September 4, 2026
Running for mental health
(Ivan Kemp) 575124_07
Running 120km in 12 hours probably isn’t everyone’s idea of fun, but for Torquay’s Lachlan Wright and Dan Donaldson, there’s a more serious side to it. Both accomplished ultra runners, they will set out at 4am on Sunday to run from Torquay, around the Bellarine Peninsula and back for a great cause. Lachlan and Dan are running for mental health awareness and for The Shaka Project, a Torquay charity that delivers free mental health and suicide prevention workshops to schools, sporting clubs, workplaces and community groups. While the pair hope to complete the journey in 12 hours, they are prepared for some bumps and grinds along the way. According to the Bureau of Statistics, 3326 Australians died by suicide in 2024 and men made up the overwhelming number of those with 76.5 percent. Lachlan and Dan want your support.
Find out how in our Friday feature on page 9.
Flood of emotion By Matt Hewson Hundreds gathered on Sunday night to hold vigil for the lives lost and the communities affected by the catastrophic flash floods in Nepal last week. Organised at short notice by the Geelong Nepalese Association (GNA), the vigil took place in Johnstone Park from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, with members of the local Nepali community, general public and local leaders in attendance. Speaking on Monday, GNA president Niraj Karanjeet said Sunday night was about gathering to support those who were grieving or traumatised, show respect and pray.
“Last night was about grief, solidarity, hope and our responsibility to build a better world,” he said. “The candlelight vigil was really about bringing our community together during an incredibly painful and uncertain time. We wanted to remember the lives that have been lost, pray for those who are still missing, and show the families waiting for answers that they are not alone. “What was incredibly moving was how quickly the Geelong community came together. At such short notice, people showed up simply because they cared. “For many Nepali Australians, this tragedy feels very close to home. We may have built our lives here in Australia, but
our families, our memories and a part of our hearts are still in Nepal.” Mr Karanjeet said the Nepali community was grateful to have Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, local MPs Libby Coker, Christine Couzens and Ella George and Deputy Mayor Eddy Kontelj present, “who shared in our grief and stood with our community in solidarity”. Local Nepali authorities have reported that the death toll has climbed to about 800 people, while roughly 2500 people remain unaccounted for. Mr Karanjeet said such events highlighted the impacts of climate change on smaller nations. “Countries like Nepal contribute so little
to global emissions yet are among those bearing the brunt of a changing climate,” he said. “More than anything, we want this vigil to be remembered as a moment of compassion, hope and solidarity. Life is unpredictable, and tragedies like this remind us to hold the people we love close and to show up for one another when it matters most. “More importantly, we had a meaningful conversation about the very real effects of climate change and the need to advocate for stronger action, so that vulnerable countries like Nepal, which contribute so little to global emissions, are not left bearing such devastating consequences.”
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The high cost of cancer By Jena Carr New research is highlighting the hidden financial toll on blood cancer patients and is something that a Barwon Heads woman has experienced first-hand. The Leukaemia Foundation revealed new research this week, revealing that one in eight Australians living with blood cancer was missing, delaying or cancelling treatment due to financial pressures. Taryn Elder, 40, was independent, active and working at her dream job in Queensland when she started to feel really exhausted and short of breath. After fiercely advocating for a blood test, Ms Elder received a diagnosis in February
this year of acute myeloid leukaemia, which is an aggressive form of blood cancer. “My whole world essentially changed within a few hours after receiving my diagnosis,” she said. “I came back to Victoria to be with my family and resigned from my job as I had to undergo acute chemotherapy treatment for six months. “I’m a 40-year-old person who was at the peak of my career trying to get ahead financially, and now I’ve had to go back under my family’s roof. “I am now involved in a world-first trial of oral chemo with a vaccine and, although I feel incredibly lucky, there are still so many unknowns on how my body will react.”
Taryn Elder was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia early this year. (Ivan Kemp)
Ms Elder, who is now cautiously in remission, said there were many costs associated with undergoing cancer treatment, including doctor appointments and medication.
“I couldn’t imagine being in a position where I was the sole breadwinner with children, because it is a huge financial burden,” she said. “It’s really hard because I want to get back to normal life, as well as being independent and working, but blood cancers are so complex.” The Leukaemia Foundation launched its new Cut the Cost of Cancer campaign this week, calling on the government to help reduce treatment costs while also marking the start of Blood Cancer Month. Visit cutcancercost.org.au for more information and to sign a petition to provide better financial support for people impacted by cancer.
Leo Makris from Indented Head at Portarlington jetty.(Ivan Kemp)
Fishing fest set to draw thousands
Friends of the Hooded Plover volunteer regional coordinator Natasha Verspeek on the lookout for hooded plovers at Point Lonsdale Beach. (Ivan Kemp) 576120_06
Learn how you can help protect hoodies Point Lonsdale’s community can learn more about one of their smallest residents and how to protect them during an upcoming hooded plover workshop. Birdlife Australia will host a two-part workshop on Friday 11 September to inform community members about how the local threatened bird species nest and raise chicks. Beach-nesting Birds project officer Melissa Sheedy said it was important to provide hooded plovers with the “best chance of survival”. “The hooded plovers are highly susceptible to disturbance as they nest di-
rectly on sand at the beach,” she said. “They have really high mortality rates as only three out of 100 eggs actually make it to adulthood. “The adults will separate from the eggs and the chicks if disturbed, and that then leaves the eggs and chicks exposed to the extreme environment or predators. “So, we want to promote positive behaviours on the beach and coexistence with beach-nesting birds that have lived there for a very long time. “They are well camouflaged and so secretive, and people don’t really know
how to look out for these birds, so providing an opportunity to see them from a safe distance is really special.” The event will be held at Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club, including a hooded plover training workshop from 9.30am, and a short course for volunteers on how to speak with the public from 1pm. People must contact Ms Sheedy at melissa.sheedy@birdlife.org.au to register their attendance by Wednesday 9 September, specifying the workshop they are interested in and any dietary requirements.
Free workshop to raise awareness about prostate cancer By Jena Carr Men across Geelong are being encouraged to know their risk of prostate cancer during a free awareness evening. Geelong Prostate Cancer Support Group will host the Community Prostate Cancer Awareness Evening on Wednesday 9 September. Group convenor Bill Rebula said the evening would encourage people to get tested for prostate cancer and find out their PSA (prostate-specific antigen). “There are too many men in our area that
die prematurely from prostate cancer,” he said. “That’s because they leave it too late to get tested, so it creates awareness in the public about what prostate cancer is and the need to be tested for it.” Australia’s new guidelines for the early detection of prostate cancer set out when a PSA test should be offered, how often to undertake tests, and what happens if the result is higher than expected. The guidelines mean that there is more responsibility for doctors to initiate discussions for males aged 50 years and over or for
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those at higher risk of prostate cancer. “Men don’t tend to think about their prostate health, so the more people that are aware of it, the better their chance is at early detection,” Mr Rebula said. “It’s now up to the doctors to instigate the conversation rather than the other way around, so there are firm new guidelines for the doctors on who should and could get tested.” The awareness evening will be held at Geelong High School Hall from 6.30pm, and coincides with Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
Thousands are expected to converge at Portarlington harbour for the Hooked on Bellarine fishing festival next month. Hooked on Bellarine attracts anglers and seafood lovers and includes pop-up stalls selling freshly cooked paella and locally made produce including the area’s famous blue mussels. There will also be free ‘come and try’ fishing clinics for kids as well as adults, complete with rods and bait provided, and a fishing swap meet where you can donate, trade or pick up fishing equipment. Grade 5 pupils across Victoria who received a free Little Angler Kit in the recent rollout to get into the great outdoors can try out their new fishing rod. Victorian Fisheries Authority chief executive Travis Dowling said the festival showcases the region’s renowned fishing, boating, and aquaculture industries while offering a range of free activities and entertainment for visitors of all ages. “Whether you’re a keen angler, seafood lover or simply looking for a great family day out, there’s something for everyone at this year’s festival,” he said. Hooked on Bellarine attracts about 5000 visitors and will include kids activities, tips from women anglers, seafood cooking and filleting demonstrations, a fishing simulator, fishing competition, talks and a food hub with live music from local artists. Hooked on Bellarine is on Sunday 4 October from 9am to 2pm at Portarlington Safe Harbour Foreshore and coincides with the Portarlington Makers Market, a short stroll away to the Seniors Community Hall on Newcombe Street. See vfa.vic.gov.au/hookedonbellarine for more information.
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Push on for Ballarat rail By Matt Hewson Mayor Stretch Kontelj has added his voice to that of the Greens, advocating for the restoration of the passenger train service between Geelong and Ballarat. The Greens’ current proposal, announced last week, includes stops at Bannockburn, Meredith and Elaine. Greens Member for Western Victoria Sarah Mansfield said her party wanted to investigate the reinstatement of passenger rail services between Geelong and Ballarat as part of their campaign for free and frequent public transport for all Victorians. “There was a better public transport
connection between Geelong and Ballarat in the 70s than there is now,” she said. “There is actually an existing train line between Geelong and Ballarat, but now it’s only used for freight. “The only public transport connection between Victoria’s two biggest regional cities is an infrequent bus service that runs at impractical times, which is a huge handbrake on access to employment and study opportunities, as well as access to services like healthcare. “Regional Victorians have been largely forgotten when it comes to public transport. Investment decisions have been cooked up in secret to win marginal seats in metro
Melbourne, rather than being based on genuine community needs.” Mayor Kontelj said he welcomed the Greens’ push for Geelong-Ballarat train services. “Better rail connections are critical to the future of our region, and we need governments and political parties to be thinking well beyond the next election cycle,” he said. “The City has made transport a hallmark focus of its advocacy ahead of the Victorian state election, including our call for the Bannockburn-Geelong Passenger Rail Line to support a future population of more than 100,000 people across our northern and
Event space designs are now online
Creating pocket hearts for community Community members can support people facing illness, loss or difficult times while connecting with their community by creating pocket hearts. Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine will host pocket heart-making groups twice a month at Queenscliff Uniting Church, with an upcoming session on Tuesday 8 September. Volunteer coordinator Annie Chatham said pocket hearts reminded people that someone cared, with the handmade keepsakes distributed to community members in need. “Everyone brings their own spin to things with different ideas and materials, which is really lovely,” she said. “We’ve been giving those out to people who have a life-limiting illness or have been bereaved after their loved ones died. “The idea is that they are something that you can carry with you to give you hope, courage, and comfort when you’re going through difficult times.” Ms Chatham said the groups were relaxed and welcoming, with people encouraged to come along and participate in any way they can while connecting with their community. “They don’t need any skills at all; just a willingness to come along, and even if they just wanted to sit and chat, that wouldn’t matter really,” she said. “Anyone can come along as it’s a way to connect with your community and feel like you’re doing something worthwhile that people appreciate.” Pocket heart making groups will be held on the second Tuesday and fourth Thursday of each month from 1pm to 3pm. There is no fee to attend the groups, and materials will be supplied, or people can bring their own.
Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine’s Barb Douglas and Lyhn Barfield making pocket hearts for people in need. (Ivan Kemp) 575416_03
Safe injecting centre needed for Geelong Better access to drug harm reduction services is needed in Greater Geelong, according to the state coroner. Victorian Coroner Simon McGregor has recommended introducing a medically supervised injecting centre (MSIC) to the region following the death of a 33-year-old Geelong woman last year. The woman was found unresponsive in her bedroom by a family member on 5 December, with her death later determined to be caused by a heroininvolved drug overdose. “One major evidence-based drug harm reduction service that Greater Geelong does not presently have is a MSIC,” Coroner McGregor said. “An MSIC cannot legally operate in Victoria unless it is licenced and, at present, under the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic) only a single licence can be in force at any one
time. “An MSIC in Greater Geelong could only open under present legislation if the MSIC in Yarra was closed down (and), in my view, this would not be an acceptable harm reduction trade-off.” Coroner McGregor’s recommendations included identifying and addressing existing gaps and issuing a license for an MSIC in Greater Geelong. “I have been unable to identify any public health grounds to justify limiting Victoria to one medically supervised injecting centre at a time,” Coroner McGregor said. “(There are signs of an) emerging inequality between Metropolitan Melbourne and Regional Victoria in access to evidence-based drug harm reduction health services.” Greater Geelong recorded 100 heroininvolved deaths between 2016 and 2025.
western growth areas.” Mayor Kontlelj said reconnecting Ballarat and Geelong would “strengthen regional links and give communities a faster, more reliable alternative to road travel, while improving access to central Geelong”. “The City is seeking bipartisan support for this project, and we look forward to all candidates and parties coming to the table for the transport infrastructure Geelong needs,” he said. “Our broader transport priorities also include reinstating the Geelong-Melbourne passenger rail connection via Werribee, the Armstrong Creek Rail Spur and a GeelongTorquay Rapid Transit Corridor.”
Concept designs for the Turtle Bend Recreation and Events Space have been released to allow the Golden Plains community to learn more about the project. Concept designs for stage one and two of the master plan were released online for public viewing by Golden Plains Shire Council last week. Mayor Owen Sharkey said the designs would ensure that the project is construction-ready when funding opportunities become available. “We’re pleased to now share the concept designs based on what the community wanted to see,” he said. “The Teesdale Turtle Bend Recreation and Events Space Master Plan was shaped by valuable feedback from the Teesdale community. “The proposed upgrades will provide enhanced recreation, play and accessibility opportunities for residents and visitors, helping create a more connected and inclusive community space for people of all ages.” Plans continue to progress for stage one works, featuring a new playspace and improvements to the reserve car park, and stage two works, including upgrades to the existing bike and skate facilities. Council will continue to seek funding to deliver the projects and progress future stages of the Master Plan following the public exhibition period. The community is invited to provide feedback on how proposed improvements could enhance health, wellbeing, and social connections. Residents can complete a short online survey that explores the potential benefits of the proposed bike, skate, playspace and car park improvements. Visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/ consultations to view the concept designs.
