Boyle and Penney Headlam. (Pictures: Justin Flynn) 414696

Shop local

Elijah and Toni McCormack.
Left: Jacquii Kennedy. Centre: Jean Baring. Right: Phyllis Edmonstone. (Pictures: Louisa Jones) 415205
Ashely and Joan Read.
Nola and Paul Strachan.

Bastille Day feast at Claribeaux

Award-winning French fusion restaurant Claribeaux has just launched its winter menu.

Seriously talented head chef Nosheen Meer is curating a lineup of delicious fare – order envy guaranteed.

Nosh is the former head chef at Mabu Mabu, working with the acclaimed Nonnie Bero, and is weaving her magic creating French fusion disheswithherpassionforindigenousproduce.

The Claribeaux team is pulling out all stops this year with a three-course choice luncheon, a glass of French Champagne on arrival and roving local piano accordion musician Lucy Riddett.

There will also be a Chariot du Fromage (roving cheese cart) served with traditional accompaniments ($10 per selection, three for $25, five for $40).

The Bastille Day festivities at Claribeaux are onSundayJuly14andthecostis$95perperson and $90 for Curlewis Golf Club members.

Claribeaux is also participating in all things culinary ‘amour’ during the Tastes of Greater Geelong celebration.

Two courses (entree/main or main/dessert) and glass of wine (or pot of tap beer/cider) for just $45 per person. Four magnificent options per course.

It will be available every evening (excluding Tuesdays) from 5pm until July 14.

See claribeaux.com.au for menus and more information.

LEURA PARK ESTATE

Artisan wines without compromise

• Sensational setting

• Stunning pizzas, platters & fresh local fare

• Live Music Sundays

• Wine Tastings

• Open Thurs - Sunday 11am - 5pm

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

12606035-SN21-23

FLYING BRICK CIDER CO

Funky, Fabulous, Fun.

• Landmark Bellarine venue

• Innovative space

• Delicious food

• 100% naturally crafted ciders

• Luxurious grounds & vineyard

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

12606701-KG21-23

JACK RABBIT VINEYARD

• Iconic Bellarine winery

• Unrivalled panoramic views

• Contemporary a la carte

• Sophisticated wines

• Lunch / Wine Tastings

• OPEN 7 Days

85 McAdams Lane, Bellarine 03 5251 2223 jackrabbitvineyard.com.au

12606706-RR21-23

THE RANGE

@CURLEWIS

Finesse your form or just for fun.

• Lunch / Dinner / Snacks

• Burger, Beverage & Balls packages

• Barista coffe, beer, wine & cocktails

• OPEN 7 days

1201 Portarlington Rd, Curlewis Ph 5251 1111 curlewisgolf.com.au

Pictured centre: Head chef Nosheen Meer. (Pictures: Supplied)

PUZZLES

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

ACROSS

1 Expend (3)

3 Choice (10)

10 Applaud (7)

11 Southern Pacific region (7)

12 Facilities of a building (9)

13 Ancient South American civilisation (4)

15 Florida fort (10)

17 Large jug (4)

19 Accepted standard (4)

20 Child of one’s child (10)

23 Keyboard error (4)

25 Insipid (9)

27 Members of a powerful military caste in feudal Japan (7)

28 Hub for military planes (7)

29 They protect the eyes from the glare (10)

30 Charter (3)

DOWN

1 Ineffectual (10)

2 The British Treasury (9)

4 Rest (9)

5 Moves steadily (5)

6 Watery (6)

7 Babysitter (5)

8 Web auction site (4)

9 Acting with ease (6)

14 Rainbow-coloured (10)

16 Painting of the countryside (9)

18 British civil service (coll) (9)

21 Said when raising a glass (6)

22 Light reddish brown (6)

24 Arab state (5)

25 Counterparts (5)

26 Egyptian goddess (4)

Using the nine letters in the grid,

be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”.

1 Colloquially, what is a cakewalk?

2 Where is the Bredikhin crater located?

3 For which three films has Daniel Day-Lewis won an Academy Award for Best Actor?

4 In which city was Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja born?

5 To which continent is the kangaroo rat native?

6 In which year was X (formerly Twitter) created and launched?

7 Maleficent is the main antagonist in which animated Disney film?

8 Which motor company makes the vehicle X-Trail?

9 Matt Damon (pictured) stars as a former criminal named Max in which 2013 sci-fi action film?

10 What is a female moose called?

No. 191 No. 191

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Ocean Grove Voice looks back through the pages of our predecessors

7 years ago

June 21 to July 4, 2017

People power looks to have saved the BarwonHeadsLibrary.

