Geelong Indy - 19th December 2025 by Star News Group

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December 19, 2025

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Santa visits Geelong

(Ivan Kemp) 525526_01

Santa is making a special visit to Geelong to take photos with all the good girls and boys ahead of his busy Christmas schedule. Geelong’s waterfront will host the big man in red, with people able to bring their friends, family or pets along to meet Santa and get a photo. Creative Hearts Therapy will organise the visit, and director Andi Stevenson said Santa loved meeting with the Geelong community. “It’s nice for people to be able to get a Santa photo and bring a bit of joy to people at this time of the year,” she said. “People are doing it a bit tough at the moment, and some people can’t afford to go and get a Santa photo, or they haven’t had an opportunity.” Ava, Ruby and Ivy met with Santa, who will again visit the Geelong Waterfront from 7.30pm on Tuesday 23 December.

Environment fury By Matt Hewson A community environmental organisation has berated Geelong council for its updated stance on energy from waste. Members of No Waste Incinerators in Lara & Greater Geelong Incorporated said they were “profoundly disappointed” the council’s recent report on energy from waste, tabled at its December council meeting, seemed to pave the way for “waste cooking technologies” such as gasification and pyrolysis. In a statement this week, Greater Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj confirmed the council’s willingness to explore such technologies in what he called a “responsible and forward-thinking approach”. “We support the Victorian government’s

direction toward a circular economy and recognise that energy from waste technologies – including gasification, pyrolysis, and biodigestion – will play a role in future waste operations,” he said. “We have listened to community concerns, and at this stage we don’t support an incineration energy from waste facility within Greater Geelong.” No Waste Incinerators secretary and science adviser Charles Street said such an approach was “completely wrong”. “Had council consulted with us, we would have corrected numerous mistakes” he said. “Council appears to reject waste incineration, whilst apparently endorsing other ‘thermal treatment’ technologies such as waste gasification, waste pyrolysis, and similar.

“The harms to public health, community amenity, and environment of all these ‘waste cooking’ technologies are not significantly different. “The claim that waste incineration, gasification, pyrolysis, etc is part of a circular economy concept is false…these thermal treatments destroy the waste resource forever.” Councillor Elise Wilkinson noted the report addressed “the Victorian state government’s policy direction prohibiting new landfills and encouraging energy from waste as part of a circular economy”. Mr Street said the “oft-heard claim that we are running out of landfill” was false. “Our evidence suggests that there are currently 193 quarries in Victoria, all of which will eventually expire and become

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prime candidates for new landfill sites,” he said. “If we are running out of landfills, could it be that the state government is so handcuffed to waste incineration that they must block off all the remaining landfill options?” “The claim that waste incineration, pyrolysis, gasification produces less greenhouse gas emissions than modern landfills is false. Old landfills emit methane…whereas modern landfills capture the methane and use it for fuel and other purposes. “Both landfill and burning…of garbage are unacceptable to our incorporated association. Instead, we promote the Triple R strategy, that is reducing consumption, re-using materials, and recycling.”

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Rec reserve set to progress By Matt Hewson Geelong council will seek funding for the second stage of Sovereign Drive Recreation Reserve. Council adopted a master plan to guide the next stage of development at the Mount Duneed site, which will include a second multi-use sports field, a multi-purpose pavilion, car parking, an expansion of the existing Men’s Shed, expanded cricket nets, upgraded lighting and a dog off-leash area. City of Greater Geelong has $8.6 million

in funding for stage two from developer contributions from Villawood Properties, which delivered stage one of the reserve in 2017. However, with the estimated cost of the master plan recommendations currently sitting at $12.8 million, council will need to source external funding from state or federal government grant programs, such as Sports and Recreation Victoria’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund of the Play Our Way national grants. Councillor Andrew Katos delivered a scathing assessment of member for South

Barwon Darren Cheeseman’s lack of advocacy for both the recreation reserve development and the promised new secondary school at the corner of Sovereign Drive and Boundary Road. “We have the state election coming up and we’d like to see some commitments there from all,” he said. “It’s quite disappointing, we essentially don’t have a local member for the people of South Barwon. For the last 18 months (Mr Cheeseman) has taken his salary without doing anything for the local community. “Perhaps he could walk down there and

take a look at (the recreation reserve) site and the school site and perhaps get off his backside and get us some funding.” Councillor Katos said the Men’s Shed expansion was an important part of the master plan, as was the dog park. “Unfortunately, with our new subdivisions, the blocks of land are not always huge,” he said. “So to have the opportunity for residents to use a dog park, I think it’s a very simple part of the master plan. It’s probably one of the least expensive parts…that would add a lot to the local community.”

Richard Duffield, Julie Rock and Peter Drew can’t wait for Portarlington Community Carols. (Ivan Kemp) 524854_01

Lights and sirens for Christmas By Jena Carr

Lifeguard Tim and his colleagues will be on patrol at Eastern Beach precinct this summer. (Supplied)

Longer lifeguard hours for Eastern Beach City of Greater Geelong has extended lifeguard hours at Geelong’s most popular beach for a second time. In late October the City announced longer lifeguard hours for the Eastern Beach precinct for November through February, but those hours have been extended even further thanks to additional funding from the Victorian government. From Monday 22 December to Saturday 28 February daily patrols will begin an hour earlier than previously announced, from 10am to 7pm.

Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said the City was thrilled to offer extended lifeguard coverage at Eastern Beach, which welcomes more than 250,000 visitors each summer. “Safety is our top priority and this change means swimmers can enjoy the water with confidence every day of the week,” he said. “With extra support from the Victorian government and Life Saving Victoria, we’ve been able to start weekday patrols earlier than planned. “This is great news for swimmers, given the precinct is identified as a high-risk area

and drowning blackspot.” Councillor Eddy Kontelj said residents and visitors could enjoy Eastern Beach knowing lifeguards were looking out for them. “Our lifeguards are committed to keeping the community safe and this extension allows us to provide even greater protection during the busy lead-up to Christmas,” he said. “We also encourage everyone who visits our region’s beaches to swim between the flags for a safe and enjoyable experience.”

New surroundings for Botanic Gardens Christmas nativity scene Geelong’s traditional nativity scene is now on display at its new location. The scene, last year situated at the Wurriki Nyal civic precinct, is now nestled within the leafy environs of the Geelong Botanic Gardens, Located near the gardens’ Conservatory, the temporary fixture is part of the Christmas in Geelong program, offering a peaceful place to reflect on what 25 December is all about. The installation depicts the birth of baby Jesus, featuring Mary, Joseph, the Three Wise Men, a shepherd and animals. Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said the nativity scene was significant for many local residents.

Mayor Stretch Kontelj visits the nativity scene at Geelong Botanic Gardens. (Supplied)

“For those of us who observe Christmas as a religious occasion, the nativity scene symbolises peace, love, joy and hope,” he said. “The gardens provides a respectful and welcoming space for reflection among na-

ture in the heart of Geelong.” The new location offers residents greater opportunity to access the scene, having been at Wurridki Nyal and Johnstone Park in recent years. Mayor Kontelj said the Christmas in Geelong program offered a variety of ways to mark the festive season. “One of the beautiful things about being part of a vibrant and diverse multicultural community is the many ways we celebrate,” he said. “We’ve proudly embraced tradition, culture and connection in our program for all to enjoy.” The nativity scene is available for viewing from 8am to 7pm daily until 7 January 2026.

Santa will be making a special appearance as he rides into Portarlington on a fire truck for a free family-friendly carols event. Portarlington Community Carols will fill WG Little Reserve with carols, entertainment and family picnics on Friday 19 December. Host Julie Rock said the carols have been running for about 25 years and that she expected close to 700 people to attend on the night. “Santa will be making a special visit with the assistance of the CFA in Portarlington, so the lights and sirens will be on,” she said. “We will have our live nativity scene, which is always a massive hit with the kids as they love getting dressed up and participating in a little display. “We’ve also got the Geelong Community Band playing again for us and leading our carols, along with a small choir, some guest artists, and four or five local artists, which will be really cool.” Ms Rock said the carols were open to everybody and that it would be a “good night” for the community. “Come down with your family and friends nice and early to get a spot on the grass and enjoy some carol singing,” she said. “I always enjoy seeing the kids getting all dressed up and feeling like they’re a part of the show, which is really nice. “Christmas is about celebrating all the good things in life with your family and friends, and...this is a really special time for everyone.” Portarlington Community Carols will run from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, with the Lions Club hosting a sausage sizzle from 7pm.

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in the Running into 2026 Rev new year

Give Where You Live Foundation’s Kristi Clapinski, middle, with Geelong Cross Country Club’s Hattie Palmer, left, and Audrey Palmer are excited for this year’s Dawnbuster Fun Run. (Supplied)

The event will kick off from Geelong’s waterfront on 31 December from 7am, with families, friends and individuals of all fitness levels welcome to participate.

Visit dawnbusters-2025.raiselysite. com for more information and to reserve a spot.

Ready your engines and get down to Drysdale Recreation Reserve early in the new year to enjoy some classic cars and motorcycles. Drysdale’s Classic Car and Bike Show will feature a day packed with shiny classic cars and roaring bikes, along with food, drinks, trade stalls and live music. Event organiser Mark Friend said the show had been running for close to 13 years and that he looked forward to seeing people enjoy the day. “It’s turned into a really good family day with live music, food and coffee, and...everyone’s got a smile with kids everywhere running amok,” he said. “There’s also a cruise through the Bellarine the night before that goes from Drysdale around through Portarlington to St Leonards and back through Portarlington to Drysdale. “I’ve got a ‘69 American Dodge Charger that I’ve had for a few years now, and it’s been fully rebuilt with a new motor and all that. “It was a long process as I first bought it when I was 19 and I’m 37 now, and I’ve only just really got it running, so it has taken about 19 years to get it on the road, but I get a lot of joy out of it.” Drysdale’s Classic Car and Bike Show will run from 10.30am to 2.30pm on Sunday 4 January, with entry to the event by a gold coin donation, which will benefit Drysdale Cricket Club.

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Geelong waterfront will come alive in the early hours of New Year’s Eve as hundreds of people come together to run for a good cause. The 5km Dawnbuster Fun Run will provide participants with an opportunity to celebrate the end of the year through an active community event that supports the Give Where You Live Foundation. Foundation chief executive Zac Lewis said all funds raised would go towards providing food security, homelessness assistance and inclusive employment to people in need. “We can’t think of a better way to kickstart your 2026 than raising funds for the Give Where You Live Foundation,” he said. “It is great to see the community coming together to support the foundation, with runners of all ages and fitness levels joining in. “The run will help support people in our community who may be experiencing homelessness, struggling to put food on the table, or facing barriers to employment.” The event was organised in partnership with Geelong Cross Country Club, and Dr John Morton said he looked forward to seeing participants in the Dawnbuster during its 34th year. “Every year since 1992, runners have lined up at 7am on New Year’s Eve and run or jogged the scenic course,” Dr Morton said. “Starting the last day of 2025 with a run along Geelong’s beautiful waterfront is the perfect way to set the tone for the year ahead and support your community.”

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Carols for the community By Jena Carr Embrace the Christmas spirit in Geelong with the return of the much-loved Carols by Candlelight. City of Greater Geelong and Y Geelong will host the traditional carols event on Tuesday 23 December at Johnstone Park from 6.30pm. Carols event coordinator Alisha Nurnaitis said the event was in its 62nd year of celebrating Geelong’s community and

local talent. “I absolutely adore Christmas, so my whole house is decked out for Christmas by November, and I love being with family, which is probably why I love the event so much,” she said. “It’s an amazing event that will bring joy to the community, and it’s great to be able to provide a free event at a time of year where it can sometimes be hard on families.” Ms Nurnaitis said she encouraged people to attend the event early to participate in the

pre-show activities and secure a picnic spot at the park. “We have our kids zone starting from 4.30pm, which we debuted last year, and it was a hit, so we’re going to do that again this year,” she said. “We’re going to add mini golf as well as the animal farm, face painting and photo booth, so there will be just a bit more for the kids to do. “We encourage people to come down early to grab a seat and check out our pre-show, and then the main event will start

at 7.30pm.” Ms Nurnaitis said she expected close to 5000 people to attend this year’s event, with Santa Claus taking the time out of his very busy schedule to attend the carols at around 8.15pm. “We hope everyone can come down and check out the event, even just for a little bit,” she said. “We’ve got some really great things on, and it would be really awesome for the community to come out and support local Geelong talent.”

Students broaden horizons Five Geelong students will take their next steps toward becoming global citizens in 2026 thanks to federal scholarships. The Deakin University students were among the 308 undergraduates who received the prestigious New Colombo Plan (NCP) scholarships, announced by Penny Wong last week in Canberra. The scholarships, designed to give outstanding students the opportunity to broaden their educational experience and build ties across the Indo-Pacific region. To that end, 23 Deakin students from across the country will receive $107,000 for travel and living expenses to study abroad, learn new languages and build expertise in their chosen fields. Scholarship recipient Lucy Harrop is studying a Bachelor of International Studies, majoring in Indonesian Language. She said she was looking forward to studying at a university in Indonesia. “I was so excited when I found out I’d been

successful because I felt like everything that I had written down and planned for months could come to life,” Ms Harrop said. “I’m excited to see how university life compares to Australia, but most importantly, I’m just excited to live the university experience overseas.” Dr David Halliwell, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Partnerships, congratulated the students and said that NCP scholarships are an important opportunity to form meaningful and long-lasting relationships with the countries students are heading to. ‘The New Colombo Plan empowers our students to be global citizens for life, work and leadership and we thank the Australian Government for this significant support,’ Dr Halliwell said. “The University looks forward to seeing the contributions these students will make both abroad and upon their return to Australia.”

New Colombo Plan scholarship winners Jeremy Lewis, Lucy Harrop, Sophie Bryant and Jeremiah Jacoby. (Ivan Kemp) 525123_01

NO ONE’S UNSINKABLE To all those Unsinkable Guys out there – You might think it’s safe to have a few drinks around water, skip the life jacket when you’re out on the boat or go for a swim without checking the conditions. But statistics prove that 4 out of 5 drownings are men. Just remember that no one’s unsinkable.

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Billy Elliot sweeps awards By Matt Hewson A Geelong theatre company has dominated the Musical Theatre Guild of Victoria’s annual awards, winning a swag of gongs and receiving the most number of nominations overall.. Footlight Productions’ Billy Elliot won the guild’s Production of the Year award, beating 65 other productions at a ceremony in Camberwell on Saturday night. The production also won awards for

Best Direction, Best Choreography, Best Lighting, Best Sound and Best Junior Performing in an Open Production (Sebastian Sero as Billy Elliot). Billy Elliot was nominated for a further seven awards and also received a commendation for the Dancer’s Award. Peter Wills, who both co-founded Footlight Productions and co-produced Billy Elliot with his wife Margaret, said he was “very proud” of the team effort. “For me, there’s no expectation when we

go to these nights,” Mr Wills said. “We had a large cast - 17 kids plus the adult cast - and every rehearsal people were so enthusiastic and so keen to make it the very best that it could be. “That obviously showed, having 13 award nominations and being lucky enough to win six…I’m just so humbled by the teamwork that surrounded us during Billy Elliot.” Wills said the young leads, twin brothers Sebastian (who will feature in

the upcoming film Anaconda as the son of Jack Black’s character Doug McCallister) and Luka Sero inspired the rest of the cast and crew. “I think everyone just looked at them and thought, my god, look how good these boys are, we need to get to that level,” he said. Footlight will present Legally Blonde and Sister Act in the first half of 2026. Visit geelongartscentre.org.au for more information.

Changes for bin collection

DJ Degs In Space (aka Harley Deglaitis) and Cr Ron Nelson at Medusa Bar. (Supplied)

New music website to locate local live gigs A new online service is making it easier for live-music lovers to find and access entertainment across Geelong. City of Greater Geelong has partnered with not-for-profit organisation Live Music Locator to deliver a pilot program in the region gathering all upcoming live music gigs on the one website, with maps, event details and links to venue websites and ticket outlets. Live Music Locator, which is listed on the Register of Cultural Organisations and has full charity tax-concession status, was established in 2024 and launched its first pilot program with City of Yarra in

July that year. With the aim of making live music more accessible to all audiences and support venues and artists of all genres, the Live Music Locator website includes a range of filters to help people find the entertainment they enjoy. Councillor Eddy Kontelj, chair of the arts and culture, hospitality and live entertainment portfolio, said Geelong had considerable musical talent. “Our city is home to some incredible live acts,” he said. “While we know of so many, there’s so many more waiting to be discovered, and

this website will facilitate that while also encouraging people to get out and support venues and the local economy.“ “The arts and culture, hospitality and live entertainment portfolio is all about initiatives such as this and continuing to promote and support our local entertainers, musos and hospitality venues.” Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said the City was proud to support the pilot and he hoped the community would get on board to support local artists and venues. Visit geelong.lml.live to find live music events near you.

Beach wheelchairs arrive at OGSLSC for summer Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club’s (OGSLSC) new sandcruiser beach wheelchairs have arrived just in time for the busy summer holiday season. OGSLSC successfully received funding through the Regional All Abilities Participation Grants for its Beach Access for All – Sandcruiser Wheelchairs Initiative. The initiative brings long term support to a pilot with the City of Geelong to enhance inclusive access to the beach and water with the purchase of two new all-terrain beach mobility wheelchairs. The specialised wheelchairs are designed to operate on soft sand and in shallow

water, enabling people with limited mobility to safely enjoy the shoreline and ocean environment. “Ensuring everyone can enjoy our beach and ocean is incredibly important to our club,” OGSLSC president Lyndie Freestone said. “The new beach mobility wheelchairs will make a real difference for people with limited mobility, giving them safe and dignified access to the sand and water, and helping us create a more inclusive beach environment for our entire community.” Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant visited the club on Monday to inspect the

6 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 19 December, 2025

new beach wheelchairs. “The sandcruiser beach wheelchairs are a valuable addition to the Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club, enabling more locals and visitors to enjoy our beautiful coastlines and beaches,” she said. Anyone can access the chairs by contacting the club directly.

Ocean Grove Surf Lifesaving Club president Lyndie Freestone and Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant inspect one of the new beach wheelchairs. (Supplied)

Some minor changes to some Greater Geelong bin collections will occur during the holiday period. Residents who usually get their bins collected on Thursday and Friday will have their bins collected one day later. For people with a usual collection day falling on Thursday 25 December 2025 and Thursday 1 January 2026, bins will be collected on Friday 26 December 2025 and Friday 2 January 2026. Those who would have a usual collection day of Friday 26 December 2025 and Friday 2 January 2026 will have their bins collected on Saturday 27 December 2025 and Saturday 3 January 2026. There are no changes for bin collection days from Monday to Wednesday. Environment and Circular Economy portfolio chair councillor Elise Wilkinson encouraged people to consider a low-waste Christmas. “With a bit of pre-planning, it’s easy to reduce the amount of waste produced at Christmas, making clean up easier to handle and reducing your impact on the environment,“ she said. “Think about cooking from scratch, reducing packaging, and sustainable gift-giving like giving experiences or edible gifts.“ As usual, residents are asked to put their bins out the evening before their scheduled collection day, with collections taking place the following morning. City of Greater Geelong’s Resource Recovery Centres will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, but will operate with normal hours on all other days, allowing people to drop off extra cardboard and other holiday waste.

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The best in wildlife pics Geelong’s National Wool Museum is currently exhibiting the internationally acclaimed Wildlife Photographer of the Year, direct from the Natural History Museum, London. The exhibition showcases extraordinary images from some of the world’s leading nature photographers, revealing rare animal behaviour, spectacular species, and the breathtaking diversity of life on Earth. Visitors can enjoy complimentary access to all galleries, take part in familyfriendly Christmas craft activities and explore a vibrant shopping experience. “We’re thrilled to share this exclusive viewing with our community,” National Wool Museum director Padraic Fisher said. “Wildlife Photographer of the Year is one of the most celebrated photography exhibitions in the world, and it’s a privilege to bring these stunning images to Geelong. This event is a wonderful way to combine

festive fun with a deeper appreciation for our planet.” Now in its 61st year, Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the Natural History Museum, London’s, global platform for the world’s best nature photography and wildlife photojournalism. The annual competition receives more than 60,000 entries and is open to photographers of all ages, nationalities and experience levels. “This is a fantastic opportunity for families and visitors to experience worldclass photography right here in Geelong,” City of Greater Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said. “The National Wool Museum continues to deliver exceptional cultural experiences, and this Christmas preview is a perfect example of how we celebrate creativity and community together.” The exhibition at the National Wool Museum runs until 17 May and entry is free.

Geelong National Wool Museum is currently showing the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. (Supplied)

Cottage by the Sea fair has bit of something for everyone Cottage By the Sea’s (Cottage) annual fair will return early next month with a little bit of everything for everyone. The fair is Cottage’s longest-running fundraiser with records of the centurylong event dating back to 1910. There will be a range of stalls from fresh produce to a barbecue lunch, barista coffee, homemade cakes, jams and Devonshire tea. The Fair will also include pop-up market stalls, including

plants donated by Van Loon’s Nursery, clothing and second-hand books. The Harvey family and Harvey’s of Highton have been supporting the fair for more than 20 years, donating the fresh fruit and vegetables for sale. “Cottage’s annual fair is the most iconic event on our fundraising calendar,” Cottage chief executive Adam Wake said. “It’s a special day for our community,

but it’s also supported by our community. As a non-government funded children’s charity, we rely on fundraising and philanthropy to operate. “With the new Riptide Cottage enabling us to welcome an additional 700-plus each year, every dollar raised at the fair will directly support children experiencing vulnerability.” In celebration of the upcoming launch of Cottage’s new Riptide facility,

supporters can join the Riptide Green Brick appeal. For a donation of $200, Cottage will recognise supporters with an original green brick from the Riptide rebuild that includes a plaque with their name. The bricks will be laid in the Cottage grounds. The fair is at the Cottage, 29 Flinders Street, Queenscliff, on Saturday 10 January from 9am to 2pm. Entry is by donation.