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Connecting through food Lovers of food, cooking and horticulture will get the chance to hear from experts in their fields when Farm My School brings two workshops to the Bellarine. The locally-based not-for-profit organisation will host two Nourish Workshops at Bellarine Secondary College’s Drysdale campus, exploring practical food knowledge with guest facilitators and produce grown on site. The first workshop on Saturday 12 September will see Useful Seeds’ leading grower Gregg Muller take participants through Seed Systems: Part One, the first of two workshops dedicated to the craft
of seeds. Attendees will explore the full journey of a seed, from selecting the right one to save to storing properly for future seasons, and conclude with a shared meal created with food grown at Farm My School Bellarine. The second workshop with Nathan Pahyu Brown from LAAM Thai, will be held on Thursday 8 October. In the Taste of Thai Cooking workshop Mr Brown will take participants through the cooking traditions he learned during his time spent with tribes in Northern Thailand. Farm My School chief executive and
founder James McLennan said good food should be in reach for everyone. “Both workshops continue our mission at Farm My School of growing nutritious produce, making it affordable for local families and connecting the community with the people who grow, cook and share it,” he said. “Whether it’s learning to save your own seeds or cooking a dish rooted in traditions, we want people to leave with something they can genuinely use to feed themselves and their family at home.” Visit farmmyschool.com/pages/ nourish for more information.
Expert vegetable breeder Gregg Muller will hold a workshop on the craft of seeds at Farm My School’s Drysdale site this September. (Supplied)
Exploring the art of filmaking By Jena Carr
Blink Dance Theatre’s short film Cloud Chamber premieres in Geelong this September. (Marcus Struzina) 576203_01
Culmination of a year-long journey By Matt Hewson Geelong’s Blink Dance Theatre will bring its newest work to the big screen this month. Short film Cloud Chamber, created in Geelong and Murgheboluc, will premiere at Village Cinemas Geelong on Saturday 19 September. Featuring 18 women aged 19 to 68, the film uses dance, visual art and music to explore the experiences of women and the natural patterns and cycles they both form and live within. Blink artistic director Lyndel Quick said the entire company was excited to see their work brought to the big
screen after what had been “quite a long journey”. “This is the culmination of 14 months all up, it’s been quite a long process,” she said. “What’s really been interesting about that slower process is that it has had a really meaningful impact on people’s everyday lives…a lot of wellbeing benefits. “And there was a real crossintergenerational experience, with people connecting across ages. That type of process takes time to build.” Ms Quick said the finished work had also exceeded her expectations artistically.
“This film is very much about women holding up half the sky,” she said. “It has grief, but also wonder and hope. And I don’t want to tell audiences exactly what to take from it, but I do hope they recognise something of their lives in it. “I think women in general are really weary of this world right now. We’re tired and we have something to say about that. “But not a lot of people are listening to what women have to say. So we’re not using our words, we’re using our movement.” Visit cloudchamberpremiere. eventbrite.com.au for more information.
Young filmmakers can get hands-on experience with real cameras and film gear while meeting other creative youth during a free event in South Geelong. The Bluebird Foundation will host the Popcorn Shorts youth fest event on Saturday 5 September for people under 26 to watch short films and meet others in the filmmaking community. Keak Joak, under the stage name Kiko Wayne Jr, will showcase one of his new films that explores his cultural background. “I’m originally from South Sudan, but I was born in Ethiopia in a refugee camp...and moved to Australia in 2018,” he said. “I love filmmaking because I grew up around my grandfather who was a really great storyteller, and he used to tell stories by the fire to the whole village. “I want to be like him and keep his legacy going as it’s just something that I grew up with, so this is a great way to share my culture with the world and Geelong community.” Mr Joak said young people would be able to discover what goes on behind the scenes of filmmaking. “For young kids who have no idea what they want to do in filmmaking, it’s a great opportunity to explore different components,” he said. “We’re going to be showing the kids how to use the cameras, how to make films, and how to use the sound system and stuff like that.” Popcorn Shorts will be held at the Pivotonian Cinema from 1pm for free, but people must visit events.humanitix. com/popcorn-shorts to reserve a spot.
Holiday park hopes for tourism boost after addition of new cabins Portarlington Holiday Park hopes to generate an extra $327,000 each year thanks to the completion of three new cabins. The new cabins, made possible by the state government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund, will be ready to welcome guests this weekend, hot on the heels of Portarlington being named Victoria’s best small tourism town. Owned by the state government, the holiday park is managed and operated by not-for-profit coastal committee Bellarine Bayside. The committee, which is primarily self-funded and manages 17km of
coastal Crown land across Portarlington, Indented Head and St Leonards, reinvests revenue from the park back into the northern Bellarine’s public facilities and spaces on the coast. Bellarine Bayside chief executive Scott Crabtree said the new cabins would help the committee “continue to provide memorable holiday experiences for visitors to the northern Bellarine Peninsula”. “Camper feedback has played a vital role in this project guiding a cabin design that enhances the quality sustainability and accessibility of roofed
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accommodation in the holiday park,” he said. Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant said the new cabins, built by family-owned company Yarrawonga Manufactured Housing, would stimulate the local economy. “The Bellarine is a beautiful place to live and visit,” she said. “This investment in the Portarlington Holiday Park is delivering accessibility facilities that give more people the chance to enjoy all that the Bellarine has to offer, while supporting local jobs and year-round tourism.”
Keak Joak, under the stage name Kiko Wayne Jr, will share his culture through film. (Ivan Kemp) 575428_18
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Local health insurer to merge A Geelong based health insurer and the Reserve Bank Health Society (RBHS) have announced a binding agreement to merge. GMHBA and RBHS announced the merger, pending approvals from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and other customary conditions. The merger will result in RBHS’s health insurance business transferring to GMHBA. GMHBA chief operating officer Wes Self said the merger aligns with GMHBA’s longterm strategy of delivering value to mem-
bers through sustainable growth. “We’re pleased to welcome RBHS members to GMHBA,” he said. “This merger allows us to support the health and wellbeing of more Australians while creating efficiencies that can be reinvested into value and affordability for members. “It also reflects the deliberate investment we have made in our platform, people and capability over recent years. That investment means we are well positioned to take on growth of this kind responsibly, and to do so in a way that strengthens outcomes for
every member, both those joining us from RBHS and those already with us.” The proposed merger will have no impact on existing GMHBA policies. The merger brings together two member-based, not-for-profit health insurers. RBHS is a not-for-profit health fund serving Reserve Bank and Note Printing Australia employees, former employees and their families. Following regulatory approval, RBHS members will transition to GMHBA through a managed process designed to ensure continuity of cover and ongoing support for
members. RBHS chair Sarah Harris said the deal creates positive opportunities for members. “This merger provides long-term certainty for our members,” she said. “We believe that joining GMHBA, a values-aligned not-for-profit health insurer, represents the strongest longterm outcome for members and will ensure the continued delivery of high-quality, sustainable health cover.” Subject to receiving all necessary approvals, the transition of RBHS members to GMHBA is expected to occur in early 2027.
Premiership cup excitement Cats great Tom Hawkins has made a special visit to a Geelong school to show students the AFL Premiership Cup. The three-time Geelong Cats premiership player visited Newtown Primary School on 31 August, where Year 6 students greeted him as part of the AFL Premiership Cup Tour. Mr Hawkins said he had a personal connection to the cup and that it was great to help inspire the next generation of Cats fans and players. “The Toyota AFL Premiership Cup Tour is so special because of what the cup represents in our game,” he said. “Whether you’re in Geelong, Western Australia or a small country town like Finley where I grew up, there are so many touch points for the community, and that’s what makes our game great.
“Seeing the excitement from the Year 6 students at Newtown Primary School who have seen the Cup from afar but now have had an opportunity to see it in real life, and the conversations that followed amongst friends, is a really cool moment for grassroots footy.” The AFL Premiership Cup will visit clubs and communities across every state and territory across the country during the tour before it lands at the centre of the MCG for the AFL Grand Final. Close to 627,000 people already participate in Australian football this year, with numbers expected to continue growing throughout the year. Geelong Cats premiership player Tom Hawkins and Newtown Primary School students with the AFL Premiership Cup. (Ivan Kemp)
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Why scammers pretend to be your bank and how the con can work Scammers impersonate brands people already know and trust, and banks are among the mosteffective disguises available to them when trying to catch out people and businesses. “Scammers love to impersonate known brands, known entities,” said Shannon Brown, CommBank’s Fraud and Scams Industry, Intelligence and Disruption Senior Manager. “But they also really like to impersonate banks.” The clearest example is the callback scam, and it starts with a message that doesn’t ask you to click anything. “Customers may receive an SMS or an email asking them to call a number to fix a problem,” Brown said. Ringing a number feels like the cautious thing to do, which is part of why it works. “When the customer calls that number, they actually hear hold music and an automated voiceasking them to select an option to talk with a phone specialist,” Brown said. “It sounds reallylegitimate and really mimics that call centre experience that most of us are familiar with.” “In a lot of these scam calls, we hear scammers say, hey, I know the first six digits of your card,” Brown said. “People take that as a sign of familiarity. They think, obviously you must work for the bank because you know my card number.” Those six digits are not personal information. They can often be a bank identification number,which is standard across a card range, so the same six digits sit on many cards. Brown saysscammers may already know them from publicly sourced information. Brown says they will ask for details such as a client number, a password, multi-factor authen-
tication codes, or a full card number, anything that helps them take over an account orgain unauthorised access. They may even ask you to download remote access software to access your computer. The other version is a direct request for money, and it tends to arrive in the same words. “Often they’ll use language like, make a payment to a safe account, and that’s a really big redflag,” Brown said. Stop. If a call or text claiming to be CommBank seems suspicious, take a breath so you can think clearly before you act. Check. Look for a different way to verify it. If the contact claims to be from CommBank, hang up and reach us through official channels like the CommBank website, CommBank app or thenumber on the back of your card. Reject. Cut off the contact, don’t make a payment and don’t hand over your information. Find out more at CommBank Newsroom
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Market tenant to close Market Square Shopping Centre has claimed another victim with long-standing family footwear retailer Faull’s Shoes to close. The embattled shopping centre has had an exodus of tenants and Faull’s Shoes director Ben Faull said its Geelong operation was no longer sustainable over the longer term. In an effort to avoid closing altogether, Faull’s, which has been part of the Geelong shopping landscape for more than three decades, consolidated the businesses in 2024 into the ground-floor shop at Market Square, while converting the upstairs tenancy into a clearance-focused operation.
Mr Faull said closure was not the company’s first option. “We could have made the decision to leave at that point, but we genuinely wanted to find a way of maintaining our presence in Geelong,” he said. “The intention was very much to give Geelong another opportunity. We wanted to see whether bringing our strongest brands together in one store could create a sustainable model for us going forward. “Unfortunately, despite those changes and the tremendous efforts of our team, the trading environment has continued to be extremely challenging.
“We have tried different formats, reduced our footprint and consolidated our operations in an effort to remain in Geelong, but ultimately there comes a point where you have to make a commercial decision.” Faull’s Shoes’ Ballarat store will continue to operate as normal. Faull’s will hold a stock clearance sale with no final closing date announced. “Our Geelong team has continued to work incredibly hard through what has been a challenging period for retail,” Mr Faull said. “We are extremely grateful for their loy-
alty, professionalism and commitment to Faull’s and to our customers.” Mr Faull said the closing down sale would provide an opportunity to thank the wider Geelong community for more than three decades of support. “We’ve been part of Geelong retail for more than 30 years, so there is inevitably some sadness in bringing that chapter to an end,” he said. “But rather than focus entirely on the closure, we’d like the next period to be a celebration of the customers, staff and community who have supported Faull’s throughout our time in Geelong.”
The Healing Hands sculpture was stolen from Geelong West. (supplied)
Sculpture stolen worth $30,000 Primary Schools Citizenship Award winners and Chilwell Primary School students Shayaan Abdullah, Harry Knight and Millie Scarlett with the Spirit of the Anzac trophy. (Supplied)
Harry recognised as a community buddy By Jena Carr Geelong’s Harry Knight spends most of his time helping in his community and school, with the Year 6 student being recognised for his efforts. The Chilwell Primary School student and school captain received the Primary Schools Citizenship Award from the Order of Australia Association in the Barwon region. Harry said he enjoyed helping others through his role as a school captain, a Scout and a member of activity and sporting groups.
“Winning the award means a lot to me and to be recognised in this way is really special,” he said. “Citizenship means more than just passports and voting; it means helping your community, being nice to your friends, and doing good things to help people in general. “You can make a difference at any age, as it’s the small things that we can do each day to help and give back, so it’s important to get involved and give everything a go.” Among his many achievements, Harry created a Buddy Guide for his school after noticing a lack of guidance for mentors sup-
porting their younger buddy students. “I made a buddy guide that’ll be used for future years to help older and younger buddy students build positive relationships,” he said. “Students weren’t getting told how to be a buddy, with some students getting told off because they weren’t being a buddy properly.” Fellow Chilwell Primary School students Shayaan Abdullah and Millie Scarlett placed second and third, with the school receiving the Spirit of the Anzac trophy from Geelong RSL.
Theatre company puts out the call for aspiring actors By Matt Hewson Budding thespians young and old will have an opportunity to get involved in the local theatre scene this month. Local community theatre company Theatre 3triple2 will hold two information evenings in Drysdale this September as part of a recruiting drive ahead of its annual 12x12 event on 12 December. First held in 2012, each year 12x12 showcases 12 original plays that run for 12 minutes or less, with all scripts written by local playwrights and never performed
previously. Over the years the plays have run the gamut of genres, from romance and comedy to sci-fi, historical drama and musical theatre, with the audience voting determining the winner of the most popular play award. President Kim Greer said 12x12 was a great way for community members who had never tried acting to have a go. “If people come along to the information nights they can have a look at some scripts, we can let them know which parts are available, and there’s generally some-
6 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 4 September, 2026
thing for everyone,” she said. “We struggle to find me, particularly middle-aged men, but everyone’s always welcome. “The great thing with 12x12 is you can have a non-speaking role…people can start off small and they just never know where they might find themselves next year.” The directors’ information evening is at 7pm on Thursday 10 September at Drysdale’s Springdale Hall, while the actors’ information evening is at 7pm on Thursday 17 September at the Bellarine Arts Centre.
A $30,000 Geelong West sculpture that has stood for more than two decades has been stolen. The bronze sculpture Healing Hands at West Park near Pakington Street was stolen and reported by a member of the public to the City of Greater Geelong on Thursday 27 August, who then contacted police. Healing Hands was created by local artists Jan and Geo Francis of Moongate Studios and commemorates Thomas Ambrose Bowen, a local pioneer who developed the Bowen technique, an alternative therapy for the treatment of muscular skeletal and neurological disorders, in the 1950s. The City said it is seeing more brass plaques stolen from public spaces and memorials and are being replaced with cast aluminium or engraved stone to prevent future theft. “It is concerning that an important piece of Geelong’s history could be forcibly removed from a public place,” City of Greater Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said. “This crime comes amid an increase in the theft of brass plaques from public spaces and memorials. Replacing these can cost between $1000 and $5000, and theft can also result in damage to memorials and plinths. “The incident also reinforces community calls for greater safety around Pakington Street and Geelong West. “Local families and business owners should feel safe in their neighbourhoods, and council is continuing to advocate for more CCTV and safety measures. Currently, there is no CCTV in West Park.” The artists still have the original mould for Healing Hands and there may be an opportunity to recreate the sculpture in future, the City said.
