Ocean Grove Voice - 7th February 2025

Vic Open tees off

Golfers of all abilities have taken over the 13th Beach Golf Links as the Vic Open returns for its 12th year.

The major golfing event kicked off with the all-abilities Golf Clinic organised by genU and Golf Australia on Wednesday, February 5, from 11am to 1pm, with the main tournaments taking place from Thursday, February 6, to Sunday, February 9.

Women and men will battle it out on 13th Beach’s Beach and Creek courses for equal shares of a total $400,000 in prize money across both fields.

Geoff from genU is pictured taking a shot during the all-abilities event.

 Turn to page 21 for more photos from the Golf Clinic.

Storm winds unleash fury

By Jena Carr

Geelong erupted into chaos overnight on Sunday as lightning, wind, rain, and hail shook the region, leaving properties damaged and trees uprooted.

Lightning cracked across the skies for over three hours on Sunday evening, followed by heavy rain and wild winds across Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast.

Geelong and Lara were hit particularly hard with flash flooding, with downed trees causing property damage and hail stones of 2cm to 4cm, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Some 63mm of rain was recorded at Lara, 52mm at Avalon Airport, 48mm at Clunes and 47mm at Geelong.

An SES spokesperson said VICSES Barwon South West volunteers were called to almost 500 requests for assistance (RFAs) between 10am on Sunday, February 2, and 10am on Monday, February 3.

at around 1pm on Monday.

“We lost a few things like couches, chairs, tables, and carpets, so it’s just a matter of assessing everything,” she said.

“We lost about 90 per cent of our roofing, and that’s probably a 40-metre span by 10 to 15 metres,sowehavelostafairamountofroofing.

“There’safootpathrightnexttoourbuilding, so we wanted to try and clear some of the roofing from there because that gets used a lot throughout the day by walkers and bike riders.

“Wewerealertedtothedamageatabout7pm on Sunday after a member of the public was walking past (the club) and got caught up in the storm. She was seeking shelter in our veranda area when the roof came off.”

“(Calls were) largely relating to trees down (222), building damage (169) and flood (83),” they said. “Local volunteers have cleared almost 300 of these RFAs during this period, and volunteer crews are still out responding aided by other VICSES and CFA crews.”

Damage reports included a tree blown over onto shop awnings outside the Little Pakington complex along Pakington Street and power lost to traffic lights at the Waiora Avenue and Jasmine Street intersection along Ballarat Road in Geelong West.

Target Rifle Geelong was one of many buildings damaged across the region, with winds blowing off sheets of the club’s corrugated iron roof over the footpath next to the building.

Secretary and treasurer Bianca Waldron said the City of Greater Geelong council shut down the building and some of the surrounding area

The storm also led to power network damage in Geelong, with close to 2411 Powercor customers waiting for power to be restored on Monday.

Powercor also deployed a Mobile Emergency Response Vehicle (MERV) to Geelong on Monday to provide on-ground advice to community members impacted by outages.

- with AAP

Left: A tree fell over onto shop awnings outside the Little Pakington complex along Pakington Street during Sunday’s storm. (Jena Carr) Right: Winds blew the roof off Target Rifle Geelong’s building. (Target Rifle Geelong)

Sunset Run celebrates a decade

By Matt Hewson

It’s been 10 years since Ocean Grove residents Dion and Liberty Milne decided to take their favourite local running trail and turn it into a public event, the Flying Brick Sunset Run.

There have been challenges along the waya global pandemic, to name just one - but Mr Milne said it had been “quite humbling” to see it grow from the two of them to the expected field of nearly 2000 runners taking part this Saturday, February 8.

“Tothink,whenwepitchedtheideatoFlying Brick 10 years ago we were talking about 350

people, and (this year) we’ll probably max out at 1800 registrations,” he said.

“It’s been a slow burn; we’ve kept control of our numbers, knowing it was more popular than what we were selling.

“This year (we’re) under Lindsay Sharp’s guidance, she said why don’t you see how big it can get? So here we are, 450 people more than the record.

“It’s only Liberty and I doing the whole thing, and we just get volunteers on the Friday night and the Saturday to help actually pull it all together. I’m really proud of what we’ve created.”

The event features a 21km half-marathon from Portarlington to St Leonards and back, a 10km run from St Leonards to Portarlington and the 4km Bully Buster, which raises funds and awareness to benefit kids’ mental health, particularly through exercise.

While the Sunset Run is not a charity, Mr Milne said the Bully Buster was a “good opportunity” to give back to the community.

“I think there are 102 kids running for free and then another 90 running for $10, and we donate that… registration to Bellarine Community Health,” he said.

“I think after this year we’ll have raised

St Jude offers education and hope

When Gemma Sisia set out on her mission to open a free school for disadvantaged children in Tanzania more than 25 years ago she had no understanding of the impact she would have on thousands of families.

Neither did she comprehend the myriad challenges she would face along the way nor the levels of support she would receive as she began to establish the School of St Jude.

“I was young; when you’re under 25 it’s a wonderful period in your life where you think you’re infallible and you know it all, but in actual fact you have no idea,” Mrs Sisia laughed.

“People thought I was crazy, and I probably was, but that’s the blissful ignorance of youth… we just started small and kept putting one foot in front of the other, just kept going forward.”

More than 20 years after opening its doors to just three children, St Jude’s now delivers free education to 1800 students over three campuses and supports 400 former students with their tertiary education.

St Jude’s alumnus John Stanley will join Mrs Sisia this month in Ocean Grove at a free

special event organised by the Rotary Club of Ocean Grove.

Mrs Sisia will relate the story of the school and her visions for its future, while Mr Stanley will share the impact St Jude’s has had on his life and future prospects.

Gemma Sisia and John Stanley will be at Ocean Grove Bowls Club between 6pm and 8pm on Sunday, February 23. The event is free and booking is not required. Visit www. rotaryoceangrove.org.au/breaking-news for more information.

Matt Hewson

probably $39,000 in seven, eight years, and we’re about to hit over 1000 kids having run it to promote health.

MrMilnethankedtheBellarineandGeelong community for its continued support for the event.

“Whether they’re running or just coming down to watch, or they’re a shop owner or local restaurantthatopenstheirdoorsandwelcomes our runners, to us it’s really special,” he said.

“We live in Ocean Grove, so we are Bellarine people, and we really do try to keep everything local and give the community something to remember.”

Working to stop violence

The Bellarine community is working together to help prevent family violence or abuse through initiatives across the region.

Last year, Bellarine North Rotary Club raised funds, distributed posters to help people recognise signs of family and domestic violence and partnered with charities to offer support.

Treasurer and Say No to Family and Domestic Violence group representative Leila Rielly said it was “extremely important” to hold initiatives that brought awareness to family and domestic violence.

“It’s about putting awareness out there that it’s not just abuse, it’s lots of different things that are classed as domestic violence,” she said. “The more we can get it out there, the more people hear about it; hopefully, if we can prevent one death, that’s a good outcome.

“We didn’t want to reinvent the wheel and start up something new when other clubs or associations in the area were doing something, so we tried to work with them.”

Bellarine North Rotary Club recently called for toiletries to support women and children affected by family and domestic violence, which were donated to the Salvation Army and Vinnies.

Ms Rielly said the club’s efforts were part of a broader commitment to create a safer and more supportive community.

Family violence incidents in Greater Geelong recorded by Victoria Police had increased by 220 cases to 5085 during the 2023/24 financial year, according to the Crime Statistics Agency.

School of St Jude founder Gemma Sisia and alumnus John Stanley will speak in Ocean Grove at a special Rotary event. (Supplied)

Vic Open tees off on the Bellarine

The Vic Open has returned to the Bellarine Peninsula for another year of great golf and even better competitors.

The event is celebrating its 12th year at the 13th Beach Golf Links from February 6 to 9, with men and women competing simultaneously for equal prize money on the same courses.

Former Vic Open champion Jiyai Shin will go up against defending champion Ashley Lau during the event after securing the ISPS HANDA Women’s Australian Open title at Melbourne’s Kingston Heath in December.

13th Beach general manager Rob Hurley said he was looking forward to seeing the

competitors battle it out during the exciting golf event.

“We’re excited to welcome so many former champions back to 13th Beach for this year’s Vic Open,” he said. “Entry for spectators is free again this year, and there will be plenty to see and do on and off the golf course in the Vic Open’s renowned relaxed atmosphere.

“Having Jiyai return just a few weeks after her Australian Open victory is a big boost for the women’s event and the men’s field has the best of the rising talent on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.”

Among the men’s championship’s early entries are five of the current 2024/25

Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia winners: Jack Buchanan, Ben Henkel, Phoenix Campbell, Jordan Doull and Will Bruyeres.

Three former Vic Open champions, Simon Hawkes, Dimi Papadatos and Michael Hendry, will also compete.

The 2025 Vic Open will also coincided with the Victorian Inclusive Championship for golfers with a disability, and the Australian Wheelchair Golf Championship will return for its third year.

The event forms part of the Summer of Golf in Australia’s second half, which includes the New Zealand Open and the Australian WPGA Championship.

Spirituality through art and nature

‘Totem’iscomingtoOceanGrovetoexplorethe spirituality in Australia’s trees and landscape through a collection of paintings.