Honouring your loved one at Christmas • Acknowledge your loved one in some way - place a special decoration or raise a toast. • Accept that everyone grieves differently, even within the same family. • Light a candle in your loved one’s honour. • Donate a gift or some time to a charity. • Talk about your loved one. Remember them with love, and remember that love came first. • Always allow time for some self-care.

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Community farewells Steve By Justin Flynn It’s ironic that Steve Burton, who read the newspaper from back to front because, in the words of his niece Grace, “nothing good ever came from the front of the paper”, ended up exactly there a few days after he passed away. Known simply as ‘Steve’, always accompanied by trusty 16-year-old kelpie sidekick Gaia, he was known by many throughout the region, particularly Ocean Grove and Belmont, for living rough, but always by choice. Steve and Gaia passed away on November 30 and the news was met with an outpouring of grief and emotion. About 100 mourners, and half as many dogs, gathered at Ocean Grove Park on Saturday 13 December for a public memorial service, but the man himself probably wouldn’t have approved. “He would have hated it,” niece Grace said. “In human form, he would have hated it. In spirit form, hoping he loved it. It was an amazing turnout.” Steve was a self-described ‘existentialist’, not homeless. He chose to drift, free from mortgage, debt and the daily grind. He chose the life of a wanderer and did what many of us dream of - he lived life exactly the way he wanted. Steve could be intimidating at times, boisterous and brutally honest, but underneath the rough exterior was a man with a love of reading, a razor-sharp memory and a willingness to listen to others. “I think Uncle Steve and Gaia have left an unfillable hole in the community,” Grace said. “When I heard so many people’s stories, not only about how they cared for

Left: A floral tribute at Steve Burton and Gaia’s memorial service at Ocean Grove Park. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 524246_08 Top centre: Steve’s niece Grace Burton delivers a eulogy. 524246_11 Top right: A tribute to Steve. 524246_01 Right: Steve’s niece Grace (centre) with friends. 524246_06

Uncle, but also so many stories of how Uncle showed care for them. “He was quite charismatic, a little bit of a mystery and he was resolutely himself, which is not what many of us can do without shame or embarrassment.

“He could be incoherent to others, but he was as clear as a bell to himself.” While the public memorial might have embarrassed Steve, it was more for the community to say goodbye to a man who rarely accepted, nor wanted, help.

“The loss was awful, but the memorial was beautiful,” Grace said. “It felt strangely vibrant and colourful and to see so many community members take their time to pay their respects and share their stories was lovely.”

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CREATING A CLEVER AND CREATIVE FUTURE FOR GREATER GEELONG

CITYNEWS MAYOR’S MESSAGE

Every Christmas, I’m reminded of how lucky we are to live in Geelong.

TEMPORARY CHANGE IN BIN COLLECTION DAY Holiday bin collection will shift by one day for some residents between Thursday 25 December 2025 – Saturday 3 January 2026. If your usual bin collection is Thursday or Friday, your bin will be picked up one day later.

I was thrilled to join thousands at the waterfront late last month for two much-loved traditions – Denis Walter’s Carols by the Bay and the lighting of our iconic Floating Christmas Tree – to share in the joy of the season.

Check dates here: geelong. link/ChristmasWaste

Across Geelong, festive windows, projections, markets and special events are bringing colour and excitement to our city. I’m especially delighted to see the new Christmas Performance Trail fill central Geelong with music and joy, featuring choirs, musicians and street performers each weekend until 14 December. And on 23 December, Carols by Candlelight will return to Johnstone Park for its 62nd year, offering another wonderful chance to celebrate together.

Please enjoy a well-earned break, stay safe, look after each other and give to those less fortunate, if you can. On behalf of Council, Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Christmas in Geelong is all about community, and I look forward to sharing this special season with you.

Cr Dr Stretch Kontelj OAM Mayor City of Greater Geelong

SUMMER SAFETY TIPS

COLLECT YOUR CALENDAR

Whether you’re a local, or visiting our region, here’s some quick tips help you stay safe.

Don’t miss free entry, activities and music at select centres this summer! Find the full list of upcoming dates at geelong.link/SummerOfFun.

Water safety › Never swim alone and always swim between the red and yellow flags at the beach.

The Pier, Barwon Heads Photographer: Fabian Reinelt

› Check water depth, enter slowly, never dive in. › Avoid swimming near boat ramps or in boating areas. › Always watch your children - keep them within arm’s reach. Visit www.vic.gov.au/ Water-Safety

Our series of family-friendly summer events at Swim Sport & Leisure centres is back!

Our 2026 Geelong Calendar is available for collection from the following locations: › Our three customer service centres – Geelong, Drysdale and Corio › Leisurelink - Waurn Ponds

Be fire safe

› Norlane ARC - Norlane

› Make sure barbecues and open flames are put out properly.

› Splashdown - Moolap

› Clean leaves from your gutters and move woodpiles away from your house.

› The Geelong Library & Heritage Centre, Geelong.

› Keep grass maintained to a maximum height of 10cm.

More info: geelong.link/Calendar

› Visit cfa.vic.gov.au to check total fire bans and ratings.

FIREWORKS NOTICE

Dog walking Our municipality is on-leash unless otherwise signed. Visit geelong.link/DogWalking to see on and off-leash areas.

Hot weather In hot weather, check on elderly neighbours, family members and friends and remember your pets! Keep cool, stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activities and wear appropriate sun protection.

› Bellarine Aquatic & Sports Centre - Ocean Grove

Christmas in Geelong

We’ll be hosting two 8-minute fireworks displays over Corio Bay on New Years Eve, Wednesday 31 December at approximately 9.30pm and midnight. There will be no family entertainment or food trucks on Steampacket Gardens this year. To ensure public safety, the following road will be closed:

FLOATING CHRISTMAS TREE Sound & Light Show

Nightly from 8.30pm to midnight until 7 January.

CHRISTMAS PROJECTIONS on City Hall

Nightly from 8.30pm to midnight until 7 January 2026.

CAROUSEL CHRISTMAS WITH SANTA

Various dates until 23 December 2025.

SCHOOL CHRISTMAS TREES ON SHOW

30 Christmas trees on display at Johnstone Park until 7 January 2026.

› Eastern Beach Road between Moorabool Street and Yarra Street, Geelong. › From 8.00pm Wednesday 31 December to approximately 12.30am Thursday 1 January.

HAVE YOUR SAY - THE GREAT GEELONG STORY

Emergency access will be maintained.

Many of the world's most vibrant cities have something unique they’re known for...Rome is the Eternal City, Paris is the City of Light, and New York is the City that Never Sleeps.

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS – WHAT’S ON?

We’re now exploring: ‘What's Geelong known for?’ And we don’t just mean the CBD, we mean the entire Greater Geelong region, from our coast to our suburbs and rural towns.

Looking for events, activities and entertainment for children during the summer break?

We want to hear from you! Visit geelong.link/ TGGS by 11.59pm this Sunday 21 December.

Visit Events Geelong and search by name or by date range: geelong.link/Events

More info: geelong.link/Events

You’ll find there’s so much to see and do in our region, plus there’s plenty for adults too!

We make every effort to ensure City News is accurate at the time of publishing, but information may be subject to change.

Scan the QR code or visit geelong.link/Christmas for the full Christmas in Geelong program

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NEWS

By Cr Stretch Kontelj OAM With a week until Christmas Day, our city is sparkling with colour and that unmistakable festive buzz. People are out and about making the most of the longer evenings and enjoying the many festive experiences happening across our region right now. If you are still hunting for a thoughtful present or two, the Geelong City Market runs every Saturday from 9am to 2pm. The final market before Christmas will sell world-class local produce and artisanal goods including festive giftpacks, as well as quality local wine and a special release limoncello. There’ll also be fresh local prawns and oysters – perfect for Christmas day. It’s the kind of market where you go for ’just one thing’ and somehow leave with your arms full, a coffee in hand and a promise to return. Laura from Bellarine Farmgate will be onsite with a free gingerbread people decorating station, and there’ll be a shortbread option and gingerbread houses available for sale. Of course, no festive season in our region is complete without a visit to our famous Floating Christmas Tree at Steampacket Quay. Standing 25 metres tall and illuminated with 800 lights, it’s Australia’s largest floating Christmas tree and remains a true Geelong icon. The nightly sound and light shows run

City of Greater Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj. (Supplied)

every 15 minutes from 8.30pm through to midnight, with two different productions running until 7 January. While you’re on the waterfront, The Carousel is hosting special Christmas evenings complete with rides, craft activities and a front-row seat to the tree’s performances. City Hall is glowing each night with projections inspired by generosity, cultural diversity and the spirit of giving. Created by multimedia artist Georgie Pinn with contributions from Ian De Gruchy and Olaf Meyer, the visuals transform the building into a vibrant celebration, running nightly from dusk

to midnight. Johnstone Park is also looking festive thanks to 30 Christmas trees decorated by local primary school students from Lara to Anakie, Ceres, Portarlington and everywhere in between – their creativity is outstanding. And on Tuesday 23 December, Carols by Candlelight Geelong makes its triumphant return to Johnstone Park for the 62nd year. City of Greater Geelong is proud to partner with the Y Geelong (formerly YMCA Geelong) for this free, family event beginning at 6.30pm. Across Greater Geelong there is no shortage of carols, crafts and visits from Santa, whether you prefer him in a sleigh or standing barefoot on the sand at Ocean Grove. For information on the remaining Christmas events, visit geelongaustralia. com.au/christmas On a practical note, Thursday and Friday bin collections will occur one day later across the Christmas and New Year period, and natural Christmas trees can be dropped off for free at Drysdale Resource Recovery Centre from Boxing Day until 31 January. Finally, while this season is joyful for many, it can be difficult for others. If you are able, I encourage you to support the Give Where You Live Christmas Appeal. Your contribution stays in our region and helps people doing it tough. I wish you all a happy festive period and a relaxing break. If you are heading to the final Geelong City Market on 20 December, you will spot me there picking up a few local delights to enjoy with the family on Christmas Day.

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Windows showcase diversity A public display of diversity is being showcased on Geelong’s Yarra Street. Windows of the World is a joint collaboration between Cultura and the City of Greater Geelong that shows the traditions and creativity of 12 local community groups at this time of year. Each festive installation in the Yarra Street window gallery captures a different festival, performance, costume or event, reflecting Geelong’s growing multicultural population and fostering pride and understanding. The participating community groups and window themes are: Chinese Association Geelong (Chinese New Year); Geelong Afghan Community (Eid al-Fitr); Punjabi SWAG (Teeyan); Geelong Scottish Dance (Highland Games); Russian Orthodox Community (New Year celebration); Geelong Latin American Movement (Velitas y Farolitos); Greek Community of Geelong (Panayiri); Japanese Association of Geelong (Oshogatsu); Nigerian Association Geelong (Ojude Oba); Filipino Australian

Friendship Association Geelong (Pasko); Brazilian Association of Greater Geelong (Carnaval); and Serbian Parish Youth Club (Božic). Cultura chief executive Rebecca Smith said Windows of the World highlighted 12 of the 49 community groups it supports in the region. “Like Pako Festa and our other community-led programs, this exhibition helps the wider community learn about the heritage, traditions and customs of cultures from around the world who now call Geelong home,” she said. “We are thankful to those multicultural communities who contributed to this wonderful initiative and proud that we can help bring this project to life, together with our friends at the City of Greater Geelong.” The display is on show until 7 January. Punjabi SWAG member Ruhaniat Parri Kaur at the Windows of the World exhibition on Yarra Street. (Supplied)

Monitoring mozzies as breeding conditions heat up this summer As the weather begins to heat up, people across the Surf Coast are being encouraged to help prevent mosquitoes from breeding around the home. Surf Coast Shire Council will monitor and treat mosquito infestations across the region as favourable breeding conditions produce troublesome numbers of insects. Councillor Phoebe Crockett said hotspots such as Anglesea were in focus by council for regular ground-based

treatments with environmentally friendly larvicides. “Covering up is especially important when mozzies are most active early in the morning and at dusk,” she said. “It can’t eliminate all mosquitoes, but can make big impacts on numbers and will continue throughout summer. “We encourage people to identify and get rid of potential breeding sites around their homes, and to protect themselves

10 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 19 December, 2025

and their families from bites. “They can do this by wearing light coloured, loose-fitting clothing covering arms and legs, and using effective repellents containing active ingredients like DEET or Picaridin. “The conditions this year are proving ideal for mosquitoes to breed in abundance in some areas, and our treatment program is responding accordingly, increasing treatments as required.”

Council’s monitoring program will include night light trapping, with specimens sent for laboratory analysis to identify mosquito types and any diseases carried. Residents can help reduce mosquito numbers around homes by removing stagnant water, ensuring rainwater tank openings are covered, putting sand around pot plants and keeping gutters, fish ponds and swimming pools well-maintained.

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NEWS

Both eyes on the future Year 12 students from across the state scrambled to access their VCE ATAR results on Thursday 11 December. The Independent spoke to four Greater Geelong students about the big day and what’s in store for the future.

Joy Im

Matt Aidt

Geelong Lutheran College ATAR: 99.65

Geelong High School ATAR: 99.8

Graduating VCE student Joy Im knows exactly where she wants her career to take her. Joy was named dux of Geelong Lutheran College (GLC) this week, receiving an ATAR of 99.65. She earned six study scores over 40, including a perfect 50 for History: Revolutions, 46 in Literature, 45 in Global Politics, 43 in German, 42 in General Mathematics and 41 in English. “I was with my whole family around the dining table when I went to the website, and when I saw my ATAR I was pretty pleased and quite surprised,” Joy said. “I was aiming for high 90s, but I didn’t have a specific number, because I didn’t really want to be disappointed.” Joy has already been accepted into the Navy’s officer training course for next year, after which she will undertake a Bachelor of Arts in International and Political Studies, majoring in Indo-Pacific Studies. “After that, I’ll be commissioned as a Navy intelligence officer,” she said.

Matt Aidt earned himself a near-perfect ATAR score, but believes he wouldn’t have achieved his goals without the support of the school’s community. Matt was named Geelong High School (GHS) dux this week after receiving an ATAR of 99.8, including scores of 47 for Chemistry and English, 46 for Physics, 42 for Math Methods, 41 for Specialist Math and an equivalent of 45 for a tertiary physics subject through the University of Melbourne. He said the support of the school’s teachers, staff and students, as well as his family, was instrumental in his achievement. “I was lucky enough not to get any pressure from my family, no pressure from my teachers,” Matt said. “I didn’t feel like I had to score high, and I think having that relaxation through year 12 was really important. “I knew if I ever burnt out, which I was fortunate enough not to do, I had people there for me. Knowing that when you’re

“I really love staying active and fit, but I also wanted to have a career where you can be a leader as well as actively making a change and contributing to something. “And I’m interested in geopolitics and international relations, so it’s a really good avenue for me.” Joy thanked her family for their unwavering support and GLC for providing a positive learning environment. “From the start it’s been a community-minded school,” she said. “The teacher-student relationship is really, really good…they’re your mentors in a way. The passion my teachers brought to each class was amazing.”

Amelie Anderson

Joseph Afford

Saint Ignatius College Geelong ATAR: 95.75

The Geelong College ATAR: 99.8

Problem-solving and caring for people are at the core of what Amelie Anderson loves to do, as she looks to pursue a healthcare career. Saint Ignatius College Geelong’s graduating VCE student was named the college dux after achieving a 95.75 ATAR score. Amelie received raw study scores of 43 in Literature, 36 in Biology, 35 in French, 33 in Indonesian, 30 in Chemistry and 22 in Mathematical Methods. She said it was “pretty exciting” to see her ATAR score and looked forward to pursuing a career in healthcare in the future. “I was sitting down with mum on my bed when I opened it (ATAR result), and I think we both just screamed, so it was a bit unexpected,” she said. “I studied two languages throughout my high school journey; my grandmother was French, so it was a nice thing to do to speak to family, and I loved studying Indonesian as well.

The Geelong College’s Joseph Afford is ready to build a career in engineering after achieving a near-perfect ATAR. The college dux woke up on 11 December to find a 99.8 ATAR result and a perfect study score of 50 in General Mathematics waiting for him. Joseph also achieved study scores of 44 in English and Specialist Mathematics, along with a 32 in Latin. Joseph said he was overwhelmed with his results and was looking to study engineering at Monash University. “It was good, and I didn’t know how to feel when I first saw it (ATAR result),” he said. “I looked at it a bit blankly, but it didn’t really hit me until my mum walked into the room, and she was very emotional. “I was a bit surprised (with the General Mathematics result) because I know I made at least two mistakes on the exam, so I wasn’t expecting a 50, but it was a good surprise to get it.

“I’d like to be in a patient-facing and problem-solving role within healthcare as that is what I like to do and, next year, I’m really keen to study nursing at Deakin.” Amelie was also previously awarded the House Medallion (MacKillop) and subject awards for VCE Languages: Indonesian and VCE Literature at the school’s Mosaic Awards Evening on 20 November. Saint Ignatius College Geelong’s vice captains also achieved ATAR scores over 90, with Riley Molloy achieving a 92.95 and Stephanie Reynolds achieving a 92.35.

stressed, there’s always people around to help…Geelong High was a terrific community and I feel like they always had my back.” Matt has already begun studying ahead of the Bachelor of Science, majoring in physics, that he will undertake next year. “I want to do something between quantum and medicine; I want to look into sporadic cancers and perhaps figure out a way to fight or beat cancer. That’s something I’m very passionate about. “I want to transform the elegance of physics and maths into something practical, something with real-world results and impact.”

“I want to study engineering as I love learning about how things work, like how planes fly and how cars move, so that, combined with maths and science, is just perfect for me.” The Geelong College’s proxime accessit was Cate Robson, who achieved the school’s second-highest ATAR result of 99.35 and plans to study medicine next year. Two other students achieved ATAR scores more than 99 - Sophie Robson with 99.3 and Xavier Blood with 99.25.

5 Dec 2025 – 17 May 2026

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Major intersection works Project crews reopened Boundary Road between Barwon Heads Road and Pythais Way on Wednesday 17 December as part of the Barwon Heads Road Upgrade - Stage 2a. The key intersection in Armstrong Creek underwent major works to upgrade the western leg of the intersection of Boundary and Barwon Heads roads. As part of these works, new through and turn lanes were built on Barwon Heads Road and new turn lanes on Boundary Road, essential to the project’s goal of safer, smoother travel. Crews are now working to mirror these improvements on the intersection’s

eastern side. For the safety of crews and travellers during these works, Boundary Road will be closed between Barwon Heads and Harriott roads until mid-2026. Detours are in place via Harriott Road. “With the western side of the Boundary and Barwon Heads roads intersection reopened, we’re getting straight to work on upgrading the eastern side of this key intersection,” Big Build Roads program director Tim Price said. “Once complete, these improvements will make a vital contribution to the project’s goal of safer travel and smoother

traffic flow. “We thank the community and visitors travelling through the area for their patience as we get on with delivering Stage 2a of the Barwon Heads Road Upgrade.” The improvements to the Boundary Road intersection will include the installation of traffic lights. Crews have also completed preparatory works for building new lanes between Reserve and Boundary roads, including relocating key utilities infrastructure and installing major drainage lines. The Barwon Heads Road Upgrade is adding lanes, upgrading intersections and

building a shared path between Belmont and Connewarre. Completed in 2023, Stage 1 of the project upgraded the section between Settlement Road, Belmont, and Reserve Road, Charlemont. Due for completion by late 2027, Stage 2a is upgrading the section between Reserve Road and Lake Road, Armstrong Creek. Due for completion in 2028, Stage 2b will upgrade the section between Lake Road and Lower Duneed Road, Connewarre. More information about the project, including traffic changes, is available at bigbuild.vic.gov.au/barwon.

Merry Christmas from us to you From all of us here at the Geelong Independent, we wish you a happy and safe Christmas and New Year. It’s been a big year as we strived to bring you the latest local news, entertainment and sport. If Christmas is not an enjoyable time of year for you, there are many ways you can reach out. Beyond Blue (beyondblue.org.au) Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) Lifeline (lifeline.org.au) MensLine Australia (1300 78 99 78) R U OK? (ruok.org.au) Salvation Army (salvationarmy.org. au) To those who celebrate Christmas, have a peaceful and joyous holiday period and look after one another. We will return in 2026 on January 9. Lounge International Student Centre’s Helen Nicholls-Stary and Kai Kassie with the Excellence in International Student Experience award. (Supplied)

Centre’s international success at awards A Geelong service that provides international students with practical help and a sense of belonging has won a Victorian International Education Award. The Lounge International Student Centre received the Excellence in International Student Experience award for its impact and contribution to the state’s international education sector. Program manager Helen Nicholls-Stary said the centre united students from different backgrounds and cultures under one roof in Geelong. “Being an international student is an amazing experience, benefiting both the student and the community; however, it is not without its challenges,” she said.

