VOICE
DRYSDALE &
CLIFTON SPRINGS
February 2015
LOCAL BAND ON A HIGH
North Bellarine's Independent Newspaper
Glenda McNaughton is looking forward to supporting the fifth Festival of Glass this weekend. See inside for the full story.
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Crime watch LUKE VOOGT
GLASS FEST JOY
AROUND 30 Drysdale and Clifton Springs residents are banding together to form a local Neighbourhood Watch, to be “the eyes and ears” for local police. “It doesn’t matter how many police there are, they can’t be on every corner every minute,” Neighbourhood Watch coordinator for Geelong and the Surf Coast, Rhonda Rotherham said. “At some point the community has to be responsible.” The group is being formed in response to a horrid few months of crime in the area, in which several local stores have been broken into, scores of items stolen from cars and one woman was attacked in her own backyard. “The reason for having a Neighbourhood Watch is to prevent the large
Members of the new Neighbourhood Watch: Tammy Butters, Rhonda Rotherham, Frank, Tegwen and Phil Vella, Ricky (rear) and Leanne Stratford and Nathan Sobko. number of crimes in Drysdale and Clifton Springs,” Ms Rotherham. “I think some people in that community have been complacent – there’s been a lot of opportunistic crime.” Ms Rotherham said the two main purposes of the group would be to educate locals and report suspicious activity to police. “We encourage people to remove valuables from their cars and lock their doors,” she said. “It’s about being alert
and reporting suspicious activity, such as loitering or a car that’s not meant to be there driving slowly up and down a street.” Ms Rotherham was contacted by the group to help them set up a Neighbourhood Watch, after a meeting last month to discuss the recent rise in crime. The meeting, held at the Springdale Community Centre and organised by local Tammy Butters, was attended by about 100 people.
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Voice Drysdale & Clifton Springs News
High hopes for festival DRYSDALE and Clifton Springs Community Association hopes to again attract thousands of visitors to the area for the fifth Festival of Glass on Sunday February 15. “It’s unique in Australia and it joins just a few similar festivals around the world,” said promoter Patrick Hughes. The festival is free and will run from 10am to 4pm at Christian College Drysdale, featuring more than 50 stalls by local and interstate exhibitors. “There are several artists in the Bellarine who are good supporters of the festival,” said Mr Hughes. New to the festival this year is renowned Sydneybased glass artist Mark Eliott, who will run a oneday flamework class on February 16 and a threeday glass-sculpting class
from February 17 to 19. “It’s for people who are okay with making glass to take their skills to the next
Laurie Young and Kristian Lynda Rogers from Arnold, who were at last Klassay Glass Art will be year’s event. Mr Eliott uses be at the festival. glass to make animals and abstract art, as well as for animation in film. “We’ll be starting with improvisation, and making objects such as pendants and animals,” said Mr Eliott. He said he was looking forward to holding an interactive demonstration during the festival itself. The festival also includes glass making demonstrations, workshops, silent auctions, “Glass on Film”, and a chance to win glass collectables every hour. “People will get to see glass formed and made, and will have the opportunity to make some level,” Mr Eliott said. glass themselves,” said Mr Mr Eliott heard about Hughes. the event from friends The Drysdale Art Glass and fellow glass makers, Awards will also take place.
Local band makes good DRYSDALE band Audemia rocked its way into Geelong history last month with its debut video “Invisible Prison”, becoming the first band to record a music clip at the Powerhouse. For months Audemia (pictured right) had been planning a mighty entrance into the abandoned power station through the steel wire mesh welds, to finish off the filming for the music video. “It was all boarded up with rubbish everywhere,” said bass player Tony Calleja, who was busking in Drysdale with fellow band guitarist Jacob Camilleri. Yet days before the shoot on January 6, the band discovered the building
was no longer abandoned and was being leased by local art and culture enthusiast Ian Ballis. “He cleaned it up and made it safe for us,” said Mr Calleja. “Although it’s been cleaned up immensely, it was the perfect place to film the remaining shots
of the music clip,” said band manager Rachelle Calleja. Audemia took vanloads of equipment into the 3000 sq metre building, raising speakers, drum kits and equipment onto the large platforms and archways in the building
via scissor lift. Filming commenced at 9am and the last take finished at around 7.30pm. The clip featured smoke machines, lighting, a pet cockatoo and even large TV sets on fire which had been thrown from the top of the building.
