Geelong Indy - 29th March 2024

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Hop into Easter

The children’s ward at Barwon Health’s Geelong University Hospital has gotten into the Easter spirit, with sights of bunnies and colourful eggs filling the halls.

As everyone gets ready for the Easter long weekend from Good Friday, March 30, to Easter Monday, April 1, they are reminded of the families who may need to spend the holidays in hospital.

Torquay RSL started its 2024 Good Friday Appeal on December 17 and will distribute funding to regional health services, including Barwon Health, through the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).

Coordinator Peter McMahon said Torquay RSL had set an $80,000 fundraising target to help every child receive the best possible care locally.

“Now RCH excellence will flow to our regional hospitals from funds raised in 2024,” he said.

Barwon Health nurses Eden Whittaker, Brielle Hardiman, and Amelia Black, along with Lotte and Blair, are pictured enjoying Easter fun in the children’s ward.

Go to goodfridayappeal.com.au/ donate to donate to the Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal.

Temporary pool lifeline

By Matt Hewson

Geelong council has unanimously resolved to keep the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre (NBAC) open for the next two months following backlash over its previous decision to close the facility from April to November.

Mayor Trent Sullivan raised an item of urgent business at Tuesday night’s meeting asking council to extend the season of the NBAC, which was due to close at the end of March due to financial constraints.

Having only opened in November last year, newsofthefacility’simpendingclosurecreated an outcry among residents.

The item, prepared by Mayor Sullivan and fellow Bellarine Ward councillor Elise Wilkinson, originally proposed to guarantee

the NBAC would remain open between April and October 2024, albeit with reduced operating hours.

However, council regulations state items of urgent business have a maximum budget of $100,000, meaning the new proposal could only commit $96,000 to open the pool for two months and instruct council officers to prepare areportdetailinghowthepoolcouldbefunded the remaining months.

Mayor Sullivan said core facilities such as pools “aren’t just a want, they are a need”.

“Aquatics across the Bellarine, across our wider municipality, has been a passionate topic for many, many years,” he said.

“And when we saw the announcement… the NBAC is to close over winter hours, the outpouringofsupportforittoremainopenhas

been incredible. To have a facility open in just November last year and to possibly close in its honeymoon year is unfathomable by many.”

The mayor said the council was in a “very difficult financial situation” when the budget proposing the winter closure of its outdoor facilities was formulated, but that the situation had changed since then.

“It was a tough budget, it really was, but our situation has been increasingly looking up,” Mayor Sullivan said. “We have a responsibility to our community that we can deliver assets like this and…keep them open for them. What signal does it send to those around us if we open new buildings only to close them?”

Cr Wilkinson said the NBAC had been “a godsend” for many Bellarine residents.

“Public pools, like public libraries, they’re

essential places within our community,” she said.“TheideaofopeningtillMaydoesprovide us with time to look and discuss hours going forward.”

Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken supported the motion but voiced his concerns around the City’s current funding models.

“This isn’t actually a solution, it’s just a short stay of execution for the facility,” he said.

“The community is demanding, and has every right to demand that they should be available and a normal service provided in their local community. Our current operating models and our current financial support that we’re putting for them clearly do not match the community’s expectations. We need to properly resource and fund our facilities that we have in the community.”

Ex-Lib boss to pay $40k fine

By Cassandra Morgan, AAP

The former boss of the Victorian Liberals will pay$40,000infinesafterhefellfoulofelectoral advertising laws, undermining voters’ rights.

The Australian Electoral Commission sued former Victorian Liberals director Sam McQuestin over four advertisements placed in the Geelong Advertiser before the 2022 federal election. The commission alleged McQuestin, whose full name is Charles David McQuestin, breached electoral laws by not properly declaring the ads came from him and the Liberal Party.

One of the newspaper ads was a full-page attack on sitting Labor MP Libby Coker, while

another was a full-page portrait of Liberal candidate for Corangamite Stephanie Asher along with a how-to-vote card.

Bothpaidpoliticaladvertisementscontained authorisations in small writing towards the bottom of the page. Political advertising laws in Australia require authorisations to be made prominently, legibly and in contrasting text.

McQuestin admitted to the allegations but fought against paying a fine of up to $150,000, which the Electoral Commissioner argued he should cough up for the “intentional” breach.

The ad about Ms Coker was the subject of three complaints to the commission. Federal Court Justice Michael Hugh O’Bryan on Tuesday ruled McQuestin should pay a total

$40,000 in fines, but the former Victorian Liberals boss previously told the court the party would pay any penalty.

“The contravening advertisements were likely seen by tens of thousands of voters,“ Justice O’Bryan said in a judgement. “That is a significant matter. The failure to include legible particularsintheanti-Cokeradvertisementwas aseriousfailurebecausethatadvertisementdid not otherwise identify the person or political party on whose behalf the advertisement was placed.”

McQuestin did not explain why the contraventions happened and rather suggested the busy final days of a federal election campaign often meant ads were “approved on

‘Giant yellow waterfall’ set for Easter

Barwon River will be a sea of yellow as thousands of rubber ducks get thrown off the Barwon Heads Bridge this Easter Saturday.

Rotary Club of Ocean Grove will host its Great Barwon River Duck Race on March 30, whichwillseeyellow,blueandcorporateducks compete in three separate races from midday.

Event organiser Heather Willson said she looked forward to many ducks floating along the Barwon River, with every dollar raised being returned to the local community.

“The big race will see 2000 yellow ducks go off the bridge and it looks like a giant yellow

waterfall coming off the bridge,” she said.

“Businesses and corporations buy a duck and advertise on that duck. So, the ducks are all dressed up, and we launch about 25 to 30 of them from a boat in the river at 1pm.

“The next race is called Kinder Kids, which are for under-fives, and there’s 300 blue ducks thatwillgettossedoffthebridge.Someofthem floatupsidedownandthekidsthinkit’sfunny.”

MsWillsonsaidthegroup-styleeventstarted close to 25 years ago and that the club was “yet to lose a duck in the mangroves”.

“Throwing ducks off the bridge is the most

fun you can have standing up... Most of them float happily long, but you get one or two radicals,” she said.

“It doesn’t always go to plan because we’re at the mercy of the wind and tide, and sometimes the ducks beach themselves before the end of the race. It really is the luck of the draw.”

Visit trybooking.com/CHRTZ to purchase a yellow adult’s duck for $10 or a corporate duck to race along the Barwon River during the event. Blue children’s ducks are sold out.

Jena Carr

anongoingbasis,andsometimesbywayoftext message on mobile telephones”. The judge said while the final days of a campaign may be busy, “the need to protect free and informed voting is not diminished as election day approaches”.

“Indeed, the contrary is true: transparency and accountability become more crucial the closer in time one gets to an election,” Mr O’Bryan said.

The judge found the Liberal Party’s processes were not robust enough to ensure the contraventions did not happen.

Therewasnoevidenceaboutwhethertheads hadanyweightonvotesintheelection,andthe Liberal Party candidate for Corangamite did not succeed, Justice O’Bryan said.

Tick for road renewal contract

Renewal of the road surface along Torquay’s Merrijig Drive and Fischer Street will soon be underway after the awarding of a tenderer contract.

Surf Coast Shire Council decided to award construction company, Fulton Hogan, with a contract for a lump sum amount of more than $2 million during its Tuesday, March 26, meeting.

Councillor Adrian Schonfelder said works would help improve road safety along Fischer Street, between Merrijig Drive, and Inshore Drive, between Fischer Street and Wadawurrung Way.

“I know that the roads in question are quite busy and I’m someone that does use those roads quite regularly and even weekly,” he said.

“The better condition a road is in, the more environmentally friendly it is as far as vehicles that use that road as far as any damage that is caused to any vehicle.”

Council identified Fulton Hogan as a tenderer which would deliver the best value for money outcome during the project’s process.

Council received external grant funding to undertake road safety improvement works, which will be combined with the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and renewal funding.

Funding will be used to renew the road surface using a mill and fill process, which include removing the road’s existing surface layer and overlaying it with new asphalt.

Cr Paul Barker said he felt the roads recognised in the project weren’t “in too bad of a condition” and that the funding should have been used elsewhere.

professional 6-piece tribute band performing the music of

Indigenous

her trademark soul/country songs

A compelling explora�on of the human condi�on interwoven with both humour and pathos.

Plucka Duck (aka Gary Willson) is getting ready to see his fellow ducks take on the Barwon River this Saturday. (Ivan Kemp) 397062_05

Driving donor registrations

The member for Lara is encouraging people to consider becoming organ and tissue donors through the possible reintroduction of a donor status on driver’s licenses.

The Legislative Assembly Legal and Social Issues Committee tabled the ‘Register and Talk About It’ report with the Legislative Assembly on March 20, promoting more donor registrations through awareness.

As the committee chair, Ella George said she hoped the state government would reintroduce the option to register for organ and tissue donation when applying for or renewing a driver’s license.

“It’s so important that people both register and have a conversation with their family about their donation wishes,” she said.

“We know that will significantly increase the likelihood that a family will consent to a donation going ahead... as it can be incredibly confronting to be asked to consent to a loved one becoming a donor.

“But we learned that many families find

the strength at a time of intense sadness to recognise that they can help others.

“Educating young people is vital, and we need to increase awareness so more young people register to become a donor and share their donation wishes with family.

“This will help make Victorians better prepared should they ever be asked to provide consent to donation for a loved one.”

The report made 74 findings and 41 recommendations, including encouraging registrations through improved accessibility andawarenessoftheAustralianOrganDonor Register (AODR).

Building awareness and discussion opportunities about donation among young Victorians aged 16 to 25 was listed as a key opportunity, with 10 per cent registering a donation decision on AODR.

Visit parliament.vic.gov.au/lsic-la for the report, summary booklet, and more information about the committee and organ and tissue donations.

Lions are stepping up

New Lions Clubs in the rapidly growing areas of Warralily, Armstrong Creek, Haymont Glen Lee, Harriot and Anchoridge are being proposed.

Lions Clubs continue to form new sporting and other social clubs for their respective communities.

V2 zone coordinator Grant Hull said there are a limited number of sports grounds but few facilities to support the various groups that have formed or are forming.

“We propose to open two, possibly three, Lions clubs to assist in the areas mentioned above to help those in genuine need,” he said.

“Lions have a wealth of knowledge in forming new clubs and helping communities with very many needs. They have the backing and support of Lions Clubs international that provides guidance and education to Lions Club members to assist them help various community groups with various challenges.”

Mr Hull said the proposed new Lions Clubs would receive the support and assistance from nearby Lions Clubs, including training, guidance in club formation and the loan of

different equipment needs until they are able to acquire their own gear.

Nearby clubs would also provide human resources to the new clubs until they gain enough new members and beyond, to look after their own needs, Mr Hull said.

“Lions are changing rapidly, as it should be, to cater for our changing world and Environment,” he said.

“There are some expectations of members but not nearly as many as there once was.

Lions today is an exciting and vibrant organisation, ready and willing to help communities, groups and individuals in genuine need.

“Mostclubshavesocialget-togethersaswell as conducting dinner and business meetings. Lions clubs members have a great deal of fun and share an enormous amount of pride whilst assisting those in need.”

If you would like to help your community to grow and provide assistance to the various groupsandorganisationsinyourcommunities while having fun, contact Lion Grant Hull on 0407-048 531 or on granthull49@iinet.net.au

Norm Buckley and Grant Hull prepare sausages and onions for Ocean Grove Barwon Heads Lions Club. (Ivan Kemp) 376098_05

New stormwater standards set

By Jena Carr

Surf Coast developers will soon have access to new standards to help improve the design and constructionprocessesofWaterSensitiveUrban Design (WSUD) assets.

Surf Coast Shire Council adopted the Stormwater Treatment Asset Selection and Design Standards during its March 26 meeting.

Councillor Kate Gazzard said the standards outlined council’s requirements and expectationsregardingtheshire’sWSUDassets.

“Itisimportantthateachdrainageismanaged perthatwetland,creekorriverthatitdrainsto,” she said.

“It’s good to have standards, which are not necessarily written in stone... These asset selection documents are specific to our area.

“They are based on Melbourne Water’s standards but tailored to our community needs, which are better suited to a smaller community rather than a big city.”

CrMikeBodsworthsaidWSUDassetsplayed a vital role in the treatment of stormwater by

improving its quality and was part of council’s work to improve the health of Torquay’s Karaaf Wetlands.

“It’s really important work, but I think it’s essential that we continuously improve this and that we do that in line with other expert organisations,” he said.

“This is an issue that’s important across the municipality... and these standards are a great contribution, as they’re going to sit alongside standards from other organisations.

“Ecological damage to the Karaaf Wetland

Apprentices honoured for work

Two Greater Geelong apprentices were recognised for their quality of work and contributions within their chosen fields.

Master Builders Victoria held its Regional Apprentice Awards South West at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium on March 21, which was attended by close to 300 guests.

Lara’sDanielCurrieisathird-yearcarpentry apprentice and said it was “humbling” to be awarded the South West Chairperson’s Award.

