An early burst of summer
Well, we can’t complain with the weather on Wednesday and Thursday with sunny skies and temperatures climbing up to 30 degrees.
In an early taste of summer, it was genuine beach weather and Voice photographer caught up with Claire Benn and baby Louie and Harvey, Emily Vining with baby Poppy and Lenny, and Lauren McGough with Billy and Ruby at Ocean Grove main beach on Wednesday.
Temperatures will dip back to 19 degrees on Friday and Saturday before rising again for Sunday with the mercury going back up to the high 20s. A cool front will then push through and send temps back down to the teens. We may even get some rain on Monday and Wednesday although don’t put your winter woollies away just yet. It will only get to the mid-teens on Wednesday.
For more out and about pictures, see page 21.
Fire warning issued
By Jena Carr
Police continue to be on the lookout for a serial arsonist in the lead-up to bushfire seasonwhomayberesponsibleformultiple fires in and around St Leonards.
Geelong Crime Investigation Unit investigators believe a mystery offender started 16 fires on the Bellarine Peninsula since January and could be responsible for more that weren’t reported.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Guthrie said it is believed the firebug’s spree included setting fire to a tree twice and to flammable materials on a back road near St Leonards, along with other suspicious fires near Drysdale and Portarlington.
“Our grave concern at the moment is that we’ve got no idea who’s doing it,” he said.
“Itseemstobeapatternemergingaround GrassyPointRoadandroadsinandaround that area in St Leonards. There’s been no damage to property, but it’s getting close to that... and St Leonards is a semi-rural area, so we’re seeking some assistance if we can.
“There could be a lot more that we’re not aware of, as the fires may have burnt out by themselves, and no one has reported them, or someone’s seen the fire and put it out and didn’t say anything to us.
“They are only small fires that have been set to rubbish on the side of the road or other items that have been put in these areas or were already there that have just
been started in some way.”
AsuspectedarsonattackatPortarlington Police Station in August was not believed to be connected to the series of Bellarine fires, and Detective Senior Sergeant Guthrie confirmed with the Voice that the investigationintotheincidentwasongoing.
“We know what bushfires can do; they devastate communities and people’s property and put lives at risk,” he said.
“These fires are not only putting the community at risk, but they’re also putting the first responders at risk, as the fire brigade guys have to go in and actually fight these fires.”
Country Fire Authority acting assistant chief fire officer Wayne Aylmer said there
was a “high risk of fires” for the Greater Geelong, Surf Coast and Bellarine regions during the upcoming fire season.
“We’ll likely be in a fire danger period withinthenextfourtosixweeks,depending on how that weather goes,” he said.
“The risk is higher coming into this summer than what we’ve seen in previous years, so that is a concern to us, and we need to make sure that people are starting to prepare for the fire season.”
Anyone with information, dashcam or CCTV relating to any fire incidents across the Bellarine should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppersvic.com.au to submit a confidential report.
International bowls event
Ocean Grove will host the World Bowls Indoor Championships, with regional and international competitors descending upon the region next year.
Competitorsfrommorethan30countries will battle it out during the annual competition at Ocean Grove Bowling Club (OGBC) over six days in May.
OGBC chief executive Nathan O’Neill said it was great to have the club’s recently redevelopedfacilitychosentohosttheelite competition and that it was an “incredible milestone” for the Bellarine.
“This event is about leaving a legacy that benefits our region, sport and community
foryearstocome,”hesaid.“Acrosssixdays, we’re expecting around 4000 spectators and many more tuning in globally via the broadcast and livestream coverage.
“The championship will welcome athletes from over 32 nations, including world champions and elite international performers, generating immense spectator interest and inspiring our bowls community.”
OGBC partnerships and programs general manager Matt Flapper said he lookedforwardtowatchingpeoplecompete across the championship’s competitions, including men’s and women’s singles
and mixed pairs.
“The World Bowls Indoor Championship givesourregion’syoungpeopleachanceto see the world’s best athletes right here in their own backyard,” he said.
“Withmorethan2600registeredbowlers acrosstheregion,thiseventisanincredible opportunity to connect our existing bowling community with the highest level of the game.
“Seeing international champions compete on home soil will spark new motivationacrossclubs,driveparticipation, and strengthen pathways from grassroots through to high performance.”
Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine executive director Tracy Carter said the event would be held in May, which was a “traditionally quieter tourism period” for Geelong and the Bellarine.
“With over 32 nationalities represented and strong domestic attendance expected, the championship will drive mid-year visitation, supporting local jobs and business growth,” she said.
“This timing will extend the region’s tourism season, delivering economic benefitstolocalaccommodationproviders, hospitality venues, and attractions beyond the summer peak.”
Dedicated community volunteer named a local hero
By Jena Carr
A Geelong woman has been recognised with a national award for more than three decades of providing meals to people in need.
Janice McGowan has been volunteering with Christ Church Community Meals Program for 35 years and was announced as this year’s Westfield Local Hero for Geelong.
Ms McGowan said she was in a “state of shock” after being announced as the winner and said the $20,000 grant she wouldreceivethroughtheprogramwould go towards providing more food to the community.
“Wedohavealotoflong-termvolunteers, and it’s important that everyone who uses the meal program is treated with respect,”
she said.
“We serve breakfast every day of the year and evening meals twice a week, and we try to provide protein to people, especially during breakfast, as it is one of the most important meals.
“We’ve seen an increase in people using our service as we used to have 30 to 40 peoplecominginforbreakfast,nowweget about 78, and... there were 10 days when the number of people we had coming in wasn’t under 60.”
Westfield Geelong centre manager
Lauren Frew said she was pleased to be able to recognise the achievements of people within the community while helping grow their impact through the program.
“As we round out the eighth year of the program, we continue to be astounded
by the selfless contributions these individuals make,” she said.
“Janice McGowan from Christ Church Geelong has spent more than three decades ensuring no one in her community goes without a warm meal or a friendly face.
“Her extraordinary dedication and compassion have built a place of nourishment and belonging for hundreds of locals every week.”
Geelong local heroes finalists included Louise Larkin from children’s charity Friend in Me and Roxie Bennett from Barwon Health Foundation.
Westfield Local Heroes recipients were announced on 15 October, with winners receiving $20,000 grants and finalists receiving $5000 grants to continue making an impact within the community.
Janice McGowan is this year’s Westfield Local Hero for Geelong. (Supplied)
By Matt Hewson
There is light at the end of the tunnel for users of the Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House.
The community centre opened once again to the community on Wednesday 15 October after weeks of disruption.
The news was welcome to the many Ocean Grove community members who take part in community courses and support groups at the former Bellarine Training and Community Hub (BTACH).
The BTACH committee of management entered voluntary administration on Tuesday 2 September after years of
Sweet return for Wallington strawberry fair Welcome reopening news
After a three-year hiatus, one of the Bellarine’smost-lovedeventsisreturningto putasweetpepinyourstep.
Wallington Primary School’s Strawberry Fair will have local produce, handmade crafts,vintagetreasures,ecofriendlygoods, artisanal bakes, gourmet street food and quirkygifts.
Principal Cameron Edwards said there will be more than 80 market stalls, live entertainment, delicious food, and of course,plentyofstrawberries.
“Visitorscanbrowseavastarrayofmarket stalls for early Christmas presents or treats forthemselves,”hesaid.
“We’re really proud of the entertainment line-up, it’s going to be a vibrant, joyful atmospherefromstarttofinish.
“For the sweet tooth, there’s the Strawberry Hall with an array of delicious strawberry snacks from pavlovas to choc-dipped strawberries, to the perennial favouritestrawberriesandcream.
“The fair is not just a fundraiser, it’s a chance to bring our school community together and showcase everything that makes Wallington Primary School so special.”
Get ready to groove with live music and roving performers with soul legends the Sweethearts,singalongwithrisingstarElla Joan, and enjoy the sounds of the Christian CollegeBandandadozenrovingbuskers.
Family fun and thrill rides means there is something for all ages. From adrenaline-pumping rides like The Sizzler, Dodgem Cars, and the Go Gator Rollercoaster, to adorable experiences like puppy yoga, pony rides, and the petting zoo. Kids can also dive into fun with craft activitiesandalaserskirmish.
You won’t go hungry, with 18 food trucks dishing out tasty bites from across the globe,alongsideaclassicsausagesizzlerun
significant financial losses.
Geelongcouncilintervenedquicklyafter the closure, working with administrators and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing to transition to temporary management of operations at the community house.
City officers initially expected services, including community courses and support groups,wouldcontinue“largelyasnormal” during the transition period.
However, City staff were unable to gain operational access to the building while administrators finalised the insolvency procedure.
Six weeks later, the neighbourhood
house’s doors have once again opened, with classes, workshops and events to be restarted in stages.
Speaking earlier this week, Deputy Mayor Ron Nelson said the milestone was exciting news for the Ocean Grove community.
“Council was able to temporarily step in and oversee operations of the Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House after the venue’s operator entered voluntary administration,” he said. “We’re pleased thatthecommunitywillhaveaccesstothis special place from tomorrow.
“The City is taking a measured approach to reintroducing programs and rebuilding
by Ocean Grove Barwon Heads Lions Club. Drinks, snacks, and sweet treats will be available.
ThefairwillbeheldatWallingtonPrimary SchoolonSundayNovember2from10amto 4pmwithentryviaagold-coindonation.
Time to go country with Chadley’s Silver Spurs
By Matt Hewson
Boots will be scootin’ when the region’s newest country sensation hits the stage this weekend.
Five-piece band Chadley’s Silver Spurs will bring the hoedown party vibes with GoneCountryatBellsBreweryonSaturday 18 October.
Thenightwillfeaturethemusicofclassic country artists old and new, including Johnny Cash, Zach Bryan, Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton, Chris Stapleton, Toby Keith and Garth Brooks.
With entertainer and dance instructor Edward Kays from Neon Cowboy Bootscooters leading line dancing through the night, the band’s frontman Ben Hynes said the gig was a chance for people to get together and have a lot of fun.
“Country’s got a bit of a momentum at
the moment, it’s in the charts and the kids seem to be enjoying it,” he said.
“I’ve always like traditional country, more Americana, not so much the new
the timetable to ensure they meet community need and are sustainable in the long term.
“The team is giving the Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House the care and attention it deserves to ensure the venue once again becomes the thriving heart of the township.”
Connewarre Ward councillor Elise Wilkinson thanked the community for its patience as the neighbourhood house’s operations were transferred to the City. Officers encouraged resdients to email communitystrengthening@geelongcity. vic.gov.au to help staff prioritise which activities to resume.
Council compost public giveaway
Members of the public can try out premium compost for free this month.
FreesamplesoftheCity’sBetterfor Geelong compost will be available at participating community gardens aroundthemunicipalityonSaturday 25 October from 9am to noon.
Made locally from recycled green bin waste at the City’s Anakie Organics processing facility, the compost has been used across Greater Geelong in council-owned gardens for the last few years.