“For some students, it is their first time being away from their family and friends, while international students are trying to understand a new culture in a country far from home. “This award recognises the dedication and the high level of support that the team have provided to make such a meaningful difference for the international students in Geelong. “Making connections with support services and establishing a friendship network are essential elements to successfully achieving desired study goals and enjoying their experience in Geelong.” The Lounge International Student Centre is backed by the Salvation Army, and Major

David Elderidge AM said the organisation was proud to support the centre. “Salvation Army and the centre share a commitment to inclusive practice that recognises and values diversity, alongside our shared values of compassion, integrity, respect, and collaboration,” he said. “International students will be able to link in with other Salvation Army services as additional supports for international students, including counselling and support for students experiencing financial stress.” The Lounge International student ambassador, Vishrut Goswami, who lives in Geelong, was also the winner of the International Student of the Year – Regional award.

Geelong Independent journalist Jena Carr gets into the Christmas spirit. We will be back on Friday January 9.

Surfing films galore on the Surf Coast as festival returns in January Bells Beach Surf Film Festival returns to Torquay in early January. Held at Australian National Surfing Museum each year, 15 films will be screened over three nights to celebrate its status as the longest running surf film festival in Australia. Director John Foss is excited about the films coming to Torquay for the 15th surf film festival. “We are stoked to be bringing some fantastic surf films to Torquay in 2026,” he said. (The first night) features the amazing Jujo: The Musical plus Changing Tempo and Le Jardin, which explores incredible waves in Morocco. We are also excited to be showing

some old school style Super 8mm surf films - My Malibu and Home, filmed and edited by Ella Bourne and local filmmaker Katey Shearer respectively. “Closing the night we have the award-winning Bee Hives and Bottom Turns plus a tribute to Aussie surf filmmaker Tim Bonython screening a number of his latest films. “Fifteen great films plus lots of guest speakers and a big surprise on opening night.” The 2026 Bells Beach Surf Film Festival will run over three nights from 2 to 4 January at Australian National Surfing Museum. Doors open at 7.30pm and all films start at 8pm. Tickets at eventbrite.com

12 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 19 December, 2025

Bells Beach Surf Film Festival will feature Le Jardin on opening night. (Supplied)

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Bark for breakfast

A regal return at the gardens

By Jena Carr Wagging tails and hungry stomachs will be able to go down to Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club for a food and conservation event. Friends of the Hooded Plover Bellarine will host a family-friendly Dog’s Breakfast on 3 January, where people and their furry companions can enjoy a free sausage sizzle and dog treats. Volunteer Christine Rees said the event would be a chance for volunteers and community members to discuss how they can help look after the region’s hooded plovers. “The birds, being wild animals, can be anywhere along the beach because we can’t contain them to the area where we put a sign and fence,” she said. “We just want to educate owners that dogs need to be on leash for the entire length of the beach, not just the sections that they see signed and roped. “It’s a chance for them to get to know the volunteers and for us to get to know some other dog owners as well as an opportunity for us to educate how they can help protect the hooded plovers.” Ms Rees said she looked forward to connecting and engaging with dog owners on ways to help protect the “precious hoodies that live on the back beach”. “We want people to continue walking their dogs along the beach but in a way that will also help the hooded plovers thrive so that everyone can share the space,” she said. “We’re not trying to stop people from doing that activity as we encourage that because it’s a really healthy lifestyle for

Friends of the Hooded Plover Bellarine’s Tash Verspeek, Christine Rees, Pam Addie, Brenda White and Kerry Marsh with dogs Hazel and Dorothy at Point Lonsdale Back Beach. (Ivan Kemp) 524685_04

people to get out and walk their dogs on the beach.” Visit events.humanitix.com/friends-

of-the-hooded-plover-bellarine-dog-sbreakfast for more information and to book a spot during the breakfast.

The statue of Queen Victoria once more surveys the entrance to Geelong’s Eastern Park. The bronze statue, which was originally installed in 1912, has been returned to its plinth within the gardens after an extensive and careful restoration project undertaken after it was spraypainted and toppled by vandals in March last year. The statue now boasts an almost new appearance, with the cost of the restoration “largely covered” by insurance, according to a statement from the City. Mayor Stretch Kontelj said “restoring a statue that was over 100 years old was a challenging and considered process, and I want to congratulate everyone involved for the fantastic outcome.” “We cannot tolerate vandalism in any form, and I’m pleased that we’ve been able to bring the statue back better than it was before.” Chair of the safety, graffiti and regulation portfolio Chris Burson said new security measures, which include lighting and security cameras, would protect the statue in future. “Our organisation is home to an incredible collection of historical items, including statues throughout the municipality,“ he said. “The vandalism of this statue has prompted us to review all the security arrangements to ensure that the historical collection can be protected for all to enjoy for a long time to come.”

ENTERTAINMENT

Young guns ready to fire By Matt Hewson Frankston rock band the Gnomes will celebrate both Christmas and a huge year bookended by gigs at the Barwon Club. The Gnomes will be part of a huge lineup at this weekend’s BC Breakup gig, just their second gig at Geelong’s premier rock ‘n roll venue and also the site of their first gig with their current lineup at the end of 2024. Hailing from the Mornington Peninsula, the band includes lead singer/guitarist Jay Millar, guitarist Ned Capp, bassist Olly Katsianis and drummer Ethan Robins.

With a sound belying their youth - Millar and Capp are 19, Katsianis is 21 and Robins is 22 - the Gnomes pump out classic 60s-style rock and roll with a modern garage edge. Born out of frontman Millar’s solo project created for his VCE Music studies, the band coalesced over the past couple of years as the four young musicians connected via a local music hub. “Everyone in the band went to different schools, so we met through Singing Bird,” Katsianis said. “It’s a music studio, so you can record your music, do rehearsals and practices there. It’s

also a live music venue, so it does gigs there, so it sort of has the whole package. “And every member of the band has been going to gigs there since we were 14, 15. It’s one of the last places around that does all ages gigs, which is pretty awesome.” Since Robins joined last year the Gnomes have recorded and released their debut 12-track, self-titled album, supported acts like the Cosmic Psychos, Hockey Dad, the Skegss and Eddy Current Suppression Ring and packed Melbourne bandrooms at their own headline shows. With another EP planned for release early

next year, Katsianis said the band were loving “Jay’s just got heaps of music backed up, so we’re always talking about the next album, what’s going to suit, and then the album after that,” he said. “We’re really keen on recording, finding out track lists and what songs work well together in an album order. It’s just fun to do that stuff.” The Gnomes are at the BC Breakup at the Barwon Club band room on Saturday 20 December. Visit barwonclub.com.au/ gig-guide for tickets and more information.

It’s not easy being green The world’s favourite ogre comes to town this summer for a run of five performances over the new year. Having been enjoyed by audiences the world over since 2008, Shrek the Musical comes to Geelong for the first time as part of its 2025-26 national tour. Based on the Academy Award-winning 2001 film starring Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz, Shrek the Musical is a high-energy, laugh-out-loud production celebrating the themes of love, appearance vs reality and self-acceptance. Part fairytale, part romance, the Tony Award-winning musical follows the story of an irascible ogre turned unlikely hero who takes up the quest to save a feisty princess. With irreppressible sidekick Donkey by

his side, Shrek experiences a life-changing journey that proves it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Producer Layton Lillas said the show was the perfect holiday experience for audiences of all ages. “Our version of Shrek the Musical features a talented professional cast and crew of 40,” he said. “The set alone is worth over $2 million and was used on both the UK and American tours, it comes with a dragon that has its own 40-foot shipping container…believe me everyone who comes will be blown away.” Shrek the Musical is at Geelong Arts Centre from 31 December to 3 January. Visit geelongartscentre.org.au/whats-on/ all-events/shrek-the-musical for tickets and more information.

14 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 19 December, 2025

Shrek the Musical comes to Geelong Arts Centre this summer. (Supplied)

The Guide PICK OF THE WEEK A (VERY) MUSICAL CHRISTMAS ABC TV, Friday, 7.30pm

Returning for a much-anticipated encore after last year’s enchanting special, Australia’s musical theatre community comes together in support of Beyond Blue for this delightful Christmas concert. At a time of year that can be difficult for many, it’s an important reminder of the charity’s free mental health and wellbeing support. Filmed on the festively decorated set of MJ the Musical at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre, the special sparkles with homegrown talent as Zan Rowe welcomes Casey Donovan, Rob Mills (pictured) and Caroline O’Connor to the stage. The casts of MJ and Beetlejuice also join in, making for an unforgettable evening of song that’s fast becoming a treasured tradition.

CHRISTMAS WITH DELTA Nine, Sunday, 7pm

After filming her 2024 special in Hollywood, Delta Goodrem (pictured) returns to home soil for this sparkling evening of holiday entertainment. Taking over Channel Nine’s Sydney studio and transforming it into a retro winter wonderland, the newlywed singer invites Cody Simpson, Jon Bon Jovi, Jordin Sparks and a bevy of talented Aussies to perform their festive favourites. There’s delightful duets, joyful surprises and moving moments in store as Goodrem shares the stage with her famous friends – and, of course, Santa Claus himself. A toe-tapping Christmas tradition that began in 2020, Goodrem’s annual special is the perfect way to celebrate the season in style.

NEVER MIND THE BUZZCOCKS CHRISTMAS SBS, Monday, 8.30pm

CHATEAU DIY 9Life, Tuesday, 8.30pm

Whether your interests lie in gardening, cooking, sewing or even spelling, there’s almost certainly a themed Christmas special on the box to keep you entertained over the holidays. This one’s for the music lovers, with host Greg Davies (pictured) putting a timely twist on the cheeky quiz’s signature rock’n’roll trivia. Tom Jones’ merry misdemeanours, The Pogues singer Shane MacGowan’s festive faux pas and identifying music icons of yesteryear are all on the agenda for panellists Daisy May Cooper, Noel Fielding, Jamali Maddix, Chris Ramsey, Jordan North and Ella Henderson. Disco legends Boney M close out the festivities with a memorable rendition of a classic carol.

Narrated by the distinctively sophisticated tones of Adjoa Andoh, aka Bridgerton’s Lady Danbury, this festive edition of the Francophile restoration series is filled with merriment as its participants sprinkle a little seasonal magic on their efforts to bring abandoned chateaux back to life. In Cendras, Australian couple Janet and Philip (both pictured) take “decking the halls” literally, transforming their hallway with decorations before their family arrives. At Chateau de Dohem in Pas-de-Calais, Wendy and Marcus are preparing to host their first Christmasthemed murder mystery party, while in Alençon, Terry and Ashley accidentally “let it snow” indoors when they bring down one of their ceilings.

Friday, December 19 ABC TV (2)

SBS (3)

SEVEN (6, 7)

NINE (8, 9)

TEN (5, 10)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Portrait Artist Of The Year. (PG, R) 11.00 The Forsytes. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Royal Carols. (R) 2.05 Grand Designs Australia. (Final, PG, R) 3.00 QI. (PG, R) 3.30 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.55 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6am Morning Programs. 10.50 Who Do You Think You Are? (PGa, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Amazon: The Lost World. (PG, R) 2.55 Nick Knowles Into The Grand Canyon. (PGaw, R) 3.45 The Cook Up. (PG, R) 4.15 Westminster Abbey: Behind Closed Doors. (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.30 The Ashes: PreGame Show. 10.30 Cricket. The Ashes. Third Test. Australia v England. Day 3. Morning session. 12.30 The Ashes: The Lunch Break. 1.10 Cricket. The Ashes. Third Test. Australia v England. Day 3. Afternoon session. 3.10 The Ashes: Tea Break. 3.30 Cricket. The Ashes. Third Test. Australia v England. Day 3. Evening session.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra Summer. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: Unforgettable Christmas. (2023, G, R) Celeste Desjardins, Brett Donahue. 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.30 WIN News.

6am Morning Programs. 7.30 Farm To Fork. (R) 8.00 Bold. (PG, R) 8.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 9.00 Lingo. (R) 10.00 Ent. Tonight. (R) 10.30 Jamie’s Cook Ahead Christmas. (R) 11.30 My Market Kitchen. (R) 12.00 Farm To Fork. 12.30 Family Feud. (PG, R) 1.00 News. 2.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 2.30 Lingo. (R) 3.30 News. 4.00 Bondi Rescue. (PG, R) 4.30 Bold. (PG) 5.00 News.

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) Presented by Tom Gleeson. 7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day. 7.30 A (Very) Musical Christmas. Music for the festive season. 9.00 The Yearly With Charlie Pickering. (PGa, R) Charlie Pickering is joined by celebrities to take a look back at the highs and lows of 2025. 10.20 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) Hosted by comedian Adam Hills. 10.50 Silent Witness. (Mal, R) Nikki and Jack investigate a murder. 12.35 Rage Best New Music Videos Of 2025. (MA15+adhlnsv) 5.00 Rage. (PG)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Indiana Jones: In Pursuit Of An Icon. 8.30 Starring Dick Van Dyke. Celebrates the life and career of Dick Van Dyke. 10.30 SBS World News Late. 11.00 Sisi. (Mav, R) 11.55 Culprits. (Malv, R) 2.05 Soldiers. (Malsv, R) 3.50 Growing A Greener World. (R) 4.20 Rediscover Victoria. (R) 4.45 Destination Flavour Down Under Bitesize. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour: Singapore Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Victorian State Schools Spectacular. (PG) Featuring dance and musical performances. 10.00 NSW Schools Spectacular. (PG) Featuring dance and musical performances. 12.30 Harry’s Practice. (R) Information about pet care. 1.00 Miniseries: Any Human Heart. (Malns) Logan moves to New York after two deaths. 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) Hosted by Simon Reeve. 5.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.

6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Space Invaders. (PGa) Experts help people declutter their lives. 8.40 MOVIE: Elf. (2003, G, R) A man raised as an elf at Santa’s North Pole home embarks on a journey to find his biological father. Will Ferrell, James Caan. 10.40 MOVIE: Four Holidays. (2008, Mls, R) Reese Witherspoon. 12.20 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.10 Hello SA. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Postcards Summer. (PG, R)

6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 7.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 7.30 MOVIE: Jack Reacher: Never Go Back. (2016, Mlv, R) Jack Reacher helps an army officer. Tom Cruise, Cobie Smulders. 9.55 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 10.20 10 News+. (R) Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 11.20 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) Hosted by Stephen Colbert. 12.30 Home Shopping. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. 11.10 Mister Maker Around The World. 11.30 Wiggle. 1.10pm Octonauts. 2.45 The Makery. 3.00 Play School. 3.40 Fizzy And Suds. 4.10 Andy’s Safari Adventures. 4.25 Mojo Swoptops. 5.30 Peter Rabbit. 6.05 PJ Masks. 6.25 Paddington. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 8.00 Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? 8.25 My Adventures With Superman. (Premiere) 8.45 Robot Wars: Battle Of The Stars. 9.45 Merlin. 10.30 Late Programs.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Morning Programs. 7.55 France 24 Feature. 8.10 NHK Newsline. 8.40 CBC The National. 9.30 BBC News At Six. 10.00 Mastermind Aust. Noon DW The Day. 12.30 Dark Side Of Comedy. 1.20 WWE Legends. 2.55 Bamay. 3.25 Fashionista. 3.40 WorldWatch. 5.40 If You Are The One. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 The Count Of Monte Cristo. (Final) 9.35 Secrets Of The Female Orgasm. 10.30 Homeland. 12.40am Letterkenny. 1.40 The Bloody Decade. 2.35 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.

7TWO (62, 72) 6am Morning Programs. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 Australia’s Deadliest. 2.30 Weekender. 3.00 The Great Australian Doorstep. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Better Homes. 5.00 Escape To The Country. 6.00 Bargain Hunt. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens Summer. 8.30 Escape To The Country. 11.30 Wildlife ER. 12.30am Escape To The Country. 1.30 The Great Australian Doorstep. 2.00 Harry’s Practice. 2.30 Medical Emergency. 3.00 Better Homes. 5.30 Late Programs.

9GEM (81, 92) 6am Morning Programs. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. Noon Shakespeare And Hathaway. 1.00 MOVIE: Summer Holiday. (1963) 3.20 Antiques Roadshow. 3.50 MOVIE: A Shoe Addict’s Christmas. (2019) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 Antiques Downunder. 8.30 MOVIE: A View To A Kill. (1985, M) 11.10 The Equalizer. 12.10am Shakespeare And Hathaway. 1.10 Creflo. 1.40 MOVIE: Summer Holiday. (1963) 4.00 Gideon’s Way. 5.00 Yorkshire Auction House.

10 COMEDY (52, 11) 6am Morning Programs. 8.30 Ent. Tonight. 9.00 My Market Kitchen. 9.30 Bold. 10.00 Family Feud. 10.30 Ridiculousness. 11.00 The Neighborhood. Noon Taskmaster Australia. 1.00 Ridiculousness. 2.00 Stephen Colbert. 3.00 Becker. 3.30 Frasier. 4.00 Farm To Fork. 4.30 Frasier. 5.00 Becker. 5.30 Frasier. 6.30 Friends. 7.30 MOVIE: Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves. (2023, M) 10.10 Becker. 10.35 Frasier. 11.30 Ridiculousness. 1am Shopping. 2.30 Bold. 3.30 Stephen Colbert. 4.30 Shopping. 5.30 Joseph Prince.

NITV (34) 6am Morning Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

7MATE (64, 73) 6am Morning

9GO! (82, 93) 6am Morning Programs.

Noon MOVIE: The Endangered Generation? (2022, PG) 1.35 Anthem Sessions. 2.00 On Country Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.30 Living Black. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Wildlife Rescue New Zealand. 7.30 MOVIE: Crackers. (1998, M) 9.20 MOVIE: This Christmas. (2007, PG) 11.20 Proud Histories: Past, Present & Future. Midnight Soh Presents: Generations And Dynasties. 1.30 Struggling Songlines. 2.00 Garma Bunngul 2023. 3.00 Late Programs.

6am The Three Musketeers. (1973, PGsv) 7.40 The Movie Show. 8.50 A Room With A View. (1985, PGnv) 11.00 The Nugget. (2002, Ml) 12.50pm Up In The Air. (2009, Mlns) 2.55 The Movie Show. 3.30 The Bookshop. (2017, PGal) 5.35 Moonlighting. (1982, PG) 7.30 The Last Castle. (2001, Malsv, R) 9.55 Driving Miss Daisy. (1989, G, R) 11.45 Reservoir Dogs. (1992, MA15+alv) 1.35am An Unfinished Life. (2005, Mal) 3.35 Unruly. (2022, Masv, Danish, Swedish)

Programs. 7.30 Creek To Coast. 8.00 A Football Life. 9.00 America’s Game. 11.00 NFL Tailgate. Noon NFL. NFL. Week 16. 3.30 Billy The Exterminator. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Road Wars. 8.30 MOVIE: Monty Python’s The Meaning Of Life. (1983, M) 10.50 MOVIE: Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo. (2005, MA15+) 12.35am Storage Wars. 1.00 American Pickers. 2.00 Road Wars. 3.00 NFL. NFL. Week 15. Replay.

8.30 Nanny. 9.30 Addams Family. 10.00 Bewitched. 10.30 Jeannie. 11.00 The West Wing. 12.10pm Australian Ninja Warrior. 2.00 Golden Girls. 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 Jeannie. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 MOVIE: The Flash. (2023, M) 10.20 MOVIE: Snatchers. (2025, MA15+) Midnight Ghost Hunters. 12.55 The Vampire Diaries. 2.40 Pretty Little Liars. 4.30 Cry Babies Magic Tears. 4.50 Booba. 5.10 Teen Titans Go! 5.30 Pokémon: BW Rival Destinies.

10 DRAMA (53, 12) 6am Shopping. 8.00 Escape Fishing. 9.00 Living Room. 10.00 JAG. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.45 The Young And The Restless. 1.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia. 2.30 JAG. (PGlv, R) 4.30 All 4 Adventure. (PGl, R) 5.30 JAG. (PGv, R) 7.30 NCIS. (Mv, R) 10.20 The Hunt For The Family Court Killer. (Mav, R) 11.20 Blue Bloods. (Mav, R) 12.15am 48 Hours. 2.15 Home Shopping.

CONSUMER ADVICE (P) Pre-school (C) Children (PG) Parental Guidance Recommended (M) Mature Audiences (MA15+) Mature Audiences Only (AV15+) Extreme Adult Violence (R) Repeat (a) Adult themes (d) Drug references (h) Horror (s) Sex references (l) Language (m) Medical procedures (n) Nudity (v) Violence.

VIC

Friday, 19 December, 2025 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 15

Saturday, December 20 ABC TV (2)

SBS (3)

SEVEN (6, 7)

NINE (8, 9)

TEN (5, 10)

6am Morning Programs. 12.00 News. 12.30 Return To Paradise. 1.25 Royal Carols: Together At Christmas. (R) 2.30 All Creatures Great And Small Christmas Special. (PG, R) 3.25 A (Very) Musical Christmas. (PG, R) 5.00 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 5.30 Muster Dogs: Where Are They Now. (R) 5.55 Hard Quiz Battle Of The Networks. (PG, R)

6am Morning Programs. 9.05 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (PGaw, R) 9.15 Matched. (PG, R) 10.10 Inside The Steam Train Museum. (R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 When The World Watched. 3.25 Ethnic Business Awards. (R) 5.30 Bettany Hughes: History Of Mother Earth.