“There’s quite a lot of other apprentices doing incredible work out there, so it was quite humbling but also good encouragement that I’m on the right track and doing well,” he said.

“(Building a) wall, window or door that

wasn’t there before and being able to see the hard work that you’ve put in be manifested at the end of the day, ...there is a level of pride in it.”

Hamlyn Heights’ Alec Smith is a third-year bricklaying apprentice and said he was “over themoon”toreceivetheApprenticeoftheYear South West Craftsperson Award.

“Togettheexternalrecognitionwasamazing and I had my dad over from England as well to comeandseeit,sothatmadeeverythingalittle better,” he said.

“I was quite lucky with having a great boss and colleagues... There’ll be times where you may want to stop, but ride it out, keep learning, and enjoy it.”

Colac’s Brodie Duynhoven, a fourth-year carpentry apprenticeship, was also honoured withtheApprenticeshipoftheYearSouthWest Junior Apprentice Award.

Apprentices nominated for the awards were judgedontheirpreparation,presentation,work experience, knowledge, career plans, attitude, and industry representation.

South west region apprentice award winners will go on to compete in the Victorian State Apprentice of the Year Awards at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on May 9.

Jena Carr

thathasresultedfromexcessstormwaterofpoor quality, has been a real wakeup call to us as a councilaroundthemanagementofstormwater.” Council developed the standards through engagement with specialist consultants that have also been working on the Karaaf Wetlands project.

The standards will be considered alongside other industry-accepted documents, including the Melbourne Water Wetland Design Manual and EPA Urban Stormwater Best Practice guidelines.

First Nations project grants

The City of Greater Geelong has announced nearly $90,000 of funding for First Nations heritage projects through a series of grants.

Three projects were successful in their applicationsforGeelongcouncil’s2023-24 First Nations Cultural Heritage grants, with the collective focus on preserving, promoting and celebrating the rich traditions of First Nations culture in the Geelong region.

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation will receive $41,332 for its Journey on Wadawurrung Country project, which will use photographic portraits and audio recordings to share the stories and perspectives of Wadawurrung Elders and Traditional Owners.

Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative’s Wathaurong Dance Group will receive $38,000 of funding to children the opportunity to connect with their culture through traditional dance and provide opportunities for Women’s and Men’s performances. Bellarine Training and CommunityHubwereawarded$10,000to kickoffaculturallysensitiveandinclusive First Nations Garden, which will serve as a hub for learning and celebration.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan expressed enthusiasm for these projects and pride in the council’s involvement.

“These grants represent our commitment to understanding, respecting, and celebrating the cultural heritage of the First Nations peoples within our region,” Mayor Sullivan said.

“We are proud to support these initiatives which reflect our commitment tofosteringcollaborationandpartnership withFirstNationscommunities,ensuring their voices and cultural heritage are preserved and promoted within our region.“

Master Builders Victoria’s Regional Apprentice Awards South West winners Lara’s Daniel Currie, left, Colac’s Brodie Duynhoven, and Hamlyn Heights’ Alec Smith. (Supplied)

Cheering them on at Ironman

Independent photographer Ivan Kemp was at IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong on the weekend to soak up some of the atmosphere.

As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re upgrading the Geelong and Warrnambool lines to deliver more frequent trains.

We’re also upgrading two stations and removing congested level crossings at Fyans Street and the Surf Coast Highway.

While we work, Fyans Street will be closed at the level crossing in South Geelong from 6.00am Wednesday 10th April to 6.00am Thursday 25th April. Detours will be in place.

Check before you travel at bigbuild.vic.gov.au

PSYCHOLOGIST

Left: Sam Osborne finishes first. Centre: Tom Bishop (UK) finishes in second place. Right: Emma Beasel from Sydney with a message for her brother (top); Kate and Conor McInerney were ringing bells for the athletes.

Above: Lindsay White, Marcel and Axel Chittenden were there to encourage their school teacher Lachie. Below: Lachie Wright from Colac getting encouragement from kids from his school.

Max Roocke and Patrick Beasel after finishing the event. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 397312

Ellie Salthouse celebrates her win with family.

Calling for nominations

By Matt Hewson

Organisers of the third Recalibrate Gender Equity Awards have put the call out for nominations following the 2024 launch event in Melbourne last week.

Founded and presented by Geelong-based organisation Business in Heels, the national awards event recognises and celebrates work done by businesses and individuals to address issuessuchasgenderbias,stereotypingandpay gaps.

The awards also foster and encourage such practices by facilitating connection and the sharing of best practice knowledge between businesses.

Business in Heels chief executive Lisa Sweeney said she was delighted by the awards’ steadily growing momentum.

“When we talk to a lot of the winners, the ones that are doing really innovative things are being inundated by other people wanting to do it, and they’re helping them implement the same sort of things,” Ms Sweeney said.

“(Two-time Recalibrate winner) Coulter Legal are finding that people are going out of their way to try to become their graduates or internsorwhateverbecauseoftheattractiveness of being employed by them.

“And so you know our goal of speeding up the market and getting good things amplified is really working, which is great.”

The 2024 awards will also include two new awards, the First Nations Business and Intersectional Business categories.

Ms Sweeney said the new awards would help “putaspotlight”onthegoodworkofbusinesses that “perhaps have not been looked at”.

Embracing autumn

Golden Plains Shire is offering many fun and free activities for young people during the autumn school holidays. Activities supporting the needs and interests of people aged 12 to 25 will run across two weeks from Tuesday, April 2, to Thursday, April 11.

Mayor Brett Cunningham said the shire’sautumnholidayprogramprovided an opportunity for young people to learn new skills and connect with others in an entertaining way.

“Council’sfreeschoolholidayprogram is a great opportunity for young people to mix with their peers while enjoying a range of fun and exciting activities,” he said.

Week one activities will begin with a Smythesdale movie afternoon at The Well, 19 Heales Street, on April 2 from noon to 4pm.

A Bannockburn Heart BBQ will be held on the corner of Milton and High Streets from noon to 3pm, followed by a Geelong Gaol Ghost Tour at 202 Myers Street on April 4 from 6pm to 8.30pm.

An acrylic pour will be held at The Well on April 8 from noon to 4pm, and a BMX skate workshop will take place at Bannockburn Skate Park on Moore Street from 1pm to 3pm on April 9.

“Particularly with First Nations, there’s so much great work there and quite often the leadership within First Nations is very community minded, so I think we’ll get some great learnings out of that,” she said. “Intersectionality is the next frontier. We heard from a lot of our individual winners, many women of different ethnic backgrounds whohavehadtoworksohardtogetwherethey are.

And some companies are really good at handling one but not the other.

“There are so many different roadblocks, whether it’s ethnicity, whether it’s around disability or neurodiversity or even sexuality.

“So we’re really excited about trying to understand how organisations can put the right resources there to create equality for all these people who are being adversely affected.” Visit genderequityawards.com.au for more information or to nominate a business or individual. Nominations are open until July 31.

The second week will conclude with a trip to Melbourne Museum’s Titanic ArtefactExhibitionfrom10amto5.30pm on April 11. For more information about the autumn holiday program, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/holiday-activityprogram or contact council’s youth development team on 5220 7111.

Our Funeral Team are here when you need support and guidance.

Business in Heels chief executive Lisa Sweeney. (Supplied)

We’re stronger together

By Cr Trent Sullivan

Across Greater Geelong and the wider region, there are a large number of government, business and community organisations workingtirelesslytoadvocateforinfrastructure improvements and policy reforms that benefit our community and power our local economy.

We are stronger and mightier when we work together.

In recognition of this, and of the City of Greater Geelong’s unique responsibility as one of the loudest and most influential voices in the region, at Tuesday’s Council Meeting, we adopted a new Advocacy Framework.

The new framework sets out our strategic blueprint for advancing Greater Geelong and ensuring its sustained positive development at a local, regional, national, and international level over the next three years.

As the fastest growing regional city in Australia, Geelong has a lead role to play in advocating for the collective interests of our broader region.

With high population growth and a surging economy, we need to ensure we continue to improve infrastructure and services.

Weneedsignificantinvestmentinpublicand activetransportconnections,weneedavibrant central Geelong, and we need more affordable housing.

And we can’t achieve our great ambitions for the region alone.

Our new approach to advocacy gets the balance right by considering what the City does well as an advocacy leader and finding opportunities where we can collaborate with other municipalities and community

organisationstogetthebestpossibleoutcomes.

Theframeworkprovidestwonewapproaches for regional advocacy, with the City to renew itsmembershipofG21withareducedfinancial contribution and establish a partnership with the City of Wyndham for joint advocacy.

Founded 22 years ago, G21 continues to be a vital conduit for strengthening government, business, and community relationships across Greater Geelong and its surrounding municipalities.

Our redefined partnership with G21 recognises that collaborative advocacy will deliver better value for all our communities, while also balancing budget constraints affecting all councils.

By strengthening our ties with neighbouring councils and local organisations through this improved and redefined partnership, we are paving the wayforcollectiveprogressacross our wider region, starting with advocacy delegations to Spring Street and Canberra.

Outside of this, our partnership with the City of Wyndham, which is not part of G21, will enable us to join forces with another major Local Government Authority in the important western growth area.

As we embark on this journey of renewed partnershipandcollaboration, I am full of hope and anticipation.

Together, we can achieve remarkable feats and ensure a vibrant, prosperous future for generations to come.

City of Greater Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan. (Supplied)

Writing prize announced

“This year’s submissions brought together an extraordinary range of stories and styles,” he said.

Don't miss seeing the Trash Puppets at our Museum's Wild Night Pyjama Party.

PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY FUN

CarolynLeach-PaholskiofBoxHillaccepted the prize at the World Poetry Day celebration at The Dome on Thursday, March 21 for her work Hokusai in the Antipodes - Thirty-Six Love Letters to a Mountain.

The prize consists of $2000 cash and a one-hour mentoring session with the judging panel’s Professor David McCooey, personal chair of the Faculty of Arts and Education at Deakin University, as well as publication and promotion of the work.

Ms Leach-Paholski said she was “really delighted and… so grateful” to Deakin and GRLC for supporting and valuing writers and readers.

Her entry, which drew inspiration from Japanese wood engraver Hosukai and his obsession with Mount Fuji, focuses on the You Yangs, examining the distinctive granite peaks from a variety of perspectives.

Prof McCooey praised Ms Leach-Paholski’s work, saying Deakin was proud to be involved with the prize.

“Many works dealt with the crises of everyday life, as well as shared crises such as the climate emergency, while others celebrated the pleasures that life has to offer.

“Hokusai in the Antipodes is a beautifully realised short story that brings together apparently disjunct things – the past and the present, Eastern and Western sensibilitieswith powerful lyricism.”

Chief executive Vanessa Schernickau said GRLC was “overwhelmed” by both the number and standard of entries this year.

“We’re very proud of our Local Word Writing Prize for the sense of community it provides for writers and thank you to Deakin University for their continued support,” Ms Schernickau said.

“Thanks also to our judges and all the entrants, both local and from further afield… and a huge congratulations to this year’s overall winner, Carolyn Leach-Paholski.”

Matt Hewson

Apply for kinder in 2025

programs across the shire.

TorquayresidentCourtneyWeyburysaidshe was amazed at the activities and opportunities kids got exposed to through the program.

“We thought sending the girls to Torquay Kinder would be a good opportunity to get to know some kids they might go to school with,” she said.

“My first daughter Hazel, who is now in year one, did three- and four-year-old kinder at Torquay. Now, my youngest, Goldie, has started three-year-old this year.

“It blows my mind... from the beach and bushes kinder and visits from Melbourne Museum to cooking, science experiments and learning about Country.

“We’ve loved the kinder community and made some wonderful friendships... The kids are supported, encouraged and listened to; it is such a wonderful place.”

Councillor Kate Gazzard said council’s kinder programs were free and encouraged familiestoapplybeforefirstroundapplications close on June 16.

“The formative pre-school years are so important to children’s development, when they learn faster than at any other time in their life,” she said.

“Weknowthatthereareenormoussocialand emotional benefits in children’s development with two years of quality kinder prior to starting school.

“To have nurturing and responsive relationshipsandplay-basedlearningwillcreate positive experiences and lay the foundations for learning, health and behaviour.”

Applications for council’s 2025 kindergarten programs will be open from Tuesday, April 2. Visit surfcoast.vic.gov.au/kinder for further details on how to apply.

We have lots on offer for children of all ages (and families!) to enjoy these school holidays, so if you’re looking to make a plan, start here!

Our Central Geelong Autumn School Holiday Fun Guide is full of activities set to keep children active, engaged and having fun including the BBQ & Beats Record Fair on Saturday 13 April from 11.00am to 3.00pm in Little Malop Central with 1,000’s of new and preloved vinyl, food trucks, guest DJ and kids craft and entertainment. Take your children back to the 90s when Circus Trick Tease swing into the Potato Shed with the award-winning Children are Stinky, Thursday 4 April, at 11am. Bookings essential.

