Four years for local councillors
By Matt Hewson
After a series of countbacks and close calls, the results are in for the Geelong council election 2024.
The Victorian Electoral Commission officially declared the 11 councillors-elect who will represent the City of Greater Geelong for the next four years yesterday at City Hall.
Councillors Anthony Aitken (Corio Ward), Melissa Cadwell (Cheetham), Eddy Kontelj (Hamlyn Heights), Ron Nelson (Barrabool Hills), Trent Sullivan (Leopold) and Elise Wilkinson (Connewarre) will return for another term.
Ms Wilkinson, who was reportedly trailing her only Connewarre Ward opponent Angela Shearman by a significant margin earlier in the original vote count, effected a dramatic comeback to win the council seat by 7477 votes to 7472.
However, due to the tightness of the race Connewarre underwent a recount, which shaved Ms Wilkinson’s margin of victory from five votes to three.
Votes in Charlemont and Deakin wards were also recounted, confirming the results in both cases.
Emma Sinclair, one of the five new faces on the council, was victorious in Charlemont on the strength of preference distribution, having polled the third in primary votes behind Blake Hadlow and Teagan Mitchell.
With her partner and parents in attendance, Ms Sinclair said she was “very proud” to be declared councillor for Charlemont Ward and
was “looking forward to rolling up my sleeves andgettingoutthereforthepeopleofGeelong”.
Ms Sinclair said while she might occupy “a differentpartofthepoliticalspectrum”tosome of her fellow councillors, she was committed to “get to work for my community and get stuff done”.
“I think it’s very easy to say no and not explore something any further,” she said.
“Finding a pathway to yes can be a little bit more difficult, but I’m really willing to make that work. And I hope that if I take those steps to work through different political views, that that will be returned to me and we can find common pathways to achieve better outcomes for the whole community.”
Chris Burson (You Yangs Ward) and Rowan Story (Murradoc) will join the council for the first time, while former state parliamentarian Andrew Katos (Deakin) and former Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj (Kardinia Ward) both return to the council after lengthy breaks.
Trent Sullivan, who has served as Geelong mayor for the past two years, said it was “great to be back”.
“I’d like to acknowledge the outgoing councillors, both those who did not recontest and those who did but were unsuccessful,” he said. “With my fellow councillors-elect going forward, we certainly have a job ahead of us in the next four years.
“I thoroughly believe that whilst we were elected by different parts of our community, we were elected to represent the whole community as decision makers. Once we are here, we must never forget that.”
Fun in the sun
Get ready for a warm weekend on the Bellarine Peninsula as summer rapidly approaches. Lindsay Campbell and young Harrison (pictured) enjoyed Ocean Grove main beach on a beautiful Tuesday morning with the mercury tipped to reach 33 degrees tomorrow (Saturday November 16). It will reach 24 on Sunday before cooling off about late morning and the early part of next week is back down to mild temperatures. Still, it will be an early taste of summer with school holidays and Christmas fast approaching. With the Queenscliff Music Festival next weekend, organisers will be hoping for nice weather and no rain. And they might just get their wish with the very early forecasting on some sites suggesting temps will be in the mid to high 20s and largely precipitation-free.
See page 21 for more beach pics.
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Reef wins another award
The Dell Eco Reef at Clifton Springs has received an award for its innovative and sustainable design.
Created by Reef Design Lab’s Alex Goad in collaboration with the City of Greater Geelong (CoGG), the artificial reef won the Excellence inMarineandCoastalDesignorDevelopment category at the Victorian Marine and Coastal Awards.
Consisting of 46 erosion mitigation units (domes) made of eco-friendly concrete and recycled shells, the artificial reef is designed to reduce coastal erosion and provide a habitat for marine life.
The award adds to the laurels heaped on the reef since its creation, including the international Dezeen Award for Sustainable Design of the Year in 2023 and the top prize in the 2024 Victorian LGPro Awards for Excellence’s Special Project Initiative category..
CoGG Strategic Coastal Planner Ralph Roob oversaw the reef project. He said the sculptural reef was inspired by naturally occurring reef structures.
“TheDellEcoReefprovidesessentialhabitats for marine life, enhancing biodiversity while protecting vulnerable species,” Mr Roob said.
“These eco-reefs have been carefully designed to not only protect the coast from severe wave action and create marine habitats, but also withstand various environmental conditions.
“Theunitsareprovidingatourismdrawcard and demonstrating how art, design, and environmental science can come together to create positive outcomes.
“We are honoured by this award and thank the Victorian Marine and Coastal Council for recognising the City of Greater Geelong and such an important project for our region’s environmental resilience.”
Getting ready to rock in Queenscliff
The Queenscliff Music Festival (QMF) is nearly upon us, featuring over 70 music acts and a huge range of food, drink and creative entertainment and activities.
Running from Friday, November 22 to Sunday, November 24 at the Princess ParkQueenscliff Foreshore, QMF is ready to set the town alight once more.
Festival director Claire Strickland, in her first year in the role, said she was “really excited” about what the event would offer festival goers this year.
“We’ve made some great changes to the site this year and it really feels like the town is buzzing at the moment with the final festival
preparations,” Ms Strickland said.
QMF has carved out a place in the Australian festival landscape as an event that always delivers with its musical program, and 2024 is no different.
From big names such as Michael Franti & Spearhead, Kasey Chambers, Marlon Williams and Xavier Rudd, to local artists like Hassall, Maddie Jackway, Wild Honey and the Sweethearts, the festival looks set to once again deliver on its promise to cater to all tastes.
The festival will also feature more gourmet Bellarine food and beverage produce, such as Ket Baker, Tarra Queenscliff, Queenscliff Gin
Distillery and a Bellarine Wine Bar featuring four local wineries.
Ms Strickland said the heart of QMF was the support the festival received from the community every year.
“We’ve got a strong army of 400-plus volunteerswhosupportusacrosstheweekend, and we couldn’t do it without them,” she said.
“A lot of those volunteers have been long-standing, with us from the very beginning, and every year there’s a new injection of volunteers, so we’re really lucky to have that support.”
Matt Hewson
The future is electric
The region’s first e-bike and electric vehicle expo comes to the Bellarine this weekend, giving members of the public the chance to learn more about more sustainable transport options now and in the future.
Organised by Parents for Climate, Bellarine Bicycle Users Group and Geelong Sustainability, the inaugural EV & e-Bike Expo will be held at Springdale Neighbourhood Centre, Drysdale, on Sunday November 17 from 1pm to 4pm.
The expo will showcase the latest accessible options for clean, cost-saving electric transport, including EVs from Tesla, Kia, MG, Hyundai and BYD.
The free event will also feature expert talks and Q&A panels, free test rides of cars and bikes and a range of community stalls and activities for kids,
Parents for Climate development director Laura Billings has been one of the driving forces behind the event since its inception.
She said while families were “eager to make environmentally-friendly choices… navigating the technical information on EVs and e-bikes can be challenging.”
“The EV and e-Bike Expo provides a valuable opportunity for families to speak directly with vehicle owners, clear up common misconceptions, and learn about the real, everyday benefits of clean travel,” Ms Billings said.
Geelong Sustainability chief executive Dan Cowdell said electric vehicles and e-bikes were “really important” piece of the sustainability puzzle.
“Thecarsweuse,thewaywegetaround is a really big source of emissions that contribute to climate change,” he said.
“In Geelong close to 20 per cent of our emissions come from transport. So that’s a big chunk that we want to address. Visit events.humanitix.com/bellarineev-and-eb-expo to register for free.
Geelong Sustainability CEO Dan Cowdell. (Ivan Kemp) 442907_06
QMF volunteers and workers have been busy setting up the
Geelong ambos hitting the target
By Matt Hewson
Geelong’s ambulances have continued to outperform most of the state in response times last financial quarter, despite being one of the busiest local government areas (LGAs) in Victoria.
GreaterGeelongrankedequal18thoutof79 for the July to September quarter, responding to 70.9 per cent of Code 1 cases attended within 15 minutes or less.
However, Geelong responded to 4985 cases; five per cent of Victoria’s total Code 1 cases and the second highest workload in the state.
Warrnambool had the best success rate against the 15-minute target, responding to 83.8 per cent of its 531 Code 1 cases.
Only two other LGAs in Victoria dealt with more than 4000 Code 1 cases; Casey with 5234 cases and a 53.4 success rate, and Hume (4656 cases, 58.1 per cent).
Barwon South West Regional Director Terry Marshall acknowledged there was more work to be done, with Ambulance Victoria continuing to work with hospitals to ensure patientsreceivetherightcareattherighttime.
“Our expert Secondary Triage team of nurses and paramedics also make a real
difference by connecting patients with the care they need while helping free up crews for patients in time-critical emergencies,” Mr Marshall said.
“From July to September, 41,142 people who did not need an emergency ambulance were instead connected to more appropriate care by paramedics and nurses in Secondary Triage.
“In 2023-24 paramedics referred nearly 43,000 patients to the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED), with over three quarters cared for without transport to a physical ED.”
Mr Marshall said it was also important
Kemp) 443540_01
Learning journey for Ocean Grove vet
A Bellarine veterinarian was one of 103 Australians awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2024.
Dr Alicia Kennedy will travel to Amsterdam, England, Scotland, Canada and the US next year to explore the best practices of organisations operating at the intersection of veterinary and social services thanks to the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.
Dr Kennedy is the founder of compassionate veterinary service Cherished Pets in Ocean Grove,whichprovidessocialservicesalongside regular veterinary care.
“We’re a social-hearted veterinary service, meaning our focus is not just pets but also
people,” Dr Kennedy said.
“My expertise as a vet is the human-animal bondandsoindevelopingthatlensofcareover 30 years of being in practice, I recognise how important the human-animal bond is.
“But there are people in our community who are experiencing vulnerability, whether that’s short-term or long-term, that impacts their capacity to keep their pets healthy and together with them, which can lead to great distress.”
The charity arm of Dr Kennedy’s service, Cherished Pets Foundation, allows Cherished Pets to provide volunteers and community vet nurses to support people with their pet care, as well as social workers to coordinate the care of
the pets of people experiencing crisis.
CherishedPets’multidisciplinarycaremodel is unique in Australia, meaning Dr Kennedy has few sources of expertise to draw on.
“When you’re doing something no one else is doing, it can be a bit lonely,” she said.
“The Churchill Fellowship is an extension of our learning journey, to see what’s working, what’s not working, and the way things are done overseas.”
Visit cherishedpetcare.com.au to see the impact of Dr Kennedy’s work and support the Cherished Pets Foundation.
Matt Hewson
that everyone did their part by considering alternative care options in non-emergency situations to keep paramedics available for patients most in need.
“In less urgent cases, there are many options people can access when they need timely medical care and health advice all day, every day – but not an emergency ambulance or calling triple zero (000),” Mr Marshall said.
