Thousands of runners swarmed Portarlington over the weekend to celebrate the return of the Flying Brick Sunset Run.
Close to 2000 people ran across Portarlington and St Leonards on Saturday, February 8, during the event’s 10th year.
The 4km Bully Buster race saw Sage Capuano finishing first in the girl’s section and Rafael Butteris winning the boy’s section.
The 10km run winners featured Scott Krakouer, who won the men’s section, while Mikhaila Remilton took out the win during the women’s section.
Lettie and Lucky are pictured doing their stretches before the Bully Buster race, which raises funds and awareness to benefit kids’ mental health.
Turn to page 23 for more photos.
Pay joy for TAFE teachers
By Jena Carr
Geelong TAFE teachers are celebrating a win following a new deal with the state government for better pay and conditions.
The Australian Education Union (AEU) Victorian Branch reached an agreement with the state government on February 7 to deliver a minimum salary increase of 21 per cent over four years.
Therewillbea14percentincreaseinthefirst 14 months of the deal and an increase in hours to deliver quality teaching and learning and improved parental and cultural leave.
AEU The Gordon Geelong Branch president Matt Henry said the agreement was a “direct result of the persistence and commitment of AEU members”.
“It’s a principal agreement, but we’re very happy to have something at least on the table that we can now start to move forward with,” he said. “This agreement recognises that one of the central roles of teachers is supporting students, that will make better outcomes for students and staff.
“The agreement will mean that with increasing pay and improved conditions, teacherswillbeencouragedtostayinthesector and make recruiting new teaching staff easier.
“The Gordon TAFE has been an institution in Geelong for over 100 years, so when we’re talking about a skills shortage across the state, the first step towards rectifying that is having a strong TAFE system.”
The agreement followed industrial actions conducted by AEU members and TAFE
teachers across the state starting in June last year, which included a 24-hour strike in August.
AEU Victorian Branch president Justin Mullaly said the agreement recognised the “critical role TAFE teachers play in the community” and acknowledged their contribution to the economy.
“Victorian TAFE teachers have been overworked and underpaid for far too long, leading to burnout and teachers leaving our TAFEs,” he said.
“This is a massive win for Victorian TAFE teachers, who have tirelessly campaigned for improved salaries and conditions for nearly three years.
“We would like to commend the dedication VictorianTAFEteachershavedisplayedduring
theprolongedperiodofindustrialaction.None of this would be possible without their hard work.”
Grandparent and foster parent leave will also be introduced, with the agreement following the addition of Certificate IV in Training and Assessment to the Free TAFE list.
Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney saidthedealhelpedencouragepeopletopursue a career in TAFE teaching.
“We’re proud to give our TAFE teachers betterpayandconditionsasit’sabsolutelywhat they deserve,” she said.
“Our TAFE teachers are world-class and they’re training our state’s future workforce to build the homes we need, support our clean energy transition, and provide care for those who need it.”
We’re building an alternative to the West Gate Bridge and there will be transport disruptions
As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re putting the finishing touches on the new West Gate Tunnel, an alternative to the West Gate Bridge. When the tunnel opens in 2025, you can enter on the West Gate Freeway near Williamstown Road, and take advantage of new exits to Footscray Road, Dynon Road or CityLink.
Barwon South West paramedics are attending more Code 1 cases across the region while recording improved response times over three months.
The Queenscliffe local government area (LGA) recorded the biggest response time improvements across the state, according to recent Ambulance Victoria (AV) data.
Paramedics attended 65.6 per cent of Queenscliffe LGA Code 1 patients within 15 minutes, up from 54.7 per cent in 2023, arriving one minute and 36 seconds faster between October and December last year.
The Greater Geelong LGA was the second busiest in the state as paramedics attended 4,860 Code 1 cases, 4.87 per cent of the state’s total Code 1 workload.
Barwon South West regional director Ian Hunt said 84 new graduate paramedics had been employed to help meet the increased demand.
“We know there is more work to do. AV continues to work with hospitals to promptly transfer patients and ensure all Victorians receive the right care at the right time,” he said.
“Our people are our greatest assets. Through
them, we continue to lead the way in patient care, including one of the best cardiac arrest survival rates in the world.
“In 2023-24, paramedics referred nearly 43,000 patients to the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED), with over three quarters cared for without transport to a physical ED.”
Mr Hunt said people should save Triple Zero (000) calls for emergencies, with the VVED, urgent care clinics, Nurse-On-Call (1300 60 60 24) and other options available for less urgent cases. “From October to December, 43,864
Community grants applications open
Applications are open once again for Barwon Water’s annual Community Grants program.
The water corporation has invited community groups, sports clubs and event organisers to apply for the program, with funding from $500 to $5000 available to bring their ideas to life.
The program supports a diverse range of groups and projects, with last year’s recipients including the Bluebird Foundation’s guardian sculptures project, Colac Otway Residents Group’s school lunch program, the Repair Cafe Bellarine and the Leopold Lakers.
The Lakers, a volunteer-run club, used its granttodesignandpurchasenewgirlstraining tops and playing shorts.
Lakers president Jayson Newman said the initiative was part of the club’s push to increase participation by women and to provide a supportive and inclusive environment.
“Thefeedbackhasbeenamazing.Theplayers love the more comfortable and appropriate fit, and they also enjoy having a sponsor logo, like their idols at (WNBL team) Geelong United.
“We also used the (grant) to promote social inclusion and diversity, via our Indigenous designed and themed training tops.”
Barwon Water general manager of Customers, Community and Strategy Laura Kendall said water played a vital role in helping
keep basketballers hydrated and healthy, on and off the court.
“We provide grants to help community groups save water, and also to improve the environment, help people be active and foster social inclusion,” Ms Kendall said.
“We encourage eligible community groups, sports clubs, local associations and event organisers to consider applying.
“Supporting a range of community groups is one of many ways we’re helping our region to prosper economically, socially, culturally and environmentally.”
Visit at www.yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov. au/barwon-water-grantsformoreinformation.
people across Victoria who did not need an emergency ambulance were instead connected to more appropriate care by paramedics and nurses in Secondary Triage,” he said.
Regional Operations executive director
Danielle North said there had been a 26.6 per cent increase in Code 1 cases across the state “since the COVID-19 pandemic began more than five years ago”.
“October to December is commonly one of our busiest times, and last year was no exception as our crews were called to 99,799 Code 1 emergencies,” she said.
New
Women’s healthcare in Geelong will receive another boost, with a free virtual women’s health clinic set to launch before the middle of the year.
Part of the state government’s $153 million women’s health package, the virtual clinic will facilitate access to services such as endometriosis and pelvic pain care, menstrual health, cervical screening, menopause care, breast health care and abortion.
Available via telehealth or online, the clinic will be led by specialist nurses and deliver initial health assessments and some treatment followed by referrals to GPs and other healthcare services.
The service, delivered in partnership with community health organisation EACH, is intended to reduce barriers to care for women in the region and will also provide access to mental health and wellbeing, alcohol and other drugs, and family violence community support services.
Victorian Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said the gender health gap was real, especially for women in regional areas.
“That is why we’re establishing this virtual women’s clinic to help breakdown the barriers to care,” she said.
“Abortion care is healthcare, and while we have already made abortion more accessible, we know there is more to do – because Victorian women deserve to have a choice, no matter where they live.”
Member for Geelong Christine Couzens said the Allan Labor government was “transforming the way women’s health is treated in Victoria”.
“This new clinic will make a huge difference for women across Geelong, providing them with free and easily accessible healthcare,” Ms Couzens said.
Spirituality explored through environment in new exhibition
‘Totem’hascometoOceanGrovetoexplorethe spirituality in Australia’s trees and landscape through a collection of paintings.
The exhibition by Gordon Lingard opened at TheHiveGalleryonSaturday,February8,with white or black bold lines being 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 is 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 movingtoOceanGrovebythebeach,wherehe embraced a new phase of life, which included painting as a highlight.
Gordon Lingard’s Totem opened at The Hive Gallery this month. (Ivan Kemp) 457525_08
Jena Carr
Leopold Lakers players with president Jayson Newman. (Supplied)
Lights to shine for CoHD
By Jena Carr
Geelong Catenary Lights will light up in pink and blue this Valentine’s Day to raise awareness for childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD).
The lights over the Malop and Moorabool Streets intersection will be lit up from 7pm to 9pm on February 14 as part of Sweethearts for HeartKids Light Up Day.
Regional support coordinator Sherrie McDonald said the event helped raise awareness and funds for children and families dealing with CoHD.
“I have a heart-child myself, and I’ve been through the hospital system. She’s now 21, but knowing that other people are going through the same thing is reassuring,” she said.
“We have over 300 families in the Geelong area that HeartKids support... and to have someone else to connect to, whether it’s another family or HeartKids itself, it just makes it a lot easier.”
Geelong mum Kimberley Bell said her journey with HeartKids started when her daughter Willow was born at 33 weeks and six days with a heart complication.
“On the 28-week scan, doctors found that my daughter had a heart defect, and we didn’t know what was going to happen as her heart was taking up two-thirds of her abdomen at that point,” she said.
“When she was five months old, she had an arrest at home, and her heart stopped, and she wasn’t breathing. That was at about 4.30 in the morning, and it happened in front of my husband and me.
“We started CPR on her while we waited for the ambulance. She had five minutes of CPR and breaths, and then she began to breathe spontaneously by herself, and the ambulance arrived just after that.
“We didn’t know if she was going to be okay, but it was nice to have a conversation with somebody that’s been in your shoes.
“As she got bigger and stronger, she can now go to daycare, which happened last year in July. We still have challenges as she’s still compromised with her heart, but we take it all on board.”
MP stoush over bail vote
Member for Western Victoria Bev McArthur has launched an attack on local Labor MPs after the Victorian LNP’s proposed bail law reforms bill was defeated in Parliament last week.
Introduced by Shadow Attorney-General Michael O’Brien, the bill sought to reintroduce stronger bail laws and impose tougher conditions on people on bail.
MsMcArthursaidlocalMPsChristine Couzens (Geelong), Ella George (Lara) and Alison Marchant (Bellarine) had voted against “important measures” that would restore community safety.
“This week, the Liberals and Nationals introduced a bill that would make it a criminal offence to commit another crime while on bail, and strengthen bail conditions to ensure compliance,” she said. “Young offenders committed over 20,000 crimes last year, a 20 per cent rise.”
Thebill,decriedinParliamentbyLabor asapoliticalstuntandthebeginningofa “race to the bottom”, received no support from Greens or Independents.
A government spokesperson pointed out that Labor introduced tougher consequencesforserious,repeatoffenders last year, “laws that Bev McArthur and her Liberal colleagues opposed”.
“The Premier has asked the Attorney-General and the Minister for Police to review our current laws, including bail laws,” the spokesperson said.
Michael and Kimberley Bell with their daughter Willow. (Ivan Kemp) 459074_05
Rallying to support trans justice
By Jena Carr
Hundreds of people have shown their support for the young transgender community in Geelong during a nationwide rally against the Queensland government.
More than 300 people gathered in Johnstone Park for the Trans Justice Project’s Protect Trans Youth Day of Action in Geelong’s CBD, organised by Geelong Rainbow on Saturday, February 8.
ThedayofactionaimstoopposeQueensland healthministerTimNicholls’decisiontopause prescriptions of puberty blockers and hormone therapy to new public health patients under 18 years old.
Geelong Rainbow vice president and trans woman Audrey Stringer said she was glad to see members of the gender-diverse community and their allies “out and proud”.
“Over half a dozen queer and trans youth got up and did speeches and held microphones during the rally,” she said.
“I’m 28 now, but if I had the language when I was a teenager to understand what being trans meant, I would have definitely gone on hormone blockers.
“It’s becoming more common because the people in our community have always existed, but there’s actual language and solid research forkidstounderstandwhatbeingtransmeans.
“Whereas when I was an early teenager, the research was very underground, and it was not really something that was spoken about a lot
because there was a lot of taboo around that topic.”
Trans Justice Project director Jackie Turner said Mr Nicholls’ decision would halt
SUMMER SIZZLER CASHBACK OFFER
evidence-based healthcare for 491 young people and their families in Queensland.
“This cruel ban is the first of its kind in Australia,anditmustbereversedimmediately,”
he said.
“Governments cannot be allowed to ban vital, evidence-based healthcare solely on the basis of their political beliefs.”
Imogen (left) and Parker (centre) address the protestors, and Merrin Wake (right) speaks about her child’s transgender experience. (Ivan Kemp) 458239
Left: National Day of Action Geelong rally and march. Above: Jo Bangles addresses the protesters.
Investment is ‘critical’ says G21
Geelong Region Alliance (G21) members have united to present the region’s most pressing priorities to federal politicians ahead of the upcoming election.
On Tuesday (February 11) G21 regional leaders announced the “critical need for investment” from Canberra in infrastructure housing,theAvalonprecinctandanalternative water grid to ensure water security.
The alliance of business, community and government organisations has also released an advocacy booklet, ’Unlocking the future of G21’, detailing the funding requirements of the three priorities.
G21 chief executive Giulia Baggio said the
announcement was happening “at a critical moment in time”.
“ThisisthefastestgrowingregioninVictoria and Geelong is one of the fastest growing cities in Australia,” Ms Baggio said.
“We call on all federal representatives to workwithusduringthiselectionperiodtohelp deliver the funding and partnership needed to lock in decent living standards for the long term.
“We are advocating with a unified voice for much-neededhousingsupplyacrosstheregion, especially in central Geelong to stimulate the city’s vibrancy; a dedicated, well-serviced employment zone at Avalon to boost our
Window showcase open
Applications are now open for the fifth and sixth rounds of the Yarra Street Window Gallery.
The popular 24-hour gallery, which opened along the Market Square building between MalopandLittleMalopstreetsinJunelastyear, showcases the work of local creatives across 12 display windows.
The project welcomes a diverse range of visual art and design forms, including First Nations art, painting, sculpture, film, animation, photography, fashion, lighting design, furniture design and ceramics.
Round five will run from May 23 to August 25, while round six will run from August 29 to December 30, with selected artists paid $500 for their participation.
Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said the 24-hour gallery provided a unique platform for artists, designers, collectors and curators.
“Our Yarra Street Window Gallery is a distinctiveexhibitionthatbreaksdownbarriers by attracting viewers in a high traffic area who might not typically visit traditional galleries,” Mayor Kontelj said. “It supports surrounding businesses and becomes a point of interest for visitors, further enhancing Geelong’s appeal as a cultural destination.”