The exhibition by Gordon Lingard will be held at The Hive Gallery from Saturday, February8,withwhiteorblackboldlinesbeing a central theme within the artworks.

Mr Lingard said his paintings were an “abstract representation of memories” from his trips around the country.

“I have a real love for the gum trees, hills, and water. You’ll see that emphasised a lot in the paintings and Totem really is about those places,” he said.

“You’ll see black lines in my paintings, and they’re like stained glass...with black lines that border certain colours in my paintings that make us focus on particular parts.

“The texture of the paint, being creative and seeing something emerge is fantastic. It’s often a surprise as I can look at the painting after I finished it and question who painted it.

“I really love putting paint on canvas and seeing where it takes me. Often, the paintings dictate to me what’s going to happen rather than me having a solid plan of what’s going to happen. It’ll often emerge and develop as a process.”

Mr Lingard said he also wanted to acknowledge the first peoples of the land and that he hoped his paintings drew respect for them.

Totem will be Mr Lingard’s first exhibition at The Hive Gallery after previously exhibiting at Geelong’s Boom Gallery.

Mr Lingard was the Geelong Grammar chaplain for many years before retiring and moving to Ocean Grove by the beach, where he embraced a new phase of life, which included painting as a highlight.

lives

25 years of saving

A Geelong paramedic is celebrating 25 years of making a difference in people’s lives throughout the Barwon South West region.

Ambulance Victoria Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedic and acting Barwon South West area manager Michael Wells has worked as a paramedic on the road and in the sky.

Mr Wells said when he started MICA, “Advanced Life Support paramedics had only just been introduced”. He then became a MICA flight paramedic in 2005.

“It was a very steep learning curve but luckily, I had some great leaders and mentors around me who helped me gain confidence,” he said.

“Within a short period of time, I went from only being able to administer a few medications to being able to perform advanced treatments.

“I always liked the idea of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service and the more time I spent on the road, the more it became attractive to me. When I made the switch, I was only 30 years old.”

Mr Wells said he had many memories of his dad as a paramedic and loved every aspect of his job, with his daughter also pursuing a paramedicine career.

“I was lucky enough to work with my dad before he retired, and I hope to work with my daughter before I retire,” he said.

“The jobs we go to allow us to see the best and worst the world has to offer, but knowing we’ve helped someone when they needed it most makes everything bearable.”

Council listens on roads

Geelong council has resolved to fund partial road construction and sealing in Drysdale and Portarlington after receiving complaints and a petition.

Council last week voted to give notice of its Intention to Declare a Special Charge Scheme for two streets on the Bellarine Peninsula.

ThefirstSpecialChargeSchemewillpartially fund the road construction and sealing of Willis Street, Portarlington between Harding and Brown streets.

The second Special Charge Scheme will fund the partial road construction and sealing of Newcombe Street, Drysdale between Princess Street and The Glen.

These two proposed road construction and sealing works have been developed in response to complaints and a petition received from residents requesting to seal the roads.

Sealing the roads will improve amenity, road

safety and limit the impacts from dust, mud, and stone scatter to the adjacent properties.

GreaterGeelongMayorStretchKonteljOAM said it was great to see local road improvements funded in collaboration with residents.

“We are pleased to progress these schemes to the next stage to improve the safety and usability of the impacted streets,” Mayor Kontelj said.

“These improvements will make a real difference for the residents of Drysdale and Portarlington who drive on them every day.”

Murradoc ward councillor Rowan Story said that the Intention to Declare marks an important step towards improving roads for impacted residents.

“We’re listening and responding directly to the concerns of the local community,” Cr Story said.

Gordon Lingard’s Totem exhibition will open at The Hive Gallery on Saturday.

(Ivan Kemp) 457525_08

Jena Carr

The Vic Open is celebrating its 12th year at the 13th Beach Golf Links next weeks. (Supplied)

Geelong mourns Troy Selwood

By Anna Harrington, AAP

Former Brisbane Lions midfielder and Geelong assistant coach Troy Selwood has died, aged 40.

A member of the AFL’s famous Selwood family, the identical twin of West Coast premiership player Adam and brother of Geelong champion Joel and former Eagles and Cats midfielder Scott died on Tuesday.

Troy Selwood played 75 games for Brisbane between2005and2010afterbeingdraftedwith pick No.19 in the 2002 draft, then captained Geelong’s VFL team to the 2012 premiership, before retiring in 2013.

He worked in Geelong’s AFL football department in various roles between late 2010 and 2021, most notably as talent identification manager, before a brief stint at Collingwood.

Selwood most recently worked as head of football and sports performance at Geelong Grammar.

“We are heart broken by the loss of our son, brother and father, Troy this morning. We will miss Troy more than words can express,“ the Selwood family said in a statement via the AFL on Tuesday.

“Troy was a much loved and loving member of our family. Over the course of his life, Troy

Writing a bright future

A local author and youth worker has launched a new not-for-profit program to help young and disadvantaged writers in the Geelong and Bellarine area.

Zeb Granger, who has written and produced more than a dozen books and plays, created the free mentoring program Next Draft to provide coaching and support to writers aged 13 to 21.

Mr Granger said he wanted to help young people in Barwon have the same opportunity.

“Working in the youth work space for the past few years, it regularly becomes clear how many creative young people, particularly in these regional communities, feel discouraged or lack the confidence and opportunities to pursue their creative dreams,” he said.

“I’ve often found that by tapping into those skills and passions within my work, we see mental health improve, we see their confidence andsocialskillslift.Suddenly,theyhaveawhole new way of communicating and interacting

with the world through their stories or poetry.”

Mr Granger, who released his latest book Ogres, Elves & Insufferable Dad Jokes this week, said his own mental health journey had reinforced his belief in the importance of stories.

“When I first became a father in 2019, I massively struggled with my mental health,” he said.

“Struggling and seeking stories, I quickly noticed the lack of fantasy stories that have relatable men that capture who we are now in the 21st century, and more specifically fathers, who prioritise being a good dad over slaying the beast. That’s what inspired this story and I’m excited to share it with the world at last.”

Visit nextdraft.com.au for more information on the program.

Local author Zeb Granger. (Supplied)

brought joy and light to all who knew him.

“He was a loving son of Maree and Bryce, a supportive and caring brother to Adam, Joel and Scott, and a doting father of beautiful children Tom and Sadie.

“We will miss Troy’s bravery, his humour, his deep thinking, his love and compassion. Troy had a generosity of spirit, cared deeply about people and strove to make the lives of others better.

“We are grateful to all those that have supported Troy throughout his life, and we know that his many friends, teammates and colleagues will miss him greatly.

“Troy achieved many great things in his life. From his time as a young man and student, to his journey as an AFL player, to working in recruiting young players to help live their AFL dreams to his latest passion and adventure at Geelong Grammar School, Troy was able to influence and touch the lives of so many people.

“We know many people will reach out and sharetheirstoriesofTroy,andwethankyoufor your love and support.

“The family asks for privacy and respect during this time as we process our devastating loss.”

Are your kids living in a world revolving around their passions? That’s a good thing.

It’s why the VCE’s new Vocational Major creates worlds where passions can be explored.

From agriculture to construction, health to clean energy. Whatever world our kids are into, there’s a VCE program to help develop the skills they’ll need to land a job in Australia’s most in-demand industries.

Rods on full display

Many classic cars roared through Queenscliff over the weekend for the Queenscliff Rod Run. Voice photographer Ivan Kemp went down to Hesse Street on Saturday, February 1, to capture the rods as they revved past.

Kimmy Dean, Jason and Sam Cartledge (rear), Stephanie De Leeuw and Corey Cartledge had a prime position to watch the rods. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 454870

Melissa Farnham with a 1957 Chevrolet 4-door.

Rod Lakey with his 1951 Ford Mercury.

Mel and Mick Lirsch with their daughters Jorja and Brianna.

GRANOLA GRATITUDE

A morning of inspiration, connection and giving back BREAKFAST WITH

Join Carolyn Creswell, founder of Carman’s as she shares her journey from humble beginnings to building Carman’s into a globally recognized brand, highlighting the power of community and sustainability.

Hosted by award winning Claribeaux, this event is designed to bring together like-minded individuals who are passionate about making a difference.

Includes

Sparkling on arrival

Sumptuous two course breakfast

The opportunity to support Feed Me's mission to reduce food waste and feed communities in need

Live music, silent auction, Carman’s take home gift

Come. Enjoy a morning of gratitude. Be inspired by Carolyn to embrace purpose, community and positive change.

Tickets $99pp claribeaux.com.au

Thursday 6 March | 8am - 10.30am

Claribeaux, Curlewis Golf Club

New research into antibiotics

Twonewbacterialinfectiontrialsareunderway in Geelong to help reduce the overuse of antibiotics.

Centre for Innovation in Infectious Disease and Immunology Research (CIIDIR), a partnership between Deakin’s School of Medicine and Barwon Health, will continue to conduct trials at Geelong GP clinics.

Research fellow Dr Sajal Saha said the trials involved a finger prick or throat swab to provide immediate results on whether a patient requires antibiotics or an alternative treatment.