“This includes the VVED, Urgent Care Clinics and other options such as your GP or pharmacist, or Nurse-On-Call on 1300 60 60 24.”
Green links grants open
Geelong and Barwon South West could see a boost in its waterways and green open spaces with the Green Links Grant Program open again.
The second round of the state government program will see $2 million invested in projects aimed at restoring and improving rivers, creeks, and native plants across the state.
Minister for Water Harriet Shing said funding targeted urban areas experiencing a loss in green spaces, with projects helping look after the health of waterways and parkland corridors.
“The Green Links Grants are helping more people to get involved, and to make a positive and lasting difference,” she said. “As our communities grow, it’s so important to respect and protect our precious waterways and the environments that we know and love.”
Projects supporting the Barwon River and its connecting waterways shared $6 million during the program’s first round.
MemberforBellarineAlisonMarchant said supporting the “long-term health” of the Bellarine’s creeks and rivers was important.
“Projects funded through the Green Links Grants are creating more environmental corridors and helping native plants flourish,” she said.
Community groups, water and land managers, Traditional Owners, councils andschoolscanapplyforprojectfunding between $20,000 and $350,000.
The $10 million Green Links Grant Program forms part of the state government’s $262 million investment in the health and resilience of waterways and catchments across the state.
Active campaign launches
Barwon Health is encouraging Bellarine Peninsula workers to get active with its November campaign Spring into Action.
Developed in collaboration with the City of Greater Geelong, Active Geelong, Department of Justice and Community Safety and local workplaces, Spring into Action is a month-long promotion giving people the opportunity to improve their health and fitness.
More than 20 physical activity providers are taking part in the campaign, offering special rates all November for a range of activities including gym, yoga, boxing, rock climbing, circus, forest walks and ballroom dancing.
Healthy Communities Unit co-manager Owen Pietsch said the campaign had been developed to prioritise inclusivity and equity.
“Participants can easily find information
about activities with access to childcare, disability and support-friendly options, women-only programs, LGBTIQA+ inclusive spaces and support for seniors.”
“Participating in Spring into Action provides multiple benefits, including improved physical health, better mental wellbeing, and the opportunity to strengthen community connections.”
“We encourage local employees to take advantage of this initiative. Whether you participate on your own, with colleagues or friends, now is the time to explore new activities and embrace a healthier lifestyle together.”
Email workplacehealth@barwonhealth.org. auformoreinformationorvisitbarwonhealth. org.au/service/healthy-communities-springinto-action to register for Spring into Action.
Dr Alicia Kennedy and Percy. (Ivan
New councillors announced
The election results are now in for Borough of Queenscliffe, with new councillors sworn in. FivecouncillorswereswornintotheBorough of Queenscliffe at Queenscliffe Town Hall on Wednesday, November 13, following election results declared the day before.
The borough has two first-time councillors, Brendan Monahan and Di Rule, joining council’s ranks alongside re-elected members Isabelle Tolhurst and Donnie Grigau.
The new council term will also see the return of Cr Helene Cameron, who served as councillor from 2008 to 2012 and mayor from 2012 to 2016 before leaving council due to
family health issues.
Borough of Queenscliffe chief executive MartinGillsaidhecongratulatedthesuccessful candidates for accepting the councillor role for the 2024-28 term.
“I’d like to give a warm welcome to the new councillors,aswellasthosewhoarereturning,” he said.
“I look forward to working closely with the new council as we continue to progress important projects across the Borough.”
Cr Grigau received the highest number of first preference votes, with 637 ratepayers (22.33 per cent) choosing him to represent the
Young artists on show
Ocean Grove Primary School (OGPS) will present its annual art exhibition today at The Hive Gallery.
The art show, open from 3.30pm to 6.30pm today (Friday, November 15), brings together more than 600 works from OGPS students across all year levels.
The show features a wide range of different media, including ceramics, weaving, painting, sculpture and photography.
The artworks are available for purchase at $5 a piece, with all proceeds going towards the school’s visual arts department.
OGPS art teacher Jo Chapman said the art show provided inspired students every year to engage with art-making.
“They’ve put in so much hard work, when they know that it’s for the art show it sort of becomes a whole new level of commitment,” Ms Chapman said.
“When you tell preps for the first time that
their work is going to be in a real art gallery their little mouths drop.”
Ms Chapman thanked The Hive’s Karen Spreadborough and Will Wilson for their continued support of OGPS’s arts program.
“Karen and Will are just so supportive, giving us the space to use for the last few years; we are so grateful,” she said.
“Karen has such a good eye as well, helping us build the space so it looks so beautiful.”
Ms Chapman invited all members of the community to attend and enjoy refreshments provided by Two Doors Down Cafe and the Lions Club sausage sizzle.
Matt Hewson
OGPS teachers Joanna Chapman and Andrea Thompson with The Hive Gallery’s Karen Spreadborough (centre). (Ivan Kemp) 442936_01
community.
CrTolhurstwasthesecondelectedcouncillor with 507 first preference votes (17.77 per cent), followed by Cr Monahan with 476 votes (16.68 per cent) and Cr Rule with 391 votes (13.7 per cent).
Cr Cameron secured the final councillor spot with 204 first preference votes (7.15 per cent), meaning that former councillors Rob Minty and Ross Ebbels were not re-elected for another term.
The new councillors will help develop plans and projects that benefit Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale’s towns and communities.
Free Kinder: Enrol for 2025.
Free Kinder is available for three- and four-year-old children in Victoria at participating services. Free Kinder is available in sessional (standalone) and long day care (childcare) settings, saving families up to $2,563 each year, per child.
At kindergarten, your child will:
• learn language, literacy and numeracy skills through play, art, music and dance
• learn to express themself and make friends in a safe and caring environment
• build skills and confidence before primary school.
Contact your preferred kinder service or local council to learn about how to enrol for 2025. Visit vic.gov.au/kinder
Alison Marchant with re-elected councillor Isabelle Tolhurst and Borough of Queenscliffe chief executive Martin Gill.
Bellarine Fair offers information
The inaugural Bellarine Fair will bring together community groups, clubs, and services - a showcase of information all under one roof.
Hosted by Geelong Regional Libraries the event is at Boronggook Drysdale Library and offers a one-stop shop for local and new residents alike.
The fair will have stalls representing a wide array of interests from local history and
gardening to arts, and volunteer groups.
It’s a great chance to meet new people, ask questions, and discover how community members can contribute in different ways. Plus, a face painter will be on site, so everyone can enjoy a family friendly day.
“Our libraries are more than just places to borrow books—they serve as important community hubs where local connections can flourish,” Geelong Regional Libraries chief
Train workshop popular
Train lovers had a rare opportunity to see the restoring progress of a steam locomotive and 45-year-old railway carriage in Queenscliff.
The Bellarine Railway held workshop open days on Saturday November 9 and Sunday November 10 at 26 Bridge Street.
Life member Michael Menzies said people witnessed the restoration of the sole surviving AustralianStandardGarrattsteamlocomotive, G33, and a timber-bodied railway carriage from South Australian Railways’ narrow gauge carriage Car 19.
“You don’t normally get the opportunity to wander around a railway workshop and see a steam locomotive dismantled,” he said.
“In this case, we’ve got a steam locomotive that’s being overhauled, and it’s about three-quarters finished now, but one section of it’s still completely dismantled.
“They could see how it all goes together and, the other end of it is sort of reassembled, so they could see the main boiler section and the drivers cab, as well as hop up and have a look in them.”
Visitorswereabletowalkaroundthevehicles
and see a 1912 steam crane in action during the workshop event.
Mr Menzies said he hoped the event encouraged more people to volunteer and help restore steam locomotives and railway carriages in Queenscliff.
“People don’t need any particular skills to come along and help with the work. There’s something for everybody to do,” he said.
“We are hoping to encourage a few more volunteers to come down to the workshop duringthemainworkingdaysonTuesdaysand Saturdays.”
Visit bellarinerailway.com.au/volunteer for moreinformationonhowtovolunteerwiththe Bellarine Railway.
Jena Carr
Bellarine Railway life member Michael Menzies with a timber-bodied railway carriage. (Louisa Jones) 441221_18
executive Vanessa Schernickau said.
“The Bellarine Fair is a perfect example of how libraries bring people together to strengthen community ties and support local organisations. Whether you’re new to the area or a long-standing resident, discover more about your local community groups and how to get involved.”
Amongthosewhoareespeciallyencouraged to attend are new residents to the Bellarine
looking to connect with local clubs, volunteer opportunities, and services; families looking for a fun, interactive day at the library; and anyone curious about what’s happening in the Bellarine community and how they can contribute.
Bellarine Fair is on Saturday November 16 at Boronggook Drysdale Library from 10am to 2pm. Entry is free and there are no bookings required.
Minister briefed on hub progress
By Jena Carr
Geelong and Ocean Grove current and retired defence force members have received a special visit while progress on the Veterans’ and Families Hub continues.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh visited Returned and Services League (RSL) clubs across the region on October 31 to speak with members about the new hub, which is expected to open by the end of June 2026. Mr Keogh said it was great to meet with the
region’s RSL members and congratulate them on their work within the community.
“The new hub will be easy to access for veteransandfamiliesfromthelocalcommunity and will deliver important services and support to the region,” he said. “At the Ocean Grove Bowling Club, I had the opportunity to give local veterans an update on the Royal CommissionintoDefenceandVeteranSuicide.
“It was fantastic to hear about the great work already being undertaken at the Geelong RSL to support veterans throughout Geelong and
Cottage art fundraiser
A fifth-generation Queenscliff resident will continue his family’s legacy of helping enhance children’s lives through a Sea and Wood exhibition.
Darren Allbutt will host the art, sculpture and woodwork exhibition fundraiser at Cottage by the Sea from November 16 to 17, with all sale proceeds supporting programs for young people.
Mr Allbutt said his family had a strong connection with the children’s charity as his grandmothervolunteeredthereformanyyears.
His mother also received rehabilitation at Cottage by the Sea after being diagnosed with poliovirus (an infectious disease affecting the nervous system) when she was four.
“I see Cottage by the Sea as a gift to us all and I needed to do my bit to raise money and highlight the importance of the place in Queenscliff,” he said. “Some children have never been to the beach, which in my eyes is a huge concept I used to find hard to grasp so that sunk in a bit over the years.
“A lot of the items have stories that are linked to the town as there’s bits of driftwood and things I’ve scavenged over the years which have been turned into sculptures, keepsakes and paintings.”
Cottage by the Sea chief executive Adam Wake said the exhibition was a “testament to the power of community”, one of the charity’s values.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the enduring work of Darren’s family while raising much-neededfundsforourprograms,”hesaid.
“We have such strong ties to the Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale community, sharing the same waters and rich history steeped into the land, and so many of our supporters hail from this region.”