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NEWS
Torquay turns a new leaf Torquay’s streets are getting leafier and greener following the planting of new trees through Surf Coast Shire Council’s Branching Out program. The tree planting program focused on the Old Torquay area, with more than 160 trees planted in locations that would benefit from increased canopy. Surf Coast Shire councillor Liz Pattison said the locations were identified through heat mapping as areas where improved
shade and cooling could be established. “We’re looking forward to seeing these new trees begin to grow,” she said. “Trees bring so many benefits for both the environment and community wellbeing, including creating greener, cooler and more attractive streets.” Most of the new trees were planted along Payne Street, Boston Road, Pearl Street, Bristol Road, Price Street, Zeally Bay Road, Pride Street, and Cliff Street.
The remaining trees have been planted in Golden Beach Way and Rippleside Drive, with the planting contract including two years of watering and maintenance. Preparation for the Pride Street planting included removing 35 ageing and declining median strip trees in late July, which have since been replaced with 50 new trees. Torquay plantings also add to previous
Branching Out projects in Deans Marsh and Winchelsea. Branching Out is a multi-year council initiative that aims to increase tree canopy in built-up areas across the shire. A multi-year Branching Out implementation plan will help guide future planting location decisions and is expected to be finalised by council soon. Visit yoursay.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/ branching-out for more information.
Geelong Fragrance Fair biggest of its kind
Little Aths centre celebrates 60 years
Geelong is set to host Australia’s biggest independent fragrance festival with a threeday event to attract more than 30 perfumers. In its second year, Geelong Fragrance Festival has grown from a small-scale pilot into a three-day program bringing together independent perfumers, talks, masterclasses, art, and experiential events. The fair, organised by the Olfactive Society, takes inspiration from the Barnes Fragrance Fair in the UK, but has been built as a distinctly Australian experience. “This fair gives Australia’s independent perfumers a platform they’ve never had before,” Olfactive Society president Clare Presser said. “It has been designed to support and grow our independent and artisanal fragrance creator community, and to help the public understand perfumery as the cultural and sensory art form it really is. “We are delighted to bring the breadth of experience and scented stories to Geelong for the first time as an independent event, and proud to share our makers and creators’ passion and expertise with the wider community. “This is our chance to share our own stories through scent, and to look at where the future might take us.” The fair is the largest of its kind in Australia and will include the Makers Marketplace with up to 30 independent and artisanal perfumers selling directly to the public and sharing their brand stories. Talks, panel discussions, sensory experiences and a VIP night for makers, sponsors and special guests. Geelong Fragrance Fair is at Deakin University Waterfront Campus from 11 to 13 September. See geelongfragrancefair. com.au for more information.
In 1966, Corio Centre became the seventh centre affiliated with the then named Victorian Little Athletics Association. This summer Corio celebrates 60 years and they are keen to hear from past members who might like to be invited to their celebrations and share memories or memorabilia. A number of current parents and volunteers were Corio athletes themselves, and several volunteers have been active at the centre for many years. Two life members achieved more than 50 years’ service, one has been acknowledged for 30 years while several others are not far behind. Until the summer of 2025-26, the centre consisted of several affiliated clubs with the remaining five merging last summer to now compete as the Corio Centre. Little Aths is a fun, social sport all the family can participate in together. Unlike many other sports where parents cheer from the sidelines or record the scores, athletics provides many opportunities to be involved hands on. Corio Centre has a free come and try day on Saturday 19 September, and two free trial weeks are available once the season starts on 3 October. Athletes are to be aged five to 16 on 31 December. Little Athletics Vic has introduced Coles Little Athletics Tiny Tots for the first time this year, a modified introductory sports program for all children aged three to four and Corio Centre will offer the program. For more information email corio@ lavic.com.au.
Corio Centre is celebrating 60 years this summer. (Supplied)
Three men charged after Whittington July shooting Three men have been charged following a shooting in Whittington in July. It will be alleged the victim was shot during an altercation at a residential property on Aldrin Court in Whittington about 10.30pm on Friday 31 July. The victim, a 27-year-old Lara man, attended a Geelong hospital with a nonlife-threatening gunshot wound shortly after 10pm the following day. Detectives from the Armed Crime Squad, with assistance from Geelong and Warrnambool Crime Investigation Units and the Fugitive Squad, commenced an extensive investigation into the incident.
On Monday 31 August, an 18-yearold Macarthur man was arrested in Warrnambool. A 31-year-old Corio man was arrested in Corio on Wednesday, 12 August and a 29-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested in Whittington on 4 August. All three men have been charged with a range of offences including: armed robbery; intentionally causing injury; prohibited person possessing a firearm; prohibited person using a firearm; possessing firearm gen category handgun; using a loaded firearm in a nonpublic place with reckless disregard for safety;
being armed with a firearm with criminal intent; and common law assault. The trio has been remanded to appear at Geelong Magistrates’ Court on 3 November. Police also seized firearm and ammunition. On 1 September, police executed a warrant at a Macarthur residence as part of the investigation. A 37-year-old woman and a 34-yearold man were spoken to by investigators at the property and are expected to be charged on summons with hindering police.
The Geelong Fragrance Fair comes to Deakin University’s Waterfront Campus. (Supplied)
Friday, 4 September, 2026 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 7
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CELEBRATING SENIORS
Just in Thyme for display village opening on 17 September You’re invited to join us at the Thyme Ocean Grove display village opening on 17 September. We’ll be opening our display homes, so you can see the modern finishes and clever floorplans in person, from quality kitchens and bathrooms to the thoughtful layouts that make everyday living easy, plus find out more about the community and amenities. Each home features engineered stone benchtops, tiled splashbacks and quality appliances in the kitchen, along with soft-close drawers throughout for that little bit of extra ease day to day. Open-plan living areas flow out onto tiled alfresco spaces, making the most of Ocean Grove’s coastal climate, while split-system or ducted air-conditioning keeps every home comfortable no matter the season. Remote garage doors and internal access round out the everyday conveniences designed into each floorplan. Our home designs include: The Bluewater, the largest in the range, includes a flexible study off the third bedroom and a master suite with a double vanity and walk-in robe, and the corner version adds a wrap-around verandah. The Anglesea is a two-bedroom design built around a galley-style kitchen and a study nook, with a side alfresco extending the living space outdoors. The Swanhaven offers a front-facing multipurpose room, a dual-access bathroom, a separate guest powder room, and a double garage with internal and external entry. The Barroway’s dual-frontage design centres on an alfresco that connects the kitchen, living and dining areas, and also
includes a walk-in linen press, a garage workbench, and the option of a study within the living area. Walking through each of these homes on the day, you’ll get a genuine feel for the quality of finish and the thought that’s gone into every layout, from clever storage solutions to generously proportioned bedrooms and bathrooms. Whether you’re drawn to a wrap-around verandah, a private study nook or a spacious alfresco for entertaining, there’s a design here to suit the way you want to live. Thyme Ocean Grove is a land lease community for over-50s homeowners, close to the beach, local shops and cafes. Selling the family home and moving in here means freeing up equity to spend on the things that matter most, whether that’s travel, family or simply living well, all while still owning your home outright. Homeowners enjoy low-maintenance living, new friendships and a full calendar of activities, with the security and peace of mind of a gated community and like-minded neighbours. It’s one thing to look at a floorplan on paper, and another to walk through the finished home and get a real sense of the space, the light and the quality on offer. That’s exactly the experience the open day is designed to give you a chance to explore each home at your own pace, chat with the team on hand, and picture what everyday life at Thyme Ocean Grove could look like for you. Event details: Thyme Ocean Grove, 15 Ocean Grand Drive, Ocean Grove When: Thursday 17 September, 10.30am and 12.30pm, information sessions, coffee and refreshments provided
Get along to Thyme Ocean Grove’s display village opening on 17 September.
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case manager is always there to listen, and I know I can reach out if I need anything” “Having assistance from Just Better Care has given me the independence to keep going. Sometimes there are things I need down the street where it’s hard to go on my own, so having someone along with me is a great to support me.” To start your Just Better Care journey, call 03 5222 1518, email mailge@ justbettercare.com or visit the caring team at their office at Level 1 114a Mt Pleasant Road in Belmont. Visit justbettercare.com/Geelong for more information.
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FRIDAY FEATURE
Fighting the Black Dog Torquay’s Lachlan Wright and Dan Donaldson will run a 120km loop around the Bellarine Peninsula on Sunday. JUSTIN FLYNN spoke to them and found out why. Nobody enjoys talking about suicide. But with mental health becoming a more open topic, conversations and action are increasing. Most people will tackle the subject by talking about it. Some, such as Torquay duo Lachlan Wright and Dan Donaldson, find more extreme ways to bring the Black Dog to the forefront. On Sunday 6 September, Father’s Day, they will rise earlier than most and set off from Torquay on a 120km route around the Bellarine Peninsula and back. They hope to conquer the journey in less than 12 hours. Every event of this magnitude is done for a cause and Lachlan and Dan are doing it for mental health and suicide. They will set off at 4am from The Shaka Project in Torquay, which has given its full support. Founded in 2019, The Shaka Project delivers free mental health and suicide prevention workshops to schools, sporting clubs, workplaces and community groups. “I think that mental health in general is quite a big thing, especially in this area and growing up here,” Lachlan says. “Over the past six years I’ve personally been impacted by losing five friends to suicide in a six-year period, which is quite severe and serious. “I came across The Shaka Project and heard what they were doing and what they support and that really did something for me. “I wanted to help them out since they help a lot of other people out and to raise funds and then let them put it into projects and help men that are really struggling.” According to the Bureau of Statistics, 3326 Australians died by suicide in 2024. Men made up the overwhelming number of those with 76.5 percent. Although every death by suicide is just as tragic as each other, men are three times more likely to take their own lives than women. The average age for people taking their own lives is 46. Data released by the Coroners Court of Victoria revealed that 423 Victorians had died by suicide from January to the end of July this year - 303 men and 120 women. People aged between 45 to 54 and over 65 were the most likely to die by suicide. It’s confronting reading. “It’s obviously no secret how much of an issue men’s health is and how much of a taboo it is as well,” Dan says. “More and more we’re talking about it, but I still think we can aim to talk about it a lot more and address the elephant in the room. “And even since we’ve started, I guess the word’s got out there, I’ve had a few people reach out to me and tell me what an important cause it is to them and how we can only keep aiming higher to bring it to the fore.” Lachlan is no stranger to ultra running. After his mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, he started running. It helped him deal with the pain. “I mainly do a lot of ultras, pretty much once a month is my thing,” he says. “I like to race once a month. I do everything between 50km upwards of 100km. I absolutely love it. “Next year I’ve got a pretty booked out calendar. Travelling a lot around the world, racing a lot of UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-
Lachlan Wright and Dan Donaldson are set to run from Torquay and around the Bellarine Peninsula and back to raise awareness for mental health. (pictures Ivan Kemp)
Blanc) events and in all different climates, European mountains and Asian highlands. “All different distances so yeah, I love my trail running and just love supporting a great cause.” For Dan, Sunday’s 120km journey is nothing compared to the 231km Sonder Monster he conquered last year. The ‘monster’ is a nightmare test of physical and psychological strength on the Larapinta Trail through the MacDonell Ranges near Alice Springs. It has a cutoff time of 60 hours and Dan did with more than three hours to spare. The Bellarine doesn’t have nearly as many gorges, plains, ridgelines and creeks of the MacDonnell Ranges, but to put it into perspective, it’s 128km from Geelong to Cobden via Colac and that takes more than an hour and a half to drive. The idea for Bellarine loop, which the duo is calling ‘Mission Bellarine’, came from a chance meeting when Dan was looking for secondhand running shoes. “I can’t actually take credit for that one, this is Lachie’s project,” Dan says. “Bit of a funny story, but I met Lachie a
couple of months back now and on Marketplace picked a pair of shoes up from him and got chatting. They were running shoes and I asked if he was a runner. “He said he’d just come back from New Zealand running the Tarawera over there, and we just stayed in touch. He said he was planning to do a run for The Shaka Project, and obviously I love the concept. “I think it’s such an important cause and I asked him if there was any way I can be involved. Lo and behold, he asked if I’d like to join in and here we are.” While Lachlan and Dan want to complete the run in 12 hours, they are not putting any pressure on themselves. “I think the importance for me is that we’re just moving and we’re chatting and we’re starting conversations,” Dan says. “Ideally, we get back before sundown, but I think we’re both realists that a lot needs to go right for us to keep moving at that pace. One of us might carry an injury, in which case we’ll have to adjust the expected finish time. “We’re not out there to break records, we’re out there to start conversations and
bring an important issue to the table.” There will be challenges along the way. Road running requires vigilance. “Keeping our wits about us and keeping true to the shoulder (of the road) and I just think like any long-distance run, we’re going to go through ebbs and flows with nutrition and how our body feels,” Dan says. “It’s really hard to predict. I think the adrenaline at 4am on Sunday morning will be up and about and the sun will come up, which will give us another lift. “Then I reckon through that midmorning time we might go through a bit of a lull but, hopefully we’ll see some familiar faces along the way and that will just keep pushing us forward.” The pair hope to see those familiar faces along the route. They are more than happy to have company along the way whether it involves running or cycling a few kilometres with them. “Whether you’re a child, a man, or a woman, everyone’s welcome,” Lachlan says. “The more the better.” You can help the lads and The Shaka Project by going to Lachlan’s Instagram at @milesbeyondlimits where there is a link to donate. “People can help by just spreading the word, speaking to your mates, checking in on your mates,” he says. “If you want to head over to Instagram, you can feel free to donate or jump on The Shaka Project and check out what they’re doing.” Lachlan and Dan begin their run at 4am from The Shaka Project, Haystacks Drive, Torquay on Sunday 6 September. “Hopefully we’ll be back by 4pm and be tucked in bed ready for dinner by 6pm I reckon,” Dan says. “We’ll get to know each other pretty well across 12 hours this coming Sunday.” If you or someone you know needs support, help is available. Contact any of the following services available 24 hours a day: Lifeline: call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14, lifeline.org.au Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467, suicidecallbackservice.org.au Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636, beyondblue. org.au In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000).