6am Morning Programs. 12.30 The Ashes: The Lunch Break. 1.10 Cricket. The Ashes. Third Test. Australia v England. Day 4. Afternoon session. 3.10 The Ashes: Tea Break. 3.30 Cricket. The Ashes. Third Test. Australia v England. Day 4. Evening session.

6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Today Extra Summer. (PG) 12.00 Surfing Aust. (PGl) 12.30 Find My Beach House Australia. (R) 1.00 Drive Safer. 1.30 My Way. (R) 2.00 Ready Vet Go: The Vet Paramedics. (PGm, R) 2.30 MOVIE: Christmas In Scotland. (2023, G) 4.30 Garden Gurus. 5.00 News. 5.30 Find My Country House Aust. (R)

6am Morning Programs. 10.30 GCBC. (R) 11.00 Airport 24/7. (PGa, R) 12.00 Everyday Gourmet. (R) 12.30 Farm To Fork. (R) 1.00 Silvia’s Italian Masterclass. (R) 1.30 The Yes Experiment. (PG) 2.00 4x4 Adventures. 3.00 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia. (PGl, R) 4.00 All 4 Adventure. 5.00 News.

6.30 When The War Is Over: Changi. (PGa, R) Rachel Griffiths visits the Burma-Thailand Railway. 7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day. 7.30 Return To Paradise. (Final, PGdv) Glenn and Daisy’s wedding is interrupted when an uninvited guest collapses. 8.30 Vera. (Ma, R) DCI Vera Stanhope is on track to uncover an intriguing yet puzzling case when the body of a sickly young girl is discovered at the side of an isolated railway crossing. 10.00 The Forsytes. (Final, PG, R) Jolyon decides his future. 10.55 Bergerac. (Final, Mlv, R) Bergerac must save his daughter. 11.45 Rage Best Of The Guests 2025. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.55 Rage. (PGadhlnsv)

6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Building The Vatican. (PGa, R) Explores The Vatican. 8.30 A Warwick Castle Christmas: Christmas At The Castle. Follows the team at Warwick Castle as they prepare for their busiest time of the year. 9.30 Harrods: The Rise And Fall Of A British Institution. (Ma, R) Charts the story of a national icon’s incredible rise and tragic fall from grace. 10.25 MOVIE: Robin’s Wish. (2020, Ma, R) Susan Schneider Williams. 11.45 Homicide: Life On The Street. (Mav, R) 3.10 Growing A Greener World. (R) 4.10 Rediscover Victoria. (PG, R) 4.40 Bamay. (R) 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Animals Aboard With Dr Harry. (PG) The team hits the road to save man’s best friend. A teary farewell is made to a special needs pup. 8.00 Carols In The Domain. (PG) Coverage of Carols In The Domain from Sydney. Featuring The Wiggles, Marcia Hines, Hugh Sheridan, Erin Holland, Budjerah, Kym Johnson Herjavec, James Johnston and Marshall Hamburger. 10.30 NSW Schools Spectacular. (PG, R) Featuring dance and musical performances. 1.00 Miniseries: Any Human Heart. (Malns) Logan is forced to leave America. 2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 It’s Academic. (R) 5.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

6.00 9News Saturday. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 MOVIE: Nugget Is Dead: A Christmas Story. (2024, Mln) A woman returns to her hometown for Christmas. Vic Zerbst, Jenna Owen. 9.30 MOVIE: Bad Moms 2. (2017, MA15+als, R) Three unappreciated mothers rebel against the expectations of organising the “perfect” Christmas. Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell. 11.35 MOVIE: Christmess. (2023, Madl, R) Darren Gilshenan. 1.30 Surfing Australia TV. (PGl, R) 2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PG) 2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)

6.00 MOVIE: Dear Santa. (2024, PGalv) A devilish character posing as Santa wreaks havoc. Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key. 8.20 Love It Or List It Australia. (Return) Rachael and Ryan can’t agree over their Greenslopes Queenslander, so Neale tries to find a solution. 9.30 The Dog House. (PGa, R) The Griffiths family hopes Gigi the labrador cross will help dad Dave get into the festive spirit. 10.30 Jamie Oliver: Christmas. (R) Jamie Oliver hosts a Christmas party. 11.30 Jamie’s One-Pan Christmas. (R) Jamie Oliver shows how to make one-pot meals. 12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. 3.30pm Paddington. 4.00 Knee High Spies. 4.20 Millie Magnificent. 4.45 Gardening Australia Junior. 5.10 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.50 Andy And The Band. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.30 Merry Madagascar. 8.00 Kung Fu Panda Holiday. 8.25 Chopped Jnr. 9.10 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.50 Abbott Elementary. 10.10 Late Programs.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Morning

7TWO (62, 72) 6am Morning Programs. 11.30 Harry’s Practice. Noon Horse Racing. Royal Randwick Raceday and Pakenham Cup Day. 6.00 Dog Patrol. 6.30 Bondi Vet. 7.30 The Yorkshire Vet. 8.30 Escape To The Country. 11.30 Heathrow. 12.30am The Yorkshire Vet. 1.30 The Great Australian Doorstep. 2.00 Medical Emergency. 2.30 Late Programs.

9GEM (81, 92) 6am Morning Programs. 12.25pm MOVIE: The Sound Barrier. (1952, PG) 2.50 MOVIE: The Hallelujah Trail. (1965) 5.50 MOVIE: A Perfect Christmas. (2016, PG) 7.30 Death In Paradise. 8.30 MOVIE: The Living Daylights. (1987, PG) 11.10 The Equalizer. 12.10am MOVIE: Blood From The Mummy’s Tomb. (1971, M) 2.10 Late Programs.

10 COMEDY (52, 11) 6am Bold. 8.30

Programs. Noon Tiny Beautiful Things. 12.35 Bamay. 1.00 Curse Of Oak Island. 3.35 WorldWatch. 5.35 Mastermind Aust. 6.35 Inside Legoland: A World Of Wonder. 7.35 Impossible Engineering. 8.30 Icons Unearthed: Fast & Furious. (Premiere) 10.20 Snowpiercer. 12.10am Letterkenny. 1.50 The Bloody Decade. 2.45 Late Programs.

NITV (34) 6am Morning Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

7MATE (64, 73) 6am Morning

1.40pm Wildlife Rescue New Zealand. 2.30 MOVIE: Mama Africa. (2011, PG) 4.10 Precious Leader Woman. 5.00 Faboriginal. 6.00 The Barber. 6.40 The Other Side. 7.30 Alone Australia. 8.30 MOVIE: Seeds. (2024, MA15+) 10.00 Australian Music Vault: Kutcha Edwards. 11.20 Mary Two-Axe Earley: I Am Indian Again. Midnight Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 12.25pm Say It Loud. (2020, Mls, Italian) 2.10 A Room With A View. (1985, PGnv) 4.20 Driving Miss Daisy. (1989) 6.10 The Family Man. (2000, PGals) 8.30 The Royal Hotel. (2023, MA15+l) 10.10 Stars At Noon. (2022, MA15+ls) 12.40am Late Programs.

Programs. 2pm Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 3.00 Motor Racing. National Drag Racing C’ship. Top Fuel C’ship. 4.00 Desert Collectors. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00 Storage Wars. 7.30 MOVIE: 47 Ronin. (2013, M) 9.50 MOVIE: Dante’s Peak. (1997, PG) 12.10am Late Programs.

9GO! (82, 93) 6am Morning Programs. 1.40pm Soccer. English Premier League. Crystal Palace v Manchester City. Replay. 3.40 MOVIE: Radio Christmas. (2019, PG) 5.30 MOVIE: Santa Hunters. (2024, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. (2013, M) 10.25 The Winter King. 11.35 Top 20 Funniest. 12.35am Love After Lockup. 2.05 Late Programs.

10 DRAMA (53, 12) 6am Shopping. 9.00 I Fish. 9.30 On The Fly. 10.00 JAG. 3pm Camper Deals. 3.30 Tough Tested. 4.30 Soccer. A-League Men. Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC. 7.00 Football Tonight. 7.35 Soccer. A-League Men. Round 9. Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory. 10.00 NCIS. 12.50am NCIS: Hawai’i. 1.45 48 Hours. 3.45 Shopping.

The Neighborhood. 10.00 Ridiculousness. 11.00 Farm To Fork. 11.30 Deal Or No Deal. Noon Stephen Colbert. 2.00 Ridiculousness. 3.00 Frasier. 4.00 Friends. 6.30 The Big Bang Theory. 10.00 Frasier. 11.00 Ridiculousness. Midnight South Park. 1.00 Shopping. 1.30 South Park. 2.30 Shopping.

Local News 12466496-DL43-20

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Sunday, December 21 ABC TV (2)

SBS (3)

SEVEN (6, 7)

NINE (8, 9)

TEN (5, 10)

6am Morning Programs. 12.00 News. 12.30 A Dog’s World With Tony Armstrong. (Final, R) 1.25 Gardening Australia: Christmas Special. (R) 2.25 Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat: Christmas Special. (R) 3.25 Long Lost Family. (Final, PG, R) 4.15 Extraordinary Escapes: Christmas Special. (R) 5.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6am Morning Programs. 9.25 Matched. (PG, R) 10.15 Inside The Steam Train Museum. (PG, R) 12.00 APAC Weekly. 12.30 PBS Washington Week. 12.55 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Figure Skating. ISU Grand Prix 4. Highlights. 5.30 Hotel Chocolat At Christmas. (R)

6am Morning Programs. 12.30 The Ashes: The Lunch Break. 1.10 Cricket. The Ashes. Third Test. Australia v England. Day 5. Afternoon session. 3.10 The Ashes: Tea Break. 3.30 Cricket. The Ashes. Third Test. Australia v England. Day 5. Evening session.

6am Morning Programs. 10.30 GolfBarons. (PG, R) 11.00 Fishing Aust. 11.30 Explore TV. (R) 12.00 Find My Beach House Australia. (R) 12.30 MOVIE: The Most Colorful Time Of The Year. (2022, G) 2.10 MOVIE: Destination Christmas. (2022, PGa, R) 4.00 Great Getaways. (PG, R) 5.00 News. 5.30 Postcards Summer. (PG)

6am Morning Programs. 9.30 Key Ingredient. 10.00 Farm To Fork. (R) 10.30 The Dog Hospital With Graeme Hall. (PGm, R) 11.30 Pooches At Play. (R) 12.00 The Dog Academy. (PGa) 1.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 1.30 Lingo. (R) 2.30 Basketball. NBL. Round 13. Tasmania JackJumpers v Perth Wildcats. 4.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 5.00 News.

6.00 Grand Designs Australia. (Final, PG, R) 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 Spicks And Specks. (Final, PG) 8.00 Portrait Artist Of The Year. (Final) 8.50 Return To Paradise. (Final, PGdv, R) Glenn and Daisy’s wedding is interrupted. 9.50 When The War Is Over: Australian Wars. (Final, PGa, R) 10.20 War Stories. 10.30 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (Ml, R) 11.00 Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat: Christmas Special. (R) 12.00 Rage Vault Guest Programmer. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.10 Dream Gardens. (R) 3.40 The Art Of. (PG, R) 4.10 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.10 Annabel Crabb’s Civic Duty. (PG, R)

6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Cleopatra: Cracking The Enigma. (PG) Looks at the secrets of Cleopatra’s temple. 8.30 Ken Burns’ The American Revolution. (PG) The Revolution faces its toughest challenge yet as General Washington tries to defend New York City. 10.35 Mayhem: Secret Lives Of Georgian Kings. (Ma, R) 11.30 Australian Fashion Past, Present, Future. (PGln, R) 12.35 Empires Of New York. (MA15+ad, R) 3.05 Growing A Greener World. (R) 4.05 Rediscover Victoria. (PG, R) 4.30 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 APAC Weekly.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 8. Melbourne Renegades v Hobart Hurricanes. 10.30 Unfiltered: Cricket. (PG) Jackson Warne shares memories of his late father Shane. 11.00 7NEWS Spotlight. Bruce McAvaney meets Gout Gout. 12.00 MacGruber. (Premiere, MA15+lsv) MacGruber goes on one last mission. 1.15 Travel Oz. (R) Hosted by Greg Grainger. 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News Sunday. 7.00 Christmas With Delta. A Christmas concert with Delta Goodrem. 8.30 MOVIE: Vacation. (2015, MA15+ln, R) A man embarks on a cross-country trip to an amusement park with his family. Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Chris Hemsworth. 10.30 Red Eye. (Mav) 11.30 World’s Most Dangerous Prisoners: Pike. (MA15+av, R) 12.20 Wild Cards. (Mav, R) 1.10 Explore TV. (R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 The Garden Gurus. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6.00 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narelle seeks two dogs for her fresh start in the Blue Mountains and meets two bonded beagles. 7.00 Selling Houses Australia. (R) Separated parents, who decided to sell their house after their kids left, are struggling with it still on the market eight months later. 8.00 The Imposter. (Premiere, Mals) A beachfront hotel sparks family conflict when the matriarch won’t sell, despite her children’s wishes. 10.00 FBI. (Mv, R) The team discovers that the identities of multiple undercover agents have been compromised. 12.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. 3pm A Very Play School Christmas. 3.45 Thomas. 4.45 Gardening Australia Junior. 5.10 Piney: The Lonesome Pine. 5.35 Peter Rabbit. 6.10 PJ Masks. 6.30 Paddington. 6.50 Andy And The Band. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.30 MOVIE: Paddington. (2014) 9.00 A (Very) Musical Christmas. 10.30 Late Programs.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Morning Programs. Noon Dark Side Of The ‘90s. 1.50 WWE Rivals. 2.40 Jeopardy! 4.45 WorldWatch. 5.45 Icons Unearthed: The Lord Of The Rings. 6.40 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 Miracles. 9.50 Liaison. 10.50 Myths: The Greatest Mysteries Of Humanity. 12.50am Am I Being Unreasonable? 2.50 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.

7TWO (62, 72) 6am Morning

9GEM (81, 92) 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 My Favorite Martian. 10.30 Avengers. 11.40 MOVIE: Attack On The Iron Coast. (1968, PG) 1.35pm MOVIE: Sabata. (1969, PG) 3.45 MOVIE: The Train. (1964, PG) 6.30 M*A*S*H. 8.30 MOVIE: Licence To Kill. (1989, M) 11.15 Mrs Sidhu Investigates. 1.15am MOVIE: Sabata. (1969, PG) 3.25 MOVIE: Laxdale Hall. (1953) 5.00 Avengers.

10 COMEDY (52, 11) 6am Deal Or

Programs. 1pm Harry’s Practice. 1.30 Medical Emergency. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 Christmas With The Salvos. 3.00 Hornby: A Model Empire. 4.00 Escape To The Country. 7.00 Greatest Escapes To The Country. 7.45 Mrs Brown’s Boys. 8.30 Vera. 10.30 Murdoch Mysteries. 12.30am Harry’s Practice. 1.00 Late Programs.

NITV (34) 6am Morning Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

7MATE (64, 73) 6am Morning

9GO! (82, 93) 6am Morning Programs.

2.10pm Black And Dusty. 3.10 Ethnic Business Awards. 5.10 Australian Music Vault: Kutcha Edwards. 6.45 Wildlife Rescue New Zealand. 7.35 Aerial Australia. 8.30 Nat King Cole: Afraid Of The Dark. 10.10 MOVIE: Vacant Possession. (1994, M) 11.50 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 12.35pm The Bridges Of Madison County. (1995, Ml) 3.00 Moonlighting. (1982) 4.55 Miyazaki, Spirit Of Nature. (2024, PGav) 6.30 The Boy And The Heron. (2023) 8.50 Freud’s Last Session. (2023) 10.50 A Beautiful Mind. (2001, Ma) 1.10am The Boy And The Heron. (2023) 3.15 Late Programs.

Programs. 2pm Tackling Australia. 2.30 Merv Hughes Fishing. 3.00 Duck Dynasty. 4.00 Mt Hutt Rescue. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Border Security: Int. 6.30 Border Security: America’s Front Line. 7.00 Border Security. 8.30 MOVIE: 1917. (2019, MA15+) 10.45 MOVIE: 71. (2014, MA15+) 12.55am Late Programs.

12.30pm Basketball. WNBL. Southside Melbourne Flyers v Bendigo Spirit. 2.30 Soccer. English Premier League. Manchester United v Bournemouth. Replay. 4.30 Premier League Stories. 5.15 MOVIE: Scooby-Doo. (2002, PG) 7.00 MOVIE: The Polar Express. (2004) 9.00 MOVIE: The Dark Knight Rises. (2012, M) 12.15am Late Programs.

10 DRAMA (53, 12) 6am Shopping. 8.00 Reel Action. 8.30 Pooches At Play. 9.30 Camper Deals. 10.00 4x4 Adventures. 11.00 JAG. 4pm IFISH. 4.30 Basketball. NBL. Sydney Kings v Cairns Taipans. 6.30 JAG. (PGv, R) 7.30 NCIS. (Mv, R) 10.20 Blue Bloods. (Mv, R) 12.15am 48 Hours. 1.15 Home Shopping.

16 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 19 December, 2025

No Deal. 8.00 Frasier. 10.00 Ridiculousness. 11.00 Stephen Colbert. 2pm Ridiculousness. 3.00 Frasier. 4.00 Friends. 6.30 The Big Bang Theory. (PGs, R) 9.35 Frasier. (PGa, R) 10.30 Ridiculousness. (PGa, R) 11.30 South Park. 12.30am Home Shopping. 1.30 South Park. 2.30 Shopping.

Monday, December 22 ABC TV (2)

SBS (3)

SEVEN (6, 7)

NINE (8, 9)

TEN (5, 10)

6am Morning Programs. 9.30 Nigella’s Christmas Kitchen. (R) 10.00 Take 5. (Final, R) 10.30 Vera. (Ma, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Ningaloo Nyinggulu. (Final, R) 2.00 Death In Paradise. (Mv, R) 3.00 QI. (PG, R) 3.30 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.55 Grand Designs NZ. (R) 4.40 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6am Morning Programs. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News Weekend. 1.30 Al Jazeera News Hour. 2.00 Amazon: The Lost World. (PG, R) 2.55 Such Was Life. (R) 3.05 Going Places. (R) 3.35 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.45 The Cook Up. (R) 4.15 Westminster Abbey: Behind Closed Doors. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show Summer Series. (Return, PG) 12.00 MOVIE: Christmas In Pine Valley. (2022, PGa, R) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra Summer. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: Just Like A Christmas Movie. (2023, PGa) 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG, R)

6am Morning Programs. 8.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 9.00 Lingo. (R) 10.00 Ent. Tonight. (R) 10.30 Jamie’s OnePan Christmas. (R) 11.30 My Market Kitchen. (R) 12.00 Farm To Fork. 12.30 Family Feud. (PG, R) 1.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 1.30 MOVIE: The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. (2004, G, R) 3.30 Lingo. (R) 4.30 Bold. (PG) 5.00 News.

6.30 Hard Quiz Kids. (PG) 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 I Was Actually There: Boxing Day Tsunami. (Ma, R) Firsthand accounts of the Boxing Day Tsunami. 8.00 MOVIE: Songs Inside. (2024, Ml) Incarcerated women enter a songwriting program. Nancy Bates. 9.30 MOVIE: Girls Can’t Surf. (2020, M, R) A group of surfers challenge professionals. Layne Beachley, Pam Burridge. 11.15 Creative Types With Virginia Trioli: Tony Albert. (MA15+, R) 11.45 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) 12.35 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 1.20 Rage. (MA15+dhlnsv) 3.30 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.35 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.35 Nigella Bites. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Secrets Of The Tasmanian Tiger. (PG, R) A look at the Tasmanian tiger. 8.30 Never Mind The Buzzcocks Christmas. Greg Davies is joined by celebrity guests Chris Ramsey, Jordan North, Ella Henderson and Jamali Maddix. 9.25 Jimmy Carr’s I Literally Just Told You. (M) Jimmy Carr hosts a comedic game show where paying attention pays off. 10.20 The 2010s: Peak TV. (MA15+av, R) 11.50 The Man Who Died. (Mav) 12.40 Culprits. (Malv, R) 2.45 Pagan Peak. (MA15+as, R) 4.30 Growing A Greener World. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 9. Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat. 10.30 Big Bash League PostMatch. Post-match coverage of the game between the Sydney Thunder and Brisbane Heat. 11.00 Chicago Fire. (Mav) Boden returns on Grissom’s orders to run a post-incident analysis after a house collapsed during a fire with a firefighter inside. 12.00 Girlfriends’ Guide To Divorce. (MA15+s) Jo’s ex-husband comes to Los Angeles. 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Travel Guides. (PGl, R) Ordinary Australians become travel critics. 9.00 MOVIE: Raiders Of The Lost Ark. (1981, Mv, R) An archaeologist and adventurer sets out on a quest to recover the fabled Ark of the Covenant. Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, John Rhys-Davies. 11.20 Sight Unseen. (Mv) A victim from a past case wakes from a coma. 12.10 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.05 Hello SA. (PG) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6.00 Bondi Rescue. (PG, R) Will races in to rescue a swimmer. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. A couple in Paddington have to decide whether to get finance for their dream home within their budget. 8.40 The Imposter. (Final, Madls) A beachfront hotel sparks family conflict when the matriarch won’t sell, despite her children’s wishes. However, the arrival of a woman claiming to be a long-lost daughter adds complexity. 10.40 NCIS. (Mv, R) A pilot’s body is found with unusual wounds. 12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. 1.10pm Octonauts. 2.45 The Makery. 3.00 Play School. 3.40 Fizzy And Suds. 4.10 Andy’s Safari Adventures. 4.25 Mojo Swoptops. 5.30 Peter Rabbit. 6.05 PJ Masks. 6.25 Paddington. 6.55 Tiddler. 7.35 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.00 Operation Ouch! 8.30 TKO: Total Knock Out. 9.15 The Crystal Maze. 10.00 Late Programs.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Morning

7TWO (62, 72) 6am Morning Programs. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Hornby: A Model Empire. 2.00 Weekender. 2.30 Hornby: A Model Empire. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Doc Martin. 8.30 Endeavour. 10.30 Air Crash Inv: Accident Files. 11.30 Late Programs.