To see the Fun Guide, book for Children are Stinky and see all the activities and events in our region, scan the QR code or visit geelong.

link/SchoolHolidayEvents

Fancy a pyjama party? Join us for the Wild Night Pyjama Party at the National Wool Museum on Saturday 6 April from 5.00pm to 8.00pm. Be entertained by the Trash Puppets, go on a torchlit scavenger hunt, make a trash puppet and hear bedtime stories. Bookings essential, scan the QR code or visit geelong.link/NWM

For young people, our hubs at The fOrT in Corio, Armstrong Creek, central Geelong and the Bellarine have drop ins, excursions, songmakers workshop, event planning training, music mania and more. For details, follow our GeelongYouth socials on Facebook and Instagram.

Remember there’s our iconic Carousel to ride on the Geelong waterfront and all our wonderful playgrounds, parks and gardens to visit too!

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Subscribe at: geelong.link/CityNews

Planning Committee meeting

The next meeting of the Planning Committee will be held at the Council Conference and Reception Centre, 57 Little Malop Street, Geelong on Thursday 11 April at 5.30pm

Item to be discussed is:

›Planning Permit Application No PP935-2020 - Construction of Ten (10) Apartments, Multi-lot Subdivision, and Alteration of Access to a Road in a Transport Zone 2 at 34 Barrabool Road, Highton.

Positive Ageing Grants

Our 2024-25 Positive Ageing Grants are now open. We invite you to apply for a grant to run or host a community activity or event that celebrates and empowers our ageing community.

Grants of up to $1,000 are available. Previous successful grants include dances, workshops, sporting activities and events that celebrate positive ageing.

Activities should be designed to promote opportunities in the community for people aged 55+ to develop networks, explore new interests, access useful information and promote health and well-being opportunities.

Grant applications close 5.00pm, Monday 6 May. For more information on how to apply and eligibility criteria, scan the QR code or visit geelong.link/Grants

If you would like to discuss your project or ask for help with the application process, contact our grants team at communitygrants@geelongcity.vic.gov.au or call us on 5272 5560.

HAVE YOUR SAY MEETING NEWS

2024 Geelong Wall Calendar

We’re seeking your feedback on the content, format and distribution of our free full-colour annual wall calendar. We’d also like to know what you think about our photo competition. Your feedback is important to us, and there are multiple options to have your say, so scan the QR code or visit geelong.link/CalendarHYS or you can call us on 5272 5272 for a hard copy form.

Engagement closes at 5.00pm, Tuesday 2 April

Vanessa Schernickau (CEO, Geelong Regional Library Corporation), Penne Thornton (Highly Commended), Carolyn Leach-Paholski (Winner), Hannah Duffus (Highly Commended) and Professor David McCooey (Deakin University). (Supplied)

Geelong Regional Libraries (GRLC) and Deakin University announced the winner of the 2024 Local Word Writing Prize last week.

Goldie Sheehan has enjoyed her start at Torquay Kindergarten. (Supplied)

The ROCK

• INDOOR ROCK CLIMBING

• BOULDER & TRAINING

• KIDS HOLIDAY PROGRAMS

Since 2001

• FUN AND FITNESS

• GROUP SESSIONS

• CAFE & GEAR SHOP

The ROCK Adventure Centre www.rockadventures.com.au

River End (Rear 403) Pakington St Newtown Geelong PH: 5221 3101

Rock on at The Rock

These school holidays, The Rock Adventure Centre invites all kids and young climbers to embark on an exciting indoor rock-climbing experience.

Escape into an adventure-filled day right here at our centre, designed to offer thrilling climbs and exhilarating challenges.

Dive into the world of indoor rock climbing where each ascent is a journey of excitement and personal triumph. Our diverse range of climbing walls caters to all skill levels, providing a safe and enjoyable environment for beginners and seasoned climbers alike.

At The Rock Adventure Centre, it’s not just about scaling walls; it’s about fostering resilience, courage, and self-confidence. Engage in a heart-pumping, adrenaline-filled

experience while developing physical strength and problem-solving skills.

Our experienced instructors are here to guide and encourage climbers of all ages, ensuring a rewarding and memorable climb each time.

No need to book for these school holidays, just ‘Rock up’ and we will give you an unforgettable day of adventure with family and friends. Step into our vibrant, dynamic atmosphere and create lasting memories as you conquer our climbing challenges Call (03) 5221 3101 or check out rockadventures.com.au for more information, no need for bookings and no time limits.

Ten tips for keeping children busy these school holidays

School holidays are a time for kids to take a breakfromtheiracademicroutinesandexplore new avenues of learning and fun.

Whether it’s a short break or a long vacation, keeping children engaged during these periods iscrucialfortheirdevelopmentandenjoyment. Here are 10 exciting school holiday activities that promise adventure, creativity, and plenty of fun for kids of all ages.

Outdoor adventures: Take advantage of the great outdoors by organising nature walks, picnics, or camping trips. Hiking through trails, exploring local parks, or simply playing outdoor games can provide kids with fresh air, exercise, and an appreciation for the natural world.

Arts and crafts workshops: Encourage creativity through arts and crafts workshops. Set up a dedicated space at home with supplies for painting, drawing, sculpting, or crafting. Alternatively,enrolchildreninlocalworkshops wheretheycanlearnnewtechniquesandcreate unique masterpieces.

Science experiments: Turn your kitchen into a laboratory and conduct simple science experiments with everyday household items. From creating homemade volcanoes to exploring the principles of buoyancy, these experiments foster curiosity and critical thinking skills.

Cooking classes: Get kids involved in the kitchen by teaching them how to cook or bake. Start with easy recipes like cookies, cupcakes, or sandwiches, and gradually introduce more complex dishes. Cooking not only enhances their culinary skills but also teaches them about nutrition and following instructions.

There are plenty of things to do these school holidays.

Library visits: Spend a day at the library exploring a wide range of books, magazines, and multimedia resources. Many libraries offer special holiday programs such as storytelling sessions, book clubs, or themed activities that cater to different age groups.

Sports and games: Organise friendly competitions or sports tournaments with family and friends. Whether it’s soccer, basketball, or a game of tag, physical activities help kids stay active and build teamwork and sportsmanship skills.

Daytrips: Plan day trips to nearby attractions such as museums, zoos, aquariums, or amusement parks. These outings provide opportunities for hands-on learning and sensory experiences, stimulating children’s curiosity and imagination.

Gardening: Teach kids about gardening by involving them in planting, watering, and caring for plants. Whether you have a backyard garden or a few pots on a balcony, gardening instills a sense of responsibility and appreciation for nature’s cycles.

DIY projects: Engage children in DIY (do-it-yourself) projects that allow them to build, create, or repurpose items. Whether it’s building a birdhouse, making homemade slime, or upcycling old clothes, these projects foster creativity and resourcefulness.

Family bonding Time: Finally, prioritise quality time with family during school holidays. Whether it’s through board games, movie nights, or simply sharing stories and experiences, these moments strengthen family bonds and create lasting memories.

School holidays are a precious opportunity for children to explore new interests, develop skills, and make memories that last a lifetime. By incorporating a variety of activities that cater to their interests and abilities, parents and caregivers can ensure that these breaks are not only enjoyable but also enriching and educational. So, whether it’s embarking on outdoor adventures, getting creative with arts and crafts, or simply spending quality time together as a family, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of school holidays and create unforgettable experiences for kids.

4 April 2024 6pm–7.30pm

Topics include:

• Make your money go further in retirement.

• Do I have enough to retire comfortably?

• Can I reduce my work hours?

• Which super rules have changed?

• Dealing with Centrelink.

Rip Curl Pro surfs in

The region’s biggest surfing event has begun, with the 61st edition of the iconic Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach which kicked off on Tuesday (March 26).

The world’s longest-running surfing competition, the World Surf League (WSL) Championship tour event draws tens of thousands of people to the region, as well as the world’s best surfing talent. The 2024 field includes three-time men’s world champion Gabriel Medina, current women’s world champion Caroline Marks, reigning women’s Bells Beach winner Tyler Wright and arguably the greatest of all time, Kelly Slater.

Surf Coast Shire mayor Liz Pattison said the buzz the event generated around town was always exciting.

“There are more people about, the surf is good… as some would say, it’s pumping,”

Mayor Pattison said.

Mayor Pattison said the Rip Curl Pro, which delivers more than $8 million into the local economy and attracts around 35,000 visitors each year, was one of the most important annual events on the Shire Coast calendar.

“SurfingandtheSurfCoastShire,it’sallone, andtheRipCurlProreallytalkstothatculture we have within our community here,” she said.

“It’s something so many in our community are really passionate about, so having pro surfersoutandaboutinourcommunity,aswell as competing for our up-and-coming surfers and all keen surfers to see, it’s quite special.

“But then on another level, there’s the exposure worldwide. There’s so many people that want to come and visit, to have a holiday andseeBellsBeachaspartofabroadertourism experience in the region.”

Address: 21-29 Princes Highway, Norlane 3214

Contact No: (03) 5222 8135

Email: contact@MontessoriMinds.vic.edu.au

URL: montessoriminds.vic.edu.au

We believe children learn by building on the knowledge they already have - primarily exhibited through play. Teachers help children learn by creating a rich environment to explore via exciting educational activities.

Jan Juc’s Tully Wylie earned a wildcard spot in the Rip Curl Pro last weekend. (Liam Robertson)

The Guide

GARDENING AUSTRALIA

ABC TV, Friday, 7.30pm

Surrounding themselves with plants and nature seems to eternally instil the GardenAustraliacrew with a palpable sense of vibrancy and passion… and they never pass up the opportunity to celebrate an occasion. In tonight’s joyous and upbeat offering, the school holidays are here and there’s an abundance of inspiration for the break. Gregarious host Costa Georgiadis visits Australia Zoo to not only meet its fascinating residents, but learn about how its plants supply food and a habitat. Jane Edmanson (pictured) visits an inspiring outdoor area that proves size doesn’t matter, where a courtyard big enough to park a car is flourishing with native trees and a lush wildflower meadow.

Friday, March 29

HOUSE OF GODS

ABC TV, Sunday, 8.30pm

This heady mix of wealth, power, faith and family comes to its crunch in a satisfying, simmering conclusion. The tension has been ratcheted up to oppressive levels in this Sydney-based story of an Iraqi family. It’s a polished drama vibrating with sterling performances, where every little detail is plumbed to great melodramatic effect. In “When God Speaks”, there’s resolution of sorts as the truth is dragged to light, but first there’s some unexpected power plays and deals to unravel as Sheikh Shaaker (Simon Elrahi, pictured) confronts his adversary and uncovers the depths of patriarch Sheikh Mohammad’s (Kamel El Basha) ambition. It’s a thrilling final act.

HOW DO THEY REALLY DO IT?

SBS Food, Monday, 7.30pm

Do you really want to know what goes on behind the scenes at your favourite destination for that guilty late-night second dinner? In this cheeky documentary series, some of the UK’s most-loved food empires are put under the microscope to reveal not just what goes into their drool-worthy recipes, but how they market their brands and their products to make their meals seem lip-smackingly irresistible. In tonight’s unabashedly greasy and salty peek, the cameras go bravely inside the kitchens of global deep-fried treasure KFC to reveal how their famous fare is cooked, among other not-so life-changing insights. Unfortunately, those secret herbs and spices remain an elusive secret.

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 6.30 The Cook And The Chef. (R) 7.00 News Breakfast. 9.35

Easter In Australia. (PG, R) 10.30 That Pacific Sports Show. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 QI. (Ml, R)

1.00 Silent Witness. (Malv, R)

2.00 House Of Gods. (Ma, R)

3.00 The Cook And The Chef. (R)

3.25 To Be Advised.

5.10 Grand Designs. (R)

6.30

7.00

9.35

10.05

10.35

11.05

11.25

(R)

12.15 Belgravia. (PG, R) 1.00 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 10.00 Wonderful World Of Baby Animals. (PG, R) 10.50

Mountain Vets. (PG) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Mastermind Aust. (R) 3.00 NITV News: Nula. 3.30 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. 3.35 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 3.45 The Cook Up. (R) 4.15 World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Mystery Of The Ark Of Covenant. (PG, R) A look at the Ark of the Covenant.

8.20 Japan: World’s Most Punctual Train: From Tokyo To The Sea Of Japan. Part 1 of 2. Explores Japan’s Shinkansen, the world’s most punctual long-distance express trains.

10.10 Naples: Under The Volcanic Threat. (R)

11.10 A French Case. (Premiere, Mal)

12.10 Max Anger: With One Eye Open. (Mal, R)

3.30 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.30 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SEVEN (6, 7)

6.00 Sunrise. News, sport and weather.

10.00 The Morning Show. (PG)

The latest news and views.

11.30 Seven Morning News.

12.00 Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. (PG)

Coverage of the Good Friday Appeal.

4.00 Football. AFL. Round 3. North Melbourne v Carlton.

7.00 Seven News.

7.30 Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. (PG) Coverage of the annual Good Friday Appeal to help raise funds for The Royal Children’s Hospital.

