INSIDE THIS EDITION…
Baking for conservation
Surfside Primary School has wrapped up a series of bake-offs to help raise awareness for threatened species.
Students from the Ocean Grove school created cookies decorated with either an endangered or critically endangered species.
The event aligned with Australian Geographic’s Threatened Species Bake Off, with the school entering its best entries into the junior section of the national competition.
For some students it was the first time they had learned about extinction, which was confronting. It is the third year Surfside has participated in the event as part of its Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program.
Pictured is the winning team of Oscar, Rosie, Archer and Cedar sampling their cookies.
See page 6 for the full story and more pictures.
Local election shake-up
By Matt Hewson
Geelong council is set for a shake-up as the 2024 election approaches, with the ballot finalised this week.
Three of the 11 current councillors - Bruce Harwood, Jim Mason and Belinda Moloney - will not contest their seats on the council, while the restructuring of Greater Geelong wards will add a further twist.
The current structure has four wards, each represented by two or three councillors, while the new structure organises the region into 11 wards of one councillor each.
The reorganisation will see some wards contested entirely by new candidates and two current councillors fighting for one seat
in Corio.
Outgoing Bellarine Ward councillor Jim Mason joined the Greater Geelong council in 2017.
He said new councillors needed to bear in mindthatlocalgovernmenthad“manychecks and balances” and often it was “important to get something done rather than nothing”.
“Sometimes a relentless striving for the perfect will get us nowhere,” Cr Mason said.
“One has to ensure that the big beast of the council continues to be as effective as possible for all people, not just the majority but the various minority groups as well.
“(New councillors) should be well researched; there’s no point promising something you can’t deliver and disrupting
BROWSE OUR TEXTURED LOOP STYLE CARPET
council for the next year or two trying to deliver something that’s impossible.
“It’s a complex job. There will always have to be compromises and an understanding of the bigger issues.”
The new Connewarre Ward includes Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads and Breamlea. Geelong’s most recent councillor Elise Wilkinson has only one opponent in the ward in Angela Shearman.
Current Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan will look to keep his spot on council in the contest for Leopold Ward, which encapsulates that township as well as parts of Drysdale and Clifton Springs. Mayor Sullivan faces two new contenders in Shona McKeen and David Lynch.
MurradocWardcoversmostoftheBellarine Peninusula, including Portarlington, St Leonards, the western edge of Point Lonsdale and the eastern sections of Clifton Springs and Drysdale.
Murradoc is also guaranteed to produce a new councillor in either Rowan D Story or Kate Lockhart.
GeelongCouncilelectionsareheldviapostal voting. Voting opens Tuesday, September 17 and closes at 6pm on Saturday, October 26.
Visit vec.vic.gov.au/voting/2024-localcouncil-elections/greater-geelong-citycouncil/nominations for more information on candidates or visit geelongaustralia.com. au/elections for information on the election and the new wards structure.
Intersection works now complete
A busy intersection in Clifton Springs now has a roundabout and raised pedestrian crossings. Works at the intersection of Bay Shore Avenue and Jetty Road are complete and the speed limit of 50km/h is being enforced.
Theworkswerepartofthestategovernment’s Safe Local Roads and Streets Program which partners with councils across Victoria to tackle road safety head-on, especially on high-risk local roads.
The City of Greater Geelong identified Bay ShoreAvenueandJettyRoadinCliftonSprings as priority areas for upgrades.
Pedestriansandcyclistsarenowmorevisible at the intersection and are given priority to
cross, vehicles must travel at a safer speed of 50km/h.
“We’re continuing to invest in road upgrades across Bellarine, including upgrades at this busy intersection in Clifton Springs which will improve safety for our drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, as well as boat users who are entering the harbour,” Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant said.
“We’re proud to make Bay Shore Avenue and Jetty Road - a very busy area in Clifton Springs - much safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers,” mayor Trent Sullivan said.
“Iappreciatethecommunity’spatiencewhile we carried out these essential works during the
quietest tourist and boating periods.”
Local government authorities own and operate 87 percent of Victoria’s roads, and about 40 per cent of road trauma occurs on council-managed roads each year.
The Safe Local Roads and Streets Program will run until June 2027, working with every state local government to plan, design and deliversafetyimprovementsonthehighest-risk local roads, intersections, and precincts.
Cameras to capture farm progress
A Bellarine program that inspires students to help care for the environment and people around them will receive funding for new camera equipment.
Farm My School was named the winner of the 2024 Canon Oceania Grants Program’s education category and received a $5000 grant comprising $2500 in cash and $2500 in Canon products.
Co-founder and director James McLennan said the grant allowed the not-for-profit to expand its community engagement, climate resilience, and education.
“Having this extraordinary equipment from Canon means that we can get really good quality videography and photography,” he said
“There’salotthatwe’redoingasapartofour journey with Bellarine Secondary College and Farm My School in general that we probably haven’t captured to date as well as we could have.
“We’ve just ordered our camera, a couple of lenses, and some microphones. So, we’ll be abletogetsomereallygoodfootage,bothstills and video footage, of the farm and different events we do.”
Canon Oceania managing director Kotaro Fukushima said the program’s winners were positively impacting communities across the country.
“We’re committed to closing the technology divide, empowering more Australians to share their stories, connect with others, and build essential skills,” he said.
“By providing these organisations with the technology and resources they need, we aim to inspire greater progress and strengthen connections throughout the country.”
The Canon grant builds on Barwon Water’s funding,including$15000in2022and$25000 in 2023/24.
“The Farm My School program is a fantastic way for students to reconnect with the land and water that helps to grow their food,”
“By
Footpath network well underway
The CIty of Greater Geelong has completed some of Ocean Grove’s Principal Pedestrian Network (PPN).
The PPN will deliver more than 20km of new pathways and council teams have completed works at Shell Road, Aldebaran Road, the north side ofMarlinDriveandPresidentsAvenue in front of Ocean Grove Park.
The City is now finalising designs in preparation for construction to get underway shortly at Thacker Street (Blue Waters Drive to Field Street North), Draper Street (Eggleston Street to Tuckfield Street), Field Street South (133 The Parade) and The Avenue (Presidents Avenue to Tuckfield Street).
Executive Director City Infrastructure James Stirton said new footpaths were helping to make ‘old’ Ocean Grove and Collendina more inclusive and accessible.
“We thank residents for their patience during construction and for treating our crews with respect,” he said.
“It’s great to see the community out and about utilising the new paths, including parents pushing prams and people with mobility aids.”
The PPN met with opposition from some residents when they were asked to pay for 50 percent of the costs.
Council eventually settled on a 65/35 cost share model which reduced the affected cost by about $100 per ratepayer.
Mayor Trent Sullivan and Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant at the intersection of Bay Shore Avenue and Jetty Road. (Supplied)
Barwon Water education advisor Fernando Garcia said.
being involved in planting, tending to, and harvesting crops, students develop a
deeper connection to the food they eat and the environment it comes from.”
Jena Carr
Farm My School founder and director Ben Shaw. (Ivan Kemp) 432154_04
Whale carcass prompts warning
By Justin Flynn
A whale carcass remains at Thirteenth Beach, Barwon Heads after it washed ashore on September 12.
An increase in shark activity was reported at Thirteenth Beach with Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) saying a whale carcass can attractsharkstothearea,whichmeanstheyare closer to the shore than normal.
The warning has been issued for Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove.
A Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action spokesperson said expected high tides and large swell this weekend might movethecarcassandthatnodecisionhadbeen made on what do with it.
“A whale carcass remains on Thirteenth Beach, west of the Bluff near Barwon Heads,” the spokesperson said. “We appreciate that while these animals are magnificent to see, we remind everyone to keep their distance for safety reasons. While the beach is not closed, a shark warning message remains in place.
Swimmers and surfers should avoid the area.
“Wearecontinuingtoworkthroughdifferent managementoptions.Samplinghasbeentaken to determine the species of the whale.
“We’re also reminding everyone that whales are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975 –regardlessofwhethertheyarealiveordeceased.
“It is an offence to interfere with, take or be in possession of parts of a deceased whale.
Conservation Regulator Victoria is responding to reports of people interfering with the carcass.”
Students bring ‘buddies’ to school
It’sbeenalongtimesinceBellarineCommunity Health’s (BCH) Social Support clients have been to school, but they turned back the clock recently and became students again for a day.
As part of the BCH-run Intergenerational Program with St Leonards Primary School grade five and six students invited their ‘buddies’ to come and visit them, as part of the school’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
The collaboration began earlier this year and St Leonards student wellbeing lead Chris Layley said it’s been a huge success.
“There are real connections developing between the students and their buddies,” she said. “You can see the level of engagement and communication now between the older people
and the students, there’s not the reluctance that was initially there, now when you look around the room everyone is chatting.”
The BCH clients were thrilled to be taken on a tour of the school and then share stories with the students about their primary school days, while the students showed off some of their work to their buddies.
“Our clients just love it when they get to see their buddies and to be able to take them to the school to see their young friends in the classroom and learn about what they’re doing at school has been a great activity,”
BCH social support coordinator Karen Crockford said.
“Our clients have said they no longer feel
CLEANING
invisible because they feel like someone really cares about them.”
The feedback from the students has been just as positive.
St Leonards Primary School is one of two schools taking part in the Intergenerational Program and Ms Layley is thrilled the students have embraced it with such enthusiasm.
“There’s a sense of connection with their community which we promote and foster at our school and there’s also an understanding of what it’s like to be an older person,” she said.
“Even in our planning for the BCH clients to come here, the kids were aware of what we had to have in place for their buddies to be safe and comfortable at the school.”
Markers for coast reserve
Coast has installed 60 new emergency markers along the coastal reserve from Collendina to
The markers are part of the Triple Zero Victoria emergency marker system, designed to pinpoint exact locations during emergencies in open spaces.
Emergency markers are green signs with white text, displaying a unique six-character alphanumeric code. This code is linked to Triple Zero’s Computer AidedDispatch(CAD)system,providing vital information such as: precise location; GPS coordinates; road access routes; and other crucial navigational data.
When a person in distress quotes this code to a Triple Zero operator, it enables swiftandaccuratedispatchofemergency services to the exact location.
The installation of the emergency markers is being carried out in stages. Stage1,whichhasjustbeencompleted, includes 60 markers primarily located at beach access points while Stage 2 is currently being assessed and will focus on oceanfront locations.
Barwon Coast aims to complete Stage 2 by early next year.
Determining caller location is the most critical piece of information used by emergency (Triple Zero/000) call takers to dispatch emergency personnel and resources.
Barwon Coast said while the familiar yellow beach location signs (eg 36W) haveservedthecommunitywell,theyare not integrated with the Triple Zero CAD system. This limitation can lead to delays in emergency response times.
The new emergency markers address this issue, offering a standardised system that is immediately recognised and actioned by Triple Zero operators.
Marathon marks 13th year
Runners and relay teams from across the country will flock to Anglesea for The Surf Coast Century ultra trail marathon’s 13th year.
More than 1500 runners have signed up to embark on the marathon from Anglesea to Torquay on September 21 before returning to Anglesea on the Surf Coast Walk trail along Point Roadknight.