“The finger prick test has been trialled internationally, but we don’t have the

data needed to show its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in reducing antibiotic over prescription in Australia,” he said.

“It allows doctors to assess whether a range of common respiratory infections are the result of bacterial infections or viral infection and whether the infection is severe enough for antibiotic treatment.

“This is an important distinction because we know that too often, antibiotics are prescribed for viral illnesses that won’t respond to antibiotics and for less severe infections that don’t need antibiotics.”

Dr Saha said early results from two Geelong

Cafe and council clash

A Geelong cafe owner is fighting to retain a roadside outdoor dining area after City officials demanded its removal.

Ben McLachlan, operator of The Local in Geelong, constructed the parklet on Garden Street during the COVID-19 pandemic, when regulations around such areas were relaxed.

On Thursday, January 23 council contractors arrivedtoremovethestructurebutwereunable to do so after Mr McLachlan mobilised cafe supporters to conduct a sit-in at the site.

Mr McLachlan said he was at the business “by chance” at 7pm when the workers arrived.

“IthenwentliveonInstagramandattempted to get some community support down here,” he said. “Within about five minutes we had around 30 people down here, and we then did a little sit-in.

“About an hour and a half later the officers backed down and walked away.”

Mr McLachlan said City officers had

informed him he had until 4pm Thursday to provide “relevant documentation” for the outdoor area, which he had done by 1pm that day.

But the City’s executive director of City InfrastructureJamesStirtonsaidTheLocalhad been given more than two years to comply with the council’s safety rules and had continually failed to do so.

“The permit for The Local’s outdoor dining space expired on 31 December last year and unfortunately the City has not yet received the documentation and plans to show how the area will comply with the safety rules that will allow us to issue a permit,” he said. “We have received some documentation from The Local, but this is not anywhere near the required standard.

“We can’t sit by and wait until something terrible happens, we need to take action now.”

Mr McLachlan maintained he was willing to comply with whatever the council required.

GPclinicsfoundthatthe“simple,low-costtest” reduced antibiotic use by up to 30 per cent.

“This work is trying to improve the capacity of GPs and community pharmacists with point-of-care diagnostic testing services,” he said. The second test currently being trialled in five GP clinics across Geelong is a throat swab that enables doctors to confirm within minutes whether a sore throat is caused by Strep A bacteria.”

CIIDIR co-director Professor Eugene Athan said Australia was among the “highest antibiotic prescribing countries in the developed world”.

“Taking them when not needed, for longer than required or an incorrect dose causes antibiotics to become ineffective over time, a phenomenon called antimicrobial resistance (AMR),” he said. “AMR is making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease, severe illness and deaths. It’s the cause of death for 700,000 people worldwide each year. Compared to national guideline recommendations, antimicrobials continue to be overprescribed in Australia, with 30 to 50 per cent of prescriptions in primary care inappropriate either in choice, dose or duration.”

Funeral Planning

The Local’s Ben McLachlan. (Ivan Kemp) 456171_05

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Boost for beach access

By Cr Elise Wilkinson

More beachgoers will have the chance to enjoy our beautiful beachfront with a new accessible beach wheelchair (Mobi-Chair) at Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club.

The City of Greater Geelong has partnered with the Club to provide the Mobi-Chair for public use at no cost, so people with mobility challenges have more opportunities to enjoy a day on the sand.

The chair is designed to provide a seamless beach experience, allowing users to move easily from the car park to the sand and into the water. The large armrests and wheels act as a flotation device.

The Mobi-Chair is available for people of all ages with mobility challenges or additional support needs. I encourage anyone who wants to use the chair to speak to Ocean Grove Surf Lifesaving Club members.

This is the third Mobi-Chair that the City has delivered to support accessibility to our beaches, with beach wheelchairs also available at Eastern Beach public pool and Indented Head Boat Club.

It is fantastic to see this initiative on the ocean-side of the Bellarine for more people in the region to enjoy.

In an area that boasts such breathtaking coastal landmarks and diverse natural wonders, it’s critical that we make accessibility a priority so that all can enjoy the beauty of the Bellarine.

More than 54,000 people in Greater Geelong livewithadisability,makingup22.1percentof our population.

As a council we are committed to improving accessibility for people with disabilities.

The City of Greater Geelong’s Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2024-28 details a

range of projects we are undertaking to reduce and remove barriers experienced by people with a disability.

Through community consultation, this plan is designed to meet the needs of people living with a disability in Geelong.

Improved physical access to buildings, facilities and public spaces – like beaches – in Greater Geelong was identified as one of the six main themes in the plan.

One example provided was how beaches may be considered accessible with pathways to sand, but not necessarily access to water, or the whole beach experience.

I am thrilled to see these concerns being addressed with practical solutions that our entire community will now benefit from.

As a council, we’re also seeking to increase accessibility for our events and services and improve our communication with people with disability.

We acknowledge that engaging with people with disability will result in improved facilities and services that meet their needs.

The insight we have gained through this sort of consultation so far has been invaluable.

While the Mobi-Chair is a fantastic step in improved accessibility, we understandwestillhaveplentyofwork to do to ensure that Greater Geelong’s beaches, parks and beautiful public spaces can be enjoyed by all.

I look forward to seeing the Mobi-Chair being put to good use so that more people can enjoy our beautiful beach at Ocean Grove.

Councillor Elise Wilkinson. (Supplied)

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

Supportingyou andyourfamily

Expanding Paid Parental Leave to 26 weeks with super payments included.

The Albanese Labor Government is committed to delivering more support for families.

ToreadmoreabouthowIcansupportyou, pleasescantheQRCodeorcontactmyoffice.

Strengthening Medicare

The Albanese Labor Government is working to improve our health system.

We are strengthening Medicare, the heart of universal healthcare, easing cost of living pressures with cheaper medicines, and establishing Urgent Care Clinics across the nationincluding one in Belmont.

Blues and roots under the stars

By Matt Hewson

Americana on the Bellarine returns to Drysdale this month with a lineup of local and international acts.

The locally-run outdoor mini music festival is now in its third year as a live event after the first Americana on the Bellarine was forced online due to COVID-19 in 2022.

The all-ages twilight concert, held under the trees at the Potato Shed, will feature blues, roots, country, folk, rock, rockabilly and gospel, with a stellar lineup including headline act Matt Joe Gow (NZ), Andrea Robertson and band, The Mojo Corner and Jasmin Adria.

Robertson, who is also the founder and organiser of the event, said this year’s Americana on the Bellarine was shaping up to be the biggest and best yet.

“I don’t think we could have asked for it to be any better last year; we had beautiful weather, so fingers crossed we have that again,” Robertson said.

“But the beauty of being at the Potato Shed is that we can head indoors to their theatre space if we have to. If it looks like the weather is going to turn nasty we’ll just make it happen indoors.

“Butwe’rereallyhopingwegettodoitoutside because it’s such a beautiful outdoor setting… you can bring your own picnic rug or beanbag or camp chair and settle in.

“There’s access to the bar to buy drinks, a food truck available, you can bring your own picnic snacks if you want to. It’s very relaxed and down to earth.”

Robertson said Americana on the Bellarine had always been about giving local artists an annual event to showcase their original music.

“I feel like there’s always lots of opportunity for covers bands and covers artists, but less (so) for songwriters and audiences who want to discover new music, so we wanted to provide that opportunity locally” she said.

“We have so much talent in our region and I really love bringing people together and giving younger artists a chance to show people what they’re doing and introduce them to new audiences.”

Americana on the Bellarine is at the Potato Shed from 5.30pm on Saturday, February 22. Visit tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au/event/ americana-on-the-bellarine25 for tickets and more information.

Joe Cocker tribute gig offers big show, big vocals

“We’ve come up with the Mad Dog versus Englishman show, which compares Joe’s two contrasting career points,” singer Chev Wilson said. “Mad Dog shows his early years, when he was wild and crazy and doing all the Beatles songs, the Woodstock performance, all that high energy stuff.

“And then there’s the Englishman, when he was suited up, showing the gentleman side of him doing ballads like Up Where We Belong and Have a Little Faith in Me. That part of his careerwherewegottoseethesoftersideofJoe.”

Wilson said Cocker’s music still hit as hard as ever with audiences.

“As an emoter, singer is all about portraying the emotions we feel as human beings, and Joe was very relatable in that sense,” he said.

“The songs that he chose gave him the opportunity to be able to put those emotions forward; just the level of emotion and pain and power and all these different things that he could portray through his vocal delivery of a song.

“I think that builds a deep connection with people.”

Visit geelongartscentre.org.au for tickets and more information.

Matt Hewson

The Joe Cocker Express comes to Geelong. (Simone Gorman Clark)

Stories of addiction and hope

The ‘I Am Enough’ documentary will be screened in Geelong next week, showcasing the impacts of lived experience in the justice, addiction and mental health space. Jena Carr speaks with filmmaker Abi Richardson and Kane Nuttall about his experience with drug addiction.

Kane Nuttall spent nearly half his life fighting a war that no one could see, beginning when he was just a teenager.

The Geelong man became addicted to drugs following challenges with mental health and bullying in his early teenage years.

“It was those formative years where you’re trying to find your place in the world and start to do things that are outside of your character looking for validation,” Kane said.

