Drysdale & Clifton Springs Voice October 2015 by Ocean Grove Voice

Drysdale & Clifton Springs

North Bellarine's Independent Newspaper

October 2015

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Jetty's just the job LUKE VOOGT Local angling club president Andrew Johnson welcomed a recent State Government grant, which will see a new fishing jetty constructed in Clifton Springs. “I think it’s a fantastic idea,” he said. “It gives a lot of people – especially older people – a chance to get out and fish.” The funds will help Geelong Council design the jetty and build it off an existing rock wall, out into Port Phillip Bay. Mr Johnson, who is president of the Bellarine Pirates Angling Club, said the rock wall was already a popular fishing spot. “I know quite a few people who fish there,” he said. “They get some quality flathead there sometimes – they get some big ones!” Mr Johnson understands

Local fishermen Rick Paradise, Andrew Johnson, Mike Windsor and Neil McGuiness

the jetty will be about 40 metres long but will be built so it can be increased. Bellarine MP Lisa Neville announced the $250,000 grant last week. “It is great to be delivering this election commitment which was one of the key priorities of the local community leading in to the election,” said Mrs Neville. The grant is part of Labor government’s Target One Million plan which aims to boost recreational fishing to one million anglers by 2020. Construction is expected to commence by autumn next year, to be completed in winter. Clifton Springs is a popular recreational fishing spot with boating anglers who chase snapper, flathead, King George whiting and calamari.

Schools get funding shares BELLARINE Secondary College (BSC) will benefit from $335,413 in funding announced by the state Government this month. The recentlyannounced funding is not

new, but rather previously un-allocated money from the 2015-16 State Budget. “It’s good to see that funding coming to Bellarine Secondary College,” said College Principal Wayne

Johannesen. Mr Johannesen said the college was planning how to use the money. “It’s so early in the process ¬– we only found out how much money we would be getting this

week,” he told the Voice two weeks ago. Mr Johannesen said the equity funding was based on NAPLAN results and the levels of education in the local community. “What the government

is aiming for is a base level of equity across the state,” he said. “For me that makes sense.” The money is on top of a $1.1m election commitment by State

Government, which the college received this year. Mr Johannesen said that the money would be used to bring school facilities up to “21st Century teaching standards”. The State Government

announced $473,521 in funding for three schools in Drysdale and Clifton Springs on September 14, from a total $962,169 for Bellarine schools. Continued on page 3

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Voice Drysdale & Clifton Springs News Scott determined to walk again A FEW weeks after his horrific accident at an Ocean Grove building site, Scott Lewis is determined to walk again. The 38-year-old plasterer from Clifton Springs (pictured right) started rehab last week at the Austin Hospital. “I’ve got be strong for myself and my five kids,” he said. “I just have to deal with it and get it done.” So far Scott can move his left leg and has slight movement in his right leg. He can move his arms, but his hand strength is weak. “It’s very frustrating for

him,” said partner Olivia Horsfall. Scott told the Voice his recovery would take at least 12 months and that it would take six to nine weeks for the swelling on his spinal cord to subside. Already Scott is sick of hospital food, his neck

brace and “being hoisted up” for treatment, but he said the hospital staff had been great. Scott fell from scaffolding at a building site in Ocean Grove on September 8. He described the fall as “the scariest thing” he’d experienced. “It was horrific falling from that height on my head – it will be hard to forget,” he said. “I didn’t lose consciousness and I heard my neck snap.” He said the first thing the went through his mind after the fall was his partner

and his kids. “I’m the provider for five kids – you know how expensive life is,” he said. Family and friends are getting behind Scott and Olivia. Their friend Nicole Robinson set up a webpage to help the couple with day-to-day expenses, with a target of $5000. In just a couple of weeks it had raised $5,515. Olivia said the support was overwhelming. “We are very grateful,” she said. To help Scott and his family, visit gofundme. com/7t4frhvg.