Friday, 4 September, 2026 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 9
ENTERTAINMENT WITH MATT HEWSON
Celebrating a golden era The year 2016 was a catastrophic one for music lovers, widely remembered as ‘the year the music died’ due to the loss of iconic musical figures including Leonard Cohen, Glenn Frey, Merle Haggard, Sharon Jones and George Martin. It was the loss that year of three of the world’s most influential and trailblazing artists – David Bowie, Prince and George Michael – that led local music man and Taxiride lead singer Jason Singh to feel like “music was finished”. “Prince, especially, was probably my biggest influence growing up,” he said. “I was the kid who was listening to Prince when everyone else was listening
Jason Singh delivers his heartfelt but high-energy tribute to Bowie, Prince and George Michael. (Supplied)
to Guns N’ Roses and Midnight Oil. My sister introduced me to him and I was just obsessed with him; I think I saw him 28
times live around the world. “And of course, first Bowie passed away – as far as artistry in music goes, he was probably the best ever – and then George Michael. All three in the same year. “When you lose three gigantic icons like that, they’re irreplaceable. I think their catalogue and music is still as important to the whole world now as it was then. I can’t believe it’s already been 10 years since they left.” Heaven’s Greatest Hits: 10 Years Gone is the newest version of Singh’s hit show that he has performed hundreds of times around the world since its inception in 2018. But performing the celebratory tribute is
not a responsibility he takes lightly. “I was an awkward teenager, and these artists helped guide me and raise me, so to speak, so I take it very seriously when I play their music,” he said. “I feel such a part of this music that it almost feels the same as when I play my Taxiride songs, because I believe in these songs just as much, if not more, than the songs I’ve written. “And it feels amazing, because every song is a hit…and I love taking people back to when they first heard them.” Heaven’s Greatest Hits is at Geelong Arts Centre on Friday 4 September. Visit geelongartscentre.org.au for tickets and more information.
Be prepared for a deep emotional response For internationally renowned scholar and historical flautist Greg Dikmans music is not a job, but a lifelong pursuit. Since his undergraduate days at the University of Sydney in the late 1970s, Dikmans, now Geelong-based, has dedicated himself to 18th-century music. Unlike the 19th-century conception of emotion, which sees emotions as an individual experience of constantly shifting moods, Baroque and Classical era musicians viewed feelings as affects – objective, universal states that could be triggered by music. For performers like Dikmans, performing works from this period requires
NEWS
a deep understanding of the composer’s intentions and a willingness to immerse themselves in those feelings. “A singer would have a text…and know exactly the affect they’re trying to express in the music. Now, for instrumentalists, we don’t have a text but you have to imagine there is one,” he said. “And then once you get into the different affects are that the music is trying to express, the ideal is that you would feel that yourself and then try to bring that out in the music so the listeners can feel it. “It is intense, but in a good way; it requires concentration. And now that I’ve been doing this for over 50 years, I think
I’m finally getting a better understanding of (these composers’) aesthetics, of what they were trying to do.” Performing on baroque flute, Dikmans will appear with theorbo and lute player Samantha Cohen at Sacred Heart Chapel in Newton on Sunday 13 September to present The Art of Persuasion featuring the music of CPE Bach, Sylvius Leopold Weiss and JS Bach. Visit trybooking.com/DLCYM for more information.
Casper White competing in the Belayed Speed Climb event. 573299_09
Oscar de Klerk competing in the tree rescue event. 573299_05
Greg Dikmans will perform at Sacred Heart Chapel with lutist and theorbo player Samantha Cohen. (Supplied)
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Competitor in the work climb event. 573299_01
Climbers gather at Botanic Gardens Speed Climb competitor Casper White on the way up. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 573299_06
Former 4-time world champion and current runner up Barton Allen-Hall was a judge at the competition. 573299_03
Nearly 50 competitive tree climbers descended on Geelong Botanic Gardens last weekend to vie for spots at the Victorian Tree Climbing Championships. Run by the Victorian Tree Industry Organisation (VTIO) with support from the City of Greater Geelong, the state qualifying event drew 43 competitors – mostly Victorians looking to qualify, but also representatives from Tasmania, New South Wales and South Australia simply keen to compete. Matthias Fletcher won the men’s section, while Lola D’Arcy the women’s, with 15 of the 36 men and all seven women qualifying for the state championships in Wangaratta in early November. With each competitor participating in five events, the day kicked off at 7am and ran till after 6pm, with plenty of spectators buzzing around trade stalls, careers tables and a kids’ climb. VTIO president Shane Hall said he was
10 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 4 September, 2026
proud of the way competitors, committee members and volunteers had conducted themselves throughout the day. “It was a really big day and we were a little bit worried about light toward the end of the day, but we got through it with daylight to spare,” he said. “We got lots of positive feedback from participants…they learned a lot and got to be involved with other people like them who don’t have a lot of experience with the event and build that camaraderie. “They had fun, the people watching had fun, it was a fantastic day.” Mr Hall thanked the City of Greater Geelong, Geelong Botanic Gardens staff, the Friends of the Geelong Botanic Gardens and Where You Meet Cafe. “We’re really grateful for the way the Geelong council and their associated entities for their support and the infrastructure they put around the event,” he said.
Ella Bonny prepares for the speed climb. 573299_07
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By Cr Elise Wilkinson One of the most important parts of my role as a councillor is listening to our community. Whether it’s a major infrastructure project or responding to a local issue, good decisions are made when a diverse range of community voices are part of the conversation. That’s why meaningful community engagement is such an important part of council’s decision-making process. Across the Connewarre Ward, several important projects are currently open for feedback, offering residents an opportunity to help shape decisions that will affect our region. One of those is the Ocean Grove Stormwater Study. This project will help the City and other stakeholders better understand and manage flood risk, stormwater impacts and water supply options. Updated flood modelling is now available for community feedback, which builds on earlier engagement from 2021 when locals were asked to identify flood prone areas and share experiences. Now we need to know whether this modelling reflects real-world conditions, and the best way to find out is by asking the people who have seen how stormwater effects their neighbourhoods. Community members can submit their experiences and pictures of flooding online until 11.59pm on Sunday 13 September.
Connewarre ward councillor Elise Wilkinson. (Supplied)
Another opportunity to help shape our region’s environmental future is through engagement on the Draft Urban Forest Strategy: Healthy Country 2026-2036. This draft document sets out a long-term plan to increase tree canopy and urban greening across our region. More trees and vegetation can help keep our neighbourhoods cooler, improve air quality, support biodiversity and strengthen resilience to a changing climate. Investing in urban greening can also deliver significant social and economic benefits, including lower energy costs, improved health outcomes and increased
property values. Community feedback will help shape the final strategy, with residents invited to share what they support, what could be improved, where they value existing trees and green spaces, and where they would like to see more greening. Feedback can be provided through an online survey and interactive map to help inform the final strategy. Engagement closes at 11.59pm on Wednesday 30 September. Staying outdoors, we’re also seeking your input on the proposed sale of land at 5-7 Ozone Road, Barwon Heads. The vacant land is currently used for car parking; however, it is not considered a car park asset and does not comply with the City’s standards for an off-street car park. We want to hear from residents, businesses and visitors about how they currently use the land, what value they believe it provides to the community, and any potential benefits or concerns they see with council selling the site. Feedback will help council understand the community’s views before deciding whether to proceed with the sale. You can have your say on this proposal until 5pm on Sunday 13 September. If you care about any of these issues, I encourage you to take a few moments to get involved. Your input plays an important role in helping council make informed decisions that reflect the needs and aspirations of our community. To submit feedback on these projects or to stay up to date with community engagement news, visit: geelong.link/ YourSay GEELONGINDY.COM.AU
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FROM THE ARCHIVES The Geelong Independent looks back through the pages of our archives
19 years ago
13 years ago
7 years ago
1 year ago
7 September, 2007
6 September, 2013
6 September, 2019
5 September, 2025
Angry northern suburbs residents have claimed a $1 million taxpayer upgrade of Norlane Neighbourhood House has robbed them of community services. They say the upgrade has left the community with virtually no courses, leaving the centre as little more than an office building.
Geelong’s first finals football-flavoured federal election could delay results in the tightest seat in the nation, Corangamite. The clash of the two major events will follow a belated ALP funding announcement on Wednesday of $5 million for preparatory work for stage four of Simonds Stadium’s redevelopment.
Three contenders have emerged in the race to become Geelong’s mayor with council set to elect their new leader on 15 October. Deputy mayor Peter Murrihy and councillor Jim Mason declared their interest yesterday, while Anthony Aitken has publicly backed Eddy Kontelj.
The number of unintentional drug-induced deaths in Australia is higher than the road toll, with Geelong overdose numbers climbing significantly faster than the national average. Independent drug policy research non-profit Penington Institute released Australia’s Annual Overdose Report 2025 this week, revealing a number of alarming trends in Australia and the Geelong region.
Friday, 4 September, 2026 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 11
HERE TO SUPPORT
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Greater Geelong is a community where everyone belongs Geelong has long been known for its strong sense of community, and one of the region’s greatest strengths is how local people, businesses and organisations work together to create opportunities for people of all abilities. Across Greater Geelong and the surrounding region, people living with disability are an important and valued part of our community. They are our neighbours, colleagues, customers, students, volunteers, athletes, artists, business owners, family members and friends – each contributing to the character and diversity that makes Geelong such a special place to live. Supporting people with disability is about more than providing services. It is about creating a community where everyone has the opportunity to participate, contribute, connect and thrive. Throughout Geelong, dedicated disability support providers, community organisations, health professionals, educators and local businesses help people achieve greater independence and pursue their individual goals. From employment and education to recreation, social connection, health and everyday living, these services can make a meaningful difference to individuals and their families. Local sporting clubs, community groups and recreational organisations also play an important role by creating inclusive opportunities for people to get involved, develop new skills, build friendships and enjoy being part of a team. Businesses have a role to play too. Accessible workplaces, inclusive employment practices and welcoming customer environments can help remove barriers and provide greater opportunities for peo-
Shaun and Kathryn Pegg with their daughter Maddisyn at Disabled Surfers Association’s Ocean Grove event. (Ivan Kemp)
ple living with disability. Often, relatively small changes can significantly impact making someone feel welcomed, respected and included. Importantly, inclusion begins with listening to people with lived experience and recognising that every person’s needs, abilities and goals are different. Choice, dignity and independence should remain at the heart of the conversation.
Geelong continues to grow and evolve, and with that growth comes an opportunity to ensure accessibility and inclusion remain an important part of the region’s future. This special Disability Feature celebrates the individuals, families, carers, businesses, professionals and organisations helping to make that happen. It is also an opportunity to recognise the
achievements and contributions of people living with disability themselves – and to encourage the wider community to continue breaking down barriers, challenging assumptions and creating opportunities. Because a truly strong community is one where everyone has the opportunity to belong, participate and be valued. And here in Geelong, that’s something worth celebrating.
A beach wheelchair can take you places.
Supporting better lives every day of the year
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12 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 4 September, 2026
At Destination Accessible we believe great outcomes start with great support. As a registered NDIS provider delivering supported independent living (SIL), short term accommodation and complex care across Geelong and the Bellarine, our focus is on empowering people to live the life they choose. What sets us apart is our team. Our qualified, experienced support workers are committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred supports that build capacity, promote choice and uphold the rights of every participant. Using an active support approach, we work alongside participants to strengthen independence, develop skills, increase community participation and achieve meaningful NDIS goals.
Whether supporting someone to maintain their home, build daily living skills, access the community or navigate complex health needs, our team is focused on achieving positive, measurable outcomes that enhance quality of life. As a registered provider of SIL and complex care supports, we understand that every participant’s journey is unique. That’s why we tailor our services to individual goals, preferences and support needs, ensuring participants have the opportunity to thrive in a safe, inclusive and supportive environment. At Destination Accessible, we’re not just providing support, we’re creating opportunities for people to build confidence, connections and greater independence every day.
HERE TO SUPPORT
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Helping build confidence to navigate public transport For many people, catching a bus is part of everyday life. But for those who are new to the country, unfamiliar with public transport, or have accessibility needs, using public transport for the first time can feel unfamiliar and overwhelming. That is why CDC Victoria created BusAble, a community program designed to help people build confidence when using public transport. Through practical education and hands-on experience, BusAble helps participants understand how to travel safely, plan journeys, and navigate the public transport network with confidence. Most recently, CDC Victoria partnered with Cultura Geelong to deliver BusAble sessions for newly arrived migrants and refugees from diverse cultural backgrounds. Participants learned how to use a Myki card, plan trips, understand fares, access accessibility features, use the PTV app, and learn important passenger safety procedures before stepping onboard a bus for a practical learning experience. The success of the BusAble sessions highlights the important role public transport plays in helping people connect with employment, education, healthcare, community services and social opportunities. When people are confident travelling independently, they are better equipped to participate fully in community life. Since its launch, BusAble has supported a wide range of community members, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, students beginning to travel independently, people with disability, and those who may be returning to public transport after years of
CDC Victoria created BusAble, a community program designed to help people build confidence when using public transport.
relying on private vehicles. Through partnerships with community organisations, CDC Victoria has helped hundreds of people gain practical skills and the confidence to travel independently. As one of Victoria’s leading bus operators, CDC Victoria believes its role extends beyond transporting passengers. It is about connecting people with opportunities, supporting inclusion, and making public transport accessible for everyone. With every session delivered, BusAble helps break down barriers, build confi-
dence and create stronger community connections. Community groups, schools and organisations interested in hosting a BusAble session can contact community.engagement@cdcvictoria.com.au to learn more about bringing the program to their community. CDC Victoria is also committed to creating local employment opportunities. We are currently recruiting bus drivers and mechanics across Victoria, including Geelong. To explore current opportunities, visit seek.com.au/cdc-victoria-jobs
Now Hiring
Bus Drivers & Mechanics
CDC Victoria, a renowned bus operator, is looking for bus drivers and qualified heavy vehicle mechanics across Victoria. Scan the QR code or search “CDC Victoria Jobs” on SEEK. Any questions? Email hr.vic@cdcbus.com.au
cdcvictoria.com.au
@CDC Victoria
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Come join our great team Competitive pay Career progression Supportive work environment Various locations
Truganina • Albion • Westmeadows • Airport West • Oakleigh • Geelong • Ballarat • Mildura • Broken Hill Friday, 4 September, 2026 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 13
HERE TO SUPPORT
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Personalised support from staff who care For people living with disability, the right support can make a meaningful difference to independence, confidence and everyday life. Nurse Next Door Home Care Services Geelong provides personalised NDIS and disability support designed around each individual, their needs and, importantly, their goals. Owned and operated by Geelong local and experienced nurse Kristy Kayler-Thomson, Nurse Next Door supports people living with physical, intellectual and psychosocial disabilities, whether they require early intervention, ongoing in-home care or assistance to participate more independently in everyday life. Understanding that no two people are the same, Nurse Next Door begins with a free consultation with a Registered Nurse to understand each person’s circumstances and align their support with their specific NDIS goals. The team also works closely with Support Coordinators and Plan Managers to help ensure services are coordinated smoothly and support remains focused on achieving short, medium and long-term goals. A key part of Nurse Next Door’s approach is finding the right caregiver. Local caregiv-
Client Kim and Nurse Next Door’s Jayde.
ers are carefully matched with clients based not only on their support needs, but also their personality and interests, helping to build genuine, trusted connections. From assistance with daily living and in-
home care to nursing, companionship and personalised disability support, services are tailored to encourage greater choice and independence. For Kristy and the Nurse Next Door Gee-
long team, disability care is about seeing the individual first – supporting people to pursue their goals, maintain meaningful connections and live life with greater independence in the community they call home.