“I was bullied pretty harshly for my appearance in those early days. When I was bullied, I would be sitting around laughing, even though when I was by myself, I was in tears because I felt hollow on the inside.

“I found comfort in drugs because no one else expected anything of me other than to be stoned or high and just having a good time. So, that was my way to connect.

“My self-worth was so low, and I wanted to be somebody else, so with that addiction, I fitted in, but I knew that deep down what I was doing wasn’t great.

“Drugs just became a coping mechanism which led to the addiction which led to everything else that sort of went with that.”

After 15 years of drug addiction, Kane stopped using drugs four months before his 30th birthday and will celebrate 10 years clean on May 4, which is four months before his 40th birthday.

“I knew that I had more to offer than just beingadrugaddict,butIfoundcomfortinthat because my self-worth was so low,” he said.

“I feel lucky that I’m here; I don’t take that for granted. There were some very scary times, and I wouldn’t want anybody to feel the way that I felt.

“I lived in my car with my dog at the heights of my addiction, and I’ve suffered mentally, so being able to look back on how far I’ve come, and the impact, is a nice feeling.

“I always helped people, mainly the wrong people for the wrong reasons, but I knew that I

had something to offer. I was always a kind and generous person.”

Kane founded the for-purpose organisation The Power In You Project (PIYP) in 2017 to help people affected by addiction, mental health and justice-related challenges.

He said that “mental health does not discriminate” and it was important to provide help for people as soon as possible as there was a “short window for people to get help” when they asked for help.

“40percentofmystaffhavelivedexperience, whether it’s with addiction, mental health or through the justice system,” he said.

“Within 24 hours, depending on their circumstance, they will be seen. If they can come down straight away, they will be seen straight away.

“Asking the first time is the hardest part. Making your way down here for the first time is the hardest part. Once people come here for the first time, they’ll realise this is a special community.

“This is a place where people can come and there’s no judgment. It’s all built off lived

experience. Just ask for help. No one should ever be too proud to ask for help. We all need help from time to time.”

Kanerecentlyteamedupwithaward-winning Geelong filmmaker Abi Richardson to create the ‘I Am Enough’ documentary that will be launched at South Geelong’s Pivotonian Cinema on February 13.

Abi said the documentary showcased the true impact of lived experience within the addiction, mental health and justice system space.

“It’sveryhumblingtohaveparticipantsshare their stories because they’ve been in some very darkplacesandbeenveryvulnerable,”shesaid.

“One of the participants in the documentary talks about how she was a drug addict for a long time and tried to overdose several times. She’d done many programs, but only for eight or 10 weeks.

“There was an end date, and she’d get to the end date where she was supposed to be better, but she wasn’t better, and then she felt even worse. However, there is no end date for the project here.

‘‘ It’s very humbling to have participants share their stories because they’ve been in some very dark

places

’’

- Abi Richardson

“We want many more people to try and understand a little more about why people become addicted or in the justice system.

“You scratch the surface, most people will know someone who’s been affected by addiction, and that addiction almost always comes from some trauma.”

Abi said that if someone was “brave enough to say, ‘I need help’, they need help right now” and that the PIYP was a great place for people to start.

“When I met Kane, I was really impressed with the project. The way they were doing things seemed quite different, and I hadn’t heard of that approach before,” she said.

“I felt it would be really good to share it with a wider community because they’re working so hard doing what they’re doing; sometimes it’s hard to get that out there.

“There’s a lot of people who are affected by addiction, whether they’re addicted themselves or they have family members who are.

“It was good to be able to work with these guys for just over several months and look at different perspectives of why people become addicted and why this project is so successful in helping people.”

Help is available by contacting the Power In You Project on 5292 3000 or visiting in-person at 44 Little Fyans Street South Geelong or through the National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline on 1800 250 015.

Lifeline Australia also provides 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention on 13 11 14.

Kane Nuttall and Abi Richardson.

Kane Nuttall and Abi Richardson with The Power In You Project staff Josh Smith, left, Jayden Rippon, and Matt Ludbrook. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 456768

Cyclists pedal towards glory

World-class cycling kicked off in Geelong last week with the tenth Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race running from January 29 to February 2. Voice photographer Ivan Kemp went along on Saturday, February 1, to catch the women’s race.

Freya and James Davis after finishing the 50K ride, and riders at the start of the race.

The race begins.

The national anthem with riders ready for the start.

(Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 454872

Alison Eldridge and Cameron Gosling after finishing the 50K ride. Right: Karlijn Swinkels (left, 2nd in race) with other UAE team members staying cool before the start of the race.

Ballarine residents recognised

Three Bellarine residents were among the many Australians recognised for their selfless work with Australia Day honours.

Christine and Tony Wheal

A Barwon Heads husband and wife team have swept up during the Australia Day Honours for service to their community.

Christine and John (Tony) Wheal were honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on Sunday, January 26.

Mrs Wheal works at the All Saints Opportunity Shop in Barwon Heads and is a welfare support officer at the Ocean Grove Barwon Heads Sub-branch Returned and Services League (RSL).

She said she and her husband were “proud but very humbled” by the OAMs.

“Neither of us blow our own trumpets, and we find this overwhelming because we’re very humbled but appreciative of the people who put us up for it,” she said.

“I work at the op shop, and I’ve been doing that for about 15-16 years. I love it. I do that because they distribute the money to really good causes. I do it for the friendships, and I love people.

“I turn 80 next year, but I can’t see myself giving up. I can’t sit still, and I like people. When I retired, I started volunteering straight away and I’m still using my nursing

skills, which I like doing.”

Mr Wheal served 366 days in Vietnam and is an Ocean Grove Barwon Heads Sub-branch RSL member.

“I was in the Air Force, and I was a helicopter pilot. Our job was supporting the Australian Army out in the field,” he said.

“Probably the best thing I’ve done in my view is that I was a sole organiser of Anzac Day in Barwon Heads for many years, and I kept that going for a long time.”

Jena Carr

Pauline Cline

Pauline Cline, 77, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community of the Bellarine region.

After a successful 32-year career with Barclays Bank in the UK, Mrs Cline and husband Mark, a retired Royal Marine, came to Australia in 2004, settling in Clifton Springs.

Not accustomed to sitting on her laurels, Mrs Cline soon became very active in her community.

“It’s a lovely place and there’s such pleasant people around, it’s nice to get involved and see what you can do,” Mrs Cline said.

She joined Drysdale’s St James Anglican Church community immediately, becoming the fundraising organiser for the church’s restoration fund in her first year on the Bellarine and holding that position until 2018.

Mrs Cline also began donating materials for Drysdale Neighbourhood Watch in 2004, joining the organisation as its secretary from

David Runi

Ocean Grove’s Professor David Runia has been appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to tertiary education and as an academic in the fields of humanities and social sciences.

Born in the Netherlands, Professor Runia’s family moved to Geelong when he was five yearsold,whereheattendedGeelongCollege. He went on to work for 25 years as an academic at the Netherlands’ University of Leiden and other universities, specialising in classics and ancient philosophy.

In 2002 Prof Runia returned to Australia, taking up the position of Master at the University of Melbourne’s Queen’s College until 2016.

Prof Runia said his love of the ancient world was inspired by his teachers at Geelong College.

“I was very grateful to my Latin teacher at the Geelong College, Michael Keary, and other teachers, they really helped me on my path,” he said.

Prof Runia said he had enjoyed both aspects of his career.

“It was a real highlight working at universities in Europe… using libraries with ancient books and manuscripts, I loved doing that,” he said.

“And I very much enjoyed working (at Queen’s College) too, because very often you’re working with really talented young people who do need a bit of guidance at 18, 19 years old.”

Prof Runia thanked Gonni, his wife of more than 50 years, saying it would have been “really nice” if the AM could have been awarded jointly to her as well.

Matt Hewson

2005 to 2011 and helping with the formation of two new groups in the area.

Throughout her years on the Bellarine Mrs Cline has helped organise projects from the building of the Drysdale Town Square Rotunda to social volleyball and raised funds for community hall refurbishments and animal welfare groups.

The cornerstone of her fundraising activities has been her locally renowned jams, chutneys and preserves, which she only learnt to cook when she arrived in Australia.

Mrs Cline said the Australia Day honour was “a complete surprise”, and not something she had ever thought about.

“It’s very gratifying; I just thought it was nice to be recognised, it’s not something you queue up for,” she said.

“You just want to make sure that you’re helping your community in the best way that you can.”

Professor David Runia. (Supplied)

Matt Hewson

Pauline Cline OAM. (Ivan Kemp) 455906_05

Tony and Christine Wheal, pictured with dog Missy, were honoured with OAMs for their service to the Barwon Heads community. (Jena Carr) 455917_01

CELEBRATING SENIORS

Nuts support a healthy lifestyle in older Australians

Regular consumption of nuts is associated with maintaining a healthy lifespan, new research from a Monash University-led team has found.

Published in the Journal Age and Ageing, the researchers said the findings may help guide older individuals and their health professionals in making dietary choices that can support health in older age, including in those whose diet quality may not be optimal.