Around 400 people attended a rally to save the library on Sunday, where it was announced that Council is likely to abolishitsplanstoclosethelibrary.

5 years ago

July 3 to 16, 2019

An Ocean Grove GP is under police investigation for two alleged sexual assaults.

Victoria Police confirmed the investigationtotheIndyyesterday.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

3 years ago

July 2 to 15, 2021

Tourists have flocked to caravan parks andcampinggroundsacrosstheBellarine Peninsulaforthewinterschoolholidays.

With Victorians advised to avoid interstate travel due to COVID-19 outbreaks in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, the Bellarine’s accommodationprovidersarereportinga surgeinbookings.

1 years ago

June 30 to July 13, 2023

Geelongcouncilhasapprovedits2023-24 budget, fully restoring funding for lifesavers but only partially so for the Geelong Regional Library Corporation (GRLC).

At a tense and sometimes fractious council meeting on Tuesday councillors by turns goaded and attempted to soothe a public gallery bent on having its voice heard.

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

Ocean Grove Day VIEW

Winners of Mother’s Day raffle, drawn Saturday May 18:

1st: Pat Purcell, Ocean Grove. 2nd: Greg Howard, Ocean Grove. 3rd: Alex, Morang. 4th: Robyn Grumley, Ocean Grove. 5th: Sandra Took, Point Lonsdale. 6th: Jo Snow, Ocean Grove

Christian Singles

Church visit: Sunday July 7, meet 9.50am (sit together) for 10am at Norlane Church of Christ. Book by 5pm July 5.

■ 0409 147 604

Christmas in July dinner, Saturday July 13, 6.30pm, 3 meats and desert - $30.50 or a la carte), Leopold Sportsmans Club. Book by July 8.

■ 0418-672 570

Christmas in July lunch at private home, Saturday July 20, 12.30pm. Book and for more information by 5pm July 18.

■ 0409 132 568

CWA Nightlights Ocean Grove meets the first and third Monday of the month, 2.30pm, Seniors Club, 102 The Terrace, Ocean Grove. All welcome.

■ Kareen, 0419 246 346, or Janis 5255 4585

Bellarine Women’s Workshop Portarlington Girl Guides Hall. Meets every second Thursday, and second Saturday of the month.

■ Facebook: Bellarine Women’s Workshop for further details

Book club

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

■ Shirley, 0488 055 969

Ballroom dance

Leopold Hall, 805-809 Bellarine Highway, Saturday June 29, 7.30pm-11pm, $10 includes supper, music Kevin. Sunday July 7, 2pm-5pm, $5, bring a plate, music Kevin.

■ 0400 500 402

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

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

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

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

Ocean Grove Senior Citizens 101 The Terrace, Ocean Grove Weekly

Tuesday: snooker 1pm, chess, indoor bowls 1.15pm. Wednesday: bingo 1.15pm, ukulele class 2pm, guitar jam session 4pm. Thursday: snooker 1pm, cards 500, social afternoons 1.15pm. Friday: art classes 9am.

Fortnightly

CWA 1st & 2nd Thursday 7.30pm Monthly

Inhouse Movies 3rd Wednesday 1.30pm.

■ Dianne, 5255 1372

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: $30 annually and coffee included. At 101 The Terrace, Ocean Grove. ■ Dianne, 5255 1372

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, 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

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

Master chefs in the making

Surfside Primary School held its annual masterchef day for its Year 6 students with some delicious dishes being prepared and served. Louisa Jones was there to take these photographs.

1/ Kitchen garden specialists Clancey McKenzie and Fleur Kilpatrick - kitchen gardens specialists. 2/ Brock. 3/ Valentina, Are and Sally Catchlove. 4/ Archie. 5/ Judges Peter Walsh (principal), Kellie Hewston and Jenny Wood. 6/ Ryan, Dylan, Eiichiro and Xavier. 7/ Ready to eat. 8/ Laura. 9/ Cassidy, Leila and Charli. 10/ Maddie, Tilly and Ivalyn. 11/ Mitchell.
Louisa Jones)

SPORTS QUIZ

1. What animal is the mascot of the A-League team Macarthur FC?

2. Melissa Wu recently became the first Australian diver to qualify for how many Olympic Games?

3. The USA beat Canada and what other nation in the Group Stage of the 2024 Twenty20 World Cup?

4. The NBL team Melbourne United was previously known by what name?

5. The harness racing track Menangle Park is located in which state?

6. Alex de Minaur recently achieved his highest-ever ATP ranking of what number?

7. Sydney Swans forward Joel Amartey recently kicked how many goals in an AFL match against Adelaide?

Which Super Netball team recently parted ways with head coach Bec Bulley less than halfway into a four-year contract?

