Ocean Grove Voice - 29th November 2024

Music rocks Queenscliff

Cash Savage and the Last Drinks (pictured) played to a packed audience at the Queenscliff Music Festival last weekend.

Food, drink, kids activities and heaps of awesome music were on display at the sold-out event from November 22 to 24.

Every show on the Lighthouse main stage was Auslan interpreted and there was a family friendly DJ booth.

The festival has boomed from humble beginnings in 1997 when it attracted 1460 people after a small group of locals wanted to bring live music back to the borough and promote the town.

Nowadays, the three-day event attracts well over 20,000 and is internationally renowned.

 For more QMF pictures, see page 25.

Kontelj returns as mayor

By Matt Hewson

Stretch Kontelj became the City of Greater Geelong’s new mayor this week, returning to the office after 22 years.

Nominated by previous mayor Cr Trent Sullivan and seconded by his brother Cr Eddy Kontelj, the Kardinia Ward councillor was named Geelong’s mayor without a vote after no more nominations were received.

During his acceptance speech Mayor Kontelj spoke about his desire to “make our CBD great again” and ensuring the council focuses on “back to basics”.

“I certainly look forward to working with fellow councillors, it’s a terrific group,” Mayor Kontelj said.

“I’ve been working and thinking about what a 100-day plan could look like.

“Geelong is now the fastest growing city in Australia, but it’s got its challenges. But we will

worktogetherandwewilllooktomaketheCBD

equivalent to what is now this cultural precinct and equivalent to what is the waterfront.

“One message that was very clear to me that was stated throughout the campaign is the community wants the council to focus on… the core basic services that the city is known for.

“The roads, the footpaths, the curbs and drains. It’s not the most sexy of topics, but it’s what keeps the city together.”

Deliveringthosecoreservices,hesaid,meant that “significant money needs to be found”.

“Council has currently 130-plus services that we provide, so the task of identifying capacity without reducing service levels will be challenging, but it’ll be necessary,” Mayor Kontelj said. “With strategic leadership and collaboration with the councillor group, the officers, and the community, I’m sure we can ensure that Geelong continues to thrive, is

inclusiveandisacompetitiveandthrivinghub.

Mayor Kontelj also shared the story of his parents’ escape from Yugoslavia in the 1950s.

“In 1974 when I first visited Yugoslavia we went into a hotel and I was told, don’t even look at the picture of the president because that will be enough to get you into trouble with the police,” he said.

“We don’t have that situation in Australia, we’re lucky and I believe we should celebrate everything that is great and good about Australia whenever we have the opportunity.”

Mayor Kontelj served Geelong council for 17 years between 1998 and 2015, including terms as mayor from 2001 to 2002 and deputy mayor from 2012 to 2013.

Barrabool Hills Ward councillor Ron Nelson also ran unopposed for the election of deputy mayor, pledging to support Geelong’s new mayor and saying it was time to “get back to work”.

Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM and deputy mayor Ron Nelson. (Supplied)

Police happy with crime initiative

By Matt Hewson

Geelong police’s new approach to preventing bothyoungpeopleandadultsfromreoffending has so far been promising.

In July, Victoria Police rolled out its first Crime Reduction Teams (CRTs) in Geelong and Melbourne.

These teams are tasked with engaging with previous offenders - persons of interest or POIs - to reduce their likelihood of reoffending.

That often involves linking POIs with support services such as Orange Door, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing or Wathaurong to help with issues around

drugs or alcohol, healthcare, family violence, employment or education.

The Geelong team consists of six police officers who regularly touch base with 22 POIs, 60 per cent of which are children.

While prevented crimes are difficult to quantify, after four months Geelong police have compiled case studies showing how CRTs work in practice.

One study focuses on a 15-year-old boy who had already been arrested twice and was a key actor in a group of youths police feared may become a gang.

CRT members engaged with the boy and his family, helping him return to school and

connect with his interests of basketball and carpentry.

However, after a promising start the boy was arrested for armed robbery. While in remand he stated the biggest negative about his situation was that he had “disappointed and let down” his CRT officer.

Since his release, the boy and his circle of fellow POIs have been supported by the team, with an emphasis on education and sport. Police believe the burgeoning gang has been “effectively dismantled”.

Geelong CRT leader Sergeant Lauren O’Connorsaidthecasestudydemonstratedthe positive impact of engaging with people at risk

Motoring history rolls into Geelong

Vintage, veteran and classic vehicles will bring a bit of history to Geelong through a static car display.

Bellarine Historic Vehicle Club will host the free event from 10am to 2pm on Eastern Beach Road’s Customs Lawn on Sunday, December 1.

President Jan Clissold said there would be up to 13 vehicles on display, and she looked forward to people admiring the range of cars.

“There’s a character about old cars that you don’t see in the modern cars. There’s just something about them,” she said.

“The fun, laughter and pleasure on the kids’ faces when they see these old cars is great, and they can ask as many questions as they want.

“It gives us another chance to get out to the general public and show what vehicles are around because some have been around for a long time.”

Club member Gareth Bennett said every vehicle had its own story and that it was important to stay true to the individuality of the old cars.

“I enjoy driving them and, they may be

slower, but you see more. You don’t just drive through and see nothing,” he said.

“My 1933 Dodge DP Sedan has been through three owners since new. The first owner, we don’t know about because he bought it pre-war. The second owner bought it straight after the war and then I bought it in 1996.”

The Bellarine Historic Vehicle Club is a multi-vehicle club and will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year.

Jena Carr

of reoffending.

“The proof is in that case study… we have got all those kids engaged with various services and back in school,” Sgt O’Connor said.

“If we can get kids at a younger age back on a path of not offending, then we’ve got some chance of preventing them from committing offences as adults, where the consequences are more severe.

“It’s not only the actual POIs that we’re engaging with, it’s their families as well. Quite often the positive influence that we have on these POIs… has a flow-on effect to siblings and parents and school friends.”

Enjoy carols in the park

Ocean Grove Park will welcome about 3000 people for Carols in the Park with a timeslot of 7pm announced.

Get ready to see Ocean Grove, Surfside and Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary Schools performing on stage. There will be all the carols you love, sung by leading local artists and special performances that will surprise and delight with the region’s popular personality Mark Hyland as master of ceremonies.

With the support of Ocean Grove Connected Communities, safe LED candles will again be available at each of the entry gates for $3.

Thisyear,gateproceedswillgotowards local charity Feed Me Bellarine.

Locals are also invited to bring an unwrapped gift to put under a giant Christmas tree. The gifts will be distributed to local needy children by Cottage by the Sea.

Other attractions on the night will be the Carols Orchestra and Geelong Harmony choir.

Artistic director Jon Mamonski OAM said he expected close to 3000 people to attend the carols and that he looked forward to seeing people singing their “heart out”.

“The much-loved Carols in the Park continues to be the largest community gathering of the year, with more than 3000 people attending last year’s event,” he said. “Santa is expected and there’s a very good chance he will bring some snow with him.”

Carols in the Park is at Ocean Grove Park on Sunday December 8. Gates open at 5pm with the official show set to begin at 7pm.

Bellarine Historic Vehicle Club president Jan Clissold with member Gareth Bennett and his Dodge DP Sedan 1933. (Ivan Kemp) 445643_09

Filmmakers recognised

Three young filmmakers were recognised for their work at the 2024 North Bellarine Film Festival (NBFF) Emerging Filmmaker Awards.

Brie Bartleet, Jackson Hayat and Sam Sungmin Lee won the top awards from a field of 10 finalists.

Korean-AustralianLeewonthePortarlington Film Society Emerging Filmmaker Award for his film White Lies, which tells the story of a migrant’s first day in Australia.

Written,directed,editedandmixedbyLee,it is the VCA honours graduate’s second Korean short film.

Hayat, originally from Apollo Bay, won the Geelong Waterfront Emerging Documentary Award for Declutter, a character-led documentary following cleaner Marsa, who specialisesinhelpingclientswithmentalhealth battles.

Melbourne-based filmmaker and Swinburne UniversitystudentBartleetwontheStLeonards Film Society’s People’s Choice Award for her documentary Sink or Swim.

Sink or Swim subject Bree-Arne Manley lives with multiple sclerosis and, despite losing the ability to walk, continues to carve her own path through life as a partner, mother, surfer and musician.

NBFF Chair Bill Lussier said the festival was highly committed to fostering emerging filmmaking talent and had increased the number of awards from two to three this year to provide more recognition, support and pathways for talented new filmmakers.

“We have been highly impressed by this year’s entrants; the quality of storytelling and filmmaking by young Victorian filmmakers is incredible,” Mr Lussier said. “We look forward tosupportingmorefilmmakersagainnextyear.

“We congratulate Sam, Jackson and Brie on their remarkable achievements and can’t wait to see what they create next in their careers.”

Students work with Rotary

Ocean Grove Rotary and three local primary schools recently celebrated grade 6 students who completed a community program.

Each school held an event where students presented to their peers and received the award from Rotary.

Two students, their teachers and parents from each school were invited to attend a Rotary meeting. Rotarians were treated to inspiring speeches from the students and were left in no doubt that young people are ready to take their places in the community.

This year there were 11 students from Surfside Primary School, 12 from Ocean Grove Primary and 16 from Our Lady Star of the Sea who participated in the awards program.

Current grade 5 students who are interested in the program can speak to their teachers early next school year.

“It is fantastic for students to learn and experience how networks are built and connections are made in our local community,” Surfside Primary’s Julian Teague said.

“Itiswonderfultowatchtheconfidence of students build over the program,’ Ocean Grove Rotary’s Lyndy Stagg said.

The program includes community service for 10 hours, physical recreation for 10 hours where students learn a new sport or develop an existing one, and 10 hours of skill development of perhaps learning a musical instrument or learning to cook.

North Bellarine Film Festival director Bill Lussier and Geelong Waterfront Film Emerging Documentary Award winner Jackson Hayat. (Supplied)

Tourism firms shine at awards

Geelong’s tourism industry featured heavily in last week’s 2024 Victorian Tourism Awards, with four local businesses taking home gold and five more receiving silver or bronze.

The Q Train’s fine dining journeys won gold in the Tourism Restaurant and Catering Services, while Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine (TGGB) took top spot in the Tourism Marketing and Campaigns category for its Everyone’s an Influencer campaign.

PortPhillipFerriesandtourprovidersHopIt also won in their respective tour and transport operators categories.

Glow Festival (Festivals and Events), Geelong Arts Centre (Cultural Tourism), GMHBA Stadium Higher Mark (Business Events Venues), Liberty Balloon Flights (Adventure Tourism), while Accessible Accommodation won bronze for Excellence in Accessible Accommodation.

Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine Executive Director Tracy Carter said she was elated to see so many local operators recognised.

“We’ve seen firsthand the incredible hard work, passion, and resilience they’ve shown through what has been a challenging period for

Vic Open back for more

The Vic Open is heading back to Barwon Heads with 13th Beach Golf Links set to host the prestigious golf tournament next February.

Member for Bellarine Alison this week announced the return of the week-long tournament, which will kick off with clinics and a pro-am before culminating on Sunday February 9 with some of the world’s best golfers competing for top honours.

The event will see women and men take on 13th Beach’s Beach and Creek courses, competing for equal shares of prize money. It will be the 12th year the Vic Open has been held at the venue.

“The Vic Open continues to be a huge drawcard for the Bellarine region, with visitors able to witness world-class golf and experience the unique hospitality and breathtaking scenery of the area,” Ms Marchant said.

The tournament has drawn some of the world’s top international golfers to Victoria and the 2025 event will include the Vic Inclusive Championship, which promotes access and engagement for golfers with disabilities.

“We’rethrilledtoseetheVicOpencontinue its tradition of gender equity and inclusion, hosted at 13th Beach,” Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland said.

“The tournament adds to an incredible summer of golf for our athletes.”

The Vic Open is partnering with more than a dozen local businesses, giving the local economy a boost – with those benefits flowing into local communities, the state government said.

Golf is a major driver of the state’s tourism sector and contributes about $1 billion annually to the local economy, while supporting nearly 7000 jobs.

many in the sector,” Ms Carter said.

“Still, they’ve continued to deliver outstanding visitor experiences, and it’s so satisfying to see their efforts rewarded.”

Ms Carter also expressed her delight in TGGB’s marketing campaign win.

“We’re so proud to have secured this award,” she said. “The win reflects the creativity of our small but mighty marketing team, and we’re overjoyedtoseeoureffortsrecognisedatastate level.”

Port Phillip Ferries chief executive Murray Rance expressed his pride in the company’s gold award.

“Thisawardisatestamenttothehigh-quality service we provide, transporting thousands of passengers each year between Melbourne and the Bellarine region, including Geelong on weekends,” said Mr. Rance.

“This award underscores the value of ferry travel to Victorians and reinforces our commitment to advocating for its growth.

“We are grateful for the support we receive from the Victorian Government, which plays a crucial role in helping us expand and innovate. Together, we look forward to continuing our journey of providing accessible, sustainable, and reliable ferry services to the community.”

Golf Australia’s Carly Goodrich, Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant and 13 Beach Golf Links deputy general manager Sally McKenna. (Supplied)

Grace is race’s new face

By Jena Carr

A Paris Olympic Gold Medallist is the new face of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

Grace Brown was announced as the new ambassador for the road race around Geelong, Barwon Heads and Torquay on Monday November 18.

Ms Brown said she was excited to support riders during the five-day cycling festival, which will run from January 29 to February 2 and will be celebrating its 10th anniversary.

“It’sreallyspecialtobeabletotransitionfrom a competitor in past years to now becoming an ambassador for the People’s Ride here,” she said.

“It’s a beautiful way to integrate back into the community.IgrewupinCamperdown,nottoo farfromGeelong,andthisregionwasspecialto me in my youth.

“I love watching cycling races so I’m keen to be there on the other side watching the screen and sharing insights with people around me about what it’s like to be in there.”

Tour de France winner Cadel Evans said he was excited to have Ms Brown be part of the cycling festival following her Olympic success and looked forward to the People’s Ride on February 1.

The People’s Ride will give more than 3000 cyclists of all ages and abilities the chance to ride on the same course as elite cyclists.

“I’m so delighted that the race has continued to grow and on the sporting side, it’s been a good consistent growth,” Mr Evans said.

“Grace inspired the nation earlier this year at the Paris Olympics. Having her on the start line for the People’s Ride is an incredible opportunity for cycling fans to ride alongside an Australian champion.

“(I’m expecting) more unpredictable and exciting racing. The exact team and what

riders are coming out to complete are still to be decided, but I am sure it will be a bigger and stronger event.”

City of Greater Geelong will increase its sponsorship contribution for the event to $250,000, allowing for a revamped course for the men’s and women’s races and a new loop around Geelong Botanic Gardens.

Ms Brown said that once she got onto a bike, she “found a new confidence” in herself and

encouraged everyone to give cycling a go.

“At the start, it may seem quite a scary sport to get involved in, but the things that you learn and the community that support you on the road is really valuable,” she said.

“Cycling is fun, adventurous and it gives you an outlet in so many ways. So, I definitely recommend for young girls to get on a bike and see what they can do. They might surprise themselves.”

ALWAYS OBEY THE STOP SIGNS

More trains for Geelong V/Line service

The Geelong community will have access to more trains for the summer period as thousands continue to enjoy cheap fares.

TheGeelongtrainlinewillhave88new and extended weekend services starting on December 1, running between Melbourne and Waurn Ponds every 20 minutes throughout the week.

The extra services followed the state government’s fare cap, with 37 million tripstakenonregionaltrainsandcoaches since it commenced last year and 92,000 trips taken on a single day last month.

A return ticket to Geelong cost up to $27.60 before being capped to a daily metrofareof$10.60fromMarch31,2023.

Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams said the regional fare cap helped save people nearly $100 million.

Ms Willams also said the updated timetable and fares would make services between Melbourne and Geelong the fastest and most frequent rail connection between two cities in Australia.

“Withcheaperfaresandmoreservices, we’vemadetakingthetraintowork,orto visit regional Victoria, a more attractive and affordable option for people,” she said.

The state government has added more than 900 new services on the V/Line network every week since 2015.

An extra 200 weekend services were fundedthroughthe2023/24statebudget, which will be progressively rolled out across the regional network.

Paris Olympic Gold Medallist Grace Brown with Tour de France winner Cadel Evans. (Ivan Kemp) 444106_02

Fostering artistic talent

By Matt Hewson

Geelong Arts Centre (GAC) has announced a range of initiatives intended to foster the development of artist talent and works across the region.

GAC’s Creative Engine program will inject $1.2 million of funding, development, commissions,venuehire,staffandequipment into Geelong’s performance art scene.

Innovative dance-theatre creator Joel Bray and award-winning playwright Dan Giovannoni will be Creative Engine’s first ever Associate Artists, while 11 creators will receive support through Creative Engine grants and the Launchpad Initiative.

Recently appointed chief executive and creative director Rhys Holden said the program was about giving artists the chance to “explore, create and innovate”.

“By nurturing artists throughout their creative journey, we want Geelong Arts Centre to play a role in securing the future of Australia’s vibrant and diverse cultural community,” Mr Holden said.

Libby Brockman is one of the nine recipients of a Creative Engine grant, which will provide $5000 of funding, use of GAC spaces and mentoring to help develop her latest work, Lights, Camera, Seance!

A mixture of spoofy and spooky, the new work will be the sequel to Roaring, the hugely successful 1920s choose-your-ownadventure theatre experience that ran for three weeks at Queenscliff’s Vue Grande hotel.

Brockman said the support she received from GAC for Roaring had made all the difference.

“The Arts Centre as a whole is super supportive, always asking how they can help, offering advice and creating opportunities for actors and artists to network,” she said.

“(The Creative Engine grant) allows me to work with professionals I admire because I

can pay them for their time… it definitely helps us focus and dedicate time, effort, energy and research into the project.”

Blood donors needed now

Geelong’s Australian Red Cross Blood Service has appealed for donors to book in and help boost blood stocks.

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood’s Geelong Donor Centre has been one of the state’s most poorly booked centres through November so far, with 200 bookings needing to be filled over the next fortnight to ensure stocks can meet the needs of patients.

Lifeblood spokesperson Emily Granland said with demand for blood and blood products at its highest in a decade, it was crucial appointments at the Geelong donor centre were fully booked every week.

“Every week we need 33,000 people to donate blood across Australia to ensure we’re able to fill hospital orders and keep ourfridgeswellstockedforthosepatients that rely on lifegiving donations,” Ms Granland said. “If you are feeling healthy and well, I encourage you to step up and fill those appointments, if you can, becausetheneedforblooddoesnotstop.”

Each donation of blood or plasma can save up to three lives, with cancer treatment, emergency surgery, road trauma and bleeding during childbirth some of the more common uses for donated blood.

Ms Granland appealed to the generosity of the people of Geelong, saying appointment bookings were too low.

Tobookadonationvisitlifeblood.com. au, call 13 14 95 or use the DonateBlood app.

Libby Brockman is one of nine recipients of Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Engine grants. (Supplied)

The floating Christmas tree is back

The floating Christmas tree has arrived to kick off the holiday season in Geelong.

The tree floated into Steampacket Quay next to The Carousel on Eastern Beach Road at 8.15am on Tuesday, November 26, ahead of the Christmas Opening Night on Saturday, November 30.

Denis Walter OAM will present his annual Carols by the Bay event alongside the 10-year opening night celebration and tree illumination from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

Mr Walter said it was exciting to have “two iconic events” coming together in Geelong to help the community get into the festive spirit.

“If anyone wants to come along this year, be early. Grab your spot on the lawn or on the street, as it’ll be busy,” he said.

“It’s going to be a fantastic night, and we’ve got some fabulous performers on stage, so there’ll be plenty of fun.

“It was my dream to have a Christmas event at the waterfront here in Geelong. It’s such a gorgeous spot and it’s since become an envied event right around Australia.”

The Christmas Opening Night and Denis Walter Carols by the Bay program will feature a preshow from 6.30pm and a Team Dream Kids entertainment from 7.15pm before the main event begins at 8pm. Mr Walter will join the carols lineup, including Oz Boyz, Lucy Riddett, musical director Michael Cristiano, Julie Walter, and Santa.

The floating Christmas tree’s 800 lights will then be lit up at 9.15pm through a sound and light show program with 30 new digital windows and more than 15,000 pixels to create animations.

The tree’s shows will play every 15 minutes between 8.30pm and midnight each night until Boxing Day, when a new tree show will take over until the tree’s last day on January 7.

Festive street entertainment in the Grove

Ocean Grove’s biggest street festival is back with Christmas in the Grove set to take over The Terrace.

The street will be close to vehicles and local traders will bring their wares out onto the footpaths for a festive celebration that brings the community together.

Enjoy live entertainment, kids’ activities, Christmas carols, and a special visit from Santa himself.

With food trucks, festive lights, and plenty of family fun, it’s the perfect way to kick off the holiday season.

Kids are more than catered for with a night of children’s activities and a rock treasure hunt.

Adults can enjoy food and wine while listening to music in the street.

OrganisedbyOceanGroveBusiness Association, the aim of the evening is to shop local and spend local.