The study involved 9,916 adults aged over 70 years, who reported on their usual diet as part of the *ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP) sub-study. Those who reported frequent consumption of nuts, including every day or several times a day, regardless of the type or form of nut, lived longer without dementia or persistent

disability, compared to those who never or infrequently consumed nuts.

First author Holly Wild, a PhD candidate and lecturer from the Monash University School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said that nuts were a good source of protein, micronutrients, unsaturated fats, fibre and energy, but whole nuts can be difficult to eat for those with poor oral health or chewing difficulties.

“Our study was able to account for poor oral health and other foods that people usually ate, and after adjusting for these and other factors, eating nuts remained positively associated with a healthy lifespan in later life. Nuts can be a good choice for a snack or as part of a meal, even if your diet might not be optimal in other ways,” Ms Wild said.

“If you are wanting to incorporate more nuts into your diet, nuts are available in multiple different forms in supermarkets these days, including whole nuts, chopped or crushed nuts, nuts meals, and nut butters or pastes. The latter options may be much more accessible to those with oral health issues, and chopped nuts can be added to salads, cereals and smoothies.

“However, we do recommend keeping salted nuts, and candied and chocolate covered nuts to a minimum.”

The current Australian Dietary Guidelines suggest that adults should be consuming 30 grams of nuts, which is equivalent to 1/3 of a cup or a small handful, or approximately two tablespoons of nut butter on most days of the week, though previous research has reported

that Australian adults over 65 years only average between 4-4.6 grams per day.

“What 30 grams of nuts looks like depends on the type of nut, but typically a ‘handful’ is equivalent to around 25 almonds, 10 walnuts or 40 peanuts,” Ms Wild said.

“Choosing a mixture of nuts means you get thebenefitsofthevaryingamountsofnutrients found in different types of nuts. Nuts taste best and have the highest nutritional content when fresh, so store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to maintain freshness.

“Nuts are a great way to incorporate protein andnutrientsintoourdietinamoresustainable way. For this reason, nut consumption has been recommended by leading scientists as part of the Eat Lancet Commission report for planetary health.”

The ‘angels’ in healthcare

Trust the “angels” of healthcare to live the way you want with Just Better Care.

Rosalie Endrei said the specialist home-aged and disability care support service provided manyservicestohelpherandherhusband,Les, age gracefully in the comfort of their home.

“We have been able to get lots of support for Les through Vision Australia via Les’s Home Care Package,” she said.

“Les has macular degeneration (an eye disease that causes vision loss). Just Better Care paid for this little gadget called a MyEye Pro and it works very well.

“We found that everyone here is just lovely. Everyone that we’ve been in contact with have

that special care for us and I hate to think about where we’d be without them.”

Les said Just Better Care was an excellent resource and helped him with his mental and physical health.

“You’ve got the charm of a new organisation, and they have people looking to make things better...and I think that it is wonderful to have so many angels working here,” he said. To start your Just Better Care journey, call 0352221518,emailmailge@justbettercare.com or visit the caring team at their office at Level 1 114a Mt Pleasant Road in Belmont. Visit justbettercare.com/Geelong for more information

Child’s play can help seniors maintain good mental health CELEBRATING SENIORS

Watching your children frolic through a playground is one of the many joys of being a parent or grandparent, but new research has found that engaging in play with kids could help improve mental health.

Researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA) and the University of Canberra (UC) have explored the benefits of intergenerational play through specially designed playgrounds for kids and adults. Intergenerational play brings young children and older people together to engage in enjoyable and creative activities such as storytelling, using playground equipment, and games.

The world is facing an aging population, with the proportion of over 60-year-olds set to double and over 80-year-olds set to triple by 2050.

Associate professor and deputy director of the Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments (IVE) at UniSA, FankePeng,saysthatsocietyneedsmorepublic spaces that enable generational integration and interaction.

“There’s a social divide between older and younger people, and it leaves little room for meaningful interaction outside of families and classrooms,” she says.

“This age-based segregation causes feelings ofisolationandsocialdisconnectedness,which in turn can lead to depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and cognitive decline in older adults.

“Thefacilitationofaplaygrounddesignedfor children and their parents and grandparents will foster intergenerational play and lead to positive mental health outcomes.”

In play space co-design workshops hosted by the researchers, participants aged 65 and over discussed the benefits of spending time with children and what a shared space could look

like in their community.

Participants also reflected on their favourite play experience, their experiences playing with children, and what elements they would want or need in an intergenerational playground.

“(Spending time with children is) also good for my health. And my wellbeing. And it’s the participation. (That’s really) important,” one participant said. “Playing with the kids also makes you feel young. It gives you that sense of accomplishment that you haven’t lost those skills.”

Some participants noted the need for

accessible amenities like shaded seating, water and toilets, and play equipment that is easy for older people to use while still meeting the needs of children.

Assoc Prof Peng says there are barriers that exist that make it harder for older people to engage in play, such as social attitudes and stigmas that play is only for children.

Removing these barriers is crucial in encouraging interaction between generations, and helping to address mental health concerns as people age, she says.

“Designing a space where children and older

adults can engage with each other is crucial to dismantling the social stigma that stops people from playing once they’re older,” Assoc Prof Peng says.

“We know that people start to feel like it’s not appropriate for them to use playgrounds or engage in children’s activities, and so there’s quite limited opportunities for intergenerational play.

“Creating these shared spaces that older adults can participate in means bridging the generational gap and taking care of the community.”

Summer Open Days 2025

Lakeside Lara, Greater Geelong New homes from $529,000* Wednesday, 12 February 10:30am – 11:30am 11:30am – 12:30pm

Parkside Lucas, Ballarat New homes from $530,000* Thursday, 13 February 10:30am – 11:30am 11:30am – 12:30pm

Shopping local in Ocean Grove

Kathy Coatsworth (left), Cindy and Emily with her daughter Olive (above), and Dianne Hey (right). (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 457788

Sandra Caserta, Jocelyn Young and Roger Barnett, and above centre, Steve Noorderbroek with his son Xavier.

Lorna Anderson and dog Isla.

Taste of the tropics, the hottest fruit trends for 2025

Move over mangoes, it’s time to go beyond bananas.

Traders at the wholesale fruit and vegetable market have revealed the hottest trends in produce for 2025, with exotic flavours and exciting new fruit varieties set to take Australia by storm.

These unique fruits are bursting onto the localgreengrocer’sshelveswiththeirintriguing flavours and nutritional benefits:

Jujube: Also known as the Chinese red date, this small, sweet, and crunchy fruit has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Packed with antioxidants, it’s often enjoyed fresh or dried and added to soups for a touch of sweetness.

Blood Mandarins: Also known as the Early Sicily, this delicious cross between a clementine mandarin and a tarocco blood orange is an easy-to-peel variety that offers a burst of juicy sweetness with a hint of berry flavour.

Black Sapote: Dubbed the “Chocolate Pudding Fruit,”thisintriguingfruitboastsadarkbrown, chocolatey flesh with a creamy, custard-like texture. It’s a healthy and delicious alternative for chocolate mousse or custard.

Canistel: With an egg yolk-like texture, this unique fruit, also known as the egg-fruit, is a perfect addition to milkshakes, ice creams, and smoothies.

Star Apple: Thisfruitthatcomesindeeppurple and green varieties has a star-shaped pattern formed by its seeds, and offers a sweet, jelly-like texture with hints of tropical fruits and grapes.

Thanh Truong, also known as ‘The Fruit Nerd’, from Melbourne Market store Aus Asia Produce, says the jujube is a fruit that is set to

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“Native to China but now grown in most Australian states, the jujube tastes like a crunchy apple with intense flavors,” Truong said.

“It’sfamousforbeingdriedandusedinsoups for sweetness and boasts more antioxidants than most other fruits.”

Mahmoud Roumieh from Super Sweet Produce says the Black Sapote is his pick of the fruits set to trend over the year ahead.

Known as the chocolate pudding fruit, this unique superfood is gaining attention for

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its health benefits and creamy, pudding-like texture.

There are many ways to use it — enjoy it as a treat just like pudding, blend it into smoothies, bake it into cakes, or whip it into mousse.

Roumieh says ripe black sapote blended with coconut cream makes a “delicious diabetes-friendly dessert”.

Look out for fruit that has changed from green to dark brown, and when soft and gooey are in prime eating condition. What they lack in looks at this stage they make up for in taste!

Consumers are encouraged to explore these exciting new fruits and embrace the diversity of produce available at local independent fruit and vegetable retailers.

“Bysupportinglocalgreengrocers,you’renot only discovering unique and delicious produce butalsocontributingtothevibrantcommunity of independent businesses,” says Graham Gee, from The Happy Apple greengrocers.

Shoppers can find their local greengrocer via abetterchoice.com.au, an initiative that supports local independent fruit and vegetable retailers across Australia.

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Blood mandarin, and below, star apple.

Jujube fruit.

The lovely birds of the Bellarine

It’s been a quiet few weeks around the Bellarine, with the holiday season coming to a close. There has been some much-needed rain over the past week, accompanied by very destructive winds.

I’ve seen a few lovely birds in my local area recently. The highlight for me was spotting a beautiful Great Crested Grebe in the pond at the end of my street in Ocean Grove.