The WNBL will have a new team next season based in which regional Victorian city?

. Which Richmond AFL star recently reached the milestone of 300 games?

In the NHL, what are Ottawa also known as?

Who won the men's WWE Royal Rumble in January?

In darts, what is the regulation distance between the player and the front of the board?

networkclassifieds.com.au

14. 8.95m (29ft 4.5in) is the distance held by Olympic World Record holder Mike Powell in which event?

15. In the 2022 AFL Grand Final, how many points did winners Geelong score?

16. Which country won the gold medal in the women's all-around gymnastics at the 1988 Summer Olympics?

17. The sport of rowing as we know it today came from a rivalry between Oxford and which other university?

18. How many points under par is a birdie in golf?

19. Shuttlecocks are mainly made from duck or goose feathers and what other material at the tip?

20. In which US city did pickleball originate?

21. What is the name of the new team joining the A-League Men’s competition later this year?

22. Swimmer Ariarne Titmus broke the world record for which event at the Olympic selection trials?

23. Which country did Australia dismiss for 72 in their third T20 World Cup fixture?

24. And which spinner took four wickets for the Aussies to claim Man of the Match honours?

25. Which legendary film actor finished second at the 1979 Le Mans 24 Hour motor race?

26. The Venus Rosewater Dish is presented to the winner of which women’s tennis tournament?

27. Matildas soccer star Sam Kerr plays for which Women’s Super League club in England?

28. Which Melbourne Demons AFL star suffered a lacerated spleen, a punctured lung and four broken ribs against Collingwood in the King’s Birthday clash?

ACCOUNTING SERVICES

Roche Accounting5256 2764

ANTENNAS

Arrow Antennas0439 785 703

Kendall Antenna Services0404 019 781

AUTOMOTIVE

Auto Care Ocean Grove (Repco)5255 1045

Gardiner Automotive5255 5380

BEAUTY/HAIR

Hair By Dana0400 065 431

Swish Beauty & Hair - Leopold 5250 3242

BUILDERS & NEW HOMES

MB Builders0400 406 030

BUILDING DESIGNERS

Michael Higgins Building Design5255 3355

BUTCHERS

Benno’s Meating Place5254 1828

CARPET CLEANING

Carpet Cleaners Geelong5255 3510

CHIMNEY SWEEPS

A1 Chimney Sweep & Co0426 897 479

CONVEYANCING

Surfside Conveyancing Pty Ltd5255 5556

Vines Conveyancing5255 4480

DENTAL

Drysdale Denture Services

Ryan Davies & Andrew Irving5251 1683

Ocean Grove Denture Services

Ryan Davies & Andrew Irving5255 4533

ELECTRICIANS

Grove Electrical (REC 16943)0404 022 952

29. Which golfer famously won the 2000 US

by 15 strokes?

30. Stade de France, the country’s largest stadium, was originally built for which major 1998 event?

Open

RATINGS

Looks: 8/10

Performance: 7/10

Safety: 9/10

Thirst: 8/10

Practicality: 6/10

Comfort: 7/10

Tech: 8/10

Value: 7/10

High hopes for new Toyota Koba

Toyota has a storied modern history of innovation: remember the World Rally-based Celica GT-Four, the quirky Tarago ‘egg’ people mover and the revolutionary Prius petrol/electrichybrid?

Now, the Japanese auto giant has continued carrying the stylish high-tech torch with the C-HRGRSport.

This edgy looking cross-over is the flagship of the all-new second generation premium compact, which brings stylish European designandeconomicperformancetogetherin thesmallSUVsegment.

The three-version Coupe-High Rider, says the maker, presents an elevation in luxury and performance compared with the outgoing C-HR, with the pick of two new hybrid powertrains and the introduction of the latest technology in safety, comfort and convenience, appealing especially to younger buyers.

Sitting in the middle ground between the Corolla and RAV4 and updated in late 2019 with a petrol/electric hybrid top-spec Koba model, the GXL gets the ball rolling from $42,990, plus on-road costs. Mid-stream is Koba, from $49,990, with the hero GR Sport, from$54,990,plusORCs.