Plenty of Christmas gift ideas will be on sale.

Christmas in the Grove is on Wednesday December 4 from 5pm to 8pm.

The Terrace between Presidents Avenue and Hodgson Street will be closed from 3pm to 9pm.

Motorists are advised to park within the designated areas.

Jena Carr

Denis Walter OAM with the floating Christmas tree ahead of Saturday’s big night. (Ivan Kemp) 445473_07

Fire Danger Period now in force

TheBarwonSouthWestfacesanincreasedfire risk leading into summer as the Fire Danger Period (FDP) officially starts.

The FDP started in the City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire, Borough of Queenscliffe, and Golden Plains Shire (District15)at1amonMonday,November25.

“We’re asking people to keep an eye out on the VicEmergency App and CFA website, to be aware of the fire danger ratings and to know what their plan is should a fire event arise,” he said.

“While we’ve had some recent rain, we are

Country Fire Authority (CFA) South West Region deputy chief officer Adrian Gutsche said the CFA was ready to respond and support the community following a drier-than-average autumn and winter.

Hub gets early present

Christmas arrived early to Bellarine Community Health’s new Child, Youth and Family Hub in Ocean Grove thanks to the Ocean Grove & District Men’s Shed.

Men’s Shed participant and local legend RayMcHenryspentaround30hourscreating a handmade wooden teepee to feature in the children’s outdoor therapy space at the new hub in Goodwell Drive.

Men’s Shed manager John Lowrie said Ray had a real vision for the project. “Ray has been keen to see this project through and contribute to the community,” he said.

“He’s used recycled timber palings and spent hours creating the teepee for the kids to use.”

The new Child, Youth and Family Hub in Ocean Grove has been purpose built and will provide contemporary facilities to support children, young people, and families on the Bellarine, with both indoor and outdoor therapy spaces.

“The teepee from the Ocean Grove Men’s Shed will be a great feature in the outdoor space and I’m sure the children will love playing in it,” BCH capital works manager

Michelle Day said.

“We’re grateful for the contribution from the Men’s Shed and look forward to working on other projects with them in the future.”

The new hub is nearing competition, with services scheduled to start from January 2025. Children’s services operating from the new hub include speech pathology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and mental health together with some youth services.

Construction has been designed in two stages and BCH is seeking further funding to complete stage two.

Funding for stage one of the project has been provided through the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care and the Anthony Costa Foundation with the land in Kingston Estate Ocean Grove donated by the Corless Family Trust.

Men’s Shed manager John Lowrie and Bellarine Community Health capital works manager Michelle Day. (Supplied)

concerned this has caused additional growth in surrounding vegetation and will soon dry out, adding to the underlying fire risk.

“If you can take the time to prepare your properties, we strongly suggest you do so, whether that is reducing vegetation around your property or clearing your gutters.”

Lighting fires without a permit could bring a penalty of more than $21,800 and/or 12 months imprisonment.

Visit cfa.vic.gov.au for more information about the FDP and how to prepare for the upcoming bushfire season.

No burn-offs will be permitted during the FDP without a Permit to Burn, which people can apply for on Fire Permits Victoria’s website.

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

LETTERS

There has been a lot in the news lately advocating residential high-rise near train stations. People should live where there is convenient access to public transport, jobs and services. This is appropriate residential planning.

In consideration of this realisation, it would seem appropriate that the City of Greater Geelong should abandon its policy of creating commuter towns on the Bellarine and instead create them in areas near existing rail infrastructure such as north Geelong.

The proposed new residential developments on the Bellarine are inappropriate for so many reasons:

The Bellarine does not have the jobs –people will have to commute to where there are jobs.

The Bellarine does not have a public transport system that is viable.

There will be a large increase in the number of commuting vehicles passing through school zones.

The increased congestion will significantly increase travel times to potentially unviable levels.

The City of Greater Geelong will be less safe, less pedestrian-friendly, less bike-friendly, more polluted, noisier and less liveable. The demise of Ryrie Street is largely due to the high volume of cars and trucks passing through Geelong CBD due to the residential development on the Bellarine.

Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove will be less safe, less pedestrian-friendly, less bike-friendly, more polluted, noisier and

less liveable.

There will be a detraction from the Bellarine’s tourism appeal and its status as a Distinctive Area and Landscape.

McGuinness,

A sick planet

Put simply we humans, are now ensuring the planet becomes unfit to support us.

Like a drunken driver going through a red light, we have smashed through seven safe boundaries which keep us alive.

Issues are climate change; mass extinction of plants and animals; reducing our forests and grasslands; man-made changes to our natural freshwater cycle; polluting our planet

with nitrogen and phosphorus mainly by growing food and discharging organic waste; 350,000 man-made chemicals many not fully tested released into the environment; and overpopulation.

You can add the possibility of nuclear war, food insecurity, pandemics, dangerous new technologies, mass migration and disinformation.

Governments and the carbon lobby are now in an undeclared war against humanity. Australia coal, oil and gas companies continue to bankroll both parties.

Greenland and the Arctic are melting causing an influx of cold water.

Society’s response to its environmental problems in previous lost civilisations proved significant. The institutions and cultural values affect whether the society solve or even attempt to solve its problems.

By turning our backs on climate science, we risk losing our ability to halt the serious impact we are having on future generations and ecosystems.

There are few fortunes to be made in research. The motivating factors are mainly to discover truths and leave a legacy for others to benefit in the future.

Personally, I doubt there is time anymore to avoid global catastrophe. I don’t know that for sure and we owe it to our descendants to keep pushing to reduce the damage.

WRITE TO: news@oceangrovevoice. com Reader letters should be concise and no more than 250 words. Letters may be edited for length, clarity or for legal reasons. They should include their full name, address and phone numbers for confirmation.

Woes on the Bellarine

The Bellarine is bottlenecked.

Neil

Clifton Springs

Bruce Holmes, Portarlington

CONTACT

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Festive spirit ramps up

By Ali Wastie, Geelong CEO

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Grove with two magical evenings set to spread the festive cheer next week.

Festivities kick off in The Terrace next Wednesday in Christmas in the Grove, a free event featuring food trucks, treasure hunts and music in the street, plus a special visit from Santa.

This event brings the festive spirit into the heart of Ocean Grove, thanks to the Ocean Grove Business Association with support from the City of Greater Geelong.

So get behind local traders and enjoy live entertainment and loads of family fun for all ages, along with Christmas carols.

And the songs continue on Sunday with the ever-popular Ocean Grove Carols in the Park.

An expected 3000 people will gather at Ocean Grove Park for this musical event featuring the talents of Geelong Harmony Chorus and the Carols Orchestra.

Mark Hyland will host the concert, with local school students to join in the singing and Santa to make yet another visit to Ocean Grove, this time bringing snow to delight the kids.

Entry is a gold coin donation, which will go toward Feed Me Bellarine to provide food to families doing it tough.

And, if you can, please bring an unwrapped gift for a child in need, so they can share in the Christmas cheer too.

These two magical evenings are among more than 50 fantastic events across our region this festive season as part of the City of Greater Geelong’s 2024 Christmas program.

It all begins tomorrow night with the lightingofourspectacularFloatingChristmas

Tree in Christmas Opening Night - Denis Walter Carols by the Bay.

The 25-metre-high tree, now in its 11th year, has become the centrepiece of Christmas in Geelong.

And who better to preside over festivities than Geelong’s king of Christmas Denis Walter?

The Order of Australia Medallist has been part of Geelong’s Christmas calendar for more than a quarter century, having hosted and performed in Carols by Bay since 1997.

This free celebration begins at 6.30pm at Steampacket Gardens with a preshow and kids entertainers Team Dream.

The main event gets underway at 8pm, guided by musical director Michael Cristiano and featuring the musical talents of Motown group Oz Boys and Geelong Accordionist Lucy Riddett.

The program also includes performances from Denis Walter and his niece Julie and, of course, Santa, who is set to again visit Greater Geelong from the North Pole.

Finally, one lucky child will get to flick the switch to light up our dazzling Floating Christmas Tree.

The tree features 800 lights, more than 15,000 pixels to create animations and 30 new digital windows to create vibrant displays that will bathe our waterfront in colour.

And the tree’s shows will play every 15 minutes between 8.30pm and midnight every night onward until Tuesday January 7.

There is just so much to enjoy across Geelong and the Bellarine this Christmas, from culinary workshops and community carols to stage shows and The Polar Express.

So visit geelongaustralia.com.au/Christmas and get into the festive spirit.

City of Greater Geelong chief executive Ali Wastie. (Supplied)

FOR WOMEN

Federal

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

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.

Indy, Voice excel at Vic country press awards

The Ocean Grove Voice took out third place in theOverallNewspaperExcellencefreecategory at the Victorian Country Press Association awards on Friday November 15.

The Voice’s sister paper, the Geelong Independent, finished runner-up at the awards, held at RACV Resort Torquay.

The award was won by the Shepparton Adviser and Voice News editor Justin Flynn said it was a successful night for the two Star News publications.

“Tohavenotone,butboth,ofourcommunity newspapers nominated in the top three in regional Victoria is a wonderful achievement from our small, but dedicated team,” he said.

The Independent was recognised as ‘highly commended’ at the awards while the Voice was ‘commended’ by judges.

“The Ocean Grove Voice earned a ‘Commendation’particularlyforitsconsistently clean layout,” judge Darren Robinson said.

“The editorials maintain a concise length, without compromising the effect and impact.

The newspaper enjoyed a number of well-supported advertising features to further complement the editorial diversity.”

“I couldn’t be more proud of our small team of journalists, photographers, front of office and advertising staff for their commitment and dedication over the past year.

“To have both our papers shortlisted for the finalists out of an amazingly strong field of community newspapers is a wonderful recognition. We love what we do. We love bringing local news for free to the people of the region.

“We work hard to bring you all the community news from greater Geelong, the Bellarine and the Surf Coast and can’t thank our readers enough for their support.”

Greater Geelong City Council election Declaration of results

The following candidates were elected to Greater Geelong City Council at the general election held in October 2024:

Barrabool Hills Ward

NELSON, Ron

Charlemont Ward

SINCLAIR, Emma

Cheetham Ward

CADWELL, Melissa

Connewarre Ward

WILKINSON, Elise

Corio Ward

AITKEN, Anthony

Deakin Ward

KATOS, Andrew

Hamlyn Heights Ward

KONTELJ, Eddy

Kardinia Ward

KONTELJ, Stretch

Leopold Ward

SULLIVAN, Trent

Murradoc Ward

STORY, Rowan D.

You Yangs Ward

BURSON, Chris

Voice news editor Justin Flynn.