Event organiser Rapid Ascent’s general manager Sam Maffett said this year’s event saw the largest number of participants taking part in the 100km and 50km courses.
“The Century provides competitors with a welcoming atmosphere and friendly camaraderiethroughout,andweencourageour local community to be part of all this,” he said.
“It’s more than just a race; it’s an opportunity for individuals and relay teams to challenge themselves and share an unforgettable journey together in a beautiful part of Australia.”
The event features a figure-8 designed course and will host the 2024 Australian Ultra Runners Association Long Course Trail National Championships.
Josh Tighe said he was looking forward to running in the marathon following his win at theMargaretRiverUltraMarathoninWestern Australia earlier this year.
“I really like the challenge running brings you and seeing self-improvement through commitment and hard work,” he said.
“As an avid traveller, I love racing in new locations and I’m excited to run along the beautiful coastline of Victoria.
“I’m feeling very similar to the Margaret River Ultra, with a mixture of excitement and nervousnessastheultra-distanceisnewtome.” The Century will continue at the Anglesea SurfLifeSavingClubthedayaftertheracewith presentations and recovery activities.
Barwon
Breamlea.
The whale carcass is at Thirteenth Beach. (Justin Flynn)
Left: St Leonards Primary School student Samuel Case and BCH client Beverly Lake. Right: BCH client Dot Gates and student Bonnie Santilla. (Supplied)
Funding for boat ramp dredging
DredgingwilltakeplaceatCliftonSpringsboat ramp and harbour after the City of Greater Geelong was awarded a $135,000 grant from the state government.
The grant complements previous funding provided to CoGG to conduct a dredging plan and provide more car and trailer parking for boaters.
Clifton Springs was one of seven locations to share in the $700,000 funding, which is
available to ramp and waterway managers to do dredging work or plan for future work to make their ramps easy to access.
Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos this week announced $700,000 in Recreational Boating Access and Dredging grants through the Labor government’s Better Boating Fund. The fund is created by investing recreational boating licence and registration fees, which are paid by all
Health hub is on track
The first phase of Bellarine Community Health’s (BCH) new Health and Wellbeing Hub in Ocean Grove is nearing completion.
Construction on the $6 million stage one is due to be delivered by the end of October, with operation scheduled to begin in late January or early February next year.
The hub will provide a range of children’s health services to the region, including speech pathology,occupationaltherapy,physiotherapy and play therapy.
Federal member for Corangamite Libby Coker toured the facility on Monday (September 16), accompanied by BCH chief executive Kathy Russell.
MsRussellsaidprovidingalocalandfamiliar point of access to children’s health services, particularly assessment and early diagnosis, was critically important.
“Accessing services and wait lists with Barwon Health and navigating your way through that space can be quite daunting at times,” Ms Russell said.
“Weknowthereareparentsouttherethough whodon’thaveaccesstotransportandthishub
will provide an access point on the Bellarine.
“What this hub represents is a place to connect, where community-based support meets community needs. And that’s where, withthisveryspecialanduniquefacilityonthe Bellarine, we’re hoping that we can fill a lot of those gaps.”
While stage one focuses on children’s development, stage two will focus on youth services, largely around mental health and connection.
Stage one was funded by a $4 million Commonwealth Government contribution, as well as a $2 million land donation from Corless Family Trust and $150,000 from the Anthony Costa Foundation.
Ms Russell said BCH was hoping to secure state government funding for stage two in upcoming grant rounds.
Matt Hewson
Member for Corangamite Libby Coker and Bellarine Community Health CEO Kathy Russell outside Ocean Grove’s new Health and Wellbeing Hub. (Supplied)
Victorian boaters.
“These annual dredging grants are a great example of how we’re reinvesting recreational boaters’ licence and registration fees into projects that improve the experience for everyone, and make getting out on the water easier,” he said.
“Having good access to our waterways makes for a great start to any day on the water whether you’re fishing, just heading for
a cruise or towing a donut with family and friends.”
The grants will be delivered through the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s (VFA) Better Boating division – which is currently undergoing the state’s biggest ever boat ramp constructionprogram.Aspartofthisprogram, the VFA is working to ensure launching your boat and parking is free at all of Victoria’s public ramps.
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Surfside bakes for threatened species
Ocean Grove’s Surfside Primary School has crowned the winners for its annual Threatened Species Bake Off.
The two-week event, involving students from grades three to six, saw budding master chefs create cookies decorated with either an endangered or critically endangered species.
Surfside’s baking event is run in conjunction with Australian Geographic’s Threatened Species Bake Off, with the school entering its best entries into the junior section of the national competition.
ItisthethirdyearSurfsidehasparticipated intheeventaspartofitsStephanieAlexander Kitchen Garden program.
Grade five teacher and kitchen specialist Fleur Kilpatrick said the children loved the event every year.
“TheeventalignswithThreatenedSpecies Day, which is on the seventh of September and commemorates the extinction of the Tasmanian Tiger back in 1936,” Ms Kilpatricksaid.“Thedayisallaboutraising awareness of our flora and fauna that are becoming extinct, so it’s great to get the kids involved and have some good discussions.
“Before they come into the kitchen they research their endangered animal and then bring that information into their design, and then they create their species on their cookie.”
She said for many students it was the first time they had learned about extinction, which was confronting for some.
“We always have a value in each kitchen session, and it was compassion this time around,” Ms Kilpatrick said.
“They definitely developed an awareness and became very empathetic toward the species’ situations.
“But then, it’s really nice to talk about, on a school level and an individual level, what we can do to help and talk about the organisations that are out there helping.”
Harriet presents her team’s koala cookies for judging.
Archer shows his team’s finch cookies to the judges.
(Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 432005
Archie and Maya with their turtle cookies. Ray, Axel, Frankie and Ashton, and above, they taste their bat cookies.
Above: Cedar, Oscar, Rosie and Archer putting the final touches on their cookies.
Left: Sammi, Zara, Nedahli and Brax, and below, they display their cookies.
Greetings from Geelong Rainbow
By Geelong Rainbow
Geelong Rainbow is a not-for-profit organisation committed to creating awareness, facilitating support, and enabling connection for the LGBTQIAP+ community.
We strive to promote and showcase LGBTQIAP+SB voices by sharing current and relevant news.
Through a person-centric focus, we aim to address the needs of individuals and the voices of the wider community.
Furthermore, we want to encourage and nurture community alliances within and beyond Geelong.
Geelong Rainbow began as a social group for Geelong Region 18+ in 2017 and held our first festival in 2018.
Geelong Rainbow has evolved quickly and will continue to grow, progress and change in accordance with member and community needs.
Our mission is dedicated to facilitating and empowering the LGBTQIAP+SB community in the Geelong region by providing support services, allied connections and social events.
Our vision is to engage with and foster relationships and respond to those needs by providing access, support, and a friendly face to all the LGBTQIAP+SB community.
Our core principles include respecting and promoting diversity and inclusion to all who engage with our organisation by providing
support services and networks.
Fun fact: our umbrella logo design symbolises the uniting of all LGBTQIAP+SB community members with the intention of respect, connection, equal rights, compassion and social justice.
Geelong Rainbow has recently had an
annual general meeting, which included reports on the refurbishment of the structure, newly elected committee members, and community expectations of Geelong Rainbow.
We have had incredible feedback from the Geelong community and are developing an
action plan for 2024-2025.
Youdonotwanttomissoutonsocialevents! Geelong Rainbow will host a fortnightly community catch-up on the first and third Wednesday of each month).
The catch-ups will include coffee, tea, refreshments, and a chance to chat with us and meet like-minded people in a safe space.
We will also host our monthly social events, including a board games night, a Halloween party, and much more!
All social events and coffee catch-ups will be held at the Geelong West Neighbourhood House; everyone is welcome.
Geelong Rainbow membership fees are just $10 per financial year. This gives you unlimitedaccesstoallupcomingsocialevents, where you can meet the Geelong Rainbow committee and socialise with like-minded LGBTQIA+SB community members.
Otherwise, monthly social events are only $5 per person. Membership sign-ups will be available at each event, or you can contact us via email or on our Facebook and Instagram socials.
SAVE THE DATE for our Pride March and Festival, February 15th, 2025, with more information to come.
Geelong Rainbow can be contacted at hello@geelongrainbow.org.au. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more information.
A friendly reminder that Geelong Rainbow has a ZERO tolerance policy when it comes to bullying, abuse of any kind, hate speech, and SWERFs/TERFs.
We look forward to getting to know you and creating a vibrant and safe environment for our LGBTQIAP+SB community to thrive and live authentically in Geelong.
With pride and care, Geelong Rainbow
Geelong Rainbow Group’s Dean Cardigan, Ben Nunn, Audrey Stringer and Mag Gratwick (back), Rosie Moroney and Stacey Cadman (front). (Ivan Kemp) 431934_02
Adjusting to life with dementia
Highton’s Joyce Coppi was diagnosed with dementia in 2013. She and her husband Joe spoke with Jena Carr about life before and after the diagnosis during Dementia Action Week.
Highton’s Joe, 78, and Joyce Coppi, 71, refuse to let a dementia diagnosis get in the way of being loving grandparents and active travellers.
Joe arrived in Australia on December 18, 1949, with his family when he was three years old before meeting the woman he was destined to grow old with in his twenties.
“My family spent a couple of years in refugee camps as displaced people. I was born in 1946 in the northern part of Italy, which then was Yugoslavia and now it’s Croatia,” he said.
“We went to various camps for a while until Dad worked out where to go. He wanted to go to Argentina in South America, but then there was a mix-up, and he decided on Australia.
“(Years later) I was working for a national cashregisterinMelbourne,andoneoftheguys at work had a couple of friends who were going to have a beer down at the Whitehorse Inn in Hawthorn.
“I met Joyce there and rang her up roughly a week or so later. We went out, and then in 1975 we got married and went overseas, for a long-extended honeymoon of three years.”
Joe and Joyce were drawn to each other through their shared interests in sports and travel; a passion passed down to their three girls.
“Iwasprettyinvolvedinsports.Iwasarower, I rowed for years, and Joyce was a swimmer, and we had that communal understanding of sports and things,” he said.
“Weorderedavan,drovearoundEurope,and worked in England. Joyce was a chambermaid, and I was a dishwasher and a garbo, as in those times, that’s what you did.
“When our first daughter was due, we decided to come back home to Australia in 1978.”
While the couple were overseas for the 100th edition of the Tour de France in 2013, Joe noticed that there seemed to be a delay for Joyce in what was going on.
“We were at the time looking to downsize. We used to live at Ringwood East, and as soon as we got back, I went to see our GP and he said just bring Joyce in,” he said.
“HegaveherthefulltestsandwenttoEastern Health, then referred them to a neurologist in Flemington with the diagnosis.
“Joyce accepted that she got diagnosed with dementia, and I asked her if she still wanted to move, and she said yes, so it was her decision.
“When she got diagnosed and we moved down here (Geelong), she accepted it and said, ‘I’mnotdrivinganymore’.It’snotanoldperson issue, it’s going down to younger people.”
The couple now live in Highton with Joyce’s assistance dog Venus, who she describes as “a very good dog” who loves to shower people with licks when she’s not on duty.