Hundreds meet for road talks MORE than 250 people keen to improve Drysdale’s roads attended a VicRoads consultation at Springdale Community Centre this month. VicRoads asked for feedback on three issues affecting High Street during the September 16 consultation: cycling, pedestrian crossings and intersections. The Victorian government committed $3 million to improving High Street earlier this year. “I think there’s a lot of local interest in the project,” said project director Tim Price. “We’re certainly getting a lot of knowledge about the area – which is good because it allows us to understand the local issues.”

The issues chosen for the consultation were the most commonly listed concerns in an earlier consultation for the Drysdale Bypass in April. Clifton Springs residents Roger and Carol Randall were at the most recent consultation. They said

completing the Drysdale Bypass would be the best thing for High Street. Roger said it could take years to complete the bypass, which is urgently needed to get trucks away from Drysdale. “They completely wreck the corner at the roundabout –

where the pub is,” he said. In the meantime, Carol suggested changing the traffic lights at pedestrian crossings to orange flashing lights. This, she said, would enable cars to keep moving when there are no pedestrians. Drysdale’s Elaine Albert and Paul Morgan were keen to see how the bypass was progressing and how it would affect their property. As well as trucks, Elaine said it would be good to get rid of holiday and weekend traffic to Portarlington. Fellow resident George Abel, 83, echoed concerns about the progress of the bypass voiced at earlier consultations. “Will I be alive long enough to see it completed?” he asked.

“targeted teaching”. Mr Richards said the money could fund more teaching hours. “That money could buy a new teacher or more hours for our existing teachers,” he said. This, he said, would give specialist teachers more time to develop programs which improve teaching at

the school. DPS Principal Phil Dunlop-Moore said it was too early to detail plans. “I’m really pleased with the funding announcement,” he said. “It addresses the needs of vulnerable children in the school and that's always a good thing.” DPS received $3m earlier

in the year to replace its relocatable classrooms, a commitment of the State Government before its election last November. Mr Dunlop-Moore said the Education Department had recently approved plans for the project and looks forward to working on the design with an architect.

VicRoads Senior Roads Engineer Matt Armistead (middle) with Drysdale residents Paul Morgan and Elaine Albert.

Schools funding revealed

Continued from page 1. This includes $85,210 for Clifton Springs Primary School (CSPS) and $52,898 for Drysdale Primary School (DPS). CSPS Principal Brent Richards welcomed the funding, which he said would most likely be used to improve the school’s

Roadshow to visit college THE WWI community roadshow, Anzac Centenary – Victoria’s Journey of Remembrance, will visit Christian College Bellarine next month. The Victorian Government launched the roadshow on July 29, last year, to commemorate 100 years since the start of WWI. The roadshow includes storytelling, live theatre performances, video, guest speakers and interactive content. Audience members will receive an ANZAC Centenary Commemoration Pack, containing the history of Victoria’s war effort, Victoria Cross profiles and a small token of remembrance. The free roadshow will travel across the state during 2015-16, to educate local communities – especially secondary school students – about Victoria’s WWI history. The roadshow will appear at the Bellarine Campus of Christian College at 2pm on October 9. For more details visit: www.anzaccentenary.vic. gov.au.

Lions raffle helps locals THIS year’s PortarlingtonDrysdale Lions Club Community Raffle raised $15,736 for 33 local organisations. The money will go to organisations such as local schools and sporting clubs, which participated in the raffle. “All the money goes to the local community,” Portarlington-Drysdale Lions Club President, Gary Bennett said. “It’s a classic case of self-help.” The Lions Club manages the running of the raffle, in its fourth year, and provides the prizes. The Lions Club sold tickets during July and August, with 17 prizes totalling just more than $4000.