Species galore at nature reserve

I went for a walk at Ocean Grove Nature Reserve and the ponds are just about empty, which isn’t ideal seeing that the summer months are looming.

Let’s hope that there will be a few decent downpours of rain in the next few weeks.

I had a lovely 4km walk in the nature reserve and spotted 28 bird species, including a wedge-tailed eagle, brown falcon, a pair of sacred kingfishers, and a male mistletoe bird, which was calling constantly.

At the intersection of the Banksia Track with the North Track I saw a hapless brown thornbill busily feeding a Horsfield’s bronze cuckoo fledgling. Horsfield’s bronze-cuckoos, like other cuckoo species of birds, are nest parasites, in that they lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species that build dome nests, such as fairy-wrens and thornbills.

The female lays one egg in the host bird’s nest and when the nestling hatches, the unsuspecting host parent bird cares for the cuckoo chick like it is one of its own hatchlings. This is interesting as the cuckoo chick grows to almost twice the size of a thornbill. It’s also interestingthatthecuckoomusthaveaninnate ability to sing a cuckoo song rather than learn the sounds that are sung by a thornbill or other host bird.

OnmywalkaboutanhourlaterIsawanother brown thornbill feeding another Horsfield’s bronzecuckoofledgling.Allofthesebirdswere so busy and active it was impossible to take a

decent photo of them. I had never previously seen a mistletoe at OGNR, so it was great to see one.

The other outing I had over the past few

weeks was a lovely lunch on my friend’s deck thatoverlooksthelakesatLara.MyfriendKath has often sent me photos of Cape Barren geese with fledglings at the lake and it was so lovely

to check them out myself, even though I didn’t see any newly hatched stripey chicks. On the way back from Lara I drove down Point Henry Road and saw around 42 red-necked stints on the salt flats and it was great to see these amazing migratory waders in good numbers.

I had dinner one evening at the restaurant at theendofCunninghamPierinGeelong,andlo and behold there were two great crested grebe swimmingaroundthepierandifIhadbrought my camera to dinner the photos would have been terrific. Alas the camera was at home.

I received an email from Alan, who lives in Ocean Grove. Alan reported that there have been many different birds at Blue Waters Lake over the past week, including a pair of tawny frogmouths, at least two Latham’s snipe, five cattle egrets in breeding plumage, and a sacred kingfisher.

A great crested grebe flew in one evening but was gone the next morning. There are six black swan cygnets that are nearly the size of adult birds.Alanreportedthattherehavebeenlotsof other birds flying around with nesting material and lorikeets checking out nesting holes.

Despite the good numbers and variety of birds at the lake, the water quality looks pretty ugly as it is very green and smelly.

Alan and his wife Anne recently went to O’Donohue’s Road, Anglesea. They walked up to Harvey Street then back down to the Surf Coast Highway. The plants were not in flower, which was a bit of a surprise for late spring. They didn’t spot any southern emu-wrens, but the highlight was an enjoyable 10 minutes with a king parrot that landed several metres away and munched on some wattle seeds.

Alan has published a book of his bird photos, mostly taken around Blue Waters Lake. All copies of the first print run of the book have been sold.

Our Funeral Team are here when you need support and guidance.

Alan’s sacred kingfisher (above) and cattle egrets (below) at Blue Waters Lake, and Jen’s Cape Barren goose (below left) at Lara.

Rock ’n’ roll through hard times

By Matt Hewson

Geelong musician Stefan West’s latest single is both an acknowledgement of life’s challenges and an invitation to embrace the now.

Hard Times, released on Thursday, December 5, will be the sixth single West has released this year ahead of his upcoming 11-track album Just Another Sunflower, Searching for the Sun.

While West’s previous offerings have either displayed indie/punk influences or had a stripped back singer/songwriter feel, Hard Times leans heavily on rock ‘n’ roll riffs to create a feelgood anthem.

Featuring guitarist Aaron Schembri (Ross Wilson, Renee Geyer, the Wiggles), the song’s theme of living in the now is a reminder from

West to himself as much as a message for anyone else.

“I often rush to the next thing without even realising it,” West said.

“But I feel like I’m getting more patient and really starting to understand now what it means to enjoy the process.”

That acceptance had a direct effect on the production of West’s current crop of songs.

“These were not intended to be full band songs; I had gone to Schembri and said, ‘I want to record an acoustic album’,” he said.

“I had the chord progressions and the lyrics down and I sent them to him and said, listen, go for your life. Whatever you hear, I love the way you play and harmonise, you send back whatever.

“I ended up getting these demos back with

a lot on them; there might be two or three guitars, bass lines, harmonies. I realised very clearly the songs were written for a full band, I just didn’t really understand that when I was writing them.

“It was through collaboration and really intentionally letting my hands completely off the steering wheel… that they evolved into something far greater, I think, and much different to what I thought.”

Stefan West performs tonight (November 29) at Little Creatures, Sunday, December 1 at Leura Park Estate and Saturday, December 7 at 1915.

MSO offers festive joy with Messiah performance

Geelong music lovers will have the chance to get into the Christmas spirit with Victoria’s premier orchestra next weekend.

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will present Handel’s greatest oratorio Messiah at CostaHallonSaturday,December7,conducted by MSO artist in residence Erin Helyard.

Halyard said the iconic work, which features one of the most famous pieces of Baroque choral music in the Hallelujah Chorus, was “a wonderful evocation of Christmas”.

“When I now listen to (Messiah) any other time outside of summer, I think of the beach and my family and getting together for a barbecue and the Christmas shutdown and not

answering e-mails,” he said.

“So it has this wonderful sense of rest and joy and peace, which is not uncoincidentally at the very heart of the work.

“Added to that, you’ve got all the wonderful, well-known tunes that people will know and love. It’s a masterpiece.”

The MSO’s Geelong performance of Messiah is one of four, with the orchestra also visiting Warragul and Bendigo before returning home for a final show at Hamer Hall.

Halyard, who has conducted the MSO twice earlier this year, said there was something special about taking the orchestra out of Melbourne and into regional Victoria.

“I grew up in regional New South Wales… and it was experiencing touring orchestras whenIwasakidthatledmetofollowmycareer asamusician,”hesaid.“SoI’mreallypassionate about when orchestras based in urban centres go out to areas that don’t necessarily see them all the time. There could be a young person in the audience, like me when I was a kid, who is mesmerised and fascinated by the beauty of the performance.

“And people truly appreciate it when groups like the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra make the significant logistical exercise to get out there. So I prefer these regional run-outs

Celebrate the festive season at Ocean Grove Bowling Club by booking your Christmas function today! With a fabulous Christmas Function Menu and a wonderful atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot for your end-ofyear celebration! Scan QR code, or call to enquire!

MSO present Handel’s Messiah @ Costa Hall. (Supplied)

Stefan West’s new single Hard Times drops December 5. (Ivan Kemp) 445752_15

A decade for sunset run

Organisers of the Flying Brick Bellarine Sunset Run are busy planning for its 10th installment.

The light coastal trail event between Portarlington and St Leonards has hosted on average more than 1100 running and walking enthusiasts.

Many families and friends will once again venture to the Bellarine Peninsula to spend a weekend running, eating, drinking, smiling, and laughing with friends and loved ones.

The feature events will once again be the ProFeet Half Marathon, Steigen 10km and the Bully Buster 4km with start times sprinkled around 5pm.

“We are excited to be planning for our 10th straight event,” organiser Dion Milne said.

“Given what has happened over the last half of the decade we, along with our participants, have navigated the challenges together. There

are several enthusiasts lining up for their 10th straight. Some of the children who will run and walk the Bully Buster 4km weren’t even born when this event started, and that’s surreal.”

After its first nine years the Bellarine Sunset Run is seeing the rewards of promoting physical activity to families and children with some starting in the 4km when it was added in 2017, now progressing through to the longer distances.

“We’ve seen kids grow up before our eyes, as have the participants, they’ve seen our girls grow up too,” Milne said.

“Every February is like a family reunion of sorts.”

The Flying Brick Bellarine Sunset Run is on Saturday February 8. Go to bellarinesunsetrun. com for more information.

WADAWURRUNG LANGUAGE PROJECT WINS STATE COASTAL AWARD

The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) secured a prestigious accolade at the 2024 Victorian Marine and Coastal Awards in November, winning the ‘Embedding Traditional Owner Cultural Practices in Management’ category.

The award celebrates the successful ‘Bukareeyoo – returning Language to Country’ project, which saw the traditional Wadawurrung name restored to an area previously known as Ocean Grove Spit. ‘Bukareeyoo’, meaning ‘between’, reflects the location’s position between Barree Warre Yaluk (Barwon River) and the ocean.

Barwon Coast, who supported the nomination process, worked closely with WTOAC to achieve this recognition. The project highlights the significance of Indigenous language in coastal management and strengthens the ongoing connection between Wadawurrung People and Country.

FREE BREAKFAST EVENT FOR DOGS AND THEIR HUMANS

Local dog owners are invited to a free community event in Ocean Grove to learn about protecting the region’s threatened Hooded Plovers, with only 11 breeding pairs remaining on our coastline between Point Lonsdale and Breamlea.

The ‘Dog’s Breakfast’ event, to be held at the Hodgeson Street beach carpark on Saturday 30 November from 8am to 10am, aims to educate pet owners about sharing the shore with these vulnerable beach-nesting birds during their breeding season from August to April.

Families can also access the $400SchoolSavingBonus from this week, helping with the cost of school supplies and activities.

Scan the QR code to find out more aboutlocal Bellarineupdates.

www.alisonmarchantmp.com.au

Visitors can expect giveaways, along with friendly, informative chats about these special shorebirds and their conservation needs.

The initiative is a collaborative effort between Barwon Coast, City of Greater Geelong, Conservation Regulator Victoria, Friends of the Hooded Plover Bellarine, and BirdLife Australia.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday 30 November

Time: 8am-10am

Location: Hodgeson Street beach carpark, Ocean Grove

COASTAL COMMUNITY PANEL SEEKS VOICES FOR 20-YEAR VISION

Barwon Coast is searching for people to help shape the future of our coastline, with expressions of interest now open for positions on a new Community Panel that will guide coastal planning from Breamlea to Ocean Grove.

Panel members will participate in monthly online meetings and occasional in-person workshops, complete with catered lunches to fuel productive discussions. The commitment spans 12-18 months, with no specialised knowledge required—just a passion for our coastal environment and an hour to spare each month.

Barwon Coast is particularly keen to ensure diverse voices are heard, actively seeking participation from (but not limited to) young adults, people with different mobility needs, First Nations community members, and residents from varied cultural backgrounds. Both newcomers to the area and regular beach users are encouraged to apply.