Whileloosecomposthaspreviously been available for sale by weight, the giveaway will promote the launch of bagged units of the product.
Community members can pick up samples of the compost from a range of sites across the Bellarine, including Surfside Primary School Kitchen Garden, Ocean Grove Community Garden, Barwon Heads Community Garden, Springdale Community Garden in Curlewis and Breamlea Community Garden.
Geelong deputy mayor Ron Nelson encouraged residents to try the homegrown compost.
“This has been a real success story ofthecirculareconomyinaction,”he said.“We’reproudoftheCity’sefforts to turn the community’s green bin contents into a quality product for locals to use.”
Visit geelongaustralia.com.au/ gardenorganicsformoreinformation on the City’s garden organics program.
country.ButnowthatI’mgettingintoitI’m starting to enjoy it a lot.
“Generally (country songs) have really depressing topics - it’s generally about breakups, or worse, in some cases - but the music is really happy and upbeat, so it gets the crowd going.”
Hynes, who has spent the last 25 years playing in original and cover bands, said the band was a fun project .
“Youputyourblood,sweatandtearsinto the original stuff… then you go out and three mates turn up,” he laughed.
“With covers, everyone knows the songs and it’s a bit more appealing to the wider community.
“Everybody loves country music, everyonewillmovetoit.Sowe’relookingto haveabitofaparty-getyourcowboyboots on,kickupthedust,doabitoflinedancing and just have a bit of a laugh, really.”
Ben Hynes and Chadley’s Silver Spurs will get you yeehawing with Gone Country. (Supplied)
Prep student Anna loves strawberries. (Supplied)
Wallington Primary School year 6 students Brianna and Lily can’t wait for the strawberry fair. (Supplied)
Council approves OG sell
By Matt Hewson
Despite some concerns from the community, Geelong council has resolved to sell sections of land and rework a major intersection in central Ocean Grove.
The curved section of road connecting The Parade to Hodgson Street will be squared up, opening up new land for sale.
A council carpark and a small municipal reserve will also be sold, while other council car spaces on The Parade will be lost to the new road reserve.
The changes to the streetscape and sale of council land have been proposed since
the adoption of the Ocean Grove Urban Design Framework (UDF) in 2014 to “act as a catalyst for the redevelopment” of the area.
Of the 90 submissions received by the council through its community engagement in March and April this year, only 10 supported the changes unconditionally, with the remainder objecting to all or parts of the proposal.
The biggest concern expressed by residents was the loss of public carparks, however, the UDF requires off-set or replacement carparks for any redevelopmentandcouncilhasmadeclear
Students tackle vaping scourge
from two local schools have helped design a campaign to reduce vape usage among young people.
Senior students from North Geelong Secondary College and Northern Bay College designed a series of posters, videosandworkshoppackshighlighting the dangers of vaping.
The campaign is part of a project led by City of Greater Geelong’s youth development team and CatholicCare Victoria’sSettleWellprogram,thanksto a $200,000 VicHealth vaping prevention grant.
StudentsLaceyandBellaaremembers of the Vape Prevention Action Group, which supported the development of the posters and videos. They said the
group’saimwastoreducevapingamong youngpeopleandhelpbuildahealthier, happier community.
“By involving young people like us, we have the opportunity to make a real difference in our community,” they said VicHealth manager of commercial determinants of health Bonnie Matheson said “We’re proud to partner with the City of Greater Geelong to reduce the harms of vaping in the region and are really impressed by the creativity and passion of young people to support their peers to reject vaping.”
Schools can email youthcommunitydevelopment@ geelongcity.vic.gov.au to request workshop packs or facilitator support.
PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE AN EXISTING MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION
Lonsdale Links Golf Course, 63A Clubhouse Drive (off Gill Road), POINT LONSDALE VIC 3225
RFNSA Site Number: 3225002
1. Telstra is proposing to upgrade an existing mobile phone base station (monopole) located off Gill Road at the Lonsdale Links Golf Course, Point Lonsdale. The upgrade will improve Telstra 4G services and introduce 5G services to the surrounding area.
2. The proposed upgrade works on the existing monopole consist of:
• Removal of six (6) existing panel antennas
• Installation of three (3) new panel antennas (less than 2.8m in length)
• Installation of three (3) new panel antennas (less than 1.1m in length)
• Installation of ancillary equipment including cables, cable trays and remote radio units.
3. In accordance with Section 7 of the Industry Code C564:2025 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment, we invite you to make comments about the proposal.
4. Please direct comments to Mark Baade (Planning Consultant) on mark@saqconsulting.com.au, 0417 088 000 or to SAQ Consulting, P O Box 50 CLAYFIELD QLD 4012 by Friday 31st October 2025
For more information about the proposal, scan the QR Code or visit www.rfnsa.com.au/3225002
thesaleoflandwillbeconditionalonthose replacements.
Other objections raised issues such as the loss of the reserve’s green space, overdevelopment of the town centre and negative impacts on traffic flow.
MayorStretchKonteljsaidthesalewould support improvements to the town centre.
“This decision reflects council’s commitment to working with the community to improve the precinct to meet the needs of a growing area,” he said.
“We thank everyone who took the time to provide feedback and help shape the outcome.”
CouncillorAndrewKatos,whochairsthe City Planning portfolio, said the sale was a step toward realising the community’s broader vision for the town centre.
“These sites have the potential to better support local business and improve town centre accessibility for locals and visitors,” he said.
“The sale moves us closer to realising the community’s vision for a town centre that maintainsOceanGrove’suniquecharacter and identity.”
Visit yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/ proposed-land-sale-ocean-grove for more information.
Bellarine Arts Trail is back
By Matt Hewson
The vibrancy of the region’s arts scene is on display this Melbourne Cup weekend when the Bellarine Arts Trail returns.
The free event, running from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 November, includes more than 90 artists in more than 30 sites across Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff.
In addition to larger venues such as Barwon Heads Arts and Community Hub and the Hive Gallery, the Arts Trail gives local art lovers the chance to meet with artists in their studios, the places where they conceive and create their work.
Award-winning Wallington artist Annie Finkelde is one of the many who open their doors to the public during the event.
“I think it’s really important that the public gets to see where we create, what wedo,andthesortofenvironmentthatwe work in,” she said.
“I think it’s inducive for people to tap intosomeoftheircreativeprocess.They’re reallyinterestedinaskingquestionsabout your process; what thoughts did you have, what made you want to paint that in the first place?
“Past experience with having people visit my studio has been very rewarding… they sit, they look at the artwork and
absorb it, which is very flattering.
“But more than that, we get these wonderful conversations starting with people who have never met before. They find new friendships, kindred ideas and shared connections, and that’s really nice.”
EventcoordinatorLouKennedysaidthe Bellarine’s unique coastal environment, nature, ocean, light and landscapes were key themes throughout many of the artists’ work in this year’s Arts Trail.
“Visitors to the trail will discover a huge diversity of art with artists working across a range of mediums including painting, sculpture, weaving, photography, print-making, ceramics and glass blowing andwe’rethrilledtoshowcasetheregion’s creativetalentandprovideaneventwhich directly supports artists,” she said.
“Participating artists include established professionals to emerging artists and hobbyists.
“Work ranges from Kay Clancy’s ceramics inspired by local flora and fauna on show at The Barwon Heads Arts Hub to Nell Frysteen’s contemporary realism in Ocean Grove to Annie Finkelde’s studio in Wallington where her large-scale mix media works showcase her unique surrounds.”
Go to bellarineartstrail.com.au for the full listing of venues and artists.
Annie Finkelde in her studio. (Ivan Kemp) 510297_08
Students
OPEN DAYS RYMAN VILLAGE
FRIDAY 17 & SATURDAY 18 OCTOBER
Presentation at 10.30am and 12.30pm followed by a village tour
Come and experience the warmth of our Ryman village communities, we’d love to show you around. Discover our lifestyle and care options, tour our show homes and explore our premium amenities. We look forward to seeing you.
PAY NO WEEKLY FEE FOR 12 MONTHS*
At Ryman, you’ll pay no base weekly fee for 12 months* when you sign up to a villa at Deborah Cheetham Village by 31 October 2025.
*Participating villages only, Ts & Cs apply.
DEBORAH CHEETHAM VILLAGE
1 Vision Court, Ocean Grove
To find out more visit rymanhealthcare.com.au/open-days
Open gardens showcase sustainability
Two spectacular private gardens will be on displayinDrysdaleaspartofOpenGardens Victoria’s10thanniversaryspringseason.
Graceburn and Red Gums will open their doors to the public in a celebration of sustainability and native garden design on 25 and 26 October between 10am and 4.30pm.
Though both gardens bear the mark of renowned landscape designer Sam Cox, who designed Red Gums and Graceburn’s freshwaterswimmingpoolandsurrounding area, they present very different visions of whatAustraliangardenscanbe.
During the past 19 years, Graceburn owners Kate Lockhart and Justin Grace have transformed two of the property’s two hectares from degraded horse paddocks intoathriving,sustainablegarden.
Ms Lockhart is an agricultural scientist and the latest in five generations of country gardeners, while Mr Grace’s background in engineering meant he brought both creativity and technical capability to the mix.
“Our garden is very much about building an environment that is engaging to our friendsandfamily,”shesaid.
NBAC stage two one step closer
Geelong council has announced the head contractor for stage two of the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre (NBAC).
Melbourne-based company
Ireland Brown Constructions was selected through an open tender process to deliver the indoor section of the NBAC.
In addition to the already existing heated 50 metre outdoor pool, the new indoor facility will include a 25 metre indoor pool, gym and group fitness rooms, accessible change rooms, a cafe, office and extended car park. The works will be funded by $20 million from both the federal and state governments, with the City providing $300,000.
“(There is) joy in sharing your garden, not just on open days, but also with parties, on weekends,witheveryvisitor.”
Focused on local indigenous species, habitat restoration and sustainable living, the garden features extensive indigenous and native plantings that create a bustling habitatforwildlifeand aproductiveorchard ofmorethan80fruittrees.
It also includes bush tucker plantings, sculptures created from found and reused materials and spaces designed for play and entertainment, such as the wood-fired hot tubandarammedearthpavilion.
Ireland Brown Constructions has a history of projects in the Geelong region, including The Gordon’s Geelong Tech School and Building H redevelopment, Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club’s club house and patrol tower and the Geelong High School redevelopment.
Councillor Elise Wilkinson said “The construction of the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre stage two project will generate positive employment outcomes for Greater Geelong while delivering the infrastructure and services that address the growing needs of the Bellarine.”
Construction will begin in November and is expected to be completed in 2027.
Graceburn owners Kate Lockhart and Justin Grace. (Ivan Kemp) 509735_01
Flowers, dogs at hall
By Jena Carr
Dogs, flowers, stalls, and Devonshire tea are coming back to Queenscliff for a day of fun at the St George’s Flower Show.
Coordinator Trish Taylor said this year’s show would be bigger and better than ever and would feature Devonshire tea, a sausage sizzle, artisan stalls, a spinning wheel and plenty of flowers.