“She’s been very helpful with Joyce through
her affection. In the beginning, they used to go shopping together, and all the workers knew Joyce,” Joe said.
“There’s a lot more awareness than when we first started. One of the big things when we ended up getting Venus was the awareness of thedogandtherelationshipthatananimalhas with people.
“Joyce doesn’t go around saying I’ve got dementia, but having Venus there creates the awareness for people that Joyce may need a bit of help and then they talk to her and talk to the dog.”
Dementia Action Week takes place from September 16 to 22 to raise awareness for people living with dementia.
It is estimated that close to 5200 people live with different types of dementia in Greater Geelong during 2024, with numbers expected to increase to 10,221 by 2054, according to Dementia Australia.
“One, two, three, four, five, five, six,” Joyce mutters while cutting carrots for a roast, cooking being another activity she and Joe enjoy doing together.
Joe said it was important for anyone living with dementia to continue participating in theirinterestsandtokeepactiveaslongasthey can.
“In the beginning I said that it’s not going to affect us, we’re just going to do the best we can. Since then, we’ve been overseas again,” he said.
“We also got a caravan, which was just sold, but we did the Flinders Range, Byron Bay, and we’ve made trips to Port Macdonnell and all the shore places.
“Wejustkeptongoinguntilthelastyearand a half. Joyce’s balance is gone, so I thought the caravan was a bit too much and got rid of it.
“But we’ve been booking cabins now, and we’re off to the Grampians in two weeks’ time. So, if you stop, it’s going to get worse.
“Wekeptthatactivityupasmuchaspossible, and that goes for anybody. What I suggest is that you don’t stop. You try and do the best you can for as long as you can.
“Whoever the carer is, like me, the key thing is that you got to look after yourself because if you can’t look after yourself, you can’t look after them and that’s really key.”
‘‘ What I suggest is that you don’t stop. You try and do the best you can for as long as you can ’’
- Joe Coppi
Dementia Australia released a new research report, ‘People in the community are the challenge and the solution: Towards a dementia-friendly future’, on September 16. The report found that 76 per cent of people felt that their family member or friend living with dementia was treated by others as though they weren’t smart.
Dementia Australia chief executive Professor Tanya Buchanan said stigma and discrimination associated with a dementia diagnosis could discourage people from seeking health care.
“Itisprofoundlyconcerningthatmorepeople now think dementia is a normal part of ageing than they did a decade ago. Dementia is not a normal part of ageing,” she said. “Dementia Australia is calling for urgent and sustained action by communities and governments at all levelstoincreaseawarenessandunderstanding of dementia, and to become the solution.”
If this story has prompted any questions or concerns, call the 24/7 National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 or visit dementia.org.au
Joe and Joyce Coppi with assistance dog Venus in their back garden. Inset: Joyce assists with preparing dinner.
(Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 432453
Brenna juggles a weighty career
GeelongparamedicBrennaKeanhasonlybeen in the weightlifting caper for three years, but already boasts a 5th place at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Brenna, who hails from Ocean Grove, narrowly missed out on a spot at the Paris Olympics and will back competing in the Commonwealth Championships in Fiji (September 17-21) and World Championships in Bahrain (December 4-15).
Juggling her work as a first responder and a weightlifter requires effort, but Brenna said a relocation back to Geelong made things easier.
She became a paramedic at Ambulance Victoria (AV) in 2017, after joining the organisation as an Ambulance Community Officer (ACO) while completing her studies in 2016.
ACOs are first responders trained to provide advanced first aid and employed by AV on a casualbasistoworkon-callinruralandremote communities where the ambulance caseload is low.
“I worked as an ACO in Anglesea for about six months before I graduated, then I landed a position as a Graduate Ambulance Paramedic in Lara,” she said.
“I then worked in the metropolitan region for a few years before I went back to Geelong where I’m based now.”
Brenna said the move back to her home region of Barwon South-West made a big impact on her ability to find balance between her sport and work as a paramedic.
“When I first started competing in CrossFit and weightlifting, I was working in metro and it was busy so I was training after work, before night shifts, after night shifts,” she said.
“I was not prioritising my sleep and it was pretty tough, but it was what I wanted to do to become competitive. Getting my position in Geelong really helped with work-life
balance because I didn’t have to commute up to Melbourne anymore and the workload is different down this way.
“Going into the Commonwealth Games in 2022, I required some roster flexibility which helped me prioritise my training hours and
work my roster around that.
“I’ve carried on with that through the Olympic quad and AV have been really helpful withorganisingitandallowingmetoprioritise my competitions while I’m young enough and able to.”
NEW EMERGENCY MARKERS ENHANCE SAFETY ALONG BARWON COAST
Barwon Coast has installed 60 new green emergency markers along the coastal reserve from Collendina to Breamlea as part of the Triple Zero Victoria system. These markers, featuring a unique alphanumeric code, provide exact location details to emergency services, improving response times compared to previous signs. Beach users should note the new markers and quote their code when calling 000. Installation will continue with Stage 2 focusing on oceanfront areas. This initiative, supported by Barwon Coast, Triple Zero Victoria, and local services, aims to enhance safety for the community and visitors. For more details, visit emergencymarkers.com.au/emergency-markersmap.
The Barwon Heads Main Jetty tide gauge provides near real-time water level measurements, updating every five minutes in both graphical and numerical formats. This precise instrument is essential for various users, including boaters, marine search and rescue teams, emergency services, paddlers, sailors, swimmers, and local community groups. It supports informed decisionmaking regarding water activities and coastal safety. For the latest tide levels use the QR code below. Whether you’re planning a beach day or navigating local waters, the tide gauge is here to help.
Brennasaidit’sstillajugglingactthatrequires alotoforganisationandforward-planning,but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Most people will think I’m crazy for doing it all but it’s what it takes to be a self-funded athlete,” she said.
“I’vealwayslovedsport,I’mpassionateabout fitness and feeling good and pushing myself.
“But I think elite sport gives you that extra drive to always want to do your best and be the best that you can be. The jump from everyday fitness to elite is the hours that’s put in and the dedication, and I love that side of it.”
Brenna has only been in competitive weightlifting since 2021 and said it has provided benefits to her work as a paramedic, and vice-versa.
“Intermsofbeingabletomanagestress,sport has been an outlet for me but it has allowed me to better deal with stressful situations on the job as well,” she said. “It’s a hard job and it’s a hard sport that I’m doing so I think both have taught me a lot of dedication. And overall, it’s health and wellness – I work in healthcare and I’m doing a sport that’s going to help me long-term to look after my body.”
Brenna is looking forward to competing again.
“My last international competition was the final Olympic qualifier in Thailand in April, where I just missed out on a spot for Paris,” she said. “It was a pretty slim shot – we had very limited spots and we’re not just competing against Australia for weightlifting, we’re competing for a continental spot.”
Brenna scored her highest achievement to date – fifth place in the 59kg event at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
“That was actually my second ever international competition,” she said.
“MyfirstonewastheCommonwealthGames trials at the start of 2022 in Singapore.”
PLANNING AN EVENT ON OUR BEAUTIFUL COAST?
As the weather warms up, we’re pleased to welcome requests for weddings, festivals, and other events on our beautiful beaches and foreshores.
Please note that an Event Permit is required for any gatherings on Crown land managed by Barwon Coast, including commercial filming and photography. We also issue Commercial Tour Operator Licences and manage Crown land leases to protect our natural and cultural values, ensuring everyone can enjoy our stunning coastal reserves. To secure your spot for an upcoming event, visit us at www.barwoncoast.com.au/foreshore-permits/
JOIN OUR TEAM AS A CASUAL CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER
We are seeking a Customer Service Officer to support operations across our three popular caravan parks. This casual role involves managing reservations, handling guest checkins and providing excellent customer service. Key tasks include processing bookings, promoting park facilities, cash handling and maintaining compliance with legal requirements. Experience with accommodation booking systems and a strong customer service background in tourism/ hospitality are essential. Applications close on 4th October 2024. For enquiries, contact: office@barwoncoast.com.au.
Brenna Kean with her dog Hank (above), and with former peer support dog Bruce (left). (Pictures: Supplied)
It’s council election time
By acting CEO Troy Edwards
Voting is more than just a civic responsibility –itisapowerfulwaytoshapethefutureofwhere you live.
And the 2024 City of Greater Geelong elections present an interesting opportunity for Ocean Grove residents, following a recent ward restructure.
Rather than four wards with 11 councillors, our next 11 councillors will each represent a single ward covering an area of Greater Geelong.
Instead of the Bellarine ward, we will have threenewwardsacrosstheBellarinePeninsula: Connewarre, Murradoc and Leopold.
The new Connewarre ward, named after one of the localities it covers, also includes the towns of Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove.
This means the next councillor you elect will represent Barwon Heads, Connewarre and Ocean Grove as your voice on council.
They will vote on the council projects, policies and services that impact daily life for everyone in your community.
The City of Greater Geelong is set to deliver almost $400 million of services in the 2024-25 financial year. This includes maintaining essential infrastructure such as local roads, footpaths and public spaces like parks, gardens and sports facilities.
The City of Greater Geelong also collects and processes rubbish and recycling, and manages pools, recreation facilities, childcare centres, youthandcommunityhubsandotherfacilities.
Council plays an important role in how we prioritisethisspending,helpingtoensurethese services meet the community’s needs.
This is why it is important that you vote for the candidate you believe will best represent you.
Nominations for council closed on Tuesday, meaning the City of Greater Geelong has entered the election period – commonly referred to as ‘caretaker period’.
And this is why I am speaking to you now instead of a councillor.
During the caretaker period, the City of Greater Geelong cannot publish any material featuring our councillors, including media releases and statements or councillor columns – like this one.
Many of our current councillors are running for office again, and featuring them in City-issued columns could give them an unfair advantage over other candidates.
Instead, the chief executive officer – or acting CEO in my case – must act as chief spokesperson for council until the caretaker period ends.
The caretaker period also means hitting pause on any major council decisions, until we have the next group of councillors sworn in.
This makes sure that your representatives, councillors, vote on our budget, major infrastructure projects and other important decisions on behalf of you, the community. Which again, brings me back to the importance of voting, which will take place exclusively via postal ballot this election.
The Victorian Election Commission will mail ballot packs to all enrolled voters beginning 7 October and voting closes on 25 October.
Sopleasemakeyourvoiceheardthiselection and have your say on how your city is run. For more information visit: vec.vic.gov.au/ voting/2024-local-council-elections/greatergeelong-city-council
Looking for somewhere to host a work break up? Or a Christmas function with friends and family?
We cater to all functions and still have availability over the final months of 2024 so it’s not too late to get your function organised!
We have a special christmas
City of Greater Geelong acting CEO Troy Edwards. (Supplied)
Partnership to help save water
Barwon Water has announced another big watersavingpartnership,thistimewithcoastal land manager Barwon Coast.
Using digital leak detection technology and developing a plan to promote water-saving behaviours, Barwon Coast has already reduced its usage significantly.
Thanks to recently installed data loggers, Barwon Water identified and averted a potential 660 litre/hour leak at Barwon Heads Caravan Park, which could have wasted 110 kilolitres of water in just one week.