Jena Carr
Queenscliff resident Darren Allbutt with artwork and woodwork from his Sea and Wood exhibition at Cottage by the Sea. (Ivan Kemp) 443372_03
the Surf Coast through their new outreach services.”
The Surf Coast/Geelong regional Veterans’ and Families Hub was one of eight new hubs announced in October 2022 as part of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ hubs network expansion project.
The hubs aim to help veterans and their families access wellbeing support, advocacy, employment and housing advice, social connection, and physical and mental health services.
DELIVERING FOR WOMEN
Federal Labor is backing reforms to make life fairer, safer and more equal for women & girls.
We’ve put Australia on track to be the first country in the world to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035.
We’ve established an Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain specialist clinic in Belmont.
Superannuation on Commonwealth Paid Parental Leave
Payments for nursing, midwifery, social work and teaching students while they’re on prac.
Support for women who have experienced miscarriage.
Funding crisis accomodation for women and children fleeing violence.
Sport funding available
MinisterforCommunitySportRosSpenceand the Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant visitedWallingtonReserveonFridayNovember 8 to announce that applications are now open forRound2oftheRegionalCommunitySports Infrastructure Fund (RCSIF).
The scheme aims to help regional communities plan, design and build the sport facilities they need.
The five funding streams in the Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund will help regional communities plan and build everything from indoor stadiums and aquatic facilities, upgrades for women and girls, community facilities, and infrastructure and planning to encourage people from all abilities to get involved.
Additional grants of up to $50,000 are also available through the RCSIF to help boost participation for people with disability at the new or upgraded facilities.
Previous projects on the Bellarine to receive grants from the RCSIF include $1 million towardsanall-abilitiespavilionredevelopment at Wallington Reserve.
“This fund is about giving Bellarine’s sport and recreation participants appropriate facilitiestheyneedandcanbeproudof,soeven more people can get involved and enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits that come from leading an active lifestyle,” Ms Marchant said.
“I have encouraged local community-based clubs and organisations to connect with their local council and take advantage of this opportunity to build and upgrade important facilities and help more people of all ages, abilities and genders to get involved in sport and recreation.”
Applications are open until March 17 2025. For more information or to apply online visit sport.vic.gov.au/funding/regionalcommunity-sports-infrastructure-fund
Scan here to read more:
Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant and Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence visited Wallington Reserve to announce applications are now open for Round 2 of the Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund. (Supplied)
CONTACT US
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GENERAL
Learn to share the shore
By Ali Wastie, Geelong CEO
Keeping your four-legged friend under control when they’re excited can be a dog’s breakfast – especially if they spot a bird.
Which is why the Ocean Grove Dog’s Breakfast could be the perfect outing for you and your fur baby.
This event is a great opportunity to pick up dog behaviour tips from expert trainers while learning how to share our shores and help threatened beach-nesting birds, such as the hooded plover.
Join volunteers from the Friends of the Hooded Plover Bellarine and their beloved pooches on Saturday 30 November as they gather at Ocean Grove Beach to promote wildlife conservation.
Bring your dog and receive a free lead, along with breakfast treats for you and your canine companion at this unique event supported by BirdLife Australia, Barwon Coast, the Victorian Conservation Regulator and the City of Greater Geelong.
Birdlife Australia’s hoodie mascot will also make an appearance, with fun games for kids to help them learn more about our wildlife.
The hooded plover is a small black, white and brownish-grey bird that nests on beaches at Breamlea, Thirteenth Beach, Ocean Grove, Collendina and Point Lonsdale between August and April.
An adult pair of hooded plovers will lay up to three eggs in scrapes in the sand and incubate them for four weeks until they hatch. The hatched chicks then forage for their own food along the shoreline.
Hooded plover nests and chicks, like other beach-nesting birds, are very vulnerable and few live long enough to fledge due to the numerous threats they face.
Hoodedploversarealsoatriskofbecoming locally extinct as only 12 breeding pairs live on the Bellarine.
The City enforces dog regulations on beaches while groups like the Friends of the Hooded Plover Bellarine work to raise awareness of breeding areas.
The upcoming Ocean Grove Dog’s Breakfast is just one example of their efforts and is also the last event on this year’s Geelong Nature Week program. The program, running from November 25 to 30, also features:
• Limeburners Lagoon Cultural Walk –Wadawurrung traditional owner Ash Skinner will explain the cultural values of the lagoon and Hovells Creek.
• SparrovaleNatureWalk–beguidedaround our largest nature reserve and discover the amazing wildlife that inhabits it.
• DesignforNature-RewildOurUrbanPublic Spaces – presentations about nature-based solutions to urban spaces from City staff, professors, a landscape architect and a councillor of the Biodiversity Council. This event is also part of Geelong Design Week.
• Spotlight on Threatened Species, Mount Rothwell – visit the Mount Rothwell Conservation and Research Reserve and learn about cutting edge conservation programs protecting endangered native animals and plants.
• Lake Lorne Nature Walk – a family-friendly activity at Lake Lorne, Drysdale, with nature-themed craft activities and Biodiversity Bingo.
• Charles McCarthy Reserve Nature Walk – led by the City of Greater Geelong’s Nature Reserve team, who will showcase the wildflowers at one of the most diverse grasslands on the Bellarine Peninsula.
To secure your spot at the Ocean Grove Dog’s Breakfast, visit tickets. geelongaustralia.com.au/event/ocean-grovedogs-breakfast
For more information on Geelong Nature Week, visit geelong.link/GNW
City of Greater Geelong chief executive Ali Wastie. (Supplied)
Local duo living loud Community awards open
Nominations for the City of Greater Geelong’s annualWomeninCommunityLifeAwardsare open.
The awards, which will be presented at the City’s International Women’s Day event on Wednesday March 5 next year, acknowledge the contribution women have made to the Greater Geelong community, particularly in relation to advancing gender equality.
There will be four categories featured for next year’s awards: Leadership and Advocacy; First Nations Woman; Human Rights; and
Strengthening Healthy Communities.
City of Greater Geelong chief executive Ali Wastie said the Women in Community Life Awards were an important event for the region.
“Therearesomanyremarkablewomeninthe Greater Geelong region doing incredible things everyday,anditissuchaspecialoccasionwhen we gather to recognise their achievements and contributions to our community,” Ms Wastie said. “I encourage everybody to think about all of the marvellous women in their lives and consider nominating them for one of these
awards.”
To be eligible for an award a nominee must live, work or study in the Greater Geelong region and identify as a woman or gender non-binary person.
Organisations and community groups based in the Greater Geelong region can also be nominated.
Nominations close on Friday December 13 and further information can be found on the City’s Women in Community Life Awards page.
Walter heads up Carols by the Bay
Geelong’s own Denis Walter OAM will headline Christmas Opening Night Carols by the Bay at Steampacket Gardens on Saturday November 30.
Free festivities kick off at 6.30pm with a pre-show ahead of a 7.15pm performance from kids’ entertainment group Team Dream.
Themaineventstartsat8pm,showcasingthe dulcet tones of local crooner and entertainer Denis Walter.
Performing together once again, touring singer Julie Walter will join Denis on stage for their favourite carols.
Oz Boyz will put a modern twist on the distinct soul-pop sound that is Motown,
featuring familiar faces from many of Australia’s touring shows and musicals.
Accordionist Lucy Riddett will take to the stagewitharepertoireofcarolsandmusicfrom all around the world and Santa will make an appearance.
The event will be carefully guided by Michael Cristiano, a skilled veteran musical director who has worked with Australian and international acts, including The Seekers.
At 9.15pm, this special night will culminate with the lighting of the Floating Christmas Tree.
One lucky child will have the chance to flick the switch and ignite low-level pyrotechnics
and the tree’s first sound and light show. The show will run every 15 minutes until midnight.
“We can’t wait to kick start the festive season and our Christmas in Geelong program with an all-star list of performers, traditional and modern carols and the lighting of Australia’s biggest Floating Christmas Tree,” acting executive director city life Pam Newton said.
“The family friendly ‘Christmas Opening Night - Denis Walter Carols by the Bay’ event will draw community members from across our region and beyond, boosting our local economy and spreading Christmas cheer.”
Find out more at geelong.link/ChristmasOpening-Night-Denis-Walter
As CUB LIV LOUD gigs roll out around Australia throughout Ausmusic Month this November, local jangle pop duo Winksy are a prime example of what the initiative is all about.
Core members and partners Willem Kingma (keyboard/vocals) and Kelli Blackmore (electric guitar/vocals) perform often in the area.
They have been a regular fixture at the Barwon Club - sometimes with a full band behind them, often as a duo supporting other artists - since the world re-emerged from the pandemic.
They see the iconic Geelong venue as both a place they feel at home in and one where they have honed their craft.
“We love playing there because it’s one of the few locals that we have left around Geelong that still puts on great shows and has such an awesome friendly community energy,” said Kingma.
“Four nights (of music) a week at any venueisafeat,sotohavearegionalvenue do that feels really lucky,” Blackmore agreed.
“Barwon Club is an institution, of course, but it’s also actively a place where you feel safe and you’re always guaranteed to have a good time.”
Blackmore and Kingma are also creators in other artistic fields; she is a photographer, while he is an illustrator and animator.
“Withtheotherartforms,photography forme,youmakeit,youeditit,youmight post it or it goes somewhere and then it’s gone,” Blackmore said.
“With music, you play those songs again and again…you play it better here, and then maybe another gig you won’t play it as well.”
The pair released their debut album MyAnatomyearlierthisyear,whichthey recorded with Jasper Jolley (Bones and Jones) in Wallington.
Kingma said it was another huge learning experience for both of them.
“We had a lot of talented musicians come in on that… and I felt like I got better at my instruments in that time, learning stuff from other people we were working with,” he said.
“There’s always been some really great musicians living out there in Wallington and it was really lucky that sometimes we could just go, hey, come in and put some cool keys on this.”
Winksy are one of four bands at the Barwon Club’s LIV LOUD event on Sunday, November 17 and are also on the bill at Queenscliff Music Festival this year.
Matt Hewson
Denis Walter OAM and Lucy Riddett will perform at Steampacket Gardens on November 30. (Supplied)
The Blues played well at Beav’s
By Matt Hewson
Guitarist and singer Anthony Biancofiore remembers exactly the day he formed ZZ Top tribute band Fandango.
It was Back to the Future Day, October 21st 2015.
“It started because there was a night at, I don’t remember what bar it was now, but they were doing a classic albums night - so people get together and play a whole album from an artist,” Biancofiore said.
“So I thought, I’ll do Tres Hombres by ZZ Top, it’s a great album. Then the band got
together and we learnt all the songs, and the night didn’t end up happening.
“So we thought, why don’t we just do a ZZ Top night? We did it at Yah Yah’s (in Fitzroy), and originally we had no intention to keep it going.
“I had a long beard at the time, and I was going to shave it off because it was Halloween in a couple of days and I had to do a costume. So I thought, why don’t we do a Shave for a Cure night, do the gig, raise some money, and we’ll shave my beard off.”