Tommy Connor, from the Drysdale Fire Brigade, said the owner attempted to put out the fire with a garden hose, before firefighters arrived to prevent it from
spreading further. He said the fire had been investigated and was not considered suspicious. Drysdale firefighters also extinguished a crop fire on Founds Road
on January 14, which destroyed less than one hectare. “The wind wasn’t strong that day, so we were able to put it out pretty quickly,” said Mr
Police urge for vigilance BELLARINE Police are urging residents to secure their property, after a spate of thefts earlier this month. “The majority of the crime is occurring because residents are leaving themselves vulnerable – cars, garage doors and houses unlocked,” said Bellarine Officer in Charge Senior Sergeant Angelo Ferrara. “We have seen some instances across the Geelong region and the odd one on the Bellarine where cars are stolen by gaining entry into an unlocked house, keys taken and the car stolen – mostly overnight while residents sleeping.” Police are focusing on checking specific residential estates for unlocked cars and alerting the owners of the dangers. On an overnight patrol in early January, police found a garage door open in Portarlington with a BMW parked inside and the keys still in the ignition. Police woke the resident who then promptly secured the garage. Police reported reduced crime last week, compared to earlier in the month, with four burglaries, two car thefts, seven thefts from cars and nine general thefts. “Overall we are seeing a reduction in crime on the Bellarine over the last week to ten days compared to the previous weeks, although numbers are still concerning to police,” said Snr Sgt Ferrara last Friday.
Fire brigade has busy January FIRE destroyed a car parked at a Reserve Road address at about 5am on January 14 and quickly spread to the house, damaging a carport, a garage and two bedrooms.
Connor. Drysdale Fire Brigade was kept busy last month with 11 separate call-outs, which is slightly above average according to Mr Connor.
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Voice Drysdale & Clifton Springs News 2000 comes up for senior gym junkie
LOCAL resident Dorothy Wheelahan will complete her 2000th workout at Curves Drysdale next Tuesday, at the remarkable age of 75. Dorothy (pictured right) joined the gym one month after it opened in September 2007, at the spritely age of 68. “She’s called ‘Queen Dorothy’ around here,” said the g ym’s owner Andrea Keating. “She’s pretty well known.” Mrs Wheelahan goes to the gym every day from Monday to Saturday at 7am.
“If she’s not here at 8.30am, we wait for a little while and call her to see if she’s alright,” said Ms Keating. “I love it – I don’t mind my age,” said Mrs Wheelahan after her 1990th workout last Wednesday. “The staff and the people are just so friendly.” Dorothy has lived on the Bellarine Peninsula for
more than 20 years and said going to the gym helps her keep up with her 12 grandchildren. “She can use the squat machine better than most people half her age,” said Ms Keating. Dorothy said it’s never too late in life to stay active. “No, just keep going,” she said.
Voice Drysdale & Clifton Springs Sport
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Aus Open thrill for youngsters
DRYSDALE Tennis Club youngsters had an amazing experience at last month’s Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Up to 17 locals aged between five and 13 were invited to the Australian Open ‘Community Play Hot Shots’ program on day four of the open. The tennis enthusiasts lapped up the experience with parents and helpers who were given ground passes to the event. “They were over the moon with being up close and personal and seeing the standard of the world’s best,” Drysdale Tennis Club junior coordinator Kerry Humphrey said. “The kids were inspired by the quality of tennis and how hard the professional players hit the ball.” The group met retired Australian player Alicia Molik and Romanian world No 42 Irina-Camelia Begu.