9GEM (81, 92) 6am Morning Programs. Noon Shakespeare And Hathaway. 1.00 MOVIE: Shalako. (1968, PG) 3.20 Antiques Roadshow. 3.50 MOVIE: Double Holiday. (2019) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 Death In Paradise. 8.40 MOVIE: GoldenEye. (1995, PG) 11.20 Shakespeare And Hathaway. 12.20am Late Programs.

10 COMEDY (52, 11) 6am Morning

Programs. Noon France 24 English News. 12.30 Rex In Rome. 3.50 WorldWatch. 5.45 Travel Man: 96 Hours In Iceland. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 I Am Luke Perry. 10.05 The Billionaires Who Made Our World. 11.05 Question Team. 11.55 Django. 12.55am Love Around The World. 2.20 Late Programs.

NITV (34) 6am Morning Programs. 2pm

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

7MATE (64, 73) 6am Morning

Strait To The Plate. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.30 The 77 Percent. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Wildlife Rescue New Zealand. 7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? 8.30 Karla Grant Presents. 9.05 Diana Ross: Supreme Sensation. 9.55 MOVIE: Saturday Night Fever. (1977, MA15+) Midnight Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 12.25pm The Hummingbird. (2022, Mal, French, Italian) 2.45 The Boy And The Heron. (2023) 5.00 The Red Turtle. (2016, PGa, No dialogue) 6.30 Ponyo. (2008) 8.30 Hachi: A Dog’s Tale. (2009, PGa) 10.15 Year Of The Dog. (2007, Ma) Midnight Ponyo. (2008) 1.55 La La Land. (2016, Ml) 4.05 Late Programs.

Programs. 1.30pm Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 2.30 Motor Racing. National Drag Racing C’ship. Top Fuel C’ship. Replay. 3.30 Billy The Exterminator. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Outback Opal Hunters. 9.30 Aussie Salvage Squad. 10.30 The Mightiest. 11.30 Late Programs.

9GO! (82, 93) 6am Morning Programs. Noon Australian Ninja Warrior. 2.00 Golden Girls. 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 Jeannie. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past. (2009, M) 10.35 Seinfeld. 11.35 The 100. 12.35am The Vampire Diaries. 2.15 Pretty Little Liars. 4.00 Late Programs.

10 DRAMA (53, 12) 6am Shopping. 8.00 Reel Action. 8.30 Everyday Gourmet. 9.00 Living Room. 10.00 JAG. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.45 The Young And The Restless. 1.30 Dog House. 2.30 JAG. 4.30 Living Room. 5.30 JAG. 7.30 NCIS. 8.30 Blue Bloods. (Mv, R) 10.20 Fire Country. 12.15am 48 Hours. 1.15 Shopping.

Programs. 11.30 Deal Or No Deal. Noon Taskmaster Australia. 1.00 Ridiculousness. 2.00 Stephen Colbert. 3.00 Becker. 3.30 Frasier. 4.00 Farm To Fork. 4.30 Frasier. 5.00 Becker. 5.30 Frasier. 6.30 Friends. 8.00 Big Bang. 10.00 Becker. 10.30 Frasier. 11.30 Ridiculousness. 1am Shopping. 2.30 Bold. 3.30 Stephen Colbert. 4.30 Late Programs.

Tuesday, December 23 ABC TV (2)

SBS (3)

SEVEN (6, 7)

NINE (8, 9)

TEN (5, 10)

6am Morning Programs. 10.00 The Art Of... (PG, R) 10.30 Death In Paradise. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Killer Whale: Australia’s Megapod. (PG, R) 2.00 Death In Paradise. (Mv, R) 3.00 QI. (PG, R) 3.35 Nigella Bites. (R) 4.00 Grand Designs NZ. (PG, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PGa, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6am Morning Programs. 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Darcey Bussell’s Royal Road Trip. (R) 2.55 Such Was Life. (PG, R) 3.05 Going Places. (R) 3.35 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Westminster Abbey: Behind Closed Doors. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show Summer Series. (PG) 12.00 MOVIE: Candy Cane Candidate. (2021, PGa, R) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra Summer. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: 12 Dares Of Christmas. (2023, G) 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG, R)

6am Morning Programs. 9.00 Lingo. (R) 10.00 Ent. Tonight. 10.30 Jamie’s Christmas Shortcuts. (R) 11.30 My Market Kitchen. (R) 12.00 Farm To Fork. 12.30 Family Feud. (PG, R) 1.00 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia. (PGas, R) 2.00 Taskmaster Australia. (PGl, R) 3.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 3.30 Lingo. (R) 4.30 Bold. (PG) 5.00 News.

6.30 Hard Quiz Kids. (R) 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 The Piano UK. (PG, R) Hosted by Claudia Winkleman. 8.25 The Piano UK: The Incredibly Talented Lucy. (PG, R) The extraordinary story of blind pianist Lucy. 9.25 The Assembly: Ray Martin. (PG, R) The students interview Ray Martin. 10.55 Escaping Utopia. (Ma, R) 11.55 A Country Road: The Nationals. (Final, R) 12.55 Grand Designs New Zealand. (PG, R) 1.40 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 2.30 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.30 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.35 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.35 Nigella Bites. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Great British Railway Journeys: Edinburgh To Queensferry. (R) Presented by Michael Portillo. 8.30 Who Do You Think You Are? Olly Murs. (PG) Olly Murs, while exploring his grandfather’s Latvian roots, discovers his great-grandparents were circus performers. 9.40 Australia In Colour: Crime And Punishment. (Md, R) A collection of colourised archival footage. 10.40 The 2010s. (Malv, R) 11.30 Families Like Ours. (MA15+v) 12.30 De Gaulle. (Ma, R) 2.30 Nordland 99. (Mal, R) 4.30 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 10. Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Stars. 10.30 Seven’s Cricket: The Spin. An expert panel examines all the big news and issues with a deep dive into the world of cricket. 11.15 Lopez Vs. Lopez. (PGal) Mayan makes a shocking discovery. 12.15 Miniseries: London Spy. (MA15+ds) The police accuse Danny of murder. 1.30 Travel Oz. (R) Presented by Greg Grainger. 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo: Emu Rescue. (PG) Taronga vets lead a koala rescue mission. 8.30 Jamie Durie’s Future House. Jamie Durie races to complete his late 3D-printed home as walls rise. 9.35 Beyond The Build. Jimmy and Tam settle into life on the Sunshine Coast. 10.35 Wild Cards. (Mv) 11.30 La Brea. (Mav, R) 12.15 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.05 Cross Court. (R) 1.30 Home Shopping. 2.30 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 3.00 Home Shopping. 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6.00 Bondi Rescue. (PG, R) Chappo goes to rescue a father and daughter. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 7.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 8.30 MOVIE: The First Wives Club. (1996, PGal, R) Three women, dumped by their husbands for younger women, decide to get revenge. Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, Diane Keaton. 10.35 Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas To All. (R) 12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. 3.40pm Fizzy And Suds. 4.10 Andy’s Safari Adventures. 4.25 Mojo Swoptops. 4.50 Bluey. 5.30 Peter Rabbit. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.30 Ben And Holly. 6.50 Stick Man. 7.35 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.00 Operation Ouch! 8.30 Animals Up Close With Bertie Gregory. 9.10 Super Shark Highway. 10.00 Late Programs.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Morning Programs. Noon DW The Day. 12.30 Homicide. 2.15 Heroines. 3.45 WorldWatch. 5.45 Travel Man: 96 Hours In Jordan. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Our Guy In Vietnam. 10.20 Hoarders. 11.15 Dark Side Of The Ring. 12.10am Bad Education. 1.20 Count Abdulla. 2.10 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.

7TWO (62, 72) 6am Morning

9GEM (81, 92) 6am Morning Programs. Noon Shakespeare And Hathaway. 1.00 MOVIE: My Brother Jonathan. (1948) 3.20 Antiques Roadshow. 3.50 MOVIE: Welcome To Christmas. (2018) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 New Tricks. 8.40 MOVIE: Tomorrow Never Dies. (1997, M) 11.05 Major Crimes. 12.05am Late Programs.

10 COMEDY (52, 11) 6am Morning

Programs. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 Creek To Coast. 2.30 Air Crash Inv: Accident Files. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Call The Midwife. 8.45 Judge John Deed. 10.45 Miniseries: Without Sin. 11.45 Late Programs.

NITV (34) 6am Morning Programs. 2pm

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

7MATE (64, 73) 6am Morning

9GO! (82, 93) 6am Morning Programs.

Strait To The Plate. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.30 Indian Country Today News. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Wildlife Rescue New Zealand. 7.30 Water Worlds. 8.30 Unleash The Beast. 9.30 Hunting Aotearoa. 10.30 MOVIE: Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale. (2010, M) Midnight Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 1pm Freud’s Last Session. (2023) 3.00 Ponyo. (2008) 5.00 The Snow Foxes. (2023, PGv) 6.30 Kiki’s Delivery Service. (1989) 8.30 Starring Dick Van Dyke. 10.25 Divorce American Style. (1967, Ma) 12.25am Kiki’s Delivery Service. (1989) 2.30 Year Of The Dog. (2007, Ma) 4.20 Under The Cover Of Cloud. (2018, PGals)

Programs. 11.30 American Pickers. 12.30pm Pawn Stars. 1.30 Outback Opal Hunters. 3.30 Billy The Exterminator. 4.00 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Outback Truckers. 9.30 Railroad Australia. 10.30 Ice Road Truckers. 12.30am Storage Wars. 1.00 American Pickers. 2.00 Late Programs.

12.10pm Australian Ninja Warrior. 2.00 Golden Girls. 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 Jeannie. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Elf. (2003) 10.30 Seinfeld. 11.30 The 100. 12.30am The Vampire Diaries. 2.10 Pretty Little Liars. 4.00 Late Programs.

10 DRAMA (53, 12) 6am Shopping. 8.00 Escape Fishing. 9.00 Living Room. 10.00 JAG. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.45 The Young And The Restless. 1.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia. 2.30 JAG. 4.30 Living Room. 5.30 JAG. 7.30 NCIS. 8.30 Law & Order: SVU. (Ma, R) 10.20 Fire Country. 12.15am 48 Hours. 1.15 Shopping.

Friday, 19 December, 2025 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 17

Wednesday, December 24 SBS (3)

SEVEN (6, 7)

NINE (8, 9)

TEN (5, 10)

6am Morning Programs. 11.30 Maggie Beer’s Christmas Feast. (R) 12.00 News. 1.00 The Piano UK. (PG, R) 1.55 Death In Paradise. (Mv, R) 2.55 Would I Lie To You? (PG, R) 3.30 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.55 Grand Designs NZ. (R) 4.40 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6am Morning Programs. 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Darcey Bussell’s Royal Road Trip. (R) 2.55 Such Was Life. (R) 3.05 Going Places. (R) 3.35 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 London Zoo At Christmas. (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show Summer Series. (PG) 12.00 MOVIE: Murder, She Baked: A Plum Pudding Mystery. (2015, PGav, R) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra Summer. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: Under The Christmas Sky. (2023, G) 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG, R)

6am Morning Programs. 9.00 Lingo. (R) 10.00 Ent. Tonight. 10.30 Jamie’s Cook Ahead Christmas. (R) 11.30 My Market Kitchen. (R) 12.00 Farm To Fork. 12.30 Family Feud. (PG, R) 1.00 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia. (PGas, R) 2.00 Taskmaster Australia. (PGal, R) 3.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 3.30 Lingo. (R) 4.30 Bold. (PG) 5.00 News.

6.30 Hard Quiz Kids. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 Shaun Micallef’s Eve Of Destruction. (PG) Hosted by Shaun Micallef. 8.10 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG) Presented by Guy Montgomery. 9.00 QI. (Mls) Hosted by Sandi Toksvig. 9.30 Would I Lie To You? (PG, R) Hosted by Rob Brydon. 10.00 Spicks And Specks. (Final, PG, R) 10.35 Utopia. (PG, R) 11.25 You Can’t Ask That. (Mals, R) 12.35 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) 1.20 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 2.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.30 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.35 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.35 Nigella Bites. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) Presented by Marc Fennell. 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Big Fat Quiz Of Everything. (Mls, R) Presented by Jimmy Carr. 9.05 Rock Legends: Elton John. (PGd, R) Documents the career of Elton John, from his days as a budding songwriter to his peak in the ’70s. 9.35 Crime. (MA15+) Lennox and the team must prevent another death when an attacker floods the internet with a manifesto. 10.30 The 2010s: Obama – Legacy On The Line. (Ma, R) 11.20 Mirusia: Live In Concert. 12.50 Daddy Issues. (Mls, R) 4.00 Growing A Greener World. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 The 1% Club UK. (PG, R) Hosted by Lee Mack. 8.00 MOVIE: The Holiday. (2006, Mls, R) Two women who live on opposite sides of the Atlantic impulsively switch homes for Christmas. Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law. 10.40 Chicago Fire. (Ma) Severide investigates a past house fire. 11.40 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) Officers stop two newlyweds at the border. 12.05 MOVIE: The Other Me. (2021, Mav, R) A woman searches for her missing daughter. Sheena Peña. 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Larry The Wonder Pup. (R) 5.30 NBC Today.

6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Christmas With Delta. (R) A Christmas concert with Delta Goodrem. 8.00 Carols By Candlelight. (PG) Coverage of the Vision Australia Carols by Candlelight from Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne. 11.00 MOVIE: Noel Next Door. (2022, PGa) A single mum gets into a war of words with a neighbour. Natalie Hall. 12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 Nine Perth Presents: Christmas In WA. (PG, R) 5.30 Thunderbirds. (R)

6.00 Bondi Rescue. (PG, R) 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 7.30 Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service. (PGal) Presented by Gordon Ramsay. 8.30 The Cheap Seats. (MA15+l, R) Presenters Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald take a look at the week that was. 9.30 MOVIE: Patriot Games. (1992, Mv, R) A former CIA agent becomes a target for assassination after shooting an IRA terrorist. Harrison Ford, Anne Archer. 11.50 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Hour Of Power Christmas Eve Special. 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. 4.10pm Andy’s Safari Adventures. 4.25 Mojo Swoptops. 5.30 Peter Rabbit. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.55 Tabby McTat. 7.35 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.00 Merry Madagascar. 8.25 MOVIE: The Night Before Christmas In Wonderland. (2024) 9.45 A (Very) Musical Christmas. 11.20 Late Programs.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Morning

7TWO (62, 72) 6am Morning Programs. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 The Zoo. 2.30 The Master. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Heartbeat. 8.45 Inspector George Gently. 10.45 Charles: The Monarch And The Man. 11.45 Late Programs.

9GEM (81, 92) 6am Morning Programs. 1pm MOVIE: Wonderful Life. (1964) 3.20 Antiques Roadshow. 3.50 MOVIE: It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas. (2019) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 Keeping Up Appearances. 8.40 MOVIE: The World Is Not Enough. (1999, M) 11.15 How We Celebrate. 12.15am Late Programs.

10 COMEDY (52, 11) 6am Morning

Programs. 12.45pm Stone Cold Takes On America. 1.35 If You Are The One. 3.45 WorldWatch. 5.45 Travel Man: Jon Hamm In Hong Kong. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Adam Hills: The Last Leg. 9.20 MOVIE: Gremlins. (1984, M) 11.20 Tis The Season: The Holidays On Screen. 12.55am Late Programs.

NITV (34) 6am Morning Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

7MATE (64, 73) 6am Morning

Noon Big Boss. 12.30 Unleash The Beast. 1.30 Off Country. 2.00 Strait To The Plate. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.30 News. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Arctic Secrets. 7.30 Ocean Warriors: Mission Ready. 8.30 MOVIE: Scrooged. (1988, M) 10.15 Uncharted With Alicia Keys. Midnight Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 12.55pm Starring Dick Van Dyke. 2.55 Kiki’s Delivery Service. (1989) 4.55 Mosley. (2019, PGav) 6.50 My Neighbour Totoro. (1988, PG) 8.30 Bye Bye Birdie. (1963, PGa) 10.35 The Comic. (1969, PGansv) 12.25am My Neighbour Totoro. (1988) 2.05 Divorce American Style. (1967, Ma) 4.05 Mosley. (2019, PGav)

Programs. 12.30pm Pawn Stars. 1.30 Outback Truckers. 3.30 Billy The Exterminator. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Highway Patrol. 8.30 The Force: BTL. 9.30 Caught On Dashcam Holiday Specials. 10.30 World’s Wildest Police Videos. 11.30 Late Programs.

9GO! (82, 93) 6am Morning Programs. Noon Innovation Nation. 12.15 Australian Ninja Warrior. 2.00 Golden Girls. 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 Jeannie. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Unseen Enemy. (2025, MA15+) 10.40 MOVIE: A Savage Christmas. (2023, M) 12.30am Late Programs.

10 DRAMA (53, 12) 6am Shopping. 8.00 Escape Fishing. 9.00 Living Room. 10.00 JAG. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.45 The Young And The Restless. 1.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia. 2.30 JAG. 4.30 Living Room. 5.30 JAG. 7.30 NCIS. 8.30 Law & Order: SVU. (Mav, R) 10.20 Fire Country. 12.15am 48 Hours. 1.15 Shopping.

12831252-RV51-25

ABC TV (2)

Order now on aussietoysonline.com.au

Thursday, December 25 ABC TV (2)

SBS (3)

SEVEN (6, 7)

NINE (8, 9)

TEN (5, 10)

6am Morning Programs. 12.00 News. 12.30 Guy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG, R) 1.20 Shaun Micallef’s Eve Of Destruction. (PG, R) 1.55 Death In Paradise. (Final, Mv, R) 2.55 Would I Lie To You? (PG, R) 3.25 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.50 MOVIE: A Boy Called Christmas. (2021, PG, R) 5.30 Royal Carols: Together At Christmas.

6am Morning Programs. 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Darcey Bussell’s Royal Road Trip. (R) 2.55 Such Was Life. (R) 3.05 Going Places. (R) 3.35 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (PG, R) 4.10 Christmas Carols From London Coliseum. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Carols In The Domain. (PG, R) 9.30 Alinta Energy Christmas Pageant. (PG) 10.30 Mayor’s Christmas Carols. (PG) 11.30 St John Ambulance Carols By Candlelight. (PG, R) 2.00 Christmas With The Salvos. (PG, R) 2.30 MOVIE: Last Train To Christmas. (2021, PGaln, R) Michael Sheen. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Thunderbirds. (R) 6.30 National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant. 8.30 Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols. 10.30 WIN Symphony Orchestra Special. (R) [MELB] CMA Country Christmas. 11.30 Christmas With Delta. (R) 1.00 Carols By Candlelight. (PG, R) 4.00 MOVIE: Blizzard. (2003, G, R) Jennifer Pisana.

6.00 Jamie Oliver: Christmas. (R) 7.00 Jamie’s One-Pan Christmas. (R) 8.00 MTV Greatest Christmas Hits. 12.30 The Graham Norton Show. (PGls, R) 1.30 The Dog House. (PGa, R) 2.30 The Living Room. (PGa, R) 3.45 The King’s Christmas Message. 4.00 Bondi Rescue. (PGa, R) 4.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 5.00 10 News.

6.30 Hard Quiz Kids. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC National News. 7.30 HM The King’s Christmas Message. King Charles III’s Christmas message. 7.40 The Royal Variety Performance. (PG) From the Royal Albert Hall, London. 9.40 Portrait Artist Of The Year. (Final, R) Three artists compete in the final. 10.25 A (Very) Musical Christmas. (R) 11.55 The Art Of. (M, R) 12.30 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) 1.15 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 2.00 Rage Christmas Special. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.20 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.35 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.35 Nigella Bites. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration. (R) A performance by Andrea Bocelli. 9.20 Vigil. (MA15+v) Kirsten meets with Sutherland. 10.30 The 2010s: Trump – The Disruptor. (Ma, R) 11.20 Vienna Blood. (Mav) 12.15 Outlander. (Masv, R) 1.35 House Of Promises. (Mlnsv, R) 3.20 Growing A Greener World. (R) 4.20 Rediscover Victoria. (PG, R) 4.50 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) Biosecurity officers make an unusual discovery. 7.30 MOVIE: Love Actually. (2003, Mlns, R) Explores a series of interlocking vignettes. Hugh Grant, Colin Firth. 10.15 MOVIE: Last Christmas. (2019, PGals, R) An aspiring singer gains a new perspective. Emilia Clarke. 12.25 Life. (Malsv, R) 1.25 Travel Oz. (R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 MOVIE: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. (1989, Ml, R) A man tries to create a fun-filled Christmas. Chevy Chase. 9.30 MOVIE: National Lampoon’s Vacation. (1983, Mdl, R) A family goes on a road-trip holiday. Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo. 11.30 The King’s Christmas Message. 11.40 MOVIE: The Jazz Singer. (1980, G, R) 1.40 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 GolfBarons. (PG, R) 5.00 A Current Affair. (R) 5.30 Today.