“I’m going to be really interested to see how the crowd is, and I’ve got a feeling that we’re going to get quite a lot more people than we’ve had before,” she said.
“There’s a lot of younger families living in areas around Point Lonsdale that weren’t here three years ago, so hopefully the show will bring them in as well.
“The original flower show started in 1902... and people really enjoy the idea of something that a lot of them had in their childhood, especially the older people who live down here on the coast.”
Ms Taylor said the show would also feature the return of the dog show, which was initially held last year.
“What happened last year was that we got caught with wet weather and they ended up having the dog show inside St George’sChurchandtherewassomething like 30 dogs in there,” she said.
“That was rather amazing to see and very funny because the judge was doing the judging from the pulpit; you’ve got to see it to believe it, so this year we’ve hired a marquee for the event.”
Flowerpot painting and face painting would also be available during the show for some of the younger members of the Queenscliff community.
Accelerator help for businesses
More women in the region are being encouraged to grow successful and sustainable small businesses.
City of Greater Geelong’s Business Accelerator Scholarship Program sponsored 10 female entrepreneurs toparticipateina12-monthcourseto pursue their commercial dreams.
Participants gained skills in business planning, marketing and financial management in a suite of workshops at council’s civic precinct Wurriki Nyal. Mentoring and networking opportunities also helped build confidence and expand professional connections.
Program graduate Sarah Anderson is now driving her photography business with purpose.
“The program gave me clarity and confidence to value my services properly, streamline my workflow andconnectwithotherlocalbusiness owners – all of which has made a real difference,” she said.
“The program has been a real turning point,” owner of Complete K9 Training Elly Mirkovic said. “I’ve gained the confidence to structure my business, set clear goals and back the value of what I offer. Opening up a training facility has been amazing, allowingmetorunmoregroupclasses and create a little community.“
Business in Heels, which ran the course, chief executive Lisa Sweeney said it was rewarding to see participants grow personally and professionally.
St George’s Flower Show committe members Annie Gardner, Trish Taylor, Joy Craig and Kath Kerr with west highland terriers Banshee, Scarper and Jinty. (Ivan Kemp) 510153_03
The show is at Queenscliff’s Old School Hall on the corner of Hobson and Learmonth Streets from 9am to 2pm on Saturday 18 October.
Celebrate lifesavers
The Bellarine and Surf Coast has a strong surflifesavingpresenceatitsbeachesanda newnationaldaytorecogniseallvolunteer lifesavers will be held in March next year.
With the official summer patrol season starting on 5 November, Red & Yellow Day will be a nationwide celebration of the lifesaving movement, and an opportunity to show our appreciation to our volunteers for giving their time, effort and energy to protect the community.
The public will be encouraged to show theirsupportbywearingtheiconicredand yellow colours of our volunteer lifesavers whethertheyarepatrollingthecoastorthe pool, making a donation to their local club or joining as a member, and pledging to keep themselves and their loved ones safe in the water.
The day will also promote the Red & YellowDayAppeal,whichisanopportunity for lifesaving clubs to raise much-needed funds to support their operations, build community engagement and take part in nationwide water safety campaigns.
“Ourvolunteerlifesaversshowincredible dedication, skill and selflessness, giving their time freely to serve the public,“ LSV general manager - member engagement and sport Simon Rickard said.
“Red & Yellow Day is a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate our volunteer lifesavers for their efforts to keep our community safe in the water as well as raise much needed funds to supportessentialequipment,training,and facilities for clubs.“
The inaugural Red & Yellow Day is on Wednesday 4 March, 2026. The Red & Yellow Day Appeal will run from 3 to 6 March. A Rescue and Resuscitation
Rotary helps with polio eradication
Ocean Grove Rotary is moving forward in its bid to raise awareness, funds, and support to end polio.
World Polio Day, on 24 October, is dedicated to eradicating polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today.
Rotarians have long worked to end the paralysing virus, which will be only the second human disease ever to be eradicated.
Rotary Club of Ocean Grove is marking the occasion at its meeting on Tuesday 21 October by wearing red and fundraising.
“Ocean Grove Rotary has supported the eradication of polio by contributing to the End Polio Now campaign,” president Lyndy Stagg said. “Many of us know people who live with polio today and know of their challenges.”
The polio virus still exists endemically in Afghanistan and Pakistan. While the world has made significant progress in eradicating polio since the launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988, ongoing transmission in these last remaining countries poses a risk for global resurgence.
Rotary has contributed more than $4.4 billion to fight polio and countless volunteer hours since launching its PolioPlus program in 1985. Visit rotary.org and endpolio. org for more about Rotary and its efforts to eradicate polio.
team at Ocean Grove main beach. (Ivan Kemp)
Guitarist set to entertain
Jeff Lang is one of Australia’s premier guitarists and songwriters, with multiple ARIAs, a back catalogue of more than 20 live and studio recordings and numerous national and international tours.
But aside from dedication to one’s craft, Lang has a simple philosophy when it comes to longevity in an industry as strange as music.
“Basically, I think if you’re going to have any kind of longer career in the music game, it’s all predicated on your ability to shorten the time gap between ‘this is humiliating and horrible’ and ‘that was funny’,” he said.
“That,tome,isawaytotrytohavealong career, to be able to live with that stuff and lean into it in a way.”
Raised in Geelong, Lang began learning clarinet at age eight, but found his real musical voice when he picked up a guitar as a teenager.
“Physically, I didn’t have the same affinity with the clarinet, and I wasn’t hearing it on records, whereas I’d grown upwithguitarmusicinthehouse,”hesaid.
“MydadlikesplayerslikeRyCooderand Leo Kottke, there was always a lot of Bob Dylan playing.
“Then the teenage years hit and there werebandsIwasdiscoveringthatweremy music, as opposed to my parents’ music. The guitar was prominent on things like Led Zeppelin and Cold Chisel.
“AndthenwhenIgotmyhandsonone,it just sort of made sense.”
Lang returns to his home town on Saturday 25 October for a duo show with long-time musical collaborator, drummer
and Geelong local Danny McKenna at the Courthouse Theatre.
He said he and Danny had a “conversational, intuitive rapport” built on nearly 20 years of playing together.
“The advantage of playing solo is that you’re free to do whatever you feel like, but playing with a band, you get to have other people’s input and get inspired by what they do,” Lang said.
“With Danny it’s pretty free, we can just wing it and go off the spur of the moment, take a wild left turn if we feel like it.
“And he’s a great guy as well as a great musician, so it’s always nice spending time with him, musically and personally.”
Visit platformarts.org.au/courthousetheatre for tickets and more information.
Hip-hop superstar loves to push the creative boundaries
Australian rapper Illy is a genuine hip-hop superstar, with multiple ARIA awards and number one albums in a career spanning nearlytwodecades.
But artistically, Illy (aka Al Murray) has neverstrictlylimitedhimselftohip-hop.
His latest album, Good Life, is the best exampleofthat-aresult,Murraysaid,ofthe stateoftheworldwhenhewroteit.
“The writing process started during COVID, so it was very much not knowing what was going on in the world, not really knowing what this career was going to look like,”hesaid.“Igotquitedownaboutwhere things were because I was on a trajectory priortoitthatneverreallyrecovered.
“It forced me to have some level of
optimism… really consciously trying to viewtheglassashalffullandtakingstockof whatyou’vegot.
“So even on some of the sad songs or sadder moments, there is like an element of defianceorofgettingonwithitandpushing through.”
Thatuncertaintyalsogaverisetocreative freedom. “I’ve always really wanted to push myselfwiththesongwritingstuff,”hesaid.
“I love rap, I came up in the underground rap scene. But it doesn’t challenge me as muchastryingtowritethesekindsofsongs, so I really wanted to push myself as far as I could.
“There’sacountrysong,there’selectronica songs, there’s punk-rocky songs, there’s songsthataren’tinanywayrapsongs.
“When you’re locked inside your house andyoucan’tgoanywhere…IfeellikeIhad
alittlebitmorelicensetotakesomerisks,so Ididthat.”
Murray already has an eye to the future, with plans to hit the studio as soon as his currentGood-erLifetourfinishesup.
And while he will continue pushing the stylistic boundaries of his music, he has no planstoforgethisroots.
“I do miss just getting in and rapping, I thinkthere’llbeareturntothatonwhatever comes next,” Murray said. “It might be time to brush the dust off the mic in that regard because I’ve still got it and I think people sometimes forget that I do. So yeah, maybe it’stimetoremindafewpeople.”
Illy is at Torquay Hotel on Friday 17 October.
Magic and laughs at festival
Kids and the young at heart can go on a hilarious magical adventure this Geelong ComedyFestival.
Comedians Lisa Gatenby and Jacob Sacher bring their wacky show Winni Wizard and the Ditzy Dizzard to Geelong Arts Centre’s Open House on Sunday 2 November, one of only three kids shows at thefestival.
OverthepasttwoyearsGatenbyhasbuilt acultfollowingforherWinniWizardshows, bringing Sacher on board for this latest entryintheseries.
She said while the show was comedic, therewasabiggermessageatitsheart.
“There’s always a moral to any story, and thisoneisaboutnotjudgingyourself-worth based on external factors or metrics of success,” Gatenby said. “Winni wants to be a better wizard, so she goes to visit Ditzy for some help because he’s very successful. But
in the end, everything’s not as it seems, and Ditzyisnotassuccessfulinotherways.”
Gatenby said bringing in Sacher to help write and perform the show, which premiered at the Melbourne Comedy Festivalthisyear,hadbeen“reallyfun”.
“It adds that extra element of interaction on stage as well,” she said. “There are a lot of fun moments where we get to sing and dance together, and Jacob falls down quite alot;it’sfunknockinghimdown.”
Sacher was quick to add that “all conflict seen on stage is purely concocted for entertainmentpurposes”.
“It’s been a great experience that I’ve reallyenjoyed,”hesaid.
“For a one-hour show, the kids will be verytiredout.It’snotlikewatchingamovie, it’sanall-bodyexperience.”
Visit geelongcomedyfestival.com.au for ticketsandmoreinformation.
Lisa Gatenby and Jacob Sacher bring magic and laughs to the Geelong Comedy Festival. (Supplied)
Rap star Illy comes to Torquay this month.
(Diego Camponar)
Master guitarist and songwriter extraordinaire Jeff Lang. (Supplied)
Club making waves
A 19th-century Chinese game is bringing people together in a small bayside town on the Bellarine Peninsula.
Each Thursday afternoon, a lively group of mahjong players gathers at St Leonards Community Space and what began earlier this year has quickly grown into a thriving social hub, offering connection, mental stimulation, and plenty of laughter.
“I was astonished at how much interest there was and how quickly it has grown in oursmall,family-friendly,beautifultown,” club coordinator Lucy Peacock said.
The group’s mahjong teacher, experienced player Joan Ovelli, said while the game looks complicated at first glance, newcomers quickly get the hang of it.