However, the night went so well Biancofiore got a call the next day asking when they could
Young singers tune up
The next generation of Geelong actors take to the stage with a new variety show this month.
Geelong Society of Operatic and Dramatic Arts(GSODA)JuniorPlayerswillpresentMake an Entrance, a dynamic and colourful musical variety show with something for everyone, at Geelong Arts Centre (GAC)e.
The 46 members of the company, aged between 11 and 17, will perform musical theatre tunes from classics such as Helly, Dolly! alongside contemporary works from Hairspray and SpongeBob SquarePants.
Show choreographer Jules Hart said the show, consisting of two 40-minute acts, would be “fun and energetic”.
“With Make an Entrance our directors Ella and Karina, who are ex-Juniors themselves, have put together a whole variety show of songs about expressing joy, expressing yourself and putting love out into the world around
you,” Hart said. “It’s a really timely thing to be putting out into the world. It’s going to be a night of fun; expect to smile, bop your feet, with a few heartfelt moments in there too.
“It really is just about celebrating the good things in life - friendships and relationships and all the stuff that makes life living, basically - so we’re really excited to get it out there, and I know the kids are chomping at the bit as well.”
Hart said the young performers, who earlier in the year had a successful run with The Little Mermaid, were “an incredible group of kids”.
“They’re all so very, very talented,” he said.
“They’ve been absolute sponges and taken everything we’ve offered them on board and they’re doing an incredible job.”
Make an Entrance is at GAC’s Story House for three shows across Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23.
Matt Hewson
do another ZZ Top night.
“I said, well, I don’t have a beard anymore; give me six months and we’ll talk!” he said.
“So in six months we did another show. And it became a thing… people really loved it, it brought a lot of ZZ Top fans out of the woodwork.Soweplayedagain,andthenwegot booked again, and again. And we’re still at it.”
The powerhouse tribute trio, comprised of Biancofiore in the role of frontman Billy Gibbons (guitar/vocals), Nathan Farrelly as Dusty Hill (bass/vocals) and Ryan Scoble playing the parts of drummer Frank Beard, bring their beards, hats and furry guitars to
Beav’s Bar next weekend.
Biancofiore said the original band’s amazing musicality was often dismissed due to their “pretty goofy” image.
“You listen to those early albums and there’s not a whole lot of studio trickery; it’s just blues songs played well by three incredible players, and you can hear it all,” he said.
“I love that, it means you have to play them live the same way, you can’t hide behind anything.”
Fandango is at Beav’s Bar on Saturday, November 23. Visit trybooking.com/cvnnz for tickets.
GSODA Junior Players present Make an Entrance at Geelong Arts Centre. (Supplied)
We will remember them
We paused at 11am on Monday November 11 to remember our fallen soldiers. Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL Sub-branch held a service at Ocean Grove Park, which was well attended. Justin Flynn took these photographs.
Ocean Grove Primary School grade 5 and 6 students lay poppies. Below: Ocean Grove Primary School co-captains Buddy Guilford (left) and Gil Noble (right) spoke at the service.
Mother and daughter Sarah and Susie selling poppies. (Pictures: Justin Flynn) 442289
Left to right: Phillip Christian delivers the prayer and blessing; Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL Sub-branch past president David Gilroy; John Dickinson.
Short-tailed shearwaters spotted
As I write this, I’m looking out the window at the nesting box where a female red-rumped parrot fledged last week.
I watched the parent birds spend a few days trying to encourage the fledgling to leave the nesting box and it eventually took flight and I haven’t seen it since, even though the parent birds have returned to the garden.
IdrovetoAnglesealastweek.Ialwaysstopat Point Addis to try and see a rufous bristlebird or two, but I didn’t manage to spot any of these birds. When I looked out to sea there was a flock of around 200 short-tailed shearwaters andabout25flutteringshearwaters,alongwith a few Australian gannets and crested terns, all gathering in one area of the ocean where there must have been a sizeable school of fish near the water surface.
Itwasgreattoseetheshort-tailedshearwaters as there have been many deceased birds of this species seen all along the Victorian coast over the past few weeks. These birds undertake an annual 10,000km migration from around Alaska to Australia, which can take three or four weeks. If they encounter severe storms during the last stage of this flight, birds can perish from exhaustion.
I had a close encounter with a male king parrot in Anglesea. Male king parrots are the only Australian parrots that have a completely red head and the females have a green head and breast.
These parrots are normally seen in pairs or
family groups, but this male was on his own. Hopefully he had a mate sitting in a nearby nesting hollow. King parrots are increasingly encountered in well-treed suburban areas where people feed them wild bird seed or sunflower seeds at feeding stations.
I visited Robyn on her property in Wallington, where during a quick 30-minute walk I saw 30 species of birds, including a pair of dusky woodswallows and a sacred kingfisher.
Around the corner from Robyn’s property
I saw a black-fronted dotterel feeding on the edge of a farm dam, which is the third year in a row that I’ve seen this species in the same spot and then seen nesting activity with subsequent fledglings.
I received an email from Alan, who also went to Anglesea recently with his wife Anne. Anne observed about 50 different flowers and orchids and Alan was looking for southern emu-wrens, but lucked out on this species.
AlanhasrecentlyreturnedfromtheFlinders Ranges where he saw eight new species of birds (for him) including an iconic and rare grey falcon. Alan has published a book of his bird photos and I’m looking forward to owning a copy.
I received a message from Phil, who lives in Ocean Grove. He took a photo of a bird in his garden and wanted me to tell him the species of this bird, and I was able to inform him that the bird was an eastern spinebill.
This is a honeyeater that has a lovely long curved bill, which enables it to gain nectar from deep inside flowers. These birds hover around flowers much like the American hummingbirds. They are larger in size compared to hummingbirds.
I saw a ruby-throated hummingbird at the Memphis Botanic Gardens recently and it was the tiniest bird I had ever seen and at first glance I thought it was a butterfly.
There is a lot of nesting activity by hooded plovers on our beaches, so please observe the signs denoting nesting sites on the beaches and keep dogs on leads in these areas.
The three hatchlings at Barwon Heads near the bluff only lived for a few days last week and it’s so tough for these birds to help their hatchlings survive until they can fly.
The good news is that two hoodie chicks fledged last week at Point Roadknight near Anglesea.
Jen’s sacred kingfisher at Wallington.
Jen’s king parrot at Anglesea, and black-fronted dotterel at Wallington.
Bethany heads to the big top
Local circus performer Bethany Lovell will travel to Lithuania to compete at an international circus competition. She spoke to Matt Hewson about what it’s taken to get this far and her hopes for the future.
In less than a year Bethany Lovell, 18, has gone from never having used a Cyr wheel to preparing to compete against the best young circus performers in the world.
Next week she travels to Lithuania to take part in the International Youth Circus Festival of Ziburiai, the only Australian performer selected to compete this year.
“I’mreallyexcitedtogooverandseeeveryone else’s acts and performance, see what everyone else is like overseas,” Bethany said.
“But for my performance, I’m so nervous. I’m just like, I’ve got to keep drilling it, making sure it’s clean. So I’m really nervous but excited at the same time.
“Circus is a community, no matter where you come from. It’s such a unique sport… I know it’s a competition, but we’re still one big family, that’s what I really love about it.”
On November 23 in Lithuania, Bethany will perform a five-minute routine on the Cyr wheel. If you don’t know what the Cyr wheel is, you’re not alone.
Typically made of metal, the wheel stands some six inches higher than its user and is used for a wide array of different manoeuvres and tricks,withperformersoftenstandingwithinit and rolling or spinning gyroscopically.
Although the origins of a single large wheel used for sport are contested by scholars, the Einreifen (or Mono Wheel) was a gymnastics apparatus developed in Germany after World War II that quickly fell back into obscurity.
Canadian circus performer Daniel Cyr revived its use in the late 1990s, developing the modern version of the wheel, inventing a brand new suite of moves for the apparatus and lending it his name.
So in relative terms, the Cyr wheel is fairly new to the circus scene.
For Bethany, it’s even newer. She has been training on the Cyr wheel for less than 12 months.
“I’vecomealongwaythisyear;I’mreally proudofmyprogressandthenhopefullyby the start of next year I’ll be doing so much more,” she said.
In fact, she only started her circus journey at local circus studio CirqArts less than five years ago, although much of the first two years of that time was interrupted significantly.
“I came to do one class in 2020, and then COVID happened, so that year didn’t really go,” Bethany said.
“But in 2021 I really started circus. Just in basicclasses,doingabitofeverythingandthen slowly moving my way up.
“I studied dance before I started circus though. I did that for eight years, and I did all styles; jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, ballet, everything.
“I discovered a bunch of other ground specialties that I liked. But I continued with aerials because it’s good for strength, and I found I love trapeze and lyra (aerial hoop).”
Then she began to get “invested”.
‘‘ Circus is a community ... I know it’s a competition, but we’re still one big family, that’s what I really love about it ’’ - Bethnay Lovell
“When I first came along it was because I needed a hobby, something to do. I saw the aerials and I thought, oh, I really want to do that. Then I discovered I actually didn’t like aerials at all.
“I started becoming more involved when I did CirqArts’ teacher training program to become a junior coach,” Bethany said. “And then I did their Emerging Artist program and it just slowly built up more and more. All of a sudden I was in every day, doing everything.
“It definitely started off as just a fun hobby. Now it’s the career that I want to do for the rest of my life.”
CirqArts founder Rosa Pagani said Bethany had “some pretty big goals” but given what she had achieved in such a short time, she was well placed to succeed.
“CirqArts is a career-focused studio; we like to give students pathways to professional careers in the arts,” Rosa said.
“The first step is the Emerging Artists program… and now Beth is in our Professional Development program for people over 18. And
they train about 12 hours a week and focus on specialties and developing acts which they will use to launch their career as an artist.
“It’s only been two years and one term that (Bethany) has been training, and only this year training at that 12 hours a week mark.
“She is already starting to build her footprint in Europe now, in that short period of time. Imagine what she can really do in two years from now.”
For Bethany, her “dream beyond the stars” is to one day perform on the Cyr wheel as part of Cirque de Soleil.
But in the meantime, she hopes the competition in Lithuania will allow her to kickstart her career.
“I’m hoping to connect with other artists, train with them, see different stuff, also get some good footage of my act for my show reel” she said. “It’s about starting to create those connections, getting my name out there.
“While I’m in Lithuania I’m going to go travelling and hopefully go to a European circus school, (where) they can help me focus and train especially hard and get my skills up to an advanced level.”
Bethany Lovell flies out for Lithuania this week. (Pictures: Louisa Jones) 442290
Healthcare collaboration is working to bridge the gap DISABILITY SERVICES
In the healthcare landscape, collaboration stands as a cornerstone for achieving remarkable outcomes.