The partnership is one example of Barwon Water’s larger program offering organisations, businesses and residents the chance to reduce both water usage and waste.
Barwon Water managing director Shaun Cumming said he was excited to see his organisation’s efforts to save water across its network reap results like that of the Barwon Coast partnership.
“Using smarter water management, be it through behaviours, like shorter showers or through digital technology with the data loggers, can make community water-savings go even further into the future,” Mr Cumming said.“Dataloggertechnologyisshowingwhat’s possible when this technology is coupled with swift leak repair and water efficiency improvements.
“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 Coast chief executive Gareth Smith said the data from the loggers had been valuable, “allowing us to drive down water loss significantly”.
Barwon Water’s Sustainable Water team leader Jacinta Burke and Barwon Coast’s general manager of operations Paul Gangell. (Supplied)
“The continued collaboration with Barwon Water will enable us to install additional loggers and gain a comprehensive view of our usage patterns across all sites, helping us to optimise our water management practices.
“Another great aspect of the partnership has been the installation of the drinking water fountains, which we know visitors to our foreshore areas love using.”
Visit barwonwater.vic.gov.au/water-andwaste/saving-water to find out how your organisation or home can reduce water bills.
Group effort pays off
Adecadeago,BellarinewritersJacquiConnor, Jenny Macaulay and Pearl Wilson met over lunch to discuss the possibility of writing a book together to have some fun and extend their writing practice.
Last month the trio launched their crime novella Argyle: One Island, Four Voices, at the Midwinter Words writers festival in Portarlington.
The tenth anniversary of the festival, this year’s Midwinter Words was themed around crime writing, and event co-founder Ms Wilson saw the obvious opportunity.
“For the three of us the launch was a great relief,” Ms Wilson said. “It’s something that we’re proud we achieved together, I suppose, because it was such a long trip.”
The novella centres on a fictional lighthouse off the Victorian coastline, spanning over a century as it follows the stories of lighthouse keepers, their families and
visitors to the island.
The three painstakingly researched their chosen historical eras - Ms Connor the 1880s, Ms Wilson the Great Depression and Ms Macaulay the 1950s - tying the different eras together in the present day.
Ms Wilson, who has previously published sixotherbooks,saidlivingthroughlockdowns had helped them better understand what their characters would experience living in a lighthouse on an offshore island.
“There was isolation for all the characters, and I think the experience of the pandemic allowed us to understand that better and tweak the writing,” she said.
The three writers will discuss their collaborative experience at Boronggook Drysdale Library on Wednesday, November 20 and Thursday, November 28 at Marli’s Bar in Portarlington.
Matt Hewson
Pearl Wilson, Jenny Macaulay and Jacqui Connor have collaborated to write a crime novella centred on a fictional lighthouse. (Supplied)
ENTERTAINMENT
A journey into fairytale
By Matt Hewson
This October Geelong Lyric Theatre Society brings Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s fantastic musical Into the Woods to Geelong Arts Centre (GAC).
Weaving together several Brothers Grimm fairy tales, the acclaimed and award-winning musical explores the consequences of wish fulfilment, family relationships and the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions.
Directed by Paul Watson, the cast features Australian theatre royalty James Lee as the Narrator and Chelsea Gibb as the Witch with Andrew Lorenzo, Emma Langridge, Daisy Valerio, Molly England and Liam Erck also in starring roles.
Erck, who plays Jack (of beanstalk fame), saidtheproductionwasin“areallygoodspot” two weeks out from opening night, in part because of the experience of Lee and Gibb.
“It’s really helpful for hopeful actors like us who really want to break into the industry to watch how (Gibb and Lee) go through their process,” Erck said.
“It’s cool to see these two pros get up there and give really big offers…they’re not afraid to try something new or have a big swing. And sometimes it’s a miss but it’s usually a hit; they’re really good at what they do.
“It makes you feel comfortable to try anything you want to as well. It’s really welcoming, they definitely make the vibe adventurous, and they’re very, very funny.”
Gibb said working with Geelong Lyric on theshowwasa“joyous”and“trulywonderful” experience.
“I saw (Geelong Lyric’s) Wizard of Oz, and I was like, oh my goodness, these people are phenomenal,” she said.
“I don’t think anyone is going to come along to this and think it’s anything less than a professional show; the sets, the costumes, the hair, the music, and the direction by Paul, whose an amazing actor and director.
“It’s a privilege to come on in that mentor type role… I think that’s what you want to do as you get older as an actor and you’ve had a great career. You want to give back.”
Lee,whogrewupinGeelongandhadhisfirst theatre experiences here with Geelong Society of Operatic and Dramatic Arts, said he had
always wanted to give back to the community that started his love of performing.
“I’mabsolutelylovingit;Lyricisawonderful company,”hesaid.“It’sjustlovelytocomeback and see there’s so much passion (for theatre). And it’s gorgeous to work with Chelsea - we’ve known each other for almost my entire career, but we never worked together.”
Geelong Lyric’s Into the Woods is at GAC from October 4 to 13. Visit geelongartscentre. org.au/whats-on for tickets and more information.
Music at the Basilica’s Windfire Music Festivalkicksoffnextmonth,showcasing the best classical music from Geelong and Melbourne.
The festival, now in its 15th year, will be held from October 4 to 13, with performances at the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels and six other concert venues around the city.
Acclaimed Geelong pianists Sonoka MiyakeandReginaThomaewillperform a series of piano duets, including original compositions and Stravinsky’s own arrangement of The Rite of Spring for four hands at St Joseph’s College Performing Arts Centre.
Renowned Geelong composer Michael Hannan’s Inspired By Nature will be brought to life by local musicians Nick Hewett (trumpet), Peter Neville (percussion), Vicki Hallett (clarinet) and Brighid Mantelli (flute) at All Saints’ Anglican Church in Newtown.
The festival will also include performances by Geelong ensembles the Sonus Quintet and Geelong String Quartet, as well as the Melbourne Conservatorium’s Glory of Brass and the Savoy Opera Company.
The festival wraps up with Sing Joyfully, which will bring together North Children’s Choir, Voices of Geelong, Geelong Youth Choir and Christian College Combined Middle School Choirs.
Visit musicatthebasilica.org.au/ music-festival for full program details.
Geelong Lyric presents Into the Woods this October. (Supplied)
MY BELLARINE
Marie Walker provides sustainable, ethical and holistic garden management across the Bellarine Peninsula and Greater Geelong as the owner of Darling Pea Garden Care. She speaks with Jena Carr about what she loves most about living in Barwon Heads.
What is your connection to Barwon Heads? I was born in Sydney, and in my early 20s, I moved to Melbourne – putting my voice to the age-old question of whether Melbourne is a better place to live.
I fell in love with a beautiful man in Melbourne and after a few years, we decided to start a family and wanted to buy a house. There was no way we could have afforded to live in Melbourne, so we widened our search to include Geelong. We found ourselves in Geelong West before coming to Barwon Heads with our first daughter.
What do you like about where you live? It’s hard not to feel the peaceful energy and joy when you can see the stars and hear the waves from your driveway.
I love the location, as being between the river and the ocean creates a special kind of magic, but it’s the community that I like most about living in Barwon Heads.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
I’dlikeitiftherewasabitmoreownershipover dog poo. It’s not super fun to pick up, but when you get a dog, it is inevitable that they will poo. Just pick it up and put it in the bin, but not the green bin, as you can’t put dog poo in the green bin.
Where is your favourite place to spend time? Ilikemybackyardoasis,andIloveboostingmy kids up the trees to get to the figs and apricots I can’t reach, but walking along the water and searching for treasure is my favourite.
The innocence and joy of being fully immersed in simple screen-free exploration
just down the road from your house is bloody magical.
What is something people may not know about you?
I’ve lived many lives in my short life. I had
Ocean Grove Community Association, Barwon Heads Association and Breamlea Association present:
for Connewarre Ward - LGA Election City of Greater Geelong Council 7pm Wednesday 25th September 2024 at the Ocean Grove Bowling Club 18 The Terrace – Ocean Grove Come along and
different sides of the desk.
Horticultural therapy is something that I’m hugely passionate about, and there are great benefits to getting some dirt under your nails when your brain is feeling mediocre.
What do you like most about your role with Darling Pea Garden Care?
I have created this business with the guidelines of my morals and values in life, community, and the world while using a circular economy model.
I have been honoured to bring life to some beautiful gardens in Barwon Heads and the surrounding area with more soft landscaping and garden design.
The garden has always been a place of calm refuge for me and is a setting that quiets my busymind.Itgivesmybodyaproperamountof functional movement that keeps me connected to myself.
I also really like the look my kids give me when the bathtub, or the ‘Plant Hospital’ as I like to call it, is full of plants on a hot day. It’s important to me that my girls don’t see any task as inherently male or female but just as a human task.
problems with substance abuse early in life, but have been sober for many years now.
I am a nurse specialising in mental health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD). I do like to joke that I have been specialising in AOD and mental health for most of my life, just on
Is there anything else you would like to add? Darling Pea (Swainsona), sometimes called Poison Pea, is a native weed in Northwest New South Wales. It’s highly addictive and exceedingly toxic to livestock. Livestock will start eating it and become uncontrollably addicted to eating it. They become very unwell quickly and look seriously drug-affected, ending in their death soon after. Darling Pea Garden Care was named as a nod to the complexities of life and addiction.
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.
Barwon Heads’ Marie Walker. (Ivan Kemp) 432208_01
Torrid time for fledgling chicks
There have been a few wild and windy days over the past few weeks, and I’ve been worried about fledgling birds falling out of nests, although I haven’t seen any evidence that this has happened in the local area.
We certainly could do with some decent spring rain over the next few weeks.
I received a message from Pete and Chris, who have been holidaying at Lamington National Park, which is in southern Queensland. They reported that they were thoroughly enjoying the walking trails and birding, and they sent me some photos of a Regent bowerbird, Albert’s lyrebird, Australian logrunner and a paradise riflebird.
I have been to Lamington National Park and saw all those iconic birds except for the riflebird, which I would have loved to have seen.
I must say that the emails that I have received from Queensland over the past few weeks have made me green with envy and I have felt like telling my boss that I need a few weeks of birdwatchers leave.
I was at Book Grove bookshop during the week and owner Stacey informed me that she had a tawny frogmouth in her garden. The tawny frogmouths that I have been watching for many years have been absent from their usual perching spots and are also not in the tree where they usually construct their nest, so hopefully they have found a better nesting tree option.
I visited Robyn to check if the peacocks that live on her property have been nesting. Robyn informed me that the male had an unfortunate episode where it failed to get out of the way when Robyn was reversing on her quad bike and ended up with the tail feathers stuck under one of the wheels. Fortunately, the beautiful bird has recovered from this incident quite well, but I think Robyn is still shaken up.
On Robyn’s property I saw two Latham’s snipe in the wetland, as well as 28 other
species of birds.
On the same day I was driving along the Bellarine Highway and near Suma Park homestead there were more than 50 yellow-tailed black cockatoos eating grass seeds in a paddock right next to the road.
There have been many reports of masked lapwing chicks around the Bellarine. There are three hatchlings at the end of my street that are now around two weeks of age, and they seem to be thriving.