“It’s about creating winning hands of tiles and outfoxing opponents,” she said.
Mahjong is often compared to gin rummy. Players aim to form a complete hand of four sets (called melds) and a pair. Sets can be Pongs (three of a kind), Chows (three consecutive tiles of the same suit), or Kongs (four of a kind). The first player to complete a valid hand and call “mahjong” wins the round.
With around 15 regular members, the club is steadily building its reputation as a warm and welcoming community space.
“There’s nothing like it around. It creates great companionship and so much laughter. The club provides a lot of fun and enjoyment,” Patsy Thomas said.
Shirley Potts described it as “a special place for people to connect in person, fostering friendships and offering an escape.”
Margaret McKenzie, a keen player, highlights the game’s benefits for mental sharpness and social connection, as well
as the joy of meeting new people.
For Robyn Davis, the secret to the club’s success lies in its balance of challenge and companionship.
“Itgivespeopleregularsocialinteraction
Spring forward to your new home
while also keeping us on our toes with the game itself,” she said.
The Mahjong Club meets every Thursday at 2pm at St Leonards Community Space and new players are welcome.
Designed for over 55s, discover modern homes priced from $475,000*
A view to help kids in need
Members of Ocean Grove Day VIEW Club and Ocean Grove Evening VIEW Club are calling on the community to give generously this Anti-Poverty Weekfrom12to18October.
People are being asked to sponsor a child or donate to the national children’s education charity The SmithFamily.
Ocean Grove Day VIEW Club helps 28childrenandEveningVIEW21kids through The Smith Family’s Learning for Life education support program, which provides families with long term educational, financial, and personal assistance so that children havealltheessentialsneededtomake themostoftheireducation.
While fundraising plays a vital role in helping children in need OG Day VIEW Club president Sue Kayler-Thomson is also encouraging womenofallagestodonatetheirtime andskillsbyjoiningaVIEWClub.
“Recently,membersinourlocalarea have been participating in reading with local primary school children, a trivia night which was a lot of fun and also a great fundraiser, walking, knittingandmoviegroups,”shesaid.
OG Day VIEW meets at 360Q in QueenscliffonthesecondWednesday of each month from 11am. Email oceangroveday.viewclub@gmail.com
OG Evening VIEW meets at Flying Brick Cider Co, Wallington, on the fourthWednesdayofeachmonthfrom 6.30pm. Email oceangroveevening. viewclub@gmail.comformore.
You are invited to an Ingenia Lifestyle Information Session, held across three locations. Learn more about community living, the range of low maintenance two- and three-bedroom homes and resort-style amenities designed with health, wellness and social connection in mind.
Pictured: Ingenia Lifestyle Drift
Top: St Leonards Mahjong Club members Lucy Peacock, Mary Steer and Jeanette Fyffe.
Above: Sharon Magder, Patsy Thomas and Joan Orelli. (Pictures: Supplied)
Swooping birds a hazard
There have been a few beautiful sunny spring days over the past few weeks, mixed with a few cool, windy days.
Thestrongwindsarenotgreatfornesting birds as sometimes the nests get blown out of trees, and trees can blow over in the wind.
On the subject of nesting birds, there’s a few Australian magpies around my neighbourhood that are causing havoc to bike riders by swooping aggressively. I was swooped when riding past Bellarine Secondary College on Shell Road, and fortunately the magpie did not peck my scalp through the holes in my bike helmet.
On the same bike ride I was surprisingly swooped by a red wattlebird, who followed me for a good few hundred metres down Shell Road. Since then the wattlebird has repeated this a few times as I’ve ridden alongmystreet.Maybeithasbeenwatching the antics of magpies and copied them.
I spent a weekend in Bendigo and went birdwatching with my friend Denis Sleep, who moved to Bendigo from Ocean Grove.
Denis usually takes me to a nature reserve called Mount Korong which is around 50km northwest of Bendigo. This area would have to be one of my favourite spots, as it’s always quiet, picturesque, peaceful, and a great area to spot ‘different’ species.
We saw 34 species, including a pair of hooded robins, a camera-shy diamond firetail, a small flock of southern whiteface, three Horsfield’s bronze-cuckoos, and three Gilbert’s whistlers.
On the way home Denis took a detour to a small hill near Moliagul, where he told me he had spotted six wedge-tailed eagles recently.AssoonasIgotoutofthecaratthe top of the peak there was a wedgie floating in the breeze over the gum trees only 20 metres away from the car. This bird was a fledgling judging from its brown plumage, and two adult birds were also flying with it.
Driving home from Bendigo the next day I stopped off at a few favourite places, namelyRiseandShineNatureReservenear NewsteadandStoneyCreekPicnicGrounds at the Brisbane Ranges.
These two areas were very quiet as far as birds were concerned but I saw a few yellow-tufted honeyeaters in both spots. After driving past Daylesford there was a small patch of forest and while passing
through I glimpsed a wedge-tailed eagle perched on a tree stump.
I did a cheeky u-turn and managed a few photos before it was chased away by severalgreycurrawongs.Idon’tknowhowI managedtoseeitwhiledrivingasitblended in so well with the surrounding bush.
There has been an unusual bird spotted on the Bellarine over the past few weeks, namely an oriental magpie, seen by Troy and Karen Zanker at the Thompson’s Creek mouth at Point Impossible.
This species of magpie is usually seen in parts of Russia, China, and Asia.
It likely hitched a ride on a container ship and found itself in southern Australia.
A few days after this bird was seen on the Bellarinetherewasasightingofthisspecies in Melbourne, which could have been the same bird or another stowaway.
I was saddened to see a deceased eastern yellow-robin in the middle of Oakdene Boulevard in Ocean Grove. This bird is usually found in woodlands, and Oakdene
Boulevardhasafewsmallparkswithsparse tree cover, as well as some busy roads and housing estates.
Icanonlysurmisethatthisbeautifulbird was searching for an appropriate habitat for spring and unfortunately collided with a car.
I received an email from Lyn, who told me of three large flocks of crested terns at Barwon Heads that landed in the shallows andontherocksneartheHeads.Itisalways great to see these birds. They nest at Mud IslandinPortPhillipBayandalsoatCorner Inlet and on Phillip Island.
In some breeding seasons there can be thousands of pairs of these birds on Mud Island, so maybe these flocks were making their way to this area for the breeding season.
Other birds that nest at Mud Island include straw-necked ibis, Caspian terns, fairy terns and Australian pelicans. Mud island is also a resting area for migratory shorebirds.
Jen’s wedge-tailed eagle near Daylesford, and boobook owl at Bendigo.
WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
Festival will be a celebration of health and connection
No matter where we live, healthcare toucheseveryoneofus.
Around the globe, health systems are underpressure-populationsaregrowing, new technologies are emerging, and the ways we receive care are constantly changing.
For both health professionals and community members, this can sometimes feel overwhelming. What many of us long for is simple: clearer communication, easier access, and stronger connections between people and those who care for them.
Thisyear,theHealthFestivalofGeelong will bring together people from across the region for a day of connection and discovery.
Ollie Dempsey, the high-flying Geelong Cat, is stepping forward as this year’s festival celebrity ambassador, inspiring the community to reconnect, learn, and celebratehealthtogether.
Together, let’s celebrate health, strengthen connection, and build a healthierGeelong.
Register and find more information at events.humanitix.com/health-festival-ofgeelong-2025tobepartofthedayandhelp usgetreadytowelcomeyou.
When: Saturday25October
Where: Bellarine Secondary College, DrysdaleCampus
Time: 9am to 10am for professional developmentforlocalhealthprovidersand 10amto4pmopentothepublic
Admission: free
SEMINAR ROOMS
Celebrate health and strengthen connections at the Health Festival of Geelong.
House is now open
By Cr Elise Wilkinson
This week has brought welcome news for our community, with Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House reopening its doors afteraperiodofuncertainty.
The centre on John Dory Drive, previously known as Bellarine Training and Community Hub, has always been a specialplaceforpeopletolearn,createand connect.
When it closed last month, the absence wasfeltrightacrossOceanGrove.
Iheardfrommanyresidentswhotoldme howmuchtheymissedtheirprograms,the friendshipstheyhadformed,andthesense ofbelongingtheyfeltatthehub.
These conversations showed that the Neighbourhood House is a much-loved community asset, and that its support for training, youth groups and a wide range of other local programs would be sorely missed.
I am so pleased City of Greater Geelong has been able to step in and help bring it backtolife.
After the previous operator entered voluntary administration, council has temporarily taken over operations to ensure this important community space cancontinue.
Since then, the City’s team has been working steadily behind the scenes to prepare the building for reopening, making sure it is safe, welcoming and readyforpeopletoreturn.
Classes, workshops and community programs will be reintroduced in stages as theCityworkstounderstandwhichformer facilitators and community groups wish to
Don’t miss all the fun of
By Jena Carr
The Royal Geelong Show is back for four action-packed days, with the community being treated to many pre-existing and new activities.
The event will run from Thursday 16 October to Sunday 19 October at Geelong Showgrounds to celebrate all things regional and rural, including homecrafts, food, rides and family entertainment.
Coordinator Catherine Powell said this year’s show would have all the traditional favourites such as vintage machinery and animals, along with a few new additions.
“We’ve got the fireworks at 8.45pm on
returntothetimetableandwhatprograms areinhighestdemand.
We’re taking a careful approach to make sure the new program reflects what people mostwant,andthatprogrammingremains sustainableinthelongterm.
To help us lock in a new program as quickly as possible, we encourage former users, facilitators and community groups interested in resuming activities, or
the Geelong Show
FridayandSaturday,andtheyaregoingto be bigger and better than previous years, which is going to be very exciting,” she said.
“Then in the shearing shed, we’ve got all the sheep competitions like normal, but then we also have a new shearing comp, soshearing’sbeenreallyfiredupthisyear.
“Instead of monster trucks this year, we have life-size Hot Wheels, so it’s a Hot Wheels Stuntman Show, so the cars are literally like toy Hot Wheels cars in real life doing races and things like that.
“The Tractor Lady and the Strong Geelong team are also teaming up together, with participants pulling the
tractoratoneofthecompetitions,sothat’s goingonalldayonSundayintheshearing shed.”
Ms Powell said the show had been held near the middle of October for close to 170 years and that she was expecting around 100,000 people to come through the gates over the four days.
Visit royalgeelongshow.org.au for more information and to purchase tickets.
Jess and Ashlin Brown with Oli and Kai at
discussingfutureprograms,togetintouch at communitystrengthening@geelongcity. vic.gov.au
Updates about which programs are resuming will also be shared on the City’s social media channels over the coming weeks.
I want to sincerely thank the Ocean Grove community for your patience and supportduringthistransition.
Your voices, advocacy and your belief in the value of this House have helped to secureitsfuture.
Neighbourhood houses play such an important role in local life. They provide opportunities for connection, learning and mutual support that help make our communitiesstronger.