AllC-HRsarecoveredbyToyota’sfive-year/ unlimited kilometre warranty, as well as capped price servicing for the first five years or 75,000 kilometres, whichever comes first, witheach12-month/15,000kmservicecosting $250.

Added is a 12-month complimentary subscription to Toyota Connected Services, providing security and convenience through themyToyotaConnectsmartphoneapp.

Styling

From the base GXL up, the C-HR adopts Toyota’s

language, with the GR Sport topping off the range with unique gloss black 19-inch alloy wheels, GR Sport grille, with liquid black finish, and GR Sportbadging.

The GR Sport joins Koba with auto-levelling bi-LED headlamps, LED ‘foggies’, power tailgate, premium gloss black accents and rear and rear-side window privacy glass. Adaptive high-beam headlamps dim selectively to prevent on-coming road users frombeingdazzled.

With six exterior colours on offer for GXL, upper grades add visual flair with a two-tone combination of a black roof with Frosted White pearl, metallic Graphite, Stunning Silver, Feverish Red and Sunglow (the test vehicle) or metallic mica Emeraldine.

A Two-Tone Plus finish is also available for the pair, adding the roof’s black finish to the rear and can be optioned with panoramic roof. Buyers can also opt for the all-black Ink micametallicfinish.

Interior

The stylish cabin boasts a range of recycled materialsandnoanimalderivedproducts.

For example, GR Sport front seats have a combination of synthetic leather-accented andsuede-likeupholstery,

While the front seats are comfortable and laterallywellsupportive,rearlegroomistight.

There are GR-branded aluminium scuff plates and floor mats and a perforated GR Sportsteeringwheel,whichcanbeheated.

Boot space is constricted by the steeply sloping back and underfloor mechanical workings.Intheabsenceofasparewheelonly atyrepuncturekitiscarried.

Infotainment

All C-HR variants feature an up-to-date high-resolution 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cloud-based satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio and voicerecognition.

Koba and GR Sport are singled out for additional tech including a colour head-up display, nine speaker JBL premium audio, wireless smartphone charger, rear USB accessory port and a digital 12.3-inch instrumentpanel.

Engines/transmissions

More than a show pony, the C-HR GR Sport has plenty to play with from the powertrain with its 2-litre hybrid system mated with a dual-motor e-Four all-wheel drive system. Pumping out 146kW combined output, the flagship squeezes the low combined fuel consumption to 4.1 litres per 100 kilometres, themakerclaims.

The 2.0-litre hybrid powertrain uses a lithium-ionbatteryinplaceofthenickel-metal hydride battery in the previous generation hybridsystem.

Safety

AllC-HRscomewithhigh-gradesafety tech through Toyota’s Safety Sense suite, which includes the pre-collision system, active cruise control, lane trace assist, parking support brake, speed-sign assist and safe exit assist, as wellaspanoramicviewmonitorand10 airbags.

Driving

From the get-go the C-HR GR Sport has a striking presence, but from then on things fade to a far-from- punchy but, some would say, passable performance; try zero to 100km/h in eightseconds.

Threedrivemodes–Normal,Ecoand Sport – are on hand, tuning the powertrain, steering and air-conditioning systems, along with a Custom mode which allows drivers to dothingstheirway.

Eco is highly forgettable; Sport stiffens ride and handling in taking on the freed-up powertrain. Normal turns the vehicle into a townie with milder manners. Cabin noise is mostlyrestrictedtothetyresunlessthepetrol motorispushedintoalownote.

Toyota puts fuel consumption at 4.1 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined urban / highway. The test car came up with 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres in an urban environment and 3.8 litres per 100 kilometres on a motorwayrun.

Stopping power is enhanced by larger twin-pistoncaliperfrontbrakes.

Summary

There’s no denying the sharp looking C-HR GR Sport tester attracted more than its fair shareofattentionfromthesub-thirty-year-old cohort but whether this would translate to sales is another matter. Price could be a problem.

new ‘Hammer Head’ exterior design
2024 Toyota C-HR Koba.
(Pictures: Supplied)

Grubbers too good for Tigers

Ocean Grove proved too good for Torquay in the A Grade clash at Steeline Ray Menzies Oval on Saturday June 22 and Justin Flynn was there to capture some of the action.