In your own home, on your own terms. Services Include: - Palliative Care - Personal Care - Meal Preparation - And more...
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- Disability Support - Home Care Nursing - High Intensity Care - 24/7 Home Care
1300 100 247 14 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 4 September, 2026
nursenextdoor.com.au
The Guide THE CAGE ABC TV, Sunday, 8.20pm
PICK OF THE WEEK
Highland fling:
Luke McGregor and Shaun Micallef head to Scotland.
Yes, The Cage might be a British crime thriller with big names and bigger heists, but there’s no moody detective or plucky young constable at the heart of this lively series. The police are only on the periphery as casino workers Leanne (Sheridan Smith) and Matty (Michael Socha, pictured with Smith) take the floor. Leanne is a widowed mother and carer on the brink of homelessness, and Matty a gambling addict and alcoholic drowning in debt. The pair have been skimming cash from the same safe during their shifts, a fact they uncovered in last week’s premiere. Each unable to stop, they formed an uneasy pact, but panic ensues when Nancy (Geraldine James) and Gary (Barry Sloane) review the books. THE BLOCK Nine, Monday, 7.30pm
After last year’s Block saw bold colour-drenched rooms feature prominently, the class of 2026 has been much more sparing when it comes to high-impact hues. Beige, cream and natural tones have ruled supreme, but judge Shaynna Blaze declared during last night’s judging that the design “needs a defibrillator” and halfway through the competition, the teams are finally starting to see the light. This week’s guest suites introduce a green marble benchtop and pink tiling (don’t worry, they’re in separate houses) to the rather pallid palette we’ve seen so far. There’s also plenty of colourful commentary as 2018 contestant Spence Thomson steps in to help Tayla (pictured) while dad Rick is recovering in hospital.
SHAUN MICALLEF’S ORIGIN ODYSSEY SBS, Tuesday, 7.30pm
Knee deep in Scottish stereotypes – from tartan and haggis to bagpipes and deep-fried Mars bars – Shaun Micallef guides comedian Luke McGregor on
a surprising tour of his ancestral homeland this week. The Hobartborn Rosehaven star admits he doesn’t know much about where his family comes from – and is surprised to learn his greatgrandfather’s first name, let alone what he did for a living or why he left for Australia in 1930.
After getting “kilted up” in Edinburgh, the travelling companions embark on an immersive journey through McGregor’s family tree, and Highland history itself, to discover why his surname became illegal in 1603 – and whether his clan’s warrior DNA lives on in him.
Friday, September 4 ABC TV (2)
SBS (3)
SEVEN (6, 7)
NINE (8, 9)
TEN (5, 10)
6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Amanda & Alan’s Italian Job. (PG, R) 10.30 Take 5. (PG, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (Final, R) 12.55 Portrait Artist Of The Year. (PG, R) 1.45 The Cage. (Md, R) 2.30 Poh’s Kitchen. (R) 3.00 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 4.00 Murdoch Mysteries. (PGv, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (a, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6am Morning Programs. 8.00 BBC News At Six. 8.30 France 24 English News. 9.00 DD India News Hour. 10.15 Vintage Voltage. (Ml, R) 11.10 Inside Oxford Street. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Bettany Hughes: The Silk Road Treasures. (R) 3.00 Nula. 3.30 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Jeopardy! 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. La Vuelta. H’lights.
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 MOVIE: No Good Deed. (2020, Mav, R) Michelle Borth, Cristina Rosato. 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.
6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: The Movie Star And The Cowboy. (2023, PGa, R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. (PG, R) 5.00 [MELB] Tipping Point Australia. (PG, R) 5.30 WIN News.
6.00 Ent. Tonight. (R) 6.30 Bold. (PG, R) 7.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 7.30 Everyday Gourmet. (R) 8.00 Lingo. (R) 9.00 The Finish Line. (R) 10.00 Farm To Fork. (R) 10.30 Ent. Tonight. (R) 10.50 Gogglebox Aust. (R) 12.00 Everyday Gourmet. 12.30 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG, R) 1.00 News. 2.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 2.30 The Finish Line. (R) 3.30 Lingo. (R) 4.30 Bold. (PG) 5.00 News.
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 Gardening Australia. Tammy Huynh makes a vertical garden. 8.20 Saint-Pierre. (Final, Mlv) Arch’s investigation into Gallagher comes to a head. 9.05 Portrait Artist Of The Year. (PG, R) Nine artists create celebrity portraits. 9.55 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 10.25 ABC Late News. 10.40 Would I Lie To You? (PG, R) 11.10 Murdoch Mysteries. (M, R) 11.55 Rage New Music. (MA15+dhlnsv) 5.00 Rage. (PG)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News. 7.35 The Good Ship Murder. (PGv) 8.30 WWII With Tom Hanks. (Maw) 10.10 SBS World News Late. 10.40 Spy/Master. (Premiere, Mav) 11.35 Darkness: Those Who Kill. (MA15+s, R) 1.20 Close Encounters With Levison Wood. (Mal, R) 2.15 Who Do You Think You Are? (PGa, R) 3.20 Australia Uncovered: The Children In The Pictures. (MA15+a, R) 5.00 WorldWatch.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 AFL: Friday Night Countdown. A lead-up to the Friday night AFL match. 7.30 Football. AFL Finals. First elimination final. From the MCG. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews. 11.15 GetOn Extra. A look at the weekend’s best racing. 11.50 The Voice. (PGal, R) Team Tones And I members take to the stage. 1.30 Eyewitness. (MA15+av, R) Gabe uncovers a clue to his wife’s past. 2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 5.00 NBC Today.
6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Find My Country House Australia. (PG, R) 8.30 MOVIE: Vacation. (2015, MA15+ln, R) A man takes his family on a road trip. Ed Helms, Christina Applegate. 10.30 MOVIE: National Lampoon’s Vacation. (1983, Mdl, R) 12.20 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.10 The Garden Gurus. (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. (PG, R)
6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG, R) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney. 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. (R) Empty-nesters are at loggerheads. 8.30 Have You Been Paying Attention? (Malns, R) Celebrity panellists compete to see who can remember the most about events of the week. 9.30 10’s Late News. Comprehensive coverage of local, national and international news, as well as the latest sport and weather. 10.30 Two And A Half Men. (Ms, R) 12.00 Home Shopping. (R)
ABC FAMILY (22)
SBS2 (31)
7TWO (62, 72)
9GEM (81, 92)
10 COMEDY (52, 11)
6am Children’s Programs. 11.45 Andy’s Prehistoric Adv. 12.55pm Talking Tom Heroes. 1.20 PJ Masks. 1.50 Kangaroo Beach. 2.30 The Makery. 2.45 Gardening Australia Junior. 3.00 Play School. 4.05 Andy’s Aquatic Adventures. 4.20 Santiago Of The Seas. 5.40 Kangaroo Beach. 6.05 Spidey And His Amazing Friends. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 8.00 Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! 8.50 Steven Universe. 9.40 BattleBots. 10.25 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. La Vuelta. H’lights. Noon DW The Day. 12.30 Night Bloomers. 1.40 We’re All Gonna Die (Even Jay Baruchel) 2.45 Forged In Fire. 3.35 WorldWatch. 5.35 Inside The Huddle. 6.05 Over The Black Dot. 6.35 Jeopardy! 7.30 Celebrity Jeopardy. 8.30 The Center Seat: 60 Years Of Star Trek. 9.25 Alone Australia. 10.30 Toppled. 10.50 Cycling. UCI World Tour. La Vuelta. 1.50am NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera News Hour.
6am Morning Programs. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 The Great Australian Doorstep. 2.30 Weekender. 3.00 Malaysia Kitchen. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Better Homes. 5.00 Escape To The Country. 6.00 Bargain Hunt. 7.00 Better Homes. 8.30 Escape To The Country. 10.30 The Yorkshire Vet. 11.30 Escape To The Country. 12.30am Bargain Hunt. 1.30 Surf Patrol. 2.00 Harry’s Practice. 2.30 Australia’s Deadliest. 3.00 Better Homes. 5.00 Auction Squad.
6am Tennis. US Open. Day 5 Late. 3.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 3.30 Antiques Downunder. (R) 4.00 Find My Country House NZ. (R) 4.30 Poirot. (PGdv, R) 5.30 The Travelling Auctioneers. (R) 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 27. South Sydney Rabbitohs v Sydney Roosters. 9.55 NRL Friday Night Footy Post-Match. 10.45 MOVIE: Rocky V. (1990, Mv, R) 1am Tennis. US Open.
6am Shopping. 6.30 Ridiculousness. 7.30 MasterChef Aust. 8.30 Ent. Tonight. 9.00 GCBC. 9.30 Farm To Fork. 10.00 Bold. 10.30 Deal Or No Deal. 11.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. 11.30 Lingo. 12.30pm Becker. 1.00 Friends. 3.00 Frasier. 4.00 Everyday Gourmet. 4.30 Becker. 5.00 Frasier. 6.00 Friends. 8.00 Two And A Half Men. (PGs, R) 9.30 Becker. (PG, R) 10.00 Frasier. 11.00 Ridiculousness. 11.30 Ent. Tonight. Midnight Shopping. 2.30 Bold. 3.30 Shopping. 5.30 Joseph Prince.
NITV (34)
SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)
7MATE (64, 73)
9GO! (82, 93)
10 DRAMA (53, 12)
6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Going Places. Noon MOVIE: Rumble In The Bronx. (1995, M) 1.40 Stompem Ground 2022: Karajarri Dancers. 2.00 Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 4.30 Dreaming Big. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.30 Nula. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Africa’s Underwater Wonders. 7.30 MOVIE: Whale Rider. (2002, PG) 9.30 MOVIE: The Air Up There. (1994, PG) 11.30 Nula. Midnight Going Places. 2.00 On The Road. 3.00 On The Road. 5.00 Bamay. 5.30 Late Programs.
6am Five Flights Up. (2014, PGal) 7.40 Philadelphia. (1993, PGals) 10.00 The Whale. (2022, Madls) 12.10pm The Queen. (2006, Ml) 2.05 The Third Man. (1949, PGav) 4.05 Dancing At Lughnasa. (1998, PGa) 5.50 The Importance Of Being Earnest. (2002) 7.35 Practical Magic. (1998, R) 9.30 The Post. (2017, R) 11.40 The Bridges Of Madison County. (1995, Ml) 2.10am Dear Thomas. (2021, MA15+adnsv) 5.00 Dancing At Lughnasa. (1998, PGa)
6am Morning Programs. 11.25 NFL. Super Bowl LVI. Los Angeles Rams v Cincinnati Bengals. Replay. 2.30pm Kick Ons. 3.00 Timbersports. 3.30 Deadliest Roads. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Motorbike Cops. 8.30 MOVIE: Downton Abbey. (2019, PG) 11.00 MOVIE: Monty Python’s The Meaning Of Life. (1983, M) 1.20am American Resto. 2.00 Deadliest Roads. 3.00 Motorbike Cops. 4.00 American Pickers. 5.00 Swamp People.
6am Morning Programs. 11.40 Surfing Aust. 12.20pm Rugby Heaven. 1.20 Motor Racing. IndyCar Series. Grand Prix of Milwaukee. 2.30 Baywatch. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.30 Bewitched. 6.30 Baywatch. 7.30 MOVIE: Black Adam. (2022, M) 10.00 MOVIE: The Northman. (2022, MA15+) 12.40am Love Island UK: All Stars. 1.40 Legacies. 2.30 World’s Greatest Myths And Mysteries. 3.30 Cry Babies Magic Tears. 4.00 Barbie: Dreamhouse Adventures. 4.30 Hop. 4.50 Late Programs.
6am Shopping. 8.00 Days Of Our Lives. 8.45 The Young And The Restless. 9.30 Living Room. 10.30 Building The Dream. 11.30 The Bold And The Beautiful. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.45 The Young And The Restless. 1.30 JAG. 3.30 Bull. 4.30 JAG. (PGlv, R) 6.30 Bull. (PGa, R) 7.30 NCIS. (M, R) 10.20 Bull. (PGa, R) 11.15 JAG. (PGv, R) 1.15am 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, 4 September, 2026 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 15
Saturday, September 5 SBS (3)
SEVEN (6, 7)
NINE (8, 9)
TEN (5, 10)
6.00 Rage Charts. (PG) 7.00 Wknd Brekky. 9.00 Rage. (PG) 10.30 Rage Vault Guest Programmer. (PG) 12.00 Football. VFL. Finals Series. Semi-final. 3.00 Take 5 With Zan Rowe. (R) 3.30 Tampa: The Turning Point. (PGa, R) 4.20 Australian Story: Celebrating 30 Years. (R) 5.35 Landline. (R)
6am Morning Programs. 8.30 France 24 English News. 9.00 DD India News Hour. 10.05 South Africa From Above. (R) 11.05 Wonders Of The World I Can’t See. (Mls, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Going Places. (R) 3.30 Marathon. TCS Sydney Marathon. H’lights. 4.30 Cycling. UCI World Tour. La Vuelta. H’lights. 5.35 War Trains. (Premiere)
6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Jabba’s Movies School Holiday Special. (R) 12.30 To Be Advised. 2.05 Surveillance Oz. (PG, R) 2.30 AFL Pre-Game Show. 3.00 Football. AFL Finals. Second qualifying final. Sydney v Brisbane Lions.