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Voice Drysdale & Clifton Springs News

New kids on the block LUKE VOOGT

DRYSDALE Cheese owner Corrine Blacket welcomed 20 cute little kids to her ever-growing herd this month. The baby goats are residing at Corrine’s Drysdale home and she’s more than happy to be their mother for the next few months. “It’s how I like to raise them,” she said. The kids swamped Corrinne as she visited their pen last week, jumping on her and nibbling her face affectionately. They weren’t shy to jump on a local reporter and nibble on his jeans either. “Because they’re raised like this people like to buy them as pets as well,” said Corinne. “A friend came by today and said ‘I need some mowers’.” Three of the kids are

enjoying a holiday at Sovereign Hill’s petting zoo in Ballarat. Corinne said the remaining 17 would be safe from predators at her home. “This property is a lot more secure and we are here all the time,” she said. “We have a fox problem in Drysdale – next door lost all their chickens recently.” Despite this Corinne said she’s lost more goats to escaped dogs than foxes in the past. The baby goats will join their elder relatives on the farm in about ten weeks. “Once I can’t pick them up, they can look after themselves,” said Corinne. “There’s lot of work that goes into keeping a herd healthy, productive and safe – but I love the job!” RIGHT: Corrine Blackett with her kids.

Tasting ends in cheesey grin Drysdale-Clifton Springs Voice journalist Luke Voogt was delighted to visit Drysdale Cheese last week. LAST week I found myself at Drysdale Cheese, as my quest for Bellarine’s tastiest food continued. I’d been looking forward to this for weeks, but had been delayed as owner Corinne Blacket waited for her herd’s kids to “drop”. Finally, once the goats were back to producing milk, I got enjoy some of the best goats milk products this region has to offer. Corinne has a simple philosophy for her products: “I make stuff they way I like it, so if I don’t sell it, I can eat it,” she told me. First was a yoghurt, which Corinne makes with a long fermentation process. It was very thick and tangy with a slightly savory flavour – definitely an acquired taste. Next was a chevre, French for goat cheese, Corinne told me. It was creamy and mellow, with a slight bit of tang; a nice change from the yoghurt. After that we came to perhaps my two

favourite products Corinne had to offer. The first is a “fettina” – similar to a feta – immersed in lemon, myrtle, salt and pepper and canola and olive oil. The flavours fuse together to make a beautifully crumbly cheese – with just the right amount of sharpness – which melts in

the mouth. Then Corinne fried some halloumi with a splash of lime juice for me. She doesn’t pack it with salt, like traditional halloumi, but rather just soaks it in brine. “You can put salt in but you can’t take it out,” said Corinne. True to her word, the halloumi was pleasantly salty, but not overwhelmingly so. The texture and flavour was delicious – not as salty or as rubbery as what you’d buy off the shelf. To finish Corinne handed me some “anari” – which is similar to Italian ricotta – drizzled in honey. The honey complemented its sweet flavour and the soft texture. As we left the farm Corinne opened the pens and the curious goats rushed the yard. “It’s the closest thing Drysdale has to the running of the bulls,” Corinne joked. Yoghurt 6.5/10; Chevre 7.5/10; Fettina 9.5/10; Halloumi 9.5/10; Anari 8.5/10

what’s ON music/live events

• Potato Shed, Drysdale - Geelong Harmony, October 4 - Family Fun Day at the Shed, 25 October • SpringDale Community Centre Hall - Making waves music/ poetry arvo at Senior Citizens Centre, Drysdale, third Sun of every month 2pm5.30pm

markets & fairs

• Buy Bellarine Produce Barn - Tuckerberry Farm Saturday-Sunday 9am3pm

food/wine

• Jack Rabbit Vineyard - Guided wine tastings and lunch available seven days, with dinner Friday and Saturday Ph: 5251 2233 • Curlewis Winery - Cellar door is by appointment only. Ph: 5250 4567 • Leura Park Estate Sundays 12.30pm – 4.30pm Live music, sensational food and wines available Ph: 5253 3180 • Clifton Springs Golf Club - Friday night raffle. - Courtesy bus operates on Friday and Saturday Nights from 5pm to 11pm. The vehicle