Lauren Berridge faces some opposition from Georgia Berry.
Rebecca O’Neill shot 51 goals from 53 attempts.
Above: Emily Moroney passes to Jessica Leader. Above centre: Georgia Berry and Elisa Hall had a good battle after quarter time while Jessica Leader looks surprised.
Arlee Bennett was in Ocean Grove’s best players.
Left: Tessa Willett with the ball while Arlee Bennett defends. Centre: Rhiannon Whitson with the ball. Right: Arlee Bennett abd Rhiannon Whitson. (Pictures: Justin Flynn) 414695
Above: Lauren Berridge and Jessica Leader, and right, Georgia Ryan with the ball.
Rhian Moresi, Mia Smith, Abby Park and Rhiannon Whitson.

Tigers outclass gallant Grove

Unbeaten ladder leader Torquay defeated Ocean Grove by 49 points at Steeline Ray Menzies Oval on Saturday June 22 and Justin Flynn was there to see it and take these photographs.

Weylin Doyle and Nick Bourke.
After a long apprenticeship in the reserves, Luke Wittman kicks his first goal.
Above: Hugo Walsh takes a mark.
Left: Ben McNamara wins this contest. Below: Nathan Down kicks a goal.
Left: Glenn Campbell in his 301st game. Centre: Harry Cashin looks upfield for a target. Right: Star Tigers’ midfielder Matthew Boag. (Pictures: Justin Flynn414697
Baxter Mensch gets clear of a quartet of Grubbers.
Debutant Lachie Allan gets his hands on the footy early.
Baxter Mensch was best afield for Torquay.

Dangerfield call backed

Essendon coach Brad Scott believes Patrick Dangerfield deserved to beat his rough-conduct charge, even though it meant theGeelongsuperstarwouldfacetheBombers.

Dangerfield won his challenge to a one-game suspension at the AFL tribunal on Tuesday night after being cited for a tackle on Carlton star Sam Walsh.

His availability is crucial for Geelong, who have lost six of their past seven games and will be without veteran forward Tom Hawkins against the Bombers at the MCG on Saturday night.

“I watched it (Dangerfield’s tackle) live and thought he didn’t have a case to answer in the first place,” Scott said on Wednesday.

“I tried to avoid the range of emotions - ‘he’s in, he’s out’ – just planned for him to be in and forgot about it until it was confirmed.”

Scott warned the AFL not to expect too much of players when cracking down on

dangerous tackles.

“The expectation that AFL prosecutors put on (that) you’ve got to release an arm I think is realistic,’’ he said. “When a player who’s got his arm pinned doesn’t get slammed into the ground, or if he does there’s a suspension that follows, that bit is really clear.

“There’s a little bit of a challenge for players in between that, but I thought ’Danger’ exercised the duty of care and tried to hold Walsh up.

“To expect players to pull them back, not let their head hit the ground, but release an arm at the same time and hold with one arm ... there’s a lot of expectation on players, and I thought ’Danger’ explained it pretty well.”

Essendon (9-1-4) are flying in third spot on the ladder and have a genuine opportunity to break a hoodoo against the Cats.

Geelonghavewon12oftheirpast14matches against the Bombers, who last triumphed

back in 2018.

Meanwhile, Tom Hawkins has sustained an atypical mid foot joint and ligament injury to his left foot.

Hawkins left the field in the third quarter of last Friday night’s match against Carlton at the MCG.

Following scans, consultation with specialists and the Club’s medical team, Hawkins is aiming to return to play in six to eight weeks.

“Tom has already been in the club today and commenced his off-foot training, he’ll remain in a boot for the next couple of weeks before progressing based on clinical signs,” general manager of football Andrew Mackie said.

“Tom is in a positive and optimistic mindset and we are confident he will give himself the best chance to have an impact later in the season.” – AAP

Clubs’ chance for redemption...

Local tennis on Saturday afternoon, having reached the halfway point of the winter season was, for the vast majority of teams, an opportunity for the defeated teams from round 1 to seek redemption in the round 8 rematch.

In Section 2 Mixed, Hamlyn Park (2nd on the ladder) at home was able to turn the narrowest of losses from round 1 into a handy five sets to one win against Lara (5th).

In the first mixed set Lara’s Briane Doolan and Rob Dando triumphed over Hamlyn Parks Eleyne Atkinson and Steve Peretin 6-4, whilst in the 2nd mixed set, the home team struck back with Kerrie Fatone and David Wiedmann winning 6-3 over Lara’s Wendy Caddy and Charlie Dando. The ladies and men’s sets were both 6-3 wins to Hamlyn Park’s combination of Tiffany Gray and Kerry Fatone, and Steve Peretin and Nash Moed.

In the final two mixed sets, the Hamlyn Park teams continued the trend with 6-3 wins in both sets against their Lara opponents, to seal a comfortable win.

