June 4, 2021
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(Pictures: Louisa Jones) 239425
Scoop of joy in lockdown Geelong’s Mr Pro Whipp has been melting the hearts of birthday boys and girls – young and young-at-heart – during Victoria’s latest snap lockdown. The ice cream man, also known as Ben Ramos, covered about 320 kilometres over the past weekend alone delivering scoops of joy to 60 Geelong locals. “I even had an 80-year-old,” Ben said. “His birthday party got cancelled, so a neighbour booked me to come out and visit. “I didn’t quite know what to expect, but he was as excited as a five-year-old. “He was dancing around to the music with a big smile on his face.” Lara’s Mitch Raggatt also got a surprise visit on Tuesday for his eighth birthday. “He was inside doing home-schooling and all of a sudden he hears the ice cream music,” Ben said. “He didn’t know I was there to visit him. When the kids realise it’s all for them they get super excited!” For details search ‘Mr Pro Whipp’ online. MITCH AND, INSET, WITH BEN RAMOS
Luke Voogt
‘Stay away’ Melburnians Geelong community leaders have urged Melburnians not to sneak down the highway to take advantage of eased COVID-19 restrictions beginning today in regional Victoria. “Please do the right thing; observe the rules,” said Giulia Baggio, chief executive of municipal alliance G21. “It’s a short period to stay close to home and help our regional communities remain COVID-free, so we can all get back to COVID-normal.” Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher and Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine
executive director Brett Ince reiterated the call, as Melburnians face yet another seven days in lockdown. “To our Melbourne friends; we look forward to welcoming you back to our special region,” Cr Asher said. “But please help keep your community safe by staying at home and following the restrictions.” Mr Ince said: “We look forward to welcoming Melburnian visitors when it’s safe to do so”. The calls come after many Melburnians fled to holiday homes or drove down the highway without an approved reason during 2020 lockdowns to take advantage of more relaxed restrictions in regional Victoria.
Our family have been proudly conducting funerals in Geelong for four generations. We are honoured to still be serving the Geelong community as a family owned and operated business.
Ms Baggio, Cr Asher and Mr Ince welcomed the easing of restrictions as “fantastic news” for local residents and businesses. But they warned the initial seven-day lockdown and eased restrictions in regional Victoria would continue to impact the hospitality, retail, tourism, arts and events industries. “Those industries will be the most impacted for weeks and even months to come,” Mr Ince said. Geelong Chamber of Commerce chief executive Ben Flynn agreed. “I think the Geelong business community felt the strong statewide lockdown was a disproportionate response, given there were no
516 Stone Wash
cases in [regional Victoria],” he said. “While we support a health response, we want the data to drive that response.” Mr Flynn welcomed a combined $459 million in state government grants for Victorian businesses impacted by the lockdown. Federal government yesterday announced a temporary COVID disaster payment, but this is only available to Melburnians. “We’d welcome any federal government support on top of the state government support already proposed,” Mr Flynn said. “We encourage everyone to get out and support our local businesses – whether it’s going out for dinner or purchasing something online.”
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By Luke Voogt