When professionals unite their expertise and resources, they can accomplish far more than they ever could alone.
This fundamental principle is at the core of the dynamic partnership between Crossing The Gap and Barwon Occupational Therapy (OT).
These two esteemed organisations have joinedforcestoprovidecomprehensivesupport and services to their community, with a particular focus on mental health, paediatrics, senior health, and the disability sector.
Kristy from Crossing The Gap provides her insight on the partnership.
“We support each other, promoting each other’s businesses,” she said.“We found that by working together, we can go a lot further.
“I have had the privilege of working closely with Anna, the director of Barwon OT, for a good seven years. I first met Anna when working for another organisation; she not only trained my staff but continues to provide invaluable training to my team today.
“When I ventured out on my own, Anna and Gwen helped me establish my company and have stood by my side every day since.”
Barwon OT
Barwon OT is renowned for its diverse team of passionatealliedhealthprofessionalsdedicated to making a difference in the lives of their clients and communities.
They strongly believe in matching participants with the right OT, social worker, psychologist, or therapy assistant to ensure personalised and effective care.
Furthermore, Barwon OT offers its clients the option to complete appointments in their
comfortable consulting rooms, to attend group of staff training in its multipurpose training hub, or to trial equipment in the impressive sensory gym, providing a range of versatile environments for therapy and development.
The option to complete appointments in the clinic provides participants with important cost savings options for therapist time and travel.
One of the standout features of Barwon OT is its provision of behaviour support, led by experienced allied health professionals.
This aspect of their services underscores their commitment to holistic care, addressing not only the physical but also the behavioural and emotional well-being of their clients, carers, and communities.
Barwon OT offers flexible treatment options, working collaboratively with families, carers, and other health professionals.
Its advanced practice areas, such as sensory modulation, highlight its commitment to remaining at the forefront of the field.
To learn more about Barwon OT visit www. barwonoccupationaltherapy.com or call 5200 2684.
Crossing The Gap
Crossing The Gap is a beacon of educational excellence, dedicated to empowering students with diverse learning needs.
Its specialisation in supporting students with Specific Learning Differences (SLD) is underscored by a strong emphasis on school
readiness. What sets Crossing The Gap apart is its unwavering commitment to working alongside Allied Health professionals.
This approach ensures that each student receivespersonalisedattention,tailoredtotheir unique learning style, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
Collaboration is at the heart of Crossing The Gap’s ethos. It prioritises partnerships with parents, carers, and schoolteachers, recognising that a united front leads to the best outcomes for students.
This collaborative approach extends beyond the classroom, with resources available to support students’ learning at home and at school.
Crossing The Gap ensures that each child has access to the tools and support they need to succeed, empowering them to reach their full potential.
To learn more about Crossing The Gap and its transformative approach to education, visit www.ctgdisability.com.au or call Kristy today on 0493 057 276.
Crossing The Gap and Barwon OT share a vision of empowering individuals and families to reach their full potential.
By pooling their expertise and resources, they have created a robust network of support thatextendsacrosstheBarwonregion,covering areas like Geelong, Golden Plains, Colac, Surf Coast, Bellarine Peninsula, and more.
The partnership between Crossing The Gap and Barwon OT epitomises the power of collaboration in healthcare.
Together, they are bridging gaps and providing holistic, client-centered care to their community.Theirsharedvaluesofcompassion, professionalism, and innovation make them a formidable team, dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of those they serve.
Kristy from Crossing the Gap and Anna from Barwon Occupational Therapy form a dynamic partnership. (Supplied)
weekly
in store Premix King Rocks the Bellarine.
Gabbie Crowden and daughter Vayda, Julie Ward and Maddy Ward and daughter Poppy. (PIctures: Ivan Kemp) 442965
Fleur Freeland and son Odie (above), and Lisa Winton (below).
Above: James Dean. Right: Helen Oates (top), and Lyn Houldcroft. Far right: Sam Oxley.
Jenny Macaulay wins writing comp
Initssixthyear,thereweremorethan60entries in the Bellarine Writing Competition’s short story competition, with the overall quality of entrants’ writing improving yet again.
The 2024 winner is Jenny Macaulay from Portarlington. She is a consistent entrant each year, always submitting exceptional work for the competition.
JUDGES’ COMMENTS: Jenny’s story, ‘Unnewsworthy’ was an intriguing take on the final prompt ‘Sweet Revenge’ given to the five finalists. Jenny’s excellent description of scene and the ambiguity of character intent had the four judges animatedly debating the ending. As a reader of the Voice what do you think was the nature of her ‘Sweet Revenge?’
Unnewsworthy
By Jenny Macaulay
Hannah clenched her teeth as her shiny, platinum Lexus jiggled over the potholes along the 200 metre driveway towards what was once her childhood home. She rounded the familiar clump of tatty conifers and fumed at the sight of the old bull-nose veranda leaning dangerously to one side, propped up by a couple of beer kegs. Sections of the light-green house paint had weathered back to raw boards. How could her brother allow the place to deteriorate like this?
Jill, a neighbour, had alerted Hannah to Malcolm’s decline after calling in to find him drunk and with a nasty gash on the side of his head.He’drefusedhelpandwasabusive,which was totally out of character. Hannah learnt from Jill that a few months earlier, she and another neighbour had purchased the remains of Malcolm’s dairy herd. He couldn’t afford the feedthroughthecontinualdroughtconditions.
After hearing from Jill, Hannah rang Malcolm and received an earful. How dare her younger brother speak to her like that! He’d inherited the farm, their father believing that property should go to the son. She was quite happy about that really, but was outraged that the overall assets had not been more fairly distributed. She and Malcolm had not communicated since.
Hannah entered the large, three-sided corrugated-iron shed. Where were the dogs to announce her arrival? Apart from a slight breeze through the pines and occasional caw of a raven, all was eerily quiet. An oil stain on the rammed-earth floor indicated an absent vehicle. The old farm tractor, spot-lit by sunlight beaming through a hole in the wall, was laced with spider-webs. Nearby, scattered hay had burst free from its baling twine.
Hannah shouted Malcolm’s name and a startled swallow swooped from the darkness causing her to duck and stumble out of the building. She continued past her car and made for the house. She needed the toilet urgently and would force the door if necessary.
It was unlocked. Again she called Malcolm’s name as she headed for the bathroom, past the old heavy furniture, the dull prints on the walls, that awful grey patterned carpet purchased to disguise the marks made by dirty boots. And the smell, that familiar sweet smell of methylated spirits that her mother had used to meticulously clean doorknobs and sinks. This was a surprise as the house looked filthy. But the loo was her priority. She reached the bathroom and slammed the door.
Thetoiletwasinthecornerofthelargeroom.
High, narrow wind-out windows had rusted into a permanent half-open position above the roof of the adjoining woodshed, the woodshed where their mother had been fatally bitten by a tiger snake when Hannah was 17.
A partition of dimpled glass, now cracked in several places, separated the toilet from the bath and its overhead shower. With some trepidation Hannah peered into the toilet bowl.Apartfromadarkrimaroundthemurky water’s edge, it seemed safe. She lowered the seat and relieved her full bladder, then pulled the chain. Murky brown water flowed from the cistern.
The hand-basin tap water cleared after she let it run. Malcolm must have been absent for a few days. A dry bathmat lay crumpled on the pink, flecked linoleum floor. She swept back the striped shower curtain, its base black with mould, and pushed it along the rail towards the tap end of the grimy bath. Water stains marked their leaky route to the plughole.
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She’d grab her phone from the car and give him a ring. It wouldn’t do to be found fossicking around in the…his…house. As she turned the brass doorhandle, it came off in her hand. She heard part of the mechanism drop either inside or on the other side of the door. She tried refitting the knob and turning it, but thedoorremainedshut.Sheputherfingersinto the hole to find some moveable part. Nothing budged. Her heart raced as panic surged. She tried breathing slowly…deeply.
Malcolm gently closed the door of his second-hand caravan. He left the radio on insideandhisoldFordUtilityparkedalongside his outdoor table on which lay a book and a coffee cup. A tee-shirt and underpants dripped from a makeshift clothesline. He slipped out of the caravan park unnoticed. It was half an hour’s walk to town and by then the businesses would be opening their doors. He’d booked the hire car a couple of days prior and was due to pick it up at 9.30am.
It was a two hour drive to the farm. He reviewed his plan. He regretted having to lose the farmhouse but it was the only way he could secure a fresh start, both mentally and financially. His mother’s death eight years back had been tragic, but three years after that, running the farm alone while his father was gradually consumed by cancer, had taken its toll. And fancy his sister ringing after all this time. Where was she through all the doctors’ appointments, the hospital stays? Too busy with her Sydney high-flying mates to even visit during those miserable final years of their father’s life. Then to have the audacity to challenge the will!
It was the drought, however, that finally destroyedMalcolm.Nothingcouldchangethat now.
Jenny Macaulay
Jenny Macaulay is a retired primary school teacher enjoying life in Portarlington facilitating art and writing groups between gardening and just appreciating a relaxed lifestyle.
Jenny organises activities where others can enjoy the experience of writing in its many forms. She facilitates a poetry group in Geelong under the umbrella of Geelong Writers and runs the Portarlington Haiku Society where members participate in a monthly competition. She and a colleague also organise the Midwinter Words writers’ weekend which will be enjoying its 10th year this August after a break since the COVID years. Jenny also runs a drawing class at the Portarlington Neighbourhood House and the occasional Sumi e workshops (Japanese ink painting) and nature journaling workshops for Bellarine Bayside Coastal Management. In her spare time she enjoys painting small watercolours of Bellarine’s beautiful surrounds.
Heranthroughitoncemore.Thenewspapers, sprinkled with methylated spirits, were stacked high in the back bedroom. Directly outside were the gas cylinders, recently filled. A fuse from the newspapers, via a tiny hole at floor level, and extending beyond the house by ten metres, gave him ample time to get back to the cowshed at the rear of the farm. He’d be in the hire car and on the backroad before the house erupted in flame, then back in the caravan park’s kitchen block with fellow campers for the five o’clock news, although he doubted very much that a burnt-out farm house was even newsworthy.
Bellarine Writing Competition 2024 winner Jenny Macaulay.
Above: The five finalists: Christine Scheiner, Kristal Sorby, Jenny Macaulay, Wes Furyk and Maxine Flakemore. Left: Connie Smith presented Jenny Macaulay with her first prize.
Tips on the best wines to pair with festive flavours
Australia is renowned for its diverse and exceptional wine regions, producing a wide array of wines that pair well with the festive flavours of Christmas. Here are some of the best wines to enjoy during the Christmas season in Australia.
Sparkling Shiraz: A unique Australian specialty, sparkling Shiraz is a red sparkling wine made from the Shiraz grape. It’s a festive and celebratory choice with rich berry flavors, a hint of spice, and lively bubbles. It pairs well with a variety of Christmas dishes, making it a versatile option for the holiday table.