Arts & Culture, Hospitality & Live Entertainment portfolio chair Councillor Eddy Kontelj said “We encourage artists to experiment with light, colour and other elements within the window display space and create innovative art forms.”
Expressions of interest are open until Monday, April 7 for round five and until Monday, July 14 for round six. Visit geelong. link/Yarra-St-EOI to find out more.
major industries and good quality jobs; and an innovative alternative water grid which will guarantee supply for homes, businesses, farms and wetlands as our environment becomes drier right across the southwest region.”
Golden Plains Shire mayor Sarah Hayden said the region’s “unprecedented population growth” required “major investment” in housing supply.
In developing the shortlist of priorities, G21 drew on its own Region Plan 2050 and the Committee for Geelong’s Future Geelong research, developed in conjunction with Tract Consultants.
Committee for Geelong chief executive
Michael Johnston said while increased housing supply was “urgently needed”, water security and development at Avalon were equally important for the region’s future.
“Water security is an issue that will impact us all in the coming years, and an alternative water grid will ensure water is accessible and sustainable for future generations,” Mr Johnston said.
“The Avalon Employment precinct and airport needs major infrastructure upgrades to attract investment and reach its potential as a global gateway to our region.”
Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj (right) with artists Grant Finck and Cecilia Cabalquinto. (Supplied)
Call for pets to make a a splash for exhibition
The National Wool Museum has put out the call for locals to submit photos of their salty sea dogs and water-loving cats.
The museum will use submitted pictures of local pets adventuring on, in or beside the ocean for a digital display as part of the upcomingCatsandDogsAllAtSeaexhibition.
The touring exhibition from the Australian National Maritime Museum features photos by Sydney photographer Sam Hood, who captured just how much dogs and cats were cherished by those on sea voyages during 1900-1950s.
The exhibition will also feature objects from the Geelong Naval and Maritime Collection, including celestial navigation tools, a ship builder’s model of the SS Courier and a photograph album documenting the 1934 Royal Cruise of HMAS Australia II with the
Duke of Gloucester and his dogs.
National Wool Museum director Padraic Fisher invited the community to join in and be a part of the exhibition.
“This is your chance to be part of the Cats and Dogs All at Sea exhibition, share your story and celebrate your animal companion,” Mr Fisher said.
“So,comeaboard,jointhefunandbepartof the crew at your Museum. You might also win oneoffivefamilymembershipstotheMuseum for 2025.”
Cats and Dogs All At Sea runs from Friday, February 14 until Sunday, July 20. Submit your photograph at geelong.link/All-at-Sea before Monday, July 14 for a chance to have your pet featured, with all submissions going in the runningtowinoneoffivefamilymemberships to the museum.
Radio boost for coast guards
The Queenscliff Coast Guard will get new digital radios to improve communications on the water as part of a state government roll out.
The more than $1.3 million investment will deliver 130 portable radios to Marine Search and Rescue (MSAR) units and volunteers across the state and install radios on 22 vessels and in eight vehicles.
Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent said there were five fixed-base stations and a console at the Water Police Coordination Centre with two portable consoles available.
“Marine Search and Rescue volunteers do an amazing job providing assistance to those in need around our coastline, sea, and inland waterways,” he said.
“Equipping our volunteers with more than 180 digital radios will support greater coordinationandinformationsharingbetween units during emergencies, helping to keep our community safe.”
The radios are connected to the Victorian Radio Network to give MSAR units real-time communication with the Water Police Rescue Coordination Centre.
CoastGuardQueenscliffFlotillacommander
Michael Donohue said the radios were a step up in connectivity when responding to rescue operations while helping monitor and locate vessels and crews in the water.
“This enables us to communicate directly with other services like the CFA, Lifesaving Victoria and Ambulance,” he said.
“The new radio system has greatly enhanced communication between MSAR and Water Police... and the statewide coverage enables us
to communicate and work statewide if, and when, required.”
Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant said Victoria’s MSAR fleet had 48 marine response vessels across 26 locations with around 800 volunteers.
“MSAR play a critical role in keeping people safe in the water - which is why we’re making sure they have the best resources to do that,” she said.
Expanding Paid Parental Leave to 26 weeks with super payments included.
The Albanese Labor Government is committed to delivering more support for families.
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.
Queenscliff Coast Guard Flotilla Commander Michael Donohue with Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant for the digital radio roll out. (Supplied)
Geelong councillor Eddy Kontelj with his dog Mika. (Supplied)
Arts and culture a priority
By Mayor Stretch Kontelj
An incredible transformation is underway across Geelong, reimagining our arts and cultural precinct and attracting thousands of creatives to our city.
Over the past decade we have witnessed the bold and visionary redevelopments of Geelong Library and Heritage Centre and Geelong Arts Centre.
Countlesscolourfulmuralsandeye-catching sculptures are emerging across our city, breathing life into laneways, streets and public places.
Andtheculturalfabricofourcityischanging too.
In four years (2020-2024) creative and culturaljobsinGreaterGeelonghaveincreased by54percent,withaninfluxofyoungcreatives drawn by our lifestyle and growing arts scene.
But one piece of the puzzle remains for our culturalprecincttoreachitsfullpotential–the expansion of Geelong Gallery.
The project, the final part of our Geelong Cultural Precinct Masterplan, envisions a multistorey expansion of the gallery into City Hall.
Geelong Gallery has built an enviable reputation through its critically acclaimed historical and contemporary exhibitions.
But storage and display constraints are hindering the gallery from holding more commercially viable exhibitions.
Currently, the gallery can only display less than two per cent of the 7,000 works in its collection, many of which are historically and nationally significant.
The expansion would quadruple the
gallery’s display space, allowing it to attract international touring exhibitions like those that regularly visit the National Gallery of Victoria and Bendigo Art Gallery.
These exhibitions present incredible opportunities for businesses to show off their own artistic flair.
Nearby cafés could create themed menus to complement international exhibitions and bars could serve themed drinks.
Local theatre companies could pay homage to the likes of Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo and Picasso in their performances.
And the City could bring our streets to life with night markets or other festivities paying
tribute to famous artists, leading efforts to enhance the economic impacts of these exhibitions.
The possibilities are endless.
A redeveloped and revitalised Geelong Gallery would draw 350,000 visitors a year to Geelong, according to the business case for the expansion.
The project would create 200 direct and indirect jobs during construction and support 25 permanent full-time creative jobs.
The expansion could also help our next local artistic virtuoso hone their talents and break onto the world stage, with artist in residence spaces and education and outreach programs.
Finally, the project bolsters opportunities for collaboration with other creative players like Back to Back Theatre and Platform Arts – two groundbreaking theatre groups located just across the road at the old courthouse building.
But we need support to make this happen.
Geelong Gallery is seeking $10 million to fund the time-crucial project management and design phase of the project, and $200 million from federal and state governments, Council and philanthropic sources to fully fund outcomes from the business case.
With the federal election nearing, Council has identified the expansion as a Priority Project.
As Mayor, I am determined to champion art – in all its forms. Art inspires and challenges people and enhances the culture of our Clever and Creative city.
Over coming months, I will work closely withourfederalrepresentativesandcandidates to advocate for this expansion, along with several other Priority Projects.
Together, we can deliver this crucial component to make Geelong a thriving, internationally recognised arts and culture hub.
City of Greater Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj. (Supplied)
Progress in Golden Plains
Two upgrade projects are celebrating key progress steps in the Golden Plains, with one finished and another starting.
The Don Wallace Recreation Reserve Oval upgrade in Teesdale was completed and officially opened on Monday, February 10.
The upgrade included installing an automated irrigation system with a new pump, subsurface drainage, realignment of oval boundary, fencing with concrete edging and new coach’s boxes.
Golden Plains Shire mayor Sarah Hayden said the $798,000 project showed council’s commitment to “providing quality facilities” for residents.
“We’re delighted to provide our beloved sporting clubs with a safe and compliant playing surface, ready for both junior and senior footballers and cricketers,” she said.
“This project is a testament to what can be achieved through strong partnerships, and we deeply appreciate the State Government’s commitment to our community.”
Lethbridge Active Youth Space’s skate park will also get a new look, with community members able to share feedback on the proposed upgrade until February 24.
The project is expected to deliver
improvements like a multi-use area, seating, shade/shelters, drinking fountain, improved path networks and landscaping.
Mayor Hayden said community feedback on the upgrade was needed to ensure the facility continued to serve the community for years to come.
“Council is committed to recreation opportunities for our community in Lethbridge,andthisskateparkupgradeisakey part of that commitment,” she said.
“The upgraded skate park will make an excellent addition to the new play space, providinganimpressive,dynamicandinclusive recreation facility that will be a valuable addition to Lethbridge and surrounding towns.”
Council will begin the development of concept designs following the consultation period and will keep the community involved in the upgrade process with further community consultations scheduled for the coming months.
Community members can provide feedback by attending an in-person workshop on February19from5pmattheexistingskatepark at Russell Street or by completing an online survey at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations
Join in free ocean swim
‘Australia’s biggest free ocean swim’ is back as the Moorpanyal Park 1000 Swim returns to North Shore this Saturday.
The event organised by the North Shore Residents Group will host a one-kilometre swim at Moorpanyal Park from 8.45am to 11.30am on February 15.
Vice president Cambell Dew said the free open water swim started in 2000 with a challenge between residents and has grown to an event open to people across the country.
“We get about 150 to 200 competitors, and we like to call it Australia’s biggest free ocean swim... and I hope it’s a good turnout for swimming numbers,” he said.
“The initial event was just a bit of a challenge between residents to see who could swim out to the channel marker and back, and then it’s grown from there.
“There are people who enter who come from far and wide. They say it’s a great little event and it’s well-run. It’s just something a little bit different as it’s a small little niche swim for them.”
Swimmers will start on the beach at North Shore and swim 400m into the channel and
THANK YOU TO STORM FIRST RESPONDERS
Did you know we have an emergency response team made up of employees from across our organisation ready to mobilise as required?
In the recent storm event, this brought the team together with our partners including Victoria Police, SES and CFA to assess and respond to the storm damage across our region.
Our customer service team received more than 400 initial requests for assistance in person, by phone and online, most relating to fallen trees, drainage and roads, and dogs spooked by thunder and lightning that had escaped their homes. That figure has grown to approximately 1700 requests.
Our crews and contractors battled violent gusts and torrential rain and hail as they worked around the clock to make flooddamaged sites safe. Many who were out there helping others were also affected by the storms at their own homes.
We’re proud of the response efforts of our employees to support our community, highlighting our collaborative working relationships across our organisation and with our partners and contractors.
As many of our employees also live in Greater Geelong, those people responding to calls for assistance might just be a member of your family, a friend, or a neighbour!
For more information about emergency management, scan the QR code or visit geelong. link/EmergencyManagement2
back, followed by a free sausage sizzle and prizes awarded across swimming categories. Sections include male and female Under 15, Under 18, Open, 40/49, 50/59, and 60-Plus, with the minimum age to compete being 12. Registrations for the event are still open through moorpanyal.com and close at 5pm on February 14.
MEETINGS
Geelong Major Events meeting
The next Geelong Major Events meeting will be held at Wurriki Nyal, 137-149 Mercer Street, Geelong on Monday 24 February at 5.30pm.
When confidential items are being considered, the meeting will be closed to the public. Meeting records will be available at geelong.link/GME2 or by scanning the QR code.
Questions from the public to be considered by the Committee must be provided in writing by 12.00 noon, Thursday 20 February and be emailed to gme@ geelongcity.vic.gov.au including your name, address and contact phone number.
Planning Committee meeting
The next meeting of the Planning Committee will be held at the Council Conference and Reception Centre, City Hall, 57 Little Malop Street, Geelong on Thursday 27 February at 5.30pm.
Item to be discussed:
›Planning Permit Application No PP-11762023 - Buildings and Works for Horse Stables and Horse Pool associated with a Major Sports and Recreation Facility at 99 Breakwater Road, Breakwater.
For more information, scan the QR code or visit geelong.link/ PlanningCommittee2
TRAFFIC CHANGES
If you are travelling in the areas listed below on the following dates and times, scan the QR code or visit geelong.link/Roads2 for detailed information regarding changed traffic conditions.
CGSAV Triathlon, Hearne Parade, Geelong ›Tuesday 18 February from 8.45am-12.30pm
›Full road closure will affect Hearne Parade, between Eastern Beach Road and the Limeburners Boat ramp.
GISSA Triathlon, Hearne Parade, Geelong ›Thursday 20 February from 6.00am-1.00pm
›Full road closure will affect Hearne Parade, between Eastern Beach Road and Limeburners Road.
Emergency access will be maintained during both events and Limeburners Boat Ramp access will be maintained via Limeburners Road.
Pako Festa, Pakington Street, Geelong West Scan the QR code or visit geelong.link/PakoFesta2 for detailed information regarding changed traffic conditions.
›Saturday 22 February from 3.00am-11.00pm
›Various changed traffic and parking conditions.
›Full road closure will affect Pakington Street between Gordon Avenue and Waterloo Street.
›Access will remain, with alterations, to Geelong West Woolworths and business deliveries to businesses within the road closure.
›Access to residential properties and emergency access routes will be maintained.
Some of our emergency response staff in action.
Jena Carr
Moorpanyal Park 1000 Swim will return to North Shore this Saturday. (Pictures: Dani Arnott)
The Moorpanyal Park 1000 Swim usually gets 150 to 200 competitors, with similar numbers expected for this year.
Fans gather for Super Bowl
NFL fans across Geelong showed their team colours and support at The Sporting Globe Bar and Grill for the Super Bowl. Independent photographer Ivan Kemp went along to the Ryrie Street venue on Monday, February 10, to capture those enjoying the game as the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40 to 22.
Tom Baensch, Trent Carson and Aaron Dedini.
(Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 458428
Left: Di Waddingham, AJ Morphett, Sarah Vos, Emma Vos, Matt Vos and Brendan Mangan. Centre: Greg Maynard, Sarah Maynard, Matt Cotton and Garry Cotton. Right: Brady Smith and Amy McCall.
Ryan Dorland, AJ Connoley and Adam Ricketts.
Glenn from Colorado, Aaron, Andrew and Ben.
For duo the journey is the reward
By Matt Hewson
JRR Tolkien wrote “Not all who wander are lost”, and that’s certainly the case with real life troubadours Julian James and Beci Kate.
The husband and wife blues and Americana duo have been travelling Australia in their “pretty glampy” Toyota Coaster since COVID times, sharing stories and songs at the biggest festivals and smallest pubs across the country.
James has enjoyed the living on the road for nearly a decade and has no interest in returning to a more static lifestyle.