Whenweinvestinthem,weinvestinthe wellbeingofourentirecommunity.
The reopening of Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House represents a renewed opportunity to strengthen local connections and celebrate everything that makes our town such a vibrant and caring placetolive.
I am grateful to everyone who has contributed, from the City staff preparing the site to the residents who held steadfast intheirdesiretoseethedoorsopenagain. It’s wonderful to see the community’s advocacy efforts rewarded and I have no doubt Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House will continue to grow as a place of opportunityandinclusion.
I look forward to seeing Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House return to its thriving self as its rooms once again fill with learning, laughter and conversation inthecomingmonths.
last year’s Geelong Show. (Ivan Kemp) 365913_08
Connewarre ward councillor Elise Wilkinson. (Supplied)
Summer Down Under for Tabby
A young English cricketer has embarked on an exciting journey to Anglesea this summer and the season began in fine style in the opening round. Justin Flynn spoke to promising all-rounder Tabby Rimmer about her decision to head Down Under during her gap year.
For 21-year-old Tabby Rimmer, avoiding a miserable English winter to spend summer Down Under playing cricket during her gap year sounded like a pretty good idea.
Having just completed her medicinal chemistry degree at University of Exeter, Tabby uploaded her profile onto Cricketer Exchange, which helps players find opportunities to play overseas.
Anglesea Cricket Club women’s coach Mark Appleford and captain Janet Lister got in touch and the seeds were sown for Tabby to head to Ellimatta Reserve.
“He (Appleford) dropped me a message on there, told me a little bit about the club and just asked if I wanted to have a chat about it,” she said.
“Then we had a call and he told me about theclubandwhereitwasandthehistoryof theclub.AndthenIhadacallwithJanetas well, who’s the women’s captain, and they basically just offered for me to come over for the summer at Anglesea.”
Back home, the seam bowler plays for Blackheath in Surrey and also for University of Exeter.
“I just came out for some fun, nice summer out here, good vibes,” she said.
“It’s going well so far.”
It didn’t take long for Tabby to make an impact on the field either. She took 5/14 in Anglesea’s opening round win against North Geelong in the B Grade women’s competition and narrowly missed out on a hat-trick.
The hat-trick delivery didn’t quite come
out the way Tabby wanted it to, dropping a bitshorterthanshewouldhaveliked,butit almost took off stump out.
“I was a bit annoyed that ball was short, but the batter swung at it and it was so close,” she said.
“But unfortunately, it didn’t go my way, but it’s okay. There was a lot of pressure going into today and I felt a bit nervous.
“But clearly things went right for me today,whichwasniceanditdefinitelyhelps havingsuchasupportiveteambehindmethey’re so welcoming and friendly.”
Tabby is also a skilled batter although with Anglesea winning so convincingly, making 1/130 in reply to North Geelong’s 9/90, she will need to wait before taking guard for her first knock.
While the game was at North Geelong’s Osborne Park turf wicket, Tabby will need to adjust to the synthetic pitch of her home club. Barrabool, Queenscliff and Portarlington also play home matches on synthetic wickets in the B Grade competition.
“We had a practice match last week at Anglesea and that’s on synthetic so it’s definitely a bit of an adjustment for me because we play on grass wickets back in the UK,” she said.
“But I mean it’s kind of good because it meansIcanadaptmystylealittlebit,pitch it a little bit fuller and just learn to sort of adapt how to play on the hard wicket.
“I definitely don’t dislike it. It’s just something new. Because also I’m used to wearing spikes a lot, and they’re metal
spikes,soyoucan’treallywearthemonthe harder wickets.
“I think one of the main adjustments is I’ll need to get a pair of rubber spikes.”
Southern Victoria’s notorious spring weatherwasatitsworstduringtheopening round last Sunday. In time Tabby may get used to the daily changes in weather, especially on the Surf Coast.
“It was very windy,” Tabby said.
“You couldn’t hear any of your teammates. We were all sort of shouting across the pitch - couldn’t hear a thing anyone was saying.”
Tabby, who is living at Mt Duneed, will celebrate her 22nd birthday next month and has plans to explore the area when she’s not playing cricket.
“I definitely want to explore this area of Australia a little bit more,” she said.
“I’ve been to Melbourne once, but I’d definitely be keen to go back for a few days. I’m going to go to the Ashes as well, which I’m really excited for.
“And then I’ve actually got a couple of friends in Adelaide, so I might do the Great OceanRoadandthenheaduptoseethem.”
So far the Anglesea cricket family has helped Tabby settle in and she knows she made the right choice.
“I’m honestly loving it,” she said.
“It’s such a lovely club and just the community vibes and the friendliness of everyone has been so great. I’ve only been here just under two weeks so I’m very new to the area, it’s a lovely club. Everyone’s so welcoming as well.”
Monique Connell and Tabby both played their first game for Anglesea.
Tabby is presented with her playing cap before her first game for Anglesea. Tabby Rimmer took five wickets in her first game for Anglesea. (Anglesea CC)
Above: Tabby graduated from University of Exeter with a degree in medicinal chemistry. (Supplied)
Tabby and her new teammates at Anglesea.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Ocean Grove Voice looks back through the pages of our predecessors
9 years ago
October 12 to 25, 2016
Crime in Ocean Grove increased by 9.2 per cent during the last financial year.
Crime figures across the entire Bellarine Peninsula surged, but State Police Minister and Bellarine MP Lisa Neville said the figures needed to be judged in context.
6 years ago
October 23 to November 5, 2019
Ocean Grove ratepayers could be asked to foot some of the bill for the proposed connected networks of footpaths.
The network of footpaths connecting the town has been five years in the making.
3 years ago
October 21 to November 3, 2022
Art studios, collectives and galleries will throw open their doors next weekend for what is expected to be the biggest Bellarine Arts Trail event yet.
After a two-year pandemic-enforced hiatus, Barwon Heads Arts Council (BHAC) is presenting the arts trail that will comprise 32 venues across Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff and more than 60 artists in their studios or group venues.
1 year ago
October 18 to 31, 2024
With 30 new artists displaying their works, this year’s Bellarine Arts Trail looks like being the biggest yet.
More than 90 artists will showcase their works at 40 venues across Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff on November 2 and 3.
Snap up a snapper
October is the start of snapper season and if you or anyone you know comes back from the bay with a haul, here’s how you can put these tasty fish to good use in the kitchen.
LEURA PARK ESTATE
Artisan wines without compromise
• Sensational setting
• Stunning pizzas, platters & fresh local fare
• Live Music Sundays
• Wine Tastings
• Open Thurs - Sunday 11am - 5pm
1400 Portarlington Rd, Curlewis 03 5253 3180 leuraparkestate.com.au
12606035-SN21-23
FLYING BRICK
CIDER CO
Funky, Fabulous, Fun.
• Landmark Bellarine venue
• Innovative space
• Delicious food
• 100% naturally crafted ciders
• Luxurious grounds & vineyard
• OPEN 7 Days 11am-5pm 1251 Bellarine Hwy, Wallington 03 5250 6577
flyingbrickciderco.com.au
12606701-KG21-23
BAKED SNAPPER WITH LEMON AND HERBS
Ingredients
1 whole snapper (about 1.3kg), cleaned and scaled
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 lemons (one for juice, one sliced)
4 cloves garlic, minced
Fresh herbs (such as parsley, thyme, or dill), chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: cherry tomatoes or olives for garnish
Method
Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 190°C.
Prepare the snapper: Rinse the snapper under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels. Make three diagonal cuts on each side of the fish, about 2.5cm apart.
Season the fish: In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, minced garlic, juice of one lemon, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture all over the fish, including inside the cavity and into the cuts.
Add herbs and lemon: Stuff the cavity of the fish with fresh herbs and some lemon slices. You can also place a few lemon slices on top of the fish.
Bake: Place the fish on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or in a baking dish. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Serve: Carefully transfer the fish to a serving platter. Garnish with additional herbs, cherry tomatoes, or olives if desired. Serve with extra lemon wedges on the side.
Tips:
• You can add vegetables like asparagus or zucchini to the baking sheet for a complete meal.
• Serve with a side of rice or crusty bread to soak up the juices.
• Enjoy your flavourful baked snapper.
JACK RABBIT VINEYARD
• Iconic Bellarine winery
• Unrivalled panoramic views
• Contemporary a la carte
• Sophisticated wines
• Lunch / Wine Tastings
• OPEN 7 Days
85 McAdams Lane, Bellarine 03 5251 2223 jackrabbitvineyard.com.au
12606706-RR21-23
Finesse your form or just for fun.
• Lunch / Dinner / Snacks
• Burger, Beverage & Balls packages
• Barista coffe, beer, wine & cocktails
• OPEN 7 days 1201 Portarlington Rd, Curlewis Ph 5251 1111 curlewisgolf.com.au
Let’s shop local in Ocean Grove
Voice
Heidi Costorphin. 509987_05
Grace and Hannah Dalwood. 509987_06
Kev and Amanda Stokes with their daughter Sophie. 509987_07
Mary Nicholson. 509987_08
Carolyn O’Reilly. 509987_04
Mary-Lou Callan. 509987_03
Theresa Post. 509987_02
Jess and Donna Hunt. 509987_01
To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.
1 Wild dog (5)
4 Not at all sleepy (4-5)
9 Bituminous road layer (7)
10 Appointment to a job (7)
11 Doppelganger (4-5)
12 Offshoot (5)
13 Harden (3)
14 Having the power to make laws (11)
16 Reminding one of something (11)
19 Fuel (3)
20 Tests (5)
22 Relating to the lungs (9)
25 Set apart (7)
26 Breastbone (7)
27 Inelegant (9)
28 Saloon car (5)
1 Speak with elongated vowel sounds (5)
2 'Not to worry' (2,7)
3 Former US president (5) 4 Soaking (7) 5 Lower (7) 6 Helper (9)
7 Fact of being elsewhere (5)
8 Designer of goods and structures (9)
13 Tending to plants (9)
14 Visible features of an area (9)
15 Firmly fixed (9)
17 Highest (7)
18 Enrols in the armed forces (7)
21 Fragrance (5)
23 Auspices (5)
24 Arab state (5)
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED? Community Calendar is made available free of charge to not-for-profit organisations to keep the public informed of special events and activities. Send item details to Voice Community Calendar, 1/47 Pakington Street, Geelong West, 3218, or email to newsdesk@voicegroup.com.au. Deadline for copy and announcements is 5pm Tuesday.
Portarlington Neighbourhood House
Garden trail, Sunday 2 November, 10am-4pm, 15 private gardens open for inspection, $10, kids free.
Facebook - Portarlington Garden Trail 2025
Ocean Grove Day VIEW
Meets second Wednesday of the month at 360Q, Queenscliff, 10.30am for 11am.
oceangroveday.viewclub@gmail.com
Ballroom dance
Leopold Hall, 805-809 Bellarine Highway, Saturday October 18, 7.30-10.30pm, $10 includes supper, music Ben.