covers the areas of the Bellarine Peninsula including Clifton Springs / Drysdale, Leopold, Ocean Grove and Portarlington. To book ring 5251 3391

get active

• Drysdale Health Group 27-29 High Street - Strength training for over 50s program. Wednesday 5pm or 6.15. Ph: 5251 2958 • Drysdale Community Health Centre 21 Palmeston Street - Weight resistance training. Ph: 5251 2291 • 'Nothing Serious' bike ride, Saturday 10am from the Pedal Shed

reading & writing

• Drysdale Library 18-20 Hancock Street -Tuesday and Thursday 10.30am Preschool Story Time -Wednesday 11.30am Baby Time- Nursery Verses

family fun

• The Bellarine Railway - Steam and diesel train trips departing from Queenscliff and Drysdale Stations. • Jelly Bean Drama – An educational dramabased program for 3-5 year olds that combines structured dramatic play, movement and music.

Drysdale, The Potato Shed, Tuesdays 9.3010.15am. Contact Rachael 0410 728 238 rach@ boogiebrainacademy. com • Clifton Springs Garden Club (third Monday of each month), 7.30pm in the Uniting Church Hall, Palmerston St, Drysdale. Phone Lorraine 5251 1660 What’s On phone: 5255 3233 or email: journo@ oceangrovevoice. com

Voice Drysdale & Clifton Springs News

Scathing assessment Bellarine MP Lisa Neville gave a scathing assessment of Bellarine Community Health (BCH) last week, following a recentlyreleased independent report into the organisation. Mrs Neville said the report found a significant lack of community engagement by BCH, particularly relating to the sale of the Ann Nichol House aged-care. “The report is damning

and justifies the community concern and anger that has been expressed over the last two years,” she said. “The lack of engagement seriously puts in question some of their decisions, including the sale of Ann Nichol House.” Labor promised an independent review into BCH before the election, which led to the recent report. State Health Minister

Jill Hennessy said the government will conduct a full review of the Bellarine health services in response to the report. Ms Hennessy said this would “ensure the community can access the care and treatment it needs”. However, last Friday BCH downplayed the report and welcomed the actions taken by the department in response to the review.

Chair of the Board, Hazel Ingram, said the BCH board of directors was pleased to see it had met all “relevant standards”. “The review recognised that our clients experience high quality health care and are actively involved in how their healthcare is delivered,” she said. Ms Ingram said the review would be “great” and will mean a new service plan for Bellarine Community

Health. “A health services review is like a stocktake that will identify where health services are meeting demand and where there are gaps.” Nominations are open to join an Advisory Committee to oversee a $1.2 million community Health and Wellbeing fund for the Bellarine. Application details can be found at www.bch.org.au.

From Council – Rod Macdonald Drysdale sub-regional sporting precinct update Funding for the commencement of stage one of the project has been secured. The major components include ovals for soccer and football/cricket as well as a temporary pavillion and car park at the Belchers Road end of the site. Sports training lights will also be installed. I am pleased that council supported my request to bring forward future funding identified in the four year resource plan. This will now allow the project to continue

uninterrupted, through to completion, when works start in the next few months. A reference group will be formed shortly and will include representatives from local sporting clubs. This is an exciting project that has received strong community support and advocacy and I look forward to work commencing before the end of the year. Potato Shed - free family fun day October25 The Bellarine’s biggest Family Fun Day, returning to the Potato

Shed on Sunday 25 October, is one of the best children’s events held annually in the Geelong region. The FREE event includes an animal farm, jumping castles, bungee run, face painting and theatre shows, movies and interactive music sessions. There’s an outdoor and indoor stage, a dedicated sports zone, music lab, skate park plus plenty of food vans. Children will be entertained between 11am and 3pm by the Mik Maks, The Gems, the Mini Maestros with Bumblebee and the Just

Brass Youth Band. There’s an amazing selection of arts, music and sports activities to choose from for children of all ages. This year the Potato Shed will be introducing some new attractions to the lineup including Butterfly Adventures, a portable butterfly enclosure and Bike ‘n’ Blend, where you hop on a bike, cycle and blend up a smoothie. In 2014 we had a record 7,000 people take part in the Family Fun Day. This year we anticipate even more people attending and enjoying the experience.

