February 2, 2024
WHEN YOU GO OUT DON’T LET CANCER
Repeated exposure to the sun’s UV radiation can cause skin cancer, including melanoma sunsmart.com.au
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Geelong comes alive for events It was a massive weekend for Geelong as the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and Festival of Sails took the region by storm. Over 140,000 fans gathered to watch the bikes fly through the Geelong, Surf Coast and Bellarine regions over five days from Wednesday, January 24, to Sunday, January 28. More than 650 cyclists attended the GeelongPort Family Ride on Friday, January 26 ahead of the women’s and men’s elite rider events on Saturday and Sunday. The Geelong waterfront was treated to nearly 100,000 visitors and participants for the Festival of Sails from January 26 to 28. The event celebrated its 181st anniversary with three days of great sailing, entertainment, and hospitality, and 40 races across nine divisions took place. ■ Turn to page 3 for a recap of the
Festival of Sails and page 28 for the winners of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race women’s and men’s events. Lidl-Trek riders pose before the women’s elite road race on Saturday. (Ivan Kemp) 385183_03
Hunting ban shot down By Jena Carr The state government has rejected a proposed ban on recreational duck and quail hunting, creating mixed feelings in the Geelong community. The government announced that it would not change its position on Monday, January 29, following the Parliament’s Inquiry into Victoria’s Recreational Native Bird Hunting Arrangements. Geelong Field and Game president Luke Mifsud said it was “relieving” to hear that the bird hunting season would continue but understood the concerns of the ban’s supporters.
“It’s always going to be on a knifes edge with hunting... but, hand-on-heart, I’m definitely an advocate for calling out people when they do the wrong thing,” he said. “We want to stamp it out, as we don’t like the bad behaviour or people doing the wrong thing. We want people to respect the outdoors, the laws, and the ducks. “It might sound contradictive, but it’s a win for the ducks, because our members... are going to keep working towards making sure the wetlands are in good condition and the ducks are still breeding.” The government’s decision will allow the hunting season to continue at Lake Connewarre, Reedy Lake, and Hospital
Swamp from April 10 to June 5 and will operate under new changes. Start times will begin at 8am for the entire season with a daily bag limit of six ducks per day, and the blue-winged shoveler and hardhead cannot be hunted due to their threatened status. Geelong Duck Rescue leader Natalie Kopas said the ban’s rejection was a “slap in the face” for wildlife rescuers and Victorians, but the decision wouldn’t stop the group’s volunteers. “They’re (duck shooters) going to be feeling even more entitled because they feel like they’ve won and that just means more wounding, more cruelty, and less safety for
people and ducks,” she said. “We are exploring every possible legal avenue and any possible, however far-fetched, idea there could be for challenging it because this is not what Victorians want. “Our volunteers are as determined as ever. We will return to the wetlands during the duck shooting season to save as many native animals’ lives as we can.” Further improvements from 2025 would include mandatory education and training for hunters, stricter compliance levels, a lead shot ban for quail hunting, a Waterfowl Wounding Reduction Action Plan, and greater recognition of Traditional Owners’ hunting and land knowledge.
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