11.30 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA. (Mal, R) Presented by Gordon Ramsay.

12.30 Armchair Experts. (M, R) A panel discusses all things AFL.

1.15 Get On Extra. (R) A look at the weekend’s best racing.

1.45[MEL]TheArrangement.(Mav, R)

2.00 Home Shopping.

3.00[MEL]HomeShopping.(R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

5.00 NBC Today.

PICK OF THE WEEK

NCIS 10, Tuesday, 9pm

Prepare to be surprised and energised by this unpredictable season 21 premiere. After more than 20 years, this trusty naval police procedural stalwart can admittedly feel a little worn out at times, but after long-standing star Mark Harmon’s exit last year, there’s more room for the supporting players to shine. Wilmer Valderrama makes his mark in a powerful character development for Nick Torres tonight. “Algún Día” goes beneath the surface and into the troubled family history of the anguished cop in a daring storyline. Next week, pack tissues for a moving special tribute episode to late actor David McCallum, who played Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard for two decades.

Ghosts of the past: Wilmer Valderrama makes his mark in an NCIS episode about Torres’ family history.

NINE (8, 9)

6.00 Today.

9.00 Today Extra. (PG)

11.30 9News Morning.

12.00 MOVIE: For The Love Of

TEN (5, 10)

SBS

7.10 Coco Avant Chanel. (2009, PG, French) 9.15 Monsieur Verdoux. (1947, PG) 11.30 Kodachrome. (2017, M) 1.30pm Hamlet. (1948, PG) 4.20 Minari. (2020, PG, Korean) 6.30 Roxanne. (1987, PG) 8.30

The Big Short. (2015, M) 10.55 Almost Famous. (2000, M) 1.10am The Justice Of Bunny King. (2021, M) 3.05 The Wife.

7MATE

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 David Attenborough’s Dynasties II: Hyena. (PGa) Narrated by Sir David Attenborough.

8.40 MOVIE: Noah. (2014, Mav, R) After experiencing visions of an apocalyptic flood, a man builds an ark to protect his family. Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly.

11.20 See No Evil. (Mav)

12.10 Australia’s Top Ten Of Everything. (PG, R)

1.05 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Postcards. (PG, R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal.

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news.

7.30 Ready Steady Cook. (PGa) Hosted by Miguel Maestre.

8.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Mal, R) Graham Norton is joined by Bruce Springsteen, Anya Taylor-Joy, Anna Maxwell Martin and Mo Gilligan.

9.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia. (PGs, R) Graeme Hall tries to prevent a dog from ruining a relationship and save another from eviction.

10.30 Fire Country. (PGa, R)

11.30 The Project. (R)

12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

10 PEACH (52,

Saturday, March 30

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 Weekend Breakfast.

9.00 Rage. (PG) 12.00 ABC News At Noon.

12.30 Death In Paradise. (Mv, R) 1.30

Miniseries: Life After Life. (Masv, R) 2.40 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery. (PG, R)

3.10 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R)

4.00 Universe With Brian Cox. (Final, R)

5.00 Better Date Than Never. (R)

5.30 Landline. (R)

6.00 Australian Story: On The Brink – Bon Scott. (R) Presented by Leigh Sales.

6.30 Back Roads: Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania. (R) Joe O’Brien travels to the Tasman Peninsula.

7.00 ABC News At Easter. Takes a look at today’s top stories.

7.30 Miniseries: Life After Life. (Mal) Part 4 of 4.

8.30 Endeavour. (Mav, R) Part 3 of 3. A series of death notices in the Oxford Mail, each with a distinctive, cryptic message, provides clues to Endeavour’s final investigation. Thursday is under pressure from a familiar face.

10.05 House Of Gods. (Mls, R) Isa uncovers a valuable asset.

11.00 Happy Valley. (Malv, R) Catherine confronts Clare.

12.00 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

ABC TV PLUS (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 7.05pm Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30

Spicks And Specks. 8.00 QI. 8.30 Melbourne

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Cook Up Bitesize. (R) 9.05 Destination Flavour. (R) 9.15 Love Your

Home And Garden. (PGa, R) 10.10 Vintage

Voltage. 11.00 The Story Of Coffee. (PGas, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight With David Muir. 1.00 Motor Racing. Bathurst 6 Hour. Qualifying. 5.00

Hungry For More: Spain. (PG) 5.30 Elvis And The USS Arizona. (PGa, R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Britain’s Most Beautiful Road. Part 4 of 4.

8.30 Royal Crisis: Countdown To Abdication: The Fall Of A King. Part 3 of 3. Edward VIII’s relationship with divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson comes to a head.

9.30 From Paris To Rome With Bettany Hughes: Venice, Bologna And The Bay Of Poets. (PG, R) Part 2 of 4.

10.25 Those Who Stayed. (Final, Mal)

11.10 Between Two Worlds. (Mals)

12.05 Miniseries: True Colours. (Mlv, R)

1.55 MOVIE: The Father. (2020, Malv, R) Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Imogen Poots. 3.40 Face To Face. (Ma, R) 4.35 In Therapy. (Mls, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6am WorldWatch.

10.00 The Movie Show. 11.30 The Tailings. 11.45 Gymnastics. Trampoline World Cup. H’lights.

12.45pm Figure Skating. ISU World C’ships. H’lights. 3.15 WorldWatch. 5.55 The Food That Built The World. 7.35 Impossible Engineering. 8.30 MOVIE: Constantine. (2005, MA15+) 10.40 Better Things.

11.15 We Are Who We Are. 2.35am The X-Files. 3.30 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.

(R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.30 Dream Gardens. (R)

3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.30 The Cook And The Chef. (R) 3.55 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) 4.45 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 5.35 A Grand Royal Design. (R)

7.00

7.30

innocence.

8.30 House Of Gods. (Final, Ml) Sheikh Shaaker senses fraud and does everything in his power to uncover what Isa is up to.

9.30 Happy Valley. (Malv, R) Catherine confronts Clare. Faisal and Joanna hatch a plan that takes an unexpected turn.

10.30 MOVIE: Misbehaviour. (2020, Ml, R) A group of women protests Miss World. Keira Knightley.

12.15 Significant Others. (Final, Mals, R)

1.05 Rage Vault. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.55 Cancer: A Story Of Hope – A Catalyst Special. (PG, R) 5.00 Gardening Australia. (R)

Friday,

SEVEN (6, 7) TEN (5, 10)

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise.

10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG)

12.00 Horse Racing. Stakes Day and Australian Cup.

5.00 Seven News At 5.

5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) A traveller finds himself in a sticky situation.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Football. AFL. Round 3. Port Adelaide v Melbourne. From Adelaide Oval.

10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews taking a look back at all the action from the game.

11.00 Lockerbie. (PGav, R) Part 3 of 4. The FBI case against the two suspects is strong but circumstantial, they need eyewitness testimony. In an unprecedented move, the CIA hand over a Libyan double agent who offers confirmation.

1.10 The Arrangement. (Mav, R) Megan and Shaun investigate a lead that could expose Terence’s misdeeds.

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Mystic. (R) A teenage girl encounters a mysterious horse, sparking an unexpected interest in the animals.

5.00 House Of Wellness. (PG, R) A look at locations that highlight living well.

7TWO (62, 72)

6am Home Shopping. 8.30

NINE (8, 9)

6.00 Hello SA. (PG, R) 6.30 A Current Affair. (R) 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Today Extra:

Saturday. (PG) 12.00 Great Australian Detour. (R) 12.30 My Way. (PG, R) 1.00 Ageless. 1.30 Living On The Coast. 2.00 The Pet Rescuers. (PG, R) 2.30 Drive TV: EV3 Building The Future. 3.30 Renovate Or Rebuild. 4.30 The Garden Gurus. 5.00 9News First At Five. 5.30 Getaway. (PG)

6.00 9News Saturday.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Space Invaders. (PG) A pair of siblings’ home is filled with clutter.

8.30 MOVIE: Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. (2005, PGv, R)

A poor British boy wins a tour of a massive chocolate factory, conducted by the factory’s eccentric owner. Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, David Kelly.

10.50 Hotel Chocolat: Inside

The Chocolate Factory. (R)

11.45 Renovate Or Rebuild. (R)

12.35 World’s Greatest

Natural Icons. (R)

1.35 The Garden Gurus. (R)

2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PGa)

2.30 Getaway. (PG, R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00

TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)

9GEM (81, 92)

PG) 2.55 MOVIE: Run For The Sun. (1956, PG) 5.00 Rugby Union. Super Rugby Women’s. Round 3. Queensland Reds v ACT Brumbies. 7.00 Rugby Union. Super Rugby Pacific. Round 6. Queensland Reds v ACT Brumbies. 9.30 Super Rugby Pacific Post-Match. 9.45 MOVIE: Rocky V. (1990, M) 11.50 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 1pm Blokesworld. 1.30 Bossy’s Bucket List. 2.00 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 3.00 Motor Racing. Night Thunder. Austn Title H’lights. 4.00 Supercar Customiser: Yianni. 5.00 Storage Wars: NY. 5.30 Storage Wars. 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00

9GO! (82, 93) 6am Roxanne. Continued. (1987, PG) 7.00 Skies Of Lebanon. (2020, PG, Italian) 8.45 Paris Can Wait. (2016, PG) 10.25 The Justice Of Bunny King. (2021, M) 12.20pm The Wife. (2017, M) 2.15 What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. (1993, PG) 4.25 Monsieur Verdoux. (1947, PG) 6.40 The Lake House. (2006, PG) 8.30 The Father. (2020, M)

Storage Wars. 7.30 MOVIE: Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves. (1991, PG) 10.30 MOVIE: The Book Of Eli. (2010, MA15+) 12.50am Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 9.30 Food Trail: South Africa. (R) 10.00 Ready Steady Cook. (PGa, R) 11.00 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals, R) 12.30 Silvia’s Italian Masterclass. 1.00 All 4 Adventure. (PGal, R) 2.00 Roads Less Travelled. (R) 2.30 Everyday Gourmet. (R) 3.00 What’s Up Down Under. (R) 3.30 GCBC. (R) 4.00 My Market Kitchen. (R) 4.30 Taste Of Aust. (R) 5.00 News.

6.00 Ready Steady Cook. (PGa, R)

Everyday Aussie home cooks team up with some of the country’s finest chefs and go head to head in the kitchen.

7.00 The Dog House. (PG, R) An 85-year-old is trying to decide who would make a better match: a stubborn beagle or shy Jack Russell.

9.00 Ambulance UK. (Mal, R) North East Ambulance attends to a family which arrived in the UK just 17 days earlier as refugees. Crew members fear for a boy who has been knocked down by a motorcycle outside a school and is unresponsive.

11.30 So Help Me Todd. (PGadv, R) The governor seeks Margaret’s help. 12.30 FBI: International. (Mav, R) The fly team heads to Berlin.

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

5.00 Hour Of Power.

6am The Late Show

With Stephen Colbert. 7.00 The King Of Queens. 8.00 Becker. 9.00 Neighbours. 11.00 Good Chef Bad Chef. 11.30 The King Of Queens. 12.30pm To Be Advised. 4.00 Frasier. 5.00 Deal Or No Deal. 6.00 The Big Bang Theory. 10.30 Friends. Midnight Home Shopping. 1.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.

6am Children’s Programs.

8.00 MOVIE: Barbie And Stacie To The Rescue. (2024) 9.15 Children’s Programs. 1.40pm IndyCar Series, The $1 Million Challenge. H’lights. 2.45 A1: Highway Patrol. 3.45 MOVIE: Get A Life Alright. (2022, PG) 5.15 Kenan. 5.45 MOVIE: Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel. (2009) 7.30 MOVIE: Zookeeper. (2011, PG) 9.30 MOVIE: Sex And The City. (2008, MA15+) 12.20am Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.05 Vintage Voltage. 10.55 The Story Of Coffee. (R)

11.25 My Unique B&B. (Premiere) 12.00 WorldWatch. 12.30 PBS Washington Week With The Atlantic. 12.55 Taekwondo. (R) 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Figure Skating. ISU World Championships. Highlights. 5.30 Ballroom

Fit. (R) 5.35 Secrets Of The Chocolate Factory: Inside Cadbury. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Easter Island Origins. Explores the moai of Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

8.30 The Life And Deaths Of Christopher Lee. Documents the colourful life and career of iconic English actor Sir Christopher Lee.

10.00 Hindenburg: The Cover Up: The Titanic Of The Skies. (PGa, R) Part 1 of 2.

11.45 Massacre On Hadrian’s Wall. (Mv, R)

12.35 The Chocolate Factory: Inside Cadbury Australia. (R)

3.40 Singfest: The Literacy Of Music. (R) 4.35 Bamay. (R)

5.00

NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera News.

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise.

10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG)

12.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R) 1.00 Border Security USA. (PG, R) 1.30 Border Security: International. (PG, R)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) A passenger has two extra passports in his bag.

7.30 John Farnham: Finding The Voice. (Mal, R) A celebration of John Farnham.

9.30 What The Killer Did Next: Nicola Stevenson. (Mav) Examines the behaviour of killers after a murder, including in the case of Nicola Stevenson.