The masked lapwing parents have been
nesting in the same habitat for several years now and are very experienced parents, and they are experts at swooping at anything that they may consider a threat to their chicks. I received a message from Carole, who lives in St Leonards. This time of year, there are usually a small flock of migratory shorebirds known as ruddy turnstones on the beach at St Leonards.
She has not seen any yet, so hopefully they are not too far away from settling in St Leonards for the summer months.
Jen’s masked lapwing chick (left), and Pete’s Albert’s lyrebird (top centre), logrunner (centre) and paradise riflebird (right), at Lamington National Park.
Raising awareness for myeloma
Former Epworth Geelong theatre nurse Kellie Devlin was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, seven years ago. She speaks with Jena Carr about the importance of raising awareness for blood cancer during Blood Cancer Month this September.
Acancer diagnosis can come as a surprise to many people, a reality that former theatre nurse Kellie Devlin, 57, knows too well.
The Lara wife and mum worked as a nurse at the Epworth Geelong Hospital for 23 years, a job she felt drawn to from a young age.
Kellie often worked long hours and had to wear a lead skirt, vest and collar as part of her role in the pain theatre, where procedures were done for people with chronic pain and spinal implants.
“It’s really long hours that you work and the lead’s heavy, so my back was always sore and sometimes my legs were sore, but I didn’t think anything of it,” she said.
“It was November 2017. My husband is a truck driver, and he’d left for work. I was standing at the bench (in the kitchen) watching the morning news at about 5am and having a coffee.
‘‘ Myeloma flew under the radar. Everyone’s heard of leukaemia, but a lot of people, including me as a nurse, haven’t heard
of myeloma ’’ - Kellie Devlin
“I must have shifted my weight, and what I didn’t know was that my leg was about to break due to a tumour that was there. I shifted my weight, and just the most excruciating pain hit.
“I dropped my coffee and then lost the feeling in my leg. I thought, ‘oh my God, I’m having a stroke’. I fell and hit the floor screaming for my daughter, who was only 9, to wake up.”
When Kellie got to the hospital, doctors believed she had sciatica (pain that travels along a nerve in the leg) or something wrong with her back.
It wasn’t until she had an x-ray at Geelong’s Grace McKellar Centre that Kellie learned the truth about what was happening.
“Turns out I had a massive tumour in my leg. A whole lot of blood tests and everything later, doctors said that I’ve got multiple myeloma,” she said.
“I said, ‘Well, what’s that?’ and they said that it’s a blood cancer. I said, ‘Well, am I going to die?’ and my GP said, ‘I don’t know’.
“The following year (2018), I had a stem cell transplant where they give you lead-up chemotherapy and then a massive hit of chemo to kill off your bone marrow.”
Myeloma is a blood cancer that forms in the body’s plasma cells and attacks the bones.
According to the Leukaemia Foundation, there is currently no cure for the disease.
Close to 18 months after the initial stem cell transplantandafterreturningtowork,Kellie’s cancer returned. She then had to go through another stem cell transplant procedure in 2019.
“I was really sick and spent Christmas in hospital, which was a new low point with my daughter sitting on the bed opening her presents in tears,” she said.
“In 2020, I spent a lot of time sick and found out that I had relapsed again. I was fortunate enough to be offered a clinical trial at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne...and I started that in November 2021.
“It was during COVID, so my family couldn’t come in. When I was admitted, I had three broken ribs, a broken collarbone and a broken jaw.
“I couldn’t shut my mouth, and they were going to put pins in my top and bottom teeth to try and move my jaw back together, and that’s apart from all the other broken bones I’ve had.
“Last year, I also spent a lot of October, November, and December in hospital with infections and then pneumonia.
“During that time, one of my close friends was also in hospital and passed away with the same thing, so that was very confronting and
took me a bit of time to get my head around.”
Within a month of undertaking the trial in Melbourne, Kellie’s cancer symptoms had reduced, and she said she was glad to have the chance to participate in the trial.
“I just thank God for clinical trials. At that stage (before the trial) I thought I’m in real trouble as they’d kind of run out of other options,” she said. “My haematologist, Hang Quach, is a professor of haematology and lectures all over the world. She’s an expert on myeloma and just an angel.
“Although it’s a crappy diagnosis, I’m very fortunate to have beautiful people around me and an amazing doctor. Who better than to have the queen of myeloma caring for me.”
Kellie said that, after dealing with her cancer diagnosis, relapses, and treatments, the most challenging time for her was telling her daughter Daisy that she had cancer.
“The worst day in a parent’s life is talking to their child about death. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy,” she said.
“My husband and I sat her down (when she was 9) and had a conversation with her and said, ‘What does cancer mean to you?’ and she said, ‘I’ve heard that word, as long as it doesn’t mean you’re going to die’.
“I said, ‘Well, you know Mum is a nurse, and I’ve looked after people with different cancers’, and she just looked at me crying and
saying, ‘You’ve got cancer, haven’t you?’.
“What do you do at that stage? You just want to say no. But I thought that if I lie to her, she’s never going to trust me again. So, that was pretty awful.”
September is Blood Cancer Month, and Kellie said it was important to raise awareness of the different types of blood cancers, such as myeloma.
“Myeloma flew under the radar. Everyone’s heard of leukaemia, but a lot of people, including me as a nurse, haven’t heard of myeloma,” she said.
“We’re a small family of three. My parents have both passed away. Daisy’s an only child, and I want to see my baby grow up. She’s actually 16 in two weeks, so that’s a bit of a milestone.
“When you think about dying; we’re all going to die, and I suppose that’s what I’ve had to come to terms with. You have to go with that and live as well as you can.
“It’salwaysthere,butjusttrynottofocuson it. Because if that’s all I focused on, I wouldn’t enjoy my life. I have to try and look for some positives.
“I want to live, and I want to see my daughter get married. I want to grow old with my husband. So, people being aware and companies helping will hopefully help us achieve that.”
Left: Lara’s Kellie Devlin was diagnosed with multiple myeloma after collapsing to the floor in her kitchen seven years ago. (Ivan Kemp) 430124_08
Above: Kellie Devlin, right, with daughter Daisy in a hotel room near where Kellie had been receiving treatment for myeloma. (Supplied)
Access Your Supports (AYS) is a trusted and leading National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) registered provider in Geelong and the Surf Coast and has been operating since 2016.
AYS offers various services to participants under the NDIS, including: support coordination; employment support; peer mentoring; and plan management; and therapies (such as occupational therapy, behaviour support, early child intervention, psychology).
The NDIS rollout in 2013 proved to be the start of significant social reform throughout the nation, aiming to enhance quality of life, independence and participation for those living with disabilities in the community.
The Employment Support Program at AYS has been thriving, especially with another group of students set to finish school in the coming months.
Most participants in the program are those eligibleforSchoolLeaverEmploymentSupports (SLES), a service designed to assist with the transition from school to the workforce.
Thissupportisavailableduringthefinalyear of school and continues after graduation.
The team assists individuals with disabilities in finding and maintaining meaningful employment, providing job coaching and skill development.
The team values social connections and rapport building with participants, their families, and care teams.
They also go above and beyond to ensure employment-related goals are achieved.
This service is offered in a one-on-one context which allows their clients to have a more tailored and personalised approach that fits their individual needs.
DISABILITY SERVICES
AYS strives to find opportunities throughout the community for their clients. (Supplied)
One of AYS’ goals is to help those with disabilities find suitable and meaningful ongoing employment.
Employment is a valuable and important aspect of life for everyone, including those of us with disabilities, as it allows us to gain independence, drives us with purpose and a senseofaccomplishment,andhelpsustocreate new social networks and bonds.
This is why AYS strives to find opportunities throughout the community for their clients to obtain work that fits their needs and abilities allowing them to enjoy the benefits most of us take for granted through having ongoing employment.
AYS offers a comprehensive range of services that
DISABILITY SERVICES
Anna’s passion is helping those who are neurodiverse
When you engage with Anna Treloar-Tanner, her unwavering passion for her work as an Endorsed Mental Health Occupational Therapist is palpable.
In 2015, Anna founded Barwon Occupational Therapy to address a crucial gap in the availability of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funded therapeutic services for adults facing chronic psychosocial conditions. Anna’s allied health clinic is based in Grovedale, where she has created an inviting space for people of all ages and backgrounds to feel comfortable working on their goals.
The comprehensive practice offers occupational therapy, positive behaviour support, therapy assistant services, and dietetic support for children, youth, adults, and the elderly across Greater Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast Shire, Colac Otway, and Golden Plains Shire regions. With 14 years of experience as a mental health occupational therapist, Anna’s enthusiasm is infectious.
“I aspired to be a psychiatric nurse, but the pathway required me to become a general nurse, and I wasn’t comfortable with blood or needles,” Anna reflects.
“The last mental health nursing university course closed in the early 2000s, and I realised I didn’t want to spend all day discussing issues in a room as a psychologist. I’m driven by a desire to help individuals engage in the activities they want, need, and must do.“
Anna’s journey began when she visited a family friend at the Swanston Centre’s Acute Psychiatric Admissions Unit.
“A family friend in his 20s was living with bipolar disorder,” she shares. “Visiting him, I witnessed firsthand the profound effects of his condition on his relationships and
friendships, which made me aware of the invaluable role of occupational therapy. It’s not just about managing symptoms; it’s about equipping individuals with the tools they need to reintegrate into their daily lives. It’s a continuous journey, requiring strategies that can be swiftly implemented when necessary.”
Many of Anna’s clients are neurodiverse. Her passion for working with this population stems from many successful therapeutic relationships where mental health occupational therapy has assisted her clients in building understanding and strategies that make sense to them and fit into their unique lives and goals. Anna’s understanding of working with neurodiverse individuals has been further enhanced through her own lived experience.
Occupational therapists specialising in mental health support individuals in identifying and engaging in meaningful everyday activities. Anna particularly enjoys working with teenagers, veterans, and first responders. Additionally, she utilises her training in sensory modulation to show how adjusting the sensory environment can enhance mental health, productivity, and overall well-being.
“A veteran may present well in a clinical setting, but outside, the sound of a car backfiring could trigger a trauma response,” she explains. “This isn’t limited to Vietnam veterans; we also work with first responders who face high-stress situations and traumatic events.
“With teenagers, I relish the opportunity
to visit their schools and be present at their activities, whether it’s at a netball game or the pony club. We actively advocate for our clients in schools, focusing on necessary adaptations and educating those around them to ensure the child or adolescent can participate to their full potential and succeed.”
Barwon Occupational Therapy also recognises the vital role nutrition plays in mental health, behaviour management, energy levels, and overall well-being. Their dietetic services help individuals understand the connection between diet and mental health, providing personalised meal plans.
Anna describes her role as “building the scaffold around you” so that individuals can thrive saying “I prepare individuals to return to their psychiatrist or psychologist and make the most of their expertise. If the body isn’t ready, accessing the mind becomes a challenge. While everyone is doing their best, we can always find ways to improve and make tomorrow easier. My focus is on assisting individuals across all aspects of their lives.”
As a mental health occupational therapist, Anna collaborates with clients to identify meaningful goals.