“We often pinch ourselves; I mean, we’re doing what a lot of people save their entire lives to do,” he said.
“We’re travelling around, seeing the country, meeting amazing people, and we’re making a good living off it. It’s a really, really great lifestyle”
James made the change when, after several years of juggling playing in bands three to four nights a week and his day job, he wanted to go full-time with music.
“I read this great little proverb from The Art of War; if you want to take the island, you’ve got to burn the boats,” he said.
“So I quit my job, sold my business and
moved into my van. And when you have no other alternative but to make it work, you make it work. I’ve been doing it ever since.”
James has racked up hundreds of thousands
of kilometres, with his highest numbers of 212 shows and more than 75,000kms in 2019.
For the past eight months Beci has joined him on stage, during which time the pair have played about 90 gigs “between here and Cooktown”.
“It’s been awesome seeing her conquering her fears, getting up on stage and absolutely owning it,” James said. “It’s magical to be able to not only share my life but also music with her, that’s pretty special.”
This month James and Kate bring their country-tinged blues and roots sound to Mt Duneed’s Armstrong Barbecue on Saturday, February 22, just a week ahead of the release of Jame’s new single White Lightning.
“Geelong is a great city; I’ve got a lot of friends in the Sleepy Hollow Blues Club, and also my dad now lives in Curlewis,” he said.
“We live and travel on the road, so we’ve got lots of stories. So we’ll tell a few bad jokes between songs and take everyone on a bit of a journey on what we go through and the people we meet.”
A look back on the legendary career of singer Toni Childs
There is not much Toni Childs hasn’t done throughout her career.
She has travelled the world performing, won an Emmy and been nominated for Grammys, played shows with Bob Dylan and sung duets with the likes of Peter Gabriel and Al Green.
Her new show, Toni Childs: Retrospective, offers audiences the chance to travel with her on a look at her continuing musical journey.
The show includes classic songs from Union, the album that started it all in 1988,
including Don’t Walk Away, Stop Your Fussin’ and Zimbabwe, as well as Childs’ other hits
Many Rivers to Cross, I’ve Got to Go Now and Because You’re Beautiful.
The retrospective also includes songs from her two recent albums It’s All A Beautiful Noise and Citizens of the Planet, both of which have seen only limited runs and will soon be released more widely.
Childs, US-born but an Australia citizen since 2022, said even now being on stage
and connecting with audiences was “the best feeling you could ever have”.
“There’s nothing better than feeling that, knowing you’re adding something dramatic, joy and delight, to people’s lives,” she said.
“I have to do it. I’m a storyteller, and it’s been my way of staying true to myself.
“You know, I’ve got that song I’ve Got to Go Now, that’s not my story. I didn’t have two kids, I wasn’t with a guy who was an alcoholic or anything like that.
“But I think we can all feel that place where we’ve got to say goodbye to something that’s not serving us in our lives, right?
“So all of my music is kind of like that. It becomes a way of righting myself, and apparently a lot of other people feel the same way, it helps them too.”
Toni Childs is at Geelong Arts Centre on Saturday, February 22.
Matt Hewson
Travelling bluesman Julian James. (Supplied)
Crossing the Gap provides more than regular care DISABILITY SERVICES
The motto at Crossing The Gap Disability Services has always been ‘Your choice, your goals, your pace’, and the local organisation is committed to helping individuals live their lives and thrive within the community.
Established in 2021 as a response to the community’s growing need for experienced and care-focused disability support services in Geelong, Crossing the Gap works with participants to empower the individual.
As well as the core services of disability in-home care and personalised complex care, Crossing the Gap offers a range of services to help people achieve their goals, such as independentlivingskillssupport,community access and disability respite.
Developing life skills allows participants to experience greater independence and live a more enjoyable and self-managed life. Crossing the Gap tailors its independent life skills programs to the interests, goals and abilities of each person, covering activities such as travel and transport, finance management, domestic skills like laundry and cleaning, shopping, meal planning and preparation and organising and attending appointments.
Company director Kristy Browning said seeing participants flourish and gain more independence was one of the most rewarding aspects of her job.
“It’s amazing to see them get to that stage where they can do all these things themselves, especially when they’ve most likely had people tell them that they can’t,” she said.
“Seeing our participants get to that stage, they just get so happy and excited when they realise that they can do it on their own.”
Crossing the Gap staff understand the importance of providing access to recreational tasks and social opportunities,
which enable individuals to develop skills and competencies that improve quality of life. The service’s support in Geelong includes goal-based activities such as catching public transport or shopping, recreational activities such as going to movies or the zoo, or navigating to a relative or friend’s residence.
Thesesupportedexperienceshelpparticipants improve their confidence and independence, as well as providing enjoyment.
“Some people we work with haven’t had a lot of opportunities to go out in public,” Kristy said. “So we really enjoy providing that chance when they go out with us.”
Giving carers the chance to refresh and recharge their batteries allows them to better take care of their loved one, which is why Crossing the Gap offers disability respite care to participants. Kristy’s team can organise everything for short-term, temporary and emergency relief periods for primary carers, including accommodation, food, travel and activities.
Participants are matched with the right support worker for them to cater for their needs while their primary carer takes a planned break, short holiday or attends to emergency situations.
Kristy said the focus for her staff was to provide a fun time for participants while their carer had a break. “We don’t call it respite, especially with the kids; we like to call it a holiday,” she said. “It’s a time when they can get away, have fun and take part in a range of activities. We try to make it as fun as possible.”
To find out more about Crossing the Gap’s services and start getting help from the team you deserve contact Kristy Browning at kristy@ctgdisability.com.au or call 0493 057 276.
Crossing The Gap’s respite program is all about fun. (Pictures: Supplied)
Find Geelong Rehabilitation Centre at disability expo
Geelong Rehabilitation Centre is excited to be part of the Geelong Disability Expo this March.
With nearly a decade of experience delivering high-quality Exercise Physiology services, we are dedicated to supporting individuals of all ages—from young participants to older adults—enhance their health, mobility, and independence through movement.
At Geelong Rehabilitation Centre, we embrace three key values: Inclusivity, Expertise, and Fun! We strive to make every session welcoming and supportive, combining professional knowledge with an enjoyable, engaging approach that keeps clients motivated on their journey to better health.
With locations in Belmont and Newcomb, our team of Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) provides tailored programs to
support individuals managing neurological conditions, musculoskeletal issues, chronic illnesses, psychosocial and neurodivergent conditions.
We go beyond Exercise Physiology, offering a range of allied health services, including Dietetics, Remedial Massage, Clinical Pilates, Home Visitation, and Group Classes— ensuring a holistic approach to well-being.
Located in the heart of Belmont, Geelong Rehabilitation Centre offers a spacious, well-equipped facility for rehabilitation and exercise. With state-of-the-art equipment, dedicated treatment areas, and an accessible gym, it provides a welcoming space for both individual and group sessions. Designed for comfort and inclusivity, our Belmont centre helps clients build strength, mobility, and independence. Our Newcomb centre delivers the same expert services in a supportive setting, featuring a well-equipped
gym, private consultation rooms, and a comfortable environment for rehabilitation, exercise, and allied health services.
The Geelong Disability Expo is a fantastic opportunity to meet our team, discover how targeted movement can improve daily life, and explore strategies for managing health challenges with confidence. Whether you’re looking to build strength, enhance mobility, or simply move with greater ease, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
We invite you to visit our booth to ask questions, learn about our services, and find out how we can support you or your loved ones in achieving long-term wellness.
Whether you’re an individual seeking guidance, a caregiver exploring options, or a healthprofessionalinterestedincollaboration, we’d love to connect.
Geelong Rehabilitation Centre is also proud to be affiliated with Spine Physiotherapy
and Geelong Performance Physio offering advanced physiotherapy care, and Pro-Body Physiotherapy specialising furthermore in lymphatic drainage.
Touchstone Psychology and Bridge Psychology are additionally offered at our Newcomb Centre. Through these partnerships, we expand our ability to deliver comprehensive, expert-driven healthcare solutions tailored to individual needs. Join us at the Geelong Disability Expo on March 14 and 15 and take the next step towards better movement, strength, and well-being. We look forward to meeting you and being part of your health journey!
Locations: Belmont: 110 – 122 High Street, Belmont 3216. Newcomb: 2 Boundary Road, Newcomb. Contact us on 03 5243 0232 or geelongrehabilitationcentre@gmail.com
Inclusivity, Expertise and Fun!
Geelong Rehabilitation Centre is well equipped to help people of all ages enhance their health. (Pictures: Supplied)
Expanding home care services in the Geelong region
Local not-for-profit care organisation Life Without Barriers has expanded its home care services in the Geelong region to meet growing demand from locals looking for high-quality, personalised care delivered within the comfort of their own homes.
Life Without Barriers’ Regional Operations Manager for the Geelong region, Claire Slocombe, says there is a rising trend towards older Australians looking for tailored care services that support them to live at home longer.
“More and more older Australians want to continue to live life their way by maintaining theirfreedomandindependenceathomewhile staying connected to their local communities,” said Claire.
“Our purpose at Life Without Barriers is to change lives for the better and support people to live a life free of barriers. For home care clients, this means we take care of all those things that are getting harder for them while empowering them to keep doing those activities they love.
“As a nationwide not-for-profit provider, made up of smaller local care teams, we build relationships with our clients by listening to what’s important to them and tailoring care services to suit their needs and preferences. We understand that every person we support is unique and design our care to meet these unique needs.”
According to Claire, the start of a new year is often a time when older people and their families start to explore what support options are available, and it can be hard to know where to start.
“Receiving aged care services can be daunting for many families, and we’re here to make getting the help you need at home as easy as possible,” she said.
“My advice to families starting to think
about aged care is that it’s never too early to starttheconversation.Manyofourclientsstart off by getting support with cleaning, transport to appointments, or gardening, and then move
up to higher level services such as personal care and nursing support when they need them. We can support them every step of the way.”
“What I love about working at Life Without
Barriers is that we work really hard to put our clients at the centre of their care, with support delivered by a caring and committed local team.”
At Life Without Barriers, we believe you should live life on your terms. As a not-for-profit aged care provider, we put relationships first – with dedicated care partners listening and adapting to your needs as they change. Our trusted, personalised services are delivered right here in Geelong, with support that’s as unique as you are. While we are a national provider, our local teams are deeply embedded in the community, ensuring that our support is tailored to your region.
Phone: 1800 792 359 Web: lwb.org.au
why we
Life Without Barriers has expanded its home care services in the Geelong region.
The Guide
Returning to our screens on Valentine’s Day, the BetterHomesandGardens team are all about sharing the love this year. Joh takes us backstage at the recent OzHarvest concert to chat with artists hoping to help the country’s largest food rescue organisation make a difference. In Dulwich Hill, Adam, Juliet and Charlie assist the residents of Stepping Stone House, which provides safe housing for young people facing homelessness – creating a functional chilled-out backyard for the facility. Dr Harry drops by Where Pigs Fly sanctuary, meeting cute farm animals and the volunteers who make their rehabilitation possible. It’s a refreshing way to spend the Hallmark holiday that’s sure to warm your heart.
Friday, February 14
AUSTRALIAN SURVIVOR
10, Monday, 7.30pm
Australian Survivorfans ready? There’s not one, but two seasons of strategy games, alliances and feats of physical strength coming our way in 2025. Before Australiavs TheWorldlater this year, Jonathan LaPaglia welcomes a rematch of BrainsvsBrawn, with all-new contestants. Last time, a “Brain” took it out – will those who work smarter, not harder, prevail again? Among the clever contenders are poker champion AJ, doctor Karin, financial analyst Myles (pictured) and PhD student Kaelan. Their ripped rivals include stonemason Ben, aviation fire fighter Kristin and Olympian Morgan. Let the games begin!
I’M A CELEBRITY… GET ME OUT OF HERE!
10, Sunday, 7pm
PICK OF THE WEEK
THE ROLE OF A LIFETIME
ABC TV, Tuesday, 8.30pm
After four weeks in the “jungle” (aka South Africa’s Kruger National Park), the remaining celebrities on the 11th season of this evergreen reality offering could be forgiven for thinking they’re seeing a mirage when their loved ones pay them a visit in tonight’s finale. It’s a sweet reward for the endurance they’ve shown in camp, having pushed themselves to their emotional and physical limits – on rations of rice and beans, no less – in the name of charity. However, it’s not over yet. There’s one last trial in store for the stars and their families before hosts Robert Irwin and Julia Morris (both pictured) crown the King or Queen of the Jungle and everyone can return to their creature comforts.
ABC TV (2) SBS (3)
6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News
Mornings. 10.00 Planet America. (R) 10.30
Take 5 With Zan Rowe. (PG, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon.
1.00 Silent Witness. (Mav, R)
3.00 Nigella Bites. (R)
3.25 Grand Designs. (R)
4.15 Long Lost Family. (PG, R)
5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R)
5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 6am Morning Programs. 9.15 Paul O’Grady For The Love Of Animals. (PGa, R) 10.10 Ireland’s Historic Gardens. (R) 11.05 Great Canal Journeys. (PGa, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 The Abyss: The Rise And Fall Of The Nazis. (PGa, R) 3.00 Nula. 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Britain’s Secret Islands. (Final, PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.
7.30 Monty Don’s Spanish Gardens. Monty Don heads to the south of Spain.
8.30 Silent Witness. (Malv) The team investigates the death of a Burmese man on a deserted beach.
10.15 Optics. (Ml, R) Greta and Nicole offload a client onto Ian.
10.45 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
11.15 ABC Late News.
11.30 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee (NZ) (PG, R)
12.15 Grand Designs. (R)
1.05 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)
5.00 Rage. (PG)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News. 7.35 Costa Concordia: Why She Sank. (Final, Mal, R) 8.30 Tony Robinson’s Marvellous Machines: Unsung Heroes. (PG, R) A look at amazing machines. 9.25 Mysteries Of The Ancient Dead: Egypt, Rome, Nepal. (Premiere) Investigates age old death rituals. 10.20 SBS World News Late. 10.50 Bonn. (Mav) 11.45 Sisi. (MA15+as, R) 2.45 Barkley Manor. (PG, R) 3.15 Living With The Boss. (R) 4.05 Peer To Peer. (PG, R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
SEVEN (6, 7)
6.00 Sunrise. News, sport and weather. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) The latest news and views. 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 Golf. LIV Golf Adelaide. Day 1. From the Grange Golf Club, South Australia. 5.00 The Chase Australia. Contestants race to answer quiz questions correctly to avoid being caught by The Chaser.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (Return) The team celebrates Valentine’s Day.