6.00 Getaway. (PG, R) 6.30 A Current Affair. (R) 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday. (PG) 12.00 Drive Review. 12.30 Destination WA. (PG, R) 1.00 Find My Country House Australia. (PG, R) 2.00 The Block. (PGl, R) 4.30 The Garden Gurus. 5.00 9News First At Five. 5.30 Getaway. (PG)
6am Morning Programs. 8.30 All 4 Adventure. (PGl, R) 9.30 Frugal Foodie. (R) 10.00 Freshly Picked. (R) 10.30 What’s Up Down Under. (PG) 11.30 The Traitors Australia. (PGl, R) 1.00 Pooches At Play. (PG) 1.30 Country House Facelift. 2.00 Deal Or No Deal: Celebrity Jackpot. (PG, R) 3.00 The Finish Line. (R) 4.00 Lingo. (R) 5.00 News.
6.05 Kath & Kim. (PGals, R) Sharon has sworn off men. 6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) Hosted by Tom Gleeson. 7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day. 7.30 Grantchester. (Ma) Cathy’s big moment turns deadly. 8.20 Father Brown. (PGv) Father Brown takes the lead when, during a television dancing contest, a contestant becomes a target of an attempted murder. 9.05 Midsomer Murders. (Mv, R) UFO spotters are convinced aliens are responsible for the death of a forest ranger. 10.35 Falling. (Ml, R) David and Anna face uncomfortable truths. 11.15 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) Continuous music programming.
6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Queen Victoria And The Groomsman Scandal. 8.45 The Airport Chaplain. (Ml, R) Tobias and Mira juggle multiple crises at once. 9.50 Shaun Micallef’s Origin Odyssey: Matt Okine In Ghana. (PGa, R) 10.55 DNA Family Secrets. (Ml, R) 12.00 Something Undone. (Mal, R) 2.25 Close Encounters With Levison Wood: Walking With Polar Bears. (Mal, R) 3.20 Who Do You Think You Are? Ralf Little. (PG, R) 4.25 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 Euronews. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Football. AFL Finals. Second elimination final. From Adelaide Oval. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews taking a look back at all the action from the match. 11.00 Kings Of The Big Game: West Coast Eagles: A State Of Expectation. (Ma) Looks at the West Coast Eagles’ 2006 redemption story, from Grand Final heartbreak to premiership glory. 12.15 Eyewitness. (MA15+av, R) Ryan tries to cover his tracks. 1.15 Harry’s Practice. (R) Information about pet care. 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 It’s Academic. (R) Hosted by Simon Reeve. 5.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
6.00 9News Saturday. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 27. Cronulla Sharks v Melbourne Storm. From Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney. 9.25 NRL Saturday Night Footy Post-Match. Post-match coverage of the NRL game. 10.00 MOVIE: Dunkirk. (2017, Mlvw, R) A mission is launched to rescue stranded soldiers. Fionn Whitehead, Mark Rylance. 12.00 Wild Cards. (Ma, R) 12.50 Destination Celebrity. (Premiere, PG) 2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PGa) 2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Helping Hands. (PG)
6.30 Gogglebox Australia. (R) Opinionated viewers discuss TV shows. 7.30 Selling Houses Australia. (PGa) Shaynna and Charlie help Jen, who bought her ‘Swiss chalet’ on a whim but works full-time and the land requires an awful lot of upkeep. 9.40 Love It Or List It UK: Brilliant Builds. (PG) Kirstie and Phil look back on their favourite workingfrom-home transformations. 10.40 Watson. (Mm, R) The team races to save a man and his pregnant wife from a terrifying sinkhole. Ingrid’s future with her therapy group becomes unclear. 11.40 FBI. (Mv, R) An undercover operation led by Nina goes sideways. 12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.
ABC FAMILY (22)
SBS2 (31)
7TWO (62, 72)
9GEM (81, 92)
10 COMEDY (52, 11)
6am Children’s Programs. 3pm Play School. 3.30 Shaun The Sheep. 3.55 Talking Tom Heroes. 4.30 Little J And Big Cuz. 4.50 Gardening Australia Junior. 5.25 Wowsabout! (Premiere) 6.05 PJ Masks. 6.25 Zog. 7.05 Do Not Watch This Show. 7.30 Teenage Boss: Next Level. 7.55 Harry Potter: Wizards Of Baking. 8.40 The Lady Grace Mysteries. 9.40 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.00 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 2.45pm If You Are The One. 3.50 WorldWatch. 5.45 Mastermind Aust. 6.45 Engineering By Catastrophe. 7.40 History’s Greatest Machines. 8.30 The Center Seat: 60 Years Of Star Trek. 9.25 Couples Therapy. 10.35 Reborn: Using Lifelike Dolls To Cope. 10.50 Cycling. UCI World Tour. La Vuelta. 1.50am Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.30 GetOn Extra. Noon Horse Racing. Moir Stakes Day and Chelmsford Stakes Day. 5.30 Australia’s Deadliest. 6.00 Dog Patrol. 6.30 Bondi Vet. 7.30 The Yorkshire Vet. 8.30 Escape To The Chateau. 9.30 Escape To The Country. 10.30 World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys. 11.30 Auction Squad. 12.30am Australia: The Story Of Us. 1.30 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 2.30pm NRLW Wrap. 3.15 Rugby League. NRL Women’s Premiership. North Qld Cowboys v Roosters. 5.00 Rugby League. NRL Women’s Premiership. Knights v Canterbury Bulldogs. 7.00 Rugby League. NRL. Cronulla Sharks v Melbourne Storm. 7.30 MOVIE: A Star Is Born. (2018, M) 10.15 Becoming Madonna. 12.15am Late Programs.
6am Shopping. 7.30 Deal Or No Deal. 8.30 Bold. 11.00 Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield. 11.30 Becker. Noon Frasier. 1.00 Becker. 1.30 Frasier. 2.30 Friends. (PG, R) 7.30 Two And A Half Men. (Ms, R) 10.30 The Traitors Australia. (PGl, R) Midnight Two And A Half Men. 12.30 Becker. 1.00 Frasier. 2.00 Home Shopping.
NITV (34)
SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)
7MATE (64, 73)
9GO! (82, 93)
10 DRAMA (53, 12)
6am Morning Programs. 1.50pm Africa’s Underwater Wonders. 2.40 Over The Black Dot. 3.10 Homesteads. 3.45 Karla Grant Presents. 4.30 Anthem Sessions. 5.00 Exile And The Kingdom. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 The Other Side. 7.30 Alone Australia. 8.40 MOVIE: Black Water. (2007, M) 10.15 Ub40 Feat. Ali Campbell Live Concert. Midnight Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 12.25pm Moving On. (2022, Malv) 2.00 Five Flights Up. (2014, PGal) 3.40 Discovering Film. 4.25 Philadelphia. (1993, PGals) 6.45 Mr Magorium’s Wonder Emporium. (2007) 8.30 Saturday Night Fever. (1977, MA15+al) 10.40 Vampyros Lesbos. (1971, MA15+nv, German) 12.20am Dirty Dancing. (1987, Mas) 2.15 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 2pm Rides Down Under: Aussie Truckers. 3.00 Motor Racing. Night Thunder. USA Speedweek. Final. Replay. 4.00 Deep Water Salvage. 5.00 Counting Cars. 5.30 Pawn Stars. 6.00 AFL Post-Game. 6.30 AFL Pre-Game. 7.00 Pawn Stars. 7.30 MOVIE: Terminator: Dark Fate. (2019, M) 10.05 MOVIE: Cape Fear. (1991, M) 12.50am Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 12.30pm Tennis. US Open. Day 6 Late. 3.00 Seinfeld. 3.30 Motor Racing. FIA World Endurance C’ship. 6 Hours of São Paulo. H’lights. 4.30 The Dog House UK. 5.30 TBA. 7.30 MOVIE: The Dark Knight Rises. (2012, M) 10.50 TBA. 12.45am The Purge. 2.25 Love Island Games. 4.00 Cards And Collectables Australia. 4.30 Barney’s World. 4.50 Late Programs.
6am Shopping. 9.00 Reel Action. 9.30 The Traitors Australia. 11.00 Roads Less Travelled. 11.30 Building The Dream. 12.30pm The Living Room. 2.30 JAG. 4.30 Reel Action. 5.00 Escape Fishing With ET. 5.30 JAG. 7.30 NCIS. (M, R) 10.20 JAG. (PGlv, R) 12.15am Home Shopping.
12841925-JO05-26
ABC TV (2)
Sunday, September 6 ABC TV (2)
SBS (3)
SEVEN (6, 7)
NINE (8, 9)
TEN (5, 10)
6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Compass. (PG, R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.15 Portrait Artist Of The Year. (PG, R) 3.05 End Game With Tony Armstrong. (Mal, R) 3.55 Creative Types. (PG, R) 4.25 Amanda & Alan’s Italian Job. (PG, R) 5.00 Take 5. (PG, R) 5.30 Back Roads. (PG, R)
6am Morning Programs. 9.00 DD India News Hour. 10.00 Bonsai. (R) 10.15 MOVIE: Harry Chapin: Cat’s In The Cradle. (2025) 12.00 WorldWatch. 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Cycling. Arctic Race Of Norway. H’lights. 4.00 Going Places. (PGa, R) 4.30 Cycling. UCI World Tour. La Vuelta. H’lights. 5.35 War Trains. (PGaw)
6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Surveillance Oz. (PG, R) 12.25 Football. AFL Women’s. Richmond v Fremantle. 2.30 Border Security: Int. (PG, R) 3.00 Football. AFL Women’s. Carlton v Collingwood. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)
6.00 Hello SA. (PG, R) 6.30 A Current Affair. (R) 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 AFL Sunday Footy Show. (PG) 12.00 Wide World Of Sports. (PG) 1.00 GolfBarons. (R) 1.40 The Block. (PGl, R) 4.00 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo. (PG, R) 5.00 9News First At Five. 5.30 Postcards. (PG)
6am Morning Programs. 9.00 Freshly Picked. (R) 9.30 GCBC. (R) 10.00 Good Food Everyday. (PGa, R) 10.30 Frugal Foodie. (R) 11.00 Deal Or No Deal. (PG, R) 11.30 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG, R) 12.00 My Market Kitchen. (R) 12.30 Gogglebox Aust. (R) 1.30 The Traitors Australia. (PGl, R) 3.00 The Finish Line. (R) 4.00 Lingo. (R) 5.00 News.
6.00 Antiques Roadshow. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day. 7.30 Portrait Artist Of The Year. (PG) Nine artists create celebrity portraits. 8.20 The Cage. (Ml) Matty and Leanne decide to work as a team while Ning comes up with a plan to nail Gary. 9.10 Falling. (Ml) Anna questions whether she made the right choice whilst David tries to make amends. 10.00 Grantchester. (Ma, R) Cathy’s big moment turns deadly. 10.50 Father Brown. (PGv, R) 11.35 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 2.05 The Cook And The Chef. (R) 2.30 Midsomer Murders. (Mv, R) 4.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)
6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Surviving 9/11. (Mal) 9.15 Castle Secrets: Inspiring A Monster, A Death Ritual, Reaching Da Vinci. (Mav, R) A castle in ruins provides inspiration. 10.05 Kennedy: The Brink Of War (October 1962-June 1963) (PG, R) Kennedy pursues diplomacy with the Soviets. 10.55 The Kingdom. (Ma, R) 12.20 Ireland’s Wild Islands: Sea Of Serpents. (PGa, R) 3.20 The Good Ship Murder. (PG, R) 4.10 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 Euronews. 5.30 PBS News Horizons.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 The Voice. (PGal) 8.45 7NEWS Spotlight. Focuses on major breaking news events and long-form investigations of national significance. 9.45 Poisoned. (Premiere, MA15+a) Journalist James Beal looks into the death of a young man who died by ingesting a lethal poison which he had bought online. 10.55 24 Hours In Police Custody: Car Attack. (Madlv, R) 12.00 Curfew. (MA15+av) 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 The Block. (PGl) One contestant is sent off-site. 8.40 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issues affecting all Australians. 9.40 9News Late. 10.10 The First 48: Out Of The Darkness. (MA15+av) Two families seek justice for their loved ones. 11.10 Murder In The 21st: Catfish Killer. (Mv) 12.00 To Be Advised. 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 Destination WA. (PG, R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
6.30 10 News+. Comprehensive coverage of the day’s top stories, investigative reports and stories that haven’t been heard. 7.00 Gogglebox Australia. TV fanatics open up their living rooms to reveal their reactions to popular and topical TV shows. 8.00 Watson. (Mas) A patient arrives at the Holmes Clinic plagued by a mysterious neurological disorder. 9.00 FBI. (Mv) A federal whistleblower is murdered while in FBI custody, along with two agents. 12.00 10 News+. (R) Comprehensive coverage of the day’s top stories, investigative reports and stories that haven’t been heard. 12.30 Home Shopping. (R)
ABC FAMILY (22)
SBS2 (31)
7TWO (62, 72)
9GEM (81, 92)
10 COMEDY (52, 11)
6am Children’s Programs. 1.20pm PJ Masks. 1.50 Kangaroo Beach. 2.35 Fizzy And Suds. 3.00 Play School. 3.25 Tabby McTat. 3.50 Talking Tom Heroes. 4.15 Stan & Gran. 5.20 Stick Man. 6.05 PJ Masks. 6.25 Zog. 7.05 Do Not Watch This Show. 7.30 The Inbestigators. 7.45 The Lady Grace Mysteries. 8.10 Wild_Life: The Big Freeze. 8.55 Animal Park. 10.25 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 2.25pm Race For The Planet. 3.00 The Power Of Activism. 4.00 Jeopardy! 4.25 WorldWatch. 5.45 Bermuda Triangle: Into Cursed Waters. 6.35 Abandoned Engineering. 8.25 The Center Seat: 60 Years Of Star Trek. 9.50 Beckham’s Billions: How They Got So Rich. 10.50 Cycling. UCI World Tour. La Vuelta. 1.50am Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.30 Escape To The Country. 12.30pm Malaysia Kitchen. 1.00 Australia’s Deadliest. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 Harry’s Practice. 3.00 The Yorkshire Vet. 4.00 My Greek Odyssey. 5.00 World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys. 6.00 Escape To The Country. 7.00 Vicar Of Dibley. 8.30 Vera. 10.30 Genius: Picasso. (Premiere) 11.30 Vicar Of Dibley. 1am Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.45 Rugby League. NRL Women’s Premiership. Dragons v Broncos. 1.30pm Rugby League. NRL Women’s Premiership. Tigers v Titans. 3.30 Rugby League. NRL. Penrith Panthers v Tigers. 6.00 Rugby League. NRL Women’s Premiership. Canberra Raiders v Eels. 8.00 TBA. 9.00 Paramedics. 10.00 Emergency. 11.00 Cold Case. Midnight Late Programs.
