With over 40 years of connection to the Anglesea community and more than a decade of real estate experience, Paula Fowler is more than just a property expert — she’s a trusted local who truly understands the lifestyle, the people, and what makes this coastal town so special.
Paula’s passion lies in helping people move into their next chapter with confidence. Her calm, empathetic approach, paired with expert knowledge and sharp attention to detail, ensures a smooth and rewarding real estate journey from start to finish.
As a proud supporter of local clubs, schools, and events — from the Auskick program to the Anglesea Football & Netball Club — Paula is deeply woven into the fabric of our town.
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just after a friendly chat about the market or the area, Paula’s always happy to help.
Known for her strong community involvement and invaluable local connections, Anna is well equipped to help clients achieve their investment property goals and to guide them every step of the way. With a diverse background spanning hospitality, tourism, immigration law, and Property Management, Anna brings a wealth of experience, local knowledge, and a passion for building lasting relationships to her role as Property Manager at Great Ocean Road Real Estate Anglesea.
Anglesea RSL: celebrating 80 years of service
Liz Clark
During 1945, as World War II drew to a close, the groundwork was laid for the formation of the Anglesea branch of the organisation then known as RSSAILA (Returned Sailors’ Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Imperial League of Australia) by a group of more than 30 dedicated servicemen.
Among them were a number of WWI veterans and recent WWII servicemen, led by Scottish WWI and WWII veteran Bill MacDougall.
In April 1946 the group received its Charter. Early meetings were convened in the back room of the Angahook store, then run by RSL member Arthur Ramsay.
Early in the 1950s, the RSL acquired its own meeting rooms. The land for their building was part of a large parcel purchased by George Noble in 1879. He subdivided this area and put it to auction in 1924. In 1926, Mrs Lilias (Milly) Russell and her husband Fred purchased a number of lots, including this one. The block was transferred to the RSL in 1947.
The building itself was once an old farmhouse and was donated to the RSL. It was literally pulled apart, loaded in pieces onto a truck, carted to its present site in Murray Street, and reassembled thanks to the building and carpentry skills of members including Eric Davidson, Jack Coombe, Graham Page and Cyril Adcock.
Over the intervening years, the building has grown and been extended as needs required. It has been utilised by many diverse community groups, at one stage being a popular venue for tea dances and dinner dances.
A glimpse at the RSL building today gives a little insight into the club’s long history; a wealth of photos and information on display inside reveal many years of service and friendship, the fun and laughter shared by so many, and the genuine care and support offered to all members. This building holds a treasure trove of interesting photos and artefacts.
A morning meeting with RSL secretary Angie Hunt and Jane Shennan, the dedicated historian, proved very enlightening.
Both women display enormous passion for the local RSL branch, as well as for the possibilities to encourage patriotism and a good understanding of Australia’s military presence in world events. They thrive on the opportunity to provide wonderful facilities to local members and supporters.
Angie, Jane and the members enjoy the history that has been uncovered, demonstrating how men and women dropped everything they held dear to fight for their country’s security, and to offer chances of justice and peace in other countries.
They are keen to make these stories important to future generations, so that Australia’s young people will find a new knowledge of the past and remember those who have served with pride, and a desire for courage and strength in their own futures.
A year of anniversay celebrations
In 2026, the 80th anniversary of Anglesea RSL offers many reasons to celebrate. Angie, Jane and the committee are excited to announce special events and commemorations to celebrate their service men and women:
• A luncheon in April, with invitations being sent to service people and affiliates, families of past presidents, foundation members and prisoners of war.
• Presentation of an updated Anglesea RSL Honour Roll 1946-2026 on Anzac Day.
• A public Open Day with memorabilia and displays.
• Restoration of headstones of several foundation members in local cemeteries.
• Preservation of historical records such as the minute and attendance books. (The RSL is keen to find the missing first minute book of 1946-1953, and the later 1987-1993 edition.)
• Renewal of the Memorial Wall plaques to include people nominated since the wall was constructed; nominations are welcome, but this opportunity closes on Anzac Day.
• The launching of a new Memorial Wall website with biographies of all the men and women named on the plaques. The aim of this website is to showcase each local serving member and reveal them as real people – not just figureheads or people long gone.
This project has been recognised and funded for the next 10 years with a donation from Public Records of Victoria.
If you haven’t visited Anglesea RSL, make a point of doing so. Monthly roast lunches prepared on-site are an important feature of social life for members and, if not booked out, non-members are very welcome.
Keep watching local sources of information for ongoing news about the RSL’s big year ahead.
For further information contact Jane 0429 675 717 or Angie 0412 621 328.
Anglesea RSL’s Angie Hunt and Jane Shennan.
Wonderful reads with Great Escape Books
Iluka by
Cassie Stroud
Iluka is an absolutely beautifully written debut set against the iconic backdrop of an Australian coastal town. Cassie Stroud weaves a story that explores sibling dynamics, childhood memory, and the idea that home can be both a haven and a cage.
After their grandfather’s death, Helen, Sylvie and Brendan return to their childhood home to prepare it for sale, stirring memories of being raised by grandparents Iris and Paddy after their troubled mother left them.
Each sibling carries scars from their childhood, and the discovery of a collection of letters from their late mother reopens old wounds, bringing confusion and fresh pain. Iluka transports you into its pages. You feel the emotions as each sibling reflects on their early years with their mother and later, their time growing up with Iris and Paddy.
Review by Jess R @ Great Escape Books
Departure(s) by Julian Barnes
Booker Prize-winning UK author Julian Barnes is 80, and latest release Departure(s) is, in his own words, his final book. It’s hard to really describe what Departure(s) is about –it’s sort of a memoir, but more a collection of memories and reflections than the story of Barnes’ own life.
It’s a moving meditation on ageing and memory, with musings on philosophy and the writings of Proust – and writing in general. It’s the story of two of his friends who were partners at university and whom he helped to reunite 60 years later. It touches on life’s big questions – loss, illness, grief – and contemplates the inevitable for us all, death.
Remodelling literary genres is what Barnes is known for, so it’s no surprise this fiction/non-fiction hybrid is not easy to categorise. However you describe it, Departure(s) is brilliant –witty, poignant, heartwarming but also very likely to bring a tear to your eye.It will make you think about the ordinary things in life – the insignificant and the important. It’s for anyone staring old age in the face, for those of us starting on that path and for those dealing with ageing loved ones.
Review by Andi @ Great Escape Books
TheOccupationby Chloe Adams
Ahauntingly beautiful novel that won the Penguin Literary Award (2024), The Occupation tellstheextraordinary true story of Mary Egan, who steps into a world few of her time ever saw and is forced to make decisions with unimaginable outcomes.
Mary and her cousin Tess face one another. Tess trembles, while Mary appears uncannily calm. When Tess asks Mary for her unborn child, Mary replies: “There’s a whole world outthere ... that we didn’t know existed. You wouldn’t believe me ifI told you.A world where men decide everything on a whim, intheblink of an eye. Where the good aren’t really good at all, not even a tiny bit.”
A year earlier, as Australian forces establish a base in Hiroshima Prefecture, Mary settles intotheoccupation, encountering expatriates who seem untouched by the shattered land andthe sorrow of its people. Then she meets Sully, in whose company her once-innocent view oftheworld begins to fracture.
This is a superb andspellbinding story of lives torn apart by war and circumstance, and by unbearable choices.
Review by Nicole @Great Escape Books
Good Boyby Michelle Wright
Good Boy follows Cookie, a prison inmate with six months left to serve who reluctantlysigns up for a last-chance rehab program for abandoned dogs. He’s paired with an anxious rescue named Nigel, who he renames Good Boy. As they train for a behavioural assessment that will determine the dog’s fate, their bond grows profound.
When it becomes clear Good Boy is likely to fail the assessment and faces being put down, Cookie makes an impossible choice: he escapes custody to save him. On the run together, Cookie is forced to confront the past that shaped him – and what kind of future he truly wants.
It’s a gut-wrenching and inspiring tale that shows how hope, loyalty and the healing power of a loyal pup can transform two broken souls. I absolutelyloved it.
Review by Nicole @Great Escape Books
Aireys Inlet traders get set to embrace a truly SENSE-ational new festival
Aireys Inlet is preparing to give the coastal calendar a bold shake-up as we approach the time of year when local towns traditionally ‘turn out the lights’.