8.30 MOVIE: Pretty Woman. (1990, Mls, R) A businessman, in need of an escort for the evening, gives a sex worker a first-hand look at the lives of the mega-rich. Richard Gere, Julia Roberts, Hector Elizondo. 11.05 GetOn Extra. A look at the weekend’s best racing.
11.35 To Be Advised.
1.20 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
5.00 NBC Today.
7TWO (62, 72)
1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 The Great Australian Doorstep. 2.30 Sydney Weekender. 3.00 DVine Living. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Better Homes And Gardens. 5.00 Golf. LIV Golf Adelaide. Day 1. 6.00
The marvellously down-to-earth Amanda Keller makes a return to lifestyle TV, of sorts, as the host of this genre-bending parenting series. Stand-up comedian Nazeem Hussain and Gold Logie winner Kate Ritchie star in scripted comedy sketches that cut to the heart of common dilemmas when it comes to raising teens; which are interspersed with real-world workshops, expert interviews and helpful insights from parenting guru Maggie Dent. Bridging the generation gap with a fresh, entertaining approach that effortlessly switches gears between the sincere and lighthearted, it’s the wholesome show we didn’t know we needed. Tonight’s premiere leaves no stone unturned: delving into smartphones, social media and cyberbullying. Mother knows best: Amanda Keller hosts TheRoleof aLifetime
NINE (8, 9)
6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: Love At First Like. (2023, PGa)
7.30 David Attenborough’s Mammals: Dark. (Premiere, PG) Sir David Attenborough looks at mammals.
8.40 MOVIE: Valentine’s Day. (2010, Ms, R) A disparate group of interconnected people navigate the highs and lows of love and dating on Valentine’s Day. Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Garner.
11.10 MOVIE: The Sun Is Also A Star. (2019, Ml) Yara Shahidi.
1.00 Let’s Eat With George. (R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Postcards. (PG, R)
SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 4.50pm Bluey. 5.00 Peppa Pig. 5.10 Pfffirates. 5.20 Kangaroo Beach. 5.35 Fireman Sam. 5.45 Hey Duggee. 5.55 Paddington. 6.05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 Teen Titans Go! 8.00 Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? 8.25 BTN Newsbreak. 8.30 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 8.55 Robot Wars. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. Noon Gossip Girl. 2.00 The Golden Girls. 2.30 The Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 The Addams Family.
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news.
7.30 Wheel Of Fortune UK. (Premiere) Game show.
8.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Mls, R) Celebrity guests include Sarah Snook, Boy George and Miriam Margolyes. 10.50 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 11.15 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news. 12.10 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)
2.00 Mozart: Rise Of A Genius. (Ml, R) 3.00 Hippo Watch With Steve Backshall. (Final, PG, R) 4.00 Muster Dogs: Collies And Kelpies. (R) 5.00 Eat The Invaders. (Final, PG, R) 5.30 Dr Karl’s How Things Work. (Final, R) 5.55 Australian Story. (R)
6.30 Back Roads: Outback Way, NT Pt 2. (PG, R) Presented by Lisa Millar.
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.
7.30 Death In Paradise. (Return, Mv)
Commissioner Selwyn Patterson is shot while celebrating 50 years of police service at the yacht club.
8.30 Vera. (Ma, R) Vera is called to a remote lighthouse where a body has been discovered lashed to a sailboat. Delving into the victim’s final days, she and the team discover that his life was not all plain sailing.
10.00 The Newsreader. (Ml, R) When news of an oil spill breaks on the day of Public Eye’s launch, Helen is pressured to rethink her show format.
10.55 Unforgotten. (Mal, R) The body in the chimney flue is identified. 11.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) Music video clips.
6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Paddington. 6.05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Kids BBQ Championship. 8.15 Chopped Junior. 9.00 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.40 Speechless. 10.05 Officially Amazing. 10.30 Dragon Ball Super. 10.55 Late Programs.
2.05 Nula. 2.35 Carpool Koorioke. 2.55 Mabo: Life Of An Island Man. 4.30 Strait To The Plate. 5.00 Spirit Talker. 5.30 The Last Land: Gespe’gewa’gi.
6.00 Carpool Koorioke. 6.10 Black As. 6.20 News.
6am Morning Programs. 9.10 Britain’s Great Outdoors. (PG, R) 10.10 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Surf Life Saving. Super Surf Teams League 2024. Highlights. 3.55 Grand Tours Of Scotland’s Rivers. (PG) 4.25 Black Panthers Of WW2. (PGav, R) 5.20 Churchill And The Movie Mogul.
6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Sandi Toksvig’s Woodland Restoration. (Ml) The wood springs to life. 8.25 Scotland The New Wild: Islands. (PG) Takes a look at some of the hundreds of islands that are scattered along Scotland’s vast coastline. 9.25 Great Australian Walks With Julia Zemiro: Cape Byron. (R) Julia Zemiro heads to picturesque Byron Bay on the far north coast of NSW.
10.25 Beautiful Lakes Of Northern Italy: From Lake Como To Lake Garda. (Final, R)
11.15 Home Jacking. (Mlv)
12.40 The Man Who Died. (Mas, R) 2.25 Love Your Garden. (R) 3.20 Living With The Boss. (PG, R) 4.10 Peer To Peer. (R) 4.40 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Apollo Stakes Day and Black Caviar Lightning Raceday. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) Narrated by Grant Bowler.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) Narrated by Grant Bowler. 7.30 MOVIE: The Bourne Supremacy. (2004, Mlv, R) A former CIA agent, suffering from amnesia, tries to clear his name after being framed for a botched assassination. Matt Damon, Franka Potente. 9.45 MOVIE: Taken 2. (2012, Mv, R) A retired CIA operative and his wife are abducted by the father of a kidnapper he killed. Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen. 11.45 Border Patrol. (PGa) Follows New Zealand border officials.
12.15 Dr Harry’s Animal Encounters. (PG, R) Presented by Dr Harry Cooper. 1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 It’s Academic. (R)
5.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PG, R)
7TWO (62, 72)
6am
7MATE (64, 73)
TEN (5, 10)
6.00 Drive Safer. (PG, R) 6.30 A Current Affair. (R) 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday. (PG) 12.00 Destination WA. 12.30 My Way. (R) 1.00 Let’s Eat With George. 1.30 Your Next Cruise. (Premiere) 2.00 Innovation Nation. 2.15 MOVIE: Overboard. (1987, PGals, R) Goldie Hawn. 4.30 Explore TV. 5.00 9News First At Five. 5.30 Getaway. (Return, PG)
6.00 9News Saturday.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Men’s All Stars. Round 1. Indigenous All Stars v Maori All Stars.
10.00 NRL: Indigenous All Stars V Maori All Stars Post-Match. Post-match NRL news and analysis of the men’s match between the Indigenous and Maori All Stars.
10.30 MOVIE: Air. (2023, Mal)
A talent scout pursues a basketball rookie. Ben Affleck, Matt Damon.
12.40 My Life As A Rolling Stone: Ronnie Wood. (MA15+adl, R)
2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PG)
2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R)
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)
9GEM (81, 92)
6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Two dogs could be too many for a family when they meet a bonded pair.
7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. Neale Whitaker and Andrew Winter help Australians renovate or find a new home. 8.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) A husky cross could be the right fit for a family. Partners get the chance to tame a stress-ball of a canine. A pocket rocket of a pooch is ready to leap into a new home. Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 9.45 Ambulance Australia. (Mlm, R) Sydney Call Centre is receiving a higher than average number of unusual calls. 10.45 Ambulance UK. (Mlm, R) An advanced paramedic responds to reports of a man found lying facedown in the road. 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.
All Stars. 7.30 MOVIE: Bridget Jones’s Baby. (2016, M) 9.55 MOVIE: I Don’t Know How She Does It. (2011, PG) 11.45 Late Programs.
9GO! (82, 93)
ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. 12.30pm MOVIE: Ruby’s Choice. (2022, PG) 3.00 Ben Fogle: Starting Up Starting Over. 4.00 Young Sheldon. 5.00 MOVIE: Stargate. (1994, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Deep Blue Sea. (1999, M) 9.40 MOVIE: 21 Jump Street. (2012, MA15+) 11.50 Young Sheldon. 12.45am The Originals. 2.35 Ben Fogle:
6.30 The Other Side. 7.30 Alone Australia. 8.30 MOVIE: The Shining. (1980, MA15+) 10.40 Late Programs.
Race. Continued. (2016, PG) 8.10 Lara. (2019, PG, German) 10.00 Fireworks Wednesday. (2006, M, Farsi) 11.55 I’m Not There. (2007, M) 2.25pm Capricorn One. (1977, PG) 4.40 Oka! (2012, PG) 6.40 Dancing Ninja. (2010, PG) 8.30 The Hateful Eight. (2015, MA15+) 11.35 Bare. (2015, MA15+) 1.15am Baby Done. (2020, M) 2.55 Death Proof. (2007, MA15+) 5.00 Oka! (2012, PG)
Sunday, February 16
ABC TV (2) SBS (3)
6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 Wknd Brekky. 9.00 Insiders. 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 World This Week. (R) 11.00 Compass. (R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. (Return) 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.30 Monty Don’s Spanish Gardens. (R) 3.30 Sue Perkins’ Big Adventure: Paris To Istanbul. (Mn, R) 4.15 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 5.05 Maggie Beer’s Big Mission. (Final, R) 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 FIFA World Cup Classic Matches. 11.30 Britain’s Great Outdoors. (R) 12.00 APAC Weekly. 12.30 PBS Washington Week. 12.55 Para-Badminton. (PG, R) 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Surf Life Saving. Next Gen Series. 4.00 Sailing. SailGP Sydney. Highlights. 5.00 Grand Tours Of Scotland’s Rivers. (PG) 5.35 Churchill’s Forgotten War. (PG)
6.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Muster Dogs: Collies And Kelpies. (PG) Team Collie and Team Kelpie have a showdown.
8.30 The Newsreader. (Ml) Dale embraces his success, hosting a lavish birthday party. Helen is struggling personally and professionally.
9.25 Love Me. (Mls) Glen finally meets the man in Anita’s life. Peter and Clara struggle to start a family.
10.20 MOVIE: Love And Other Catastrophes. (1996, Mdls, R) Frances O’Connor.
7.30 Mysteries Of Sink Holes: Ticking Time Bombs. (PGa) Delves into the origins of sinkholes. 9.20 Legends Of The Pharaohs: Amenhotep III, The Great Builder. (PGsv, R) Takes a look at Amenhotep III, who constructed some of ancient Egypt’s most remarkable monuments. 10.20 Great British Landmark Fixers: Royal Albert Hall. (R) A team restores the Royal Albert Hall. 11.15 The Art Of Dissent. 1.10 Photos That Changed The World. (Mavw) 2.45 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R) 3.40 Living With The Boss. (PG, R) 4.30 Peer To Peer. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera News.
(6, 7)
6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. Highlights from the past week. 12.00 Golf. LIV Golf Adelaide. Day 3. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (R) Officers search an aircraft after the strange behaviour of a passenger.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Australian Idol. (PGl) Hosted by Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie.
9.00 An Evening With Dua Lipa. A concert special featuring Dua Lipa’s performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
10.30 Live At The Chapel: Amy Shark. Amy Shark performs her hits.
11.30 Autopsy USA: David Cassidy. (Mad, R) A look at the death of David Cassidy.
12.30 Friday Night Lights. (Madsv, R)
1.30 Harry’s Practice. (R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
7TWO (62, 72)
(8, 9)
6.00 Hello SA. (PG, R) 6.30 A Current Affair. (R) 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 For The Love Of Pets. (PG, R) 11.00 To Be Advised. 12.00 Fishing Australia. 12.30 Innovation Nation. 12.40 Bondi Vet. (PGm, R) 1.40 MOVIE: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. (1988, PGal,
Caine,
6.00 9News Sunday.
7.00 Married At First Sight. (PGls) The second commitment ceremony is held.
8.30 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issues affecting all Australians.
9.30 9News Late.
10.00 See No Evil: Too Much Video. (MA15+av) Looks at the investigation into a triple murder.
11.00 The First 48: Life Interrupted/Lucifer. (Mav)
11.50 Iconic Australia. (PGa, R)
12.50 Destination WA. (R)
1.20 Talking Honey. (PG)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 Fishing Australia. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
9GEM (81, 92)
6.00 The Sunday Project. Joins panellists for a look at the day’s news, events and hot topics.
7.00 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (Final, PGals) The celebrities continue to compete in a test of survival in the jungle for the chance to claim the title. 8.10 Matlock. (Return, PGl) Matty helps Olympia with her cousin’s wrongful dismissal case.
9.10 FBI. (Mv) After three customs officers are shot dead in a cargo heist, the team enlists OA’s old army buddy to help determine if it was an inside job. 11.10 The Sunday Project. (R) Joins panellists for a look at the day’s news, events and hot topics. 12.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings. 6am WorldWatch. 9.30 Small Business Secrets. 10.00 Front Up 2001. 12.05pm Figure Skating. ISU Grand Prix. Grand Prix of Italy. H’lights. 1.35 Fashionista. 1.50 Jeopardy! 3.55 WorldWatch. 4.25 PBS Washington Week. 4.50 Queer Sports. 5.45 Domino Masters. 6.40 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 The UnXplained With William Shatner. 10.10 WWE Legends. 11.45 Hoarders. 12.30am The X-Files. 3.15 Late Programs.
6am Children’s Programs. 5.10pm Octonauts And The Great Barrier Reef. 5.55 Paddington. 6.05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Moominvalley. 8.00 Horrible Histories. 8.30 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.10 Speechless. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. 12.30pm Basketball. WNBL. Adelaide v Geelong United. 2.30 Young Sheldon. 3.30 Children’s Programs. 3.40 MOVIE: Sing. (2016) 5.50 MOVIE: Sherlock Gnomes. (2018) 7.30 MOVIE: Sherlock Holmes 2: A Game Of Shadows. (2011, M) 10.10 MOVIE: 2 Fast 2 Furious. (2003, M)
6am Morning Programs. 10.00 The Great Australian Doorstep. 10.30 DVine Living. 11.00 I Escaped To The Country. Noon Escape To The Country. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 Cities Of The Underworld. 3.30 Steam Train Journeys. 4.30 I Escaped To The Country. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30 Rosemary & Thyme. 8.30 Vera. 10.30 Extreme Railways. 11.30 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 10.30 MOVIE: Nurse On Wheels. (1963) 12.15pm MOVIE: Passport To Pimlico. (1949) 2.00 Invictus Games. 2025 Vancouver Whistler. Day 6. Highlights. 3.00 MOVIE: Dangerous Voyage. (1954, PG) 4.30 MOVIE: Support Your Local Gunfighter. (1971, PG) 6.30 M*A*S*H. 8.30 MOVIE: Rambo: First Blood Part II. (1985, M) 10.30 The Closer. 11.30 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 12.10 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News Weekend. 1.30 Al Jazeera News Hour. 2.00 The Abyss: The Rise And Fall Of The Nazis. (PGa, R) 3.00 Railway Journeys UK. (R)
3.35 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Lighthouses: Building The Impossible. (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG, R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Madrid With Michael Portillo. (Final, PG) Michael Portillo’s visit to Madrid ends.