Occupational therapists are adept at understanding the functional impacts of health conditions and take a holistic approach, utilising both internal strategies and community participation to enhance engagement in activities. They assess how a person’s environment, daily functions, and capacities intersect, ensuring that recommendations are tailored to individual lifestyles and priorities.
You don’t need a referral to visit Barwon Occupational Therapy, but consulting your GP for a mental healthcare plan or chronic disease management plan can be beneficial.
Anna Treloar-Tanner has an unwavering passion for her work as an Endorsed Mental Health Occupational Therapist. (Ivan Kemp) 423811_02
Voice photographer Louisa Jones was at Leopold Memorial Park on Saturday September 7 for the Bellarine Football Netball League grand finals.
1/ Raph, Quinn and Angus. 2/ Kirsty, Poppy, Heather, Melissa and Jarrah. 3/ Scott Diamond and Bailey Patton. 4/ Shane and Bonita. 5/ Janette Dangerfield and Mandy Toohey. 6/ Luke and Freda. 7/ Cath, Josephine, Aaron Maryanne, Trey, Luke, Jordan and Mark. 8/ Mark Emmerson and Daniel Emmerson. 9/ Paul and Wendy. 10/ Daniel and Lucy.
(Pictures: Louisa Jones) 428868
Calling all families for fun, laughter and adventure SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
School holidays are just around the corner and Geelong Arts Centre is calling all families to step into a world of fun, laughter, and endless adventure at the Wonder Children’s Festival.
With a fantastic lineup of free and ticketed events, this festival is the perfect chance to make some unforgettable family memories.
On Saturday September 21, Geelong Arts Centre will be transformed into a vibrant hub of music, puppetry, and interactive enjoyment for Family Day. The whole day will be bursting with fun, from roving entertainers to colourful balloon animals and groovy disco parties!
One of the day’s top highlights is the live concert from The Teeny Tiny Stevies. Byll, Beth, and their band will have the entire family singing along to their catchy tunes. Parents and kids alike will be swept away by the fun atmosphere as they groove to both classic hits andfreshtracksfromTheGreenAlbum.It’sthe perfect way to get everyone moving, laughing, and enjoying some great music together.
Later, on September 21 and 22, The Gruffalo, a stage adaptation of the beloved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, is ready to take over The Story House stage. Follow Mouse on a thrilling adventure through the woods,meetingquirkycreaturesalongtheway. It’s a captivating, laugh-out-loud production perfect for kids aged three and up, but adults will love it too.
Family Day has more than just shows, there are plenty of free experiences that are sure to create lasting memories these School Holidays. Head to the Wonderland Disco in the Open HouseTheatre,wherekidscanjoinHanaFiesta for fun dance lessons. Or explore the magical world of Oculus by The Indirect Object, an interactive installation filled with eco-friendly, animatedwonders.Anddon’tforgettomeetthe zany alien puppets, One Eye and Frill Neck, or
try out your juggling and plate-spinning skills with the roving circus entertainers. With face painting, scavenger hunts to a giant colouring table, the day will be packed with excitement at every turn.
Then get ready on September 24 and 25 for I Wish..., a one-of-a-kind performance where the audience is part of the fun. Created by the incredible teams at Patch Theatre and Gravity & Other Myths, this show takes you on a
playful, interactive journey full of surprises. In I Wish…, the performers leap, dance, and engagetheaudienceinwaysthatsparklaughter and awe. From jaw-dropping acrobatics to playful antics, this show blurs the line between spectator and performer, inviting everyone to become part of the fun. It’s a lively experience designed to let imaginations run wild, turning the theatre into a space where anything can happen and everyone can play
along with the magic.
These school holidays bring your family to Geelong Arts Centre for a festival filled with creativity, fun, and unforgettable moments. With so much to see and do, the Wonder Children’s Festival is the ultimate playground for the whole family.
Get your tickets now at: geelongartscentre.org.au
12-26SEPTEMBER
Get ready for the amazing Wonder Children’s Festival that is heading to Geelong Arts Centre these school holidays. (Supplied)
Shop local in Ocean Grove
Voice photographer Ivan
Ann with her granddaughter Billie. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 431816
Annette Stephens (above), and Michelle Fraser (right).
Cheryl Haynes.
James Elliott and Mia Johnson.
John Richardson (left), Karla Koullas and her father Mark Farrar (above), and Mary Bonning (below right).
Tips to keep kids engaged when the family is dining out
Whendiningoutatarestaurantwithkids,it’s essential to have a few tricks up your sleeve to keep them entertained and engaged. Here are some creative ideas to ensure a pleasant and enjoyable experience for the entire family:
Bring quiet activities: Pack a small bag with colouring books, crayons, stickers, and puzzles. These quiet and portable activities can keep kids occupied while waiting for their food or during lulls in the conversation.
Play interactive games: Engage the kids with interactive games that require minimal materials. For example, play ‘I Spy’ or ‘20 Questions’ to encourage observation and critical thinking skills. You can also create a restaurant-themed scavenger hunt by giving them a list of items to find in the restaurant.
Storytelling: Encourage storytelling by taking turns telling a story. Start a story with a sentence, and each person adds a sentence to continue the narrative. This game not only entertains the kids but also stimulates their imagination.
Tablecloth doodles: If the restaurant provides paper tablecloths, let the kids unleash their creativity by drawing and doodling. It’s a fun and mess-free activity that keeps them occupied.
DIY placemats: Create personalised placemats for the kids using plain paper or colouring sheets. They can decorate their placemats with drawings, stickers, or their names. This activity adds a personal touch and keeps them engaged during the meal.
Memory games: Play memory games by
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listing items on the table and challenging the kids to remember as many as they can. You can make it more challenging by removing an item and seeing if they can spot the missing one.
Conversationstarters: Keeptheconversation flowing by using conversation starters. Ask thought-provoking questions like, “If you could have any superpower, what would it be?” or “What’s your favorite thing to do on weekends?” This not only keeps the kids engaged but also encourages communication and bonding.
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Origami or paper folding: Bring a pack of origami paper and teach the kids how to fold simple origami figures. There are numerous tutorials available online, ranging from easy to more complex designs.
Portable games: Bring along travel-sized board games or card games that the whole family can enjoy. Classics like Uno, Connect Four, or Spot It! are compact and suitable for restaurant settings.
Engage with the menu: Involve the kids in the menu selection process. Ask for their
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input on what they would like to order or encourage them to try new foods. Discussing the menu not only keeps them engaged but also promotes their decision-making skills.
Remember, it’s also crucial to set expectations and establish good behavior at the restaurant. Encourage good manners, patience, and gratitude towards the waitstaff. With a combination of these entertaining activities and proper behavior, dining out with kids can become a pleasant and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
Ocean Grove Voice looks back through the pages of our predecessors
8 years ago
September 28 to October 11, 2016
Ocean Grove’s iconic Rolling Pin Pie and Cake Shop has done it again.
The award-winning pie shop added to its already impressive haul of trophies with three more gongs at the Great Aussie Pie Competition.
6 years ago
September 26 to October 9, 2018
Liberal candidate for Bellarine Brian McKiterick has hit back at comments made by Lisa Neville over his recent move to Ocean Grove.
The current member for Bellarine, Ms Neville, questioned Mr McKiterick’s move from Torquay to Ocean Grove labelling it as “taking the piss out of the community”.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
4 years ago
September 25 to October 8, 2020
An Ocean Grove cafe owner has reassured non-hospitality businesses on The Terrace that there were never any plans to close the street to vehicles.
Driftwood Cafe’s Ty Simons spoke with Geelong Chamber of Commerce president Mark Edmonds about the possibility of allowing cafes and restaurants to extend their trading space into adjacent car parks.
1 year ago
September 8 to 21, 2023
It seems fitting that two Bellarine Netball League powerhouses will again contest this year’s A Grade grand final. Geelong Amateur and Ocean Grove are the league’s heavyweights and have a fierce, but respectful rivalry.
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 Soft Tennis
Friendly group of active women retirees who have played soft tennis for many years. The game is similar to Pickleball. Ocean Grove Memorial Hall, 123 The Avenue, Mondays 1.30pm-3.30pm. No experience necessary. Just a desire to keep fit and have fun.
Megan, 0439 317 344
Bellarine country music Friday nights, music 7pm-10pm. Great band, walk ups welcome. Belmont Park Pavilion, entry $10.
CWA Nightlights Ocean Grove
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
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,
Mr Perfect
Monthly free bbq for men of all ages to get together over a BBQ for a chat.
Norlane Community Centre first Sunday each month except January, 10.30am-12.30pm.
0430 022 446, or michaeldg999@gmail.com
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 & 3rd Monday 2.30pm
Kareen, 0419 246 346, or Janis, 5255 4585
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
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
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 on Barwon Probus Meets 9.45am for 10am every third Wednesday at Ocean Grove Golf Club.
gwen.anne.james@gmail.com
Drysdale Ladies Probus Club Meets at 10.30am on the fourth Monday of each month at the Clifton Springs Golf Club.
Lorraine, 0412 805 858
Afternoon tea dance
Life Activities Club [Geelong Inc] hosts an afternoon tea dance on Thursdays, 2-4pm, at Belmont Park Pavilion. Entry: $5.
5251 3529
CWA Drysdale
Meets Drysdale RSL, Princess St, Drysdale on the second Tuesday of the month. Meetings start at 1pm followed by afternoon tea. Friendly group looking to recruit new members.
Jenni, 0452 258 333
It was a good day to be out and about at Ocean Grove main beach on Tuesday September 17 as Voice photographer Ivan Kemp found out.
1/ Nicole and Jake Anderson with children Kayleigh and Max. 2/ Sheridan Reaper with Bruce and Lily. 3/ Tim and Marie Robertson. 4/ Sophie Franken, Jorja Connellan and Elli Campbell. 5/ Jack Stoney with his daughter Jessica. 6/ Aaron and Myf Taylor with Molly, Darcy and Lily. 7/Taylor Chapman with Tide and Chloe. 8/ Frank Carroll with Charlie. 9/ Peter Backwell. 10/ Karen Costelloe. 11/ Jack Hammond. 12/ Josh Bernadelle. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 431815
PUZZLES
To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every
of
of the
and
of
ACROSS
1 Annoyers (5)
4 Settler (9)
9 Formula (7)
10 People who speak (7)
11 One who evens the score (7)
12 Greek conception of afterlife (7)
13 Arrived at a judgement (9)
15 Relating to audio equipment (2-2)
17 Declare to be true (4)
19 Not here (9)
22 Type of paint (7)
25 Wed (7)
26 Paraguayan monetary unit (7)
27 Whenever you like (7)
28 Conglomeration of fabric scraps (9)
29 Hankerings (5)
DOWN
1 Very small amount (8)
2 Irish speakeasy (7)
3 One who makes less progress than others (9)
4 One half of Oxbridge (9)
5 Supple (5)
6 ‘Not on your –!’ (5)
7 Local law enforcer (7)
8 Recommence (6)
14 Go ashore (9)
15 Common greeting question (3,3,3)
16 Indecency (8)
18 Green (7)
20 Preparing writing for publication (7)
21 End a phone call (4,2)
23 Indisposed (5)
24 Egyptian capital (5)
letters or more can you list? The centre letter must 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”.