In the second match of Section 2 Mixed, Newcomb (6th on the ladder) repeated their round 1 result with a four sets to two win over Moolap Gold (3rd). Kacie Higgins and Marc Patrick started off the match well for Newcomb with a 6-3 win over Amy Lizmore and Darcy King.

In the 2nd mixed Moolap’s Amy Kuskunovic and Liam Thompson outlasted Newcomb’s Alison Steele and Allan Fairchild to come away with the 7-5 win. 6-4 wins to Newcomb in both the ladies and men’s doubles put them in a strong position coming into the final two sets with Dwayne Thompson coming in to replace his brother Liam in the men’s. The final two mixed sets were split with each team winning one each 6-2. The third match saw Western Heights Uniting (7th looking to reverse their defeat to Moolap Black (4th) from round 1. The match was played at Moolap’s alternative location,

Sarah back in WNBL for United

Sarah Elsworthy will reignite her WNBL career after signing with Geelong United.

The 170cm guard and captain of the NBL1 Geelong United Women’s squad reenters the league after previously spending four years with the Adelaide Lightning from 2016-20.

“I think it was just an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down playing in the first Geelong United team, a community that I really care about, getting my second chance to play in the WNBL again is something I never thought I’d get so I feel really proud to represent this club and be a part of something really special that I know is going to be awesome for so many women to come after me,” Elsworthy said.

Elsworthy, who thrives on the court in being a “defensive pest”, has spent another season putting up great numbers in the NBL1. With a current season average of 14.3 points, 3.7 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game, she will be a handy addition to the inaugural Geelong United squad.

Geelong West Tennis Club, due to the overflow of teams at Moolap’s usual home courts.

Rebecca Reinert and Cameron Dempster got Moolap off to a great start with a 6-2 win over Annabel King and Matthew Evans. In the second mixed with Moolap’s Julia Augello and Rob Allsopp leading 2-1 against Western Heights Livinia Ryan and Stuart Evans, the set wasinterruptedduetoaninjurytotheWestern Heights team.

Fortunately a replacement player in Jeanette Dean was available and able to try to help get her team over the line. The ladies and men’s doubles sets resulted in 6-3 and 6-1 wins to Moolap, with the final two reverse mixed sets also wins to Moolap 6-4 and 6-2. Overall a comfortable six sets to love win to Moolap.

The final match pitted top of the ladder Grovedale playing away at Drysdale (8th) and while Grovedale proved victorious five sets to one, the match was an improvement for the Drysdale team compared to the round 1 meeting. Ella Hill and Riley Robertson started thedayoffwitha6-4winforGrovedaleagainst Rachel Shanks and Darren Humphrey.

In the second mixed, Grovedale’s Ebony PaullandBernardAttardwerecomfortable6-0 winnersagainstSophieHarrisandTimCraven. The ladies and men’s sets were both dominant 6-1 wins for Grovedale. Sophie Harris and Darren Humphrey were the shining lights for Drysdale in their 6-2 win with the final mixed set a 6-0 win to Grovedale.

“I just want to be a great teammate and work hard. I’m really looking forward to being a part of something so special for Geelong,” she said.

“Obviously I’m not from here originally, but being part of this community for a number of years now, I’m proud to represent this region and this club.

“It’s all about valuing and playing for the jersey. We now get to create that team culture and pride in playing for Geelong United, and represent the region like it should be represented.”

Head coach Chris Lucas, who has coached Elsworthy previously during their run together in Adelaide, is excited to link back up.

“Sarah’s consistency this NBL1 season has been tremendous,” he said.

“Her defensive pressure has always been her strength, but there’s aspects of her game that have made significant improvement. She’s found ways to improve her offensive game – her penetration game has improved, her passing and three-point shot have improved, she just works extremely hard and will play her role within the team perfectly.”

LOCAL TENNIS
Chris Higgins
Moolap Gold and Newcomb: Darcy King, Dwayne Thompson, Liam Thompson, Amy Lizmore, Amy Kuskunovic, Marc Patrick, Alison Steele, Allan Fairchild and Kacie Higgins. (Pictures: Supplied)
Moolap Black and Western Heights Uniting: Rob Allsopp, Julia Augello, Livinia Ryan and Matthew Evans.
Sarah Elsworthy will suit up for Geelong United this season. (Supplied)

Learning from the best: Sutton

Ocean Grove captain Max Sutton said his side would treat its 49-point loss to Torquay in round 12 as a way of “learning from the best”.