8.25 Wilderness With Simon Reeve: Coral Triangle. (PGa) Simon Reeve voyages across the Coral Triangle, a huge wilderness of tropical seas and jungle clad islands.
9.35 Inside Sydney Airport: Baggage. (PGa, R) Police investigate a suspicious bag.
10.30 SBS World News Late.
11.00 Wisting. (Malv)
12.45 A French Case. (Mal, R)
2.45 Barkley Manor. (PG, R) 3.15 Living With The Boss. (PG, R) 4.05 Peer To Peer. (PG, R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
SEVEN (6, 7)
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 To Be Advised. 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia. Hosted by Larry Emdur.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG) Levi makes inroads into closing a chapter.
7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) After an exhausting round of auditions, the competition continues with the top 30 striving to impress the judges.
9.10 St. Denis Medical. (PGals) Matt seeks appreciation for saving a patient’s life. Ron and Bruce butt heads over a candy bar. Alex is forced to fire an incompetent employee.
10.10 First Dates UK. (Mls) Singles experience the thrills of dating.
11.15 Lopez Vs. Lopez. (PGals) Oscar seeks an apology from George.
12.15 Friday Night Lights. (Madsv, R) The Panthers prepare for a game.
2.30 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
NINE (8, 9)
6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Married At First Sight. (PGls, R) 1.30 Getaway. (PG, R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.00[MELB]TippingPointAustralia.(PG) 5.30 WIN News.
6.00 9News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls)
A new couple enter the experiment.
9.00 Australian Crime Stories: The Investigators: Stolen Lives. (Mv) Looks at how Detective Dennis Bray solved one of Australia’s most notorious kidnapping.
10.10 9News Late.
10.40 Forensics: Murder Scene: Parven. (MA15+a)
11.35 First On Scene. (MA15+av)
12.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
1.00 Hello SA. (PG)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
2.30 Global Shop. (R)
3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
TEN (5, 10)
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer.
6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 Australian Survivor. (Return, PGlv) A group of 24 Australian castaways battles it out on the beaches of Samoa to become the sole survivor.
Tuesday, February 18
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
The Role Of A Lifetime. (Premiere, PG) A look at how to parent in the rapidly changing world.
9.20 Queerstralia: The Law. (Malns, R) Presented by Zoë Coombs Marr. 10.20 The ABC Of. (PG, R)
10.50 ABC Late News.
11.05 The Business. (R)
11.25 Four Corners. (R)
12.10 Media Watch. (PG, R) 12.30 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 1.15 Long Lost Family. (PG, R)
7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? Stephen Curry. (PGas, R) Stephen Curry explores his roots. 8.35 Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields. (Final, Malv) After having her confidence shattered, Brooke Shields finds her voice, only to encounter obstacles to using it.
9.50 The Artist’s View: Guns ‘N’ Roses. (Mdl, R) Takes a look at the band Guns ‘N’ Roses.
10.20 SBS World News Late.
10.50 Prisoner. (Premiere, MA15+alv)
11.55 Fargo. (MA15+v, R) 1.40 Barkley Manor. (PG, R) 2.10 Living With The Boss. (PG, R)
3.50 Peer To Peer. (R) 4.25 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PG) Harper feels lonely.
7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) The top 30 contestants undertake the group challenge, before three contestants are sent home.
9.20 The Hunting Party. (M) In rural Montana, Bex and the team hunt down a serial killer obsessed with wolves, while dealing with local rangers who are out for their own form of vigilante justice.
10.20 The Irrational. (Mav) Simon’s mother asks Alec for help.
12.20 Friday Night Lights. (Madsv, R) Jason is invited to join the local rugby team.
2.30 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 9News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls) Two new couples enter the experiment.
9.00 Madam. (MA15+dls) An article in the NorthlandTimeshailing Mack a “feminist to the rescue” causes chaos.
10.20 9News Late.
10.50 My Feet Are Killing Me. (Mm) Brad has his hands full treating a little boy.
11.40 The Equalizer. (Mv, R)
Tipping Point. (PG, R)
TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
Our State On A Plate. (PG)
(R)
Wednesday, February 19
ABC TV (2) SBS (3)
6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Four Corners. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club Address. 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 1.55 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (R) 4.10 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 7.30. Presented by Sarah Ferguson. 8.00 Hard Quiz. (PG) Presented by Tom Gleeson.
8.30 Optics. (Mls) A Hollywood star with an unusual kink and a company selling exploding hoverboards challenge the team.
9.05 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee (NZ) (PG, R) Presented by Guy Montgomery.
9.50 Planet America. A look at American politics.
10.20 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R)
10.50 ABC Late News.
11.05 The Business. (R)
11.20 Aftertaste. (Ml, R)
12.20 Grand Designs. (R) 1.10 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 2.00 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Estonia From Above. 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 The Abyss: The Rise And Fall Of The Nazis. (PGa, R) 3.00 Where Are You Really From? (PG, R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (PG, R) 4.10 Lighthouses: Building The Impossible. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG, R) 6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Lord Lucan: The Trail. (Malv) Lucan’s younger brother is located. 8.30 Wonders Of The Sun With Dara Ó Briain. (Final, PG) Irish comedian Dara Ó Briain explores how our solar system’s star has a darker side. 9.25 Miniseries: Playing Nice. (Final, Malv) Maddie and Pete have a meeting with Anika.
10.25 SBS World News Late. 10.55 Pagan Peak. (MA15+av) 11.45 Rogue Heroes. (Final, Malv, R) 12.50 Agent Hamilton. (MA15+v, R) 2.35 Barkley Manor. (Final, R) 3.05 Living With The Boss. (PG, R) 3.55 Employable Me (USA) (Ma, R) 4.45 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
SEVEN (6, 7)
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 To Be Advised. 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia. Hosted by Larry Emdur.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG) Cash confronts Tane.
7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PGd) Hosted by Lee Mack.
8.30 Ludwig. (Mav) After a body falls from a construction site, John investigates whether it was just an accident or a murder.
9.45 Breathtaking. (Mal) As patients get sicker, the team takes on the COVID-19 pandemic, stretching each of them to their limits.
10.50 The Suspects: True Australian Thrillers. (Ma, R) Authorities probe a millionaire’s life.
11.50 Autopsy USA: Dick Clark. (Ma, R)
12.50 Covert Affairs. (Msv, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
NINE (8, 9)
6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Married At First Sight. (Mls, R) 1.30 My Way. 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.00[MELB]TippingPointAustralia.(PG) 5.30 WIN News.
6.00 9News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls) The new couples attend their first dinner party.
9.00 Big Miracles. (Mam) TV presenter Angie Kent undergoes egg collection surgery. Ilina must face the prospect of more surgery to remove endometriosis.
10.00 9News Late.
10.30 Casualty 24/7. (Mm, R) Follows staff and patients at a hospital.
11.30 The Equalizer. (MA15+v, R)
12.15 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
1.05 Your Next Cruise. (R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
2.30 Global Shop. (R)
3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)
4.30 A Current Affair. (R)
5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
TEN (5, 10)
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer.
6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 Australian Survivor. (PGl) A group of 24 Australian castaways battles it out on the beaches of Samoa to become the sole survivor.
9.00 Elsbeth. (Ma) Elsbeth and Kaya investigate a rising tennis star and his competitive father and coach after a world champion drops dead.
10.00 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mv) Sam asks Tennant for a favour. 10.55 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 11.20 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news. 12.25 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings. 6am WorldWatch.
9GEM (81, 92)
10.00 Front Up 2001. 12.05pm WorldWatch. 12.35 Hudson & Rex. 2.15 Unknown Amazon. 3.10 Fashionista. 3.20 The Weekly Football Wrap. 3.50 WorldWatch. 5.50 The Fast History Of. 6.15 The Machines That Built America. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 MOVIE: Interview With The Vampire. (1994, MA15+) 10.45 MOVIE: The Vault. (2021, M) 12.55am Late Programs. 6am TBA. 6.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30 Harry’s Practice. 8.00 Million Dollar Minute. 9.00 Surf Patrol. 9.30 NBC Today. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 Weekender. 2.30 Air Crash Inv. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Surf Patrol. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Heartbeat. 8.45 The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. 10.45 Late Programs. 6am Danger Man. 7.00 Creflo
7MATE (64, 73) SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 2pm Kairakau. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Waabiny Time. 3.25 Little J And Big Cuz. 3.35 Spartakus. 4.05 Cities Of Gold. 4.35 Motown Magic. 5.00 Our Stories. 5.30 Living Black. 6.00 Bamay. 6.30 News. 6.40 Great Blue Wild. 7.30 Great Australian Walks. 8.30 Island Echoes With Nornie Bero. 9.00 MOVIE: One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. (1975, MA15+) 11.20 Late Programs. NITV (34)
9GO! (82, 93) 6am
Without A Clue. Continued. (1988, PG) 7.00 Minari. (2020, PG, Korean) 9.10 3 Days In Quiberon. (2018, PG, French) 11.20 My Zoe. (2019, M) 1.15pm After The Storm. (2016, PG, Japanese) 3.25 Krull. (1983, PG) 5.40 Princess Caraboo. (1994, PG) 7.30 The Big Chill. (1983, M) 9.30 Oskars Kleid. (2022, M, German) 11.25 Swan Song. (2021, M) 1.25am From The Vine. (2019, M) 3.10 Late Programs.
Ministries. 7.30 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. 8.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. 10.30 Pointless. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 1.50 New Tricks. 3.00 Antiques Roadshow. 3.30 MOVIE: Billy Liar. (1963, PG) 5.30 Our Yorkshire Farm. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 To The Manor Born. 8.30 Midsomer Murders. 10.30 The Closer. 11.30 Late Programs.
7TWO (62, 72) SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 5.35pm Fireman Sam. 5.45 Hey Duggee. 5.55 Paddington. 6.05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 The Deep. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 Little Lunch. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 Doctor Who. 10.05 Merlin. 10.50 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. Noon Motor Racing. ABB FIA Formula E World C’ship. 1.00 Bewitched. 1.30 I Dream Of Jeannie. 2.00 The Golden Girls. 2.30 The Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 The Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 I Dream Of Jeannie. 6.00 The Golden Girls. 6.30 The Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: RoboCop 2. (1990, MA15+) 10.45 Seinfeld. 11.45 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Storage Wars. 10.30 American Resto. 11.00 American Pickers. Noon Pawn Stars. 1.00 Outback Truckers. 3.00 Billy The Exterminator. 3.30 Counting Cars. 4.30 Storage Wars. 5.00 American Resto. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Highway Patrol. 8.30 The Force: Behind The Line. 9.30 World’s Wildest Police Videos. 10.30 World’s Scariest Police Chases. 11.30 Late Programs.
Thursday, February 20
ABC TV (2) SBS (3)
6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Foreign Correspondent. (R) 10.30 Back Roads. (PG, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 The Newsreader. (Ml, R) 2.00 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (R) 4.15 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Finland From Above. 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 The Abyss: The Rise And Fall Of The Nazis. (PGa, R) 3.00 Where Are You Really From? (PG, R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Secrets Of Royal Gardens. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 7.30.
8.00 Back Roads: Kangaroo Island, South Australia. (PG) Paul West visits Kangaroo Island.
8.30 Sue Perkins’ Big Adventure: Paris To Istanbul. (PGn) Sue Perkins visits Strasbourg and Munich.
9.20 Grand Designs: Sydenham Hill. (Final, R) Hosted by Kevin McCloud.
10.10 The Role Of A Lifetime. (PG, R)
10.55 ABC Late News.
11.10 The Business. (R) 11.30 Miriam Margolyes Almost Australian. (Final, Ml, R) 12.25 Grand Designs. (R) 1.15 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 2.05 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.40 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 The Deep. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 8.00
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Finding Your Roots: Buried Secrets. (PG) 8.30 Scotland’s Poshest Train: Alan Cumming. (PG) Alan Cumming’s trip continues.
9.30 MOVIE: Boiling Point. (2021, MA15+dl, R) A head chef’s life balances on a knife’s edge. Stephen Graham. 11.15 SBS World News Late. 11.45 Golden Boy. (Mdln) 12.35 The Allegation. (MA15+av, R) 2.30 Earth’s Natural Wonders. (PGa, R) 3.25 Employable Me (USA) (Ma, R) 4.15 Peer To Peer. (PG, R) 4.45 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (PGa, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
(6, 7)
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 MOVIE: Bad Romance: The Vicky White Story. (2023, Masv) Wendi McLendon-Covey. 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Dana nurses fresh heartbreak.
8.30 MOVIE: Mamma Mia! (2008, PGls, R) A young woman invites three of her mother’s former boyfriends to her upcoming wedding on a Greek island, to determine which of the trio is her father and have him escort her down the aisle on her big day. Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Colin Firth. 10.50 To Be Advised.
12.30 Damnation. (MA15+asv) Creeley divides the farmers.
1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Married At First Sight. (Mls, R) 1.30 Mr Mayor. (PGs, R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.00[MELB]TippingPointAustralia.(PG)
5.30
6.00 9News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 RBT. (Mdl) Follows the activities of police units.
8.30 Emergency. (Mlm) Dr David Sparkhall fears the worst as he takes the tourniquet off a handyman’s blood-soaked arm.
9.30 A+E After Dark. (Malm) The Birmingham, Norwich and Maidstone A&E teams face intense challenges.
10.30 9News Late.
11.00 Resident Alien. (Malv)
11.50 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
12.40 Pointless. (PG, R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 Gogglebox Australia. (Return) Opinionated viewers discuss TV shows. 8.30 The Graham Norton Show. Graham Norton is joined by guests including Renée Zellweger, Leo Woodall, Sterling K. Brown and Anthony Mackie. 9.40 Law & Order: SVU. (MA15+a, R) As the squad celebrates Rollins and Carisi’s baby, a child goes missing in broad daylight. 10.40 10’s
Passengers to scientists, take a trip to Antarctica
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A group of scientists selected by Viking’s academic partners, the University of Cambridge’s Scott Polar Research Institute and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, are on board every journey, providing lectures, advice and insight to guests in areas such as biology, botany, geology, glaciology, oceanography, ornithology.