The Aireys Inlet Tourism and Traders Association (AITTA) is breathing new life into the region’s social and events diary for late autumn and early winter with an unprecedented lineup of events, activities and cultural and taste experiences for the inaugural SENSE-ational Aireys, a month-long festival from Friday, May 29 to Sunday, June 28.
“We’re going to give visitors an attack on the senses,” says AITTA president Michael Lawrey. “We want visitors to soak up the atmosphere of Aireys. We would like everyone to taste Aireys, to breathe Aireys, to feel it, and live it. That is, why Aireys is SENSE-ational.”
The Association is highlighting the town’s businesses and services, and dazzling opportunities for visitors to the iconic Surf Coast. Starting on Friday, May 29 and leading into the school holidays in late June, SENSEational Aireys includes themed lunches and dinners, with a range of live experiences and events that include a health and wellness seminar, lighthouse tour, art sessions, speakers’ panel, film events, a writers’ workshop, and cultural and tasting events. Renowned television presenter and radio personality George Donikian will be the guest speaker at the opening dinner on Friday May, 29. Across the weekend he is set to share his passion for the food, coffee, community and cultural tapestry that makes Aireys a special destination, launching a festival of artworks at the Eagles Nest Art Gallery and then visiting the Aireys Inlet Community Garden.
The program for the following long weekend promises something for everyone. An all-day seminar on Saturday, June 6 will provide an opportunity to meet wellness and health practitioners offering a myriad of natural and holistic therapies and services. The next day, visitors will be entertained by French performer and ‘gendarme’, Jean Claude, as he ‘cycles’ his way through the town with greetings of ‘Bonjour!’ as he wields both authority and baguettes with comedic French flair.
The renowned Aireys Inlet Market will be at its autumnal best on the King’s Birthday long weekend (June 6 to 8), and Great Ocean Road Mini Golf will be open for all the family.
A panel discussion on the afternoon of Saturday, June 13 will include former AFL Western Bulldogs great Luke Darcy, comedian and actor Glenn Robbins, Supreme Court Justice Rita Incerti and former sports journalist and author Neil Kearney – all speaking about their passion for Aireys Inlet, and the power of connection and community.
“Visitors will be amazed by what you can taste, see, smell, touch and simply experience within our 20.2-squarekilometre footprint,” Michael says.
“For such a small town, we have so much on offer within walking distance to most accommodation, and, most importantly, we are open for business all year round.
“The range of food and culinary experiences in Aireys is second to none – wood-fired pizzas, Italian, Vietnamese, French, Indian and Greek cuisines, and amazing fish and chips, bakery items, leisurely breakfasts and coffee as good as you can get in Melbourne – we have it all!”
View the program at aireys.org.au or via the QR code where you can register for coastal walks, rockpool tours, dining experiences and many other events.
A new festival aims to show there’s more to see and do in Aireys than the famous lighthouse. Credit: Rebecca Hosking
Some attractions at the SENSE-ational Aireys festival.
Cyclists sought to shine a light on road safety
Surf Coast Shire Council is inviting volunteers to take part in a cycling trial to collect real-time data that will help with future transport planning decisions in the region.
Local riders can apply to receive a smart light that they attach to their bike which automatically collects anonymous data while they travel along their normal routes. This information will provide insights into how and where people ride, helping Council to better understand cyclists’ experiences on local roads. With a number of community members already registered to take part, Council is now looking for volunteers from these categories to fill gaps in demographics:
• People who travel to and from school by bike, including students and their families, and teachers;
• Cyclists in Lorne, Aireys Inlet, Winchelsea, Moriac, and Deans Marsh.
Interested cyclists can review the program details and register interest at surfcoast.vic.gov.au/ SmartBikeLightTrial
Bike riders are encouraged to take part in a trial to help with future transport planning. Credit: Pete James/Surf Coast Shire
Women in business come together in Anglesea
The Anglesea Community Bank recently welcomed local businesswomen and community leaders to its annual International Women’s Day Business Breakfast, held at the Anglesea Surf Club.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Anglesea Main Beach at sunrise, the morning brought together women from Anglesea and the Surf Coast to connect, share experiences and celebrate the important role women play in business and community life.
Guests heard from keynote speaker Olivia Tipler, entrepreneur and co-founder of the CORA project at Modewarre. Olivia generously volunteered her time to support the Community Bank’s initiative to host the event as a free opportunity for local women to come together for connection and learning.
Sharing insights from her journey in business and community leadership, Olivia spoke about balancing family life, creativity and the challenge of turning ambitious ideas into reality. Her honest reflections, humour and energy left the room feeling inspired and motivated.
For the Anglesea Community Bank, this is one of the many initiatives that form part of a broader approach to support
the communities it serves. While community sponsorship and investment remains an important part of the Community Bank model, the Community Bank is increasingly focusing on creating opportunities for relationship building, education and collaboration within the community in which it operates. By bringing people together through regular Scam Awareness Sessions, events and community initiatives such as the Healthy Wealthy & Wise event held at the Anglesea Community House in March, the bank aims to strengthen connections across the region and support the growth of local businesses, leaders and community groups.
A special thank you to Raylene and Lauren at the Anglesea Surf Club for hosting the breakfast in such a beautiful setting. Guests also enjoyed a delicious breakfast prepared by Cinthia from La Casetta who put on a Latin American spread which set the scene for a warm and welcoming start to the day whilst also highlighting local businesswomen. Anglesea is fortunate to have many inspiring women contributing across business, leadership and community initiatives. Mornings like this are a reminder of the power of connection and the positive impact that can be created when communities come together to support one another.
Three’s a crowd? Not in this sharing, caring house
Helen Booth
Whether you’re single or a couple, the decision to retire can evoke questions about timing, place, identity, lifestyle, affordability, financial security and the ability to meet health and social needs.
As friends and health professionals Ann Heydon, Tricia Rutenfelds and Susan Fry approached retirement age in the late 2010s, many of the answers to these questions emerged from their long-term friendship, as well as their decision, back in 1984, to jointly purchase a three-bedroom cottage in Melbourne’s Greensborough.
At that time, only one bank would grant a mortgage to three single women. It was the forward-thinking State Bank of Victoria which would give a financial leg-up to women who, despite neglecting to acquire a husband, had been able to save a deposit to buy a home.
Fast-forward to 2010, and successful joint ownership of their Greensborough cottage enabled Ann and Trica to buy a small beach house in Anglesea, a getaway from work and hectic city life.
By 2018, it became obvious that this is where the trio would retire, though the house was unfit for permanent living and had to go. They engaged local builder Mark Gleeson (now retired) to build a modern style of house that blends into the landscape and offers views across the Great Ocean Road to Bass Strait.
I arrive on a Friday afternoon, greeted at the door by barking and the padding of canine feet. Ann ushers me in, introducing her black miniature poodle Kailani; Tricia’s big, amiable briard Roxy; and Susan’s fluffy Japanese spitz Mochiyu (which translates as ‘sweet white dumpling’).
From the top of the stairs, a brown-and-white border collie watches us ascend. “That’s Coco,” Ann says. “We’re looking after her for a neighbour.”
We sit in the lounge area opposite a gas log fire set into a wall of display niches. Outside is a north-facing deck and charming backyard. The dogs circle and sniff. “Treat time,” Ann says, laughing.
“Every day at 2.30 they get one treat,” Susan explains.
After the business of allocating treats, the dogs settle on their mats to chew. “They have their routines,” Ann says.
“Yes, they get us up every morning for their walk,” Tricia says. “We don’t have a choice.”
“Doesn’t matter what the weather’s doing,” Susan adds, “we’re out every morning on one of our regular routes.”
During these walks, locals and tourists inevitably pat the dogs and strike up conversations. The women have made many friends this way. They refer to one such friend’s house as ‘The Café’, because they often drop in there for coffee while out walking.
From left: Susan, Anne and Kailani, and Tricia, with (front) Mochiyu, Coco and Roxy. Credit: Helen Booth
Anne and Tricia met in primary school. Ann became a surgical nurse specialising in transplants, and Tricia became a hospital pharmacist. The trio was completed in 1978, after Ann met Susan at a 12-month advanced nursing course.