Undefeated ladder leaders Torquay had to work hard at Steeline Ray Menzies Oval on June22tobrushoffaveryinexperiencedOcean Grove side that debuted three more youngsters.

“Going into the game we did highlight they are the best of the best and they have been for a number of years now,” Sutton said of Torquay.

“They’re a very solid outfit, but we looked at it just to see where we are at. I thought it was a great challenge for us and I think for the first three quarters, with such a young group, our pressure was unreal. We forced them into 60-plus turnovers so I thought that for three quarters we challenged them.”

Jack Stephenson, Lachie Allan and Darcy Harrington all made their senior debuts and with Hugo Walsh (five games) and Jack Connolly (three games), the Grubbers are fielding an inexperienced side. Harrington is still only 15-years-old.

“Those three boys coming up, they’ve played some really good footy - young Darc is still in Under 16s and he’s a very handy young footballer,” Sutton said.

“And then Lachie and Stevo, having those guys come up to provide a little bit of run, they definitely didn’t look out of place.”

The Grubbers have been hit hard by injury this season with key big men Kye Annand (lacerated kidney) and Ed Dayman (ankle) out for the rest of the season while Patrick Norton was concussed before half time during the Torquay game and Jacob Talarico sustained a shoulder injury.

Battling against the class of star Tiger midfielders Baxter Mensch, Matt Boag and JamesDarke,Suttonsaiditwasnosurprisethat Torquay finished the game the stronger of the two sides.

“During that last quarter I think there were two debutants, myself and then a third or fourth string ruckman lining up in the centre,” Sutton said.

“We just thought ‘what an amazing challenge’.”

Attention now turns to the Battle of the Bridge across the river in Barwon Heads on Saturday June 29.

“It’s always a great contest between us and over there as well, they’ve got a big supporter base behind them,” Sutton said.

“But I reckon we’re ready to go and it would be a good scalp to get. With the young group

Grubbers prepare for Heads ambush

While Ocean Grove’s netball rivalry with cross-river opponents Barwon Heads might not be as intense as their footy counterparts, A Grade captain Emily Moroney is still wary of the Seagulls’ ability to cause an upset.

The Grubbers are second on the ladder with an 11-1 record so far and the Heads are eighth with three wins and the two sides meet this Saturday in what appears, on face value anyway, to be a potentially lopsided contest.

“It’s a weird one, there’s probably not that same kind of rivalry,” Moroney said.

“There’snotmanyrivalriesexistinganymore. I think everyone is just out there to win and play some good netball and enjoy themselves.

“I think every week this year and even last year, you always have to go into each game putting your best foot forward and really expecting that they’re going to come out firing. It was pretty close the last time we played them so hopefully we will look to continue our performance on the weekend and that kind of full four-quarter seamless effort into next week will be the aim.”

Ocean Grove brushed aside fifth-placed Torquay in round 12 on Saturday June 22 with ease. The 72 to 48 win at home was an impressive four-quarter performance.

“Just the full court, full game effort, playing out 60 minutes of really good quality netball - I

that we do have, we just need to get that sort of experience into them. Chuck them in the deep end and just go out there with nothing to lose.”

A SEVEN-GOAL third quarter was instrumental in Torquay winning the reserves

ROUND 12

A GRADE

Ocean Grove 72 def Torquay 48.

Best: Ocean Grove - Emily Moroney, Jessica Leader, Arlee Bennett. Torquay - Lauren Berridge, Elisa Hall, Julia Allan-Goodwin.

B GRADE

Ocean Grove 38 def Torquay 35.

Best: Ocean Grove Shelby Hackett, Isabel Hackett, Amelia Cunningham. Torquay - Teegan Powell, Abbey OHanlon, Milly van Eck.

C GRADE

Ocean Grove 28 def Torquay 20.

Best: Ocean Grove - Amelia Hallam, Maddy Goodger, Sofia Dickeson. Torquay - Annabelle Dunn, Sarah Ferguson, Bethany Garlick.

D GRADE

Ocean Grove 34 def Torquay 27.

Best: Ocean Grove - Paula Birch, Abbey Stanic, Tarryn Stanley. Torquay - not supplied.

E GRADE

Ocean Grove 17 def by Torquay 19.

ROUND 12

OCEAN GROVE vs TORQUAY Ocean Grove 1.2(8), 2.4(16), 4.5(29), 5.7(37) Torquay 1.1(7), 6.5(41), 8.7(55), 12.14(86)

GOALS – Ocean Grove: Jack Connolly, Jacob Talarico, Nathan Down, Nick Bourke, Brady Pritchard. Torquay: Banjo Dyer 2, Luke Wittman 2, Nathan Mifsud 2, Tom Diamond 2, James Darke, Jesse Dawson, Matthew Boag, Tom Grace.