Those interested in joining the Community Panel can email Sam Foster at sam@barwoncoast.com.au.

Applications close Friday December 13

The Open Space team has transformed the deteriorating Blyth Street West coastal path into a smooth, safe track for all community members to enjoy.

Wadawurrung Country, Shop G066, Gateway Plaza, 641-659 Bellarine Highway, Leopold VIC 3224 03 5250 1987 alison.marchant@parliament.vic.gov.au

The Flying Brick Bellarine Sunset Run is entering its 10th year. (Supplied)

A sanctuary for well-being in the heart of Ocean Grove

Ocean Grove recently celebrated the grand opening of Durga~ma, Ayurvedic Practitioner & Spa Treatments alongside the expanded Zero Point Yoga Studio. This milestone introduces a revitalised wellness hub led by Bec Duffield, an entrepreneur and yoga teacher blending ancient wisdom with modern living.

Zero Point Yoga: Tradition Meets Modernity The expanded studio offers more than yoga classes - it’s a sanctuary for well-being. With additions like a sauna and a treatment room, the space is designed to nurture both body and soul. Bec’s teaching philosophy brings 5000-year-old yogic principles into today’s world, emphasising mindfulness, health, and

emotional balance.

Beyond classes, Bec has launched a line of ecofriendly yoga mats made from natural rubber, aligning with her sustainability ethos. She also leads programs like the 2025 Teacher TrainingProgram,whichprovidesparticipants with deep knowledge of yoga philosophy and practice, underscoring her dedication to growth and community building.

Two Doors Down Cafe: A Space to Connect Next to the studio, Two Doors Down Cafe serves as a community gathering spot. With earthy green interiors, walnut furnishings, and a vibrant indoor garden, the café radiates warmth. Its menu highlights locally sourced,

organic ingredients from the Bellarine Peninsula, offering patrons a taste of the region.

The cafe also serves as a flexible venue, hosting events from casual lunches to corporate meetings. Guests can book private yoga or meditation sessions next door, creating a holistic experience that combines wellness with delicious food.

“These spaces are designed to foster community,” Bec shares. “Zero Point has been the birthplace of so many friendships. Two Doors Down is a space where you can show up alone and leave with new connections. With events like music nights and our Into the Wild hiking program, we’ve expanded far beyond

yoga. We aim to create spaces where everyone feels welcome.”

Bec Duffield: The Visionary Behind It All

Originally from Queensland, Bec’s journey to becoming a central figure in Ocean Grove’s wellness scene is inspiring. From leading international retreats to building thriving businesses, her passion and innovation shine in everything she does.

Bec’s work has turned Zero Point Yoga and Two Doors Down Cafe into more than just a studio and cafe - they are pillars of a thriving localcommunity.ThisNovember,OceanGrove celebratestheexpansionofthesebelovedspaces and the remarkable woman behind them.

Two Doors Down.

Point Yoga.

New hub for Ayurvedic wellness opens in Ocean Grove

Nestled between Zero Point Yoga and Three Doors Down Cafe, Durga~ma opened its doors on November 22, 2024, bringing a fresh dimension to Ocean Grove’s vibrant wellness scene.

This boutique Ayurvedic retreat, led by Jax Biddle, offers a serene space where ancient healing traditions meet modern self-care.

At Durga~ma, treatments begin with an Ayurvedic consultation to determine the client’s unique dosha (mind-body energy) categorised in Vata, Pitta, or Kapha, ensuring every experience is tailored to individual needs.

This personalised approach addresses skin concerns and overall well-being through customised therapies, lifestyle adjustments, and the use of medicated oils sourced from Kerala, India, the birthplace of Ayurveda. These oils, infused with powerful herbs like neem, ashwagandha, and brahmi, nourish the skin while supporting detoxification, relaxation, vitality and balance out the connection between mind and body.

SignatureexperiencesincludetheDurga~ma Retreat, a three-hour journey encompassing a herbalscrub,oilwrap,Abhyangamassage,and facial. This comprehensive offering promotes balance and renewal for both body and mind. Additional services such as dosha-specific facials and full-body massages are tailored to individual needs, ensuring every client receives a bespoke experience.

Durga~ma’s location perfectly complements its mission. Adjoining Zero Point Yoga—a sanctuary for mindfulness and movement—and Three Doors Down Cafe, a community-focusedgatheringspot,theretreat creates a seamless flow between wellness, connection, and nourishment. Together, these neighbouring businesses form a holistic wellness hub for the Ocean Grove community.

Founder Jax Biddle brings a wealth of expertise to Durga~ma. Her commitment to authentic Ayurvedic healing shines through in every detail, from the warm, welcoming ambience to the meticulous craftsmanship of the treatments. Trained in Kerala, the

birthplace of Ayurveda, Jax integrates ancient techniques with a passion for personalised care. Her goal is to educate clients on the importance of balance in mind, body, and spirit, empowering them to adopt Ayurvedic principles in their daily lives.

Durga~ma’s grand opening signals a new chapter for wellness in Ocean Grove. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, healing, or self-discovery, this intimate retreat offers a transformative journey into the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda.

Jax Biddle brings a wealth of expertise to Durga~ma. (Pictures: Supplied)

Sally writes a brand new chapter

Ocean Grove’s Sally Wilson will launch her new children’s book, ‘Have You Ever Stopped to Think?’. She speaks with Jena Carr about the jump from careers in music and trauma therapy to writing books.

Sally Wilson, 50, will finish off the year with the ‘craziest haircut on the block’ and a new title on her list of accomplishments.

TheOceanGrovewomanisaninternationally acclaimed opera singer who started pursuing a love of music from a young age, which led her to the USA, Europe and the UK.

“I grew up on a farm and just always sang. There are photos of me as a little kid with my wooden jewellery singing to the animals and trees,” Sally said. “I was also fortunate that my parents understood the value of music, and they gave piano lessons to my brother and me.

“There was a school choir at my primary school in western Victoria and I loved that feeling of singing with other people. I was just hooked, leading me to music and art classes in secondary school.

“I had a year off after school and started my university studies in arts as there was so much in an arts degree, but after a couple years of that, I missed singing and wanted to study singing and music.

“There are many things in life that happen unexpectedly, and opera was one of them for me... So, I picked music up as another degree and went to America to study singing more intensively.”

Sally added trauma therapy to her list of career passions more than six years ago after seeing students struggling with their mental health at a university where she taught voice classes.

“Often what makes things painful for people is that we’re going through things on our own and that it’s just our isolated experience,” she said. “There is so much more that we have in common than differences, and... the recognition that everybody goes through something similar is comforting.

“Sometimes we need to change the therapy road map a little bit. It only takes three sessions for most people because the mind’s powerful enough if we know how to use it.

“I get to see and help adults change the negative ideas they picked up as children. Even if they had great childhoods, we all pick up ideas that don’t serve us and can be so destructive in life.

“The ideas that we pick up, we’re not even aware of them because they’re just so interwoven in our normal and they feel like they’ve always been there, so we don’t even think to question them.”

Sally has since brought together her love of music and promoting emotional awareness in young people through her new book, ‘Have You Ever Stopped to Think?’.

As the first book in the Lala Chronicles series, the children’s book looks to empower young readers to face their fears, embrace diversity and develop emotional intelligence in a fun way.

‘‘ They’re about different aspects of being human and the struggles that we all have but written in a playful, fun, and witty way ’’ - Sally Wilson

“My first intention of the book was always fun. I wanted to have fun, and I want my readers to have fun, both adults and children,” Sally said. “Kids and adults can sing along and there’s something about that connection that we experience through music and singing together.

“There’s also something to be said for simplicity and bringing it back to the things that matter because there’s so much noise in our lives.

“Much research has been done on how music with kids improves literacy and numeracy outcomes, but the fostered connection is just extraordinary.

“Music and musical expression are such a gift and... each book is set to music as a song and that’s what I want to encourage or at least givepeopletheopportunitytosingalongtothe book.

“I realised when I looked back at what I’d written, they’re about different aspects of being human and the struggles that we all have but written in a playful, fun, and witty way.

“The book also encourages kids to question

their fears and put themselves in another person’s shoes while getting them to look at their feelings and know that other people feel that stuff, too.

“Most kids reading it may not be aware of these big themes and ideas, as it’s just these funny characters that grasp their imagination. It’s a story for kids, and the themes are more for adults.”

‘Have You Ever Stopped to Think?’ will be launched at Ocean Grove’s The Hive Gallery from 2pm to 4pm on November 30, with book signings, singalongs, and children’s games.

Sally said she was looking forward to having a fun book launch while introducing people to some “gorgeous and quirky little characters”.

“Something that I’ve been blown away by is the beautiful support and enthusiasm that these books have inspired in people,” she said.

“There’s no age limit on this, and my 12-year-old niece, who was introduced to these characters years ago when I first wrote them, still picks up this book and reads it before bed.

“There’s something comforting about that. It’s like the food we grow up with and think of

as comfort food; sometimes, we still want it as adults. That’s the same thing with childhood stories.

“Ididn’texpecttowritekids’books.Thereare many people out there who dream of writing children’s books, but it wasn’t something that I grew up thinking I wanted to do.

“But, when I started writing, the creative juices flowed, and it just wrote itself. I now smilewhenIreadthebookandIhopeeveryone else does as well.

“I would love to hear stories of grandparents, parents and kids all singing it together as it’s recognition of our common humanity, sense of belonging, shared experiences and connection.”

Following the release of her first book, Sally is already writing, illustrating and composing the next books in the Lala Chronicles series, with each story brought to life with its own song.

The books will link to recorded music by Sally and her husband, Mark Kruger, through a QR code to encourage families to continue singing with their loved ones.

Sally Wilson will launch her new children’s book at Ocean Grove’s The Hive Gallery. (Ivan Kemp) 445909_08

Shopping local before Christmas

Many

Fiona Williams.

Left to right: Shirley and John Donlen with Tobi; Olivia Walker; Melissa McKay; Shane Moorcroft. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 446228

Paola Milton.

Maree Moore with her daughter Maryann.

Cindy Unkauf with her mother Lydia.

Carols by the Barrels offers funky festive fun for free

The inaugural Carols by the Barrels at Flying Brick Cider House is set to rock your Christmas socks off on Sunday December 15. However, be warned. This is not your ordinary Christmas carol event.

Get ready for a night of fabulous, festive fun for all ages. And it’s all free.

A brilliant six-piece band will take to the stage on the expansive Flying Brick lawn to belt out an array of Christmas favourites with a modern, funky twist.

In terms of genre, the show will feature a contemporary, eclectic mix of rock, reggae, blues, pop and funk.

Two sets of carols plus one set of contemporary pop covers to finish off the evening.