Chardonnay: Australia produces outstanding Chardonnays, both oaked and unoaked, from regions like Margaret River, Adelaide Hills, and Yarra Valley. A well-balanced Chardonnay with notes of citrus, melon, and a touch of oak complexity can complement the flavors of roasted poultry, seafood, and creamy side dishes often enjoyed during Christmas meals.
Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend: This popular blend, often found in regions like Margaret River, creates a crisp and refreshing white wine. Semillon adds a textured palate, while Sauvignon Blanc contributes bright acidity and vibrant fruit flavors. This combination pairs well with seafood, salads, and lighter Christmas fare.
Riesling: Riesling, particularly from regions like Clare Valley and Eden Valley, showcases vibrantacidityandcitrusynotes.Itsversatility makes it an excellent choice to pair with a range of dishes, from glazed ham to spicy prawns. An off-dry or slightly sweet Riesling can balance the richness of festive meals.
Pinot Noir: Hailing from regions like Tasmania, Mornington Peninsula, and Yarra Valley, Australian Pinot Noir is known for its elegance and finesse. With flavors of red berries, earth, and subtle spice, Pinot Noir complements a variety of Christmas dishes,
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is an excellent choice. Expect bold black fruit flavors, firm tannins, and a hint of eucalyptus, making it a perfect match for hearty dishes like roast beef or lamb.
Grenache: Grenache, often found in blends or as a single varietal, offers juicy red fruit flavors, subtle spiciness, and a smooth texture. It pairs well with a variety of Christmas dishes, from glazed ham to barbecue fare. Look for Grenache from McLaren Vale or Barossa Valley for a full-bodied and flavorful experience.
Prosecco or Australian Sparkling Wine: For those who prefer a lighter and more floral sparkling option, consider a Prosecco or an Australian Sparkling wine. These wines are perfect for toasting and pairing with canapés, seafood, or light appetizers.
FortifiedWines-MuscatorTawnyPort: To cap off the Christmas meal, consider a glass of fortified wine. Australian Muscat or Tawny Port offers rich, sweet, and nutty flavors, making them delightful accompaniments to desserts like Christmas pudding or fruitcake.
Verdelho: Verdelho, often found in regions like Hunter Valley, is a versatile white wine with tropical fruit flavors and crisp acidity. It pairs well with seafood, salads, and lighter Christmasdishes,makingitarefreshingchoice for warm Australian summer celebrations.
including turkey, ham, and roasted vegetables.
Cabernet Sauvignon: For those favoring red meat as the centerpiece of their Christmas feast, a robust Cabernet Sauvignon from regions like Coonawarra or Margaret River
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PUZZLES
To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.
ACROSS
1 Sweet sauce made with milk and eggs (7)
5 Tableland (7)
9 Gloomy (9)
10 Distort (5)
11 SleepingBeauty protagonist (6)
12 Elegant (8)
14 Mother or father (6)
15 Fur (4)
19 Web auction site (4)
20 To present (6)
24 Small blade (8)
25 Marketplace (6)
27 Town famed for witchcraft trials (5)
28 Largeness (9)
29 Ocean creature (3,4)
30 Region (7)
DOWN
1 Occasional (6)
2 A planet (6)
3 Relating to cultivated land (8)
4 Speaker’s platform (4)
5 Showing something to a group (10)
6 Movement (6)
7 Main action of a play (8)
8 Inverted (8)
13 Horrific (10)
16 Fierce storms (8)
17 Flowering shrub (8)
18 Initial service fee (8)
21 Cloisonné (6)
22 Female Arabic name meaning captivating (6)
23 Stick of wax used for writing (6)
26 Neglect (4)
be included and each letter may only be used
No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised
apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”.
TheDictionaryofLostWords and TheBookbinderof Jericho are novels by which Australian author? 2 Avatar, ClashoftheTitans and HacksawRidge are all movies starring which actor?
3 What is the name of Australia’s famous portraiture art prize?
4 From which language are ballet terms derived? 5 Calcium carbonate is more commonly known as what? 6 Sauerkraut primarily consists of what?
7 What ocean lies to the west of Australia?
8
10 Musician Nick Cave (pictured) most often performs as part of which band?
No. 211 No. 210
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Ocean Grove Voice looks back through the pages of our predecessors
8 years ago
November 9 to 22, 2016
Target has defended its decision to stop selling menswear from its Ocean Grove store.
Target Country stopped selling men’s clothes several weeks ago, prompting many local consumers to express their disappointment via social media and to the Ocean Grove Business Association.
5 years ago
November 20 to December 3, 2019
A group of Ocean Grove parents are calling on the Australian government to act urgently to protect their children’s health and safety in the face of what they say is a “climate breakdown“.
United Nations World Children’s Day on 20 November commemorates the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which Australia has signed.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
3 years ago
November 19 to December 2, 2021
The Dunes restaurant has moved to quash rumours that it has been preventing Ocean Grove Surf Lifesaving Club (OGSLSC) from operating its bistro. OGSLSC’s bistro has been closed since the end of October, but Seachange Hospitality, which operates The Dunes, has refuted rumours that it took legal action to prevent it from operating.
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.
Live music
Bellarine Country Music Group meets Friday nights at Belmont Park Pavilion, music 7-10pm, $10 entry all welcome. Guest Artist November 15 is Vanessa Sanger.
Croquet
Drysdale Bowling & Croquet Club, Clifton Springs Road, Tuesdays from 10am for training, bring a friend.
0428 740 591
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 1.30-3.30pm. No experience necessary. Just a desire to keep fit and have fun.
Megan, 0439 317 344
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, 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 1-3.15pm. 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
1 year ago
November 17 to 30, 2023
An Ocean Grove man has ran alongside an out of control car for 50 metres to save a man suffering from a seizure while driving. Drysdale’s Willem O’Riley, 25, was driving home from Barwon Heads when he blacked out behind the wheel near The Parade and Tuckfield Street corner close to 2pm on Saturday, November 11.
Kareen, 0419 246 346, or Janis, 5255 4585
Monthly Inhouse Movies 3rd Wednesday 1.30pm.
Dianne, 5255 1372
TOWN club
The Springs TOWN Club (Take Off Weight Naturally) meets Mondays, 9-10.30am at the Community Hub, 23 Eversley Street, Drysdale. Weigh-in, group therapy and regular relaxation sessions. Cost: $5 per session, $54 annual fee.
Bev, 0421 636 830
Ocean Grove Day VIEW
Meets second Wednesday of the month, 10.30am for 11am.
oceangroveday.viewclub@gmail.com
Drysdale Day VIEW
like-minded players. Cost: $30 annually and coffee included. At 101 The Terrace, Ocean Grove.
Dianne, 5255 1372
Ocean Grove on Barwon Probus Meets 9.45am for 10am every third Wednesday at Ocean Grove Golf Club.
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
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
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 Street, Drysdale on the second Tuesday of the month. Meetings start at 1pm followed by afternoon tea. Friendly group looking to recruit new members.
Jenni, 0452 258 333
Out and about
It’s starting to feel a bit like summer and Voice photographer Ivan Kemp needed no persuading to venture down to Ocean Grove main beach on a beautiful Tuesday morning on November 12.
1/ Brodie and Kim McDonald. 2/ Laura Selig and Luna. 3/ Keiko Hayash. 4/ Rachel Robbins with Snoopy. 5/ Jess Balson with her children Sonny and Evie. 6/ Peter Stulpmer and Harrison Neville. 7/ 78-year old Bill McWhinnie on his daily bike ride. 8/ Graeme and Janette Allchin. 9/ Lydia Graham. 10/ Marta Erdogan, Bron and Greg Spaull. 11/ Paula Simpson. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 442961
SPORTS QUIZ
1. Which 25-year-old North Melbourne Kangaroos forward shockingly announced his retirement in October?
2. Name the NRL team that wears blue and gold.
3. Which Spaniard won the 2024 Ballon d’Or?
4. Which Spaniard won the 2024 Ballon d'Or
5. In 2019, former Yankee Mariano Rivera became the only man to achieve what post-career feat?
6. Giants, thunderbirds and crows are some of the sports teams of which Australian city?
7. Which regional Victorian city has a team debuting in the WNBL this season?
What do the Olympic rings represent?
Which three US horse races make up the Triple Crown?
What is the maximum number of greyhounds competing in any one
Which Australian wicketkeeper-batsman has officially announced his retirement from international cricket?
The AFL has launched an investigation into which coach’s prominent new role with a finance firm?
Legendary horse trainer Bart Cummings won how many Melbourne Cups?
14. In the closely-fought F1 championship, which team finished first in the Mexican Grand Prix?
15. The Constellation Cup is a Test series fought between rivals Australia and New Zealand in which sport?
16. Which famous Premier League soccer club has had its worst start to a season in 35 years?
17. The top-ranked horse in the world, Via Sistina, won which major race in October?
18. Which cricket team handed India a rare home defeat in a recent Test series?
19. And which Kiwi spinner unexpectedly took 13 wickets in the second match?
20. In which year did Michelle Payne win the Melbourne Cup on Prince of Penzance?
21. How many meetings was jockey Jamie Kah banned for due to careless riding on 2024's Derby Day?
22. Which AFL team won the 2024 McClelland Trophy for the best combined record across the AFL and AFLW seasons?
23. Which Australian city was the most recent to become part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors series?
24. Josh Addo-Carr was recently sacked by which NRL club?
25. Which Australian track and field athlete was recently inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame?
ACCOUNTING SERVICES
RocheAccounting52562764
ANTENNAS
ArrowAntennas0439785703
KendallAntennaServices0404019781
AUTOMOTIVE
AutoCareOceanGrove(Repco)52551045
GardinerAutomotive52555380
BUILDING DESIGNERS
MichaelHigginsBuildingDesign52553355
BUTCHERS
Benno’sMeatingPlace52541828
CHIMNEY SWEEPS
A1ChimneySweep&Co0426897479
CONVEYANCING
SurfsideConveyancingPtyLtd52555556 VinesConveyancing52554480
CLEANING AND LAUNDRY
AussieCleaning&Laundry0430215264
DENTAL
DrysdaleDentureServices
RyanDavies52511683
OceanGroveDentureServices
RyanDavies 52554533
FLOORING
BellarineFlooring52552044
26. Which nation is ranked second on the Men’s FIBA Basketball World Rankings, behind the US?
27. And at what spot is the Australian men’s basketball team currently ranked?
28. Australia played which team in the 2024 Pacific Championships Men’s Bowl Final?
29. How many metres is the Melbourne Cup run over?
30. And which outsider was the Cup winner this year?
Michelle Payne Michelle
New MG HS is bigger and better
By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring
The MG HS is the Chinese importer’s largest vehicle.
A mid-size SUV, it competes - although not toosuccessfullysofar-againstwell-established models like the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Nissan X-Trail and Kia Sportage.