0400 500 402
Ocean Grove Snooker Club
Avenue Avengers are a snooker team who play for Ocean Grove Snooker Club. The club, which has 12 teams, has been playing for 49 years. Matches are highly competitive but played in great spirit, with refreshments and supper at the end. Next year’s 50th season is highly anticipated and celebrations are being planned. Avenue Avengers are looking to bolster numbers.
0448 391 366
Bellarine Historical Society Inc.
Open to the public. Discover the area’s past. 1st & 3rd Sundays, 10.30am-12.30pm, Courthouse Museum, 11 High Street, Drysdale.
Ann, 0407 234 541
Portarlington playgroup
Experience play in an unstructured, relaxed environment. Large indoor space with toilets and baby change facilities. Suits 0-4years. Free to attend. Wednesdays 10-11.30am, Parks Hall Portarlington.
Ocean Grove Library
Tuesday October 21, 2-3pm: Know your right - advocacy and support for older Victorians
Thursdays 3-4pm Tech Help - drop in session for basic tech needs
Mondays 10.30-11.30am Preschool story time
Tuesdays 4-5pm Youth Collective (ages 12-18) Wednesdays 9.30-10am Toddler Time Thursdays 11.30-11.50am Baby Time Thursdays 3.45-4.45pm After School Program
Bellarine Presbyterian Church
Services Sunday 10am, Ocean Grove Senior Citizens’ Clubrooms, 101 The Terrace, Ocean Grove.
Rev Brett Cummins, 0438 218 864, or secretary Neil Mansfield 0405 064 976
The Big Read
Meets every other Wednesday from February 5, 10.30am-noon, Ocean Grove Senior Citizens’ Club, 101 The Terrace.
Paul, 0425 110 792
Barefoot bowls
Point Lonsdale Bowls Club every Friday and Sunday evening during the holidays. Live music every second Sunday.
5258 1150
Croquet
Drysdale Bowling & Croquet Club, Clifton Springs Road, Tuesdays from 10am for training, bring a friend.
0428 740 591
Ocean Grove Soft Tennis
Friendly group of active women retirees who have played soft tennis for many years. The game is similar to Pickleball. Ocean Grove Memorial Hall, 123 The Avenue, Mondays 1.30pm-3.30pm.
Writers’ group
The Hub writers’ group meets at Arts Hub, Clifford Parade, Barwon Heads, on the first Sunday of the month 2-4pm. New members welcome. dorothy.johnston@hugonet.com.au
No experience necessary. Just a desire to keep fit and have fun.
Megan, 0439 317 344
Live music
Bellarine Country Music Group meets Friday nights at Belmont Park Pavilion, music 7-10pm, $10 entry all welcome.
CWA Nightlights Ocean Grove
Meets the first and third Monday of the month, 2.30pm, Seniors Club, 102 The Terrace, Ocean Grove. All welcome.
Kareen, 0419 246 346, or Janis, 5255 4585
Bellarine Women’s Workshop
Portarlington Girl Guides Hall. Meets every second Thursday, and second Saturday of the month.
Facebook: Bellarine Women’s Workshop for further details
Book club
Leopold CAE book club meets second Tuesday each month from 6.30pm. Very friendly group. New members welcome.
Shirley, 0488 055 969
Chess clubs
For chess fun simply come along and see yourself, play some chess, meet some members, with no obligation to join. We welcome players of all abilities. 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
1375-1377 Murradoc Road, (on Blanche Street), St Leonards.
Ralph, 0431 458 100 (Ocean Grove), Rob, 5259 2290 (Portarlington), Lyn, 5292 2162 (St Leonards)
Carpet bowls
Leopold Hall 805-809 Bellarine Highway, Leopold on Wednesday and Friday 1-3.15pm. Admission: $4 includes afternoon tea.
0400 500 402
Scottish country dancing classes
GOG Scottish Country Dance classes
7.30pm Tuesdays at Leopold Hill Hall, $5. No partner needed, just comfy casual clothing and flat shoes.
Barbara, 0419 511 781
Ocean Grove Senior Citizens 101 The Terrace, Ocean Grove Weekly
Tuesday: 1pm, snooker, chess, indoor bowls. Wednesday: 1.30pm, bingo. 2pm, ukulele class. 4pm, chord club jam session. Thursday: 1pm, craft & chat, snooker, cards 500, social afternoons. Friday: 9am, art classes, 1pm, cards 500. Fortnightly
CWA 1st & 3rd Monday 2.30pm
Kareen, 0419 246 346, or Janis, 5255 4585
Book club, Wednesday 10.30am.
Paul, 0425 110 792, or Dianne, 5255 1372
TOWN club
The Springs TOWN Club (Take Off Weight
Naturally) meets Mondays, 9-10.30am at the Community Hub, 23 Eversley Street, Drysdale. Weigh-in, group therapy and regular relaxation sessions. Cost: $5 per session, $54 annual fee.
Bev, 0421 636 830
Drysdale Day VIEW
Supporting The Smith Family for fun and friendship while supporting disadvantaged students. Meetings at Portarlington Golf Club for lunch on the fourth Friday of each month.
Margaret, 0431 636 090
Ocean Grove Evening VIEW
Meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6.30pm. Supporting disadvantaged children through education. oceangroveevening.viewclub@gmail.com
Drysdale Ladies Probus Club
Meets at 10.30am on the fourth Monday of each month at the Clifton Springs Golf Club.
Raelene, 4244 0376
Afternoon tea dance
Life Activities Club [Geelong Inc] hosts an afternoon tea dance on Thursdays, 2-4pm, at Belmont Park Pavilion. Entry: $5.
5251 3529
CWA Drysdale
Meets Drysdale RSL, Princess St, Drysdale on the second Tuesday of the month. Meetings start at 1pm followed by afternoon tea. Friendly group looking to recruit new members.
Jenni, 0452 258 333
Out & about at the beach
Beach weather has arrived, although fleetingly, but Voice photographer Ivan Kemp went to Ocean Grove main beach on Wednesday to see who was out and about.
Sarah Chirgwin with son Lincoln. 509981_02
John Roberts and Ebony Steele. 509981_03
Jill Coath. 509981_01
Carol and Rob Hamilton. 509981_06
Tomoya Kawasaki with Moku. 509981_07
Christine and Michael White. 509981_08
Kerry Dell’Oro-Dehne and Marian Bennett have a cuppa. 509981_09
Marlee Hunt reads a book. 509981_10
Patrick Sabian checks out the surf. 509981_11
Paige Light catches up on some reading. 509981_12
Barry and Pam Perham. 509981_04
SPORTS QUIZ
1. Which NRL team has won 21 premierships, the most of any in the league?
2. Do characters in the animated franchise Cars compete in the Motor, Piston or Octane Cup?
3. Which iconic former NBA player is known as ‘His Airness’?
4. Who did Billie Jean King defeat in the 1973 tennis match known as the Battle of the Sexes?
5. What is the name of the Netflix documentary series that follows NBA players throughout a single season?
6. On which day do AFL players traditionally hold their end-of-season ‘Mad’ celebrations?
Which ultra runner broke a two-year-old record by running 90 marathons in 35 days across Australia, despite doubts about his speed and heart rate?
Often used in sports like field hockey and American football, what is AstroTurf?
Nina Kennedy is a national world record holder and gold medallist in which sport?
In running, what does ‘cadence’ refer to?
11. Which team won the prestigious 2025 Ryder Cup golf tournament?
12. Which two car manufacturers compete in the Supercars Championship?
13. Who won the 2025 Asia Cup cricket tournament?
14. After winning again in 2025, Essendon captain Zach Merrett has now won the Crichton Medal how many times?
15. What nationality was Bruce McLaren, founder of the ultra-successful Formula One team?
16. In which decade did the first female jockey compete in the Melbourne Cup horse race?
17. The 2027 World Athletics Championships will be held in which Asian city?
18. The late Harold ‘Dickie’ Bird was a well-known umpire from 1973 to 1996 in which sport?
19. Which NRL player won the Dally M Medal for being judged the season’s best player?
20. Which New Zealand batsman scored a century against Australia in the first T20 international match of their recent series?
21. How many NRL premierships have the Brisbane Broncos won?
22. Who won the Clive Churchill Medal at the 2025 NRL Grand Final?
23. Which NBA team recently played two pre-season games in Melbourne?
24. How much is a goal worth in Gaelic Football?
25. What is Australia’s national Men’s Rugby League team called?
26. Henson Park is a venue shared by which two AFL Women’s clubs?
27. Which team won the 2025 NRL Women’s Grand Final?
28. Which team has won the most Men’s Big Bash League titles?
29. And how many Women’s Big Bash League teams have won more than one title?
30. Ash Riddell recently set a record for disposals in an AFL Women’s match with how many touches?
Lexus is built for the bush
By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring
If you look carefully, you can just make out the Toyota Prado that lurks under the skin of the Lexus GX 550.
It’s more evident if you look at the car in profile,withitsrisingrearbeltline,courtesy of the 1971 Holden HG Belmont wagon. Lexushasdoneaverygoodjobdisguising the Prado and the styling looks as though it has not strayed fast from the concept, especially the bold face with its spindle grille.
The result is an arguably better-looking car than the donor, or is that the other way round, because the GX was actually revealed two months before the Prado. Prado is in its fifth generation, but GX is only up to number three and it’s our first encounter with this model because the first two versions never made it here.
Whynow?GuessToyota/Lexusmusthave identified a market opportunity (chance to make some money) or decided to plug the hole left by the departure three years ago of the seven-seat RX L.
Styling GX slots between the family-sized five-seater RX and top-of-the-line LX.
Prices for the new-to-Australia 4x4 wagon start at $116,000 for the seven-seat Luxury, followed by the five-seat Overlander at $122,250 and flagship Sports Luxury at $128,200 (also a seven-seater).
Our test vehicle was the entry Luxury grade finished in a dark blue that looks almost black in some light.
Althoughitcomeswiththreerowsofseats as standard, the third-row packs flat when not required, freeing up valuable space.
Bear in mind this is a real 4x4 wagon with a high degree of off-road ability. More than the average punter will ever use or even contemplate.
Does the average Lexus buyer need or want this kind of ability? Perhaps, perhaps not,butthenthevastmajorityof4x4owners never venture off road anyway - they just like the idea of being able to do so.
One thing the new boxy shape has achieved is to shrink the size of the vehicle, or at least make it appear smaller, sitting on rather than perched over its wheels.
With its spindle-shaped, black frameless grille supported by the front edge of the bonnet and lower bumper, there’s no mistaking the Lexus for any other brand.
All GX grades are powered by the same 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine.
Standard equipment includes 20-inch alloys, LED lights all round, with self-levelling headlights, power-operated moon roof, flat roof rails, rear spoiler, rear privacy glass and body-coloured door handles.
Inside the seats are trimmed in artificial leather, with three-zone climate control, rear air vents with controls and nanoeX air filtering.