6am Shopping. 7.30 Deal Or No Deal. 9.30 Lingo. 11.30 Becker. Noon Frasier. 1.00 Becker. (PG, R) 1.30 Frasier. (PGa, R) 2.30 Friends. (PG, R) 7.30 Two And A Half Men. (PGs, R) 10.30 The Traitors Australia. (PGl, R) Midnight Becker. 12.30 Frasier. 1.30 Home Shopping.
NITV (34)
SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)
7MATE (64, 73)
9GO! (82, 93)
10 DRAMA (53, 12)
6am Morning Programs. 1pm Rugby League. Qld Murri Carnival. Women’s. Semi-final 1. Walkabout Tiddas v SEQ Magic. Replay. 2.15 NAIDOC Awards 2026. 4.20 Ub40 Feat. Ali Campbell Live Concert. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Arctic Secrets. 7.30 Extraordinary Animals. 8.30 Cassius X: Becoming Ali. 10.05 MOVIE: The Shining. (1980, MA15+) 12.40am Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 1.05pm Practical Magic. (1998, Mahsv) 3.00 Mr. Holmes. (2015, PGa) 4.55 Love And Friendship. (2016, PGa) 6.35 My Girl. (1991, PGals) 8.30 Ezra. (2023, Malv) 10.25 A Missing Part. (2024, Maln, French, Japanese) 12.20am Saturday Night Fever. (1977, MA15+al) 2.35 Vampyros Lesbos. (1971, MA15+nv, German) 4.10 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. Noon The Fishing Show By AFN. 1.00 Fishing Addiction. 2.00 Red’s Fishing Adventures. 2.30 Fish’n Mates. 3.00 Air Crash Inv. 4.00 Deep Water Salvage. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Border Security USA. 7.00 Border Security. 8.30 MOVIE: The Lost World: Jurassic Park. (1997, PG) 11.10 MOVIE: Waterworld. (1995, M) 1.55am Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Tennis. US Open. Day 7 Late. 3pm Surfing Aust. 3.30 Nanny. 4.00 The Toys That Built The World. 5.00 Cards And Collectables Australia. 5.30 MOVIE: Goosebumps. (2015, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Man Of Steel. (2013, M) 10.20 TBA. 12.30am Bel-Air. 1.25 Love Island Games. 4.10 World’s Greatest Myths And Mysteries. 5.00 Bubble’s Hotel. 5.30 Late Programs.
6am Shopping. 7.30 Leading The Way. 8.00 Building The Dream. 9.00 Roads Less Travelled. 9.30 The Traitors Australia. 11.00 Escape Fishing. 11.30 Building The Dream. 12.30pm What’s Up Down Under. 1.30 Buy To Build. 2.00 JAG. 4.00 Pooches At Play. 4.30 Bondi Rescue. 5.00 I Fish. 5.30 JAG. 7.30 NCIS. 10.20 Fire Country. 11.15 JAG. 1.15am Shopping.
16 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 4 September, 2026
Monday, September 7 ABC TV (2)
SBS (3)
SEVEN (6, 7)
NINE (8, 9)
TEN (5, 10)
6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Sue Perkins’ Big Adventure: Paris To Istanbul. (Final, PG, R) 10.45 Morning Programs. 12.00 News. 1.00 Landline. (R) 2.00 Parliament. 3.00 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 4.00 Murdoch Mysteries. (PGv, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family: Born Without A Trace. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6am Morning Programs. 10.25 Vintage Voltage. (PGl, R) 11.20 Inside Oxford Street. (PGa, R) 12.10 WorldWatch. 2.05 Bettany Hughes: Treasures Of Albania And The Adriatic. (PGa, R) 3.00 Going Places. (PGa, R) 3.30 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Jeopardy! 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. La Vuelta. H’lights.
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 Beat The Chasers UK. (R) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. (R) 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.
6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 The Block. (PGl, R) 1.30 Find My Country House Australia. (PG, R) 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 Everyday Gourmet. (R) 8.00 Lingo. (R) 9.00 The Finish Line. (R) 10.00 Farm To Fork. (R) 10.30 Ent. Tonight. (R) 11.00 Gogglebox Aust. (R) 12.00 Everyday Gourmet. 12.30 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG, R) 1.00 News. 2.00 Deal Or No Deal. (PG, R) 2.30 The Finish Line. (R) 3.30 Lingo. (R) 4.30 Bold. (PG) 5.00 News.
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 7.30. 8.00 Australian Story. 8.30 Four Corners. Investigative journalism program. 9.20 Media Watch. (PG) Presented by Linton Besser. 9.35 Planet America. 10.10 Foreign Correspondent. (R) 10.40 ABC Late News. 10.55 The Business. (R) 11.10 Murdoch Mysteries. (Ma, R) 11.55 Long Lost Family: Born Without A Trace. (PG, R) 12.40 Parliament Question Time. 1.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 2.45 Gardening Australia. (R) 3.40 Love Your Garden. (R) 4.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) Presented by Marc Fennell. 6.30 SBS World News. 7.35 Bill Bailey’s Vietnam Adventure. (PG, R) Bill Bailey heads to the region of Da Lat. 8.30 24 Hours In Emergency: Finding Your Way Back. (Mal) A 19-year-old chef is rushed to Queens Medical Centre after crashing his motorbike. 9.25 Alone Australia. (Ml, R) Survivalists are pushed to their limits. 10.30 SBS World News Late. 11.00 Gomorrah: The Origins. (Malv) 1.05 Fargo. (MA15+v, R) 2.50 The Good Ship Murder. (Mv, 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 Home And Away. 7.30 The Voice. (PGal) It’s night two of the knockouts and the coaches have the impossible task of deciding who will make it to the quarter-finals. 9.15 The Rookie. (Mav) The FBI and LAPD join forces on a covert sting operation to protect Nune. 10.15 The Agenda Setters. (R) An expert panel tackles the biggest AFL topics. 11.15 The Agenda Setters: Rugby League. An expert panel tackles the biggest rugby league topics. 12.15 Transplant. (MA15+a, R) Bash diagnoses a young patient. 2.30 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 The Block. (PGl) A new foreperson comes to town. 8.40 Footy Classified. (Ml) A team of footy experts tackles the AFL’s big issues and controversies. 9.40 Players. (Ml) Three of the AFL’s biggest stars talk about all the news on and off the field. 10.40 9News Late. 11.10 100% Footy. (Mal) Features the latest rugby league news. 12.35 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 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (PG) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG) Six contestants answer multiple-choice questions that escalate in cash-prize value. 7.30 Deal Or No Deal: Celebrity Jackpot. (PG) Comedian Denise Scott plays for a charity close to her heart. 8.40 Have You Been Paying Attention? (Malns) Celebrity panellists compete to see who can remember the most about events of the week. 9.40 10’s Late News. Comprehensive coverage of local, national and international news, as well as the latest sport and weather. 10.40 Two And A Half Men. (PGs, R) Jake exhibits some strange behaviour. 12.00 Home Shopping. (R)
ABC FAMILY (22)
SBS2 (31)
7TWO (62, 72)
9GEM (81, 92)
10 COMEDY (52, 11)
6am Children’s Programs. 3pm Play School. 3.25 Wiggle. 4.05 Andy’s Aquatic Adventures. 4.30 SuperKitties. 5.15 Octonauts. 5.50 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.05 Spidey And His Amazing Friends. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Young Sheldon. 8.25 Young Sheldon. 8.45 Secrets Of The Zoo. 9.30 Hard Quiz Kids. 10.00 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. Noon France 24 English News. 12.30 Patriot Brains. 2.20 Race For The Planet. 3.00 Over The Black Dot. 3.30 WorldWatch. 5.30 Alone Denmark. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 The Center Seat: 60 Years Of Star Trek. (Final) 9.25 Shaun Micallef’s Origin Odyssey. 10.30 The Airport Chaplain. 11.35 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 My Greek Odyssey. 2.00 Weekender. 2.30 Auction Squad. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Australia’s Deadliest. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Doc Martin. 8.30 A Touch Of Frost. 10.10 Mighty Ships. 11.10 Escape To The Country. 12.10am Bargain Hunt. 1.10 Late Programs.
6am Tennis. US Open. Day 8 Late. 3pm Antiques Roadshow. 3.30 Antiques Downunder. 4.00 Find My Country House NZ. 4.30 Poirot. 5.30 The Travelling Auctioneers. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 Death In Paradise. (Mav, R) 8.30 Agatha Raisin. (Masv, R) 10.30 Rizzoli & Isles. 11.30 Poirot. 12.30am Antiques Roadshow. 1.00 Tennis. US Open.
6am Morning Programs. 8.30 Ent. Tonight. 9.00 GCBC. 9.30 Farm To Fork. 10.00 Bold. 10.30 Deal Or No Deal. 11.00 Lingo. Noon The Traitors Australia. 1.30 Friends. 3.00 Frasier. 4.00 Everyday Gourmet. 4.30 Becker. 5.00 Frasier. 6.00 Friends. 8.00 Two And A Half Men. 9.30 Becker. 10.00 Frasier. 11.00 Ridiculousness. 11.30 Ent. Tonight. Midnight Shopping. 2.30 Bold. 3.30 Shopping.
NITV (34)
SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)
7MATE (64, 73)
9GO! (82, 93)
10 DRAMA (53, 12)
6am Morning Programs. 2pm Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 4.30 Dreaming Big. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.30 The 77 Percent. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Arctic Secrets. 7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? 8.30 Living Black. 9.00 MOVIE: Category: Woman. (2022, PG) 10.25 MOVIE: Set It Off. (1996, M) 12.20am Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 1.05pm Dirty Dancing. (1987, Mas) 3.00 The Movie Show. 3.35 A Handful Of Dust. (1988, PG) 5.45 Where The Wild Things Are. (2009, PGahv) 7.40 My Neighbour Adolf. (2022, PGal) 9.30 Voy! Voy! Voy! (2023, Malsv, Arabic) 11.30 The Good German. (2006, MA15+l) 1.35am A Missing Part. (2024, Maln, French, Japanese) 3.25 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 3pm Boating. Circuit Boat Drivers C’ship. 4.00 Counting Cars. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 The Agenda Setters. 8.30 Adventure Gold Diggers. 9.30 Gem Hunters Down Under. 10.30 Outback Opal Hunters. 11.30 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.40 World’s Greatest Animal Encounters. 12.40pm MOVIE: Driven To Kill. (2021, M) 2.30 Baywatch. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.30 Bewitched. 6.30 Baywatch. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: National Lampoon’s European Vacation. (1985, M) 10.30 Seinfeld. 11.30 Jane The Virgin. 12.20am Love Island UK: All Stars. 1.15 Late Programs.
6am Shopping. 8.00 Days Of Our Lives. 8.45 The Young And The Restless. 9.30 Living Room. 10.30 Building The Dream. 11.30 Bold. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.45 The Young And The Restless. 1.30 JAG. 3.30 Bull. 4.30 JAG. 6.30 Bull. 7.30 NCIS. (Mav, R) 10.20 Bull. (PGav, R) 11.15 JAG. 1.15am Shopping.
We
Local News 12466496-DL43-20
Send us your news leads. We’d love to know... editorial@geelongindependent.com.au
Tuesday, September 8 ABC TV (2)
SBS (3)
SEVEN (6, 7)
NINE (8, 9)
TEN (5, 10)
6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Aust Story. (R) 10.30 Planet America. (R) 11.00 Tampa: The Turning Point. (PGa, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Grantchester. (Ma, R) 2.00 Parliament. 3.00 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 4.00 Murdoch Mysteries. (PGv, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family: Born Without A Trace. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6am Morning Programs. 10.15 Vintage Voltage. (PGl, R) 11.10 Inside Oxford Street. (Ml, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Bettany Hughes: Treasures Of Estonia. (PGa, R) 3.00 Going Places. (R) 3.30 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Nefertiti: The Raiders Of The Lost Tomb. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 Bridge Of Lies: Celebrity Specials. (R) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. (R) 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.
6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 The Block. (PGl, R) 1.00 Ski Rescue Down Under. (PGl, R) 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. 8.00 Lingo. (R) 9.00 The Finish Line. (R) 10.00 Farm To Fork. (R) 10.30 Ent. Tonight. (R) 11.00 Deal Or No Deal: Celebrity Jackpot. (PG, R) 12.00 Everyday Gourmet. 12.30 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG, R) 1.00 News. 2.00 Deal Or No Deal. (PG, R) 2.30 The Finish Line. (R) 3.30 Lingo. (R) 4.30 Bold. (PG) 5.00 News.