This diverse group of experts lead guests through meaningful scientific work, provide guiding and interpretation during shore excursions and deliver world-class lectures.
Viking and its Viking Expedition Team published the company’s first scientific paper in 2022 following observations of the rarely encountered ‘scyphozoan Stygiomedusa gigantea’, commonly known as the giant phantom jellyfish.
Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen said in creating ‘the thinking person’s expedition,’ it was their intention that every voyage should provide opportunities for scientific discovery,
“At the core of Viking Expeditions is the goal to do meaningful scientific work,“ he said.
“After just one full season in service, our expedition vessels and scientists have already contributed to research that might not have beenpossibleotherwise,andwelookforwardto providing critical research opportunities on future voyages.”
Previous encounters with the giant phantom jellyfish have taken place during submersible dives in the coastal waters of the Antarctic Peninsula. Despite reaching up to 30 feet (10 meters) in length, only 126 encounters with these jellyfish have ever been recorded since the species was first described in 1910.
During Viking’s inaugural season in Antarctica in 2022, direct observations of the giant phantom jellyfish were made three times from submersibles deployed from Viking’s ex-
pedition vessel, the Viking Octantis and documented through stills and video photography.
In May 2024, Viking announced its latest scientific advancement on board the company’s expedition fleet with the addition of realtime environmental DNA (eDNA) sequencing of phytoplankton.
The phytoplankton was genetically sequenced at sea for the first time with scientific support from UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI).
The PCR lab on board the Viking Octantis has been converted into an advanced scientific environment where visiting scientists contributing to the Genomics at Sea Program (GASP) and are able to monitor the environmental impact on phytoplankton without the need to transport samples to a distant shoreside facility.
This marks a significant milestone in marine research and exploration, as Viking becomes the first travel company to support real-time environmental genetic sequencing capabilities on board its vessels.
In March 2024, Viking announced its expedition team supported the discovery of a new colony of chinstrap penguins not previously known to science on Diaz Rock, near Astrolabe Island, in Antarctica.
ThefindingtookplaceinJanuary2024when Viking Octantis visited Astrolabe, a three-milelong island, located in the Bransfield Strait of the Trinity Peninsula in Antarctica.
Astrolabe Island is home to a colony of chinstrap penguins that had not been surveyed since 1987. During the visit, Viking’s scientific partner, ‘Oceanites’, the leading field research entity in Antarctic penguin monitoring, conducted a visual and thermal aerial survey.
The fieldwork documented the first survey in nearly forty years of the known chinstrap penguin colony of Astrolabe Island and in the process, discovered the additional colony on Diaz Rock.
Those who wish to discover the wonders of Antarctica can travel on one of Viking’s expedition ships, which have been designed so guests can explore some of the world’s most pristine destinations in comfort while maxi-
mising viewing in these spectacular locations. Passengers will be able to view the experience from the Aula, a stunning panoramic auditorium inspired by the University of Oslo’s famed ceremonial hall. The Aula features a 4k laser-projected screen that retracts to expose floor-to-ceiling windows and 270-degree views.
The Finse Terrace is an outdoor lounge area just above sea level with recessed, heated couches and lava rock ‘firepits,’ designed to allow guests the comforts of the ship while enjoying the dramatic scenery.
While the Bow is an important forwardviewing platform with the option to retreat to the Shelter, even the Nordic Spa has floor-toceiling windows so you can relax in the hydrotherapy pool and never miss a thing. Every stateroom features a Nordic Balcony, a first for polar expedition vessels, the sunroom converts into an al fresco viewing platform with an observation shelf at elbow level to stabilize binoculars or a camera.
For more information please visit www.viking.com or call (AU) 138 747)
Viking provide the watercraft and expertise to ensure a trip to Antarctica is a once in a lifetime experience.
LEE MCCARTHY
The Polar Citizen Science Collective aboard Viking
The Polar Citizen Science Collective creates opportunities for research and public education through citizen science, leveraging the reach of polar travellers to enhance understanding and protection of the polar regions.
High costs and the complexity of access to the polar regions are often prohibitive to Arctic and Antarctic research however Viking (cruises) have two purpose-built expedition ships and have partnered with The Polar Collective to support a range of projects that have been selected to fit into the unique modes of tourism operations in the polar regions.
Viking hold a provisional membership with the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) and Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO).
The team work closely with these leading organizations to ensure they employ best travel practices, promote awareness, support scientific research, and protect the fragile ecosystems and environments in which we travel
The Polar Collective actively supports a series of citizen science projects including the Secchi Disk Study, Happywhale, Globe Clouds, Southern Ocean Seabird Surveys, Aurorasaurus and Antarctic Snow Algae Study.
The Secchi Disk study is a global citizen science study of marine phytoplankton, launched in 2013 and it has so far, resulted in over 3,000 observations from around the world.
The project can easily be done from a small Zodiac-style boat or yacht where the clarity of the water is measured by identifying the Secchi Depth. This is an indication of phytoplankton abundance.
The aim is to use the collaborative power of citizen scientists to increase the data collected from the oceans to compare to historical Secchi Disk data. This will help expand the Secchi Disk study’s long-term dataset enabling scientists to better understand changes in the ocean’s phytoplankton.
Happywhale was launched in 2015 and is a platform collecting photos of marine mammals taken by citizen scientists from all over the world for photo-ID purposes.
So far the program has recorded over 220,000 whale encounters from over 9,000 participants worldwide, with over 5,300 individual cetaceans identified in the Antarctic and 1,400 in the Arctic.
Photos submitted to Happywhale are shared with a large network of researchers to improve
understanding of marine mammals. The images provide valuable information on, for example, whale migration patterns and population status.
The Globe Clouds project was launched in 1994 and compares cloud observations taken by citizen scientists from the ground to information retrieved from satellites.
So far, more than one million cloud observations have been reported from all over the world, yet observations from the polar regions are still limited with only a 1,000 submissions to date.
Clouds are powerful agents of global change and play a large role in influencing local weather as well as controlling the planet’s long-term climate. Even small changes in the abundance, location or type of clouds can impact Earth’s climate and weather.
The Southern Ocean Seabird Surveys were launched in 2015 and are studying the distribution of birds at sea.
So far, hundreds of observations from the Southern Ocean and Antarctica have been
gathered to add to the existing collection of bird data from around the world in the eBird database.
The project is building a long-term ecological monitoring program of seabirds in the Southern Ocean and along the Antarctic Peninsula. These recordings help researchers understand how birds use oceanic habitat, to discover new details about the lives of these remote species, and ultimately how their behaviour and populations might be changing as a result of climate change.
Aurorasaurus is an award-winning project tracking auroras around the world via reports on its website and on Twitter. Using aurorarelated tweets and reports, it generates a realtime, global map of the Northern Lights.
Citizen scientists can also log in and verify the tweets. Each verified tweet and report serve as valuable data point for scientists to analyse and incorporate into space weather models.
The Antarctic Snow Algae Study aims to create a baseline database documenting the temporal and spatial occurrence of snow algae
along the Antarctic Peninsula.
Snow algae plays a significant role in the environment by increasing the absorption of sunlight leading to an enhanced melting of snow. There is strong evidence that warming Antarctic temperatures may be intensifying their growth.
Researchers often rely on satellite images to monitor snow algae, but clouds in the Antarctic sky frequently inhibit clear images.
Akvaplan-niva scientists are engaged in cross-disciplinary research programs on water related issues. On the Viking ships, Ferry Boxes are installed to sample sea and lake water to provide continuous information about oxygen levels, temperature, salinity and other data.
The ships is also equipped with Kongsberg Multibeam sonar which allows us to map the lake/seabed.
To learn more about the exciting opportunities available on Viking and with The Polar Citizen Science Collective visit www.viking.com or phone (AU) 138 747.
Viking guests cross country skiing in Antarctica.
LEE MCCARTHY
The special ops and zodiac hanger on Viking Octantis offers guests a much more inclusive holiday in Antarctica.
Scientists on board Viking provide lectures, advice and insight and the Viking Octantis is equipped with an onboard laboratory.
EUROPEAN SOJOURN
Amsterdam to Bucharest or vice versa
23 DAYS | 8 COUNTRIES | 19 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: OCT 2025; APR-OCT 2026; 2027
From $13,995pp in Standard Stateroom
From $19,295pp in Veranda Stateroom
GRAND EUROPEAN TOUR
Amsterdam to Budapest or vice versa
15 DAYS | 4 COUNTRIES | 12 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: APR-NOV 2025; MAR-NOV 2026; APR-NOV 2027
From $9,295pp in Standard Stateroom
From $13,795pp in Veranda Stateroom
Enjoy free flight offers with selected river, ocean or expedition voyages, valued up to AU$2,400 per person. Plus AU$500 shipboard credit with any ocean and expedition booking. Available for a limited time only, offers end 31 March 2025.
PASSAGE TO EASTERN EUROPE
Bucharest to Budapest or vice versa
11 DAYS | 5 COUNTRIES | 8 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: MAY-NOV 2025; MAR-NOV 2026; 2027
From $7,895pp in Standard Stateroom
From $9,395pp in Veranda Stateroom
BAMBERG, GERMANY
Rottnest Island offers many unique and diverse experiences. A 90-minute tour around the island takes you to some of Rottnest’s most spectacular locations including the Wadjemup Lighthouse and the rugged West End.
Enjoy an unforgettable Australian adventure on board the mighty Indian Pacific as it travels the longest stretch of straight railway track in the world. This is a truly remarkable journey that will leave you with memories to cherish forever.
Tours
Your holiday includes
All-Inclusive Rail Journey
3 night all-inclusive rail journey on board the Indian Pacific from Sydney to Perth with all meals, fine wines, and beverages
8 Nights | August - December 2025 | Prices fr $5,399pp^
Embark on an epic transcontinental adventure in regal style on board the Indian Pacific train before spending five nights in Perth.
In Sydney, you’ll board the magnificent Indian Pacific for your all-inclusive transcontinental voyage. Encased in luxury, you’ll savour all-inclusive dining in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant, relax in your private cabin with en-suite and Off Train Experiences as you steam across the country along the world’s longest straight stretch of railway. You’ll pass through the Blue Mountains and the Nullarbor Plain before disembarking in Perth.
During your five-night hotel stay you’ll relish the opportunity to explore this fabulous city through a series of included tours. Enjoy a 48hr Hop-On-Hop-Off bus pass, and journey around the sights of the Central Business District. Discover Fremantle, and explore Rottnest Island, a province of natural beauty and wildlife including the famous quokkas.
Off Train Experience and short stop in Broken Hill, Adelaide, Cook and Rawlinna
Hotel Stay
5 night four-star stay in Perth at the Crowne Plaza Perth, an IHG Hotel with breakfast
Discover Rottnest Island tour including ferry transfer and Swan River Cruise
Half Day Perth & Fremantle Tour
48 hour Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Pass
All Flights, Taxes and Transfers+
Sydney, Perth Your itinerary
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 Geelong Independent Community Calendar, 1/47 Pakington Street, Geelong West, 3218, or email to editorial@geelongindependent.com.au. Deadline for copy and announcements is 5pm Tuesday.
Austrian Club Geelong
Opening cabaret on February 23 from noon to 5pm, featuring Tony Rebeiro and The Bureau, $20 or $15 for members, meals and drinks available. 240 Plantation Road, Corio.
Karl Gramms, 0412 205 714
Geelong and District Budgerigar Club
Annual Diploma and Unbroken Cap (baby birds) Show on Sunday, February 16, in the Hall of Agriculture at the Geelong Showgrounds, from 10.30am-2pm. This is a FREE event, and the public are most welcome.
Karen, 0439 558 168
Belly dance classes
Beginner level, great exercise for mind and body, Tuesdays 1.30pm, $8, Life Activities Club- Geelong Inc (LACG INC), Belmont Park Pavillion, Barrabool Rd, Belmont.
Glenys, 0400 214 897
Bellarine Country Music Group
Friday nights at Belmont Park Pavilion, music 7pm. Entry $12 all welcome.
Free Events at Ocean Grove Library
•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.
Free Event at Leopold Library
First time novelist Geoff Parkes in conversation with D L Hick, February 27, 6pm, Leopold Library.
4201 0675
GROW Australia
Community organisation offering practical steps and peer support to help recover and maintain mental health through free face to face and online groups. Mondays 7pm, 195 Ormond Road, East Geelong, Fridays 12.45pm, Vines Road Community Centre, Hamlyn Heights, Zoom group 7pm Tuesdays.
Laughter Club Geelong Saturdays 9am, Eastern Beach in front of the swimming enclosure. 30-minutes free laughter yoga done standing or seated.
0418 521 265
Drysdale Day VIEW
Fourth Friday of each month at Portarlington Golf Club for lunch.
Margaret, 0431 636 090
Geelong Day VIEW
First Monday monthly from 11am at Eastern Hub, East Geelong.
geelongdayview@gmail.com
Leopold VIEW
Second Tuesday of each month at Leopold Sportsmans’ Club at 10.30am.
leopold.viewclub@gmail com
Geelong Evening VIEW
Third Monday of the month, 6pm at Waurn Ponds Hotel.
Von, 0414 930 259, or geelongeveningview@gmail.com
Chess
Group chess lessons at Geelong West. Suitable for beginners who have a reasonably firm understanding of the game rules. Kids and adults welcome.
Isaac, isaacsmith5603@gmail.com or 0406 199 457
Running against the sunset
Nearly 2000 runners took over Portarlington and St Leonards during the the Flying Brick Sunset Run’s 21km half-marathon, 10km run and 4km Bully Buster races. Independent photographer Ivan Kemp dropped by on Saturday, February 8, to catch all the action during the event’s 10th year.
Lions Club International Enjoy meeting great people and help out your community at the same time. Clubs all over greater Geelong - see which one is right for you.
Les, 0428 466 446
Grovedale Marshall Probus
Second Thursday of the month,10am at The Grovedale Hub, 45 Heyers Road, Grovedale.
Anne, 0425 356 973
Community kitchen
Do you enjoy cooking or want to learn cooking and budgeting skills with a small group of like-minded people in your community? Are you interested in volunteering to facilitate a Community Kitchen?
healthycommunities@barwonhealth.org. au
Croquet
Drysdale Bowling & Croquet Club, Clifton Springs Road, Tuesdays from 10am for training, bring a friend.