They shared rental houses and friends, attended monthly Star Trek marathons, trained puppies and dogs, and holidayed together. Ann and Susan owned and rode horses. Tricia and Susan played squash, and Tricia usually won.
“It was Tricia who did the sums and suggested we buy the cottage,” Ann says.
“Even though I was living at home,” Tricia says, “it made financial sense for us to pool our savings and buy a house.”
Susan came and went over the years, working as a neurological surgical nurse in US hospitals for six years, and in Abu Dhabi for 12 months. The others visited her several times.
With retirement afoot and the decision made to knock down the old beach house, the women toured display homes on estates, discovering most had been designed for flat blocks and growing families. “We each wanted a large bedroom with a walk-in robe and ensuite,” Tricia says.
Ann laughs. “The bedrooms had to be equal in size.”
“Yes,” Susan agrees. “We certainly didn’t want any arguments over who got the biggest bedroom.”
Ann leads a tour of the house. The dogs rouse themselves and follow. A large kitchen divides the lounge and dining areas. This is Susan’s domain. Ann and Tricia are delighted with her cooking. Unlike student share houses, there is no need for a cooking roster, and no food in the fridge labelled with housemates’ names.
At the other end of the kitchen, the dining area opens onto a south-facing front balcony with views over the blue water, a slice of Point Roadknight, and the delicate coral blush of Tricia’s potted begonias.
Inside, a large wooden dining table is covered with stationery items and albums used by Tricia and Ann for scrapbooking. As they create visual records of memories, Susan can chat to them while preparing meals.
Ann opens double doors to a storage area beside the kitchen. “This is where the lift to the garage will go, if we need one,” she says.
On the wall near the lift space is a square cupboard opening to a laundry chute. The washing lands in the large laundry below, waiting for someone to fill the machine. There is no roster; just a simple, organic sharing of the mechanics of life. Ann manages the garden, Tricia tackles technical issues and repairs, and Susan handles all things food-related.
The equal-sized bedrooms are accessed via a hallway behind the living areas. Tricia’s room overlooks the balcony. Ann’s is next, the side wall extended to accommodate south- and west-facing louvred windows.
A couple of steps lead to the library which doubles as a guest room, complete with a fold-down murphy bed.
Around the corner and up a couple of steps are entrances to a guest toilet and bathroom, with dual access into Susan’s rear bedroom.
In the hallway, a dog door leads to dedicated steps to the rear deck – unusual canine specifications that amused Council planning staff.
Designing and building a house can be a contentious enterprise even for happily married couples; not so for Ann, Susan and Tricia.
They were in fierce agreement about most aspects of the house – the floorplan, high ceilings, colour scheme, floor tiles, Tasmanian oak floors and architraves, louvred windows reminiscent of their time in Hawaii, and a kitchen inspired by a holiday house they once shared in Queensland.
“That doesn’t mean we don’t have the odd blue,” Ann says. “Oh yeah. We can certainly disagree,” Susan laughs. “That’s what our big bedrooms with personal TVs are for – times when we need to go off and sulk.”
“And then we move on,” Tricia adds. “We don’t dwell on differences, we just get on with life.”
Getting on with life includes daily routines, shared interests such as Pilates, scrapbooking, socialising with friends and family who come to stay, caring for the dogs, and caring for each other in times of illness.
All agree that three is certainly not a crowd. When one is busy with friends or a solo venture, the other two have each other’s company.
“It works because of our shared goals,” Susan says. “Fitness, enjoying life, being active, sociable and creative.”
She reflects that none of them has a sister. “Over the years, that’s what we’ve become to each other – the sisters we never had.”
Many thanks to Ann, Tricia and Susan for sharing the story of their happy retirement.
eWater cleaning products offer a greener choice
Anglesea Community House offers access to our environmentally friendly eWater system – a safe and effective cleaner made from just water, salt and electricity.
Designed to be affordable and sustainable, eWater helps reduce the need for harsh chemicals in the home and workplace.
We’re already seeing great uptake, with Issara from Cloverdale Community House (pictured below) regularly stocking up for both community use and her cleaning business, and consistently praising the product.
eWater is available for $5 per bottle (including your first fill), with refills for a gold coin donation.
Drop in and give it a try – it’s a simple, low-cost way to make a greener choice.
Many hands contribute to new street library
A wonderful collaboration between Anglesea Community House Childcare and the Anglesea Men’s Shed has brought a unique new street library to life.
The project, Little Hands and Skilled Hands, saw our children take the lead in the design process, with some very clear requests: unicorns, a yellow roof, and a red chimney!
The Men’s Shed members brought these ideas to life with care, craftsmanship and plenty of creativity.
To celebrate the finished piece, the children and Men’s Shed members added their handprints to the roof, creating a symbol of connection, collaboration and community spirit.
The library is now in use next to the Community House, ready for everyone to enjoy.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of Surf Coast Shire, whose grant funding made this project possible.
A beautiful example of generations coming together to create something special for everyone to enjoy.
Anglesea
Twilight Market
As the Twilight Market season comes to a close, we reflect on what has been another bumper year for our community. Week after week, the markets brought people together to enjoy great food, local stalls, live music and a vibrant coastal atmosphere.
These events simply wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our incredible volunteers, who generously give their time to make each market run smoothly.
A very special thank you to our Market Manager, Helen Kline, for her outstanding work in delivering yet another successful season. We look forward to doing it all again next year.
Council update
Cr Mike Bodsworth, Otway Range Ward
Dorothea Mackellar’s famous poem My Country, with its evocation of “droughts and flooding rains”, often provokes a rueful laugh when it’s borne out by extreme natural events.
But the events of January 2026 were no laughing matter. I want to acknowledge the impact of fire emergency warnings, floods, landslips and road closures on local businesses, residents, holidaymakers, and those involved in response and recovery. Thanks to emergency services and volunteers on the Surf Coast, and further west, for a sterling response and recovery effort.
We’re ready to become an eco-destination
We should soon hear the result of Council’s application for eco-destination accreditation, which recognises areas of exceptional natural appeal.
We’ve been working to achieve accreditation for some time, recognising how it will boost our visitor economy while also helping to preserve and promote this area’s uniqueness.
I’m confident that the Surf Coast and Otways’ uniqueness and unspoilt nature will only become more valuable into the future.
Outdoor recreation and outdoor education – mainstays of our local economy for over a century – can make an even stronger contribution into the future without jeopardising that uniqueness.
Boosting walking and riding paths
Pathways, tracks and trails – both around town and in the bush – are central to that future. The 2020 Anglesea Walking and Cycling Advocacy report, commissioned by Business Anglesea and prepared by a leading consulting firm, shows a “pathway” to a more walking-andriding-friendly future. It’s a perfect fit with the eco-destination vision, and Anglesea’s outdoorsy character.
The report was a talking point at a recent gathering of Anglesea Spoke Folk; people united by a love of bikes and riding in all its many guises.
Spoke Folk has a grassroots vibe and strong sense of purpose that reminds me of the “bike town” vision that prevailed when I first moved to Anglesea in 2006 – the year the Bike Park was built. One Spoke Folk goal is a proper shared path across the Anglesea River bridge, something which is also on Council’s State government advocacy list.
Anglesea is the only Great Ocean Road town with a skinny little path where riders are told to dismount, and users have to shimmy past each other. It’s unsafe, unsightly and totally unsatisfactory.
Anglesea Community Plan nearing readiness Finally, while we were conducting the February meeting of Council, the final meeting of the Anglesea Community Plan working group was also underway.
I’m looking forward to the completed plan being presented to Council, and hearing about the first steps in its implementation.
Community Plans now exist for Deans Marsh, Winchelsea, Moriac and Anglesea. They’re community-led but Council sponsored, and powered by local vision and leadership. Thanks to all those who have contributed time and energy to the Anglesea Community Plan. I can’t wait to see it!
If you’d like to contact me about these or other Council issues, call me on 0427 337 558 or email mbodsworth@surfcoast.vic.gov.au
The Anglesea River bridge currently is a pinch point for cyclists and pedestrians. Credit: Mike Bodsworth
New owners and a new chapter for Ocean Road Allied Health & Movement
Mary Bremner
The reflection of my sweaty body as I struggled into a bridge pose was a disturbing new feature of my Saturday morning Pilates session at Ocean Road Allied Health and Movement.