The front seats are heated and cooled, withpoweradjustment,withapower-adjust steering wheel, plus two-way lumbar adjustment and memory function for the driver (passenger misses out).
Second row outer seats are also heated with power-folding third-row seats, as well as power tailgate with a window that opens separately, illuminated side steps, smart entry and start and one-touch power windows.
There are also head-up display, adaptive cruise control, auto high beam, speed sign recognition, auto lights and wipers, auto-dimming rear view mirror and front and rear parking sensors.
The Lexus Warranty Experience covers all GX grades for five years and unlimited kilometres, plus five years capped price servicing.
Owners also enjoy a free three-year
subscription to Lexus Encore owner benefits, providing access to 24-hour roadside assistance, among other things.
Talking about servicing, it’s due every six months or 10,000km, fixed at $595 a visit.
Infotainment
A 14.0-inch touchscreen fronts the infotainment system, provides Bluetooth, with voice recognition, satellite navigation, AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto plus 10-speaker Pioneer audio.
There are also wireless phone charging and a total of six USB-C ports, two in front, two for the second row and another two on the side for the third row plus a 12-volt socket in the front and 220-volt boot outlet.
All grades come with Lexus Connected Services facilitated by a pre-installed 4G data module that is guaranteed to work until 2033. It provides access to a range of safety, security and vehicle information.
Safety
Prado has a five-star safety rating, but the GX 550 remains unrated as yet (it’s not a given).
A comprehensive suite of safety systems includes nine airbags, 360-degree camera and the Pre-Collision System with auto emergency braking, that detects pedestrians (day/night), cyclists (day/night) and motorcycles (day).
There’s also intersection assistance, emergency steering assist, lane trace assist, curve speed reduction, front and rear parking support brake and a panoramic view monitor.
Blind-spot monitoring includes safe exit assist and rear-cross traffic alert.
Engines/transmissions
The 3.4-litre V6 delivers 260kW of power at 4800 revs and 650Nm of torque from 2000-3600 revs.
Prado has an eight-speed auto; GX ups the ante with a 10-speed automatic that has three drive modes and paddles to facilitate manual gear shifts.
Driving
It’s 25mm longer than Prado, but is the same width and height, and has the same wheelbase (that’s distance between axles).
While Prado is powered by a hybrid 2.8-litre turbo-diesel drivetrain, GX gets a twin turbo 3.4-litre petrol V6 (no mention of
a hybrid of any kind).
There’s also second gear start which is an advantage when it comes to getting out of sticky situations off-road.
It’s a permanent four-wheel drive system, with proper dual range gearing, plus a lockable centre differential.
Ifyouplantousethecaroffroadtheseare important factors to consider, not so much if you’re not.
On road the dash from 0-100km/h takes 7.0 seconds and it has a top speed of 175km/h.
With an 80-litre tank GX takes premium 95 RON unleaded, with fuel consumption a claimed 12.3L/100km on the combined cycle, topping out at 17.0L around town.
Engine emissions are a whacking 279g/ km of CO2 on the combined cycle; or 385g aroundtown.AhybridRAV4produces147g/ km of CO2.
GX can tow a 3500kg braked load and comes with an integrated trailer wiring harness and tow hitch receiver.
A full-size spare is provided in the event of a puncture and is located underneath the rear.
It’s an SUV, so getting in and out requires someathleticism,butilluminatedsidesteps areprovidedwithgrabhandlesateachdoor to make the transition easier.
Accessingtherearseatsisviaa60:40split, fold and slide second row, with buttons either side of the luggage area to control power operated third row seats.
However, the second row needs to be in the correct position to facilitate this and there is the question of what to do with the luggage screen once it is removed.
Rear legroom is okay, but nothing special surprisingly given the size of the vehicle, whilethethirdrowasisthenormissuitable only for small children.
The front seats are comfy and the big 14.0-inch touchscreen is easy on the eye, with separate controls for air and volume. There’s plenty of room for CarPlay or Android Auto to do their thing, but if it’s the latter you’ll need a cable.
The driver gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that can be customised in minor ways.
GXalsocomeswithhead-updisplaywhich magically projects essential information on the lower part of the windscreen.
It’s a great idea, but as always invisible to those of us who wear polarised sunglasses.
Although the turbocharged V6 is smooth and offers plenty of low-end grunt, the wagon feels big and cumbersome to drivemore truck than car-like.
Infact,theenginesoundsverydiesel-like, but is a little coarse for our liking and a long way from the whisper-quiet Lexus powertrains of the past.
The engineers have done a great job with the 10-speed auto which is as smooth as it is intuitive, making timely subtle changes as required.
Despite being equipped with adaptive suspension, ride quality is decidedly un-Lexus like, deteriorating quickly on secondary roads where bumps can set off annoying jiggle.
There’s no other way to really describe it and a reflection of its ladder frame construction.
But GX handles pretty well for a biggish 4x4 and can be pushed fairly hard without undesired consequences.
The electronic systems are not intrusive, apart that is from rear auto braking which had a thing for our hedge.
Slammed the anchors on hard, scaring the bejesus out of us.
Dare we suggest, in closing, that V6s like this one have had their day with their high fuel and emissions figures.
We were getting 14.5L/100km after around 300km of mixed driving.
Seriously, this kind of fuel consumption just doesn’t cut it in this day and age.
Summing up
If you’re into off-road adventure, the GX 550 could be for you.
If you just want a luxury SUV, there are other models to consider.
If you want seven seats, then you might have to look elsewhere.
As always, the choice is yours.
If you’re into off-road adventure, the GX 550 could be for you. (Pictures: Supplied)
Bulls’ stunning ladder rise
By Justin Flynn
An unlikely club sits at the top of the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association
A2 Grade ladder after causing one of the biggest upsets in recent seasons on Saturday.
The Bulls thrashed Wallington - one of the premiership favourites - and sit atop of a remarkable ladder that has all eight sides on one win and one loss.
The Bulls were very competitive in their season opener against Portarlington, but nobody saw the Wallington result coming - not even new captain-coach Dylan Ryan.
“We’ve had a couple of tough games to start - Portarlington and Wallington,” Ryan said.
“The way they (Wallington) took care of Collendina last week, I just didn’t really have either of those games penciled in, (but) I thought we’d be competitive.
“We’ve added a lot over the off-season, a lot of batting depth, which shows posting two pretty good scores, but that was not quite what I had on my radar.”
Wallington batted first and, apart from UK import Max Roxburgh (47), failed to get going, being dismissed for 127.
TheBulls’attackwasruthlesswithShane Healey going for just 14 from eight overs, Sean Anderton taking 2/20, Jack Scanlon and Randika Mudiyanselage grabbing three-fors and Ryan taking 2/25.
Ryan said the loss against Portarlington was mainly due to his bowlers not making inroads, something that his squad worked on during the week.
“It was probably the area we had to work on last week,” he said.
“I felt like the score was enough against Port, but we just let ourselves down in the first 20 overs and it sort of hurt us a bit.
“But we did show that we could do it. We
fought back pretty well and worked on it a fairbitattrainingduringtheweekandthat showed yesterday.”
When Newcomb’s best batter, Shane Healey, was bowled on the first ball of
Finals draw near in Section 3 tennis comp
LOCAL TENNIS
Donna Schoenmaekers
Conditions were different for this week’s Tuesday Women’s competition to what the returning Saturday Pennant players experienced this week with competitors able to focus more on the play rather than gustywinds.
Round 11 sees the competition drawing closer to finals and things starting to play outinSection3.
Mount Moriac had the bye this week in the seven team section, and sitting in fifth, four points behind Ocean Grove at the start of the day, would be hoping that Eastern Districts could work some magic to keep themintouch.
OceanGrovehasitssecondbyenextweek and was hoping to post a good win to stay ahead of Mount Moriac and a good win was recorded.
Eastern Districts, which finished just outside the finals in summer, has struggled a little this season and the trend continued
on Tuesday. Kay Ehrenberg, Jan Fordyce, Maureen Stanic, Vanessa Armstrong and Peta Timothee proved too strong for the Grove, taking the match five sets to one with Delwyn Foster and Kylie Cameron the highlight for Districts with a 6-4 win in the finalset.
Ocean Grove now move into third, but withthebyestilltocome,andAngleseaand MountMoriacnotfarbehind,themovemay betemporary.
Hightonhashaditssecondbyeandpulled closer to ladder leaders Clifton Springs, whichisyettohaveabye.
It was a strong upset win five sets to one. The Springs hadn’t lost a match since round 1, which included a 4-2 win over Highton in the previous encounter. Highton was a teamonamission,winningthefirstfivesets with Anna Goli, Leanne Baxter, Liz Worpel, Louise Mayall and Susan Williams taking controlofthematch.TheSpringscouldonly manage the last set with Emily Mortimer andBelindaGarwoodpostinga6-2win.
While the first two matches may have
Newcomb’srunchase,nottoomanywould have predicted a Bulls’ win.
ButRandikasmacked27from11ballsand then fellow Sri Lankans Singhara Kumar (65 not out) and Thisum Hapugodage (31 notout)puton92toguideNewcombhome by eight wickets with 10 overs to spare.
“Losing Shane first ball, I think a lot of people would have looked at the live score and thought that we were going to roll over and fold,” Ryan said.
“But Pradeep and Thisum were both brought in this year and showed a lot. I think they both suit two-day cricket more, but Pradeep’s got enough shots and he played the anchor role perfectly.
“Randy,whoopenedthebatting,wegave him a bit of a license. He tends to go pretty hard and bats a little bit further down the order, but we thought with a low total we’d try and get some quick runs early on and it paid off.”
Buckley joins the Cattery
Former champion Collingwood coach and player Nathan Buckley has joined Geelong as an assistant coach for the 2026 AFL season.
Following a decorated playing career of 280 games, Buckley transitioned into coaching, first joining Collingwood’s coaching panel as an assistant coach in 2010 before taking on the senior role in 2012.
Acrosshis10-yearcoachingcareer, BuckleyguidedtheMagpiesthrough five finals campaigns, including two preliminary finals as well as taking them to the 2018 grand final.
For the past four years Buckley has worked in the media as a commentator, providing analysis on the game through his roles with Fox Footy and SEN.
Geelong executive general manager of football Andrew Mackie said the Club is pleased to welcome Bukley to an experienced coaching group.
“We are excited to add Nathan to our club and more specifically to our coaching group,” he said.
“He is respected and highly regardedacrossthefootballindustry and brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective.
been one sided on the scoreboard, the third between Surfcoast Jan Juc and Anglesea was anything but. Gayle Roche and Fiona Spence kicked things off for Surfcoast with a 6-4 win, but Andrea Webb and Anna Goli tieditupwinning6-4.
Webb then teamed with Chris Gray for a 6-4 win while Spence countered with Julie McDonald winning 6-3 to take a one-game lead.
SurfcoastgotintotheboxseatwithRoche and McDonald taking the fifth 6-3 before dramastruckinthesixthwithinjuryforcing Surfcoast to retire, but with the score at 5-4 to Surfcoast, it was just enough to get over thelinebytwogames.