The group at the Australian Open.
Springs pair in pro am CLIFTON Springs locals Tyson Myers and Matthew Milne will draw on their local knowledge at next month’s Portarlington Golf Club Pro Am. Milne, a former PGA Touring professional, runs the pro shop at Portarlington Golf Club and works alongside Myers, who has worked at the club for the last seven years. Myers said he and
Milne are keen to tee it up against some of the region’s best tour professionals. “We will both be pegging it up and trying to do our best against those who do it full time,” said Myers, 24, who graduated as a Golf Pro last year. The Portarlington Golf Club Pro Am is in its third year and takes place on Thursday March 5. Portarlington Golf Club will welcome back
Michael Choi for this year’s Pro Am. Choi shot a course record 62 at the 2014 event. Entries are still open for the Barwon Cleaning Supplies Portarlington Golf Club Pro Am. Log on to www. portarlingtongolf. com.au or contact the Portarlington Golf Club on 5259 2492 for further information.
Tyson Myers in background with Matthew Milne putting.
what’s ON music/live events
• Potato Shed, Drysdale - The Romance of French Gypsy Violins, March 17 • Springdale Community Centre Hall - Business breakfast, 7am February 23 - Making waves music/poetry arvo every third Sun of every month 2pm-5.30pm
markets & fairs
• Buy Bellarine Produce Barn - Tuckerberry Farm SaturdaySunday 9am-3pm
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 f 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.
What’s On phone: 5255 3233 or email: journo@ ocean grovevoice.com
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Voice Drysdale & Clifton Springs Sport
Hawks parade recruits
INCOMING Drysdale Football Club playing assistant coach Ryan Normington joins a batch of new star recruits at the Hawks’ nest this season. The 25-year-old former St Mary’s and Newtown GFL footballer heads up a new coaching panel at Drysdale alongside fellow playing assistant Steve Brown, who was appointed in November 2014. John Fitzgerald will be at the helm for his third season in charge as Drysdale senior coach in 2015. Apart from Normington, Drysdale unveiled its latest signings at the club’s first official pre-season training session of 2015 on Wednesday January 28. Other new recruits include Dene Normington, brother of Ryan, Daniel Norris,
Liam Walder, Luke Moore, Liam Hobbs, Tim McLennan, Alex Hamilton and Matt Baden. Normington, a former premiership player at Shepparton United in the Goulburn Valley League, said the new role at Drysdale would be his first taste of coaching at senior football level. “This is my first go at coaching and that is a lot of the reason why I have decided to play at Drysdale,” Normington told the Voice. “I have heard really good things about Fitzy so I am here just to learn and hopefully improve in my coaching and playing and hoping for the best in 2015. The coaching opportunity came up here at Drysdale and I thought 'why not grasp it with both hands?'.”
Front: Ryan Normington and Sam Hammond. Middle: Daniel Norris, Luke Moore and Liam Hobbs. Back: Tim McLennan, Dene Normington and Liam Walder.