Mirrors on every wall, six shiny Pilates reformer machines, new flooring, stylish storage units and fresh paintwork were all part of an upgrade brought to the studio by new owners Emily Finlayson and Daniel Payne.
In May last year, Georgina Sayer let the brother-and-sister team know that the successful business she had built up in Anglesea over the past 15 years was for sale. At this time Emily, a myotherapist and Pilates instructor, was operating Payne Therapies, a wellness clinic she built adjoining her family home in Mount Duneed. Daniel ran his practice, Payne Osteopathy, from the clinic.
Emily and Daniel had occasionally talked about expanding their professional partnership. When they realised how closely Georgina’s business aligned with their goals, they decided to seize the opportunity. “All the knowledge and experience we had built up over 12 years in our professions brought us to this point,” Daniel says.
Growing up in Geelong, Emily and Daniel had active lifestyles, taking part in little athletics and later competing at state and national level in race walking. Running and tennis now help them remain fit enough to keep up with their young children.
This background in sport kindled their interest in the healing professions. “It’s because we were injured so much and I was always at the osteopath,” Daniel quips. “You know the pain, and can empathise with the patient.”
Emily adds: “It’s nice to give back to something that gave so much to me.”
New Pilates reformer machines are part of the upgrade.
While researching Georgina’s proposal, Emily and Daniel were quick to realise just how embedded the business was in the local community, something that closely matched their own values. They are working to expand these connections. Over summer they ran yoga and mat Pilates sessions at the Bowling Club. They’ve had dialogue with the Anglesea Community House about future programs, and are forging links with the football-netball club.
“We are community-driven,” Emily says. Noting lots of young families coming into the town, she is offering a “Mums and Bubs” Pilates session. By popular demand, the instructors’ schedule has been modified, adding early morning and after-working-hours sessions.
Another reason for Emily and Daniel to leap at taking over the business has been the ongoing availability of its receptionist, Rebecca Gilbert. “Bec has been here for 12 years and was talked of so highly. Everyone told us how amazing Bec is for the business,” Emily says.
The roots of the clinic are in osteopathy, but the new owners believe people are attracted to the range of holistic health therapies available.
In addition to osteopathy, the clinic offers acupuncture, podiatry, optometry, a dietician, massage therapy, myotherapy, lymphatic massage, lymphoedema therapy and exercise physiology.
Taking over a new business hasn’t been without challenges – in the first week, Emily had to deal with a swarm of bees in the roof space, while Daniel was solving the problem of a so-called ‘automatic’ door that was stuck open.
Clearly these small hiccups will be minor blips for this energetic duo who are so passionate about bringing opportunities for health and healing to the local community.
That includes your writer, who has learned that the mirrors are there to provide “feedback” – so I can be sure to get my Pilates moves just right!
Emily Finlayson and Daniel Payne, the new owners of Ocean Road Allied Health and Movement.
April, May and June 2026
Health and wellbeing
NicFIT
with personal trainer Nicky Friel
Cardio Blast Combo
This class is a combo of Tabata, powerbar, body combat, muscle conditioning and abdominal exercises.
When Saturdays @ 8.30am at Anglesea Hall
Powerbar Classes
The ultimate fat burning workout, focusing on all the major muscle groups using barbells and dumbbells all set to motivational music that will leave you wanting to come back for more!
When Mondays @ 9am Thursday @ 6.30pm at Anglesea Hall
Cost All classes are $20 or $170 for 10 sessions. First class free!
Sessions are suitable for any level of fitness. Bookings required for all classes. BYO mat.
For further information about each class call Nicky on 0403 779 084. Personal training available at reasonable rates.
Life in Balance Fitness Classes 2026
With a focus on improving strength and conditioning while ensuring correct technique, these exercise classes are fun, friendly and fitness building!
ANGLESEA Mat Pilates Classes
When Wednesdays 9-10am, Anglesea Community House
These dynamic classes focus on building core strength, developing lean muscle and improving balance, flexibility and posture. Classes cater for beginners through to those experienced with the Pilates method.
Over 55 Active Adults Circuit Training
When Mondays 9-10am and 10-11am, Anglesea Football
Netball club
Build strength and endurance with circuit training combining low impact cardio, gym equipment, hand weights, and Pilates based core exercises for a full body workout.
Over 55 Active Adults Group Exercise Classes
When Fridays 9-10am, Anglesea Memorial Hall
Stay active, mobile and energised with exercises designed for mature adults. Includes low-impact cardio, strength, balance, flexibility and core exercises.
AIREYS INLET
Active Adults Group Exercise Classes (Aireys Inlet Hall)
When Wednesdays 10.30-11.30am, Aireys Inlet Hall
Stay active, mobile and energised with exercises designed for mature adults. Includes low-impact cardio, strength, balance, flexibility and core exercises.
FAIRHAVEN Circuit Training
When Tuesdays 8.30am & 4.30pm and Thursdays 8.30am & 4.30pm (More sessions coming!)
Build strength and endurance with high energy circuit workouts combining traditional weightlifting, Pilates based core and cardio exercises for a full body workout.
Bookings Required for all classes. Contact Lina for further details:
Blended CPR (HLTAID009) and Provide First Aid (HLTAID011)
With Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), every minute counts. People who collapse with SCA only have a short 10minute window of survival. With every passing minute, the chance of survival reduces by 10%.
When Contact Kel for current dates or for group bookings 9–10 am (CPR only), 9 am–12 pm (First Aid) Where Online/face-to-face combination Cost CPR only: $70; First aid inc CPR: $175 (inc. GST) Contact Kel at: 0458 701 482.
Unless otherwise indicated, all courses can be booked via Anglesea Community House and are held at the Community House. Call us for more details on 52632116 or email info@anglesea.org.au
Keep up to date with upcoming events and courses via our website: www.anglesea.org.au Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @angleseacommunityhouse
Tracking down the masts from Inverlochy shipwreck
Anglesea Historical Society researcher Ryan McKnight tracked down three masts that were removed from the Inverlochy shipwreck in 1902:
Jonas Hollingworth built the original bark hut for the McMillan family on the corner of Parker and Jackson Streets. It is alleged that in 1902, Jonas rowed out to the Inverlochy wreck and removed the three masts, bringing them to shore to be used as flagpoles.
One of the two taller masts went to the hotel, and can be seen in many of the early hotel photos. The other tall one went to the Mawson family’s Cambridge House on the corner of Noble and Murray streets. The smaller of the three went to the McMillan family’s bark hut.
From 1902 to 1926, the McMillan family had the flagpole on their land. A family friend, ‘Boss’ Hurst, had started a new larger scout camp on the Great Ocean Road called Eumeralla. The McMillan family donated their flagpole for the Eumeralla site. It stayed beside Boss Hurst’s home for 22 years, until Camp Eumeralla outgrew its original setup. The flagpole was relocated to its present site, still in the Eumeralla camp grounds.
Fortunately, the flagpole was moved a year before the original Scout Camp site along the river was totally destroyed by fire in 1947.
The flagpole, at its original height, was erected in front of Boss Hurst’s house at Eumeralla, where it stayed until
From left: One mast outside the Anglesea Hotel; another ended up at Eumeralla scout camp (in background).
the top section broke off in a storm. The now-shorter flagpole was re-erected a short distance from Boss Hurst’s house. Both the house and the flagpole still stand today.
Of the other two flagpole masts, the one taken to the Mawson home, Cambridge House, was burnt to the ground when the house was destroyed by fire in 1947.
As for the flagpole once installed outside the hotel, no one seems to know just what happened to it.
If anyone knows its destination, please contact Ryan McKnight via the Anglesea Historical Society.
Sisters grow up on the calisthenics stage
Lina Libroaperto
Anglesea sisters Isla, 14, and Mia, 16, have grown up on the stage, thanks to their involvement with Surf Coast Calisthenics.
Isla began at just five years old, inspired by her older sister, and quickly found her place. After 10 consecutive years of competition, Mia has now concluded her calisthenics journey, while Isla continues to compete in both team events and solo divisions locally and in Melbourne.
Calisthenics combines several disciplines: freearm (strength and acrobatic elements), aesthetics (graceful, ballet-inspired movement), march (precise lines and formations) and apparatus work with clubs and rods, which require rhythm, coordination and technical skill. It is a detailed and demanding sport that requires focus and commitment –and, as both girls say, it is also incredibly rewarding.
