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Friday, 31 October, 2014
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Record cruise trade bypassing Geelong By EMILY IANNELLO
TOP VENUES IN AWARDS GLORY P9
GEELONG is missing out on Victoria’s busiest cruise season. Eighty-five cruises will visit but only three will tie up in Geelong amid an absence of waterfront berthing facilities. Up to 23 of the ships were capable of visiting Geelong if it had “the right infrastructure”, according to the city’s tourism boss.
Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine executive director Roger Grant said cruise ship captains preferred docking at piers rather than swing moorings, which are used in Geelong so water taxis can ferry visitors ashore. “Many people struggle to get in and off the boat’s swing mooring,” he said. Mr Grant identified cruises
as the tourism industry’s fastestgrowing sector. “It’s an area that’s going to grow. The cruise ships are looking for different ports, they don’t want to follow the same route. “If we could deliver the appropriate infrastructure we could reap the benefits. We’re missing out because we can’t provide the needs of the cruise ship companies.”
Mr Grant said cruise companies and passengers were “very positive” about Geelong but wanted to step off the ship “into the heart of the city”. The region’s councils alliance body, G21, has identified building a Yarra Street Pier for visiting ships as a priority project. Cruise and navy ships previously berthed at historic Cunningham Pier until it became unavailable to them.
Studies suggest the proposed Yarra Street Pier could be worth millions of dollars annually to the region’s economy. The project would require funding from state and federal governments. City of Greater Geelong chief executive officer Gillian Miles said the next step was making the pier proposal “market-ready”. Continued page 2
MAYORESS IN FRUGAL FRIDAY P13
WINNERS: Gymnasts Jabyn Parr, Jessica Blakeley and Jarrod Lilley celebrate the Barwon team’s success at the special Olympics national games. 129758
Picture: REG RYAN
Special effort makes everyone a winner in games team By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
ROCK ICON BACK WITH SHOW P19
MEMBERS of a Barwon region Special Olympics team have all claimed medals at a national games held in Melbourne. The 14 athletes won at least one medal each, with several winning multiple topthree podium places. The team combined grabbed eight
gold, 17 silver and 11 bronze in aquatics, athletics, basketball, gymnastics, tennis and 10-pin bowling. Coach Sylvia Simpson said the gymnastics team delivered a particularly “surprising” performance to claim a swag of medals. “The special Olympics are only held
every four years, so it’s not that easy to get into,” Ms Simpson said. “The gymnastics was held across three different levels in various age groups. Our youngest team member is 10 and our oldest is 35. “It was a real surprise but so great to see them rewarded for their intensive training.”
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The games, with almost 1000 athletes of all abilities competing in 16 sports, were Special Olympics Australia biggest yet. The event also served as a platform for athletes to compete at a Special Olympics World Summer Games 2015 in Los Angeles, USA.
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