10.30 Quantum Leap. (Mav)

11.30 Autopsy USA: Scott Weiland. (MA15+ad)

12.30 MOVIE: Jesse Stone: Thin Ice. (2009, Mav, R)

2.30 Home Shopping.

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30

6.00

12.00

2.00 Australia’s Top Ten Of Everything. (PG, R)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 Fishing Australia. (R) 5.00 9News Early. 5.30 Today.

6.30 The Sunday Project. A look at the day’s news.

7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) The celebrities celebrate Easter in camp, but, there will be no chocolate treats for them.

9.15 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mav, R) Captain Milius continues to work with Tennant and her team in the aftermath of the prisoner exchange. Whistler takes Ernie’s advice and makes a grand gesture in the hope of winning back Lucy.

10.15 FBI. (MA15+av, R) After a young woman is killed on her way home from a lavish yacht party, the team investigates.

12.00 The Sunday Project. (R) A look at the day’s news.

1.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings. 6am

Monday, April 1

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News

Mornings. 10.00 Landline. (R) 11.05 A Grand Royal Design. (R)

12.00 ABC News At Noon.

1.00 Vera. (Mv, R)

2.30 To Be Advised.

4.10 Back Roads. (R)

4.40 Grand Designs. (PG, R)

5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30. Presented by Sarah Ferguson.

8.00 Australian Story.

Presented by Leigh Sales.

8.30 Four Corners. Investigative journalism program exposing scandals, firing debate and confronting taboos.

9.20 To Be Advised.

10.20 You Can’t Ask That: Priests. (Ma, R)

10.50 ABC Late News.

11.05 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (R)

11.35 You Can’t Ask That. (MA15+l, R)

12.10 MOVIE: The Secret Garden. (1993, G, R)

1.55 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 2.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.30 The Truth About Fasting: A Catalyst Special. (PG, R) 5.30

7.30. (R)

ABC TV PLUS (22)

QI. 12.05am MOVIE: Amy. (2015, MA15+) 2.10 ABC News Update. 2.15 Close. 5.00 Hoopla. 5.15 Ready, Jet, Go! 5.25 Pablo. 5.40 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.10 Wonderful World Of Baby Animals. (R) 11.00 Mountain

Vets. (PG) 12.10 WorldWatch. 2.00 Ireland In Music. (R) 3.00 Mastermind Aust. (R) 3.30 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 3.35 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 3.45 The Cook Up. (R) 4.15 World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. Presented by Marc Fennell.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Finding Your Roots: Chosen. (PGa) Hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

8.30 The 2010s: 2020 – The Year That Changed Everything. (Final, Malv) A chronicle of the events of 2020, from Trump’s first impeachment to the COVID-19 pandemic.

10.00 SBS World News Late.

10.30 Christian. (MA15+d) Christian breaks a city-palace rule.

11.25 My Brilliant Friend. (Mav, R)

An author’s friend disappears.

2.40 Mastermind Australia. (R) 3.40 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (PG, R) 4.40 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SEVEN (6, 7)

6.00 Sunrise.

10.00 The Morning Show. (PG)

The latest news and views.

11.30 Athletics. Stawell Gift. Easter Monday session.

2.30 AFL Pre-Game Show. Pre-game coverage of the match.

3.00 Football. AFL. Round 3. Hawthorn v Geelong.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGads)

7.30 Highway Patrol. (PGa) Officers spot some dodgy activity.

8.30 Ron Iddles: The Good Cop: Bonnie Clarke. (Mav, R) Ron Iddles revisits the 1982 murder of six-year-old Bonnie Clarke.

9.30 The Irrational. (Mav) After witnessing a hit and run during a friend’s livestream, Alec and Kylie aim to prove it was not an accident.

10.30 The Latest: Seven News.

11.00 S.W.A.T. (Mav) The team busts a group of robbery suspects.

12.00 MOVIE: Secrets In The Woods. (2020, MA15+av, R) Brittany Underwood.

2.00 Home Shopping.

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

NINE (8, 9)

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30

9News Morning. 12.00 Married At First Sight.

(PGls, R) 1.30 To Be Advised.

2.00 Pointless. (PG)

3.00 Tipping Point. (PG)

4.00 9News Afternoon.

4.30 Tipping Point Australia. (PG)

5.00[MELB]TippingPointAustralia.(PG)

5.30 WIN News.

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Married At First Sight. (Ml) The final vows continue.

9.00 My Wife, My Abuser. (MA15+alv)

Part 2 of 2. Documents the story of Richard Spencer and the abuse he endured at the hands of his wife.

10.00 Footy Classified. (M) Footy experts tackle the AFL’s big issues.

11.00 Kenan. (PGals) Kenan’s mum decides to sell the family home.

11.30 Court Cam. (Mlv, R)

12.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.00 Pointless. (PG, R)

2.00 Hello SA. (PG)

2.30 Global Shop. (R)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)

4.30 A Current Affair. (R)

5.00 9News Early. 5.30 Today.

TEN (5, 10)

6am Morning Programs. 7.00 Ready Steady Cook. (R) 8.00 Ent. Tonight. (R) 8.30 GCBC. (R) 9.00 Bold. (PGalv, R) 9.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 10.00 GCBC. (R) 10.30 Judge Judy. (PG, R) 11.00 Dr Phil. (PGas, R) 12.00 10 News First: Midday. 1.00 Ent. Tonight. 1.15 To Be Advised. 3.00 GCBC. 3.30 10 News First: Afternoon. 4.00 Neighbours. (PGa) 4.30 Bold. (PGav) 5.00 News.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal.

Hosted by Grant Denyer.

6.30 The Project. The hosts and guest panellists take a look at the day’s news, events and hot topics.

7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) As the competition for charity continues in the wilds of Africa, a 12th celebrity enters the jungle.

9.00 FBI: Most Wanted. (MA15+v, R) Special Agent Remy Scott and the team investigate the homicides of two army veterans in a murder spree connected to their time in Afghanistan. Hana receives surprising news about her birth mother.

11.00 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news.

12.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) Hosted by Stephen Colbert. 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings. 6am

6am The

Movie Show. 6.15 Paris Can Wait. (2016, PG) 7.55

The Caine Mutiny. (1954, PG) 10.10 Robert De Niro: Hiding In The Spotlight. 11.15 The Father. (2020, M) 1.05pm

6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 2.30 Motor Racing. Night Thunder. Austn Nationals. H’lights. 3.30 Cities Of The Underworld. 4.30 Storage Wars. 5.00 American Restoration. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Outback Opal Hunters. 8.30 Adventure Gold Diggers. 9.30 Aussie Salvage Squad. 10.30 Deep Water Salvage. 11.30 Late Programs.

9GO! (82, 93)

6am Children’s Programs.

Noon Motor Racing. Formula E. Tokyo ePrix. H’lights. 1.00 Rich House, Poor House. 2.00 Surfing Australia TV. 2.30 Bewitched. 3.00 Full House. 3.30 Sunnyside. 4.30 The Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 I Dream Of Jeannie. 6.00 Raymond. 7.00 The Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Magic Mike XXL. (2015, MA15+) 10.45 Seinfeld. 11.45 Late Programs.

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Foreign Correspondent. (R) 10.30 Kurt Fearnley’s One Plus One. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Call The Midwife. (PGa, R) 2.00 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.25 Back Roads. (R) 2.55 Old People’s Home For 4 Year Olds. (PG, R) 3.55 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 4.45 Grand Designs. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Atypical Education. (PGa, R) 10.00 Film Kids. (PG, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Rebuilding Notre-Dame With Lucy Worsley. (R) 3.10 Mastermind Australia. (R) 3.40 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 3.45

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? Billy Porter. (Return, PGa) Billy Porter explores his roots.

8.30 Insight. Kumi Taguchi explores why people become super fans and what happens when they go too far.

9.30 Dateline: Finding Yusuf Pt 2. A look at Australians in detention in Syria.

10.00 SBS World News Late.

The Business. (R) 11.05 Four Corners. (R) 11.50 MOVIE: Casablanca. (1942, PG, R) Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains. 1.35 The Detectives. (Mal, R)

2.35 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 3.20 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.25 The Wildlife Revolution – A Catalyst Special. (PG, R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

10.30 The Murdochs: Empire Of Influence. (Malsv, R)

11.20 Faking Hitler. (Premiere, Man)

12.15 Vise Le Coeur. (MA15+a, R) 3.20

Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.20 Bamay. (R)

4.55 Destination Flavour Scandinavia Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6am

10.00

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGad)

7.30 World’s Most Extreme Airports. (PG, R) Uncovers problems with airports.

9.00 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA. (Final, Ml) Gordon Ramsay heads to Port Washington, New York,

6.00 Deal Or No Deal.

Hosted by Grant Denyer.

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news.

7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) As the competition for charity continues, the split camp continues to pit the celebrities against each other.

9.00 NCIS. (Return, Mav) The NCIS team must help Torres when he puts his future at stake by confronting the man who tormented his family when he was a child.

10.00 NCIS: Los Angeles. (Final, Mv, R) The team continues to work with the ATF.

11.00 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news.

12.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

Wednesday, April 3

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News

Mornings. 10.00 Four Corners. (R) 10.50

Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club Address.

1.55 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.25

Back Roads. (R) 2.55 Old People’s Home For 4 Year Olds. (PG, R) 3.55 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 4.40 Grand Designs. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (PG, R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30. Presented by Sarah Ferguson.

8.00 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

Presented by Tom Gleeson

8.30 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. A satirical news program exposing the humorous, absurd and downright hypocritical.

9.05 Melbourne Comedy Festival: The Allstars Supershow. (Final, Mals) Guy Montgomery hosts a star-studded line-up featuring comedy royalty from around the globe.

11.05 ABC Late News.

11.20 The Business. (R)

11.35 Adam Hills: The Last Leg. (R)

12.20 Rosehaven. (PG, R) 1.15 Grand Designs. (R)

2.05 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 2.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.25 The Grid: Powering The Future – A Catalyst Special. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 Wonderful

World Of Baby Animals. (R) 10.50 Mountain

Vets. (PG) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Dateline. (R) 2.30 Insight. (R) 3.30 The Point: Road

To Referendum History Bites. (R) 3.35

Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 3.45

The Cook Up. (R) 4.15 World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30

Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. Presented by Marc Fennell.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Alone Australia. (PG) The participants are settling in.

8.30 Jimmy Carr’s I Literally Just Told You. (Ml) Jimmy Carr hosts a comedic game show where paying attention pays off.

9.25 Miniseries: Litvinenko. (Mal) Part 2 of 4. The day after Litvinenko’s death, radiation teams swarm across London.

10.20 SBS World News Late.

10.50 Blinded. (MA15+ds)

Bea chases Thulin.

11.45 The Wall: The Orchard. (Malsv)

3.05 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.05 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (PGa, R)

4.35 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6am WorldWatch.

10.00 The Movie Show. Noon WorldWatch. 12.25

Alone. 1.35 Chad. 2.00 Molly And Cara. 2.20

Abandoned. 3.15 WorldWatch. 5.15 The Wine Lovers’ Guide To Australia. 5.50 The UnXplained. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Jackie Chan: Building An Icon.

9.35 New Wave: Dare To Be Different. 11.25 MOVIE: A Scanner Darkly. (2006, M) 1.10am Late Programs.

6am

The Movie Show. 6.25 The Way. (2010, PG) 8.45

Children Of Heaven. (1997, PG, Farsi) 10.20 Arab Blues. (2019, M, Arabic) 11.55 I Can Quit Whenever I Want. (2014, M, Italian) 1.50pm Mon Oncle. (1958, French) 3.55 Kim Ji-Young, Born 1982. (2019, PG, Korean) 6.05 CJ7. (2008,

SEVEN (6, 7)

6.00 Sunrise.

9.00

NINE (8, 9)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGad)

7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PG) Lee Mack hosts a game show where contestants must answer increasingly obscure questions.

8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Hosts Mick Molloy, Sam Pang and Andy Maher take a lighter look at all things AFL.

9.30 Talking Footy. A look at the week’s AFL news, hosted by Trent Cotchin, Joel Selwood and Mitch Cleary.

10.30 The Latest: Seven News.

11.00 Unbelievable Moments

Caught On Camera. (PGa, R) Footage of headline-grabbing moments.

12.00 Parenthood. (PGa, R)

1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping.

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise 5am News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6am Morning Programs.

7.30 Room For Improvement. 8.00 Million Dollar Minute. 9.00 Harry’s Practice. 9.30 NBC

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars. (PGl) Hosted by Gordon Ramsay and Janine Allis.

9.10 Australian Crime Stories: The Investigators: Undercover Pt 1. (MA15+dlv) The story of one of Queensland’s most decorated police officers, Keith Banks.

10.10 Footy Classified. (M) Footy experts tackle the AFL’s big issues.

11.10 9News Late.

11.40 The Equalizer. (MA15+av, R)

12.30 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.20 Pointless. (PG, R)

2.10 Destination WA.

2.35 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 9News Early. 5.30 Today.