“You’re always learning and pushing yourself.”
The solo component has been a particular highlight for both sisters. For Isla, winning a state solo title was a standout achievement, while Mia’s second placing in one of the top state divisions last year was an equally proud moment. Yet for both, the experience extends well beyond results. “You learn to be happy for other people when they shine, too,” Isla reflects.
What they value most, however, are the friendships and sense of community. Calisthenics has given them connections beyond school, plus team travel experiences, and older mentors who have supported and encouraged them along the way.
The training is rigorous, building strength, flexibility and endurance, but also develops focus, memory and discipline – transferable skills to school and everyday life.
Mia is now concentrating on VCE and local netball, having finished her calisthenics chapter on a high after her team claimed a state title last year, supported by Surf Coast Calisthenics’ dedicated coaching staff.
Isla continues to compete in solos this season, already achieving second and third placings.
When asked about the greatest benefit, both answer without hesitation: confidence, both on and off the stage.
Their advice to younger children considering the sport is simple: give it a try. You might find your community, your passion, and a new level of belief in yourself.
Opposite page: Isla says the sport of calisthenics taught her how to push herself. Above: The sisters on holiday. Right: Mia has now concluded her journey after 10 years’ participation in calisthenics.
Epic road trip puts mettle to the pedals
Jonathan Chapman
Some days you feel like a jolly good adventure, it just feels like the right thing to do. This was a relatively simple concept: fly to Perth with a bike, and cycle home to Anglesea. What could possibly go wrong?
At 4286km, this journey would take some time, and a very understanding wife and daughters. Fortunately I had all of these and, with the assistance of frequent flyer points, it was all systems go.
Cycle touring is an awesome way to travel – you have few possessions, so there’s less to worry about and less to lose; there’s no racing or point score; and there’s not much to focus on, other than whatever thoughts drift through your mind. Rest days are when you feel like it, and you see everything.
The people you meet along the way are a highlight. Some told inspirational stories of their lives, others made me happy we have strong gun control laws. Either way, they were almost always interesting and kind, each doing what they were doing for a reason, and ready to step in if someone was in trouble.
After a few days, hills are no longer a problem – for every uphill there will be a downhill. Headwinds are soul-destroying, but a tailwind makes your heart sing with joy – no, I’m not exaggerating. That’s just how it is.
Western Australia is a big place, and so is South Australia. Perth to Esperance across wheat country took a week. Another day-and-a-half to Norseman – the start of the Nullarbor, and the last town for 1200km. Turning onto the Eyre Highway at Norseman is a commitment not to be taken lightly. It is flat, straight, and there are lots of flies. But there’s
a certain beauty, too – sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, and the nights are full of stars and satellites. Mild October days in mid-20C temperatures made for pleasant cycling.
There are 10 rather uninspiring roadhouses along the Nullarbor, each spaced between 90 to 200km apart. They provide water, meals, strange conversations, basic accommodation if needed, and that’s enough. One day I did just 46km into a gale-force wind, pedalling at 10km/h, before giving up and hiding behind a small bush; the least-worst place I could find. The next day, the wind did a 180-degree turn and with the same exertion, I covered 206km to set up camp in a beautiful forest. So it goes.
Jonathan Chapman takes a break on his 4286km trek. Below: The Nullarbor was ... impressive. Credits: Jonathan Chapman
Traffic? There’s a quite a lot of it, and some of it is very big. The philosophy I operate on is that cemeteries are full of people who had right of way, and I had no intention of becoming one of them. If there was a conflict of space, or two vehicles were coming from different directions and we all knew we were going to pass each other at the same time, I just got off the road – all yours, folks! No one was going to win gold in that competition. Road trains were loud but professional, and there was nothing I would describe as a close call. As a cyclist, the Nullarbor was … impressive. At different stages, I met Perit, a Dutch cyclist who started out from Amsterdam three years ago and Zyall, a hairy young Canadian lad who had walked across Canada and the length of New Zealand. People are doing interesting stuff out there, and it was nice to meet them both.
Zyall was on a mission, and half my age – i.e. too fast – but Perit and I cruised along well, independently but together, to Ceduna in South Australia.
On my own again, I discovered that the Eyre Peninsula is also a big place. I met Monika, a young Estonian cyclist going the other way on a lap of Australia, who just wanted to talk to another cyclist, as she said – “someone who gets it”. I got it. Wilmington to Clare has cute towns every 20 to 30km, cycle trails, everything you could want. Adelaide was a rest and cake day, then over the hills and south to the Coorong and the Limestone Coast, with increasing levels of greenness.
Victoria felt close, but it was another week until my home state greeted me in typical style: 11C and heavy rain. So good to be almost home!
Above: One of the many and varied stops along Jonathan’s way. Below: A simple life with few possessions.
Three damp days later, I’m freewheeling downhill into Anglesea. No mechanical issues, not even a puncture. Just a family and a dog that were happy to see me, and I was just as happy to see them.
A few facts about perimenopause
Dr Louise Brinkmann
Perimenopause – the unpredictable, sometimes chaotic lead-up to menopause – is finally having its moment in the spotlight.
Magazines, podcasts and social media feeds are full of conversations about hot flushes, brain fog and hormone therapy, with celebrities and influencers sharing their experiences, advice and opinions.
And while the attention is long overdue, it has also brought a wave of misinformation, confusion and unregulated “expert” tips.
What is perimenopause?
So what actually is perimenopause? As women age, the ovaries gradually run out of eggs and levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone begin to decline. Periods become less regular, and eventually stop altogether.
Once it has been 12 months since the last period, you’ve officially reached menopause. Perimenopause is the transition leading up to this point.
How long does it last?
It usually lasts around four to five years, although it can be shorter or longer. During this time, oestrogen levels don’t simply fall – they fluctuate, often dramatically.
These hormonal swings are what cause many of the symptoms we’re hearing so much about: hot flushes, night sweats, poor sleep, “brain fog”, low mood, anxiety, irritability, headaches, sore joints and muscles, dry skin and bladder symptoms can all appear during this stage.
An important distinction
But here’s an important point: these symptoms aren’t always caused by perimenopause. Many other health conditions can cause similar issues, which is why it’s important to talk to your GP rather than assuming hormones are to blame.
Do all women experience symptoms? Not at all. Around 20 per cent of women have no symptoms during perimenopause, while about a quarter experience moderate to severe symptoms.
Most women fall somewhere in the middle – and every experience is different.
Is hormone therapy the right answer?
Does everyone need hormone therapy in perimenopause? No. Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT), previously known as hormone replacement therapy, can be very effective for some women, but it isn’t necessary for everyone. Many women find symptoms improve with simple lifestyle measures such as regular exercise, yoga or stretching, relaxation or meditation, good sleep habits, a balanced diet, reducing alcohol and stopping smoking.
For women with more troublesome symptoms, MHT may be an option. Treatment involves continuous oestrogen for those pesky symptoms along with cyclic progesterone to protect the lining of the uterus.
Because periods may still occur during perimenopause (often unpredictably!), contraception is still needed and can be incorporated into a MHT regime.
There isn’t enough space in this short column to bust the many myths surrounding perimenopause, but hopefully this offers a helpful starting point.
Concerned? Consult your GP
If you think you are experiencing symptoms or find yourself scrolling down perimenopause rabbit-holes late at night during a night sweat, it might be time to start the conversation with your GP.
Perimenopause can present many questions. Credit: Scopio
Meet the Repair Cafe’s sharp new recruit
Lesley Cadzow
It’s no slight on any of the skilled crew at Aireys Inlet’s Repair Café to suggest a recent addition to their numbers might just be their ‘sharpest tool in the shed’.
Before settling on the Surf Coast in semi-retirement, Dr Rob Grenfell was considered one of the nation’s key voices on vaccine development during the Covid-19 pandemic – just one highlight in a fascinating medical career.
Now enjoying a more leisurely lifestyle as the café’s new knife and garden tool sharpener, he has traded doctoral diagnosis for digging in the community garden, and scalpel work for working the blunted blades that arrive at the Repair Café back to usefulness.
As a lad living with his family on an agricultural college north of Horsham, Rob initially dreamed of growing up to become a fighter pilot.