Rod Macdonald Councillor for Cheetham Ward City of Greater Geelong email: councillor@ geelongcity.vic.gov.au phone: 0458-509 994

Council community grants Applications are open for the Council Community Grants Program. Details: www. geelongaustralia.com.au or call Lynda Hansson 5272 4736.

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Voice Drysdale & Clifton Springs News

Local explores a different side of war in new book LUKE VOOGT

Ian Ferguson and his new book.

IN his latest book, Wars That Never End, Clifton Springs author Ian Ferguson explores a side of war not often read in history books. The book delves into the mental health of war veterans throughout Australia’s history as they return home. “This is something that needs to be publicised more,” said Ian. Last year the ABC reported that the number of veterans committing suicide, since 2000, was triple the combat deaths from the Afghanistan War. “It’s incredible,” said Ian. “I’m not saying all of them have done it because of the war, but it’s still a

startling statistic.” Ian decided to write the book after seeing a family member struggle with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). “He is recovering well,” he said. Ian interviewed WWII and Vietnam veterans to write the book. Amongst the interviewees are locals George Cops, Cecil ‘Boz’, Ernie Truman and Ernie Brough, Geelong’s last surviving ‘Rat of Toobruk’. “A lot of them are reluctant to talk about their experiences,” he said. “It was the most challenging book I’ve written but it was the most satisfying too.” Ian said while Australian soldiers were well trained, often they had

trouble letting go of the “24/7 tension” when they returned. He spoke to the widow of a Vietnam Veteran about his PTSD after he returned home. “Her husband couldn’t have his back to an open door,” he said. “He dreaded being in a queue or an underground carpark.” The book looks at diggers' letters and diary entries from the front line and personal interviews, dating back to the Boer War. Ian, 73, has lived in Clifton Springs for six years and this is his 14th book. The primary school teacher began his writing career in 1984 with respected cricket journalist Ken Piesse,

writing a ‘bush column’ for Cricket Magazine. He teamed up with Ken in 1986 to write his first book Bradman and the Bush. “I’ve always been a keen cricket follower,” said Ian. After a few books Ian took a break to concentrate on his teaching, before writing again in 2005. Ian has since written books on cricket, true crime, outback tales and war history. One of his books, Murders That Shocked Australia, sold more than 10,000 copies. Ian will launch the book at Clifton Springs Bowling Club at 6.15pm, October 16. The launch will include appearances by some of the veterans in his book.

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Voice Drysdale & Clifton Springs Sport

Stuart Craven awarded Drysdale Football Club life membership

Greig McKinley awarded Drysdale Football Club life membership.

Club honours its champions DRYSDALE Football Club awarded Stuart Craven, David Serle and Greig McKinley with life membership at the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s end of season presentation awards night on Saturday September 26. Stuart Craven Recruited to Drysdale in 2002 he played around 70 games in a playing career shortened by a knee injury. He is currently the Director of Football in his 8th year on the Committee and Craven has also been a Vice President for four

years. He is passionate, innovative and a tireless worker across many roles especially arranging social functions. His artwork of the Team of the Century hangs in the club entry foyer and many sponsors have benefitted through his artwork that adorns signs provided in partnership with his employer and fellow life member Rod Taylor at MJ Signs. David Serle - David played his first game of juniors at Drysdale in the late 1960's but his contribution as a