TEN (5, 10)

11.00

Dr Phil. (PGa, R) 12.00 10 News First: Midday. 1.00 Ent. Tonight. 1.30 To Be Advised. 3.00 GCBC. 3.30 10 News First: Afternoon.

4.00 Neighbours. (PGa) 4.30 Bold. (PGasv)

5.00 News.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal.

Hosted by Grant Denyer.

6.30 The Project. The hosts and guest panellists take a look at the day’s news, events and hot topics.

7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) The latest celebrity will need to work hard in a challenge to receive their luxury item.

9.00 FBI: International. (Mv) The FBI fly team investigates the car bombing death of an American lawyer working out of Budapest. Kellett begins to grow close to Hungarian police lieutenant Erdos as the case progresses.

11.00 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news.

12.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) Hosted by Stephen Colbert.

1.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

6am The Late Show

With Stephen Colbert. 7.00 Becker. 8.00 Dr Phil.

9.00 The Middle. 10.00 Rules Of Engagement.

11.00 Becker. Noon Frasier. 1.00 NBL Slam. 1.30

9GO! (82, 93)

10.30 Busted In Bangkok. 11.30 Late Programs.

10 BOLD (53, 12)

6am Home Shopping.

8.00 Healthy Homes Australia. 8.30 Jake And The Fatman. 9.30 Diagnosis Murder. 11.30 JAG. 1.30pm Star Trek: Voyager. 2.30 Jake And The Fatman. 3.30 Diagnosis Murder. 5.30 JAG. 7.30 Bull. 8.30 NCIS.

9.25 Hawaii Five-0. 10.20 NCIS: Hawai’i. 12.15am Home Shopping. 2.15 Diagnosis Murder. 4.05 JAG.

Presented by Sarah Ferguson.

8.00

8.30

9.20

10.20

11.00

11.20

12.20

1.10

9.20

Or No Deal.

6.00

Hosted by Grant Denyer.

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news.

7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) Hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin.

8.30 Gogglebox Australia. TV fanatics open up their living rooms to reveal their reactions to popular and topical TV shows.

9.30 Law & Order: SVU. (Mav, R) Benson tries to help a pop star. Rollins struggles with taking the stress of work home with her.

10.30 Blue Bloods. (Mav, R) Danny teams up with his old partner.

11.30 The Project. (R)

12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

6am

10.00

10 BOLD (53, 12)

6am Home Shopping.

8.00 Soccer. A-League Men. Round 22. Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners. Highlights. 8.30 Jake And The Fatman. 9.30 Diagnosis Murder. 11.30 JAG. 1.30pm Star Trek: Voyager. 2.30 Jake And The Fatman. 3.30 Diagnosis Murder. 5.30 JAG. 7.30 Bull. 8.30 NCIS. 9.25 NCIS: New Orleans. 10.20 Evil. 11.15 Diagnosis Murder. 12.15am Home Shopping. 2.15 Diagnosis Murder. 4.05 JAG.

PUZZLES QUICK CROSSWORD

To solve a Sudoku

ACROSS

1 Baby dog (coll) (3)

3 Linguistic (10)

10 Zeppelin (7)

11 Bedbound (7)

12 Stimulus (9)

13 That following (4)

15 African horned animal (10)

17 Agricultural land (4)

19 Old sailor (coll) (4)

20 Taking over leadership (10)

23 German automobile manufacturer (4)

25 Work independently (9)

27 Speech (7)

28 Ships (7)

29 Expert (10)

30 Idiot boxes (3)

DOWN

1 Act of stealing other’s work (10)

2 Narrow-minded (9)

4 Pleasure (9)

5 Doubly (5)

6 Gulch (6)

7 Sepals of a flower (5)

8 Vein of metal (4)

9 A Japanese religion (6)

14 Literary assistant who copies manuscripts, etc (10)

16 Us (9)

18 Relative position (9)

21 The best at (6)

22 Beachgoer’s two-piece (6)

24 Father’s brother (5)

25 Ultimate (5)

26 Inserts (4)

DECODER WORDFIT

3 LETTERS

9-LETTER WORD

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”.

Today’s Aim:

No. 178

The process of writing in shorthand is known as what?

How many petals do geranium flowers usually have?

What river runs through the city of Budapest?

Teresa Palmer (pictured) and Nicholas Hoult starred in which 2013 film based on a novel by Isaac Marion?

What is an adze?

Where is the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center located?

Kevin Bartlett played 18

8 Who is the protagonist of H. Rider Haggard’s 1885 novel KingSolomon’sMines?

9 What number was the last Apollo mission?

10 Which part of the lamb is known as the ‘fry’?

No. 178

No. 178

No. 178

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Easter service

Manifold Heights and Geelong Korean Baptist Church service, corner Volum Street and Shannon Avenue, Manifold Heights. Easter Sunday March 31, 10am, followed by a combined shared lunch.

■ Yvonne, 5278 2503, or Bernard, 0466 820 420

Ballroom dance

Leopold Hall, 805-809 Bellarine Highway on Saturday March 30. Admission $10 including supper, 7.30-11pm, music Kevin.

■ 0400 500 402

Geelong Prostate Support Group Meets last Friday of the month (except December), 10am-noon, Belmont Park Pavilion, 162 Barrabool Road, Belmont.

■ Bill, 0414 524 155, or info@geelongpsg.net

Choir

St Paul’s Choir rehearses Wednesdays

from 7.45pm to 8.45pm and 9.30am

Sunday for 10.30am service. Choral scholarships available. Occasional choir for those unable to make commitment to main choir.

■ Dr Terry Norman, 0411 875 033, or termernorman@gmail.com

Corio Bay Lions Club Meetings

First and third Thursday of each month at 6.30pm.

■ geelongcoriobay.vic@lions.org.au

Alcoholics (and other addicts)

For Christ 12 Steps Group Meets Thursdays 7.30pm at BelmontHighton Baptist Church, 43 Mt Pleasant Road, Belmont.

■ 0420 910 763

Belmont Seniors

Players wanted to play 500 each Monday 12.30pm. Belmont Senior Centre, 52 Thomson Street, Belmont.

■ 5241 1776

Lions Club Of Geelong Meets for breakfast first Tuesday of each month at The Eastern Hub, Geelong East.

■ ajd53m@yahoo.com

Dancer’s Club

Ballroom dancing Wednesdays

7.30pm-10.30pm, Leopold Hall,Bellarine Highway. Cost: $8, includes light supper.

■ Russ, 5250 1937

Geelong Harmony Chorus

Women’s four-part harmony singing. All ages encouraged. Rehearsals Mondays 6.45pm in Herne Hill.

■ contact@geelongharmony.com.au, or 0406 666 737

Geelong Welsh Ladies Choir

Small ladies choir who require no knowledge of the Welsh language. Meet Wednesdays 7pm at St Luke’s, Highton to help each other sing in Welsh and English.

■ 0413 406 433, or welshladieschoir.com.au

Carpet Bowls

Leopold Hall, 805-809 Bellarine Highway, Wednesday and Friday each week, 1pm to 3.15pm. $4 Admission and includes afternoon tea.

■ 0400 500 402

Chess clubs

Ocean Grove, Tuesdays at 1.30pm at 101 The Terrace, Ocean Grove; Portarlington, Mondays at 9.30am, Parks Hall, 87 Newcombe Street, Portarlington; and St Leonards, Thursdays at 9.30am, unit 2

Geelong ballroom dancing

Saturdays 7.30pm to 10.15pm, corner Bayview Parade and Carey Street, Hamlyn Heights. Entry: $10. BYO drinks and a plate.

■ 5278 9740, or geelongballroomdc.com.au

1375-1377 Murradoc Road (on Blanche Street), St Leonards.

■ Ralph, 0431 458 100 (Ocean Grove), Rob, 5259 2290 (Portarlington), Lyn, 5292 2162 (St Leonards)

OMNI

Older Men New Ideas men’s friendly informal chat group, South Barwon Community Centre, 33 Mt Pleasant Road, Belmont, 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, 10.30am.

■ Allan, 0409 665 608

Lara Community Market

Run by Rotary Club of Lara District every second Sunday of the month at Lara RSL from 9am to 1pm.

Geelong Breakfast Lions Club

Meets first Tuesday of each month, 8am at The Eastern Hub, East Geelong.

■ ajd53m@yahoo.com

Geelong Amateur Radio Club Storrer Street Clubhouse, Geelong, Wednesdays 1.30pm to 4pm and Fridays at 6.30pm.

■ Robert, 0438 409 979, or vk3atl.org

Geelong’s Soroptimist International Service club for women and girls, every second Tuesday of the month from 6pm at Belmont RSL.

■ 0455 835 691, or geelong@siswp.com

Geelong Sports & Game Fishing

Meets first and third Monday of the month at Belmont Park Pavilion, 7.30pm.

■ John, 0409 234 307

Geelong Anglers Club

Meets fourth Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm, 9 Yuille Street, Geelong West. Monthly fishing competitions.

■ Brian, 0417 190 092, or Ian, 0470 114 787

Drysdale CWA

Every second Tuesday at 1pm and crafts every fourth Tuesday at 11.30am of each month at Drysdale RSL Club.

■ Jenny, 0452 258 333

Scottish country dancing classes

GOG Scottish Country Dance classes

7.30pm Tuesdays at Leopold Hill Hall, $5. No partner needed.

■ Jane, 0481 126 022, or

Barbara, 0419 511 781

Bingo

Tuesdays 1pm-3pm, great grocery prizes plus $50 jackpot books $2.50. Belmont Seniors Centre, 52 Thomson Street, Belmont.

■ Frank, 5241 1776

First steps in music

Babies, toddlers and preschoolers welcome with parent/carer. Thursdays Northern Bay College, Tallis, and Fridays at Northern Bay College, Peacock. Free if living in 3214 postcode, bookings essential.

■ info@bluebirdfoundationinc.org.au

PlayLinks

Music and art playgroup where babies, toddlers and preschoolers learn together with their parent/carer. Wednesdays St Thomas Aquinas Primary School, Norlane. Free if living in 3214 postcode, bookings essential.

■ info@bluebirdfoundationinc.org.au

GROW Australia

Community organisation offering practical steps and peer support to help recover and maintain mental health through free face to face and online groups. Mondays 7pm, 195 Ormond Road, East Geelong, Fridays 12.45pm, Vines Road Community Centre, Hamlyn Heights, Zoom group 7pm Tuesdays.

■ grow.org.au, or 1800 558 268

Combined Probus Belmont Central

The Combined Probus Club of Belmont Central meets at 10am on the second Wednesday of each month at Waurn Ponds Hotel. Visitors welcome.

■ Secretary, 0417 555 547

Grovedale Seniors

Indoor bowls Monday 1-3pm; gentle exercise Tuesday 9-9.45am; cards (Euchre) Tuesday 1-3pm; bingo Thursday 1-3pm. Grovedale Community Hub, 45 Heyers Road.

■ Julie, 0419 549 521

Bellbrae Singing for Fun

Come to one session or come to them all. Bellbrae Hall, 6-8pm May 10, September 13 and November 8. Bring a friend for free for the first time, admission $10.

■ Michele, 0425 849 779

5pm

Laughter Club Geelong

Saturdays 9am, Eastern Beach in front of the swimming enclosure. 30-minutes free laughter yoga done standing or seated.

■ 0418 521 265

Drysdale Day VIEW

Fourth Friday of each month at Portarlington Golf Club for lunch.

■ Margaret, 0431 636 090

Geelong Day VIEW

First Monday monthly from 11am at Eastern Hub, East Geelong.

■ geelongdayview@gmail.com

Leopold VIEW

Second Tuesday of each month at Leopold Sportsmans’ Club at 10.30am.

■ leopold.viewclub@gmail com

Geelong Evening VIEW

Third Monday of the month, 6pm at Waurn Ponds Hotel.

■ Von, 0414 930 259, or geelongeveningview@gmail.com

Lions Club International

Enjoy meeting great people and help out your community at the same time. Clubs all over Geelong & District – see which one is right for you.

■ Les, 0428 466 446

Grovedale Marshall Probus

Second Thursday of the month,10am at The Grovedale Hub, 45 Heyers Road, Grovedale.

■ Anne, 0425 356 973

Ocean Grove Men’s Probus

First Monday of each month, 10am, except January, at Surf Life Saving Club.

■ Barry, 0409 161 129

Stamps

Geelong Philatelic Society Inc meets 7pm

first Saturday of the month at Virginia Todd Community Hall, 9-15 Clarence Street, Geelong West and 1pm third Monday of the month at Belmont Library, 163 High Street, Belmont.

■ Julie, 0438 270 549

Barefoot bowls

Bareena Bowling Club, Newtown, Friday twilight starting 6pm. $15 covers bowls and BBQ. Drinks at Crackerjack bar prices.

■ John, 0419 563 199

Grovedale East Ladies Probus

Fourth Monday of each month, 10am, Waurn Ponds Hotel.