Forays into the Little Desert National Park, at Dimboola, in the company of a retired GP who was full of stories of working in Kalgoorlie in the 1940s, stoked his interest; tales of how the newly-discovered wonder drug, penicillin, was so precious that the urine of users was strained and re-used!
The canny old doctor also retold how injured mine workers survived due to the caring ministrations of nurses … thus introducing his protégé to the vital concept of teamwork.
Early childhood experiments in locust plague control (individual injections with blue poison) may also have nourished the budding idea of public health as a career.
Emerging from a medical degree at Monash University directly into the chaos of a 1980’s regional hospital, Rob experienced first-hand the mental stresses on young doctors – some of whom were known to perish in fatigue-induced car crashes, or even take their own lives. This experience fostered in Rob a sense of having to fight to rationalise the excessive work hours undertaken by junior doctors.
Joining medical practices in Winchelsea and Lorne offered Rob a rural generalist position in which he moved readily between titled landowners, fishermen and forest people. Observing the impact of numerous beach and surf injuries, Rob completed a Masters’ degree focused on contributing to surf lifesaving and state water safety.
Next, his burgeoning career morphed into the area of refugee health, based at Footscray. A further interest in travel health then segued into involvement in a global health program and medivac services from Burma, Vietnam and Singapore.
Rob’s next port of call was the rock-climbing town of Natimuk, in the Western District, which also presented him with an opportunity to buy some of the beautiful old shops in the main street, birthing an art gallery.
Offering me a cup of tea from a teapot with an exquisite tea cosy fashioned by Rob’s mum – an artist and truly crafty woman herself – I could see her influence on her son. Rob felt gratified to witness many healing journeys emerging from this confluence of medicine and art.
I asked Rob to explain his role as a senior medical advisor in the fields of population health and policy relevance. He was determined to always ask the key question: “Is it going to work in the real world?”
He regards a program called “Take Heart” as his most important and proudest role. Personally touched by cardiovascular disease in his own father, Rob realised the heart health of indigenous people was highly susceptible to preventable rheumatic heart disease brought on by the root causes of poverty, and poor sanitation and nutrition. Then came a dream job in biosecurity, presaging a pandemic which had been predicted well before Covid-19 reared its head. With technological advancements fostering dramatic worldwide collaboration, Rob became a key spokesman for Australia’s CSIRO, one of the world’s leading vaccine development facilitators.
Now, as he transitions to life on the other end of the stethoscope, Rob believes the Surf Coast has fantastic medical services. Adjusting to his new semi-retired role, he is enjoying getting ‘down and dirty’ at the community garden, and looking forward to exploring this wonderful country as well as getting involved in conservation programs. And, of course ... sharpening lots and lots of knives.
Dr Rob Grenfell is the Repair Cafe’s new resident blade sharpener. Credit: Jerry Randall
A passion for the pasta of Puglia
Mary Bremner
Offering a taste of Italy’s Puglia region on the Surf Coast was the aim of Italian-born chef Francesco Valente when he quietly opened a pasta bar in the heart of Aireys Inlet last September.
The name he chose for this addition to the town’s culinary scene – Pasta di Puglia – says it all.
Preparing food has been Francesco’s passion since he started working part-time in kitchens at age 13. He gained experience in five-star restaurants and hotels before arriving in Australia on a travel adventure. Landing in Aireys Inlet, the young chef spent six years at A La Greque before moving on to Ipsos in Lorne, then the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie, and later the Aireys Inlet Hotel.
But Francesco had a passion for pasta, and a vision to open his own business. He was keen to closely replicate the produce from his home region using the highest quality ingredients. He started making fresh pasta and selling it wholesale, but soon wanted to take the next step into retail. The space formerly occupied by Aireys Inlet’s Great Ocean Road Gin Kitchen fitted his needs perfectly.
During his experimental phase, Francesco had spent a lot of time searching out the right ingredients. Puglia is an agricultural region in southern Italy renowned for its wine, olive oil, tomatoes and – most of all – its premium, proteinrich, durum wheat. After experimenting with different flours, including some imported from Italy, Francesco found a grain grown in NSW with similar characteristics to that he could source from Puglia. High-protein wheat is milled every three months, producing a semolina that makes Francesco very happy.
Other ingredients are sourced as close to home as possible, including fruit and vegetables from a farm near Bannockburn and from suppliers in Geelong. Most of the pantry items for sale originate from Italy.
On opening, Pasta di Puglia served the needs of home cooks, supplying pasta and other Italian ingredients. For those looking for a night off from cooking, there were take-home meals, either hot or cold.
After gaining a liquor licence, Francesco and his partner, Ineke, began to open for lunch and dinner. Shells alla Bolognese, made with Bird Rock Farm beef from nearby Ceres, is a menu staple. Stracciatella and burrata are just two of the specialty cheeses on the menu that take diners on a journey to Francesco’s beloved Puglia.
Now able to fully express his creativity, Francesco adds occasional nightly specials, based on seasonal ingredients, to his regular menu. When he’s feeling especially nostalgic for his home country, Francesco will use cime di rape (translation “turnip tops”), a winter green with a spicy twist, mostly imported from Italy. He has now commissioned it to be grown fresh locally.
It wasn’t all plain sailing during the summer at Aireys’ newest eatery, with some customers surprised to see meals served in takeaway-style containers. For Francesco, it’s an intentional choice. “I want to keep it casual,” he explains.
The relaxed approach is part of the venue’s identity, offering quality pasta without the formality of fine dining.
All packaging used is either recyclable or compostable, keeping sustainability front of mind while staying true to the pasta bar concept.
With Pasta di Puglia tucked between Asian fusion restaurant Kiem’s Dining and French bistro Le Comptoir, Francesco is delighted to find that customers are driving from Geelong, the Bellarine or even Melbourne to dine out in Aireys Inlet, attracted by its burgeoning restaurant scene.
And, conscious of embedding Pasta di Puglia in the local community and earning its support, particularly during the quieter winter months, Francesco is also preparing for the excitement of the Aireys Inlet Tourism and Traders Association’s SENSE-sational festival in May.
Chef Francesco Valente is bringing the tastes of the Puglia region to Australia. Credit: Timothy Marriage Photography
The arrival of Pasta di Puglia further boosts Aireys Inlet’s fine dining credentials. Credit: Timothy Marriage Photography
Safety-first approach to managing lithium-ion batteries
Tony Revell, Anglesea CFA Community Safety
Victorian fire services are responding to at least one significant lithium-ion batteryrelated fire each week, and this trend is increasing. We urge the Anglesea community to be aware of the risks associated with lithium-ion batteriesand know how to use them safely.
Lithium-ion batteries are found in devices such as phones and tools, as well as mobility equipment such as e-bikes and e-scooters.
They release toxic and flammable gases when they short-circuit, which may lead to them catching fire. If the battery is fully charged, violent fire behaviour with sparks and jet-like flames may be experienced in a process called thermal runaway.
The main reasons lithium-ion batteries catch fire:
- Using a charging cable that was not designed for the device or battery, or the charger being used is not compatible with the battery specifications.
- The device may have been damaged or exposed to water, causing corrosion within the battery.
- Devices and equipment are poor quality, unsafe and not purchased from reputable manufacturers and suppliers.
Take the following actions to keep you and your family safe:
- Purchaseproducts only from reputable suppliers.
- Only usechargers and cords supplied with the device.
- Do not tamper with batteries and appliances they power.
- Do not leavebatteries charging in direct sunlight, or longer than needed.
- Onlychargebatteries on noncombustible surfaces in a room where a smoke alarm is present.
- Don’tusebatteries or devices that show signs of swelling, bulging,leakingoroverheating.
Help the CFA to locate fire hydrants in an emergency
We need your help to ensure we can gain quick access to fire hydrants.
Hydrants located throughout Anglesea and Aireys Inlet can be identified by a white post with red and blue markings.
The hydrant cover is white and, on made roads, there may be a painted white pointer and blue “cat’s eye” on the road.
Help us to locate them by keeping the area around the hydrant clear of vegetation, ensuring it is visible from the road and that no cars or trailers are parked across hydrants.
Report any hydrant maintenance issues to Surf Coast Shire. Interested in volunteering with the CFA?