volunteer seems to have started earlier than that with many years attending working bees and helping his dad Brian (a life member) on the gate and around the club. Since then David has fulfilled many roles at the club including trainer, team manager and runner. David commenced as the club's time keeper around 2008 and continues in that role today for all senior and reserves games and has arguably seen more junior football played than anyone else at the club. David's contribution to the club

is made in a very quiet and reverent manner and he epitomises the quintessential spirit of volunteering that local sporting clubs are built on. Greig McKinley - Greig first came to the club in 2002 and volunteered his services that year to serve as the bar manager. The next year he started as a member of the senior trainer team and he continued in this capacity for the next 10 years, going on to become the head trainer and to be a trainer for the Bellarine

Inter-league team for approximately six years. The role of trainer is critical to a football club and one that commences with training in January and concludes with finals in September. Beyond this Greig has been an active volunteer in other capacities around the club including time on the committee. An avid photographer Greig can be seen around the club and at functions capturing moments that are published on the clubs website and in publications like Drysdale and Clifton Springs Voice.

Mitch McGuire wins senior best and fairest award, here with outgoing senior coach John Fitzgerald

Drysdale Netball Netball Club A grade best and fairest winner Gina MaCleod.

Life member Drysdale Netball club Emma Taylor.

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Voice Drysdale & Clifton Springs Sport Heartbreak for Hawks

Drysdale's D grade team before their grand final against Geelong Amateur.

THE brave Drysdale Netball Club D grade team went down in an exciting Bellarine Football Netball League grand final played earlier this month against Geelong Amateur. The league decider, played at Drysdale, was a tussle from start to finish with Amateur coming away with a three goal win to claim the D grade title. Final scores were Geelong Amateur 25 to Drysdale 22.

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Drysdale was beaten by Geelong Rangers, but not disgraced in a largely successful season.

Beaten, but proud DRYSDALE senior men's f irst division wrapped up a stellar year with its f irst ever division one f inals appearance, however the end result was not the fairytale f inish the club had hoped for. But there were plenty of good things to build on for next year. Playing against a very experienced Geelong Rangers outf it, the start was less than desirable with an early goal to the top of the table Rangers. Drysdaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tempo lifted in warm weather and for the remainder of the f irst half the battle was even, with some suggesting the tough conditions might suit the younger underdogs. Plenty of chances to score were created, but sadly from coach Jarrod Gladman's perspective this was nipped in the bud in the second

half with the Rangers sneaking in two more goals. The suspension of key midf ielder Jack van Wren from the week previous due to a f ifth yellow card for the season and early injury to league golden boot Louis Stockman did nothing to help chances, but the side would be disappointed with the result regardless. All that remains for the year are the club's senior and junior awards functions then a brief break for players before preseason training kicks off again. Keep an eye on the Facebook page or www.dr ysdalesc.com. au for information on preparations for next year. With big things planned the Drysdale Soccer Club will surely be one to watch.

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Voice Drysdale & Clifton Springs Sport

Title defence to kick off DRYSDALE Cricket Club buried its premiership hoodoo after claiming the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association A grade title in 2014/15. The Hawks will be tough to beat again this season. Shane Cutajar has stepped down as senior coach for 2015/16, but will stay on as A grade captain. The club appointed former Wallington coach Darren Cameron in the off-season as its new senior coach. The Hawks open the season with a one-dayer against Barwon Heads, 2013/14 A grade BPCA premiers, at home. Drysdale play two of their last three matches away from the Hawks’ nest before the club has a bye in the f inal round. Star Hawk all-rounder, Brett Harding, is back on board this season after his excellent 2014/15 where he scored 596 runs at 59.60 and peeled off three centuries. Harding was handy with the ball and claimed 16 wickets at 16.86 last season. Drysdale has lost

