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Under-40s join vaccination effort By Luke Voogt Torquay’s Hayley Tucker was among thousands of locals rolling up their sleeves this week as mass COVID-19 vaccination centres opened up to those under 40. The HR manager and mother-of-two got the AstraZeneca jab at the Norlane hub on Wednesday to protect her children and help Australia exit lockdown. “I think it’s important we all do this, otherwise we’ll never get out of these lockdowns,” the 38-year-old said. “The Delta strain is so bad, and more children and young people are getting it.” Ms Tucker had the injection at 11am and had
yet to feel any side effects late that afternoon. Some people develop a minor fever or other mild side effects after receiving the vaccine. But Ms Tucker described that as a small price to pay for protection from the “horrific symptoms and long-lasting effects” of COVID-19. She said she was “happy” to take the extremely small risk of blood clots associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine – two to three in 100,000 for her age group. The possible complication was treatable if she remained vigilant, she added. The chances of developing blood clots from the contraceptive pill or COVID-19 itself are much higher than from the AstraZeneca vaccine. Ms Tucker has received one of about 175,000
Hayley Tucker receives her AstraZeneca vaccination. (Louisa Jones) 247705_05
vaccine doses administered in the Barwon South West region since the rollout began. According to the latest weekly federal health data, 56.5 per cent of people aged 15 and over
in Geelong alone had received their first dose as of last Sunday. More than a third had received their second dose, making Geelong the most fully-vaccinated region in Australia. These figures have likely increased with AstraZeneca bookings for people aged 18 to 39 remaining “strong” since eligibility opened last week, according to Barwon South West Public Health Unit director Eugene Athan. “We encourage any young people to consider the AstraZeneca vaccine and to discuss it with their GP if they are unsure about it,” Professor Athan said. To book phone 1800 675 398 or visit portal. cvms.vic.gov.au.
Plan to handle growing pains
Mik Aidt near a wind turbine in East Geelong.
(Louisa Jones) 247599_06
Green awardee’s hope for humanity In 375 hours of radio and podcasts, Mik Aidt has realised the world cannot afford to wait for a climate change saviour. “There probably won’t be a climate Churchill,” the joint winner of Geelong council’s Community Green Achiever Climate Action Award said. “It’s not somebody else’s problem, it’s everybody’s problem. It starts when people come together and realise they are stronger than they thought they were.” The East Geelong environmentalist, who migrated from Denmark in 2013, admitted he was initially reluctant to accept the award. “What I have been doing, so many others have as well,” he said.
“I don’t want to be put on the pedestal.” But he decided not doing so would “defeat the purpose” of the radio show he and three other locals put together each week, The Sustainable Hour, which highlights “positive green solutions” in Geelong. “The city is buzzing with community groups,” he said. “It’s very rewarding to hear about all these great things that are happening.” Among these was a project by the awards’ other joint climate action winner, Geelong Sustainability, to help people renovate a room in their home to be more energy-efficient, Mr Aidt said.
He said the world’s response to COVID-19 had filled him with hope for his three children and the future. “When things get really dark all the best things in humanity come out,” he said. “COVID has shown us that we’re better than we thought. We need to create a world where there is positivity and hope, and life is worth living.” The awards’ other winners were Lids 4 Kids, Friends of the Hooded Plover Bellarine founder Andrea Dennett and Friends of Waurn Ponds Creek.
Calls for better transport, freight and recycling networks to keep up with Geelong’s rapid growth have shaped a new 30-year plan for the state, according to Infrastructure Victoria. The advisory body presented Victoria’s Infrastructure Strategy 2021–2051 to parliament yesterday. “Drawing on new evidence, research and listening to the people who live and work here, we have finalised actions the Victorian Government should take to help meet the Barwon region’s infrastructure needs over the next 30 years,” Infrastructure Victoria CEO Michel Masson said. “As Geelong continues to grow and transform rapidly, its freight role is unique to Victoria with the state’s second largest port, Avalon Airport and major road and rail corridors to Melbourne, Ballarat and other regional towns. “Enhancing these freight corridors will create cheaper, safer and faster connections such as linking producers to the future Bay West port.” The plan calls for Geelong’s cycling network, suburban train and bus lines and road technology systems to ensure safer, smoother travel. “We have also identified opportunities to strengthen Barwon’s recycling and resource recovery sectors, which would create new jobs and services and reduced transport costs of recycled materials,” Mr Masson said. The report flags protection for the Great Ocean Road and other coastal areas from the effects of rising sea levels caused by climate change. “We need to change the way we manage coastal assets like the Great Ocean Road, focusing on targeted protection and long-term investment for these fragile coastlines and the communities and economies they support,” Mr Masson said.
Luke Voogt
Accused faces court over St Albans Park aged care rape A man accused of raping a 90-year-old woman at a St Albans Park aged care centre on Sunday has appeared in court. Shane Huici, 23, of St Albans Park, appeared at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday night charged with rape, aggravated burglary, recklessly causing serious injury, common law assault and theft. Police allege the elderly woman woke to find Huici sexually assaulting her in her home at Tannoch Brae Aged Care on Aldershot Road about 4.45am. 4 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 20 August, 2021
Detective Acting Inspector Mark Burnett said the woman activated a distress alarm, which alerted staff. A staff member confronted Huici, who fled the scene, Detective Inspector Burnett alleged. The woman was taken to hospital after suffering injuries in the incident. Police searched the area but were initially unable to find the alleged offender. Sexual Crimes Squad detectives arrested Huici about 9am on Monday following a public appeal for information on the incident.
They took him to Victoria Police Centre in Melbourne. “I understand how much concern an incident like this causes in the community, so being able to make an arrest in just over 24 hours is reassuring,” Detective Inspector Burnett said. “Locating the person responsible has been a significant priority for Sexual Crime Squad investigators ever since the matter was reported to police. Our thoughts are with the victim and her family at this time and they will be offered a range of support services. I’d also
like to thank the community and the media for all their support in sharing the information we released yesterday.” Huici made no application for bail and was remanded in custody for a committal mention hearing on November 5. In a statement on Sunday Tannoch Brae Aged Care said management and staff were assisting police investigating how the “security breach” occurred at the facility. Luke Voogt