Q&A with Ryan Normington AFL team Adelaide Crows Favourite ever AFL player Tony Modra Favourite food Mexican Favourite drink frozen Coke Favourite holiday destination New York Occupation primary school teacher Hobbies golf If you were stuck on a deserted island what three items would you bring? water, television, electricity
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Voice Drysdale & Clifton Springs Sport Shane Cutajar made 40 for Drysdale on Saturday. Pictures: LINDSAY KELLEY
Hawks on top MARK HEENAN
DRYSDALE A grade has the opportunity to claim minor premiership honours in a two-day match at home against an in-form Ocean Grove this Saturday. Drysdale Cricket Club coach Shane Cutajar expects an enthralling contest with bat and ball against the Grubbers. Ocean Grove (3-5) head into the match high on confidence after wins over Collendina and Newcomb while Drysdale has a 7-1 record in 2014/15. “They (Ocean Grove) have a got a sniff of making finals,” Cutajar told the Voice. “Our next two games we are in control of teams that can make finals, we have Ocean Grove and Barrabool in round eleven. Both of those teams are going to be pushing to really knock us off and give themselves a better chance of making the four.” M E A N W H I L E Drysdale, current BPCA A grade ladder leaders, cruised to an eight-wicket win against fellow final contenders Portarlington at Portarlington on
David Boyd plays a cut shot on Saturday. Saturday. The Hawks took honours on day one in the annual Australia Day long weekend annual twilight two-day clash after Portarlington was rolled for only 114 in 48.3 overs. The visitors ensured it was a tough day for the home side after inspirational Portarlington skipper Paul McGrath (0) failed
to trouble scorers. Drysdale resumed at 2/48 on day two and were well led by Cutajar (40) and opener Jason Malcolm (53), who shared in a 95-run third wicket partnership. The Hawks continued to pile on runs after tea as Luke Malcolm (25) and Scott Jervies (41 not out) provided some lusty blows with the bat. Drysdale finished at
8/238 from its 75 overs. McGrath was the star with the ball for Port with his figures of 4/33 from 19 overs. Cutajar said it was important to bounce back with a solid win against Port after his side suffered an agonising one-run loss to Anglesea in round eight. The A grade defeat to Anglesea was the club’s first home and away
loss in more than two seasons. “The last time we had a loss we had to wait six months to play again,” he said. “It gave us an opportunity to actually feel a loss, learn from it and I think we have come back in the best possible way.” IN B grade Drysdale suffered a 114-run defeat to Portarlington in their two-day match at Drysdale Recreation Reserve. Chasing 236 for victory on day two, the Hawks were bowled out for 121 from 40.3 overs. PORTARLINGTON defeated Drysdale by 72 runs in their C grade two-day game at Portarlington. The Demons made 9/196 from 60 overs, while in reply Drysdale were dismissed for 124 from 55.2 overs. DRYSDALE won its D grade one-day match against Portarlington at Charles McCarthy Memorial Oval in St Leonards by 132 runs. Batting first, the Hawks made 6/235 from 40 overs, while in reply the visitors were rolled for only 103 from 38.2 overs.
SPORT DRYSDALE &
CLIFTON SPRINGS
HAWKS RECRUITS
Coach named Hawks all but snare minor premiership
MARK HEENAN
STYLE: Jason Malcolm made his second half-century in three games as Drysdale cruised to an easy win against rivals Portarlington. See inside for the full story. The Hawks also went a long way to winning the minor premiership for the second season in row. Picture: LINDSAY KELLEY
Voice sports 5255 3233
DRYSDALE Netball Club has named Anthony Burton (pictured above) as its new coach for 2015. The Hawks finished their exhaustive search last month to find a successor for outgoing coach Michelle Davis. Davis, a life member at the club will stay on as president, helped appoint Burton in the role. “Anthony’s record stands for itself,” Davis told the Voice. Burton, nicknamed ‘Birdy’, has more than 30 years experience in netball as a player, coach and media commentator. He represented Australia in senior netball and was coached by former Australian Diamonds coach Norma Plummer in the Victorian Men’s and Mixed Netball League in 1989. In fact the last time
Burton came to Drysdale Netball Club was more than decade ago as coach of BFNL club Geelong Amateur. “The last time I was here at Drysdale Netball Club was 10 years ago in 2005, we played the grand final on one of the courts here,” recalled Burton, 49. “It is lovely out here I could easily live out here. “It is nice and quiet, I like nice and quiet because I work in Melbourne it is go go all the time just to get away from the rat race. “There are no cars driving by, there is no road rage.” The Geelong-based Burton also had coaching stints at Bell Post Hill and East Geelong. Burton hosted the Geelong and District Football League Netball Show on Channel 31 for five years.
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