I’veseenmanyofthesebirdsoverthesummer months in Geelong, particularly around Corio Bay.

Great Crested Grebes are the largest species of grebe in Australia. They have a long, thin neck, a straight and sharp bill, an impressive black crest and chestnut-coloured frills on the cheek. This certainly was a lovely bird to spot in a small suburban pond!

Also, in the same pond, a Little Pied Cormorant was perched on a dead tree, drying out its wings.

Like the grebe, cormorants are mostly fish-eating birds and spend most of their time diving and swimming underwater in pursuit of small fish.

It is thought that unlike many other waterfowl, such as ducks, cormorants do not have as much preen oil, which helps to waterproof their feathers. The lack of oil lets the birds dive underwater and remain buoyant.

COMMUNITY OCEANGROVEVOICE.COM.AU

They, therefore, spread their wings in the sun to dry them after they have finished ‘fishing’.

I was looking at a photo of two newly fledged Pied Stilts, and one of them was resting with its lower legs forward in an unusual pose.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

It’s interesting that the joint that the bird is resting on is the ankle joint, and this often gets mistaken for a knee joint.

In birds, the knee joint is higher near the bird’s body, the ankle joint is part of the lower

leg, and the birds walk on their toes. So this bird is resting with its ankle bone, or tarsus angled forwards towards the toes, which looks ungainly, but the bird was probably very comfortable!

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.

Free events at Ocean Grove Library

• February 10 to 14 (various times) Go Green Screen – Library Lovers Day event. February 17 11am to noon 3D Basics. February 24, 9.30am to 2.30pm, Local and Family History - drop in session. February 26, 2pm to 3pm, Book Chat. February 27, 2pm to 3pm Digital Cyber Safety – staying safer online.

• Preschool Story Time on Mondays from 10.30am to 11.30am, Youth Collective (ages 12-18) on Tuesdays from 4pm to 5pm, Toddler Time on Wednesdays from 9.30am to 10am, Baby Time on Thursdays from 11.30am to 11.50am, Tech Help drop in sessions every Thursday from 3pm to 4pm, and Play with OSMOs on Thursdays from 4pm to 5pm.

Leopold Library

Swooning at the Library, Friday February 14, 2pm-3pm with the Romance Book Quiz. First-time crime novelist Geoff Parkes will bring his new novel ‘When the Deep, Dark Bush Swallows You Whole’, Thursday February 27, 6pm-7pm.

 Book online or call 4201 0675

Ballroom dance

Leopold Hall, Leopold Hall, 805-809

Bellarine Highway, Saturday February 8, 7.30-11pm, admission $10 including supper, music provided by Charles. Sunday February 9, 2pm-4pm, admission $5, please bring a small plate to share for afternoon tea, music Kevin.

 0400 500 402

Live music

Bellarine Country Music Group meets Friday nights at Belmont Park Pavilion, music 7pm-10pm, $10 entry all welcome.

Bellarine Country Music Group Friday nights at Belmont Park Pavilion, music 7-10pm. Entry $12 all welcome.

Barefoot bowls

Point Lonsdale Bowls Club every Friday and Sunday evening during the holidays. Live music every second Sunday.

 5258 1150

Croquet

Drysdale Bowling & Croquet Club, Clifton Springs Road, Tuesdays from 10am for training, bring a friend.

 0428 740 591

Ocean Grove Soft Tennis

Friendly group of active women retirees who have played soft tennis for many years. The game is similar to Pickleball. Ocean Grove Memorial Hall, 123 The Avenue, Mondays

1.30-3.30pm. No experience necessary. Just a desire to keep fit and have fun.

 Megan, 0439 317 344

CWA Nightlights Ocean Grove

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

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

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

 Facebook: Bellarine Women’s Workshop for further details

Book club

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

 Shirley, 0488 055 969

Carpet bowls

Leopold Hall 805-809 Bellarine Highway, Leopold on Wednesday and Friday from 1pm to 3.15pm. Admission: $4 includes afternoon tea.

 0400 500 402

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)

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: indoor bowls, snooker and chess 1pm. Wednesday: bingo 1.30pm, ukulele class 2pm, stringed instruments session 4pm. Thursday: snooker, cards 500, social afternoons 1pm. Friday: art classes 9am, board games and cards 500 at 1pm.

 Dianne, 5255 1372

Fortnightly

• CWA 1st & 3rd Monday 2.30pm

 Paschal 0426 889 456, or Janis, 5255 4585

• Book Club Big Read 2nd and 4th Wednesday 10am

 Paul, 0425 110 792

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

Pied stilts fledglings, and inset, great crested grebe. (Pictures: Supplied)

Putting for inclusivity at golf day

The genU Adventure team partnered with Golf Australia to run an all-abilities Golf Clinic for genU clients to kick of the Vic Open. Voice photographer Ivan Kemp went along to the event at 13th Beach Golf Club on Wednesday, February 5.

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every

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

ACROSS

1 Skin on the head (5)

4 Commonsensical (9)

9 Roof’s projecting edges (5)

10 Power cells (9)

11 Collusive syndicate (6)

12 Nullify (8)

14 Informal bulletin (10)

15 Capture (3)

17 Melody (3)

19 Sorcerers (10)

23 Soon (8)

24 Thief (6)

26 Large powerful sea monster (9)

27 Sun-dried brick (5)

28 Speaks to (9)

29 Finished (5)

DOWN

1 Offensive odour (6)

2 Unfavourable (7)

3 Own (7)

4 A precious stone (4)

5 Exercises (10)

6 Mistakenly (2,5)

7 Instruction (7)

8 Plastic unit containing audio or visual tape (8)

13 Linen (10)

16 Spanish headscarf (8)

18 Distant (7)

19 Hub for military planes (7)

20 Quarantine (7)

21 Forbidden (7)

22 Ally (6)

25 Singles (4)

2 In cricket, in which year did South Australia first win the Sheffield Shield?

3 Which James Bond actor starred in the 1988 film Taffin? 4 Ops, or Opis, was the ancient Roman goddess of what?

5 Which element comprises 71 per cent of the sun?

6 Which tropic runs through Paraguay?

7 In which European city was Erwin Schrödinger born in 1887?

8 Who did Betty White (pictured) play in The Golden Girls?

9 What Russian alcoholic drink is made from cereals and stale bread?

10 Shall We Tell the President? was written by which famous author?

No. 255 No. 223

SPORTS QUIZ

1. During his career, 2025 Australian of the Year Neale Daniher played 82 games for which AFL/VFL club?

2. Which women’s rugby sevens team did Australia defeat to win the Australian leg of the 2024–25 World Rugby SVNS series?

3. By what name is Brazilian former

4. Which men’s rugby sevens team defeated Australia to win the Australian leg of the 2024–25 World Rugby SVNS series?

5. British racing driver Lewis Hamilton competes for which Formula One racing team?

6. Which country in Southeast Asia is hosting the 2025 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup?

Which former Australian tennis professional was most recently part of Jannik Sinner’s coaching team?

What sport has long been considered ‘America’s pastime’?

Which AFL/ VFL club did John Cahill coach from 1997–1998?

10. Gilbert provides the regulation brand game ball for which sport?

11. What freak incident caused Monica Seles to leave tennis for over two years?

12. Which Ecuadorian professional road racing cyclist won the 2025 Tour Down Under?

13. In soccer slang, what is a ‘worldie’?

14. Australian Luke Plapp is known for which sport?

15. What innocuous item caused a delay in the quarterfinal between Alexander Zverev and Tommy Paul in the 2025 Australian Open?

16. In a viral moment at the 2024 Olympics, on what was the first ever all-Black gymnastics podium, Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles were photographed bowing to which new gymnastics champion?

17. Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy recently signed with which NWSL club?

18. And which US actress was a founding owner of that club?

19. AFLW player Zimmie Farquharson plays for which team?

20. Sam Mitchell played 22 games for which other AFL club after he was traded by Hawthorn in 2016?

21. ‘The Sharks’ are the Australian men’s team in which sport?

22. Who is the current captain of the Sydney Swans?

23. How many black squares are on a chessboard?

24. Jessica Campbell is the first ever female coach in which sporting league?

25. And which team does she coach?

26. An entirely animated, almost real-time feed of the Australian Open was streamed on which platform throughout the competition?

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BUILDING DESIGNERS

27. In which year did Don Bradman play his last Test for Australia?

28. Simon Whitlock plays which sport for Australia?

29. How many times has Kelly Slater been crowned the WSL champion?

30. The Braves are the MLB team of which US city?

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Biles

D-Max is at home among winners

By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring

With utes accounting for more than one fifth of the 1.2 million vehicles sold in Australia last year, Isuzu has jumped on the Ford Ranger/ Toyota HiLux bandwagon with a seriously upgraded D-Max pick-up truck.

Thepick-upfinishedasthefourthbest-selling vehicle overall, as well as scoring third in the dominant one-tonne ute LCV segment

With major updates to technology, safety, interior and exterior design, 25 models cater for owners across the board from families to tradies and the odd tourist, the 2024 D-Max offers a choice of body styles, tray configurations and power trains.