Curated and directed by musician Bridget Sharp (solo recording artist and vocalist/ keyboards with indie band Dandecat), the band comprises a composite line up of up-and-coming professional musicians including:

• Nick Robinson (drummer – also plays for artist Eaglemont, Kieran Wallace)

• Zac Robertson (guitarist – Dandecat, Will Clift, Zac Robertson)

• Sean Close (bassist – Dandecat, Will Clift, Kieran Wallace, Zac Robertson)

• Jordy McMillan (vocals – Drums of War acapella group)

• Bridget Sharp (keyboard and vocals –Bridget Sharp, Dandecat)

• Keiton Grace (vocals)

Patrons can also look forward to a choir participating in a few songs as well as some other guest appearances.

There will be street-style food, house-made baked goodies, pop-up wineries Jack Rabbit, Leura Park and Yes said the Seal as well as Christmas cocktails, cider and beer on the pour.

LEURA PARK ESTATE

Artisan wines without compromise

• Sensational setting

• Stunning pizzas, platters & fresh local fare

• Live Music Sundays

• Wine Tastings

• Open Thurs - Sunday 11am - 5pm

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

12606035-SN21-23

Kids will also enjoy face painting and of course Santa will drop by.

Thefunstartsat5pmandmusiccommences at 6pm.

FLYING BRICK CIDER CO

Funky, Fabulous, Fun.

• Landmark Bellarine venue

• Innovative space

• Delicious food

• 100% naturally crafted ciders

• Luxurious grounds & vineyard

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

12606701-KG21-23

Limited seating is available, patrons are welcome to bring picnic rugs but strictly no food or beverages are permitted to be brought onsite.

JACK RABBIT VINEYARD

• Iconic Bellarine winery

• Unrivalled panoramic views

• Contemporary a la carte

• Sophisticated wines

• Lunch / Wine Tastings

• OPEN 7 Days

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

12606706-RR21-23

On your sleigh and don’t delay. Register your attendance (so Santa knows what to expect) via flyingbrickciderco.com.au

THE RANGE @CURLEWIS

Finesse your form or just for fun.

• Lunch / Dinner / Snacks

• Burger, Beverage & Balls packages

• Barista coffe, beer, wine & cocktails

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

Dandecat will form the main part of the Carols by the Barrels band line up. Bottom right: Greg and Allie will be getting their pour on at Flying Brick for Carols by the Barrels. (Picturs: Supplied)

PUZZLES

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to

ACROSS

1 Unfathomable (7)

5 Reprieve (7)

9 Most pungent (9)

10 Facetious (5)

11 The capital of Spain (6)

12 Former US Supreme Court Justice Thurgood – (8)

14 Hate (6)

15 Monarch (4)

19 Musical instrument (4)

20 Leader of the X-men (6)

24 Self-government (8)

25 Bottle for the table (6)

27 Belonging to them (5)

28 From Oslo, eg (9)

29 Broadcast, transmitted (7)

30 Ways (7)

DOWN

1 Undertake (6)

2 Surrenders (6)

3 Island group in the Indian Ocean (8)

4 Ogle (4)

5 Alluring (10)

6 One who goes naked (6)

7 Relating to lines on a weather map (8)

8 Large logs traditionally burnt at Christmas time (4,4)

13 Looked again (10)

16 Of no consequence (2,6)

17 City in Québec (8)

18 Deteriorating (8)

21 Liveliness (6)

22 Gambling house (6)

23 Game played on a court (6)

26 Stiffly neat (4)

1 Which US comedian wrote the 2000 novella Shopgirl?

2 True or

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Ocean Grove Voice looks back through the pages of our predecessors

8 years ago

November 23 to December 6, 2016

The Terrace will be bustling with activity and closed to all vehicular traffic for the second annual Christmas in the Grove shopping bonanza. The massive family event will take place on Wednesday 7 December, from 5pm to 8pm, with local businesses spilling out onto the street to entice Christmas shoppers to spend locally.

COMMUNITY OCEANGROVEVOICE.COM.AU

6 years ago

December 5 to 18, 2018

Community backlash over the burial of a whale carcass at Collendina has prompted authorities to exhume and relocate the mammal.

Apetitiontoremovethecarcassattracted more than 2000 signatures.

4 years ago

December 4 to 17, 2020

Ocean Grove’s main shopping street will get a drastic makeover next week. Extended outdoor dining areas will be activated on The Terrace in time for the summer tourist season.

2 years ago

December 2 to 15, 2022

ANewtowncoupleisinlimboaftermissing Epworth Hospital’s maternity department closure cut-off date by days. The hospital announced this week that it would stop taking new maternity bookings due to staff shortages and there are fears the department could close its doors altogether on March 1 next year.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

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

Ocean Grove Library

Thursdays 3pm-4pm Digital Basics; Wednesday December 4, 2pm-3pm Conversation Cafe; Wednesday December 11, 2pm-3pm Longest Book in the World; Thursday December 12, 9am-10.30am Summer Food Drive; Wednesday December 18, 2pm-3pm Computer Basics. All sessions free.

 grlc.vic.gov.au/locate/ocean-grove-library

Live music

Bellarine Country Music Group meets Friday nights at Belmont Park Pavilion, music 7pm-10pm, $10 entry all welcome. Guest Artist November 15 is Vanessa Sanger.

Croquet

Drysdale Bowling & Croquet Club, Clifton Springs Rd, 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, similar to pickleball, for many years. Ocean Grove Memorial Hall, 123 The Avenue, Mondays 1.30pm-3.30pm. No experience necessary.

 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.

Ballroom dance

Leopold Hall, Leopold Hall, 805-809

Bellarine Highway, Saturday November 30, 7.30pm-11pm, $10 includes supper, music Kevin.

 0400 500 402

 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

 Kareen, 0419 246 346, or Janis, 5255 4585

Monthly

Inhouse Movies 3rd Wednesday 1.30pm.

 Dianne, 5255 1372

Cards

Ocean Grove Seniors play card game 500 every Thursday at 1.15pm. If you are new to the game a quick lesson will get you in play. The core group of six players adjust to any number and you will enjoy the friendship of like-minded players. Cost: $30 annually and coffee included. At 101 The Terrace, Ocean Grove.

 Dianne, 5255 1372

TOWN club

The Springs TOWN Club (Take Off Weight Naturally) meets Mondays, 9-10.30am at the Community Hub, 23 Eversley Street, Drysdale. Weigh-in, group therapy and regular relaxation sessions. Cost: $5 per session, $54 annual fee.

 Bev, 0421 636 830

Ocean Grove Day VIEW

Meets second Wednesday of the month, 10.30am for 11am.

 oceangroveday.viewclub@gmail.com

Drysdale Day VIEW

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

 Margaret, 0431 636 090

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

 0428 546 796

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

 gwen.anne.james@gmail.com

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

 Lorraine, 0412 805 858

Afternoon tea dance

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

 5251 3529

Out and about at QMF

Voice photographer Ivan Kemp went to the Queenscliff Music Festival on Sunday November 24 for music and fun times.

Singer and songwriter Emily Wurramara.

Jessica Mason with her children Eloise and Reuben.

Ursula Traynor and Leagh O’Byrne.

Izzie Turner with children Fenn, Orla and Remy.

Left to right: Cash Savage; Jess Carr and daughter Daisy; Lara Carmody dancing with her daughters Flo and Valley; Singer and songwriter Jack Botts. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 444244

Surf Coast musician and songwriter Jasmin Adria.

Jack Botts and friends in concert.

Kristy and Mick Dodds and Leanne and Justin Micallef.

SPORTS QUIZ

1. Minnesota Vikings player Cam Bynum recently honoured which Australian figure with a celebration dance during a game?

2. How many rounds was the recent boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson?

3. Teams from which state won both matches in the second week of the 2024 AFL Women’s finals series?

4. Supercars driver Jaxon Evans recently crashed during qualifying for which event?

5. Which team had the first pick in the 2024 AFL draft?

6. The 2025 NRL season opening match will be played in which US city?

7. A stand honouring which cricketing legend was unveiled at Melbourne’s Junction Oval?

Which A-League Men’s team joined the league in the 2020/21 season?

What is the record number of goals kicked by an individual player in an AFL Women’s match?

Who will coach the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2025?

The Women’s Tennis Association was founded by which former world No.1 tennis player?

12. Which team won the gold medal in women’s rugby at Paris 2024?

13. The Australian Open is held annually in January in which Australian city?

14. Luke Humphries is the current world No.1 in which sport?

15. In which year was the first State of Origin series played?

16. Which cricketer is older: Mark or Steve Waugh?

17. Which former Wallabies player was elected chairman of World Rugby?

18. Which AFL team will own the primetime Friday night slot with seven games in the opening 16 rounds?

19. The new Gold Coast Suns home guernsey will feature a red logo on what colour background?

20. What item was returned to Roosters star Millie Elliott after it was stolen from her home days after the NRLW Grand Final?

21. Apart from the usual Friday to Sunday, on which day will AFL matches be played for most rounds in 2025?

22. Australia were defeated by which cricketing nation in a recent three-match ODI series on home soil?

23. Treasurethe Moment won which horse race during the Melbourne Spring Carnival?

24. High-profile players from which sport are complaining about the poor manufacturing quality of the balls that are being used?

25. The Ryder Cup is a bi-annual tournament in which sport?

26. Arne Slot is the manager of which famous English soccer club?

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

27. Who is Usman Khawaja’s new opening batting partner in the cricket Test series against India?

28. Which Victorian-based AFL team will play some home games in Western Australia, ending its similar arrangement with Tasmania?

29. Freddie Freeman was MVP in which recentlyconcluded North American-based sporting series?

30. WBBL batter Lizelle Lee made history as the first woman to do what in the cricketing tournament?

Usman Khawaja Mike

The fully electric Chery Omoda

By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring

E5 is the fully-electric version of the Chery Omoda that we drove 12 months ago.

It doesn’t look radically different from the rear or in profile, but the front has been extensively redesigned to accommodate the missing radiator grille.

Any air still required for cooling is drawn in through a smaller, blacked out ribbed opening below the front bumper.

Looks aside, the E5 is considerably more powerful than the petrol-model, which it is sold alongside, with significantly more torque available almost instantly when the accelerator is pressed.

So, it is with EVs, but expect to pay extra for one - a lot extra in most cases.

Styling

Looking a touch more futuristic than its flashy petrol sibling, the redesigned front is still visor-like in execution.

It also hides the charging port, a la MG, located in the centre of the bumper, a location that we prefer, enabling the car to be nosed in rather than having to continually reverse.

A fastback silhouette and two-tier rear wing not only serve to set the vehicle apart, but also improve the aerodynamics.