Joining your local CFA is the most rewarding way you can give back to your local community. Our CFA members are dedicated and skilled, and each volunteer makes a valuable contribution through the roles they perform.
Immediate Past President Carmen and I had the pleasure of attending the 2025 Anglesea Primary School Speech Night and presenting the Lions Club of Anglesea bursaries to three students.
Students are selected by their teachers, and the four criteria for the award are citizenship, endeavour, commendable work habits and interest in community.
The 2025 recipients at Anglesea PS are: Sadie Bingham, Milly Charles, Ollie Crowcroft.
Every Grade Six student presented a prepared speech, and we were impressed with their presentations.
Bursaries are also presented at Aireys Inlet Primary School. The following students were recipients: Grace Grabham, Lily Windward, Jhon Alfonso Conteras, Penny Gray, Olivia Thompson.
The Lions Club holds a Christmas stocking raffle to raise funds for bursaries for the students, which are paid to the secondary school at which they register in 2026. We congratulate all the students, and wish them well on their further education journey.
The Lionettes provide a bursary in co-donation with the family of the late Beth Quail, in her memory. This bursary is presented to a female Year 11 student studying at Grovedale Secondary College, where Beth had been a teacher. We are proud to encourage our young people
with their further education, and thank the Quail family for their continuing support.
The Christmas Carols hosted by the Lions Club were held in the primary school stadium, a very successful event with the man in the red suit making his entrance on the local fire truck. The CFA provide sweets for all the children attending, and a night of singing carols and children with lots of energy was enjoyed by all. The Christmas stocking winners were announced at this event.
The Riverside Market on January 4 was held in good weather, with a large number of visitors making the most of the stalls. Our egg and bacon rolls; sausage, bread and onions; plus fruit sticks, are always popular.
A very successful event was held on January 26 to celebrate Australia, recognised by the Australia Day Council with the key message of Reflect, Respect and Celebrate.
Two guest speakers, Hong Van Trinh, a Vietnamese refugee, and Mukhules Habash, a refugee from Iraq, who is President of the Socio-Cultural Syriac Association, were very well received. Music was supplied by The Billy Tea Bush Band and the Anglesea Jammers. Face painting, a jumping castle, a sing-a-long and a sausage sizzle were part of the free fun day for the community. The coffee van was a welcome addition to the event. The Lions Club extends its sincere thanks to all who took part in the celebrations. We welcome inquiries about activities and support we can offer to our community.
Email: anglesealionessclub@gmail.com
Work begins on Aireys Inlet’s new Wayfinding Hub
There’s something new taking shape at the Aireys Inlet Top Shops. The Aireys Inlet Tourism and Traders Association (AITTA), together with the Aireys Inlet and District Association (AIDA), has begun work on the Aireys Inlet Community Information & Wayfinding Hub.
Thanks to a $45,000 grant from the Regional Development Victoria Tiny Towns Fund, an underutilised corner of the top shops will be transformed into a welcoming outdoor space. The Hub will include seating and a handcrafted community information board created by a local artisan, with a distinctly Aireys feel.
The project is being developed alongside the Surf Coast Shire Council’s Aireys Inlet Top Shops Design Improvements initiative, which aims to enhance the precinct and create a stronger sense of place. The Hub will complement this work through its design and materials.
The new space will become a central point for information including:
- Safety information such as AED locations, patrolled beaches and bushfire sites of last resort.
- Local facilities including toilets, parking, beaches and walking trails.
- Culture/history, including First Nations stories.
- Digital access via QR codes linking to maps, resources and event information.
Project timelines:
- Feb to March 2026: Community engagement
- Apr to May 2026: Design phase
- June to Aug 2026: Construction
- Sept to Nov 2026: Installation & completion.
If you have questions or would like to help with the project, we’d love to hear from you. Email: aireystta@gmail.com
An artist’s impression of the new Hub in Aireys Inlet.
Starfish patrol welcomes lifesavers of all abilities
On Saturday January 10, Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club had our second annual Starfish Lifesavers patrol. Starfish is a program designed for young people aged six and above with a disability, including physical and intellectual disabilities and learning difficulties, and can be modified to suit an individual participant’s needs so everyone can be included. Run entirely by volunteers at a number of life saving clubs around Australia, the program ensures students with disabilities and their parents can be equally involved with surf skills and lifesaving as their siblings, friends and others on the beach.
On the day, tricky weather conditions could have caused challenges for our Anglesea Starfish Lifesavers who are all qualified with their Radio Operators Certificate and just happen to be neurodiverse. Together with their mentors and an incredible bunch of newly-qualified SRC candidates, they provided excellent support for our beachgoers.
Our Starfish Lifesaver jobs included collecting t-shirts and boogie boards that flew down the beach in the wind, advising beachgoers on the safest place to swim, supervising a check on swimmers caught in a rip, constant scanning using the binoculars, and putting into action some radio checks. A big thank you to patrol captain Liam for his support of the Starfish and SRC cohort.
James Betson wins 2025 Life Saving Victoria and Surf Life Saving Australia Volunteer Trainer of the Year
We are proud to congratulate James Betson (left) on winning Trainer of the Year at the 2025 Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) Awards of Excellence. Following his winning at the 2025 Life Saving Victoria (LSV) Awards of Excellence, James was nominated for the SLSA awards, alongside Ducky and Jules, our other Anglesea award nominees.
James, our Director of Member Development, goes above and beyond in all areas of the club, from organising and training Bronze and Silver courses, to coordinating our IRB (inflatable rescue boat) racing team, or simply being the most positive face around the club.
Last year James won the Margaret Marsh Award for Club Person of the Year at our 23/2024 Club Awards Night. We are so grateful to have him as part of our community. James will be shifting his mind to our 2026 Winter IRB racing season soon, with the club very excited to host a two-day carnival on May 9-10 at Anglesea Main Beach.
If you haven’t ever witnessed an IRB carnival, it is something to behold. Fast, noisy and action-packed. All designed to give our volunteer patrollers real experience in the IRBs so they are rescue-ready on every patrol, and during any emergency.
Anglesea SLSC’s Starfish Lifesavers patrol works with mentors to provide excellent support for beachgoers.
Strong start to the school year at Anglesea PS
Anglesea Primary School kicked off the 2026 school year in a smooth, settled and highly positive fashion, welcoming 152 students across all year levels. From the first morning, there has been a strong sense of calm, routine and purpose across the school, with students confidently transitioning into classrooms and quickly re-establishing friendships and learning norms.
Our staff have worked deliberately to ensure clear expectations, strong relationships and consistent routines are embedded early. This focus has created settled classrooms where students feel safe, connected and ready to learn, an important foundation for growth and success throughout the year. This year we have welcomed 16 new Preps to our school that our Grade 6 buddies have enjoyed supporting and working alongside.
A highlight of our strong start has been the continuation of our much-loved Outdoor Education program, which remains a signature learning element. Living in a unique coastal environment provides incredible opportunities, and our students have wasted no time embracing them.
Over the opening weeks of school, students have already:
- Hit the waves through our surfing program (above), building water confidence, resilience and teamwork.
- Challenged themselves on high ropes courses, developing courage, problem-solving skills and persistence.
- Explored local bushland environments, engaging in outdoor adventures that strengthen environmental awareness and connection to place.
These experiences are about far more than physical activity. They build confidence, independence and collaboration –skills that transfer directly back into the classroom. Our Outdoor Education program for our grades 3 to 6 students reflects our belief that powerful learning happens both inside and outside the four walls of a classroom.
With strong enrolments, enthusiastic learners and a committed staff team, Anglesea PS has begun 2026 with energy and optimism. We look forward to a year filled with growth, opportunity and continued connection to the incredible natural environment that surrounds our school.
Twitchers’ Corner
Written and illustrated by Kaye
Traynor
Crested Tern
Thalasseus bergii
Other Names: Greater
Crested Tern, Bass Strait
Tern, Swift Tern
Wing: 311-368mm
Bill: 53-66mm
Wingspan: 1020mm
Crested Terns are common along the coastline of Australia and rarely venture inland. Slightly smaller than the Silver Gull, the Crested Tern is recognised by its long tapering wings, yellow bill and shaggy black crest. In winter this crest is replaced by shorter, mottled feathers as the bird moults into non-breeding plumage.