0428 740 591
Barefoot bowls
Bareena Bowling Club, Newtown, Friday twilight starting 6pm. $15 covers bowls and BBQ. Drinks at Crackerjack bar prices.
Wendy, 0401 221 061
Hayley and Gary Richert with their children Ava and Oscar. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 458195
Rafael Butterifs, winner of the boys section of the Bully Busters run, with his medal.
Sage Capuani, winner of the girls section of the Bully Busters run, with her medal.
Felicity Kavanagh and Alex complete the 4km run.
Hudson, after completing the Bully Busters run.
Scott Krakour wins the men’s section of the 10km run.
Mikhaila Remilton wins the women’s section of the 10km run.
Bringing untold stories to the fore
Geelong actor and creative producer
Laura Jane Turner stars in new show
Our Monster’s Name is Jerry at Theatre Works in St Kilda this month. They spoke to Matt Hewson about becoming an artist, finding oneself and creativity in the Geelong region.
Growing up in Freemans Reach, New South Wales, Laura Jane Turner didn’t decide they wanted to be an actor, not in thesensethatonedecidesoneitherthechicken or the beef.
It was a path that revealed itself; “It’s kind of in your blood, in your DNA”.
“If you ask my family, they’ll say that I’ve always been very performative, very theatrical from the moment I could express, whether facially, vocally, whatever it would be,” Laura said.
“I grew up very creative; I always loved to express myself, putting on performances at home with my teddies, or rollerblade shows in the carport for my whole family to watch.
“In regional New South Wales I went to a very small school that had a passionate drama department but not a lot of resources.”
Nevertheless, when they discovered at age 12 that studying acting at university was a possibility, nothing else was on the table.
“FromthatdayonIpromisedmyselfIwould do anything to make it happen, to get into drama school,” Laura said.
“Then when I moved to Queensland (in year 11) I ended up in this huge school with an incredibly resourced performing arts department.
“There was a teacher there that really saw how passionate I was and would collaborate with me to create short films. They kind of pushed me to take it more seriously.
“I didn’t get (into drama school) for the first two years that I auditioned, but then on the third attempt I got into VCA (Victorian College of the Arts), packed up my whole life and drove across two states.”
The decision to transplant themselves to Victoria in 2011 - alone and with little experience of living independently - was one Laura might not have made today.
“I think about it now as a mid-thirties adult who would probably weigh up the consequences a little more and go, whoa, that’s really risky,” they said.
“But as a 20-year-old, I was like, of course, that’s my dream, that’s what I’m doing, I’m not even second-guessing it. So I packed up the car with everything that would fit, I had 50 bucks to my name, and drove away.
“It was one of the best and most challenging
‘‘ It’s about amplifying lived experiences and joy for folks that aren’t necessarily heteronormative ’’
- Laura Jane Turner
things I’ve ever experienced, and I’m so grateful for it.”
Laura quickly found a community in Melbourne. Moreover, their experience in the creative and exploratory space of university began a process of self-discovery and actualisation that continues to inform their artistic practice to this day.
“Drama school is incredibly transformative and an incredible privilege to experience, but it also reshapes you in a way where sometimes it can take you some time to rediscover who you are and to find your own voice in the creative space,” they said.
“I was very lucky, I had some really exciting opportunities out of drama school. But once it quietened down a bit I had to reflect on what projects I wanted to do, what stories I wanted to be a part of telling and how I wanted to tell them.”
New gothic suburban horror Our Monster’s Name is Jerry is one such story.
Laura plays Maud, one half of a young queer couple struggling with money after multiple unsuccessful rounds of IVF.
However, financial relief seems to be on the horizon when Maud is bequeathed a house in her home town. There is just one catch; she must live in the house for a year. Well, two catches; the house is haunted by a monster named Jerry.
Maud and partner Lou must not only grapplewiththechallengesofmoney,griefand the anxiety of potentially becoming parents, but also contend with the shapeshifting Jerry, who can appear as whatever you fear the most.
Laura said not only is the play “one of the most exciting projects” they’ve ever been involved in, it also aligns with the intention of their artistic practice more broadly.
“Art is so transformative, whether it’s visual, music, theatre, film, drawing, whatever; it has so much power to change the way people see the world,” they said.
“And with the stories I tell, I want to be amplifying voices that have historically been silenced. I came out as queer in 2020 and then asnon-binaryin2022,sothat’sdefinitelyatthe forefront of the stories I want to be involved with.
“ThelackofrepresentationthatIsawgrowing up,particularlyinmyregionaltown,absolutely impacted that delay in me discovering and feeling comfortable with who I am.
“I’m not sure who said it, but if you can see it, you can be it. It’s about amplifying lived experiences and joy for folks that aren’t
necessarily heteronormative and mightn’t fit that traditionalist ideology of what a person is and how one should live their life.”
To that end, in 2017 Laura founded F Word Films, which produces stories led by women and gender-diverse people.
Having been based in Geelong since 2018, Laura said they were excited to see the continued growth of the “hub of creative minds” in the region.
“I love Geelong, I think it’s so beautiful and the locations around here are just stunning,” they said.
“I feel a lot of calm when I’m around water, so I love being able to go for sunrise walks along the beach, and every time I have to drive throughtownIgothelongway,nearthewater.
“In terms of creativity, I’ve been really lucky to collaborate with Platform Arts and Geelong Rep, and more and more exciting works are coming to Geelong Arts Centre. It’s such a gorgeous venue and I think it’s going to continue growing, especially with the development that’s happening along the waterfront.
“I think over the next few years we’re going to start seeing the arts sector really take off, which is exciting because there are so many creative people in Geelong, the Bellarine and the Surf Coast.”
Our Monster’s Name is Jerry is at Theatre Works, St Kilda from February 14 to 22.
Laura Jane Turner. (Pictures: Alex Vaughan)
Laura Jane Turner in starred in 2016 short film Curve. (Tim Egan)
Out and about
People flocked to the Geelong Waterfront on Wednesday, February 12, as the temperature reached a high of 33 degrees Celsius. Independent photographer Ivan Kemp went along to capture people enjoying some fun in the sun.
1/ Jamie Solar with her daughter Jia and Amba Rowley with her daughter Maggie. 2/ Deakin resident students, Charlotte Cotter, Regina Cannon, Alice Phillips, Abbey Nicholls and Ellie Meggitt. 3/ Maddy O’Brien, her dad, Paul O’Brien and Lee Purdy with Ziggy. 4/ Paul Bucci. 5/ Alyce Matthies wit5h her daughters Sophie and Lily. 6/ Lauren Cambridge and Rebecca Moorfoot on a training walk. 7/ Sarah Fiolet with her son Jonathon. 8/ Sue and Cath. 9/ Cathy and Rob Davis. 10/ Amy Kelly with Lady and Lauren Klinger with Kobi. 11/ Ebony Davie with her sons Arlo and Landon. 12/ Katelyn and Beau Bennett with baby Remi and Charlie. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 459072
PUZZLES
To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.
ACROSS
1 Liquid part of blood (6)
4 Roma is its capital (6)
10 Part of flower’s calyx (5)
11 Banishment (9)
12 Fine ceramic material (9)
13 Designer, Calvin – (5)
14 Give up (6)
15 Immediate (4)
19 Mode of travel (4)
20 Reduce to very low temperature (6)
24 Handling (5)
25 Books of memoranda (9)
27 Area of England, historically the ‘Middle Saxons’ (9)
28 Perch (5)
29 Teutonic (6)
30 Essay on a theme (6)
DOWN
1 Document for travel (8)
2 Seeming (8)
3 People of Malta (7)
5 Detective (7)
6 Wait around idly (6)
7 Intending (6)
8 Scottish island (4)
9 Filmmaker, – Kubrick (7)
16 Testimony (7)
17 Poisonous (8)
18 Internet pages (7)
19 Insignia of royalty (7)
21 Comeback (7)
22 A spice (6)
23 Auction participant (6)
26 Written words (4)
The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”.
1 What colour is the five-pointed star and the crescent of the Algerian flag?
2 Kristin Chenoweth (pictured) played Annabeth Schott in the final two seasons of which US TV series?
3 The 2022 film Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is an adaptation of which author's work?
4 In which country would you find the Trevi Fountain?
5 Which artist wrote and performed the songs You OughtaKnow and Ironic?
6 How many countries are the Alps in?
7 In what year did the Summer of Love occur?
8 The Russian Imperial State Duma was introduced by who?
9 Sofia is the capital of which European country?
10 Raven-Symoné's first TV acting role was on which US sitcom?
No. 256
No. 224
MOTOR
Ford Ranger Tremor goes off-road
By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring
Ranger has been kind to Ford.
Released in 2022, clever marketing has seen the current model become Australia’s best selling ute.
Along with plenty of eye candy, that strategy includes a seemingly endless stream of grades and special editions of which the Tremor is one. As we speak there are nine different grades from which to choose and a warehouse full of options to make it yours.
Even the Ranger’s SUV counterpart, Ford Everest is starting to gain some traction in a highly competitive section of the market.
Inanutshell,Tremor(nicenamebytheway)is a cut-price version of the Ranger Wildtrak X and like the Wildtrak X it is targeted at the off-road enthusiast. Competitors include the Nissan Navara Warrior and Mazda BT-50 Thunder.
Styling
Ranger is large, at just over 5.4 metres long, 2.2 metres wide and 1.9 metres high, with a 3270mm wheelbase and 12.9-metre turning circle. Its sheer size can be a problem when it comes to parking and negotiating city streets, not to mention turning around and threading the ute between trees and so forth off road.
Prices for Ranger start from $36,880 plus on-roads for the barebones 4×2 XL single cab chassis with a 2.0-litre turbo diesel and an auto.
But the so-called 4×4 sport utilities attract the most attention, starting with Sport, XLT and Wildtrak - at $66,140, $63,640 and $69,640.
Then there’s the petrol-powered Raptor (yes, petrol powered) which sits well above them all, with a breathtaking price tag of $90,440 - plus on-roads of course.
While Wildtrak X was based on the Wildtrak, the Tremor is based on the lower echelon Sport, but both offer the same enhanced capabilities.
Up to 1150 Tremors will be built, priced from $69,690 plus on-roads - hardly budget-friendly?
Released early 2023, Wildtrak X was priced at $75,990.
Working out exactly what you get for your hard-earned dough is no easy task.
Tremor has all the features of the Sport Double-Cab 2.0L Bi-Turbo 4×4 model, with a long list of following additions including: full-time 4WD, 17-inch Asphalt Black alloy wheels, General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres, 30mm increase in track, Trail Turn Assist and Trail Control, rock crawl Drive Mode, Tremor badging and styling Tremor-embossed vinyl seats, front and rear black Ford oval badges and option of Conquer Grey paint, Tremor branded all-weather front and rear floor mats, overhead auxiliary switch bank for aftermarket accessories, honeycomb grille with auxiliary grille LED lights, 2.3mm steel front bash plate, cast aluminium side steps and extended sports bar.
Tremor is available in a range of six exterior colours. White is standard, the other five are a
Wildtrak X, comes another special edition Ranger — the off-road focused Tremor. (Supplied)
$700 option.
OurtestvehiclewasfinishedinConquerGrey.
You are probably aware that Ranger and the Volkswagen Amarok are twins under the skin, so it might be worth having a look at dual cab Amarok prices $55,490 for the 2.0 TDI405 Core through to the petrol or diesel Adventura for $82,990.
The Amarok might look a bit different, but is very similar inside.
Hilux, now in its eighth generation, dates back to 2015 and is starting to look a little dated.
Choose your poison.
Standard kit includes 17-inch alloys, vinyl seat trim,two-zoneclimate,power-adjustdriverseat, side steps, LED head, tail and daytime running lights, electric parking brake, keyless entry and start, auto lights and wipers, auto high beam, speed sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, auto dimming rear view mirror and front and rear parking sensors.
Thetubcomeswithalight,tie-downs,drop-in tray liner and 400W power outlet.
Tremor is covered by a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, roadside assistance if you get it serviced by Ford and a pre-paid service plan is available at a cost of $1200 for the first four general services for up to four years or 60,000km.
Service intervals are 12 months or 15,000km.
Infotainment
Tremor scores a smaller 10.1-inch portrait touchscreen and 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster, with Bluetooth, voice control, built-in satnav with 12-month connected navigation services, DAB+ digital radio, both wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six-speaker audio plus wireless phone charging. There’s USB A + C ports front, a 12 volt outlet in the console box and a 400W AC outlet at the rear of the console.
FordPassappallowsyoutoviewvehiclestatus.
Safety
Tremor scores a five-star safety rating with a rear view camera and nine airbags, including driver and passenger knee airbags along with the latest centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes.
There’s also Autonomous Emergency Braking w/ Junction Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring with Cross Traffic Alert and Trailer Coverage, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Centring, Lane Keeping System with Road Edge Detection and Driver Alert System.
There are two top tether and two ISOFix child seat anchors.
Engines/transmissions
Tremor is powered by a 2.0-litre twin turbo diesel that delivers 154kW of power at 3750 rpm and 500Nm of torque between 1750-2000 rpm.
With a 10-speed automatic transmission, it comes with a so-called ‘full-time’ four-wheel drive, but in fact most of the time drive is directed to the rear wheels.
Only if you select the 4H Auto setting will drive be directed to all four wheels, but only if and when required - until then it remains two-wheel drive. That’s not necessarily a bad thing because two-wheel drive produces better fuel consumption. Turning four wheels requires more effort.
Driving
Suspension is independent at front with traditional leaf springs at the rear, but the shocks are mounted outside the chassis rails, which helps to reduce sideways movement.
Brakes are ventilated discs front and rear, which is great news, while this model is fitted with chunky off-road rubber.
A full-size alloy spare is provided.
The all important tub measures 1464mm in length, 1520mm wide and 525mm deep, with 1217mm between wheel arches.
A step is cleverly located either side of the rear bumper to facilitate access, but simply reaching in is not feasible.
This particular grade is rated to carry a 937kg payloadandofcourseitcantowa3500kgbraked trailer.
Upgrades include shielded heavy duty power steering.
New springs and dampers, together with 17-inch wheels and chunky General Grabber AT3 265/70 series rubber boost ground clearance 26mm to 260mm. That’s 12mm shy of range-topping Raptor. Wading depth is 800mm.
The setup includes premium heavy duty Bilstein shocks and increases the track front and rear by 30mm, contributing to better stabilityboth on and off the road.
A locking rear diff is standard.
Tremor’s off-road credentials are also bolstered by three electronic aids: Trail Turn Assist, Trail Control and Rock Crawl.