With three weeks to go Clifton Springs, Ocean Grove and Surfcoast still have their bye round to come giving Highton a real chancetostealtheminorpremiership.
Highton is only seven points behind and the battle for third and fourth is still alive with Ocean Grove, Anglesea and Mount Moriac genuine chances and Surfcoast still hashopeifthingsgoitsway.
“In speaking with Nathan, it was clear he had a strong appetite to return to coaching, and we look forward to welcoming him to our football program to work closely with our players and staff.”
Meanwhile, as AFLW Pride Round continues to bring the football communitytogetherinRound10,all 18 AFLW captains have voiced the importance of creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone at the footy.
Reflecting the core of this year’s AFLW Pride Round theme – See you be you, at the W – the captains spoke from the heart in a new video about why it’s important for everyone to be themselves in the football community.
Geelong’s Meg McDonald describeddiversityas“thebestthing about being a human being”, and Melbourne skipper Kate Hore stated “we all have a role to play as allies”.
TW3 Anglesea: Chris Gray, Andrea Webb, Cath Morgan, Anna Pegg, Sue Forsyth. Absent: Carol Herben. (Supplied)
Newcomb overcame the loss of star batter Shane Healey (right) for a duck to defeat Wallington. (Ivan Kemp) 454865_10
Heads in winning form
Barwon Heads hosted Anglesea at RT Fuller Oval on Saturday with the Heads winning by four wickets and Justin Flynn was there to take these photographs.
Darcy Hewitt took the new ball for Barwon Heads. 509768_02
Left: Simon Umbers made 29 for Anglesea. 509768_05 Centre: Tyron Norman turns the ball to leg. 509768_14
Right: Dan Donaldson took 2/24 for the Seagulls. 509768_16
Jaxon Mallett dives as Luke Taylor waits for the all clear to run. 509768_06
Angus Mackie at the bowling crease. 509768_09
Harry Hyland in action. 509768_10
Simon Umbers is run out. 509768_12
Sema Kamea arrived from Papua New Guinea during the week and and took a wicket with his second ball for Barwon Heads. 509768_13
Jaron Lengyel and Max Melzer are both beaten by this delivery. 509768_15
Luke Taylor reaches for the ball. 509768_18
Grubbers on the board
Ocean Grove got the better of St Leonards in Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association A2 Grade at Ray Menzies Oval on Saturday and Voice photographer Ivan Kemp was there to capture some of the action.
Paul Hassan bowls to Fletcher Long. 508542_02
Seb Harrison walks back to his mark. 508542_04
Seb Harrison forces Dan Roddis to fend off a short delivery. 508542_06
Paul Hassan took four wickets for St Leonards. 508542_07
Campbell Snookes get a feather to this delivery and is caught behind. 508542_09
Troy Griffin in action. 508542_10
Dan Roddis cuts forward of point. 508542_17
Left: Dan Roddis turns the ball through square leg. 508542_18 Centre: Connor Weidemann drives through cover for Ocean Grove. 508542_13 Fright: Baljinder Singh Brar hits this delivery to the boundary. 508542_1
Heads remain unbeaten
By Justin Flynn
Barwon Heads is the only unbeaten BPCA A1 Grade after defeating Anglesea by four wickets in an even encounter at RT Fuller Oval, Barwon Heads on Saturday.
Former Papua New Guinea ODI squad seamer Sema Kamea arrived during the week and took a wicket with his second ball to end with 1/20 from eight overs for the Seagulls.
Kamea’slinewasparticularlyimpressive, proving difficult to get away and the left-armer looms as a key pick-up for a side that has relied a lot on its slow bowlers, albeit with success.
Anglesea made 9/140, which was always going to be difficult to defend, with Matt High grabbing three wickets and leggie Dan Donaldson two.
At 5/58 in reply and then 6/97, Matt Bode (46 not out) and Darcy Hewitt (20 not out) got the Gulls to the line although seamer Ky Eskrigge (2/8 off six overs) certainly did his part for the Seas.
Drysdaleproducedafineall-roundgame to knock off Barrabool.
Quick Blake Dobbin, veteran David Sykes, slow bowler Ben Spencer and Geelong West recruit Mitch Stephens
Sema Kamea arrived from PNG during the week and played his first game for Barwon Heads on Saturday. (Justin Flynn) 509768_03
all took two wickets for the Hawks with Barrabool all out for 147.
At 3/61 in reply the game was evenly poised, but Hayden Eddy (51 not out) again produced with the bat and UK
Gutsy Grubbers
By Justin Flynn
Ocean Grove captain Fletcher Long said his side’s round 2 win against St Leonards was “a bit out of nowhere”, but reward for stickingtotheprocessofplayingconsistent cricket.
The Grubbers chased down St Leonards’ score of 8/168 at Ray Menzies Oval with all eight teams in Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association’s A2 Grade sitting on one win and one loss.
“We didn’t look very likely for a lot of the day, but to come through to get the six points is great,” Long said.
“At stages we looked like we might have kept them to less, at stages they looked like they might have got more, but the ground’s rapid at the moment.
“It’s just got no grass on it so anything thatgoesthroughthefieldisfour.Whenit’s a big ground like that, the gaps are pretty hard to stop anyway. We thought 170 was a decent score, but we were relatively happy with that.”
Troy Griffin (47) and Paul Hassan (42 not out) got runs for the Saints while Connor Weidemann took 3/25 and Campbell Snookes 2/21 applied the brakes for the Grubbers.
“Connor Wiedeman and Baljinda (Singh Brar - 1/28 from eight overs) were great up top, not only with the new ball, but when they came on with their second spells,” Long said.
“They (St Leonards) were not in a bad position. I think they were about four for 130, so to keep them to 170 in those last 10 oversandtakeafewwicketsandslowitup, they were super.”
Dan Roddis then played against his natural game to make a patient and valuable 59 from 97 balls for Grove.
Hassan proved dangerous with 4/28 from eight overs, but Jacob Taylor (52 not out from 50 deliveries) and Corey Buxton (12 not out) took the score from 6/129 past the Saints’ total with four overs in hand. Baljinder also contributed with a handy 15 from 18 balls.
“Weknowhowdamaginghe(Roddis)can be with the bat so in the one-day games, we’re trying to get him to be our enforcer just with how quick he scores at the top of
run chase against Armstrong Creek. BenNorgrovemade60fortheTitansand a total of 5/189 had them in the contest at tea, but the Kookaburras got the runs with seven wickets and eight balls in hand. Tom Kearney made a superb 97 in Jan Juc’s 24-run win against Queenscliff. The Sharks posted 5/210 and Queenscliff responded with 9/186 with Tom Bakker getting 65.
BPCA A1 GRADE, ROUND 2
Barwon Heads 6/141 (M. Bode 46no, K. Eskrigge2/8)def Anglesea9/140 (J.Lengyel 35, M. High 3/8, D. Donaldson 2/24)
Drysdale 3/150 (H. Eddy 51no, T. Burns 50no,A.Jacques2/23)def Barrabool147 (J. Purcell 34, D. Sykes 2/10, B. Dobbin 2/16)
Jan Juc 5/210 (T. Kearney 97, F. Bilston 32no, R. Smith 31, M. Washford 2/44) def Queenscliff 9/186 (T. Bakker 65, L. Philp 39, O. Crocker 3/40, J. Rew 3/55)
import Tallan Burns (50 not out) shared an unbroken 90-run stand with the youngster to seal the win.
Will Collins (57) and Lachie Platt (47 not out) spearheaded Inverleigh’s successful
Inverleigh 3/193 (W. Collins 57, L. Platt 47, W. Stoney 37no, D. Maclean 2/49) def Armstrong Creek 5/189 (B. Norgrove 60, N. Johnson 36, K. McNally 2/17, H. Collins 2/26)
find a way to pull off win out of ‘nowhere’
the order,” Long said. “But being four for 30 didn’t really help him play that kind of role. So to see him rein it in and play a really measured innings and get 60 and steer us to victory was great for him and for us.
“(And) to get a run a ball 50 when he (Taylor) come in at a really tricky time was great because usually JT’s more our solid rock in the middle so for him to come out and play a different role that he’s not usually used to doing and score that one a ball 50 was amazing.”
Ocean Grove will welcome back English all-rounder Zac Jones this week for his second season in the BPCA after missing the opening two games.
WILL Liddle starred for Surf Coast with a magnificent century to help his side beat Winchelsea.
Liddle made an unconquered 106 from112deliveriesandhit13foursandtwo sixes with the Suns reaching 7/198 batting first.
Winch had contributions during its run chase, but needed more than a top score of 38.
In his second game as a Sun, Lachie Campbell came on and took 5/45 after making 25 to have Winch all out for 161. It was Campbell’s first A Grade five-for and it cameafteraterrificdebutinround1where he made 30 and took 3/26.
“I’vereallyenjoyedthestartoftheseason with Surf Coast,” Campbell said.
“They’ve welcomed me and I’m just happy to be playing a role in the team. Will batted superbly and gave the bowlers a target to defend and to grab five-for was a bonus.
“I’m confident in this team’s ability to go deep into the year if we stick to the plan.”
COLLENDINA rebounded from a horror round 1 to beat Portarlington by four wickets.
Spinner Stan Grazotis set the tone early for the Cobras with 3/15 from eight overs with Port all out for 135.
Jesse Hunter (44) batted well for the Demons,butcontributionsfromJackEvery (2/19), young quick Zac Muir (2/31) and Gus Peters (2/26) had Collendina on top at the break.
Collendina then benefited with runs
from Harrisyn Wingrave (55) and veteran Richie Peters (25) to win in the 35th over. NEWCOMB produced a huge upset to defeat Wallington in a stunning performance (see story page 24).
BPCA A2 GRADE, ROUND 2
Newcomb 2/129 (S. Kumara 65no, T. Hapugodage 31no) def Wallington 127 (M. Roxburgh 47, J. Scanlan 3/24, R. Mudiyanselage 3/27, D. Ryan 2/25, S. Anderton 2/28)
Collendina 6/136 (H. Wingrave 55, R. Peters 25) def Portarlington135 (J. Hunter 44, S. Grazotis 3/15, J. Every 2/19, A. Peters 2/26, Z. Muir 2/31)
Surf Coast 7/191 (W. Liddle 106no, L. Campbell 25, R. Edwards 3/33) def Winchelsea 161 (B. Luppino 38, L. Campbell 5/45)
OceanGrove6/180 (D. Roddis 59, J. Taylor 52no, P. Hassan 4/28) def St Leonards 8/168 (T. Griffin 47, P. Hassan 42no, C. Weidemann 3/25, C. Snookes 2/21)
Left: Dan Roddis gets right behind this delivery during his knock of 59. (Ivan Kemp) 508542_08 Right: Paul Hassan celebrates as Connor Weidemann is caught off his bowling. (Ivan Kemp) 508542_16