T-shaped running lights and piano-style tail lights make it stand out at night.

The wheels are also different, alloys but with plasticfill-instomakethemmoreaerodynamic, with 215/55 profile Kumho PS71 EV tyres.

E5 is offered in two grades, BX priced from $42,990 and EX from $45,990.

Premium paint is an extra $500.

Both BX and EX are powered by a single electric motor, producing 150kW of power and 340Nm of torque, that powers the front wheels.

Five colours are offered: Titan Green (base colour), Lunar White, Saturn Silver, Space Black and Martian Red.

EX model Titan Green and Lunar White modelscanbepairedwithablackrooffor$600.

Standard kit includes two-zone climate control with rear vents, cloth trim with synthetic leather bolsters, and a tilt and reach-adjust plastic steering wheel.

Therearealso18-inchalloys,LEDlights,auto high beam, speed limit recognition, adaptive cruise control, walk-away locking, auto lights and wipers and power-fold mirrors, front and rear park sensors, but the rear vision mirror is not auto-dimming.

Stepping up to the EX adds full synthetic leather, ambient interior lighting, power-adjust front seats, heated synthetic leather steering wheel, heated front and rear seats (outboard), puddle lights, sequential rear indicators, a sunroof and power-operated tailgate.

There is also a full-size spare wheel which is rare in an electric vehicle.

E5 is covered by a seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, seven-year capped price servicing and up to seven years of roadside assistance.

With an eight-year battery warranty, service is due every 12 months or 20,000km.

Infotainment

Infotainment consists of a 12.3-inch touchscreen, plus another 12.3-inch screen for the driver, an increase on the 10.25-inch screens in the petrol- model - all housed in a single sweeping console.

The system boasts built-in navigation, AM/ FM and DAB+ digital radio, Bluetooth with voice control, wired CarPlay and wireless Android Auto and six-speaker sound. EX adds eight-speaker Sony sound.

Chery’s voice command system enables drivers to change radio stations, open windows and make changes to the air conditioning without taking their hands off the steering wheel.

There’s USB-A and USB-C ports front and back, another USB-A port near the rear vision mirror, plus 12 volt outlets in the front and cargo area. Wireless phone charging is also standard.

Safety

Although it is yet to be rated for safety, E5 features a comprehensive list of active and passive safety features, including a reverse camera and seven airbags including a centre bag.

Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) integrating 18 kinds of intelligent driving assist functions, including adaptive cruise control (ACC), autonomous emergency braking (AEB), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), lane keeping assistance (LKA), and rear cross traffic braking (RCTB) - to mention a few.

There are also rear child safety locks, two ISOFix child seat anchors and three top tethers.

EX adds a 360-degree camera.

Engines/transmissions

Omoda E5 is powered by a single electric motor that drives the front wheels through a single, reduction gear.

It produces 150kW of power and 340Nm of torque, with the dash from 0-100km/h taking 7.6 seconds.

Driving

Getting into the vehicle and driving off for the first time is a different experience.

The car unlocks on approach and relocks itself again as you walk away from the vehicle.

There’s no start button as such. Simply move the column selector to D and press the accelerator.

And although you put it in Park when you pull up, you don’t actually turn it off - which is a bit unnerving.

The bulky key fob makes no provision for attachment to a key ring, but in the context of the walk-away locking it will probably spend all of its time in your pocket or purse.

Otherwise, you can purchase an optional key case with a strap for $29.99.

7/10

7/10

6/10 Tech: 7/10 Value: 7.5 Overall: 6.7/10

At 4.4 metres Omoda sits towards the larger end of the small SUV segment.

Rear legroom is pretty good with plenty of storage space thanks to a double-decker centre console.

A storage bin under the front bonnet is perfect for stashing the charge cable.

The driver seat is form-fitting, with generous padding for the thighs, but lacks padding for your butt where the squab joins the seat back.

Unfortunately, the longer you spend in the car the harder the seat becomes.

The rear view mirror in this version is better, but over the shoulder vision is still hindered by large rear pillars.

Given that the E5 is a cutting-edge EV, the instrument display lacks for much in the way of configuration and the lack of a physical volume control for the audio stops the front passenger from intervening.

The boot is small but hides a full size spare which is a rare commodity in an EV.

Witha61.1kWhbattery,energyconsumption is a claimed 15.5 kWh/100km and driving range is up to 430km (WLTP).

Charging from a 10A household power point takes 31 hours. Installing a home charger reduces this figure to 9.25 hours.

A DC fast charger will deliver a 50 per cent charge at a rate of up to 80kW in 28 minutes.

Note that E5 does NOT come with a portable charger or cable of any kind which means you need to buy one separately (not cheap).

Driving the E5 is far from a relaxing experience. One is continually fighting the steering wheel and lane centring assistance. Best practice is to use a light touch and let the system do its stuff, otherwise your arms will quickly tire.

Lift off the accelerator and instead of free-wheeling, the car slows because of the regenerative braking, which of course can be modulated.

Finding a happy medium is difficult, while an endless stream of warning beeps and system corrections quickly becomes annoying. There are just the two gears, forward and reverse, with Eco, Normal and Sport drive modes. But changing quickly between them can sometimes yield unexpected results as we discovered on more than one occasion. Expecting the car to move forward, it started to move backwards again - that could be embarrassing.

Being a column shift, it is easy to confuse the gear selector for the indicator stalk. Make the mistake of moving the selector up to turn left, thinking it is the indicator and the car goes into neutral.

You can’t get it back into drive again without applying the foot brake. This almost led to my wife being rear-ended. This happened twice, but I could not replicate the problem.

Ride quality is pretty good around town but quickly deteriorates on secondary roads. So does the expected range if you start to get up it.

Unfortunately, the trip computer shows only average consumption for the current trip.

To find the long-term average required a calculator and a little maths.

By our reckoning we were getting 16.4 kWh after around 300km of mixed driving. That’s more than the claimed 15.5 kWh/100k and gives the E5 a real world range of about 373km.

Summing up

E5 is Chery’s first EV and a pretty good effort, especially at the price.

The styling is contemporary and the cabin has an upmarket feel, with soft-touch surfaces.

But it could be even better with a little tweaking. More range would be nice, while the driving experience is overly busy and the fiddly gear selector needs some work.

E5 is Chery’s first EV and a pretty good effort, especially at the price. (Pictures: Supplied)

Torquay wins midweek challenge

Voice photographer Ivan Kemp was at Ocean Grove on Tuesday November 20 for midweek bowls and the Division 7 game between Ocean Grove and Torquay which Torquay won 78 to 35.

Above: Barbara Gilbert. Right: Robyn Cary.

Left: Yvonne Harrigan for Ocean Grove. Centre: Gail Hannan. Top right: Jennifer Cussen. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 443888

Hank Doedee.

Mark Coombs.

Loretta Curwood.

Jan Hudson, and below, Mavis Harling.

Brian Grieve. Judith McKay.

Washouts prove costly

LOCAL TENNIS

Donna Schoenmaekers

Tennis Victoria’s Associations Junior Pennant (AJP) had an unusual end to the season this week, with several finals washed out for a second time.

The competition, which runs on Sundays starting in September, gives juniors within various associations the chance to play against each other in various age groups, and eight associations were represented.

Tennis Geelong had seven teams participate this year across all age groups, with four boys teams and three girls.

In the Boys, there were two 14 and under teams, one in 14D, who finished fifth, and 14B, who had close results against both finalists, Waverley and NSJTA (1), finishing in third.

There were also two teams competing in Opengrades,oneinPoolAandPoolC.OpenA sawanumberofplayersfromlastyear’sSection B team take the step up, and after a slow start facing the eventual finalists in the first two rounds, found their feet and had a competitive remainder of the season, finishing sixth. Open C fared better in what was one of the closest results at the end of home and away, with only two points separating first from third.

Tennis Geelong finished second and faced off against Eastern Region Tennis (ERT) in darkening skies at North Ringwood. The teams had posted a win each against the other during home and away, so the team of Josh Severin-Harvey, Tom Smith, Max Harbison, Louis Smith, Oliver Mitrevski and Luca Kara, were hoping match ups would be in their favour.

ERT started well and managed to win all four singles, before Smith and Kara put Tennis Geelong on the board winning the second doubles 9-7. ERT took the remaining doubles before the skies opened with Tennis Geelong runners-up.

Tennis Geelong fielded teams in Girls 12 and under, 14 and under and Open, and the teams had mixed results. Open B were competitive throughtheseasonwithseveralwins,finishing fourth. 14A had a tough season, struggling to fill the team at times, finishing seventh in their grade. 12B was a section of six with all teams registering wins through the season, with the girls finishing second after home and away.

The team of Elsa Grgic, Lexi Miller, Esther White and Zara Wilson were set to play Berwick and District (BDTA), over whom the team had had a narrow win four weeks before.

Grgic and Miller started their singles matches and had both won the first set of their rubber andwerepartwaythroughthesecondsetwhen the rain started to pour at Doveton with the match eventually abandoned and rescheduled

for the following week.

The girls were back at Doveton on Sunday, but with the weather against them again, play couldn’t continue, so the match was awarded to the minor premiers, BDTA.

Fowler earns first state title

Greater Geelong based racer Chris Fowler earned his first Victorian Grand Prix Midget Racing Association state title win and became the 19th different champion since 1983.

With the qualifying over at Rushworth Speedway, Fowler secured top spot in the field and went on to win the shortened 15-lap final on Saturday November 23.

Goulburn Valley Auto Club, in consultation with track officials, agreed to a reduced 15-lap title race with wet weather on its way and also due to the condition of the track after the beating it had already taken after the heat of the day and the nonstop racing.

“First thing I want to say is that I dedicate the victory tonight to the late Ross Stainer who built the HMJ Chassis’ cars that Locky (Robotham) and I drive,” Fowler said.

“Also a huge thank you to my father John Fowler who preps the car each week and maintains everything, I just zip up and drive, this win is a team effort, I am the driver, he is the man who makes this team what it is.

“It is as much his win as it is mine. I want to thank the Goulburn Valley Auto Club for their efforts in difficult weather and for bringing the fans into the pits to have a look around, we need to do these things to find new racers, well done to them. Congratulations to the other drivers who achieved podiums and their best possible results tonight.”

Premiers crowned in women’s midweek tennis

LOCAL TENNIS

Donna Schoenmaekers

It was grand final week for Tennis Geelong’s Tuesday Women’s Winter Pennant and teams were keen to hit the court.