Juniors ready to roll in season 2015/16

2015/16 fixture

ROUND ROUND ROUND ROUND ROUND ROUND ROUND ROUND ROUND ROUND ROUND

1 Barwon Heads (home; Oct 10) 2 Jan Juc (away; Oct 17/24) 3 Newcomb (home; Oct 31/Nov 7) 4 Ocean Grove (away; Nov 14/21) 5 Wallington (home; Nov 28/Dec 5) 6 Anglesea (away; Dec 12/19) 7 Collendina (home; Jan 9) 8 Queenscliff (away; Jan 16) 9 Portarlington (home; Jan 23/30) 10 Barrabool (away; Feb 6/13) 11 bye (Feb 20/27)

opening batsman Kane Taylor in the off-season after he relocated to Hamilton in Victoria’s far western region. The Hawks are still expected to be a force in the BPCA in 2015/16. Last season: premiers Key player: Brett Harding Arrivals: Darren Cameron (new coach for 2015/16, but played with the Hawks last season) Departures: Kane Taylor (Hamilton region) “Drysdale Cricket Club has been in pre season for eight weeks now. Numbers have been reaching 20 plus over the last four weeks, which is encouraging for all the

guys. The club has lost Kane Taylor from last year’s premiership side – living in Hamilton now. Leigh Allan has informed us he is unsure on his commitments to top grade cricket this season, as he wishes to play some games alongside his promising son in C grade. There are no other losses or gains for A and B grade sides, so we are looking to be contenders again. As for the club in general, I think it is an exciting time for us. The f irst XI are driven to try and defend their title.”

Senior coach Darren Cameron

Brett Harding looms as a key player

ANY budding young cricketers wishing to don the whites and play junior cricket at Drysdale Cricket Club in 2015/16 should contact Maxine Moriarty. Maxine can be emailed at maxine. cnm@gmail.com or called on 0425-707 325. Drysdale Cricket Club is looking to field seven junior teams this season from under 11s through to under 17s. The cost for each junior is $60 for a season membership which includes game fees, and a Hawks junior cricket cap.

Voice Drysdale & Clifton Springs Sport

Hawks appoint Chapman Drysdale coach Wade Chapman with his children Luke (10) and seven-yearold twins Ava and Grace.

DRYSDALE Football Club’s last dual BFL premiership playing coach Wade Chapman is excited to be back at the Hawks’ nest, writes Mark Heenan. Last month, the Drysdale local returned to the club after signing a three-year deal with the Hawks as a nonplaying coach from 2016 to 2018. The 39-year-old, a playing coach at Drysdale from 2007 to 2010, led the Hawks to BFL senior flags in 2009 and 2010. Chapman takes over from well-known Geelong-based football leagues coaching figure John Fitzgerald after his three-year stint. “I am the first to admit it is going to be a lot of hard work and it is going to be a bit of challenge for me,” Chapman told the Voice. “Supporters will need to be patient…I am not predicting premierships next year – it will take time. “I have got a passion for the town and passion for this football club. “It was good to finish on a high note with my playing career at Drysdale and playing in the grand final and winning the

Q&A with Wade Chapman

AFL teams supported Geelong and also Sydney (after playing 51 games with Sydney from 1994-99) Favourite holiday destination Gold Coast Current occupation Cable Technician at Cable Net What do you like most about Drysdale? Everyone kind of knows everyone. It is not that far from Geelong either. People think it is a fair distance away. It is only like 20 minutes away from Geelong. Drysdale is close to the beaches, too, like Ocean Grove, Portarlington and Queenscliff that is something that appeals to me and the kids. Football highlight Playing coach at Drysdale's premierships in 2009 and 2010. Also playing in 1996 AFL grand final with Sydney. premierships. “I always kept a keen interest on how Drysdale was going and the local league. I am just excited to be back at Drysdale and hopefully I can help out.” After the Hawks played off in the grand final in 2013 against Queenscliff, the club has missed out on playing finals. In 2015, Drysdale finished in eighth position and was crippled with injuries to key personnel including playing assistant coaches Steve Brown and

