September 25, 2020
(Rebecca Hosking) 216116_02
Thistle cheer up residents Dozens of colourful bouquets bloomed in a Newtown aged care home after two year 12 students raised $700 for flowers for 80 elderly residents. “It was a lot of flowers,” Geelong College student Maddy Mills said after making the surprise delivery on Tuesday. She and classmate Audrey Morgan raised the money to remind the Brentwood Aged Care residents that people were thinking of them amid COVID-19. “We really wanted to bring a bit of cheer to the elderly and we thought this was the safest way,” Audrey said. They purchased the flowers from Jacinta’s Flower Studio in East Geelong to support a local small business during the pandemic. “It’s just so amazing to see that our peers are getting behind the idea and supporting their community,” Maddy said. The home’s lifestyle co-ordinator Dee Wilson said the delivery was “a lovely gesture by the girls”. “The residents were very surprised. Some had some tears in their eyes. They really appreciated the sentiment.” MADDY MILLS AND AUDREY MORGAN
Luke Voogt
Burglaries drive crime rise By Luke Voogt Crime has jumped by 7.8 per cent in Geelong and 11.9 per cent on the Surf Coast in 12 months, according to the latest Crime Statistics Agency data. The percentage increases take into account population growth, with total offences increasing 10.2 per cent in Geelong and 14.7 per cent on the Surf Coast. Geelong burglaries increased by 16 per cent, compared to the 12 months to June 2019, with aggravated residential burglaries increasing by 37 per cent.
But the increase in aggravated burglaries might not be due to people being at home more often during COVID-19 restrictions, Geelong Inspector Bruce Thomas said. “We get a lot of creep-in aggravated burglaries. The criminals are going into houses, stealing keys and subsequently stealing cars. A lot of these take place at night so people are at home then anyway.” Motor vehicle theft was up 12.6 per cent and theft from a motor vehicle 17.8 per cent. Inspector Thomas said the majority of offences occurred from vehicles being left unlocked. Family violence offences increased 13.6 per
cent in Geelong and 21.5 per cent on the Surf Coast. Inspector Thomas attributed this to more people reporting family violence, rather than people spending more time at home and increased stress due to COVID-19. Police were contacting families identified as high-risk through Operation Ribbon, he said. Assaults were up 4.4 per cent, with assaults against police up 37 per cent. While Inspector Thomas was disappointed at “the willingness of offenders to disrespect and assault emergency services workers”, he said police were well-trained and equipped to deal
with such situations. Drug dealing was down 83 per cent but Inspector Thomas said: “I’m not sure whether we can attribute that to the COVID stuff.” Geelong recorded 212 breaches of COVID-19 restrictions, less than one per cent of total offences. Charlemont (84.4), Point Lonsdale (81.8), Manifold Heights (77.9) and Hamlyn Heights (53.3) recorded the highest percentage increases in offences. Marshall, Little River, Idented Head and Portarlington recorded percentage decreases of 33.6, 27.8, 36.3 and 17.5 respectively.
SUBSCRIBE to our DIGITAL EDITION - It's FREE 12443052-LB10-20
15 % OFF FROM COIN OPERATED TO
BEST HAND CAR WASH SERVICE IN GEELONG
Buy 4 Car Wash & Get 1 FREE GET UNLIMITED EXPRESS WASH $97 A MONTH. Check website for Menu: pinnaclehandcarwash.com.au
44 FELLMONGERS ROAD BREAKWATER | 0430 811 112 Offer Valid Until 4/10/2020
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GEELONG COUNCIL October 2020 Postal Elections Windermere Ward AITKEN
& GRZYBEK
YOUR TEAM FOR THE NORTH Authorised: Sandra & Morry Anderson 49 North Shore Road, NORLANE VIC 3214 12460441-CG38-20
12458170-JW37-20
HAND CAR WASH
12462115-NG38-20
12463186-HL39-20
• Independent • Authentic • Committed • Community Focussed • Can Do Attitude • Experienced Candidate for BROWNBILL
VOTE 1
PETER MURRIHY
Authorized by P Murrihy Clarke St Newtown