MoolapwerefavouritesgoingintotheSection 6 final against Wandana Heights Green. Green took it to Moolap in the first two sets, but Moolap prevailed 7-5 in both. Sets three and four went one each way putting Moolap in the box seat at three to one. Wandana kept themselves in contention, winning the sixth 6-2, but with Denise Black teaming with Kirsty Matthews to win her third set, Moolap got over the line as champions.

Things were a little different for Moolap in Section3whentheytravelledtoBarwonHeads.

The Heads went into the match with two wins under their belt and they continued on their winning way, taking the first five sets, giving them the win.

Grovedale was the only other club with multipleteamsplaying,andtheirfortuneswere also mixed.

Section 5 faced Teesdale, and the teams had been evenly matched with one win each during home and away and only one point

separating them on the ladder. The first set went to Teesdale 6-2 while the second went to Grovedale 6-3, then Teesdale put themselves ahead winning 6-0 in the third. Sets four and five were tie-breaks that went the way of Teesdale, guaranteeing the win.

Section 2 started the same way against Aireys Inlet with the teams splitting the first sets before Grovedale pushed ahead winning the third and fourth sets 6-2, 7-5. Aireys kept themselves in contention winning the fifth 6-2, but Erin Wilkinson and Belinda Lee won the sixth for Grovedale granting them the premiership.

Drysdale were hoping to repeat their round 12 win over minor premiers Mount Moriac and come from third to be crown premiers in Section 4. The home team took an early lead winning the first two sets 6-2, Drysdale won the third in a tie-break, but then the Mount took control dropping only five games in the remaining three sets to take the win 5-1.

Point Lonsdale and Anglesea boasted one win each and a draw during the Section 7 season, so on paper the final seemed hard to pick. The end result was one-sided as Point Lonsdale came to play and made the most of their home court advantage, winning the first

four sets to gain the win, before Anglesea won the final two sets in tie-breaks.

The final match was Section 1 where Surfcoast Torquay’s Yellow and Black teams would battle out yet another thriller. Yellow won the first semi by just one game, so the match was expected to be close, and it was.

Yellow’s Tegan Marshall and Kristie Walters opened their account winning the first set 6-2, while Black’s Roseanne Michie and Liz Flower

took the second 6-1. Marshall teamed with Colleen Battye in the third to put Yellow ahead winning 6-1, while Black stayed in contention with Flower and Bronwyn Mifsud taking the fourth 7-5. At two sets all and a two-game lead to Yellow tensions started to mount going into the final two sets. Both teams fought hard and the games score was neck and neck and in the end each team took a set 6-4 leaving the final resultwithYellowaheadbythesametwogames

Chris Fowler and his father John at Rushworth Speedway. (VGPMRA)

TWS3 Moolap and Barwon Heads: Wendy Bell (M), Rita Nelis (M), Shirley Patterson (M), Erica Sutherland (M), Emma Webb (BH), Tania White (BH), Sally Ford (BH), Shelley Sutton (BH).

AJP Girls 12B 2: Elsa Grgic, Jemma Howat, Lexi Miller, Esther White. Absent: Zara Wilson.

AJP Boys Open C 2: Louis Smith, Tom Smith, Max Harbison, Oliver Mitrevski, Luca Kara, Josh Severin-Harvey. (Pictures: Supplied)

Hot days for local cricket

Voice photographer Ivan Kemp went to the Surf Coast vs Collendina game on Saturday November 16 and the Ocean Grove vs Jan Juc match on Saturday November 23. Both days were hot as local cricket is in full swing.

Ned Thorley at the top of his run up.

Alex Mann walks back to his mark.

Mark Zahra cuts through gully for Jan Juc.

Peter Buszard drives on the up and is caught by Fletcher Long off the bowling of Tahj Wirth for 20, and Tahj Wirth in action for Ocean Grove.

Nathan Frye plays through square leg.

Left: Corey Walter glides a ball through gully for Collendina. Centre: Zac Jones hits the crease. Right: Aidan Foard snicks the ball to Vic Rathore off the bowling of Corey Roberts. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 443898

Surf Coast’s Corey Roberts bowls to Oliver Terhorst.

Tom Burgess squares Nathan Frye up with this delivery.

Oliver Terhorst leaves this Tom Burgess delivery.

Wallabies come back from the brink of defeat

A late innings revival resulted in Wallington securingacomebackvictoryagainstInverleigh.

At 9/76 on day one, the Wallabies were staring down a two-figure total, but a rearguard 10th-wicket partnership between Sven Burluraux and Colin Smith changed the game.

The pair put on 68 golden runs to inch the final total up to 141.

Burluraux made a defiant 59 from 168 deliveries in a show of concentration and application while Smith made 35 not out from 50 balls.

In reply Inverleigh was 2/19 at stumps and it was game on.

On day two, Billy Gravett took five wickets and. Adam Southorn four to have Inverleigh all out for 58, but the job wasn’t done.

Chasing outright points, Wallington declared at 4/65 in its second dig although Inverleigh safely negotiated its second innings to end at 3/94.

Veteran Murray Biemans took five wickets for just eight runs to help Wallington bowl out Inverleigh for 143 in C1 Grade.

Damien Biemans then made 68 to guide his

team home, finishing at 4/168 when stumps were called.

A second consecutive century from Raghav Mehra helped Wallington secure an outright win in C2 Grade against Queenscliff.

William Richardson routed Queenscliff for 41withthesuperbfiguresof7/13from13overs.

Mehra then reeled off 146 not out from just 74 balls and John Dunstan hit 53 from 51 with Wallington able to declare at 1/231 from 23 overs.

Queenscliff was all out for 83 the second time around with Luke Robertson taking three

Toole belts a double ton

By Justin Flynn

A lot of cricketers are happy if they make 200 runs in an entire season, but Portarlington’s Aaron Toole achieved the feat in just a few hours on Saturday.

With his side chasing a mammoth 349 for victory against Barrabool in B Grade, Toole strode to the crease at No 3 and Port was soon 4/23 and seemingly out of the contest at Ceres Recreation Reserve.

But a few hours later, the 25-year-old smacked his 27th boundary (along with four sixes) to take his score to 203 from only 137 deliveries.

The

WithSolomonHarvey,whomade79from69 balls,thepairputon181forthefifthwicketand the Demons won the game in extraordinary circumstances.

It was Toole’s maiden senior century.

“I’ve only batted one other time this year and I made a golden duck,” he said.

“I made one (century) in the juniors back at Heatherdale, but that was my first ever senior one. So to make it a double it was pretty special.

“It was a very hard innings. It was really hot out there towards the end. I was cramping. I’ve never been at the crease that long.”

Toole’s cousin Brenton has made several big hundreds for Portarlington’s A Grade side and

it would seem logical that Aaron will be joining him next weekend. “Someone else asked me that and my comment was I think I’d be a bit stiff if I don’t get picked (in A Grade) next week,” he said. “It was one of the best and most enjoyable, memorable days of cricket that I’ve ever been a part of.”

Having only moved to the Bellarine about 18 months ago after growing up in Ringwood, Toole said he only started playing at Port to meet new people.

“I just sort of started playing just to make some mates and my cousin plays down there so he goes ‘yeah, come on down’ and I bloody love it. The boys are grouse,” he said.

wickets and Richardson making it nine for the game with a further two.

Wallington thrashed Surf Coast in D Grade.

Aamir Naseer took three wickets for just eight runs off eight overs and Mark Johnson grabbed three to have the Suns all out for 102. It took just nine overs for Matt Shipsides (53) and Johnson (44 not out) to wipe off the runs.

Shipsides then took five wickets in the round 7 game with Wallington accounting for Drysdale.

Sharks too good for Grove

Ocean Grove was well beaten by a determined Jan Juc in round 6 and sits seventh on the BPCA A1 Grade ladder. The win brought Jan Juc up to fourth place on the ladder.

Resuming at 1/32 in pursuit of 142 for victory, the Sharks were untroubled in running down the target with the loss of three wickets.

Mark Zahra completed a brilliant player of the match performance with 60 from 102 deliveries to go with his six-wicket haul the week before. Skipper Nick Hyden was unbeaten on 47 from 57. GrovetakesonunbeatenAngleseanext game while Jan Juc meets Armstrong Creek.

Ocean Grove had no trouble passing Jan Juc’s 87 in B1 Grade. The Grubbers were 5/144 when stumps were called. All seven batters spent some valuable time at the crease with Elijah Baran getting 31 and Jarryd Nairn 25. Grove is in second spot on the ladder, three points away from Barwon Heads. Adam Spiby was the star in Ocean Grove’s C1 Grade win.

Spiby made 125 as Grove posted 283 all out against Jan Juc. Oliver Corby contributed 31.

In reply, Juc was all out for 145 with Xavier Kiddle snaring 5/32 and Will Finn 3/40.

Suns shine bright to pull of a shock win against

Surf Coast had its best win of its short BPCA existence when it defeated Collendina in A2 Grade in round 6.

The Suns shocked last season’s runners-up with a complete performance at Polwarth Oval, Torquay.

Resuming at 0/37 needing 162 for victory, Surf Coast was cruising at 2/131, but four wickets for 18 runs gave the Cobras a sniff. However, the Suns made the runs with three wickets in hand.

William Liddle top scored for the Suns with 84 while Corey Walter dug deep for the Snakes with 4/37 from 18 overs and slow bowler Jacob Gasior took 2/40 from 17.

Gasior made a handy 29 from 32 balls on day one for Collendina and Richard Brown batted well for 41.

In C1 Grade, Collendina defeated Barrabool by five wickets.

Dean Britt took 5/31 with his nagging medium pacers on day one to help dismiss Barrabool for 149.

In reply, Richie Peters made 47, Sam Tucker 33 not out and Jack Wood 26 to guide Dina home.

Collendina was handed a crushing loss by Barwon Heads in C2 Grade, but improved on day two to avoid outright defeat.

Dina was all out for 89 with Garry Wingrave contributing 40, but Heads batter Tony Mirabella soon ensured first-innings points went to the home side with a brilliant 102 retired while captain Ben McCredden made 59.

Sent in on day two, Colendina rallied to make 197 and stave off an outright loss with

Dina

Dom Sturman making a terrific 90 not out.

In D Grade, the Cobras suffered their first loss on November 16.

James Molloy (61) and David Worn (51) made runs in Dina’s innings of 5/203 against

Armstrong Creek. The Titans made the runs with seven wickets and 10 overs in hand.

On November 23, the Cobras took the six points with Jan Juc being forced to forfeit.

Nick Hyden (47 not out) drives through mid off. (Ivan Kemp) 445434

Oliver Terhorst plays this delivery behind square leg against Surf Coast. (Ivan Kemp) 443898_03

Justin Flynn

Portarlington’s Aaron Toole made a stunning 203 not out from 137 deliveries. (Portarlington Cricket Club)