Ryan Normington. “That is something we have identified. Back in 2009 and 2010 we had some terrific leaders who have gone on to coach in their own right,” Chapman said. Drysdale Director of Football Stuart Craven said Chapman was a standout candidate for the role. “The added bonus obviously is with what he has done in the past, but the fact he lives in Drysdale and his kids are

a part of the club really fits well with us,” Craven said. Chapman, who played 51 AFL games with the Sydney Swans from 1994 to 1999, was a playing coach at GFL club North Shore where he spent the bulk of junior football days honing his craft at the Seagulls. He played representative football with the Geelong Falcons before being drafted to Sydney. After his playing career finished at Drysdale at the end of 2010, Chapman took on an assistant coaching role at the Werribee Tigers in the Victorian Football League. More recently the father of three coached Werribee Districts in the Western Region Football League in Melbourne’s west. Outgoing coach Fitzgerald endorsed Chapman’s appointment at the Hawks. “His coaching resumé is fantastic, he has the VFL level of exposure and then he has gone to Melbourne metropolitan leagues and he has had success there,” Fitzgerald said. “I think he is a great appointment for the Drysdale Football Club.”

Sport Drysdale &

HAWKS AWARDS NIGHT

Clifton Springs

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DRAFT DREAM EXCLUSIVE MARK HEENAN FORMER Drysdale footballer Tom Ruggles has a burning ambition to play at the elite level after conf irming his nomination in the 2015 AFL pre-season draft. It has been a remarkable rise for the 23-year-old after he won the coveted 2015 Geelong Football Club VFL best and fairest honour. In November last year Ruggles joined the VFL Cats as a new signing after being recruited from Leopold, who played in the 2014 GFL grand f inal. Ruggles, a member of Drysdale’s senior premiership in 2009 as a 17-year-old, played his junior football at the Hawks on the Bellarine. “It is def initely my main focus (playing AFL) at the moment,” Ruggles told the Voice. “I have not really had much of a break, I am sort of still doing little things here or there to make sure I keep myself f it. “If there is a chance I do get picked up or something like that then I am not going in behind the eight ball and behind all the other boys. “If not, I am sort of set up for next year to have another real good crack at it.” In preparation for the AFL pre-

VFL best and fairiest winner Tom Ruggles with Vic Fuller. The Drysdale premiership player is nominating for the AFL pre-season draft. Picture: ROB GIESE season draft on November 27, midst of talking to a few clubs and time landscaper, thanked Drysdale Ruggles has appointed accredited seeing what their feedback is on me for its support during his junior and all that sort of stuff,” Ruggles football playing days. AFL player manager John Meesen. He played under newly appointed “I have already nominated for said. “Hopefully it is positive feedback.” Drysdale Football Club coach Wade the pre-season draft and I have got Ruggles, who works as a full- Chapman, who last led the Hawks myself a manager, who is in the

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to senior f lags in 2009 and 2010 as a playing coach. “As a 16-year-old Wade Chapman gave me the opportunity to play senior football from the start,” Ruggles said. “I was able to get used to playing against the bigger bodies of senior football. Ever since I was a young kid I was playing against men. “I played all my junior football at Drysdale. “The whole Drysdale Football Club supported me in a way that made my time there a lot easier.” Ruggles polled 88 votes to win the Cats' VFL vote count and f inished ahead of midf ielders Jarrad Jansen (65) and Dean Gore (62), who placed second and third respectively. “I guess as an individual accolade this is def initely one of the highlights winning the Geelong VFL best and fairest,” Ruggles said. Drysdale Football Club coach Wade Chapman said Ruggles was a standout junior at the Hawks. “You could always see that he had talent….he had good skills and is one that could be a late developer," Chapman said. "It was great achievement for him to win the Geelong VFL best and fairest." After he departed Drysdale in 2010, Ruggles also played 17 senior and 31 development league matches with VFL club Werribee Tigers from 2011 and 2013.

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