MG HS has been on sale here since late 2019 and has just been replaced by what is effectively an all-new model. It’s larger in length, width and with a longer wheelbase than before, all of which contribute to providing extra interior space. Indeed, it’s larger in most dimensions than most of its rivals.
There are three variants: Vibe, Excite and Essense with prices ranging from $33,990 to $40,990 driveaway. Although these prices are around $3000 more than the previous models they are still at the lower end in its category.
The top-spec Essence was our test vehicle.
On release, the new HS only comes with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine but with both a conventional petrol/electric hybrid (HEV) and plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV) due to follow early in the new year.
Styling
Styling for this second-generation HS is a step up from the fairly conservative design of its predecessor with a much more attractive premium look.
The front grille is wider than before with a new design featuring a combination of brushed aluminium and piano black.
MG is making full use of the original British company’s iconic badge attached to the front of the bonnet, tailgate and wheels as well as inside on the centre of the steering wheel and on the key fob.
All HS models have full LED automatic headlights with manual levelling together with LED daytime running lights and LED tail-lights.
Rear fog lights are also standard but only Excite and Essence get them at the front.
The entry level Vibe comes with 18-inch alloys, Excite and Essence get 19-inch alloys.
Interior
MG HS is longer, wider and with a longer wheelbase than most of its direct competitors and this translates into excellent interior space.
Entry is easy to manage and the additional wheelbase and width improve on the already capacious interior space.
There’s a real feeling of quality and prestige inside the MG HS that gives the impression it could easily be a much more expensive vehicle. It has a really solid feel, fit and finish is excellent, with well-crafted soft touch surfaces mixed with piano black.
At the front there are two USB-A ports, a 12V power outlet and a wireless smartphone charger in the Essence. Storage space is limited with two cupholders sitting right behind the gear selector level and no easy spots for phones, wallets and the like.
There is a sunglass holder.
Rear legroom is excellent and there’s plenty of headroom despite the Essence’s panoramic sunroof. The extra width together with a flat floor, air vents, twin USB ports, grab handles with lights and map pockets make for a comfortable space that’s just about suitable for three adults rather than the usual two plus a child in most cars of its size.
Boot space is 507 litres with the seatback in place, expanding to 1484 litres when they are folded. There is some useful storage space under the bootlid and a space-saver wheel below that.
Infotainment
OneofthebiggestimprovementsinthenewHS are the twin 12.3-inch screens. There’s a virtual driver cluster display behind the steering wheel andthecolourinfotainmenttouchscreeninthe centre of the dashboard.
Both screens are easy to read and operate. Smartphone mirroring is available through cabled Apple CarPlay or Android Auto with
two USB ports at the front and another pair at the rear. Satellite navigation is standard in both variants.
Satellite navigation is standard in the Excite and Essence.
Engines/transmissions
As before, the new HS is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine but with increased power and torque: 125 kW (up from 119 kW) and 275 Nm (from 250 Nm).
The engine is mated to a seven-speed DCT automatic transmission feeding power to the road via the front wheels.
Running on 91 RON fuel with a claimed fuel consumption of 7.3 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined urban / highway cycle.
Safety
One of the main reasons that the early Chinese entrants into the Australian market struggled was because of poor safety equipment. That’s no longer the case and, although the new MG HShasyettobetestedbyANCAP,theprevious modelhadbeentestedin2019andachievedthe maximum five-star rating.
ANCAP test criteria has tightened since then but so has the range of safety features in the new HS so there’s little doubt that it will get the top mark when it is tested next.
Standard features include seven airbags, enhanced ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution and emergency brake assist, and electronic stability program, reversing camera, hill start assist with auto hold, automatic door unlocking and a collapsible steering column. Also standard is the MG Pilot advanced driver assistance system. A comprehensive package of safety equipment, it features active emergency braking with pedestrian and cycle
detection, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, intelligent speed limit assist with traffic sign recognition, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, driver attention alert and intelligent high beam assist.
Unfortunately, MG has followed the growing cost-saving trend of switching a majority of controls to the multimedia touchscreen, including the most commonly-used audio and air conditioning.
There are numerous alarms and warning sounds that often work together, often without a visual explanation of the reason for the warning.Thereisalsoanalerttellingthedriver to keep their eyes on the road when, as often as not, they are looking at the screen to try and find out why another alert is being sounded.
While many of these alerts can be turned off it’s only temporary. As soon as the engine is re-started they return as default settings.
Driving
Access to the cabin was relatively easy. We were abletoslideacrossintothedriver’sseatwithout any undue bending or climbing easily with the power seat adjustment in the Essence there if needed. Driving position can be optimised with tilt and reach adjustment to the steering wheel. while many drivers will choose to turn off the aforementioned features prior to taking off.The360-degreecameraintheEssencehasa number of settings and will be worth the extra cost for those who spend the majority of time around in urban areas.
Large windows and side mirrors provide excellent all-round visibility while the three-spoke steering wheel had the top half clear to allow an unrestricted view of the driver’s information display.
While the drivetrain of the new HS is essentially the same as the previous model,
the extra size has added weight to the vehicle so performance isn’t a strong point. Most mid-sized SUVs are much the same, primarily designed for family transportation.
Having said that, there’s enough power for comfortable motorway cruising and sufficient torque when needed on hills or overtaking.
The ride is noticeably firmer than the outgoing HS and certainly enhanced the driving experience.
Likewise the steering feel has been improved although there’s a bit of body roll in corners.
Summing up
Like early generations of Japanese and Korean vehicles, MG broke into the Australian market largely through cheap prices. As history showed, that would change with quality and reliability improvements being matched by price increases.
We’re now seeing the same thing happening with Chinese vehicles. This is particularly noticeable with the recent launch of the MG4 and significant upgrades to the MG3 and HS. Despite price rises all three of these vehicles remain are still cheaper than competitors in their respective market segments.
The new MG HS is a major step forward in terms of its styling, build quality and technology. For potential buyers it’s certainly worth including their mid-sized SUV shortlist.
MG has taken a new approach with its standardwarrantywiththeprevioussevenyear / unlimited distance coverage now extended to 10 years but with the distance cut back to 250,000 kilometres. Unlike Mitsubishi’s conditional 10-year warranty MG vehicles do not need to be serviced at their dealerships but just require logbook conditions to be followed.
The new MG HS is a major step forward in terms of its styling, build quality and technology. (Supplied)
Grovers prevail at Belmont
Voice photographer Ivan Kemp was at Belmont Bowls Club on Saturday November 9 to see Ocean Grove defeat the home side in Geelong Bowls Region Division 1.
Mia O’Reilly leads off for Ocean Grove and gets close.
Above: Daniel Henery gets this bowl really close. Below: Garry Bowyer looks to consolidate position (left), and Peter Falvey leads off for Belmont.
Manuel Koulkoudinas watches his line.
Left to right: Terence Brady checks his line; Alan Callow concentrates on this bowl; John Clark leads for Belmont; Rod Brehault looks to keep it tight. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 442640
Ashley Gemmill looks to get position.
Bashia Keep looks to get it close.
Gary King leads off for Ocean Grove.
Tuesday Pennant finals action
LOCAL TENNIS
It is getting to the pointy end of Tuesday Women’s Pennant with four of the seven sections in finals and with the remaining three in their final round.
The three sections that were in their final round saw a change to the makeup of the final four in dramatic fashion.
St Mary’s took their fate in their own hands and worked their way into the finals in Section 7 with a win over Leopold displacing them in the final four, and backed up in Section 6 doing the same to Grovedale.
In Section 2 Anglesea had a day they would prefer to forget against third placed Point Lonsdale, winning only seven games and
relinquishing fourth spot to Surfcoast Torquay Yellow who took a 4-2 win over second placed Aireys Inlet.
The elimination finals in the remaining four sectionswereallhardfought,withseveralclose matches.
Section 5 saw Clifton Springs and Surfcoast Bellbrae go toe to toe, with each team having a win over the other during the home and away season, making the outcome hard to pick. The match had an even start with each team taking a6-2wininthefirsttwosets,beforetheSprings won the next two 6-4, 6-1 giving them the advantage going into the remaining two sets.
Bellbrae kept themselves in the match winning the sixth 6-3, but with Sarka Vajbar winning her third set for the day in the fifth, the Springs will progress through to next week
against Grovedale.
One of the closest results for the day came in Section 4 when Drysdale hosted Eastern Districts in near perfect conditions. The teams split the first two sets 6-4 and 7-5 and things remained close going into the final two sets with set three going to Drysdale in a tie-break while Districts got up in the fourth 6-4. With Drysdale only holding a one-game lead, the match was up for grabs, and while Madison Gioffre and Debbie Irwin gave Districts a third set with their 6-4 win, Helen Glavocih and Mandy McManus went a little better for Drysdale winning 6-1 putting their team over the line and into the prelim final against Surfcoast Jan Juc Blue.
Highton were guaranteed a prelim finals berth with Blue and Gold teams facing off in
Podium finish for Ocean Grove ace
Ocean Grove touring car ace Zac Soutar has finished second in the TCR Australia Touring Car Series overall points standings.
Soutar’s Tufflift Racing team was sitting in second place going into the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst and knew that it would take a perfect weekend to give himself and his team the best possible chance of tasting championship glory in 2024.
The weekend could not have gotten off to a better start on Saturday morning in qualifying, with Soutar putting in a fantastic lap around the mountain to blitz the field and qualify at pole position by more than eight-tenths of a second. This was the first time Soutar had qualified on pole in the TCR Australia Series, and also gave the #110 Audi driver 6 crucial championship points to help cut down the lead from his championship leading rival Josh Buchan.
The fast-paced theme continued for Soutar on Saturday afternoon in race one. After a perfect launch from pole position, Soutar was able to jump straight into the lead of the race heading into the first corner.
After putting in a series of fast laps early in the piece out front, Soutar was able to pull out a slight gap to his rivals behind before bringing
home his third race win of the 2024 season.
This rounded out a perfect Saturday for the Tufflift Racing team, with maximum points being scored across the day to give Soutar the best possible chance of fighting for the championship heading into the final day of the season.
The reverse grid race on Sunday morning was always going to be a challenging one, but with the speed that the Tufflift Racing Audi had onboard the team was hopeful of a positive result.
Starting from 10th place, Soutar avoided some early carnage and plenty of wheel banging from his rivals in front to come home in 7th position. Crucially, his championship rival Buchan received a five second post-race penalty for jumping the start, which promoted Soutar to 6th place and reduced the points gap to the leader by a further two points.
Starting from pole position for the final race of the season Soutar’s sole focus was to try and back up his Saturday performance and bring home another race win for the team.
This plan was made all the more difficult on lap one with Soutar and rival Dylan O’Keeffe making contact into Turn 2 while fighting hard for the race lead, which almost sent the Tufflift
Section 3. Blue had a great start taking the first three sets before Gold put themselves on the board in the fourth. Cindy O’Brien teamed with Lisa Dowling in the fifth to win her third set for the day, and kept her team’s finals run alive with the 4-2 win.