Trail Turn Assist reduces the turning radius by applying brakes to the inside rear wheel in tight situations (but it’s not available with the diff locked).
Off-roading capability is further enhanced with the inclusion of a Rock Crawl drive mode and Trail Control.
Trail Control is a kind off-road cruise control that can take control of acceleration and braking at low speed.
Rock Crawl drive mode provides optimal slow-speed traction and momentum on loose and rocky surfaces.
There’s no doubting Ranger is an impressive ute,butwecan’tunderstandthefamilyattraction when an SUV would be more comfortable and even better off road.
To get the best out of a ute you really need to jack them up and that creates problems when it comes to getting in and out, not to mention the effect it has on handling and steering geometry.
Tremor rides a bit higher, but in the end its length and long overhanging tail are limiting factors, together with things like the side steps and rigid plastic mudflaps which are easily damaged.
Sand and moderately rough fire trails should present no problems, but after that you might want to exercise some caution.
Even the 26mm lift makes getting in and out of the ute more difficult and this becomes apparent stretching with your foot to find the ground. The ride is also noticeably firmer thanks to the suspension changes and all-terrain tyres compared to the Platinum version we drove previously.
It becomes jiggly over smaller bumps in the road and occupants may find themselves reaching for something to hold onto when it comes to corners.
Throttle response from the 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel is strong, with very little turbo lag, but tends to become a little jerky on and off the accelerator.
Out on the open road however the ute cruises smoothly and easily.
Steering is light around town but weights up nicely at speed, with plenty of communication for the driver.
The cabin is trimmed in vinyl water-resistant upholstery, with all weather mats which might be practical but are also cheap.
The start button occupies what was the key barrel on the steering column and takes some getting used to.
The stubby transmission lever is a pain in the butt. You need to release the transmission with your middle finger and changing between drive and reverse requires some precision.
Small thumb switches on the side of the lever are provided to change gears manually. They work okay, but again some accuracy is required. We found ourselves mistakenly clicking the thumb switches to move the car into drive or reverse. Change paddles would be a lot easier. Raptor gets paddles.
A round four-wheel drive selector is located at the rear of the centre console, with 2H, 4H, 4H Auto and 4L settings.
There’s also settings for Normal, Eco, tow/ Haul, Slippery, Mud/Ruts and Sand and Rock Crawl.
The big touchscreen has plenty of room for Android Auto, but the smaller width reduces the size of the map.
We guess the boffins had to put something at thebottomofthescreen,buttheair-concontrols simply replicate the physical right below them. That makes no kind of sense.
With an 80-litre tank, fuel consumption is rated at 7.2L/100km.
We were getting 9.8L after close to 400km of mixed driving including a bit of off-roading. The trip computer showed a long term average of 10.2L/100km after more than 1000km.
Summing up
Close on the heels of last year’s Wildtrak X, comes another special edition Ranger - the off-road focused Tremor.
Ford says it’s targeted at those who couldn’t afford the X, but comes with the X essentials. But if you couldn’t afford the X, it’s unlikely you’ll have the funds for the Tremor either - not at $70K plus by the time it hits the road.
Who’s kidding who? Just saying.
Close on the heels of last year’s
Great weekend for the Vic Open
The Vic Open came to the Bellarine Peninsula to celebrate its 12th year from February 6 to 9. Independent photographer Ivan Kemp was at the 13th Beach Golf Links on Saturday, February 8, to catch the men and women battle it out during the golf competition.
Paul Johnston with his daughter June.
Peter and Sharlene Whyte.
Kyle Neenan with his daughter Mila.
Peter Chappell with his children Isla and Archie.
Sarah Yamaki Branch (Qld) finished with a par 71.
Rhianna Lewis (Qld) at the top of her follow through.
Lion Higo (Qld) drives at the opening hole.
James Mee (Qld) drops this putt at the 9th hole.
Left: Caitlin Peirce (SA) follows through on her drive. Centre: Australian rookie, Amy Walsh drives from the first tee. Right: Deyen Lawson (Vic) drives at the first hole. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 454876
Hannah Reeves (Qld, amateur) drives at the first.
Magpies secure second position
By Matt Hewson
North Geelong have cemented second spot on the GCA 1 ladder with two rounds left to play afteraconvincing102-runvictoryawayagainst St Joseph’s.
The Magpies, having made 251 the week before, managed to clamp down on Joeys’ run rate despite the flat track and restrict the home side to 10/149.
The win leaves North Geelong with a mathematicalbutunlikelychanceofovertaking ladder leaders Newtown & Chilwell and out of reach of third-placed Grovedale, who lost to Highton on the weekend.
Dale Kerr (5/36) was in fine form for the Magpies in both innings, high scoring for the victorswith69runsfrom92ballslastweekand taking three early scalps to disrupt Joeys’ top order Saturday.
Opener Andrew Casey (33) was one of only two St Joseph’s players to crack 30 runs, alongside Northern Irishman Oliver Metcalfe (30).
Magpies skipper Tom Mathieson (4/31) said
Kerr’s performance was instrumental in the victory.
“We obviously weren’t in the best position probably when he came into bat (last week),” Mathieson said.
“And he hasn’t had many hits this season, so to come out and get 70-odd at just under a run a ball and get us to a defendable total was huge.
“And then with the new ball, when he’s got his tail up, down breeze, you don’t want to be facing him. He’s quick, he’s fierce, he loves to battle and to get the three early ones really set the platform.”
But Mathieson was quick to praise his entire bowling outfit, saying he and Kerr’s big wicket hauls were the result of constant pressure from all bowlers.
“We spoke after the game in our group about how Dale and I might have got the rewards, but if you look at the actual bowling figures from the rest of the group it was an all-round performance,” he said.
Despitebeingalockforsecondontheladder, Mathieson said the next two matches against South Barwon and Newtown & Chilwell were
important to have the side in good form for the finals.
“I think the team that bowls the best and the tightest will probably win finals,” he said.
“This week we’ve got South and we know the
Contenders jockey for top two spots
North Geelong are safe in second spot on the GCA 1 ladder after a win against St Joseph’s, while in the BCPA A1 Barwon Heads drew level on points with second-placed Anglesea when they defeated the Roos on Saturday. Independent photographer Ivan Kemp was at both matches to record the action.
wicket’s going to be flat… so it’s a perfect kind of ground to prepare for the finals.”
DESPITE East Belmont’s excellent first innings total of 7(d)/322, Newtown & Chilwell found a way to win at home this week and all but guarantee a top spot finish. Skipper Dylan Hodge batted through all but the last five overs oftherunchase,bowledbyStuartCarter(1/52) with 168 runs. Ronnie Mackenna also made 59 forNewtown&Chilwell,whileDylanMoroney took 3/92 for the Lions.
GROVEDALE’S hopes of a top two finish evaporated after losing to Highton by 28 runs. After making 203 last week the Tigers couldn’t hold off a determined Highton batting order, led by opener Zac Wills (54). Tejas Gupta also scored 43 for Highton, while Sam Coutts (4/59) and Rohan Smith (3/78) were the main wicket takers for Grovedale.
MATTHEW Sorgiovanni fell just short of a centuryinawinningperformanceforStPeter’s (10/285) against South Barwon (10/126). The opener went out lbw for 93 to the bowling of Nick Butters (2/50) after a solid partnership of 77 with William Ford (40).
Dale Kerr was North Geelong’s best bowler, taking 5/36.
Angus Ford edges to slips.
Top: Jaxon Mallett (38 runs) drives this Dylan Taylor delivery. Above: Tom Beasley (6/77 off 31 overs) was the star bowler for Anglesea.
Andrew Casey plays a Connor Hangar delivery.
Tom Mathieson bowled well taking 4/31.
Left to right: Jonathan Casey plays defensively.; Dylan Taylor bowled well to take 1/31 off 17 overs; Andrew Casey drives to covers; Everyone wants to play cricket. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 454877
Jaxon Mallett lofts this Tom Beasley delivery to deep mid on and is caught for 38 runs.
Junior boys tennis pennant competition tightens
It was Round 12 this week in Tennis Geelong Junior Pennant, and with three rounds left to play everyone is playing for finals position, and this is especially the case in 7 Boys.
At the start of the day Barwon Heads in sixth place were only nine points out of the four, and they closed this to seven with a win by the narrowest of margins against second placed Highton. Both teams had posted a win in their two previous encounters and this week was another great contest between two evenly matched teams.
The match was played in great spirits and the boys had fun and showed terrific sportsmanship throughout the day. The match started with doubles, and both teams took a set with Lachie Bromley and Harvey Thompson getting the first for Highton 6-4 while Sonny
Duvall and Harry McKellar gave the Heads a slight lead winning 6-2.
The singles went two each way leaving the
teams tied on sets, but the Heads finished with a one-game advantage, giving them the two points for the win and keeping them in finals contention.
Ladder leaders Surfcoast Jan Juc had their hands full when they hosted Geelong Lawn in another close encounter. Jan Juc played well in the first two singles with Tom Kemp and Nathan Long winning 6-1, 6-2, while Lawn did the same in the remaining singles with Campbell Ryan and Oliver Chudoschnik levelling the match with 6-0, 6-3 wins.
Ryan and Chudoschnik took the second doubles for Lawn 6-2, but Kemp and Long camethroughforJanJucinthefirst6-0,giving thematwogameleadwiththesetstiedat3-all.
The result leaves Jan Juc with a slightly larger lead on Highton while Lawn remain five points out of the four.
It was third versus fourth in the final match oftheround,andwithonlytwopointsbetween
BPCA finals race heats up
By Matt Hewson
Barwon Heads closed the gap on Anglesea when they chased down the Roos at RT Fuller Oval on Saturday.
Needing a total of 192 to win, the Seagulls batted patiently to reel in Anglesea despite some good bowling performances from the visitors.
The opening stand of Jaxon Mallett and Max Melzer took Barwon Heads to 67 before some excellent fielding saw Melzer run out for 43. The run chase was well under way when Mallett fell for 38 in the 35th over with the Seagulls having racked up 94 runs for just two wickets.
Tom Beasley put in a mammoth effort with the ball for the Roos, bowling 31 overs straight and finishing with 6/77, but it wasn’t enough to hold off a determined home side that reached its target after 74 overs.
Seagulls captain-coach Daniel Donaldson, who made an important 36 runs in the middle order, said despite Anglesea’s modest total the week before and a very fast outfield his side had
taken nothing for granted.
“We were pretty happy with restricting Anglesea to 191 last week after losing the toss, and they got off to a good start, they’re a very good batting unit,” Donaldson said.
“But we know that whatever score they put on the board, it’s never an easy run chase. They’ve got a formidable bowling attack and they’re very disciplined in the field. They’re relentless,desperatewiththeballanddesperate in the field.
“They can find a way to win no matter what, so we knew we were going to have our work cut out for us.”
The result puts the Seagulls equal on points withtheRoos,withbothsidesonlythreepoints behind top side Armstrong Creek.
WithonlytworoundsremainingDonaldson said he was focused on maintaining a “game-by-game mentality”.
“We’re not really looking too far forward to finals,we’vestillgottwobiggamesthatwewant to go out and win,” he said. “There is room for improvement in all three facets of the game… and we’ll definitely be going away to do that.
them and with both teams having wins at home in their previous matches, it was difficult to predict the outcome.
The match started with the doubles, and in two long sets Bannockburn prevailed with Mitchell Showler and Thomas Crossley winning a tie-break in the first while Charlie Morgan and William Crossley did the same in the second.
Bannockburn continued with their good form with Morgan and William Crossley winning their singles 6-4, 6-2, before Nate Schoenmaekers put Grovedale on the board winning his set 6-3. The final set saw Thomas Crossley get over the line in the third tie-break for the day, giving his team a 5-1 win, but by only eight games.
The win pushed Bannockburn ahead of Grovedale, and with sudden death finals for the six team section this positioning could be important once finals come around.
“I suspect we’re going to come up against Armstrong Creek or Anglesea in four weeks’ time, so whoever that may be, we’re going to have to play out of our skins to beat them.”
JAN JUC successfully chased down Drysdale’s total of 211 after losing the toss in week one. Nick Hyden finished the day unbeaten on 71 runs for the Sharks, while opener Peter Buszard scored an important half-century. Josh Inglis was Drysdale’s best bowler with 4/45.
DESPITE a slow start to the innings, Armstrong Creek made 6/188 to defeat Queenscliff (8/186) and leapfrog Anglesea to claim top spot on the BPCA A1 ladder. Ben Norgrove had the Titans’ high score with 49, MatthewKennedyfinishedwith42notoutand Tom Kidd took 3/38 for Queenscliff.
BARRABOOL had a comfortable victory againstOceanGroveatCeresReserve,eclipsing the Grubbers’ first innings total of 10/160 with 9/223. Archer Jacques made 55 not out after coming in at number nine for the home side, while Alex Man took 8/42 from his 22 overs with the ball.
Newtown and Chilwell’s Noah Tullio madethemostofhisopportunitytoearn a spot on Werribee’s Victorian Football League side.
A Werribee local, Tullio signed with the Tigers after a three week trial period where he impressed the club.
Tulliosaidbeingabletoplayattheclub that is right around the corner is pretty special. He said it was something he had thought about growing up.
“It’s pretty surreal to be honest,” he said. “It’s pretty cool.
“I was training at Port Melbourne at the time and it was just an opportunity to train closer to home.
“To play here was a no-brainer. I was training around the corner. Some of the boys are travelling for two hours and I’m five minutes down the road.“
Tullio joins the Tigers after playing with the Geelong Falcons in the Coates Talent League, where he made the Vic Country squad.
He played his juniors at Werribee Districts before joining Geelong Football League side Newton and Chilwell since 2015.
Tullio said going to school in Geelong it made sense for him to join a local club down there. He said he loved his time with the Falcons.
“It’s where I enjoyed my football the most I have,” he said. “I made lots of friends and enjoyed playing footy.”
Tullio knows it won’t be easy to break into a Werribee side that won the premiership last year.
At just 169 centimetres tall, Tullio has found other ways to have an impact on games. Tullio is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Bior Malual and Jack Riding, who have been signed after the three week trial period previously.
Both are premiership players with the Tigers and Riding named in the team of the year last year in just his first season at the club.
Tullio said seeing what they had done was inspiring and it was now cool to be training with those players.
Joining Tullio on the Tigers list is his Geelong Falcons teammate Cooper Ward. Ward had a standout season with the Falcons, where he finished fourth in their best-and-fairest and booted 27 goals in 16 games. Rounding out the club’s new signings is another Falcon, Liam Kershaw.