What is the capital of Guyana?
Paul Mescal (pictured) co-starred with Olivia Colman and Dakota Johnson in which 2021 film? 3 Which of the big cat species is typically the largest? 4 What protein is the main substance that makes up fingernails?
5 The Costume Institute Benefit is the formal name for which annual fashion event?
6
7 Canon, Nikon and Olympus are well-known brands of what?
8 Which actor do the films MorningGlory, DoctorStrange and The Time Traveler’s Wife have in common?
9 Who painted the famous fresco
No. 204
No. 203
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Sorento PE joins Kia pantheon
By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring
Some sports utility vehicles are just big, others are bold.
The 2024 Sorento PE, for Product Enhancement, taking a lead from the EV9 World Car of the Year, veers to the latter, cementing its place in Kia’s modern pantheon.
The MY24 stays true to the outgoing model relying on the existing range of four powertrains. The 3.5-litre petrol front-wheel drive and 2.2-litre diesel all-wheel drive variants are available across four trim levels –S, Sport, Sport+ and GT-Line – with the last, home for the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid.
“The award-winning fourth generation seven-seat Sorento took the large SUV segment by storm,” says Kia Australia CEO Damien Meredith. “When it was launched in 2020 with the enhanced model, what was really good is even better now.”
The two hybrids sell for $70,330 for the front-wheel drive and $73,330 the all-wheel drive – both before on-road costs. Warranty on both is the Kia seven-year, unlimited kilometre,whiletheKiaConnectisaseven-year complimentary car service providing owner benefitsinsafety,security,convenienceandlive services for real-time data such as weather and traffic info.
Smartstream 1.6L turbo petrol engine works in tandem with an electric motor and the 6-speed transmission. This allows the full output of both petrol engine and/or electric motor to be transferred in parallel through the transmission, with minimal energy loss.
Styling
The new Sorento features multiple refreshed design elements creating a unique appearance with cues from the EV9 electric car, it stands boldly with a new headlight graphic and a cleaner radiator grille and front bumper.
Side on, the Sorento stands firm and true
to the rugged character of a big four-wheel drive wagon. The simplified rear offers a more modern look, with the rear lamps taking their lead from the new signature front lighting design.
Interior
The almost three-metre wheelbase dishes up a cabin with plenty of room for up to seven occupants in three rows of seats adorned with quilted Nappa leather. Up front seating has heating and ventilation, plus 14-way power adjustment for the driver’s side with two-position memory. The steering wheel also is heated. A shift-by-wire knob makes for a clean look for the centre console.
The second-row seats offer fore-aft sliding, which means getting into the third row is not difficult. A single touch of a button and the middle-row seat slides and folds for access to the rear or adjusts limited third-row leg room for comfort.
Reflecting the ever increasing take up of digital technology, the internal mirror launchedintheKiaEV9displaysasharpimage of what is behind the Sorento. Not instantly accommodating,itdoestakeasecondortwoto refocus the eyes from the road ahead to what’s behind the vehicle.
Infotainment
Twin 12.3-inch displays dominate the dashboard, with a touchscreen on the left and a digital equipment cluster offering clear, instant readouts for a relaxed driving experience. Following in the way of the Kia EV9, over-the-air system updates are available across the Sorento range, including GT-Line HEVs.
Bose has come up with premium sound system combining a dozen optimally tuned, high performance speakers and sub-woofer based on the company’s unique sound technology. As Bose claims, it’s a “rich” and immersive audio experience’.
Engines/transmissions
The Sorento GT-Line Hybrid makes use of a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine in tandem with a small electric motor putting out total power of 169kW at 5500rpm and 350Nm of torque at 1500rpm.
Unlike many petrol/electric hybrid vehicles, a 1kWh Li-po battery located under the floor, the Sorento HEV requires no external manual charging.Thesystemfuelsitselfbyusingenergy lost decelerating, braking, or by picking up excess engine power not used during cruising. The battery feeds the electric motor that can either run on its own for short stints or shares the load with the petrol engine.
Safety
The Sorento GT-Line Hybrid has earned a five-star ANCAP safety rating in the 2022
testing regimen. PE upgrades introduce Highway Driving Assist, the next generation of Advanced Driver Assistance System, which operates only on a freeway or motorway.
HDA advances adaptive cruise control with stop/go capability, combining with Lane Following Assist to keep the car centred in the lane even when driving through a curve.
Parkingproblemsarealsoeasedbytheaddition of Parking Distance Warning (front, side and rear) that will warn the driver when a bump is likely during parking.
Driving
With a small, turbocharged engine and electric motor built into the six-speed automatic transmission, while the Sorento HEV sets off under electric power alone, the petrol engine can’t wait to join in, adding a buzzy note and slight vibration to proceedings.
Fuel consumption of 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined urban/highway cycle is claimed by the maker. The test vehicle returned eight in the city and 5.5 on the motorway.
As expected, Kia has tuned ride and handling for Australian conditions and results in a far from jumpy ride on the road. Control and comfort go hand in hand.
The Sorento has three drive modes – Eco, Sport or Smart – which, according to how the car is driven, monitors the manner and adjusts steering, throttle response, and transmission shifts to suit.
Terrainmodecantakethestressoutofsnow, mud and sand conditions to a certain extent but there’s no substitute for experience here.
Summary
The Sorento, we are told, was subjected to an extensive ride and handling program over thousands of kilometres across urban, country andoutbackroadsinAustralia.Withouttaking too many liberties the GT-Line Hybrid shows these efforts to great advantage.
The Kia Sorento PE is cementing its place in Kia’s modern pantheon. (Pictures: Supplied)
Wolves’ ruthless victory
Saint Ignatius College was ruthless in winning the2024Division2Herald-SunShieldrecently.
The Saint Ignatius Wolves steamrolled through the local GISSA qualifying tournament, which culminated in an 82-point win against Iona College.
The Bellarine-based college won all four games by an average margin of 98 points.
In the statewide finals at Casey Fields, Cranbourne East, Iggies defeated Overnewton College 7.5(47) to 1.0(6).
And in the grand final, Saint Ignatious kept Newhaven College scoreless to win 9.4(58) to 0.0(0).
The match was expected to be close, but with two quick goals from Jack Bennett and Jai Belcher, the team was off to a great start.
The Wolves, through Daniel Lowther, Luke Adams and Tait Lunnon-Johnson then kicked goals in a row to take a 34-point lead into half time.
Saint Ignatius then showed why it was such a dominant team throughout the tournament. In a blistering second term, the Wolves piled on another five goals and took a commanding 58-point win.
Mannagh is now a key Cat
ShaunMannaghneverlackedbelief-just an opportunity. So when Geelong’s veteran recruiter Stephen Wells finally called his name at lastNovember’snationaldraft,Mannagh knew he had to grab his chance.
The 27-year-old rookie has done just that, holding down a place in Chris Scott’s star-studded attack over the past two months to help drive the Cats’ premiership push.
An eye-catching three-goal display in thethrashingofPortAdelaideafortnight ago underlined Mannagh’s capabilities ahead of Saturday’s preliminary final against Brisbane at the MCG.
KeyforwardDanielLowtherwasnamedbest on ground while the centre clearance work by Will Smith, Angus Ford, Billy Hayward and Harry Morphet was pivotal.
with overlapping run and carry.
A key for the team throughout the competition was the great defensive work by Marley Cornell, Lachlan McLean, Jamison Hallam and Ethan Hughes who kept the opposition to low scores and key ball movers in HarrySedgmen,RyderRoberts,DarcyBrislane
Coach Joe McLean and assistants Andrew Philp and Matthew Waters were very happy with the team’s performance.
It capped off another amazing year for St Ignatius’ Australian Rules football sides.
The Year 7/8 Boys side were the GISSA ChampionsandtheYear9/10wereGISSABoys Champions and Herald-Sun Shield finalists.
In-form Huxtable takes top honours
Jan Juc surfer Xavier Huxtable took top honours at the Victorian Open Series on the weekend and Torquay Boardriders Club maintained dominance of team surfing with a back-to-back win in the Victorian Teams Titles.
Huxtable was the in-form surfer all weekend, walking away with four of the top fiveheattotalsintheOpenMen’sdivision.His bestperformancecameinthesemi-finalswith a heat total of 15.43 points (out of a possible 20).
“It was awesome to get the opportunity to compete at Bells again in an Open State Round,” he said.
“Therewasanepicturnoutforitwithlotsof top quality surfers which made for a super fun day. Stoked to find some fun waves on the day and end up getting the win.”
Huxtable finished with a heat total of 13.00 points in the final ahead of Willis Droomer (Jan Juc) on 10.93 points. Joel Wookey (Mornington Peninsula) and Tim Birnie (Torquay) finished in third and fourth
position respectively.
In the Open Women, it was junior standout Ava Holland (Mornington Peninsula) who was crowned champion at the opening round.
Holland went under the radar throughout the early rounds, before putting in her best performance in the final (11.00 point heat total) to finish ahead of close friend Sara Hickson (Mornington Peninsula) who finished in second.
Sunday saw the gathering of the best Boardriders Clubs in the state for the annual tradition of the Victorian Teams Titles.
The event which is held at the previous year winners home beach, is one of the longest running inter-club events in the country.
Held on their home turf, Torquay Boardriders Club was once again dominant showing their depth of talent from Masters to Juniors.
Led by Xavier Huxtable who held the highest individual score of the event, a 9.83 (out of a possible 10), Torquay was able to fend off advances from local rivals Jan Juc
Boardriders Club who had the experience of former Rip Curl Pro Trials winner Tim Stevenson (Jan Juc).
“We are always proud to take out the Victorian Teams Titles,” club president Tully Wylie said.
“A key reason our club was founded was actuallytoensureTorquaycouldfightforwins in team surfing events, so to be winning back to back in this current era is really important to us. The standard from the other clubs is so high now, we had to bring our best and are really thankful to have won and kept this event in Torquay for next year.
“We really value this event with the Women’s and Junior Tag divisions as well as it gives all clubs an opportunity to have more engagement an opportunity on with the event.”
In the end it was Torquay that finished on 43.19 ahead of Jan Juc on 34.50 points. Finishing in third was Peninsula Surfriders on 31.82 points and Phillip Island in fourth on 24.33 points.
But it was a different story 12 months ago, when the crafty small forward was still desperately trying to stand out with VFL club Werribee after eight years of toil in the state league and the bush.
“I’ve always known that I could play at AFL level and I just needed my opportunity,“ Mannagh said this week.
“I was lucky enough to get that here at the Cats and I’ve just tried to take it with both hands.
“I probably didn’t do that early in the year, but now being in the team I feel like I’ve stepped up.
“Being that bit more mature as well, I think I’ve been able to adapt to any situation that’s been thrown at me.“
Mannagh’s long road to the big league featured spells with country outfits LavingtonandNorthAlbury,aseasonin Darwin during the pandemic, and VFL stints with Richmond and Werribee.
His draft fortune changed after a brilliant six-goal, 27-disposal performance in the Bees’ grand final defeat to AFL reserves outfit Gold Coast last September.