BEST – Ocean Grove: Max Sutton, Brady Pritchard, Harry Cashin, Nathan Down, Jye Walker, Jacob Talarico. Torquay: Baxter Mensch, Oscar Lewis, Banjo Dyer, Matthew Boag, Weylin Doyle, Tom Diamond.

clash, 16.4(100) to 6.5(41). Three goals each to Hunter Locke, Griffen Wilson, Jonti Wylie and Reef Page kept the Tigers’ unbeaten season in both grades intact. Craig Goodger and Leighton Driscoll were best for the Grubbers.

felt like that was 100 percent our best game of the season,” Moloney said. “And everyone just was gelling together. I feel like we are at a point of the season now where we’ve kind of all had some time together to build those relationships both on and off the court.”

Young goal attack Arlee Bennett started the game slowly, making a few uncharacteristic passing errors, but didn’t let it affect her. She would go on to be one of the Grubbers’ best players.

“She’s such a skilful player and I forget how young she is, she’s only 19,” Moroney said.

“So for her to play a full game in goal attack in a pretty physical game and keep her head and put up all her shots. She’s pretty good. She loves the long shot range.”

MEANWHILE Moroney praised clubmate Paula Birch, who played her 400th senior game in the D Grade win against Torquay.

“I’ve had the pleasure of being coached by her in juniors and playing with her in my early senior years so I feel very privileged to have learned off her and had her support,” she said.

“She’s a legend of Ocean Grove – to have played her entire career at the one club shows her dedication and speaks volumes of who she is. It’s a huge achievement and one we at Ocean Grove.”

Best: Ocean Grove - Kylie Collett, Evie Hines, Emilie Punton. Torquay - Jasmine Spedding, Keziah Halliwell, Emily Biram. 19 & UNDER

Ocean Grove 16 def by Torquay 34.

Best: Ocean Grove - Tylah Foley, Evannah Greenfield, Evie Hines. Torquay - not supplied.

17 & UNDER DIVISION 1

Ocean Grove 21 def by Torquay 29

Best: Ocean Grove - Ella Brown, Amelia Stanic, Maggie Drake. Torquay - not supplied.

17 & UNDER DIVISION 2

Ocean Grove 19 def by Torquay 23.

Best: Ocean Grove - Piper Needham, Olivia Grogan, Molly Larsen. Torquay - Indiana Long, Grace Maw, Betty Blackley.

15 & UNDER DIVISION 1

Ocean Grove 13 def by Torquay 22.

Best: Ocean Grove - Charli Burke, Alice Sampson, Lucy Neaves. Torquay - Grace Healy, Remy Sliwa, Sienna Mcginness. 15 & UNDER DIVISION 2

Ocean Grove 18 def by Torquay 25.

Best: Ocean Grove - Caitlin Parker, Ashley Sutherland, Grace van Maasdyk. Torquay - Jayda Hooiveld, Teagan Reade, Tara Asbell.

13 & UNDER DIVISION 1

Ocean Grove 11 def by Torquay 34. Best: Ocean Grove - Tayte McKenzie, Abharna Sanjeev, Willow Stephenson. Torquay - Violet Miers, Isla Webber, Zoe Wilde.

13 & UNDER DIVISION 2

Ocean Grove 11 def by Torquay 28. Best: Ocean Grove - Matilda Kerr, Evie Davis. Torquay - Maicie Hay, Ava Swann, Holly Read.

Justin Flynn
Top left: Paula Birch played her 400th senior game and is pictured with the 15 & Under team she coaches. (Mark Heenan Media) Above: Skipper Emily Moroney was named the Grubbers’ best. Above right: Arlee Bennett was great at goal attack for Ocean Grove. (Pictures: Justin Flynn) 414695
Nick Bourke takes a strong grab. (Justin Flynn)
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“Not just a lifestyle, a style of life.”

BOUTIQUE VILLAS STARTING FROM $6 80K

If location is a high priority when considering your next move, look no further. Armstrong Green is conveniently located across the road from the Warralily shopping precinct where you will find:

-Woolworths & Aldi

-Specialty shops and cafés

- Fast food outlets

- Bakery

-Bottleshop

- Pharmacy

- Medical Practices

-Allied Health

-Veterinary Practice

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