July 24, 2026
Local product a tour de force Since starting their own small business four years ago, Daisy McCulloch and Nick Allitt have hustled hard to get where they are today. Often working 14-hour days out of their own home or on the road at exercise and sporting events, the couple have not had a weekend off in over two years as they have worked to establish their custom-made recovery equipment business. From searching the inventories of antique dealers for quality brass screws for their products to conducting thousands of trials of their own nasal strips, the pair have always focused on quality equipment and support for their community. This week their diligence paid off when cycling champion Tadej Pogacar was spotted using their nasal strips for two stages of the Tour de France, winning one and coming second in the other. As global interest in their product grows, the hustle has only just begun. Turn to page 6 for the full story.
Daisy McCulloch and Nick Allitt. (Ivan Kemp) 566754_12
Fun event revived By Matt Hewson One of Geelong’s oldest annual celebrations will return in 2027 after a one-year hiatus. The Free Children’s Fun Day, which has run for more than six decades at Rippleside Park on 26 January to celebrate Australia Day, has received enough funding from the City of Greater Geelong to go ahead next year. The event was cancelled only weeks before Australia Day this year due to a lack of increase in funding from the City for more than five years. In January, event organiser Colin Anderso told The Independent he was “bitterly disappointed” that significantly increased costs to suppliers, exacerbated by a dwindling pool of volunteers, had meant going ahead with the 2026 event was not viable.
But this week he said his disappointment had vanished. “I’m very excited about the event coming back…it’s been a very important event for Geelong for well over 60 years,” he said. “There are tens of thousands of young children who have enjoyed that day, and for many of them it’s the fi rst time that they’ve really come to terms with Australia Day and what Australia is all about.” Mr Anderson said councillors Eddy Kontelj and Anthony Aitken had championed increased funding for a 2027 return, up from $37,500 to $55,000. “The Rippleside Free Children’s Fun Day is synonymous with Australia Day in Geelong,” Cr Kontelj said. “It’s something locals, visitors and families, particularly children, look forward to each year, especially those living in our northern suburbs. “Th is is a really important event on
Geelong’s calendar. It brings people together, creates lasting family memories and helps make Australia Day in Geelong even more special and welcoming.” Mr Anderson said the next step was reinvigorating the ageing and shrinking event committee with new members. “We want fresh ideas…how can we celebrate Australia?” he said. “The way Australia was celebrated 60 years ago was reenactments of (Captain) Cook and that sort of thing; totally inappropriate, it’s obsolete. “The fi rst flag that goes up at our event is the Aboriginal flag, and that’s done with great pride. “We’re looking for ways where we can have more people join us in the celebration, and having fresh ideas on the committee is absolutely essential. So people who are thinking about joining, watch this space.”
Free Children’s Fun Day organisers Elaine and Colin Anderson. (Ivan Kemp) 566772_02
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