■ Sally Nelson, 0402 450 610, or nelsonsally59@gmail.com

Belmont Central Combined Probus

Second Wednesday of each month, 10am, Waurn Ponds Hotel.

■ 0417 555 547

Waurn Ponds Combined Probus

Fourth Wednesday of the month, 10am. Maximum 100 members.

■ probussouthpacific.org/microsites/waurn

Combined Probus Geelong East

The Combined Probus Club of Geelong East meets every third Monday of the month, 10am, East Geelong Uniting Church, corner Boundary and Ormond Roads.

■ Malcolm, 0419 376 380

Geelong Scout Heritage Centre Meets third Sunday of the month, 56 Russell Street, Newtown, 10am-3pm.

■ 0419 591 432, or geelong.heritage@scoutsvictoria.com.au

Lifesaving carnival through the lens

The Life Saving Victoria Senior State Lifesaving Championships were held at Ocean Grove from Friday March 22 to Sunday March 24 and Ivan Kemp was there to take some photographs.

1/ The start of the Under 15 boys swim event. 2/ Teagen Reade and Addison Lewis from Ocean Grove Surf Lifesaving Club. 3/ Toby Hallam from Ocean Grove Surf Lifesaving Club, winner of the Under 15 boys swim. 4/ Miller Szalay securing the belt. 5/ Josh Scanlon and Sam Johnson form the Under 19 belt and reel team from Anglesea 6/ The Rescue and Resuscitation team from South Melbourne Lifesaving Club bringing the patient to shore. 7/ Rachael Robertson, Miranda McGree and Kylie Pummeroy from Torquay Surf Lifesaving Club. 8/ Winner of the Under 17 girls board heat Mae Lynch from Mornington Lifesaving Club. 9/ Lily Shipham, Mia Spencer and Julia Phillips (winner of the state flag race). 10/ The start of the Under 17 girls board race. 11/ The Rescue and Resuscitation team from South Melbourne Lifesaving club marching. 12/ Ocean Grove’s Toby Hallam runs to the finishing line.

It’s a show for the whole family

By Matt Hewson

Parents and little ones alike can enjoy watching some of Australia’s best circus performers when the award-winning show Children Are Stinky comes to the Bellarine. A past winner of the Best Children’s Show at the Adelaide, Perth and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals and now in its ninth year of production, Children Are Stinky is set on a 90s children’s show that is beset by a terrible smell.

Show hosts Lady Stink-a-lot and Mr Smelly Pants (ex-Circus Oz performers Josie Wardrope and Sam Aldham) set about to solve the stinky problem, prompting children in the audience to prove themselves

clever and creative.

The show’s creator and Circus Trick Tease founding member Malia Walsh said the show wasallabouthelpingchildrenfeelempowered.

“It’s a secret lesson about bullying and standing up for yourself,” Walsh said.

“The kids soon realise they can stand up for themselves. We say, kids aren’t just stinky, they’re also lazy and unimaginative, and then they get really amped up about it and one by one we cross those things off the list.

“They get really excited by the end of it; they sort of walk out of the space with their chests out and their heads held high. It’s a great reverse psychology lesson.”

Walsh said she conceived of the show after becoming a mother and going to “quite a few”

Evolution of Geelong singer’s sound

Geelong-based singer songwriter Maddie Jackway is gearing up for her second EP release early next month.

With the first single You Make Me Look Over My Shoulder already up on streaming platforms, the full EP, Kindred, will be released on Friday, April 5.

The five-track EP was recorded through 2023 while Jackway was the Music Artist in Residence at Victoria University in Footscray at Kindred Studios, and features appearances by some of Australia’s finest musical talents includingJakeAmy(keyboards/co-producer), Patrick Danao (drums), Matt Dixon (pedal steel), Alexander Flood (drums), Stephen Lane (bass) and Pia Nesvara (strings). Kindred follows Jackway’s 2020 release

WhatIsThisFreedom,servingasacontinuing evolution of the sound she established with that offering.

Drawing on pop, folk, soul and R&B elements, Jackway’s music maintains a twin focus on her clean, agile and expressive vocal abilities and the narrative nature of her lyrics.

Jackway said the pastiche of stylistic [whatevers] in her songs was a natural result of her wide tastes in music.

“I don’t really like to box myself into a genre; I listen to and am inspired by a lot of different genres,” she said.

“That was definitely evident on the first EP (What Is This Freedom), and I think this second EP… has a little bit more emphasis on soul aspects, with a little sprinkling of R&B.

“There’s still definitely that introspective folk element that’s in the majority of my writing, just with instrumentation and arrangement that’s more pop, soul, R&B kind of focused, which is really exciting.”

Having been writing songs since the age of five or six, Jackway said it didn’t “make sense to me to do anything else”.

“I have just always done it, so writing for me helps me to process my emotions,” she said.

“I remember my mum saying, what if you just did something else for the rest of your life? And I thought that was terrifying.”

Maddie Jackway. (Supplied)

children’s shows.

“As a parent who was usually forking out the money, I thought you know what, I’m going to make a show that has something for the adults as well,” she said. “It’s a little bit like how the Simpsons entertain all the different age groups. (Children Are Stinky) has high-skill acrobatics and incredible circus for the teenagers, then you’ve got some fart jokes for the littles ones, and there are some little side-eye, fun jokes for the adults as well.

“It’s made by parents for parents and their kids. And it’s all wrapped up in a really great moral lesson for kids, too, so it’s a really fab afternoon.”

Children Are Stinky is at the Potato Shed at 11am on Thursday, April 4.

Circus Trick Tease swing into the Potato Shed with the award-winning Children are Stinky on Thursday, April 4. (Supplied)

Doors open to more opportunity

By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring

Who’d have thought that, with a name sounding like a sleeveless under garment, or fitness centre for tiny tots, the Jimny would have cornered the market in its segment as an all-round, on-road/off-road compact. Amatterofthreedoorshasnotheldthesmall SUV back. In fact, it has become something of

a cult car. Now a five-door version has shown up Down Under. In GLX premium spec, the newbie is not just a stretch version, sitting on a 340 mm longer wheelbase.

The ladder frame chassis has been beefed up with the addition of an extra crossmember; the transmission in automatic variants is stronger and adjoins a longer propeller shaft.

The front suspension has been upgraded with stronger springs, recalibrated shock absorbers and a larger stabiliser bar, while front brakes are ventilated discs to dissipate heat.

Paul Dillon, general manager of Suzuki importer/distributor, in Queensland and norther Rivers, says the Jimny three-door has captured the market thanks to its ability to tackle ocean beaches, tough mountain terrain and true outback going.

“Adding a five-door to the range, while keeping the distinctive, funky Jimny styling, makes it not only an extraordinary off-road machine but also a head turner in suburbia.”

The Jimny five-door, like its little brother, is covered by Suzuki’s five-year unlimited kilometre warranty.

We offer a wide range of services in our modern workshop and are known for our fussiness and attention to detail, and that’s exactly how we like it!

Styling

Up front the Jimny five-door repeats the three-door layout with the hallmark Suzuki five-slot radiator taking centre spot, while a full-size ‘Prince Harry’ (think about it) with black cover and white rhino motif clings to the outside of a barn-style tailgate door, which has two open positions for ease of loading in restricted spaces.

In between the front and back is a wheelbase 340 mm longer than the three-door sibling, which with ground clearance of 210 mmm manages to maintain the pleasing proportions of little brother.

Two-and-single tone colours are on offer, the former teaming a new red metallic and chiffon ivory metallic with a bluish black pearl roof. Alternative monotones consist of a new grey metallic with the present jungle green, Arctic white pearl and bluish black pearl.

Interior

With the four-seater three-door a proven favourite suburban shuttle for one or two passengers, the five-door steps forward to carry more people over longer distances. Comfortlevelsintherearhavebeenliftedwith the fabric seats having increased thickness, greater width and two incline positions.

The five-door also has three times more luggage space than the three-door with the seat-backs raised.

Infotainment

A nine-inch high definition display features wirelessorUSBsmartphoneconnectivity,plus rear-view camera images. DAB digital radio includes four speakers – two in the front door and two in the back.

A new binocular camera system has taken over from the single monocular unit and

laser radar of the tree-door. The new camera presents a wider range of features including adaptive cruise control and night-time pedestrian recognition.

Engines / transmissions

Suzuki’s K15B 1.5 litre four-cylinder engine is the tried-and-tested version found in the three-door Jimny, peaking with 75 kW while spinning at a high 6000 rpm. This is backed up with 130 Nm of torque at 4000 revs. Transmissions are a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.

Safety

Rear parking sensors are fitted as standard for the first time on a Jimny. Before now they were an option. There are dual front, side front and curtain airbags, plus two ISOFIX child seat anchorages in the back.

Active safety is in the hands of anti-locking brakes, electronic stability program, dual sensor brake support, lane departure warning, weaving alert and emergency stop signal. Hill start control and hill descent control complete the list.

Driving

The Jimny five-door four-speed auto on test tendedtorunoutofpuffonsteeperinclines,the four-cog tranny running out of steam before changing down. On the flat the powertrain pulled off the mark without hesitation.

Fuel consumption was on the high side – 9.8 litresper100kilometresinthesuburbsand6.9 litres per 100 kilometres on the open road.

The longer wheelbase made for less choppy running over blemishes on the road. Braking, taking advantage of ventilated discs up from had no trouble pulling up the fully loaded vehiclewithoutfading,evenwithrepeateduse.

The All Grip Pro drive train is also carried over from the three-door, heading up three selectable driving modes – two-wheel high, four-wheel high and four-wheel low – while taking advantage of similar 210 mm ground clearance.

Leaving the bitumen behind, essential aid is on tap via a robust full ladder frame, long travel, three-link suspension, teamed with rigid full-width axles front and rear for maximum traction.

Summary

Jimny has made the jump from three-door compact to five-door compact-plus with ease. It’s now up to Suzuki to deliver on the inevitable clamour for the big brother to the three-door, which struggled under the demand for the genuine off-roader.

The Suzuki Jimny 5-Door. (Supplied)

Osborne, Salthouse first for region

New Zealand’s Sam Osborne and Brisbane’s EllieSalthousecrossedthefinishinglineinfirst place at IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong on Sunday March 24.

Osborne headed into Sunday’s race having never been on an IRONMAN 70.3 podium before, taking the win in 3:41:25, 11 seconds clear of Great Britain’s Thomas Bishop, with Finland’s Henrik Goesch a minute further behind in third.

The trio made it the first all-international podium at IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong, with Osborne securing back-to-back Kiwi victories after Mike Phillips won last year.

“I can hardly believe it, the goal was to come here and get a World’s slot and I feel like I’ve been close the last couple of times and then I saw the start list here and I thought jeez I’m really going to have my work cut out for me,” said Osborne. “I came off the bike and this was the first time that I’ve come off the bike at the front, I come from an off-road tri background so I’m used to the mountain bike so the aero

bars can be punishing but I’ve spent heaps of time on the TT bike recently just trying to get used to it which I think paid off.”

Salthouse claimed her second IRONMAN

70.3 Geelong victory, crossing the line in 4:07:18,lessthanaminuteaheadofMelbourne’s Grace Thek, with Dutch athlete Lotte Wilms rounding out the podium.

Juniors taste premiership success

LOCAL TENNIS

Donna Schoenmaekers

It was grand final day on Saturday March 23 for Tennis Geelong’s Junior Pennant and the competition was hotter than the weather.

St Mary’s had one of the best wins in Green Ball 1, their only final for the day, 6-0.

The best win went to Geelong Lawn in 9 Boys 6-0, with a 24-game advantage. Lawn also had wins in 1 and 2 Girls giving them three titles out of a possible eight.

Ocean Grove had seven teams competing, and they too managed to bring home three flags with wins in 6 Boys, 8 Boys and 7 Girls.

Hamlyn Park proportionally were the best performed with 7 Boys, 11 Boys and 4 Girls all winning, although with 7 Boys and 4 Girls only decided on games there would have been a lot of nervous parents.

Anumberofclubsregisteredonewinforthe day with Barwon Heads Blue (Green Ball 3) winning 5-1, Lara (Green Ball 2) winning 4-2,

Waurn Ponds (5 Girls) and Western Heights Uniting (3 Boys) both winning by two games. Newcomers to the competition this season were Meredith, who had their 6 Girls team win through as Champions with a 5-1 win over Geelong Lawn. Near neighbours Bannockburn also posted a win in 12 Boys, although it was one of 10 matches decided on games after teams tied on sets.

WandanaHeightsWhiteweretheinaugural winners of the new Premier B section, their one win for the day, while Moriac took out Premier A in a long match over Grovedale Black two rubbers, three sets, 29 games to one rubber two sets, 28 games.

Grovedale won four of seven finals with 1 Boys winning 4-2, 2 Boys winning 5-1, and 3 Girls winning by six games tied on sets. They also were involved in the two matches that went to deciding sets when the teams were tied on sets and games after the six sets.

Roy Earls and Will Campbell showed nerves of steel in the deciding sets for 10 Boys

“It was a bit of a slow day to get going for me today, not the best swim, a little bit of an average bike but I had to back my run out there today,” Salthouse said.