6.00 The King’s Christmas Message. (R) King Charles III’s annual Christmas message. 6.15 The Dog House. (PGa, R) The Griffiths family gets a dog. 7.15 The Graham Norton Show. Graham Norton is joined by Jack Black. 8.30 Basketball. NBL. Round 14. Sydney Kings v Illawarra Hawks. From Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney. 10.30 MOVIE: The Lost City. (2022, Masv, R) A romance novelist gets kidnapped. Sandra Bullock. 12.45 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. 6.50pm The Gruffalo’s Child. 7.35 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.00 Wallace And Gromit: A Grand Day Out. 8.20 Wallace And Gromit: The Wrong Trousers. 8.50 Wallace And Gromit: A Close Shave. 9.20 Wallace And Gromit: A Matter Of Loaf And Death. 9.50 The Wonderful World Of Puppies. 10.35 Late Programs.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Morning Programs. 12.20pm DW The Day. 12.50 Australia’s Sleep Revolution. 1.55 Devoured. 2.45 Insight. 3.45 WorldWatch. 5.45 Travel Man: Rebel Wilson In Florence. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 History’s Greatest Mysteries. 10.10 The UnXplained. 11.00 Homicide. 12.45am Normal People. 2.25 Late Programs.

7TWO (62, 72) 6am Morning

9GEM (81, 92) 6am Morning Programs. Noon How We Celebrate. 1.00 MOVIE: Christmas Reservations. (2019, PG) 2.45 MOVIE: A Christmas In Tennessee. (2018, PG) 4.30 Poirot. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 Clarkson’s Farm. 8.30 MOVIE: Die Another Day. (2002, M) 11.10 Major Crimes. 12.10am Australia’s Top Ten Of Everything. 1.10 Late Programs.

10 COMEDY (52, 11) 6am Morning

Programs. 2pm South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 Charles: The Monarch And The Man. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Christmas With The Salvos. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Father Brown. 8.30 The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. 10.30 Murdoch Mysteries. 11.30 Late Programs.

NITV (34) 6am Morning Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

7MATE (64, 73) 6am Morning

9GO! (82, 93) 6am Morning Programs.

Noon MOVIE: The Silver Brumby. (1993, PG) 2.00 Strait To The Plate. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.30 Going Places. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Arctic Secrets. 7.30 Going Places. 8.30 Reservation Dogs. 9.30 MOVIE: New Jack City. (1991, MA15+) 11.15 Warrior Spirit. 12.05am Garma Bunngul 2023. 1.00 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 12.25pm Sisi & I. (2023, Mad, German, English, French) 2.45 The Movie Show. 3.15 My Neighbour Totoro. (1988, PG) 4.55 Selkie. (2000, PG) 6.30 Spirited Away. (2001, PG) 8.55 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. (1968, PG) 11.30 Operation Mincemeat. (2021, Malsv) 1.50am Spirited Away. (2001) 4.10 Late Programs.

Programs. 11.30 American Pickers. 12.30pm Pawn Stars. 1.30 Highway Patrol. 2.30 The Force: BTL. 3.30 Billy The Exterminator. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 American Pickers. 8.30 MOVIE: Ghost Rider. (2007, M) 10.45 MOVIE: Anaconda. (1997, M) 12.40am Late Programs.

Noon Explore. 12.15 MOVIE: Christmas On Holly Lane. (2018, PG) 2.00 Golden Girls. 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 Jeannie. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: The Circle. (2017, M) 10.45 Seinfeld. 11.45 The 100. 12.45am The Vampire Diaries. 2.35 Late Programs.

10 DRAMA (53, 12) 6am Shopping. 8.00 Escape Fishing. 9.00 Living Room. 10.00 JAG. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.45 The Young And The Restless. 1.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia. 2.30 JAG. 4.30 Living Room. 5.30 JAG. 7.30 NCIS. 8.30 Law & Order: SVU. (Mas, R) 10.20 Fire Country. 12.15am 48 Hours. 1.15 Shopping.

18 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 19 December, 2025

Programs. 11.30 Deal Or No Deal. Noon Taskmaster Australia. 1.00 Ridiculousness. 2.00 Stephen Colbert. 3.00 Becker. 3.30 Frasier. 4.00 Farm To Fork. 4.30 Frasier. 5.00 Becker. 5.30 Frasier. 6.30 Friends. 8.00 Big Bang. 9.30 Becker. 10.00 Frasier. 11.00 Ridiculousness. Midnight Shopping. 2.30 Bold. 3.30 Late Programs.

GEELONGINDY.COM.AU

SECTION

Congratulations to our Class of 2025! A huge congratulations to our VCE students for their outstanding achievements in 2025. Well done to our Dux Matt Aidt who achieved a 99.8 ATAR. Geelong High School had multiple other Year 12's who achieved an ATAR over 90, we extend a congratulations to Jackson Filippi (95.35), Suhan Thakur (94.1), Tilly Thom (93.85), and Jackson Barker (93). Geelong High School also had 25 students who received a 40+ score in at least one subject, across 14 different subjects. Well done to all our students, it has been fantastic to hear this week about all the next steps you will be taking whether it be university pathways, further education and training, apprenticeships or the workplace. We wish you all the best.

385 Ryrie St, East GeelongVIC3219

Email: geelong.hs@education.vic.gov.au

12815442-FR50-25

www.geelonghigh.vic.edu.au Friday, 19 December, 2025 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 19

NEWS

GEELONGINDY.COM.AU

FROM THE ARCHIVES The Geelong Independent looks back through the pages of our archives

18 years ago

13 years ago

8 years ago

3 years ago

21 December, 2007

21 December, 2012

22 December, 2017

23 December, 2022

A funding shortfall of at least $25 million has cast doubt over a pre-election promise of a recycling plant to water gardens and sports grounds in the Geelong region. Labor committed $10 million to build the plant at Black Rock to supply class C water to Torquay and proposed residential developments around Armstrong Creek, near Mount Duneed.

Geelong parents have been urged to protect young teens from pornography on Christmas cyber-gifts and social media over summer holidays. With research showing kids as young as 11 exposed to explicit online pornography and teens looking to the internet for sex education, Deakin expert Debbie Ollis said parents need to be extra-vigilant over the holidays.

Lorne’s Falls Festival should scrap a program paying voluntary workers with tickets amid concerns of exploitation, according to a local unions leader. “If workers are going to do the work, the employers have got to pay the rates,” said Geelong Trades Hall secretary Colin Vernon.

The Lara community has rallied to raise more than $22,000 to support the family of an 11-year-old boy killed in a house fire on Monday, in which a 74-year-old man also died. Peter Cochran, 74, and Elihjohn O’Donnell, 11, died in what police described as one of the most “intense” fires in the region in recent times. Emergency services were called to the Forrest Road North blaze about 4.50am on Monday.

Order now on www.aussietoysonline www.aussietoysonline.com.au 20 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 19 December, 2025

PUZZLES

easy

1 5 8 9 8 2 2 9 9 3 4 3 1 7 4 3 2 8 6 5 8 2

6 2

4 1

DECODER

5 2 7

17 1

2 2 7 3 4

3 6 4

7 6 9 5 6 4 8 6 2

8 18

17 15

10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

25 12

6 2 3 1 5 8 9 4 7 7 9 8 6 3 4 2 1 5 1 5 4 2 9 7 6 8 3 8 7 9 3 6 5 4 2 1 2 6 1 4 7 9 5 3 8 3 4 5 8 2 1 7 9 6 5 8 7 9 4 3 1 6 2 4 3 2 7 1 6 8 5 9 9 1 6 5 8 2 3 7 4

8 2 9 3 4 6 5 7 1 3 6 1 5 2 7 8 9 4 4 7 5 9 1 8 2 3 6 9 4 3 6 8 2 7 1 5 2 1 6 7 9 5 3 4 8 7 5 8 4 3 1 6 2 9 5 9 7 1 6 3 4 8 2 1 3 2 8 5 4 9 6 7 6 8 4 2 7 9 1 5 3

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

Today’s Aim: 15 words: Good 22 words: Very good

U D

12 13 14

16 17

21 22

23 25 26

WORDFIT 3 LETTERS AGE ASH AWE COL EEL EKE END EVE LIP MOO ONE OPT PAT PUP RUM TEE TNT TWO URN UTE WHO YOU

No. 268

L A G O O N

ENSUE ERRED GAMER GATED GENRE GLIDE HARPS ICIER INANE KNOWN LASER LEAPS LOSES MEWED NOBLE OKAYS OLIVE OMEGA OUTER PIPES PRANK REELS

4 LETTERS DRIP GAIT HOWL LAID MOST PEEL REDO REST SLAT TAPS 5 LETTERS AGENT ALIBI ALIKE ATONE AWARE CLEAN DARED DOPES

RIPEN SANER SENSE SPREE STEER STEPS STRAP STRIP TALES TEASE TEEMS THUDS TIMED TOADS TUTOR WASPS WORLD YIELD

LAGOON SHREWS SPAWNS TATTOO 7 LETTERS MOURNER PHYSICS SCEPTRE SEASONS TAWNIER WALKERS

8 LETTERS ATHEISTS UNEARTHS UNTANGLE UPSTREAM 10 LETTERS DESCENDING DETHRONING

6 LETTERS HOARDS HORSES

19-12-25

No. 375 Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down. NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

B L A S T L O W E R U S A G E R E R U N B R E E D

doer, dome, doom, door, dote, GODMOTHER, good, gored, groomed, herd, hoed, homed, hood, hooted, horde, method, mode, mood, mooed, moored, mooted, motored, redo, rode, rodeo, rood, roomed, rooted, toed, trod

2 8 1 6 3 4 7 9 5 7 6 4 5 9 8 2 1 3 3 9 5 7 2 1 4 6 8 4 7 2 8 5 9 1 3 6 6 5 9 3 1 7 8 2 4 8 1 3 2 4 6 9 5 7 9 3 7 1 8 5 6 4 2 1 2 6 4 7 3 5 8 9 5 4 8 9 6 2 3 7 1

A E

T E

C L Q S A H G V Y N M W K

A O

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

30 words: Excellent

hard

9-LETTER WORD

medium

easy

5x5

3 hard

6 9 5 7 2 8 6 3 8 1

1 6 3

1 6 8 4 7 8 5 4 6

No. 300

22 25

medium

19 20 21

23 24 26 27 28 29

3 4 5 6 7 8 13 16

U J D O X B P Z T R F

1 8

Marriage partner (6) Roman equivalent of the Greeks’ Poseidon (7) Crimson (7) Temporary release (4) Sympathy (10) Maybe (7) Plants absorb carbon – (7) Leeway (8) Pretty (10) Island group in the Indian Ocean (8) Drink made with wine, fruit and brandy (7) Bravery (7) Passage (7) Colourful arc (7) Redfaced (6) Cosy retreat (4)

1 2

Related to sound (5) Retreat, climb down (9) Of equal value (2,3) Closest to the centre (9) Workroom for an artist, photographer, etc. (6) Plant scientist (8) Inexorable (10) Termination (3) Stomach muscles (3) Exaggerated representation (10) Stigmatise (8) Beauty treatment (6) With many uses (9) Temperate (5) Assertion (9) Pulled (5)

12 14 15 17 19

DOWN

ACROSS 1 4 9 10 11

No. 268

QUICK QUIZ

To whom was King Henry VIII married the longest?

Would water freezing to form ice be considered a physical or a chemical change?

Who directed the films Lady Bird (2017), Little Women (2019) and Barbie (2023)?

Winona Laura Horowitz is better known by what name?

Vanderpump Rules was developed as a spin-off from which other US reality TV series?

Rachel McAdams (pictured), Lindsay Lohan and Amanda Seyfried star together in which 2004 teen comedy film?

‘Come over to the window, my little darling/I’d like to try to read your palm’ are the opening lines of which song?

Spaghetti alla puttanesca, a pasta dish typically made with tomatoes, olives, anchovies, chilli, garlic and capers, originated in which Italian city?

What is the capital city of Peru?

10 Monkey Grip, The Spare Room and The Children’s Bach are novels by which Australian writer? ANSWERS: 1. Catherine of Aragon 2. Physical change 3. Greta Gerwig 4. Winona Ryder 5. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills 6. Mean Girls 7. So Long, Marianne by Leonard Cohen 8. Naples 9. Lima 10. Helen Garner

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.

QUICK CROSSWORD

D A R E D T U T O R T A L E S I N A N E A G E N T O L I V E P I P E S M E W E D T E A S E E K E C L E A N O P T P U P D R I P H O R S E S S E N S E T N T T E E Y O U G A T E D S H R E W S M O S T A T H E I S T S L A I D U T E M O U R N E R S C E P T R E G A I T U P S T R E A M E N D R E S T S P AW N S H A R P S W H O P A T U R N L A G O O N S L A T O K A Y S A S H K N OW N L I P AW E S A N E R O M E G A I C I E R WO R L D N O B L E E R R E D L O S E S G L I D E R E E L S

No. 268

S O N I C B A C K P E D A L P E A A O E I A I N N E R M O S T O N P A R T M L D H X I U S T U D I O B O T A N I S T N N A L P D U E R E L E N T L E S S E N D M T N E C A R I C A T U R E A B S L A O A E R A F F A C I A L D E N O U N C E G R T N N N O I S O B E R V E R S A T I L E E I G V S I O I T O W E D S T A T E M E N T

SUDOKU

Friday, 19 December, 2025 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 21

COMMUNITY

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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 Geelong Independent Community Calendar, 1/47 Pakington Street, Geelong West, 3218, or email to editorial@geelongindependent.com.au. Deadline for copy and announcements is 5pm Tuesday.

Carols

Western Heights Uniting Tennis Club

Carol singing and guest artists, Aberdeen Street Baptist Church, 7 Aberdeen Street, Newtown, Sunday 21 December, 6pm.

Hot Shots for beginners, Creamery Road, Bell Post Hill, Monday afternoons September, 4.15pm or 4.45pm sessions.  Bruce, 0402 135 313

Ballroom dance

Belmont Seniors

Leopold Hall, 805-809 Bellarine Highway, Saturday 20 December, 7.30-10.30pm, $10 includes supper, music Ben. Wednesday 31 December, 7.30pm-12.30am, $10, bring a small plate, music Kevin.  0400 500 402

Players wanted to play 500 each Monday 12.30pm. Belmont Senior Centre, 52 Thomson Street, Belmont.  5241 1776

Geelong Vietnam Veterans Coffee and a chat at 31 Mt Pleasant Road, Belmont. Open Monday, Wednesday & Friday 10am-3pm. Fortnightly lunch at various locations. Meetings second Monday of each month.  Gary, 0400 862 727

Hamlyn Heights Combined Probus Meets second Thursday of the month, 10am, 200 McCurdy Road, Fyansford.  Noel, 0425 706 339

Esoteric coffee meetups For mature 18+ interested in the supernatural/occult paranormal experiences tarot cards, Anton La Vey, NDE, for fortnightly/coffee and chat catch-ups in northern Geelong/Geelong area. Bookings limited.  Text name, details 0400 542 522

Combined Probus Belmont Central The Combined Probus Club of Belmont Central meets at 10.30am on the second Wednesday of each month at Waurn Ponds Hotel. Visitors welcome.  Publicity officer, 0417 555 547

Geelong Central Probus Third Friday of the month, 9.45am, Geelong RSL.  geelcentprob@gmail.com

Newcomb Probus Third Wednesday of each month, 10am, East Geelong Uniting Church, corner Boundary and Ormond Roads.  Gary, 0407 320 735

Music for preschoolers Mainly Music is a music and movement program for babies to preschoolers at St Albans-St Andrews Uniting Church, 276 Wilsons Road, Whittington, Tuesdays 10am during school terms.  Rhonda, 0437 241 345

Welcome mat Highton Seniors Carpet bowls, bingo, cards, taichi, line dancing, mahjong. Community Centre, 84 Barrabool Road, Highton.  Elma, 0411 065 524

OMNI Scrabble club Christ Church hall, corner Moorabool & McKillop Streets, 1pm Saturdays. Beginners to experts welcome.  Pauline, 0429 829 773, or John, 0434 142 282

Australian Multicultural Support Services Social Support Groups for communities from different multicultural backgrounds for seniors over 65. Meals, activities and fun. White Eagle House, Breakwater. 10am-2.30pm Fridays.  9689 9170, amcservices.org.au,| or info@amcservices.org.au

Meets third Thursday of each month, South Barwon Football & Netball clubrooms, McDonald Reserve, Reynolds Road, Belmont, 10am.  Sandra, 0427 348 260

Bike riding

Book club

Zonta Club of Geelong

Lara Community Market

Leopold CAE book club meets second Tuesday of each month 6.30pm.  Shirley, 0488 055 969

Meets monthly for dinner first Wednesday of the month between February and December at 6.30pm for a 6.45pm start. RSVP essential.  zontageelong.org.au or zontaclubgeelong@yahoo.com.au

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

Sing Australia Geelong Choir Wednesdays 7.30-9.30pm at Senior Citizens Centre, 52 Thomson Street, Belmont. No auditions needed.  Mary, 0419 278 456

Mindfulness & meditation U3A 9.30am & 12.30pm Wednesdays, Cobbin Farm, Grove Road, Grovedale.  Jean, 5264 7484

Guest speaker first Wednesday of each month, 7.30pm, Virginia Todd Hall, 9 Clarence Street, Geelong West.  Harry, 0473 807 944, geelonghistoricalsociety.org.au

Morning club for those who want to help others, first Tuesday of each month at 8am, Eastern Hub (formerly Karingal) in East Geelong. Dinner somewhere in Geelong each month to suit members.  ajd53m@yahoo.com

Scribes Writers Group South Barwon Community Centre, Mondays 9.30am-noon. Welcoming new members who wish to refine their skills.  geelongscribeswriters@gmail.com, or 5243 8388

Ballroom dancing Belmont Park Pavilion, Thursdays 2-4pm.  Val, 5251 3529

Meets last Friday of the month (except December), 10am-noon, Belmont Park Pavilion, 162 Barrabool Road, Belmont.  Bill, 0414 524 155, or info@geelongpsg.net Saturdays 7.30-10.15pm, corner Bayview Parade and Carey Street, Hamlyn Heights. Entry: $10. BYO drinks and a plate.  5278 9740, or geelongballroomdc.com.au

Corio Bay Lions Club Meetings First and third Thursday of each month at 6.30pm.  geelongcoriobay.vic@lions.org.au

Alcoholics (and other addicts) For Christ 12 Steps Group Meets Thursdays 7.30pm at Belmont-Highton Baptist Church, 43 Mt Pleasant Road, Belmont.  0420 910 763

Group lessons for children aged three to six years; 7-10 years; and 10+ years at St Paul’s Anglican Church Hall, 171a Latrobe Terrace, Geelong, first Sunday of the month during school term, 10.30-11.30am.  Suzie, 0402 963 855, or Althea, 0403 005 449

Geelong Dragon Boat Club Paddle at Barwon River. Training Wednesdays 5pm, Saturdays 9am. Free one-month trial.  revolutionise.com.au/geelongdragons

Mainly Music for Preschoolers Sessions of music and movement for

22 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 19 December, 2025

Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from Belmont. Rides to suit all levels of fitness; e-bikes welcome.  Rob, 0412 308 166

Geelong Amateur Radio Club Storrer Street Clubhouse, Geelong, Wednesdays 1.30-4pm and Fridays 6.30pm.  Robert, 0438 409 979, or vk3atl.org

Choir St Paul’s Choir rehearses Wednesdays from 7.45-8.45pm and 9.30am Sunday for 10.30am service. Choral scholarships available. Occasional choir for those unable to make commitment to main choir.  Tom Healey, 0451 960 768, or healeytf@gmail.com

Bellydance classes Beginner level, new term commencing. New students welcome. Tuesdays 1.30pm, Life Activities Club, Belmont Park Pavillion, Belmont.  Glenys, 0400 214 897

Geelong’s Soroptimist International Service club for women and girls, every second Tuesday of the month from 6pm at Belmont RSL.  0455 835 691, or geelong@siswp.com

Geelong Anglers Club Adfas Geelong lectures

Stamps Geelong Philatelic Society Inc meets 7pm first Saturday of the month (excluding January) at Virginia Todd Community Hall, 9-15 Clarence Street, Geelong West, and 1pm third Monday of the month (excluding December) at Belmont Pavillion, 162 Barrabool Road, Belmont.  Julie, 0438 270 549

Geelong Prostate Support Group

Geelong ballroom dancing Geelong Breakfast Lions

Kids’ church Geelong Historical Society Inc.