Section 1 had two close results with only one game separating Surfcoast Torquay Black and Yellow in the first final, and the result at three sets all between Moriac and Barwon Heads in the elimination. The teams were separated by one-game going into the final two sets and the final two sets were again split, but while Fiona Blood and Kerrie Fatone won their for Moriac inatie-break,StephanieWoolleywonherthird set for the day, this time with Tracie Roderick 6-1, putting them ahead by five games and into their first Section 1 prelim.
Racing Audi flying into the fence.
A spectacular save kept Soutar on track, albeit back down in 7th place. A valiant recovery drive highlighted by some exciting overtakingsawSoutarrecoverbackto3rdplace at the chequered flag.
This result delivered his 8th podium of the season in what has been both Soutar’s and the team’s most successful TCR campaign to date.
The result wasn’t quite enough to overcome the gap to championship points leader Buchan and Soutar would have to settle for a 2nd place finish overall in the 2024 Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series.
“Wecertainlygaveiteverythingthisweekend andthroughoutthewhole2024season,”Soutar said.
“It always hurts a little bit when you finish second and fall short of grabbing a championship win when it feels like it was certainlywithinreach.Regardless,I’msoproud to be able to say that our team has achieved a pole position, fastest race lap and race win at Bathurst.
“To win a race at Bathurst is something I’ve always dreamed of, and I feel so privileged that my incredible team gave me the opportunity to achieve that dream over the weekend.”
The snapper are dominating this week with fish being reported from all over the bay with the average size and numbers only seeming to get better and better.
The outer harbour continues to offer some great fishing along the channel, in particular the bend.
This spot each season is a consistent winner and is proving to be again.
The old channel off Portarlington has also been holding some nice fish and if you’re after numbers and not necessarily bigger fish then the spoil grounds are a great area to have a crack and throw around some soft plastics.
Fish averaging the 1kg have been out in force here lately and again should only get better as the water temperature continues to increase.
Inside Corio Bay has also been fishing quite well for both shore and boat based anglerswithsmallpinkysnapper,salmon and flathead all on the chew. These can be targeted with both soft plastics and bait such as pilchards and squid strips.
Queenscliff is still offering some fantastic squid fishing at the moment with bag limit captures of big calamari still on the go.
Fishing the bight has been fantastic either with big artificial jigs or real baits onaspike.Hightideslackisthebesttime to fish it as it will offer the cleanest water which plays a huge factor when targeting them in this area.
Offshore the snapper and gummy shark fishing is still going red hot with lots of reports still coming through with anglers having some great success drifting along the 50 metre line. Paternoster rigs with baits like squid, pilchards, whiting and salmon are all working very well at the moment.
As for the gummy sharks you will still pickthemupthesamewayasthesnapper but putting down a bigger chunk bait like a chunk of salmon, trevally, wrasse, snook or just about anything should result in some good success.
Peri Stavropoulos with a snapper. (Supplied)
Zac Soutar finished second in the TCR Australia Touring Car Series overall points standings. (Supplied)
Donna Schoenmaekers
Plenty of action on the field
Ivan Kemp was at Steeline Ray Menzies Oval on Saturday November 2 for day one of the Ocean Grove vs Drysdale A1 Grade game and Justin Flynn went to RT Fuller Oval on the Sunday for the Barwon Heads vs East Belmont A Grade women’s clash.
Summer Don and Steph Theodore team up in the field.
Kelsey Houghton steams in, and Summer Don with the new ball.
Left: Katrina Lumb took early wickets. Centre: Cindel McSween at the bowling crease. Right: Matilda Cole bowled well for the Seagulls. (Pictures: Justin Flynn) 441405
Left: Dylan Thorley in action. Centre: Hayden Eddy just manages to get his bat onto a high full toss. Right: Ronnie Peillon on his way to a well made 59. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 441065
Alex Mann took three wickets for Ocean Grove.
Tahj Wirth celebrates a wicket.
The ball falls just short of Dan Roddis.
Stan Grazotis left stranded on 99
Collendina bounced back to form with an eight-wicket win against Winchelsea.
In a bizarre turn of events at the finish of the match, star Cobra all-rounder Stan Grazotis was left stranded on 99 when stumps were pulled despite there being provisions for a two-day game to conclude at any time after a side has claimed six points.
However, to focus solely on that would be doing Grazotis a disservice. He took 5/33 from 20 overs in Winchelsea’s innings of 180 all out and then followed up with what should have been a deserved century in a player of the match performance.
Angus Peters took three wickets on day one and the Snakes were 2/33 at one stage in reply, but an unbroken 150-run stand for the third wicket on day two between Grazotis and Corey Walter (57 not out) gave their side
the six points.
Collendina sits in fourth place on the ladder and faces fifth-placed Surf Coast next round.
Collendina defeated arch rivals Ocean Grove in C1 Grade with a superb 100 from Jack Thomson leading the way.
Dina made 4/276 batting first with Des Every making 44 and Harrisyn Wingrave hitting a fine 75. Thomson and Wingrave shared a whopping 207-run stand for the third wicket.
Inreply,Grovemade9/201withtwowickets each to Byron Hansford, Jacob Irwin and century maker Thomson.
Collendina defeated Queenscliff in C2 Grade.
Paul Wursthorn took 4/16 in bundling the Coutas out for 69 and Sam Tucker top scored with 42 in the Cobras’ 2/115 declared.
Queenscliff fared much better with the bat the second time around and was 3/115 when stumps were pulled.
Collendina remained undefeated in D Grade with a win against Wallington in which James Molloy made a wonderful 110 not out from just 89 deliveries.
The Snakes then defeated Barwon Heads with David Worn contributing a brilliant 101 retired while Paul Donald dug in and valued his wicket with 34.
Justin Flynn
Paul Donald (right) congratulates David Worn for his century against
D
Grubbers get a kickstart
By Justin Flynn
Ocean Grove captain Fletcher Long said his side’s first BPCA A1 Grade win for the season could be the kickstart it needs.
The Grubbers defeated Drysdale by chasing down 184 for victory at Steeline Ray Menzies OvalonSaturdayNovember9inthefirstofthe two-day matches for the season.
Long said the win would hopefully spur his side on for the remainder of the season.
“Ithinktheboyshadacoupleoftoughweeks and obviously, we were really close against Anglesea the week before,” he said.
“A couple of rough ones at the start, but I think it was a good reward for effort. We’ve been working our backsides off at training and had good numbers so I think it was just a bit of relief.
“Butit’salsolikethisisthestandardnowand this is how we want to play for the rest of the year.”
Long said morale never dropped after navigating through the first four rounds winless.
“We’ve been super positive,” he said.
“I know we’ve had a couple of rough starts, but that’s kind of the nature of the one-day game. Five or ten overs can really hurt you and lose you a game. And that’s what happened to us in the first couple of weeks.
“So I think coming into the two dayers we were really positive that our brand of cricket was going to really suit that longer format.”
English import Zac Jones followed up his 99 run out in round 4 with a mature knock of 78 from 103 deliveries.
Long said it was only a matter of time that Jones would excel with the ball.
“He’s been quite unlucky,” he said.
“He’s looked really good at the top. He’s just that bit quicker than most of the blokes in the comp, so outside edges and inside edges seem to go for four runs. I think he’s not far away from blowing away a top order and taking three or four at the top.
“Yeah, it’d be nice for him to take a few wickets, but this week Taj Wirth at the other end took the wickets and our spinners were really good. So I don’t think it’ll be too long until he makes an impression with the ball as well.”
OceanGrovetravelstoBobPettittReserveto take on Jan Juc in round 6.
“We always have pretty good battles with them,” Long said. “Obviously, Turtle (Nick Hyden) is a class player at the top, he’s always a big wicket and I think they got a couple of young kids coming through.”
Sam McGlynn put his name forward for A Grade selection with 5/36 from 15 overs in Ocean Grove’s B Grade win against Portarlington.
McGlynn’s haul played a huge role in dismissing Port for 90 on day one.
Grove then declared at 4/285 with Adam Arnold (91), Ben Hanson (55), David Turner (50) and Billy Foord-Engelsman (46 not out from 24 balls) all batting well.
However, the Demons were resolute in their second dig, finishing on 1/146 with Ash Gillett (73 not out) and Matthew Long (59) making sure the 10 points went begging. Collendina proved too good for Grove in C1 Grade although Adam Spiby made a nice 67. Ocean Grove lost one and won another in D Grade with Elijah Baran getting 70 in game one and Jackson Kent making a delightful 107 retired and Ray Berry 77 in game two.
Dees too good for Wallabies
Wallington was handed a four-wicket loss by Portarlington in round 5, but retained its spot in the top four.
The Wallabies made 217 all out batting first with Henry McIntosh making a fine 96.
McIntosh’s innings took up just 89 deliveries and deserved three figures, but the rest of the top and middle order struggled to get on top.
A late 39 from Mitch Sleeman got the score up over 200.
David Hambrook took 4/66 from 20 overs for Port with the majority of the attack taking some stick from the blade of McIntosh.
Port was 3/48 and 4/77 in reply with Cam Gourley (50) and Brenton Toole (43) playing well, but it was perhaps the BPCA’s best ever player who got the Dees over the line.
Paul McGrath made an unbeaten 73 while Hambrook chipped in with 27 and shared an unbroken 82-run stand for the seventh wicket.
Wallington toiled hard with Billy Gravett (2/61 from 20 overs) and Sleeman (1/67 from 27) proving difficult to get away.
Damien Biemans made another ton, this time in C1 Grade while Marc Occhipinti made 99 in Wallington’s score of 2/283 against Drysdale. Biemans has 265 runs already this season while Occhipinti has 197.
James Devine then took three wickets to bowl Drysdale out for 168.
Raghav Mehra starred in Wallington’s C2 Grade score of 252 against Portarlington with a blistering 130 from only 108 deliveries.
However, Port replied with 246 and took the game right up to Wallington. Half-centuries to Cameron de Bruin (59) and Miles Harvey (56) got the Demons close.
Will Richardson (4/80 from 25 overs) and Simon Perry (4/10) kept their cool for the Wallabies.
Wallington’s two D grade games were a mixed bag with a loss to Collendina despite a massive effort from Shaun Robinson, who made 100 from 125 balls. Spencer Tattersall then took 5/12 in the next game to defeat Newcomb while Matt Shipside made 93 and Robinson continued his good form with 57 not out.
Justin Flynn
Barwon Heads in
Grade. (Blake Treharne)
Top: Fletcher Long takes a catch off Dylan Thorley to dismiss Ronnie Peillon for 59. Left: Tahj Wirth celebrates a wicket. Right: Alex Mann gives this delivery plenty of air. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 441065
