INSIDE THIS EDITION‌
Voice Ocean Grove
SAM GOES NO 1
5 December - 18 December
OCEAN GROVE’S NUMBER ONE NEWSPAPER
FREE FORTNIGHTLY
12396125-SN34-18
Hands off, that's mine Around 86 Ocean Grove SLSC junior competitors took part at the first bay carnival for 2018/19 in Altona. Under 8s beach flags winner Paddy Moulton (pictured) was first to put his hands around the flag in his race. For the full report and more Nish Photography pictures, see page 29.
Whale removed By Justin Flynn Community backlash over the burial of a whale carcass at Collendina has prompted authorities to exhume and relocate the mammal. A petition to remove the carcass attracted more than 2000 signatures. The carcass was removed last Thursday by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). The humpback whale was washed ashore at 5W in a state of advanced decomposition and was buried at the beach by DELPW. But fears of increased risk of shark activity
prompted a backlash from the local community. Several surfing events were cancelled and Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club cancelled its patrol season opener on Sunday because of the dead whale while 13th Beach Boardriders was also impacted. DELWP consulted with partner agencies including Barwon Coast Committee, the City of Greater Geelong and Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club while planning the operation before removing the carcass. An incident management team was deployed to safely remove and dispose of the remains. Incident controller Barry James said the op-
eration took 10 hours to complete. Mr James said factors that required careful consideration included odour impacts, the operation of heavy machinery around a built up coastal area and management of the whale's remains. "This analysis, combined with feedback from the community, identified removal as the most suitable option," Mr James said. "Around 20 personnel from DELWP, Parks Victoria and the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources supported today's operation. "The removal process involved exhuming the
whale from the beach and transporting it to a transfer area near the Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club's beach access ramp. "Additional sand was removed from the area to clear any remnants, and the beach reinstated." The carcass was dissected and transported along with the contaminated surrounding sand to landfill in Drysdale. DEWLP discouraged beach goers from swimming between Point Lonsdale to Barwon Heads based on advice from Fisheries and Wildlife. Until late last week, pieces of the whale carcass were still being sighted in the water.
16 Marine Parade, Ocean Grove
Ph: 5255 5611 All Major Brands - Wheel Alignment Wheel Balancing - Tyre Repairs 12406359-SN50-18
12377527-ACM05-18
OUR SERVICES: NEW VEHICLE LOG BOOK SERVICING AUTO ELECTRICAL REPAIRS ALL MECHANICAL REPAIRS & SERVICING RACV BATTERY SALES AIR CONDITIONING REGAS, SERVICING & REPAIRS LPG REPAIRS & SERVICING CLUTCH & BRAKE REPAIR