The Japanese manufacturer says pricing remains competitive, with the D-Max SX single cab chassis 4×2 1.9 litre turbo-diesel manual at $32,990 drive away rising to the D-Max X-Terrain 3 litre turbo 4×4 at $67,990. Inbetweenisaselectionofvariantsincluding cab chassis/ute, manual or auto 4×2 or 4×4. Newly added is an X-Rider crew cab ute 3 litre auto 4×4 for $59,400. On test was the flagship 3 litre 4×4 auto at $67,990.

AllarecoveredbyIsuzu’ssix-year/150,000km warranty and up to seven years roadside assistance. A revised five-year/75,000km flat price servicing warranty has been introduced in response to customer and media feedback.

Styling

The D-Max X-Terrain weighs with a mix of muscle and contemporary design. Up front, the profile has taken on new bi-LED headlights and sharp body lines evolved from Isuzu’s signature horizontal bar grille.

Tying in with this redesigned grille, are a set ofnewtail-lights,whichwithhorizontalcreases expand the width of the tailgate. The grey metallic aero sports bar has been redesigned, there are dark grey metallic sidesteps, mirrors, door and tailgate handles, roof rails, plus front and rear underbody spoilers and fender flares.

The X-Terrain is topped off with a matte black roller tonneau cover and the whole unit rollson18-inchalloywheelsinmattegreyshod with 265/60R18 Bridgestone 68411 HT tyres.

Aerodynamics are taken up by a pair of air curtains within the fog lamps, channelling airflow round the front wheels, together with deflectors, sleek bodylines and reworked tailgate spoiler.

Interior

Forget the rough stuff, the crew cabin design, we are told, has more than a touch of the aestheticsoftheJapaneseartofMiuraOrigami paperfoldingintheperforatedleather-accented upholstery while melding creature comforts with occupant ergonomics and wireless connectivity.

The flagship X-Terrain adds signature red stitching throughout the cabin with dark grey and piano black appointments. Spokes of the

steering wheel are trimmed in either matte silver, satin chrome or piano black, depending on grade.

The dual cab X-Terrain offers adequate leg-, head-, shoulder- and toe room for rear seat occupants. There are centre console-mounted air vents and USB-C ports, as well as a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders.

Infotainment

Addressing customer demands, a new 9-inch information touchscreen is the basis of new technologyintheX-TerrainsupportingUSB-C connectivity, voice recognition, DAB+ digital radio, and wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Also on hand in a new 7-inch muti-information display are more info on sat

nav, ADAS setting controls and an additional 3AmP USB-C connection as well as tyre pressure and temperature figures.

Off-road enthusiasts can make use of an inclinometer and Terrain Command 4×4 modes now integrated in the system enabling the driver to access essential systems at a simple tap and swipe of the screen.

Engines/transmissions

There are two turbo-diesel engines, 4 2 and part-time 4 4, as well as six-speed manual and automatic transmission options. On test was the flagship 3 litre turbo-diesel 4×4 six-speed automatic.

Safety

D-MAX is already in possession of a five-star ANCAP safety rating under 2022 testing, the pick-up is waiting in the wings for a latest upgrade, which Isuzu is confident of passing withitsextensiveadditionstodriverassistance.

These include a new Gen4 stereo camera, plus upgrades to intelligent adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, rear cross-traffic braking, welcome headlight and welcome light functions which improve visibility and safety around the vehicle at night.

Eight airbags include dual front, dual rear seat side, dual full length curtain, front knee and centre (far side).

Driving

Not a fan of sidesteps for their tendency to damage in hard going off road. However, together with sturdy grab handles, they do make climbing into a big off-roader more acceptable, especially if the D-Max owner is metwithanexaltedviewfromthedriver’sseat.

Settling in some of the most comfortable seats in its class, D-Max passengers can have little to complain about. Font-seat padding is supportive and the X-Terrain’s eight-way power adjustment is easy to operate.

Whenthe3.0-litrefour-cylinderturbo-diesel of the test vehicle fired up there was more than a distant sound of the past from under the bonnet – for what the term ‘agricultural’ was coined.

Tap the accelerator and the D-Max has a particularly perky take-off – it’s easy to startle onlookers with a tyre squeal or two. The six-speed automatic transmission handled shifts smoothly, giving the driver an added layer of confidence. This is not the same for the lane-keeping, with systems varying in response. The system can be switched off manually.

Isuzuputsthecombinedurban/highwayfuel consumption at eight litres per 100 kilometres. The test X-Terrain recorded 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres in town and 6.4 litres per 100 kilometres on the open road. Towing is limited to 2800kg to 3500kg.

An optional suspension tuning unique to Australian roads, would not go a miss with those craving classy comfort, while off road is just the beginning for the D-Max X-Terrain, with impressive ground clearance of 240mm, and wading depth of up to 800mm, plus vital underbody protection.

Selectable dual-range 4WD, a rear differential lock and generous approach and departure angles make the D-Max one of the most capable units on the market. Then, for the more adventurous, there are new improvements to Isuzu’s Rough Terrain Mode, an electronic off-road traction control aid that maximises torque transfer and driveability in slippery or rugged conditions.

Summary

The Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain Crew Cab, helped by a corner full of the latest technical and safety know-how, continues to duke it out with some of the best in the heavyweight ute division.

The Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain Crew Cab continues to duke it out with some of the best. (Pictures: Supplied)

Schmid takes cycling line honour

By Roger Vaughan, AAP

Playing cycling’s version of two-up, Mauro Schmid has won big at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race after his bold gamble.

The reigning Swiss national champion scored the first win for the Australian Jayco AlUla team in the men’s race since the event started a decade ago.

Schmid and Australian teammate Chris Harper formed an outstanding one-two combination punch that ultimately floored their rivals in Sunday’s baking heat at Geelong. First,Harperwentclearofasmallbreakaway group by himself with 26 kilometres left in the 183.8 kilometre race. That meant Schmid could sit back in the main chase group and conserve energy.

Harper was caught inside 10km left, on the last of four ascents of the steep Challambra Crescent climb that is the key landmark of

this race.

Schmid, a pre-race favourite, surprised the rest of the front group moments later with his attack on a slight downhill.

Itwasamajorgamble,givenhehadtosurvive at least 7km to the finish and Schmid never led by more than about 10 seconds.

But once they hit the tricky 1.6km finishing straightalongtheGeelongwaterfront,astretch renowned for producing surprise results, Schmid’s odds shortened significantly.

Heheldontowinbythreeseconds,withNew Zealander Aaron Gate (XDS Astana) taking out the eight-rider sprint for second ahead of compatriot and defending champion Laurence Pithie (Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe).

Schmid’s tactics were forged from bitter experience, with the win coming two years after he was also the solo leader and caught just 300 metre from the finish at Geelong.

“Chris, on the front - he did an amazing

ride. He was also a big part of this win, because I could just sit back and when we caught him on the last climb, I knew ‘now is the moment’,”

Schmid said.

“It was a big help to have Chris up there. To win this race is special.”

Gate and Pithie were pleased with their podium finishes, noting Schmid’s tactic took courage.

“There was definitely a lack of cohesion, everyone tries to rely on each other. You have to gamble for these wins - so I was definitely gambling, big-time,” Pithie said.

“Everyone was gambling; Mauro won.”

After fellow Swiss Noemi Ruegg won the women’s Tour Down Under this month, Schmid also proved a smart off-season can have the Europeans ready for the early-season Australian heat.

“He was in phenomenal form, which we saw alloflastweekinDownUnder.Hatsofftohim,

Torquay too strong at Ocean Grove

Visiting side Torquay took all 16 points when they defeated Ocean Grove 2 by 62 shots to 50 on Tuesday February 4. Voice photographer Ivan Kemp saw all the action.

he deserved the win,” Gate said. “Heshowedthathehadthenousandalsothe legs to do it.”

Apart from the obvious breakthrough win, this was a significant result for Jayco AlUla. They had worked hard at last week’s Tour Down Under, but were left frustrated and scored no big results.

At times, their tactics were questionable. On Sunday, they were faultless.

“It was definitely not easy for us, especially losingPlappyforthisrace,”Schmidsaid.scored no big results.

At times, their tactics were questionable. On Sunday, they were faultless.

They also lost Luke Plapp to wrist surgery on Friday. Along with him being one of the key favourites, his absence also left them a rider short as the temperature hit the high 30s.

“It was definitely not easy for us, especially losing Plappy for this race,” Schmid said.

Wollaston proves she is a quick learner

A poor start to the season has proved fuel to the fire for Ally Wollaston’s masterclass at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

The New Zealand cycling star outsprinted a class front group to take out Saturday’s 142.4 kilometre race that started and finished in Geelong.

On a day tailor-made for fast finishers such as Wollaston, Dutch rider Daniek Hengeveld won with a solo break that caught the sprinters’ teams napping.

Wollaston proved she is much more than just a sprinter, sticking with the leaders in the two ascents of the tough Challambra Hill climb that dominates the Cadel Evans race.

She bided her time as the front group of 14 lined up for the finish and timed her kick perfectly for a convincing win. It is Wollaston’s first victory at WorldTour level since taking out stage one of last year’s Tour Down Under and follows her win on Wednesday at the Surf Coast classic, a preamble for Saturday.