It capped an outstanding season, in which Mannagh was named in the VFL team of the year, finished second in the club best-and-fairest and fifth in the JJ Liston Trophy.
“There was a fair bit of frustration there, obviously, knowing I’d been putting together some good seasons together at VFL level, which is a really good standard of football, and teams kept going for the under-18s kids (at the draft),“ Mannagh said.
“It’s fair enough because you can develop kids and they can be at clubs for 15-20 years, so I do understand it from that point of view.
“But I was also coming at it from my point of view where I’m a mature-age person and I can come in and impact straight away.
“Itobviouslytookalittlebitlongerthan I would’ve liked, but now that I’m here I’m very grateful for the opportunity.“
Shayne Hope and Anna Harrington, AAP
Shaun Mannagh. (Ivan Kemp) 419547_12
Saint Ignatius’ winning senior football team. (Ivan Kemp) 432250_03
Left: Xavier Huxtable won the Victorian Open Series. Right: Tim Birnie (top), and Willis Droomer. (Pictures: Ange Zorica/Surfing Victoria)
Ocean Grove
finals action
Voice photographers Ivan Kemp and Louisa Jones captured the action from Ocean Grove’s 13 & Under Division 2, 17 & Under Division 2 and E Grade clashes.
Anabelle Sargeant directs traffic on the court.
Left: E Grade coach Taryn Laverty passes. Centre: Tahnee Allen with the ball. Right: Bella Mawson takes control. (Pictures: Louisa Jones) 428853
Charli Duckett gets ready.
Emma Redfern takes a pass behind a leaping Olivia Grogan.
Above: Ava Verhagen in a tight contest with Evie Dawson, and Sophia Jankowski with the ball.
Left: Charlotte Heenan looks to pass. Centre: Olive Wearmouth looks to get the Grubbers into attack. Right: Evie Davis goes for goal. Below left: Lilian Spolding passes.
C and D Grades win premiership
Ocean Grove won the C and D Grade grand finals against Modewarre and Geelong Amateur respectively at Leopold on Saturday September 7 and Voice photographer Ivan Kemp saw the C Grade action.
Left:Ocean Grove C Grade premiership team. (Ivan Kemp) 428852_30 Top right: Ocean Grove D Grade coaches Paula Birch and Lorraine Birch. (Supplied) Right: The winning E Grade side. (AFL Barwon)
Left: Maya Hamilton takes possession. Above: Maddy Goodger takes a pass inside the ring, and Remi Bennett passes. Below centre: Jessica Carpenter moves out of defence, and Chelsea Howell leaps high to grab a pass for Modda.
Left: Ocean Grove and Modewarre congratulate each other after the C Grade game. Centre: Jordyn Quilliam accepts a pass from her sister Tiarna. Right: Sofia Dickeson in action. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 428852
Premiership glory for Grubbers
Ocean Grove won a second consecutive A Grade premiership in stunning fashion against Geelong Amateur at Leopold on Saturday September 7. Voice photographer Ivan Kemp was there to capture the action and emotion.
Emily Moroney and Mel Holmes with the Dow Cup; Bec O’Neill with 38 goals was the highest scorer of the game; Ruby Watson takes the ball under the net against opposition from Rhiannon Whitson.
Darcy McFarlane wins a tight contest.
Above: Rhiannon Whitson chases a loose ball. Right: Georgia Ryan with the ball.
Above: Emily Moroney was judged best on court; Rhiannon Whitson gets a hug after the game.
Left: Georgia Duncan looks to pass. Centre: Romy Harwood wins a loose ball tussle with Emily Moroney. Right: Zanna Woods takes control. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 428851
Georgia Duncan takes the ball in front of Georgia Ryan.
Two in a row for grand Grubbers
By Justin Flynn
Ocean Grove goalkeeper Georgia Berry played the entire second half of Saturday’s Bellarine Netball League A Grade grand final with a broken wrist.
Berry, who won Ocean Grove’s A Grade best and fairest on Friday September 13, fell during the second term of the game and now has her arm in plaster, but continued to do her job on starshooterRubyWatsondespitebeinginpain.
It was worth it because for the second consecutive season Ocean Grove took on an undefeated Geelong Amateur and for the second time in a row it has prevailed.
In a pulsating game at Leopold on Saturday September 7, the Grubbers won 53 to 48 with inspirational skipper Emily Moroney named best on court.
OceanGrovecoachMelHolmessaidthefinal few minutes of the game was about continuing to “build pressure”.
“No-one panicked,” she said.
“Our aim was to apply pressure all over the courtotherwiseitgetsintoasituationwhereit’s goalforgoal.Ithinkatonestagethey(Ammos) were taking 10 passes to get the ball coming in and that was due to the pressure.”
While stars such as Zanna Woods and Bec O’Neill, who Holmes described both as “flawless” had massive games, she praised her entire squad.
Arlee Bennett, Courtney Leith, Mia Smith and Anna Smith didn’t get any game time on grand final day, but were instrumental in helping their team get there in the first place.
“Some of the pictures of just when the buzzer went and the pure joy on their facesthat comes from a display of pure love for each other,” she said.
“They’ve helped us get there, they are all part of this.
“Itwaspurejoyfromthewholeclub.Thewin was obviously amazing for us but for the whole club. The support we received from everyone was amazing.”
Both sides started strongly, but Ammos were slightlythebettersideinthefirsttermandtook a two-goal buffer into the break.
Grove hit back in the second term to lead by two at half-time and it looked like anyone’s game.
Scores were level halfway through the third term and for the rest of the quarter, things remained tight.
Grove got out to a three-goal lead just before the buzzer, but Ammos goaler Ruby Watson
A GRADE
scored truly with seconds remaining and it was a two-goal lead to Ocean Grove.
Three minutes into the last and suddenly scores were level after three consecutive Ammos goals.
Three goals in a row to Bec O’Neill gave Grove some breathing space to lead by three five minutes in.
With less than seven minutes to go, scores were again level and the big crowd was getting louder.
When Darcy McFarlane scored with four minutes left, Grove was up by two, but O’Neill and the ultra impressive Zanna Woods suddenly increased the margin to four with three minutes on the clock.
Grove started to play some keepings off to run down the clock and when Woods scored with 46 seconds left, the Grubbers had the game won being six goals up.
O’Neill scored 38 goals from 39 attempts in a masterclasswhileWoodswassimplyincredible doing a huge amount of work around the ring along with 15 goals of her own.
“Itwasn’tuntillaterintheseasonthatwehad the full team,” Holmes said.
“I knew I had the right people and built the culture and the trust. It almost waiting for our moment to gel.”
Ocean Grove 53 def Geelong Amateur 48. Best: Ocean Grove – Emily Moroney, Zanna Woods, Rebecca O’Neill. Geelong Amateur – Kaitlyn Sheringham, Romy Harwood, Georgia Duncan.
B GRADE
Geelong Amateur 45 def Torquay 30. Best: Geelong Amateur – Georgia Howell, Kayla Donnellon, Grace Gaspari. Torquay – not supplied.
C GRADE
Ocean Grove 30 def Modewarre 23. Best: Ocean Grove – Sofia Dickeson, Kellie Morrish, Matilda Kelly. Modewarre – Jessica Carpenter, Georgina Cameron, Lilly Hine.
D GRADE
Ocean Grove 25 def Geelong Amateur 24. Best: Ocean Grove – not supplied. Geelong Amateur – Tyler Mcsparron, Tiaha Holdsworth, Emily Dixon.
E GRADE
Geelong Amateur 31 def Ocean Grove 19. Best: Geelong Amateur – Eden Holdsworth, Remy Olsen, Tarni Levick. Ocean Grove – Emma Barry, Emilie Punton, Keely Boswell. 19 & UNDER Barwon Heads 33 def Drysdale 27. No best players supplied.
17 & UNDER DIVISION 1
Portarlington 31 def Geelong Amateur 28. Best: Portarlington – Poppy Hart, Juliet Evans, Phoebe Zahl. Geelong Amateur – Loni Williams, Louise Shaw, Eden Beretta.
17 & UNDER DIVISION 2
Geelong Amateur 39 def Ocean Grove 11. Best: Geelong Amateur – Rikki McMaster, Zoe Naughtin, Evie Dawson. Ocean Grove – Olivia Grogan, Piper Needham.
15 & UNDER DIVISION 1
Geelong Amateur 34 def Portarlington 17. Best: Geelong Amateur – Caitlin Totton, Sophie Taylor, Bailey Shaw. Portarlington – not supplied.
15 & UNDER DIVISION 2
Geelong Amateur 21 def Torquay 19. Best: Geelong Amateur – Harper Beretta, Diva Wardhana, Grace Jarman. Torquay – Sienna Schmidt, Sadie Derbyshire, Tara Asbell.
13 & UNDER DIVISION 1
Torquay 30 def Queenscliff 19. Best: Torquay – Harper Edwards, Violet Miers, Harriett O’Dwyer. Queenscliff –not supplied.
13 & UNDER DIVISION 2
Torquay 25 def Ocean Grove 12. Best: Torquay – Isla McKeag, Ila Cashmore, Poppy Cuolahan. Ocean Grove – Lilian Spolding, Sophia Jankowski, Willow Annand.
Convincing win means double delight for Torquay
Torquay rebounded from its second semi-final loss to win consecutive Bellarine Football League premierships at Leopold on Saturday September 7.
Torquay had the game won early in the contest to run out 16.17(113) to 7.9(51) against Anglesea. The Tigers slammed on 10 goals in a breathtaking third quarter to take a match-winning77-pointleadintothelastterm. The blistering burst came after a goalless second quarter.
Anglesea fought the game out with five goals in the final term, but the damage had well and truly been done.
Chase Loftus was massive for Torquay and was judged best afield while Jesse Dawson booted five goals.
Clay Page booted three for the winners and Charlie Ham and star mid Blake Mensch were terrific.
For Anglesea Max Virgona, Ash Caldwell (two goals) and Jordan Keras battled hard. “We talk about family always coming first (at Torquay), this group of men are a ... tight family,” coach Dom Gleeson said.
“Loved ones right behind them all the time who have ridden every bump, going back to 2022 when we rode it heavy and we locked in together for a couple more years. And as a group we’ve won two premierships today.“
Anglesea coach Jordan Keras praised his players for their season.
“I can’t be prouder of you boys,” he said after the game.
“Honestly all year, throughout the whole year, when challenged you guys rose every single time. Not our day today, but next year hopefully we’re standing back here and (going) one better. Thanks to our fans for coming out today.”
It was double delight for Torquay by winning the reserves grand final by 30 points against Geelong Amateur.
A six goal second term set up the win with Luke Wittman booting five goals up forward while Cooper Heard was instrumental.
Ammos were well served by Patrick Ryan who also kicked two majors.
Justin Flynn
Winners are grinners. Ben McNamara, Dom Gleeson and James Darke with the premiership cup.
(Louisa Jones) 428855_09
Grand final results
Above: Grubbers coach Mel Holmes celebrates with Georgia Berry, who broke her wrist during the game. Right: The winning Ocean Grove team. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 428851
Vibrant
Walking