Older Men New Ideas men’s friendly informal chat group, South Barwon Community Centre, 33 Mt Pleasant Road, Belmont, 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, 10.30am.  Allan, 0409 665 608

Scrabble, chess, board games or cards. Tuesdays 2-5pm, All Saints’ Parish Hall, Newtown. Afternoon tea provided.  Dinah, 0418 547 753

Cards Wanted: card sharp partners to play the game of Bolivia on Thursday evenings. For venue email Ingrid.  griddlepop@hotmail.com

preschoolers, St Barnabas and St Paul’s Church, 105 Wilsons Road, Newcomb. Every Thursday during term time 10-11.30am.  Wendy, 0461 582 618

Combined Probus Club of Highton Games

Rostrum meets Geelong Rostrum Public Speaking Club Inc meets each Monday.  Andrew, 0408 369 446, or Jan, 0407 296 958

Belmont Uniting Church every Friday from 10am-1pm. Games, lunch and friendship.  Fay, 0409 361 414

Art lectures each month, morning and evening, Newcomb Hall, Wilsons Road.  adfas.org.au, or geelong@adfas.org.au

Meets fourth Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm, 9 Yuille Street, Geelong West. Monthly fishing competitions.  Brian, 0417 190 092, or Ian, 0470 114 787

Children’s play group For babies, toddlers, and preschoolers with parent/carer. Free play, story time, and music. Wednesdays 10-11.30am in school term, St John’s Highton, 269 Roslyn Road, Highton. $20 registration per family.  office@stjohnshighton.org.au, or 0433 191 890

Geelong Sports & Game Fishing Meets first and third Monday of the month at Belmont Park Pavilion, 7.30pm.  John, 0409 234 307

Drysdale CWA Every second Tuesday at 1pm and crafts every fourth Tuesday at 11.30am of each month at Drysdale RSL Club.  Jenny, 0452 258 333

Scottish dancing GOG Scottish Country Dance classes 7.30pm Tuesdays at Leopold Hill Hall, $5. No partner needed.  Vicki, 0412 762 983, or Barbara, 0419 511 781

GEELONGINDY.COM.AU

COMMUNITY

Carols fill the park with joy Carols in the Park was back on Sunday 14 December and Ocean Grove Park was packed with Christmas cheer. Independent photographer Ivan Kemp captured some of the magic.

The Sweethearts band lit up the stage. 523483_01

Amber and Tim Teague with their children Harry, Poppy and Daisy. 523483_05

Kathy Ricca with her daughter Georgia and Ryder Spurr. 523483_04

Tom Barlow with daughter Meg. 523483_11

Kyla and Mimi Maddock. 523483_03

Surfside Primary School sang their hearts out. 523483_16

Laura and David Lee with their children Spencer and Katie. 523483_07

Ms Nicolaidis, Mihaela Raguz, Jasper Boyd, Chloe Boyd, Jacob Rowbottom, Ruth Boyd and Elle Boyd. 523483_14

Annie Cooper and Jacqueline McGlenchy. 523483_08

Nick Ellul, Ingrid Parnell and Erin Lockett. 523483_06

Left: Erin and Brett Daniher with their children Maggie and Florence. 523483_02 Centre: Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School. 523483_10 Right: Jono and Larissa Towers with son Otis. 523483_12

Friday, 19 December, 2025 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 23

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MOTOR

High quality, bargain price By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring Yet another new name for Australian buyers to grapple with, Jaecoo is one of three sub-brands from the Chinese Chery brand. Chery is the leading exporter of Chinese vehicles worldwide with Australian sales more than tripling over the past 12 months. Marketed as the group’s premium brand, Jaecoo was launched here in March 2025 with the J7, a mid-sized SUV powered by either petrol or plug-in hybrid powertrains. It was joined recently by our test vehicle, the J8 family-size SUV. Although they are built on different platforms, they do share many of the same design elements, most noticeable being what Chery describes as its Waterfall Grille with 20 vertical chrome and piano black bars and the Jaecoo name in the centre. The J8 differs also in that it only comes with a single power option, a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine although it seems likely that a PHEV will follow. Although J8 is significantly larger in all dimensions than the J7 both are five-seaters. It’s highly likely that a third row will be added later to allow it to compete against similarly-sized vehicles like the Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan X-Trail, Kia Sorento and Toyota Kluger. Jaecoo J8 comes with two variants, the Track 2WD priced at $49,990 and the AWD $54,990 Ridge. Both prices are driveaway.

The Jaecoo J8 is one of the best offerings yet from China, certainly the best SUV. (Pictures: Supplied)

RATINGS Looks: 9/10 Performance: 7.5/10

Styling Chery’s design team, headed by a former Mercedes-Benz stylist, have done an impressive job with its two Jaecoo vehicles. Both have an understated but stylish appearance, one that proved to be real head-turners wherever we drove, invariably followed by the need to explain that Jaecoo was the upmarket version of the Chinese carmaker Chery. The 320mm extra length of the J8 over the J7 is the most obvious difference between the two siblings with its stretched, slightly tapering roofline just crying out for that extra row of seats. There’s LED lighting all round, both external and internal, with a light bar connecting the tail lights.

Interior The quality and premier feel of the Jaecoo J8 extends into the cabin. The front seats are heated and ventilated with massage function and four-way lumbar support. The Ridge variant adds heating and ventilation to outer second row seats. The driver gets an eight-way powered seat with extended thigh support, four-way lumbar support and memory function. The front passenger has six-way power adjustment. The rear seats get their own air conditioning controls and a folding centre armrest. There’s even an in-built fragrance system in the Ridge that uses replaceable cartridges, located below the dashboard to release a choice of scents through the interior of the vehicle. One feature that we haven’t encountered are speakers built into the front seat headrests. We received a few phone calls during our test – backseat drivers indeed. Boot space is a huge 738 litres expandable to a van-like 2021 litres with the rear seatbacks folded. Note that these measurements are to the roof. Both variants come with a full-sized spare wheel.

Safety: 8/10 Thirst: 7/10 Practicality: 8/10 Comfort: 8.5/10 Tech: 8/10 Value: 8.5/10

1750rpm. It is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and comes in either front-wheel drive in the Ridge and all-wheel drive in the Track. The engine requires a minimum of 95 RON premium unleaded fuel.

Safety Jaecoo J8 was yet to be tested by ANCAP, however given that it shares all of its safety features with the J7 which was tested in May 2025 and received the maximum five-star rating, that would seem to be assured. Track has eight airbags including front centre and driver’s knee. Ridge adds side airbags for the outside rear seats. Both variants get Chery’s advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) package that includes forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, integrated cruise assist, blind spot detection, rear collision warning, rear cross traffic alert and braking, lane departure prevention with emergency lane keeping, driver monitoring system and tyre pressure monitoring. The Range variant adds extra drive modes, torque vectoring and continuous damping control. There are also four lane deviation and three driver inattention/speed limit monitoring systems. All can be turned off temporarily although, fortunately, they are nowhere near as intrusive as others we have come across One thing that impressed us, with both the Jaecoo models that we’ve tested, was that the vehicle will not move unless the driver’s seatbelt is fastened. Such an obvious safety but one that very few other manufacturers have adopted. We understand that ANCAP may add to its testing regime in future.

Engines/transmissions The Jaecoo J8 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 183kW of power and 385Nm of torque from

Infotainment In contrast to the portrait format of the Jaecoo J7’s infotainment screen the J8

reverts to the conventional landscape design. The touch screen is 12.3-inch and is butted up against a driver’s information cluster of the same size to display as a single, panoramic screen. Both screens are crisp, clear and easy to access. There’s inbuilt satellite navigation that can be displayed on both screens. There are USB-A ports at both front and rear with fast-charge USB-Cs in both locations. 12-volt power outlets are located in the front and in the boot and there is a 50W wireless charger in both variants. Audio is through an impressive 14-speaker Sony surround sound system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both wireless.

Driving There are retractable handles on all four doors that open automatically when the key fob comes in range. Unlike most other vehicles with such door handles that can be awkward to open those in the J7 open fully square for easy opening. Visibility isn’t great with about half of the narrow rear window blocked by the rear seat headrests. The A-pillar is wide and sharply angled which, together with the large side mirror, does restrict left-side vision for the driver. As is rapidly becoming the norm, almost all vehicle functions are accessed through the touchscreen rather than using physical controls. While these are among the many important safety features in the vehicle, and no doubt many drivers will appreciate them, they can be quite intrusive and frequently require the driver to look at the touchscreen instead of the road ahead. They can be turned off although with most vehicles they then default back on when the engine is stopped. Fortunately, with the Jaecoo that’s not the case and, apart from the driver distraction alert, they remain off until turned on again.

Another problem we found was the location of the gear selector on the right-hand steering wheel stalk. Typically, that is the location of the right turn indicator or windscreen wiper controls. On a number of occasions, we inadvertently moved the vehicle into neutral when we went to use either the indicator or wipers. The drive experience from the Jaecoo J8 is predictable enough for a large boxy and relatively heavy vehicle but that applies equally to most vehicles in the medium SUV field. It does what the typical family owner wants and does it well. It provides a smooth, quiet and comfortable ride both around town and on the motorway. Steering is light Note that, unusually for a relatively large vehicle, J8 does not have any towing rating. Both variants get an adjustable head-up display.

Summing up Although the Jaecoo brand doesn’t have the badge prestige of European vehicles of similar size the J8’s driveaway price starting from just under $50,000 it offers incredible value for money. The standard Jaecoo warranty covers eight years and unlimited kilometres. There’s also 12 months of complimentary roadside assistance, that can be with the opportunity of extending for the full warranty period provided that the vehicle is serviced throughout at authorised Jaecoo dealers. Another Jaecoo initiative is a ‘Future Price Promise’ that guarantees a minimum resale value subject to specific conditions being met including the aforementioned servicing criteria. The Jaecoo J8 certainly gets our nod as one of the best offerings yet from China, certainly the best SUV. The combination of its, excellent interior space and comfort, safety equipment and pricing make it well worth checking out.

Friday, 19 December, 2025 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 25

SPORT

Hawks clinch thrilling win By Justin Flynn Drysdale remained in touch with the BPCA top four with a thrilling two-wicket win against Anglesea. In a Saturday/Sunday fixture on December 13 and 14, Anglesea never really got going after being sent in. A 55-run stand between Sam Weight (41) and Ben Harcombe (38) had the Seas 2/68, but it was slow going. Blake Dobbin sent down 15 overs and took 3/13, including 10 maidens, and Hayden Eddy took 2/19 from 11 to have Anglesea all out for 129. After losing an early wicket, Jason Malcolm (21) and Ron Peillon (35) put on 51, but at 6/73, victory was still a long way off. Eddy made a valuable 35 and Drysdale was 7/117 when he departed. Soon after it was 8/124 when debutant Noah Innes was dismissed. Innes may have made a duck, but that doesn’t tell the story of the previous 23 deliveries he kept out to be there with Dobbin. With help from No 10 Josh Williams, who survived 13 deliveries, Dobbin was able to carry the Hawks to victory with an unbeaten 29. Harcombe had a stand-out game, taking 3/44 from 19 overs. BARWON Heads went to the break unbeaten with a 64-run win against Barrabool. Also a Saturday/Sunday fixture, the Seagulls made 228 batting first with Matthew Bode (67), Lewy Hyland (63) and Max Melzer (45) the architects. Luke Clift’s off-spinners yielded 5/72 from 23 overs to keep the total down from what it could have been. On day two, the Heads’ attack was at its miserly best. Sema Kamea grabbed the first three wickets in a fiery opening spell while Darcy Hewitt (1/35 from 21 overs) was a willing ally at the other end. Left-arm spinner Sam Schaller’s first 59 deliveries did not yield a single run and he would eventually take 3/24 from 18.4 overs while young leggie Angus Mackie snared 2/18 from 11. Archer Jaques (48) offered resistance in the middle order for the Bulls, but they never looked like hauling in the total, being all out for 164.

Sema Kamea did the early damage with the ball for Barwon Heads against Barrabool. (Justin Flynn) 519537_22

LOCHIE Philp made a stunning 160 for Queenscliff in a final total of 8/279 against Armstrong Creek. Philp’s 220-ball stay at the crease contained 21 boundaries and a six. Titans skipper Daniel Maclean sent down 32 overs and took 5/101 with day two to be played on Saturday 20 December. JORDY Graham did it again, bowling an even longer spell and taking one more wicket than last round’s 7/47 from 27.4 overs. The left-arm wicket machine took 8/80 from 37.5 overs against Inverleigh and played a key role in having the Kookaburras all out for 144. David Peel (48) top scored, but Graham’s superb line and length proved difficult to negotiate. The game resumes on Saturday 20 December. GEELONG City wrapped up Alexander Thomson’s innings early on day two of GCA Division 2. The Vikings resumed at 6/153, but James Leather stepped up with the last four wickets to give City a total of 169 to chase

for victory. Darcy Pearson anchored the Sharks’ innings with a superb 101 from 157 deliveries while Hamish McDine (35), Harry Lindsay (30), Angus Evans (29) and Byron Taylor (25 not out) made contributions to the final score of 5/260. TORQUAY won a thriller against Geelong West. Torquay resumed at 14 without loss in reply to the Rams’ 139 all out with Tristan Kassis making 35. But Sam Kelly (3/47), Rajasekhar Reddy Lankireddy (2/12), Charlie George-Eldridge (2/38) and Jake Allen (2/38) kept the pressure on. At 9/115, it looked like the Rams were home, but there was one major obstacle Tim Stephens. Stephens immediately went about winning the game and hit 20 from his final four deliveries to finish unbeaten on 64 to guide his side home.

HIGHTON knocked off Bell Post Hill and is just 0.05 points behind top side Bell Park. Young leggie Fionn Neeson took another wicket early on day two after Bell Post Hill resumed at 8/147. The Panthers were able to put together 178 all out with Neeson snaring 6/26. Lewis Campbell (78), Zac Wills (74) and Mekhi Farr (40) helped Highton end the day at 9/244 although star left-arm spinner Jason Grozdanovski was superb with 5/58 from 27 probing overs. LEOPOLD declared at 9/334 after resuming at 8/310 against Bell Park with Sam Mitchell taking his score from 40 to 57 not out. However, the game petered out to a tame draw with the Panthers 5/251 at the close of play. Skipper Jamie Spiller (73), Shane Lymer (67) and Nikhil Deep Pottabathini (42) got runs while Jake Le Maistre picked up 4/37 for Leopold.

Full wrap-up of results from around the cricket grounds Waurn Ponds Deakin 9/273 (J. Ellis 117, N. Phillips 50, E. Rogers 36, T. Laurie 3/35, S. Calder 3/48) def Corio 9/272

GEELONG CRICKET ASSOCIATION Division 1 Round 7, day 2, Saturday 13 December South Barwon 9/279 def Lara 206 (V. Malhotra 63, K. Marum 61, S. Ray 5/65) East Belmont 5/250 (L. Inglis 101no, D. Winsall 47no, H. McMahon 33, S. O’Neill 31) def North Geelong 150 Grovedale 259 def St Peters 58 (L. Ford 31no, S. Coutts 7/15, T. Smith 3/18) Newtown & Chilwell 7/226 (N. Keast 88, L. Sperling 66, A. Humphrey 4/88, O. King 3/57) def St Joseph’s 224 Division 2 Torquay 9/142 (T. Stephens 64no, T. Kassis 35, S. Kelly 3/47) def Geelong West 139 Geelong City 5/260 (D. Pearson 101, H. McDine 35, H. Lindsay 30) def Alexander Thomson 168 (J. Leather 5/33) Highton 9/244 (L. Campbell 78, Z. Wills 74, M. Farr 40, J. Grozdanovski 5/58) def Bell Post Hill 173 (F. Neeson 6/26, I. Bird 3/30) Leopold 9/334 (S. Mitchell 57no) drew with Bell Park 5/251 (J. Spiller 73, S. Lymer 67, N. Deep Pottabathini 42, S. Kelly 31no, J. Le Maistre 4/37)

Division 4 Little River 140 (J. Walker 48, L. Wright 34no, A. Singh 3/26) def Guild St Mary’s 65 (L. Wright 5/27, N. Fairchild 3/13) Meredith 2/135 (J. Eyers 58no, T. Ditloff 43no) def Newcomb & District 132 (A. Quarrell 42, C. Milne 3/22) St Albans/Breakwater 7/267 (D. Biemans 81, J. Warwick 57, B. Pederson 42no, M. Blain 35) def Teesdale 190 (S. Patten 36, J. Ryan 4/32, J. Warwick 3/36) Players search for the ball in the GCA 4th XI game between St Joseph\’s and Newtown & Chilwell. (Ivan Kemp) 519536_22

Division 3 Murgheboluc 4/282 (M. Grozdanovski 100no, O. Dunipace 63no, S. Abley 43) def Lethbridge 198 (S. Dillon 78no, L. Brown 6/57, D. Grozdanovski 3/53) Thomson 194 def Marshall 131 (J. Hilton 41, X. Dew 6/33, S. Bremmer 3/43) Modewarre 151 (B. Ross 92, J. Jervies 4/25, L. Vivian 3/46) def Bannockburn 114 & 3/39

26 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 19 December, 2025

BELLARINE PENINSULA CRICKET ASSOCIATION Round 8 A1 Grade Days 1 and 2, Saturday/Sunday 13 & 14 December Drysdale 8/131 (R. Peillon 35, H. Eddy 35, B. Harcombe 3/34) def Anglesea 129 (S. Weight 41, B. Harcombe 38, B. Dobbin 3/13) Barwon Heads 228 (M. Bode 67, L. Hyland 63, M. Melzer 45, L. Clift 5/72) def Barrabool 164 (A. Jaques 48, S. Kamea 3/21, S. Schaller 3/24)

Day 1, Saturday 13 December (day 2, Saturday 20 December) Queenscliff 8/279 (L. Philp 160, H. Illingworth 31, D. Maclean 5/101) vs Armstrong Creek Inverleigh 144 (D. Peel 48, D. Midolo 31, J. Graham 8/80) vs Jan Juc A2 Grade Days 1 and 2, Saturday/Sunday 13 & 14 December Collendina 5/150 (S. Grazotis 59no, C. Walter 55no, J. Burns 3/44) def St Leonards 147 (T. Griffin 40, P. Hassan 26, S. Grazotis 3/37) Winchelsea 5/202 (J. Groves 65, M. Simons 59, T. Bandara 36, T. Hapugodage 3/48) def Newcomb 129 (R. Sauni 4/37) Wallington 127 (H. McIntosh 33, R. Healy 3/6, B. Robinson 3/21) & 5/94 (R. Faust 63) def Surf Coast 95 (T. Spencer 7/19) Day 1, Saturday 13 December (day 2, Saturday 20 December) Ocean Grove 6/297 (S. Fankhauser 72, C. Snookes 69, F. Long 66, D. Roddis 48, N. Symes 3/57) vs Portarlington

SPORT

Buccaneers fall just short By Tara Murray Geelong Buccaneers finished runner-up in Gridiron Victoria’s Division 1 competition after going down to Western Crusaders in the Vic Bowl. After just one loss this season, their first in a number of years, the Crusaders were able to turn the tables on the only team to beat them on Saturday 13 December. After a delayed start, the Crusaders were able to come away with a 21-6 win and their eighth title in a row. Crusaders’ Tyson Garnham said it was special to win another one. “Eight in a row is amazing,” he said. “It was an interesting day to say the least with the game delayed by one and half hours. We kept everyone focused and were able to come through in the end.” With lightning in the Melton area, the action at Macpherson Reserve was halted across a number of matches. It meant the Division 1 game, which was meant to start at 3.30pm, started about 5pm. There had been some talk of the game being called off if the lightning didn’t disappear. Garnham said that under the rules they would have claimed the championship if the game was called off, but said it would have been a hollow victory. “We wanted to play,” he said. “We would have played them whenever. We would have played them today (Sunday) if we had to. The Buccaneers beat us last

Left: Buccaneers quarterback Joel Gray. 520090_38 Top centre: Daniel Barnett finds some space for the Buccaneers. 520090_33 Top right: The Buccaneers’ James Cleaver in the Vic Bowl game. 520090_31 Right: Geelong Buccaneers went down to Western Crusaders in the Vic Bowl. (Pictures: Ljubica Vrankovic) 520090_71

time and we weren’t at strength. “It would have been disappointing, it was good to get out there.” Once out there, the Crusaders were focused on the task at hand. Garnham said the defensive group had done a lot of work studying footage of the Buccaneers after the last match. “A lot of their looks and plays, we knew what they were going to do,” he said.

“We were able to lock down a lot of their key players they had last time.” With a healthy offence, the Crusaders were able to take advantage of holes in the defence and score. “We had a lot of penalties which made it difficult,” Garnham said. “When we got the third score, that sealed the game in my mind. They (the Buccaneers) still fought it out to the end, but we knew they had run

Rust-eze wins Monday Women’s Section 1 LOCAL TENNIS Donna Schoenmaekers It was grand-final week for Monday Women’s Section 1, which had been close at the top of the table all season. With a bye thrown in, positions changed throughout the season with Smash Hits claiming the minor premiership in the last round, and only by percentage, ahead of Rust-eze. The two teams had solid wins over the other during the season, so it was likely that selection of pairings and the matchups was going to play a part in the end result. The first doubles saw Smash Hits’ Sharon Miguel-Cranston and Katie Nalesnyik against Denise Airey and Evie Ryan from Rust-eze. Both pairs have played well together, but had not played each other during the season. Both teams started tentatively, but Smash Hits got an early break thanks to some good serving from Nalesnyik and solid volleying from Miguel-Cranston. Airey and Ryan stayed in it, rallying well and moving the ball around the court, but with a second break late in the set, Smash Hits proved too good, winning 8-4. Emily Sullivan and Clare Mullen for Smash Hits were pitted against Andrea Eccleston and Mel McClelland for Rust-eze in the second set, with both pairs long-standing partners who play well together. Eccleston, with her low slice, and McClelland, getting the better of some long forehand rallies, took the set 8-3 to give Rust-eze the edge by one game going into the final two sets. Miguel-Cranston and Sullivan took on McClelland and Airey in the first reverse doubles, which was again punctuated by Sullivan and McClelland trading forehands from the back of the court. The combination of Airey hitting deep from the Ad court into Sullivan’s backhand and Miguel-Cranston’s forehand for the McClelland backhand volley put-away, was the difference with Rust-eze getting up 8-2.

out of time. We had to do everything in our control to make sure we beat them.” Garnham was named the player of the match. He scored two touchdowns in the win. He said it was a nice honour to cap off the day. “I couldn’t have done it without the team and without our quarterback Astin Hewett who threw me a lot of the ball,” he said.