“It could have gone one of two wayswe could have taken it really badly and been fed up, pissed off about the result. But the team really took it in our stride,” WollastonsaidoftheTourDownUnder.

“Communication in the team has been really good since then.

“It was definitely fuel for the fire.

“We made a few mistakes in South Australia ... It made us hungrier this week. We were all really motivated.”

Dutch rider Karlijn Swinkels (UAE) was second and Swiss Noemi Ruegg (EF Education Oatly) took third after winning the Tour Down Under.

American star Chloe Dygert (Canyon Sram) was another pre-race favourite and finished fourth, while Amanda Spratt (Lidl Trek) was the only Australian in the front group and finished 13th.

On the last climb up Challambra, with about 10km left, Wollaston knew she had a big chance when she stayed with Dygert.

“I wouldn’t actually say super-comfortable - it was really hard. But to make it over Challambra the second time, on Dygert’s wheel, I knew I was in with a good shot,” she said.

Ian Donald leads off for Ocean Grove.

Gary Burkett concentrates on his line, and below left, Paul French plays for position.

Rodney Swan tries to disrupt the head.

Above: Joe Russell skippers his team to win this end by 5 for a great start to the match.

Left: Brian Calthorpe puts Torquay into a great position.

Right: Adele Ryan leads the way for Ocean Grove.

(Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 454854

Action heats up as finals loom

Voice photographer Ivan Kemp caught all the action at day two of the GCA1 match between Highton and St Peter’s and the Barrabool vs Armstrong Creek BPCA1 match. Armstrong Creek won its limited overs match while Highton and St Peter’s ground out a draw.

Lachie Grigg drives through covers.

Above left: Jack McLean took 0/37 off his 8 overs. Left: Josh Sorjiovanni was St Peter’s best bowler taking 2/30 off 13 overs. Centre: Greg Willows drives a Luke Ford delivery on the up to covers and is caught. Right: Michael Kelson cuts behind point. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 454518

Above: Highton’s Jack Cook made 58. Below: Kane Pickering tries an ambitious scoop from outside of off stump and it goes for 4 to fine leg.

Highton opener Brady Somers (44 runs) drives Riley East for a single.

Summer pennant action heats up as finals loom

LOCAL TENNIS

Donna Schoenmaekers

It was a perfect day for the resumption of Tennis Geelong’s summer pennants, and with the countdown to finals restarted the competition is hot as the weather, especially in Section 4 Mixed where all 7 teams are still in finals contention.

Ladder leaders Newcomb had the bye this week, and with only eight points to Lara in fifth, results would determine whether they would stay there.

Drysdale closed part of the gap between them and a finals spot when they travelled to Lara and secured a 4-2 win. Lara started well, winning the first set 6-2, but retired in the second set. From there Drysdale won the men’s and women’s doubles, and secured the fourth mixed to win the day.

It was derby day for Western Heights with thirdplacedRedtakingonBlueatLunanPark. With only one point separating the teams and bragging rights on the line, competition was

both fierce and friendly with smashing volleys, spinner serves and great rallies all highlights of the day.

The teams were even after the first mixed sets, with each team taking one set 6-2. It was still neck and neck after the doubles as Red took the women’s 6-2 while Blue the men’s 6-1.

The reverse mixed would determine the day’s winner and ladder positions.

It was Blue that made the most of their chances, winning both sets 7-5 and 6-2, with Shaun Howard helping his team over the line winning his three sets in the 4-2 victory.

The win moved Blue to within one point of Newcomb, and will make their round 13 clash one to watch.

With all teams being so close, Wandana Heights moved themselves from fifth to third, despitehavingtheclosestwinofthedayagainst Bannockburn. Banno’s dad and daughter combo, Melissa and Brendan Gillett, battled hard to win the first mixed in a tie-break, while spouses Melissa and Craig Smith had an easier time in the second winning 6-0.

The doubles were decided in a similar fashion with Banno winning the women’s 6-4 and Wandana the men’s 6-1. The reverse mixed also went one each way, but Wandana’s eight game lead was too big for Banno to overcome, giving Wandana the win on games and putting them within five points of

Walter falls just short

By Matt Hewson

Collendina made a strong start at home against Newcomb as the side seeks to solidify a spot in the final four of the BCPA A2 ladder. After Newcomb won the toss and elected to bowl the Cobras posted 6/231 in the first innings of the two-day contest.

Collendina opener Corey Walter, who has been in fine form all season, batted through 68 overs of the Cobras’ 75-over innings before losing his wicket just three runs short of a century.

Jackson de Jong also scored well for the home side, joining Walter in the 54th over and seeing out the innings unbeaten on 48.

Newcomb’s Naichese Lovett put in a hard-working shift, taking three wickets for 86 - including that of Walter - from 26 overs, while opening bowler Abhishek Sharma also took 2/31.

Cobras skipper Nathan Frye said he was very happy with his side’s performance.

“It’s probably the best we’ve done all year in terms of keeping partnerships going throughout the day,” Frye said.

“And on a very slow outfield, I think 230 is probably worth 270 or so at a different venue.”

Frye praised stalwart Walter, who was named captain of the BPCA Team of the Decade in 2020, saying Lovett made things tough for the batters all day.

“Naichese bowled a lot of overs right through the middle of the game, just bowling tight and quick overs,” he said.

“(He bowls) some darts, stump to stump sort of stuff that makes you play pretty much every ball, and he can be quite difficult to get away.

“So it’s really good to have somebody (like Walter) with that much experience and class at the top of the order to steady things the whole way through.”

Collendina have undergone something of a changing of the guard this season, with seven young players joining the ranks and losing a number of veterans from the team that competed in last year’s grand final.

Frye said Jack Wood “did well” on debut, batting at number three and making 30, while Wood’s fellow debutant Byron Hansford will get his chance this Saturday with the ball.

“We’ve had to ask a bit more of the young blokes, especially with the bat… but we’re pretty confident in what we bring to the table with the experience we got last year,” he said.

SURF COAST will hope to return to the winners’ circle after bowling out Winchelsea for 128 at Eastern Reserve. William Liddle led the attack, taking a spectacular 7/36 from 13.4 overs to give the Suns the advantage in the third-last game of the home and away season. Rowan Ferguson was Winch’s top scorer with 31 runs.

WALLINGTON made it hard going for St Leonards after winning the toss and electing to bowl. The Wallabies showed why they occupy second spot on the ladder, bowling out the home side for 10/167 in 51 overs. Mitchell Sleeman (3/26) and Billy Gravett (3/43) were the top bowlers, while Jack Jeffrey made 30 runs for St Leonards.

PORTARLINGTON made 10/208 away against Inverleigh, just enough to challenge a side that has not lost a match since round seven. Aaron Toole high scored with 55 for Port, while David Peel and Locke Perrett both claimed three wickets for the

top spot.

At the end of the round things are tighter than they started with only 17 points between all teams and six points between first and fifth - with the wrinkle of Western Heights Uniting Red, Lara and Drysdale still to have their second bye.

Top of the table clash

Skipper Daniel Weigl is confident Lara can “get the job done” this week at King Lloyd Reserve against Murgheboluc after posting a tally of 191 runs on Saturday.

After Inam Ulla (230) took the early wickets of opener Kaden Marum (1) and first drop Peter Herrick (8) and put the score at 2/20, Robert Sodomaco (85) and Jason Hewitt (67) dug in to add another 140 runs before their partnership ended in the 54th over.

Murgheboluc spinner Owen Dunipace ripped through the rest of the Lara batting order, taking 6/22 to end the Cats’ innings 20 overs later. Jason Grozdanovski also contributed with the ball with figures of 2/58.

Weigl said while his side, who have an unassailable lead at the top of the GCA 2 ladder, could have ended the innings stronger against their nearest rival, they performed well overall given the conditions.

“We did well for the first 60 overs and then let ourselves down a little bit, but at the same time when the ball got soft and their spinners took pace off the ball it was quite difficult to score, quite difficult to get in on,” he said.

“Noonethrewtheirwicketaway,itwas just a combination of good bowling and tougher scoring conditions that meant the day ended where it did.

“That being said, I think if we bowl well we’ll be okay.”

Weigl said Sodomaco and Hewitt did well after Ulla’s early strikes with the new ball.

“Bothofthemdidareallygoodjoband did as we planned,” he said.

“Especially Jason, opening the batting coming up from the twos in the last couple weeks, we got a pretty good contribution from him.”

The Cats will look to exploit those same conditions this Saturday.

“I’m very confident, if the wicket is the same next week as it was this week I really back our spinners to do a good job and make it difficult,” Weigl said.

“I think their (Murgheboluc’s) scores (at home) probably reflect that as well. There haven’t been too many scores over 200 there.”

Matt Hewson

Wandana Heights and Bannockburn players Rohan Perrott (WH), Wendy Castle (WH), Mel Smith (WH), Craig Smith (WH), Annie Walsh (WH), Brendan Gillett (B), Scarlett Gillett (B), Clare Hardy (B), Melissa Gillett (B) and Peter Kohl (B). (Supplied)

Kookaburras.

Corey Walter drove Collendina to a solid total against Newcomb. (Ivan Kemp) 454865_05