Geelong Indy - 26th January 2024

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January 26, 2024

FREE DIGITAL EDITION

SIG N U P N O W!

Sails, bikes to take over Get ready for some great events in Geelong this weekend, with the community treated to nice weather. The Bureau of Meteorology predicts a high of 23 on Saturday, January 26, and 27 on Sunday, January 28, across Geelong and the Surf Coast for the upcoming weekend. The Cadel Evans Road Race is back for another big year as cyclists ride from Geelong around the Bellarine and back again. The Festival of Sails will see many boats docked at Eastern Beach and will feature a party atmosphere with live music, food and great sailing. Many community members were also honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) and a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) during the latest round of Australia Day Honours. ■ Read more about the Cadel Evans Road

Race on page 3, the Festival of Sails on page 7, and the Australia Day honours on pages 13 and 14.

Cadel Evans Road Race participants Simon Geschke (Cofidis), left, Chris Hamilton (Team DSM - Firmenich PostNL), Georgie Howe (Liv - AlUla - Jayco) and Ella Wyllie (Liv - AlUla - Jayco). (Ivan Kemp) 384554_04

Strong police presence Police have called on members of the public to keep each other safe over the long weekend when Geelong hosts two major events. The city’s population is set to swell, with both the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and the Festival of Sails held in Greater Geelong this weekend. As Victoria Police launch Operation Amity statewide, Acting Superintendent Peter Nichols said road safety and public order would be the “really strong focus for us as an organisation”

“This weekend is a big weekend for Geelong; we’re on the international stage with the Cadel Evans bike ride and the Festival of Sails,” Supt Nichols said. “We’re running Operation Amity over the Australia Day weekend, where we’ll be focused on speeding drivers, drinking and drug-taking drivers. “We’ll have an increased footprint in relation to our policing response across the whole weekend.” Supt Nichols said the number of visitors to Geelong, coupled with road closures and diversions due to the cycling event, would lead

to trying conditions for motorists. “We’re going to see an increase in road users, particularly probably on the Sunday afternoon with caravans and camp trailers behind cars,” he said. “So we just want people to show a bit of patience…a bit of respect to each other, slowing down, making sure you arrive safely at those locations where you intend to go, whether it’s going home or going to some event somewhere across the area.” Supt Nichols said the behaviour of the general public over long weekends in recent years had been “really positive”, but big events

always had “an impact”. “We’re asking for people to be patient… make sure everyone’s safe and look after each other,” he said. “We will see an increase around our licensed premises over the weekend. We’ll see a lot of focus down along the foreshore of Geelong. It’s just about enjoying yourself, but enjoying yourself safely.” He said local police would be supported across the weekend, with the State Highway Patrol in the area and “the availability of extra resources from Melbourne” should they be required.

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By Matt Hewson


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