Meg Lappin set to head to Brisbane By Justin Flynn

Midweek Women’s Section 1 premiers Rust-eze: Narelle Thompson, Andrea Eccleston, Mel McClelland, Evie Ryan, Denise Airey.

Midweek Women’s Section 1 premiers Highton: Mary-Anne Castro, Jacinta Thomas, Sara Chol, Brea Hulands, Sarah Laird. (Pictures: Supplied)

Lengthy rallies were the feature on the second court with Nalesnyik and Mullen not willing to miss against Ryan and Narelle Thompson. The pairs were well matched with many games going to deuce, but Smash Hits were the eventual winners 8-5. The match ended tied on sets, but Rust-eze was ahead by four games, to claim their second premiership for the year. Section 2 featured minor premiers Highton playing newcomers Winchelsea and with two close wins, were favourites going into the match. The first sets were complete contrasts with Highton’s Sara Chol and Sarah Laird

getting the best start with an 8-0 win while Brea Hulands and Mary-Anne Castro battled a marathon with Winch’s Cinthya Sabillon and Lesley Matheson before eventually coming out ahead 8-6. Laird had a night to remember when she teamed with Castro for an 8-1 win in the reverse doubles, dropping just game for the night, to seal the win for Highton, but the result had no effect on play in the final set with Hulands and Sabillon again keeping it close with their partners Chol and Joanne Law, respectively, pushing to a tie-break. The Highton pair proved too steady at the end to give Highton the win with a clean sweep.

Newtown & Chilwell’s Meg Lappin became Brisbane’s first father-daughter selection in the AFLW draft on Monday night. The tall defender’s name was read out late in the draft at pick 59 and was only nominated by the Lions on Monday as a potential father-daughter pick. The 179cm Geelong Falcon’s father Nigel played 279 AFL games and played in three premierships at Brisbane. “It’s really exciting to welcome our first father-daughter to the club tonight,” Lions AFLW list manager Michael Swann said. “When Meg is around the ball, she displays great instincts for fighting through traffic and making good decisions, we think that she is going to develop really quickly as part of our system here at the Lions.“ Geelong selected 175cm defender Evie Cowcher at pick 11. The two-time Under 18 All Australian missed a lot of the 2025 season with back stress fracture, but the Western Australian is not afraid to leave her opponent and create damage with her long kicking. With their second pick, the Cats picked Tasmanian speedster Priya Bowering. Bowering averaged 20 disposals per game at Under 18 level this season and was chosen at pick 27. Geelong selected WA midfielder Renee Morgan with pick 43. Geelong Falcons duo Stella Huxtable and Georgia Tyrell went undrafted despite being invited to the draft combine and being among the top rated players in this year’s draft.

Friday, 19 December, 2025 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 27

SPORT

Grovers take all 18 points Independent photographer Ivan Kemp was at Ocean Grove on Saturday 13 December to see the home side take all 18 points on offer in the Division 2 clash against Geelong Cement.

Jacqueline McLaren consolidates this end to win by one shot. 519535_16

Shane Hafner plays the forehand. 519535_03

Dylan Ryan leads off for Ocean Grove. 519535_01

Andrew Downie draws the shot that wins the end. 519535_06

Julie Grech leads off. 519535_09 Tobias Bottrell watches his bowl closely. 519535_04

Toni Jones leads the way for Geelong Cement. 519535_02

28 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 19 December, 2025

Ross Lever leads his team to win this end by one shot. 519535_08

Noel Fry follows his bowl down the rink. 519535_11

Patria McGrath skippered her team to win 24 shots to 22. 519535_15

Ken Thomas skippered his team to a 21 to 14 shot win. 519535_07

Shane Thorley looks for position. 519535_05

Andrew Barton leads the way for Ocean Grove. 519535_10

SPORT

Flag favourites win again By Justin Flynn On face value, a 33-shot win is comfortable in any language, but Ocean Grove bowls star Brad Pavey said Saturday’s Premier Pennant victory against Lara wasn’t as easy as the 100 to 67 scoreline suggested. While Pavey’s rink had a 31 to 9 win, the other three rinks were close and the Grovers had to work hard to beat a team that had won just once this season. Pavey, who was recently elevated to the Emerging Jackaroos squad, said even his rink wasn’t in complete control until late. “I think we were 3-7 down after six ends and we were probably a little bit slow out of the blocks,” the 25-year-old Victorian state player said. “So we just had to really grind it out and sort of win ugly, I guess. The score probably didn’t really sum up the game that well. We probably won by more than what we should have. “We reset, we had a bit of a chat, just said we all knew that we weren’t really playing that well. We shortened it up a little bit and we were able to gain the momentum from there.” Tyson Cromie’s rink got over the line 17-15 against Don Grellet and Peter Loe’s finished 32-22 winners over Brendan Umbers. Matt Flapper’s rink went down 20-21 to Stu Hedger, earning Lara two points for the game and preventing the Grovers from a clean sweep. Pavey said he was enjoying being skip of his rink with Robyn Hunt as lead, Chris Burrell as second and Chris Price as third. “Robyn is pretty new to bowls and very new to Premier League and she’s been absolutely unbelievable,” he said. “She’s just adapted so well, just takes everything on, full of encouragement, is really, really competitive, hates losing, hates playing a loose bowl, which, to be fair to her, she hasn’t played many of those. “Buzz (Burrell) has been around for a couple of years now. He can bring a lot of energy to the side. He’s a bit of a larrikin, as is Chris (Price), my third. “We’ve played a lot of bowls together over the last three years and he’s a very good player in his own right. He also brings a lot of noise and a lot of energy to our team. “I think our rink has gelled really well together.” The conditions during the game at Lara were windy and with Ocean Grove now playing home games at an indoor venue under the Dome, Pavey said the side had to adapt. “We’ve all played in those conditions outside the last six months when we’ve had the Dome so there’s no excuses,” he said. “I think we just have to probably give ourselves a little bit more time to adapt and just don’t think it’s going to happen straight away. “We still have our (outdoors) green over the road, which is carpet so a few of us had a practice on that on Thursday night, just to try to adapt to the conditions, which was a little bit similar to what Lara was.” GEELONG BOWLS REGION Round 8, Saturday 13 December Rinks in order of skip, lead, second, third. Premier Pennant Ocean Grove 100 (17) def Lara 67 (2): T. Cromie, A. Forster, W. Frith, J. Rudd 17 def D. Grellet, S. Tump, C. McPherson, S. Emond 15; B. Pavey, R. Hunt, C. Burrell, C. Price 31 def MJ Kelly, P. Cook, B. Emond, A. Gillett 9; M. Flapper, H. O’Reilly, J. Bertrand, Z. Abro 20 def by S. Hedger, J. Macgavin, H. Tump, J. Moloney 21; P. Loe, C. Rippon, M. Rowley, T. Joel 32 def B. Umbers, L. Sanderson, A. Ansett, M. Fedyk 22.

Lauren Maclachlan in action for Ocean Grove against Geelong Cement in Division 2. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 519535_23

Left: Geelong Cement’s Jacqueline McLaren was locked a tight battle all game on her rink. 519535_21 Right: Shane Thorley shows his style. 519535_17

Queenscliff 78 (12) def Drysdale 74 (6): B. Russell, M. Speed, W. Macleod, N. Dixon 27 def B. Howie, J. Candy, T. Villani, M. Johnson 8; S. Sullivan, R. McGovern, B. Gladman, S. Monahan 16 def by A. Rees, M. Hommelhoff, L. Benson, A. Keranen 22; M. Hocking, C. Heard, W. Visser, J. Reilly 18 def J. Monahan, M. Neicho, M. Campbell, A. James 26; R. Butler, D. Saunders, A. Green, R. Cameron 17 def by M. Godbolt, P. Lucas, M. Rees, J. Fry 18. Torquay 108 (18) def Bell Post Hill 55 (0): N. Ball, R. Aitken, J. Howarth, J. Banks 39 def D. Gillett, G. Logue, R. Couzens, A. Firth 9; J. Issell, C. Papastergiou, A. Shaw, A. Sampson 25 def B. Seaton, F. Clayson, D. Phelp, B. Richards 13; D. Cairns, R. Milesi, W. Roberts, B. Ott 20 def D. Gercke, A. Lewis, A. Mayne, A. Pratt 17; B. Irvine, B. Calthorpe, G. Gibson, P. French 24 def B. Toner, M. Couzens, J. Toner, B. Bottrell 16. Highton 98 (18) def Eastern Park 62 (0): David Priddle, R. Priddle, C. Elliott, C. Polwarth 33 def S. McDonald, T. Scorpo, S. Young, M. Coleman 14; A. Lee, D. Kiss, B. Prior, S. Shuttleworth 26 def N. Bell,

R. Sherwell, P. Scorpo, T. Balchan 14; Dan Priddle, M. Coulter, R. Chambers, J. Fitzgerald 21 def A. Munro, D. Jackman, D. Andueza, D. Washington 17; S. McLachlan, J. Kiss, T. Hickey, D. Klemke 18 def A. Martin, S. Webb, P. Hawkins, S. Field 17. Division 1 City of Geelong 94 (16) def Leopold 69 (2): M. Nitchie, L. Simpson, N. Robinson, S. Ashby 20 def B. Anderson, B. Shaw, L. Seear, L. Cameron 18; N. Craven, H. Boult, K. Gooley, L. Harvey 28 def M. Willis, D. Rudge, M. Booth, N. Lazic 9; J. Shell, N. Trease-Gordon, G. Lane, D. Vogele 19 def by T. Dickson-Arthur, M. Gregg, T. Salisbury, D. Alderuccio 26; S. Tillson, R. Sutherland, S. Somerton, D. Wombell 27 def C. Sproal, B. Mathieson, P. Shuttleworth, D. Seear 16. Belmont 95 (16) def Highton 63 (2): J. Harris, S. Grainger, S. Rundell, D. Ross 33 def R. Kerr, Y. Olsen, I. Anderson, D. Tudor 20; S. Davies, B. Clark, M. Koulkoudinas, W. Hovey 16 def by O. Landry, P. Jones, S. Kerr, R. Imanse 19; R. Hayes, G. Davies, P. Newton, L. Butcher

20 def P. Monk, G. Gerdtz, H. Gilmore, N. Oakes 13; R. Agg, J. Clark, C. Bassett, G. Smith 26 def M. Cavanagh, M. Staggard , D. Cameron, D. McGregor 11. Ocean Grove 107 (14) def St Leonards 67 (4): H. O’Reilly, J Le Cerf, C. John, D. Henery 16 def by A. Hills, J. Doyle, B. Auld, B. Culph 18; M. West, M. Jacobs, S. Renshaw, O. Clark 42 def H. Dahler, R. Beattie, D. Barnett, R. Michael 11; A. Drury, T. Warren, P. Entwistle, C. Verrier 18 def by T. Long, M. Maddox, G. Lund, B. Padgham 20. R. Brehaut, M. O’Reilly, B. Boyle, S. Avery 31 def M. Kennedy, F. Aston, P. Garlick, A. Doyle 18. Geelong 101 (18) def Portarlington 71 (0): B. Wilson, B. Armitage, L. Formosa, C. Fawthrop 19 def D. Dunlop, I. Wiffen, R. Malcomson, J. Baker 15; T. Earp, R. Kent, D. Jarman, S. Martin 23 def B. Hirth, D. Roberts, W. Atkins, P. Fisk 22; A. Crooke, R. Petterwood, K. Petzierides, A. Fawthrop 33 def G. Reed, T. McNamara, A. Marston, T. Freeman 15; T. Thompson, N. Coots, G. Briggs, G. Harrison 26 def T. Demaria, M. Weales, D. McNamara, M. Dennis 19.

Friday, 19 December, 2025 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 29

SPORT

Cricket action heats up Independent photographer Ivan Kemp went to St Joseph’s College on Saturday for the GCA Division 1 4ths clash between St Joseph’s and Newtown & Chilwell while Justin Flynn was at RT Fuller Oval on Sunday for two of the BPCA A1 Grade game between Barwon Heads and Barrabool.

Chris McFarlane survives a chance to first slip. 519536_07 Josh Norman walks back to his mark. 519536_06

Max Inderberg in action for Newtown & Chilwell. 519536_08

Tyler Castles chases down a ball in the field. 519536_18

Max Melzer dives for Barwon Heads. 519537_12

Shayne Gardiner cuts through point for a single on his way to 50 not out for the Two Blues. 519536_10

Chris McFarlane drives during his 102 not for St Joseph’s. 519536_16

Above: Barwon Heads’ Sam Schaller bowled 59 consecutive deliveries for no runs. 519537_20 Right: Luke Clift plays a pull shot. 519537_03

Left: Archer Jaques played well for his 48 Barrabool. 519537_21 Centre: Shane Stevens turns the ball to leg for Barrabool. 519537_07 Right: Michael Kelson cuts. 519537_15

30 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 19 December, 2025

SPORT

Youth program for Two Blues By Justin Flynn While relieved to get his side’s first win of the Geelong Cricket Association Division 1 season, Newtown & Chilwell captain Lachie Sperling said the club is playing for the long term. The Two Blues knocked off St Joseph’s in round 7 to finally break through on the wins column, but with a young group, Sperling said the club also has one eye on the future. “I think we’ve had five or six debutantes this year and they’re all in that 18-, 19-yearold age bracket, so exposing them to GCA cricket and seeing what they need to do to get to that level,” he said. “It’s been good getting games into them and seeing that they’re learning on the job quickly. It’s obviously exciting for the club having lots of young blokes in the twos so I’m sure there will be plenty more opportunities for the young lads that are performing well. “It will help set us up long term as well if we can get them exposed to the level quicker.” The Two Blues limited Joeys to 224 on day one despite a blistering 135 from Zane Keighran. “He hit him everywhere,” Sperling said. “You can tell he’s a class above. Obviously, if you’ve been opening the batting in Melbourne Premier, you’re a good player. “I thought we did well to restrict them to 220.” Pace bowler Nick Burke took 4/56 from 17 overs and Sperling snared 3/49 from 17. “He (Burke) charged in all day and his first over and his 20th over with similar speeds,” Sperling said. “And it was really good for his confidence, too.” Newtown & Chilwell lost opener Pat McKenna late on the first day and was 5/71 on Saturday with St Joseph’s quick Austin Humphrey grabbing the first four wickets. Sperling joined Nick Keast at the crease still with plenty of work to do, but they immediately went to work and it paid off with a 130-run partnership. Keast fell for a counter punching 88 from 117 deliveries. “He’s done lots of work behind the scenes,” Sperling said. “He hasn’t had the rewards in previous games, but it was good to see him get a few

Chris McFarlane scored 102 not out for St Joseph’s 4ths against Newtown & Chilwell. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 519536_23 Inset: St Joseph’s 4th XI captain Shayne Gardiner cuts on his way to an unbeaten 50. 519536_04

runs for us. He made runs in the T20 during the week. He got an 80-odd and a 40 as well. “So he’s been scoring runs, but it was good to see him get a score on Saturday and get us home.” With 25 runs still to get, Haydn Burke joined his skipper and played solidly to get the scores level before Sperling tried to finish the game, but got caught for 66 off 74 balls. Burke remained not out on 18 from 25 balls. Sperling said the message to his new batting partner was simple. “It was pretty simple because they were obviously going to try and strangle him and bring the field up and get some catches around his eye line,” he said. “So pretty much it was just if you get a ball that’s in your zone to score, try and score

from it. And with the field being a bit more attacking, he got a couple of balls that he was able to put away. “He was pretty calm under pressure. He’s made a couple of good knocks this year like that.” EAST Belmont replaced North Geelong at the top of the ladder with a big win led by a strong batting performance. Chasing the Magpies’ 150 all out, East Belmont called the game at 5/250 when Luke Inglis brought up his century. Inglis was 101 from 188 deliveries at the declaration and apart from round 1 when he made one, had scores of 46, 34, 95 and 57 leading into the game. Devon Winsall was 47 not out from 52 balls. SOUTH Barwon resumed at 8/262 and was 9/279 at compulsory closure

against Lara. Lara was 2/9, but fought back through Vishesh Malhotra (63), who dropped down from opening to No 5 in the batting order, and Kaden Marum (61). Sydney Ray stepped in with his leg-spin and took 5/65 to have Lara all out for 206. GROVEDALE defeated St Peters by 201 runs with paceman Sam Coutts starring. The Tigers took their overnight score of 6/234 to 259 all out, but nobody would have predicted the carnage that was about to take place. Coutts took 7/15 and new-ball partner Tom Smith 3/18 to have the shellshocked Saints all out for 58. Only Luke Ford (31 not out) offered resistance with an amazing seven batters making ducks.

Roddis enjoying new role at top of Grubbers’ batting order By Justin Flynn Dan Roddis knows what it’s like to not only play in a struggling side, but lead one. The former Ocean Grove captain/coach is now just enjoying playing, but this season it’s even more fun. The Grubbers were relegated from the BPCA’s A1 Grade competition last season, but so far, life in A2 Grade has been good with the side sitting in 2nd place. The recruitment of Campbell Snookes, Connor Weidemann and Baljinder Singh Brar has meant the Grubbers have more batting depth, allowing the likes of Shaun Fankhauser, Fletcher Long and Roddis more security at the top of the order. Roddis is flourishing in his new role as opener with 232 runs at 33.14. Normally a dasher, Roddis has adopted a more cautious approach this season and credited the side’s batting depth as a reason why. “If Red (Fankhauser) fails, I fail or Fletch (Long) fails, you know that someone in the middle - Zac (Jones) and Snookesy, Connor, Baljinder - one of them will make a score,” he said. “And then if they don’t, we’ve still got Jake Taylor and Corey Buxton at eight and nine. Both blokes who have batted in our top four previously and they can’t even get in the top six.

“It’s a really good feeling to have. The whole thing this year is about contributions, everybody contributing. It doesn’t need one bloke to carry the team on his shoulders.” Ocean Grove goes into day two of its round 8 clash on Saturday against Portarlington defending 297 at Ray Menzies Oval. Fankhauser (72), Snookes (69), Long (66) and Roddis (48) all made hefty contributions on the opening day last Saturday. Roddis said his change of mindset towards batting came with the responsibility of opening. “I’ve sort of had to,” he said. “Not looking to score at a run a ball every game like I was previously. Don’t get me wrong, I still, every now and then have a little brain fade and I try to hit the good ball that’s nipping away for six and end up playing and missing, but it’s slowly getting better. “I didn’t think I’d actually enjoy leaving the ball or kicking the ball back for a few overs to get my eye in. It’s something that was pretty foreign to me, especially in the first two-day game, just kicking a few balls back.” Despite the big score, Roddis knows that Portarlington is a strong batting side and victory will not come easily. “They’ve got some quality bats,” he said. “I think he’s (Paul McGrath) the leading

Dan Roddis on his way to 54 against Wallington in round 4. (Ivan Kemp) 510982_16

run scorer in the history of the BPCA, batting at four or five. Tooley’s (Brenton Toole) a good stick too. Cam Gourley’s already made a couple of scores this year. “They’ve got fire power. We’ve got to bowl well. Regardless if you’ve got 150 on the board or you’ve got 300 on the board, you still have to bowl well to win the game.” ALL other A2 Grade matches were played last Saturday and Sunday to go into the break a week early. THE competition’s batters might have been scurrying around checking the fixture as Wallington unleashed English paceman Tom Spencer. Spencer will play five games for the

Wallabies and bowled with venom late on Saturday to eventually take 7/19 against Surf Coast. Wallington was all out for 127 on day one and then Spencer wreaked havoc to have the Suns 5/50 at the close of play. Mitch Sleeman broke through early on day two to have the Suns 6/50, but Will Liddle (24) gave them a sniff. Spencer then ran through the tail - Surf Coast all out for 95. Wallington had another hit and was 5/93 at the close with Richard Faust getting 63 from 60 deliveries. AN unbroken 93-run stand between Stan Grazotis (59 not out) and Corey Walter (55 not out) saw Collendina home after it was 5/57 chasing St Leonards’ 147. Grazotis had a player-of-the-match performance, also picking up 3/37 from 16.4 overs on day one. Troy Griffin (40 from 34 balls) was again among the runs for the Saints while James Burns took 3/44 from 22 overs. WINCHELSEA defeated Newcomb to hold top spot going into the break. Ricci Sauni (4/37) helped dismiss the Bulls for 127 and a 112-run second-wicket stand between Jarrod Groves (65) and Mark Simons (59) got Winch to 5/202 when play ended.

Friday, 19 December, 2025 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 31

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