Geelong
Friday, 18 September, 2015
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Scams hit elderly By PAUL MILLER SCAMMERS are preying on elderly migrants in the Geelong area, promising rebates in exchange for bank details. The latest in an ongoing list of scams against vulnerable local targets involves phone-callers claiming to be from the Federal Government. A woman, who declined
Fake feds offering ‘rebates’ to be identified, told the Independent she was visiting her elderly father who had just returned from hospital when the phone rang at his Geelong West home. The caller told the woman she was entitled to a $6000
rebate “for being overcharged for years”. The woman was concerned the caller was inquiring about her late mother and asked whether the call was a scam. The caller said the woman
could phone a supervisor on (02) 8091 3990 to verify the offer. The Independent’s call to the number was answered by a woman claiming to be from the Government and working in the finance ministry.
“We’re giving money back to people who have been overcharged,” said the woman, who named herself as Angelina Cooper. Ms Cooper, who had an Indian accent, said: “This is not a scam. People are getting money back after being overcharged”. Continued page 7
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MIND OVER MATTER: Highton primary team members Elijah, Will, Claire, Flynn, Caitlin,Ruby and Nick are looking forward to their Tournament of Minds challenge in Sydney. 144343 Picture: REG RYAN
Highton kids’ mind games reach Australasian level By PAUL MILLAR STUDENTS from Highton Primary School will challenge some of the brightest minds in the Asia-Pacific region after winning a Tournament of Minds state final. The team of seven will take on schools from Hong Kong, Thailand, New Zealand, Singapore and other Australian states in the Australasian
championship at Sydney on 17 October. Principal Tony Gove said the school had reached the state finals three times from four attempts. “Now we’ve made it to the next level,” he said. The Tournament of Minds pits students against each other in intellectual challenges.
The region level’s first challenge has a spontaneous format, requiring students to answer questions immediately. The second requires the team to select a problem and develop a solution for demonstration through performance six weeks later. State finals teams must develop a solution of similar complexity but
within three hours. The Highton students were “confident, relaxed, well-prepared and went about their business” in the state final, Mr Gove said. “They didn’t spend a lot of time stressing about anything.” The students were looking forward to the challenge in Sydney, Mr Gove said.
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