“We all came off together with a couple up the road and I had to back myself and had a great run, one of my fastest ever so stoked with where my running is at the moment.

“It’s great, I consider this kind of a home race, considering all of my family live down here,they’reallheretodaywatchingsoit’sextra special to have them on the sidelines when I win.

“It’s always incredible here, I love that you get to run through the main part of Geelong a couple of times on each lap, you get to have all of the crowd support, all of the family support, everyonecheering,theruncourseisunlikeany other, it’s pretty much lined with spectators the whole way. The bike course is a little bit lonely out there but there’s always so many people up the top of the hill, it spurs you on a little bit at the halfway point.”

Hawkins heads to game 350

Geelong coach Chris Scott has hailed Tom Hawkins as one of the greatest forwards of his generation ahead of the veteran’s 350th AFL game.

The 35-year-old is coming off a superb four-goal performance against Adelaide as undefeated Geelong prepare to face Hawthorn on Easter Monday in Hawkins’ milestone appearance.

ScottisonlythesecondcoachHawkins has had during a 18-season career, starting in 2011 after Mark Thompson exited at the end of 2010.

“I think he’s been one of the great players in his position of a generation,” Scott said on Tuesday. “It’s been a real privilege. It’s easy to get hung up on the on-field accolades and sort of miss the impact that he’s had around the place.”

Joining Hawkins for his media commitments at GMHBA Stadium on Tuesday were wife Emma and his children Arabella, Primrose and Henry. Hawkins acknowledges he is close to the end of his career, but is refusing to be caught up in talk about retirement so early in the season.

“I get the interest in in my future,” he said. “What’s worked really well for me over the last few years is my ability to be abletoenjoymyselfknowingthattheend is certainly closer than than the start.

“I’ll continue to enjoy myself in here, enjoy the opportunity that I have, and then at some stage we’ll sit down and make that decision.”

winning 6-1 to take the flag. The 5 Boys were alsowithinreachforGrovedale,withtheteam tied with Surfcoast Jan Juc in a tight match with both teams tied on 30 points, involving four tie-breaks. The decider was no exception with Jacob Furness and Harrison McHale finally winning through for Juc in another tie-break.

Surfcoast also prevailed in 8 Girls with the slightly easier result of 4-2.

Highton would be thinking it was a day of ‘what ifs’ with success in two of its seven finals. The 4 Boys and Green Ball 4 managed wins, while 3 Boys, 12 Boys, 2 Girls and 5 Girls all missed out at three sets all but down on games.

It is the end of a successful season with Grovedale’s 1 Boys, Meredith’s 6 Girls, Hamlyn Park’s 11 Boys and Highton’s Green Ball 4 winning through as champions, and the competition proving to be close with almost half the grand finals decided on games difference.

Scott believes it is hard not to link Hawkins and Joel Selwood, who retired after Geelong’s 2022 premiership, together.

The pair arrived at Geelong via the 2006 draft – Hawkins as a father-son selection.

“(Hawkins is) clearly not contracted for another four or five years but I’m not looking forward to the day that he says he’s had enough,” Scott said.

“We’re trying to keep an open mind to him playing, not just because of his influence on field, which is still obvious even in the last game.

“But the influence that he has off the field and the way we want to go about things as a club. In some ways, he’s a bit of a template for what we’re trying to achieve with some of our more experienced players.”

Oliver Caffrey, AAP

IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong winners Sam Osborne and Ellie Salthouse. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 397312

Section 4 Girls Hamlyn Park: Mikayla McKenzie, Ellie McKenzie, Naomi Spain, Elisha Spain and Lilly Synot.

Section 2 Boys Grovedale: Aki Bhatt, Riley van der Vliet, Oliver Plunkett, Lucas Trentini and Callum Henderson.

Section 3 Girls Grovedale 2: Annabelle Wingrave, Ruby Egan, Rosie Kelly, Katelyn White and Suzhanna White. (Pictures: Supplied)

Barwon Heads win A1 Grade flag

Barwon Heads pulled off a stunning Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association A1 Grade premiership against Anglesea at Jan Juc on Sunday March 24. Justin Flynn was there and took these photographs.

Barwon Heads coach Ben Harris and captain Max Melzer.

Brett Venables looked in good touch during his 19.

Sam Schaller receives the player of the match award from BPCA president Ian Caldwell.

The three young guns for the Seagulls – Harry Hyland, Taj Don and Angus Ford.

Left: Daniel Donaldson took four wickets for Barwon Heads. Right: Will Huby, who played very well for his 38, is bowled by Sam Schaller. (Pictures: Justin Flynn) 395963

Dylan Taylor at the crease.

Simon Umbers made 16.

Above: Tyron Norman was superb with a half-century for Anglesea. Below: Sam Schaller was a star with five wickets.

Darcy Hewitt took two early wickets for Barwon Heads.

Five in a row for hot Pies

North Geelong survived for a draw in the Geelong Cricket Association grand final to claim its fifth consecutive premiership at South Barwon Reserve on Sunday March 24. Independent photographer Ivan Kemp was there capture some of the action.

Andrew Fergusson is bowled by Jack Jenkins for 20.

Left: An elated Philip Visser leaves the ground. Centre: Philip Visser cuts on his way to making 88 not out. Right: Layton McCann clips this delivery wide of the short leg fieldsman for a single.

Lachlan Inglis takes a catch down low to dismiss Lachlan McCann for 40.

Alistair McCann edges just short of slip.

Andrew Fergusson ducks out of the way of a bouncer.

Above: Connor Hangan is out lbw first delivery from Jack Jenkins. Below: Curtly Balshaw jumps to cut this delivery through covers.

Left: This Andrew Fergusson shot has the short leg fielder ducking for cover. Right: Players congratulate each other immediately after the game. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 395961

Five straight to North Geelong

By Justin Flynn

North Geelong claimed its fifth consecutive Geelong Cricket Association premiership after a nailbiting draw against East Geelong at South Barwon Reserve on Sunday March 24.

Needing only to draw to win the premiership, the Magpies held on through a magnificent unbeaten 88 from Philip Visser with three wickets to spare.

North Geelong won the toss and bowled first in a bid to force East Geelong to move the game along.

Shane McNamara (69 from 116 deliveries) and Sean O’Neill provided the perfect start and Luke Inglis made a delightful 65 not out from just 54 balls.

But the innings belonged to O’Neill who was unbeaten on 117 from 222 balls when McNamara called a halt to the innings.

O’Neillhit14foursandasixasEastBelmont declared at 2/276 off 71 overs and captured the wicket of Magpies’ opener Sam Hall before stumps.

The Lions needed nine wickets on day two, butaresolute29from112ballsbyNedCooper and 40 from 128 from Layton McCann as well as a stubborn 15 from 64 by Adam Costello kept regular wickets at bay.

Jack Jenkins was again terrific for East Belmont. The left-arm quick took 3/57 from 28 overs while Dylan Moroney took 2/71 from 20.

But it was Visser who stood tall, striking

Rags to riches: Barwon Heads rises to the top

Barwon Heads has gone from A1 Grade demotion, to A2 Grade premiers and now A1 Grade premiers within three seasons to completearagstorichesstoryintheBellarine Peninsula Cricket Association.

TheSeagullsdefeatedperennialpowerhouse

Anglesea in a pulsating final at Jan Juc to halt the Seas’ quest for a fifth consecutive flag.

Max and Harry Melzer got the Heads off to another solid start, putting on 51 while Brent McMinn upped the ante with 41 from 50 balls including an enormous six behind point.

Daniel Donaldson played the sheet anchor role and would end on 48 from 140 while Ben Harris chipped in with 23 including a mammoth six over mid-wicket.

Late contributions from Dracy Hewitt (23) and Harry Hyland (10 not out) got the score up to 227 all out and the Heads were favourites going into day two.

Anglesea skipper Dylan Taylor bowled superbly, taking 4/57 while Ben Harcombe’s nagging line and length netted him 3/9 from 10 immaculate overs.

Hewitt struck twice early on day two, but left-hander Tyron Norman was looking ominous, timing the ball beautifully.

Joined by Brett Venables, the pair looked untroubled in adding 42 for the third wicket, but Venables fell for 19.

Meanwhile Norman brought up his half-century, but was caught on the boundary off Sam Schaller for a well-made 54.

Will Huby played nicely for 38, but wickets

and overs were running out for Anglesea.

Spin duo Schaller and Dan Donaldson were proving difficult to score against.

Eventually the end came with Anglesea all out for 166 and the celebrations began.

Left-arm finger spinner Schaller picked up the player of the match award with 5/48 from 22.3 overs while leg-spinner Donaldson took 3/52 from 25.

DRYSDALE will play in A1 Grade next season after defeating Collendina in the A2 Grade final at St Leonards.

Collendina would have been disappointed withitsscoreof177alloutdespiteatopknock from Ben Ricardo (56) and contributions from Stan Grazotis (36) and Aidan Foard (35).

However it was veteran left-armer David Sykes who stepped up for the Hawks to take 4/43 and Blake Dobbin again found himself among the wickets with 3/39.

Withacoupleofoverstofacebeforestumps on day one, Robert Cutajar elevated himself to the top of the list to ease the burden on regular opener Andrew Spengler and it paid off handsomely. The left-hander made a stunning unbeaten 92 from 149 deliveries. Cutajar is familiar with Len Trewin Reserve at St Leonards having played more than 250 games with the Saints.

Charlie Clode made 35 and Lochie Wilson 30 to get the Hawks home by eight wickets.

Justin Flynn

15 boundaries as he remained defiant and unbeaten at the end on 88 from 153 deliveries.

Alistair McCann survived for 20 balls without scoring, but importantly, remained with Visser as East Geelong searched for three more wickets to claim victory.

In the end, North Geelong was 7/209 from 88 overs at the end with the match ending in a draw, but it was enough to clinch the premiership.

ST PETERS held on for a thrilling draw to claim the GCA2 flag against Torquay at Leopold.AdamTrees(46)andTomDunn(45) got Torquay to 165 all out with Liam Couch (3/45 off 22 overs) bowling well. At stumps on day two, St Peters was 8/153 after being 8/96 with Joshua Sorgiovanni (38 not out off 164

balls) and Joshua Jackson (25 not out off 64) saving the day. Gurpreet Singh was superb for Torquay with 4/43 from 30 overs.

BELL PARK thrashed top side Thomson by nine wickets in GCA3. Three-wicket hauls from Michael Lymer and Tynan Kelly saw Thomson all out for 110 and then Shane Lymer (44 not out), left-hander Ben Grinter (39 not out) and opener Lymer (27) saw the Dragons home.

LETHBRIDGE defeated Waurn Ponds Deakin in GCA4. A magnificent 90 not out from 94 deliveries from captain Shane Dillon and 50 from Riley Stone got Lethbridge to 3/220. Dillon then took control with the ball to snare 3/24 and Jesse Sheehan took 3/35 to have Waurn Ponds Deakin all out for 129.

Top: That winning feeling: Barwon Heads BPCA A1 Grade premiers. Left: The moment Barwon Heads sealed victory. (Pictures: Justin Flynn) 395963 Right: Robert Cutajar during his superb unbeaten 92 for Drysdale. (Ivan Kemp) 396455

The North Geelong premiership team. Right: North Geelong captain Tom Mathieson and coach Craig Biddiscombe celebrate their premiership win. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 395961

ARMSTRONG CREEK OVER 55s LIVING

Come home to Armstrong Green

Boutique homes starting from $635k

ALREADY BUILT - NO DEPOSIT - MOVE IN HASSLE FREE

If you believe the kitchen is the heart of the home, this is the villa for you!

With open plan living and dining both flowing to the undercover alfresco and verandah, this is contemporary coastal living at its best. The working zone is completed with a butler’s pantry and study. The master suite has a walk-in robe and ensuite with double vanity. A spare double bedroom, bathroom, laundry and a double garage completes this delightful home.

The beauty of living at Armstrong Green is that everything you need is right next door. No need to use the car to visit supermarkets, cafes, doctors, dentists or the pharmacy.

Make the most of your retirement and live in style at Armstrong Green. Call our friendly sales specialists on 1800 777 898 to book a tour, today.

Lunch with ‘Lingy’

Cameron Ling comes to Armstrong Green

Cameron Ling needs no introduction to Geelong and the wider community, he is a highly regarded champion and a household name.

If you are 55 or over, we invite you to come along and enjoy lunch with our vibrant community, and take a tour.

“Lingy” will share insights on relevant and relatable topics; this eventful afternoon is not to be missed.

Bookings Essential. Call 1800 777 898 to register.

armstronggreen.com.au

JOIN US FOR LUNCH WITH CAMERON LING SEE BELOW.

THE DUNEED VILLA

DATE T hursday , April 4

VENUE

Armstrong Green Clubhouse 722-742 Barwon Heads Road

Armstrong Creek

RSVP Tuesday, April 2 by calling the sales specialists Jodie and Linda on 1800 777 898

1800 777 898