Identification: Breeding plumage – back and tail grey, wings darker grey above. Face (below eye) white, neck and underparts white. Crown and nape black, with feathers of nape forming a low crest. Bill, large, lemon-yellow, greenish towards the base with white strip across. Eye brown, legs black.
Non-breeding plumage, crown streaked white. Immatures are similar to non-breeding, but bill greener, with varied amounts of brown and black. Up to about three months, birds speckled black and white on upper parts.
Description: Crested Terns feed almost exclusively on fish near or on the surface, diving for them and partly immersing themselves. Their flight is graceful, with long, sweeping wing beats.
Breeding occurs from September to December in the east and south. In northern areas from March to June. They nest in colonies on offshore islands.
The nest is usually a shallow scrape in the sand and may be lined with bits of vegetation and shell fragments. One or two glossy, stone-grey coloured eggs, marked with grey, brown and black are laid. When the young hatch, they are fed small fish by their parents. They are located by their position at the nest. By three days of age, the parents recognise their chicks by voice. There is also some evidence to indicate that the chicks recognise their parents’ voices, because the young soon move off the nest into a communal creche of hundreds of similarly aged birds and this recognition is extremely important.
Of the two Tern species found in this area, the Crested Tern is the most commonly seen. The larger Caspian Tern, with a bright red bill, is also a regular to our coastal environment.
Reference: The Australian Bird Guide – Peter Menkhorst, Danny Rogers, Rohan Clarke, Jeff Davies, Peter Marsack, Kim Franklin.
ARTS SCENE
Compiled by Deborah Elliott
Art abounds in Anglesea and surrounds. Below is a summary of the Art Scene in Anglesea and Aireys Inlet for the next couple of months. Please confirm the details of events listed below at each organisation’s website.
UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS AT ANGLESEA ART SPACE
Exhibition: Weaving Stories
Artists: Weaverbirds – Joy Beeby, Roe Clapham, Anne Davies, Kathy Harry, Sam Harry, Jane Honman, Cathie Mitchell, Julie Skouden, Denise Stephens
Dates: April 2 to 19 (open public holidays)
Open: Daily 10am-4pm
Launch celebration: Thurs April 2, 6pm
The Weaverbirds meet around Joy Beeby’s kitchen table each week. As they weave with their hands, conversations flow, moving between their creative practice and reflections on family, community and the wider world. Each finished piece carries its own story.
Exhibition: Elida Luciarte, solo show
Dates: April 21 to May 10
Open: Thurs-Sun, 11am-4pm
Elida’s work creates a tension between the familiar, the surreal and the abstract – painted with exceptional skill. She also runs the Torquay Art Hub, where she leads art classes and serves as an art representative.
May 12 to 24 May - To be confirmed May 25 to 31 - Closed for maintenance
Exhibition: Surf Coast Arts Trail Taster
Dates: June 2 to 21
A sneak peek at some of the incredible artists featured in this year’sSurf Coast Arts Trail.
For more information, visit www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/ angleseaartspace
Inquiries: artsteam@surfcoast.vic.gov.au
UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS AT EAGLES NEST GALLERY
Exhibition: Eddie Warhurst - Sandhills to Seascapes
Dates: April 4 to May 31
Launch celebration: Sat April 4, 3pm (featuring Myf Warhurst)
Open: Fri-Mon 10am-5pm ***
Exhibition: Cultural Tapestries
Artworks celebrating the cultural tapestries that weave through Aireys Inlet & lived artist experiences
Launch celebration: Sat May 30, 2pm (featuring George Donikian)
50 Great Ocean Road, Aireys Inlet www.eaglesnestgallery.com.au
ANGLESEA SNAPPERS
The Anglesea Snappers
Photography
Club is a group of Surf Coast locals who are passionate about photography and the natural environment. The purpose of the group is to share a love of photography, share knowledge and learn from each other.
When: 7.30pm, 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month at Anglesea Community House, 5 McMillan Street, Anglesea. The 1st Tuesday is ‘show and tell’, and the 3rd Tuesday is a learning session.
Contact: Deb Elliott: 0439 686 585
Facebook: Anglesea Snappers Photography Club
ANGLESEA PERFORMING ARTS ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE IS MELBOURNE-BOUND
Lina Libroaperto
Anglesea Performing Arts Ensemble returns with Womenof Troy,following sold-out seasons in Anglesea at the Memorial Hall, in Lorne at Community Connect, both in 2025, and at the Geelong Arts Centre in March 2026.
The production has been warmly received by audiences and critics for its clarity of vision, evocative design and assured performances.
Based on The Trojan Women by Euripides, Women of Troy centres on Queen Hecuba, her daughter Cassandra, and Helen of Sparta as they confront the aftermath of a decade-long war. Troy has fallen. The men are dead. The women and children await their fate – enslavement, exile and separation from their homeland.
Written more than 2,500 years ago, Euripides’ play examines the human cost of prolonged conflict, particularly for those left without power or protection.
In this contemporary staging, APA Ensemble foregrounds the voices of the Trojan women, drawing resonant parallels between the ancient text and ongoing global conversations about displacement, accountability and the impact of violence on civilians.
The production, written by Janine McKenzie, features a stripped-back yet striking design, allowing language and performance to take focus. Through an ensemble-driven approach, the work balances intimacy with scale, highlighting both the personal grief and the broader political consequences embedded in the text.
This May, the production goes to Melbourne for a limited season at the historic Meat Market, continuing the company’s commitment to presenting rigorous,
CINNAMON STEPHENS
Metalwork, ceramics, weavings, garden-inspired jewellery and more.
Catalogue available (0400 436 308).
Location: CinnamonsART+ Art Consultancy, 66 Niblick St, Anglesea
Studio/stockroom open to the public by appointment, seven days.
View the artists currently being promoted by Cinnamon at www.cinnamonsart.au/art-consultancy-services
accessible interpretations of classical works for contemporary audiences.
The Melbourne season represents the next stage in Anglesea Performing ArtsEnsemble’s growing body of work, offering local audiences the opportunity to experience this thoughtful reimagining of an enduring classic. Beyond this touring season of Women of Troy, Anglesea Performing Arts will continue to explore productions for later in 2026 and into 2027.
If you missed Women of Troy on the Surf Coast and in Geelong, grab your tickets to see it at the Meat Market in Melbourne in May. Dates and performance details can be found via the QR code (right).
Followonline@cinnamons_art.consultant
ContactCinnamon on 0400 436 308 or cinnamonsart33@gmail.com
Open Gardens Victoria event: Sunnymeade, Harvey St, Anglesea
WomenofTroy is set to play at Melbourne’s Meat Market in May.
ARTS SCENE
WRITE ANGLES
TRIO OF TOP PERFORMERS ACROSS ONE BIG WEEKEND AT ANGLESEA MEMORIAL HALL
Anglesea’s live-music series The Sound Doctor returns in force with three different but equally exciting shows on Friday, May 8, Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10, bringing a burst of local and national talent to the Anglesea Memorial Hall.
Friday May 8: Punk with purpose
Kicking off the weekend, rising punk outfit Public Figures will headline an all-ages, alcohol-free show co-presented with the Victorian Government’s Amplify initiative. This energetic, all-standing event celebrates raw expression and musical energy, with under-18s welcome without a guardian. Expect high-octane punk rock and a supportive community vibe from 7pm.
Saturday May 9: William Crighton’s Anglesea debut
On Saturday night, ARIA-award winning singer-songwriter William Crighton brings his Colonial Drift tour to town for the first time. Blending Australian folk, blues and what’s often called “bush psych”, Crighton’s powerful storytelling and atmospheric sound has earned him a devoted following. Joined by his band and long-time collaborator Julieanne, this 90-minute performance promises to be special. Doors open from 7pm.
Sunday May 10: Mama Kin Spender
Rounding out the weekend is Mama Kin Spender, performing an afternoon show from 1.30 pm. Known for rich harmonies and engaging live shows, Mama Kin Spender are sure to deliver a relaxed, yet stirring close to the weekend’s festivities. Bring the whole family and celebrate Mothers’ Day with music!
All shows take place at Anglesea Memorial Hall. Tickets on sale now at www.thesounddoctor.info
Celebrate Mothers’ Day with Mama Kin Spender performing an afternoon show at Anglesea Memorial Hall.