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 7.30. 8.00 Foreign Correspondent. 8.30 Tampa: The Turning Point. (PGa) 9.20 I Was Actually There. (PGa, R) 9.50 Take 5 With Zan Rowe. (PG, R) 10.20 ABC Late News. 10.35 The Business. (R) 10.55 Four Corners. (R) 11.40 Media Watch. (PG, R) 12.00 Murdoch Mysteries. (Mv, R) 12.45 Long Lost Family: Born Without A Trace. (PG, R) 1.30 Parliament Question Time. 2.45 Gardening Australia. (R) 3.45 Love Your Garden. (PG, R) 4.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Shaun Micallef’s Origin Odyssey: Luke McGregor In Scotland. (PGa) 8.30 Insight. Kumi Taguchi looks into the demands of modern-day grandparenting. 9.30 Dateline: Cook. Killer. Cartel. 10.00 SBS World News Late. 10.30 The Point. (R) 11.30 Mussolini: Son Of The Century. (MA15+dv) 12.40 Atlantic Crossing. (Mav, R) 2.45 The Good Ship Murder. (PG, R) 4.25 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. 7.30 First Dates Australia. (Mas) 8.40 World’s Biggest Cruise Ship. (PG) Over the course of seven years, looks at the story of an epic build and launch of the world’s biggest cruise ship. 9.40 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA. (MA15+l) Gordon Ramsay heads to Simmer Down Cafe. 10.40 The Agenda Setters. (R) 11.40 Happy’s Place. (PGal) 12.10 The Path. (MA15+adlv) 1.30 Harry’s Practice. (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 The Block. (PGl) Cheating allegations are made. 8.40 Travel Guides. (PGl, R) The guides go on a bus tour in Canada. 9.50 Footy Classified. (Ml) Footy experts tackle the AFL’s big issues. 10.50 9News Late. 11.20 Outback Opal Hunters. (PGl) 12.15 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.05 GolfBarons. (R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Let’s Eat With George. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney. 7.30 The Traitors Australia. (PGl) Paranoia reaches an all-time high and the players’ unpredictability creates widespread uncertainty. 9.00 The Cheap Seats. (Mal) Presenters Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald take a look at the week that was. 10.00 10’s Late News. Comprehensive coverage of local, national and international news, as well as the latest sport and weather. 11.00 Two And A Half Men. (PGs, R) Charlie tries to sweet-talk Judith. 12.00 Home Shopping. (R)
ABC FAMILY (22)
SBS2 (31)
7TWO (62, 72)
9GEM (81, 92)
10 COMEDY (52, 11)
6am Children’s Programs. 2.45pm Gardening Australia Junior. 3.00 Play School. 4.05 Andy’s Aquatic Adventures. 4.30 SuperKitties. 5.15 Octonauts. 5.50 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.05 Spidey And His Amazing Friends. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Young Sheldon. 8.25 Young Sheldon. 8.45 Secrets Of The Zoo. 9.30 Harry Potter: Wizards Of Baking. 10.10 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. Noon DW The Day. 12.30 Patriot Brains. 2.10 Race For The Planet. 2.45 Inside The Huddle. 3.20 WorldWatch. 5.20 Alone Denmark. 6.30 Jeopardy! 7.25 Beam Me Up, Sulu. 9.10 MOVIE: Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. (1989, PG) 10.50 Cycling. UCI World Tour. La Vuelta. 1.50am Night Bloomers. 3.05 NHK World English News. 5.00 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 Creek To Coast. 2.30 Mighty Ships. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Australia’s Deadliest. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Call The Midwife. 8.45 Inspector Morse. 11.05 Escape To The Country. 12.05am Bargain Hunt. 1.05 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 3pm Antiques Roadshow. 3.30 Antiques Downunder. 4.00 Find My Country House NZ. 4.30 Poirot. 5.30 The Travelling Auctioneers. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 New Tricks. 8.30 Agatha Christie’s Marple. 10.30 Rizzoli & Isles. 11.30 Poirot. 12.30am Antiques Roadshow. 1.00 Find My Country House NZ. 1.30 Tennis. US Open.
6am Morning Programs. 8.30 Ent. Tonight. 9.00 GCBC. 9.30 Farm To Fork. 10.00 Bold. 10.30 Deal Or No Deal. 11.00 Lingo. Noon The Traitors Australia. 1.30 Friends. 3.00 Frasier. 4.00 Everyday Gourmet. 4.30 Becker. 5.00 Frasier. 6.00 Friends. 8.00 Two And A Half Men. 9.30 Becker. 10.00 Frasier. 11.00 Ridiculousness. 11.30 Ent. Tonight. Midnight Shopping. 2.30 Bold. 3.30 Shopping.
NITV (34)
SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)
7MATE (64, 73)
9GO! (82, 93)
10 DRAMA (53, 12)
6am Morning Programs. 2pm Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 4.30 Dreaming Big. 5.00 Ocean Warriors: Mission Ready. 5.30 Indian Country Today News. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Arctic Secrets. 7.30 The Point. 8.00 The First Inventors. 8.55 MOVIE: The Joy Luck Club. (1993, M) 11.20 MOVIE: Twice Colonized. (2023, M) 1am Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.05 My Neighbour Adolf. (2022, PGal) 12.55pm Ezra. (2023, Malv) 2.50 The Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp. (1943, PG) 5.50 Clockwatchers. (1997, PGl) 7.40 Iris And The Men. (2023, Mlns, French) 9.30 Black And White. (2002, Malv) 11.25 Parasite. (2019, MA15+sv, Korean) 1.55am Bones Of Crows. (2022, MA15+av) 4.20 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 12.20pm NFL. Los Angeles Rams v San Francisco 49ers. Replay. 3.00 Storage Wars. 3.30 Deadliest Roads. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 The Agenda Setters. 8.30 Outback Wreckers. 9.30 Outback Truckers. 10.30 Heavy Tow Truckers Down Under. 11.30 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.40 World’s Greatest Animal Encounters. 12.40pm MOVIE: Love At First Lie. (2023, M) 2.30 Baywatch. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.30 Bewitched. 6.30 Baywatch. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 TBA. 10.30 Seinfeld. 11.30 Jane The Virgin. 12.20am Love Island UK: All Stars. 1.25 Legacies. 2.15 Baywatch. 4.00 Late Programs.
6am Shopping. 8.00 Days Of Our Lives. 8.45 The Young And The Restless. 9.30 Living Room. 10.30 Building The Dream. 11.30 Bold. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.45 The Young And The Restless. 1.30 Bondi Rescue. 2.00 The Traitors Australia. 3.30 Bull. 4.30 JAG. 6.30 Bull. 7.30 NCIS. (Ma, R) 10.20 Bull. 11.15 JAG. 1.15am Shopping.
Friday, 4 September, 2026 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 17
Wednesday, September 9 ABC TV (2)
SBS (3)
SEVEN (6, 7)
NINE (8, 9)
TEN (5, 10)
6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Four Corners. (R) 10.45 Foreign Correspondent. (R) 11.15 Back Roads. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Press Club. 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 2.00 Parliament. 3.00 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 4.00 Murdoch Mysteries. (PG, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6am Morning Programs. 8.00 BBC News At Six. 8.30 France 24 English News. 9.00 DD India News Hour. 10.15 Vintage Voltage. (R) 11.10 Inside Oxford Street. (PG, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Dateline. (R) 2.30 Insight. (R) 3.30 The Cook Up. (PG, R) 4.05 Jeopardy! 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. La Vuelta. H’lights.
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 Bridge Of Lies: Celebrity Specials. (R) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. (R) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.
6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 The Block. (PGl, R) 1.00 Getaway. (PG, R) 1.30 Destination WA. 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 Everyday Gourmet. (R) 8.00 Lingo. (R) 9.00 The Finish Line. (R) 10.00 Ent. Tonight. (R) 10.30 The Traitors Australia. (PGl, R) 12.00 Everyday Gourmet. 12.30 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG, R) 1.00 News. 2.00 Deal Or No Deal. (PG, R) 2.30 The Finish Line. (R) 3.30 Lingo. (R) 4.30 Bold. (PG) 5.00 News.
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 7.30. 8.00 Hard Quiz. (PGa) Hosted by Tom Gleeson. 8.30 Spicks And Specks. (Ml) Hosted by comedian Adam Hills. 9.00 Small Town Scandal. (Ma, R) Toby crashes a leather-clad swingers’ party. 9.50 Planet America. (R) 10.25 ABC Late News. 10.40 The Business. (R) 10.55 The Cage. (Ml, R) 11.45 Murdoch Mysteries. (Ma, R) 12.30 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 1.20 Parliament Question Time. 2.20 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 2.40 Gardening Australia. (R) 3.40 Love Your Garden. (R) 4.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Alone Australia. (Ml) Deep winter finally arrives. 8.40 The Airport Chaplain. (Ml) With the baggage handlers on strike, the airport is sliding into chaos. Tobias realises he’s been played by Asha. 9.40 James May: Our Man In India. (PGals, R) James May visits the Himalayas. 10.40 SBS World News Late. 11.10 The Congregation. (MA15+sv) 12.05 A Body That Works. (Ma, R) Follows a couple struggling with pregnancy loss. 2.15 The Good Ship Murder. (Mav, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) 7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PGl, R) Hosted by Lee Mack. 8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Takes a lighter look at all things AFL. 9.30 Unfiltered. (PG) Hamish McLachlan sits down with key football stars and personalities to reveal their stories. 10.00 The Agenda Setters. (R) 11.00 The Fall And Rise Of Reggie Dinkins. (PGals) 11.30 Stumble. (PGal) 12.00 The Fear Index. (Premiere, MA15+asv) 1.15 Harry’s Practice. (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 The Block. (PGl) 8.45 70 Years Of Television: Pt 1. (Premiere) Looks at the chaos of variety TV, the battle for breakfast TV dominance and the most iconic comedy and musical moments. 10.00 9News Late. 10.30 Trigger Point. (MA15+alv) 11.25 Accused: Guilty Or Innocent? (MA15+av) 12.20 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.10 Destination WA. (R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney. 7.30 The Traitors Australia. (Final, PGl) Trust is weaponised as the final four scramble to assure their place as an ultimate victor. 9.00 Boston Blue. (Mv) Danny, Sarah and Lena race to stop a looming threat. Homesickness sparks a family gathering. Lena’s personal life takes a hopeful turn. 10.00 10’s Late News. Comprehensive coverage of local, national and international news, as well as the latest sport and weather. 11.00 The Cheap Seats. (Mal, R) Presented by Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald. 12.00 Home Shopping. (R)
ABC FAMILY (22)
SBS2 (31)
7TWO (62, 72)
9GEM (81, 92)
10 COMEDY (52, 11)
6am Children’s Programs. 2.45pm Gardening Australia Junior. 3.00 Play School. 3.25 Wiggle. 4.05 Andy’s Global Adventures. 4.30 SuperKitties. 5.15 Octonauts. 5.50 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.05 Spidey And His Amazing Friends. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Young Sheldon. 8.25 Young Sheldon. 8.45 Secrets Of The Zoo. 9.30 The Piano. 10.30 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. Noon DW The Day. 12.30 Patriot Brains. 2.20 Race For The Planet. 3.30 WorldWatch. 5.30 Alone Denmark. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Precious Metal: A Love Story. 9.30 The Future. 10.30 Ramy. 11.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. La Vuelta. 1.50am NHK World English News. 5.00 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 The Amazing Homemakers. 2.00 Weekender. 2.30 House Calls To The Rescue. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Australia’s Deadliest. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Heartbeat. 8.45 Foyle’s War. 10.55 Escape To The Country. 11.55 Bargain Hunt. 12.55am Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 3pm Antiques Roadshow. 3.30 Antiques Downunder. 4.00 Find My Country House NZ. 4.30 Poirot. 5.30 The Travelling Auctioneers. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 As Time Goes By. 8.30 Midsomer Murders. 10.30 Rizzoli & Isles. 11.30 Poirot. 12.30am Antiques Roadshow. 1.00 Find My Country House NZ. 1.30 Tennis. US Open.
6am Morning Programs. 9.00 GCBC. 9.30 Farm To Fork. 10.00 Bold. 10.30 Deal Or No Deal. 11.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. 11.30 Lingo. 12.30pm Becker. 1.00 Friends. 3.00 Frasier. 4.00 Everyday Gourmet. 4.30 Becker. 5.00 Frasier. 6.00 Friends. 8.00 Two And A Half Men. 9.30 Becker. 10.00 Frasier. 11.00 Ridiculousness. 11.30 Ent. Tonight. Midnight Shopping. 2.30 Bold. 3.30 Shopping.
NITV (34)
SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)
7MATE (64, 73)
9GO! (82, 93)
10 DRAMA (53, 12)
6am Morning Programs. 2pm Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 4.30 Dreaming Big. 5.00 Ocean Warriors: Mission Ready. 5.30 News. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Arctic Secrets. 7.30 Friday Night Thunder. 8.30 Pro Bull Riding: USA. 9.30 Over The Black Dot. 10.00 Inside The Huddle. 10.30 MOVIE: Re-Ken-Si-Le-A-Shen. (2024) 12.15am Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 12.50pm Confessions Of Felix Krull. (2021, Mans, German) 2.55 The Movie Show. 3.30 Where The Wild Things Are. (2009, PGahv) 5.25 Tokyo Story. (1953, PGa, Japanese) 7.55 Jules. (2023, Ml) 9.30 The Apprentice. (2024) 11.45 Hundreds Of Beavers. (2022, Mas) 1.45am Iris And The Men. (2023, Mlns, French) 3.35 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. Noon NFL. Los Angeles Rams v San Francisco 49ers. Replay. 3.00 Storage Wars. 3.30 Deadliest Roads. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 The Agenda Setters. 8.30 The Force: BTL. 9.30 Caught On Dashcam. 10.30 World’s Wildest Police Videos. 12.30am Storage Wars. 1.00 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.40 World’s Greatest Animal Encounters. 12.40pm MOVIE: Dangerous Medicine. (2021, M) 2.30 Baywatch. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.30 Bewitched. 6.30 Baywatch. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: We’re The Millers. (2013, MA15+) 10.45 Seinfeld. 11.45 Jane The Virgin. 12.35am Love Island UK: All Stars. 1.30 Legacies. 2.20 Late Programs.
6am Shopping. 8.00 Days Of Our Lives. 8.45 The Young And The Restless. 9.30 Living Room. 10.30 Building The Dream. 11.30 Bold. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.45 The Young And The Restless. 1.30 Bondi Rescue. 2.00 The Traitors Australia. 3.30 Bull. 4.30 JAG. 6.30 Bull. 7.30 NCIS. (Mav, R) 10.20 Bull. 11.15 JAG. 1.15am Shopping.
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Thursday, September 10 ABC TV (2)
SBS (3)
SEVEN (6, 7)
NINE (8, 9)
TEN (5, 10)
6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Hard Quiz. (PGa, R) 10.30 Spicks And Specks. (Ml, R) 11.00 Small Town Scandal. (Ma, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Falling. (Ml, R) 2.00 Parliament. 3.00 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 4.00 Frankie Drake Mysteries. (PG, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6am Morning Programs. 9.00 DD India News Hour. 10.15 Vintage Voltage. (R) 11.10 Inside Oxford Street. (PG, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Shaun Micallef’s Origin Odyssey. (PGa, R) 3.00 The Cook Up. (R) 3.35 Jeopardy! 4.00 Letters And Numbers. (R) 4.30 Plating Locally. (R) 5.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. La Vuelta. H’lights.
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 Time Is Money. (R) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. (R) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.
6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 The Block. (PGl, R) 1.00 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo. (PG, R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. (PG, R) 5.30 WIN News.
6am Morning Programs. 7.30 Everyday Gourmet. (R) 8.00 Lingo. (R) 9.00 The Finish Line. (R) 10.00 Ent. Tonight. (R) 10.30 The Traitors Australia. (PGl, R) 12.00 Everyday Gourmet. 12.30 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG, R) 1.00 News. 2.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 2.30 The Finish Line. (R) 3.30 Lingo. (R) 4.30 Bold. (PG) 5.00 News.
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 7.30. 8.00 Back Roads: Bordertown, South Australia. 8.30 Take 5 With Zan Rowe: David Byrne. (PG) 9.00 Amanda & Alan’s Italian Job. 9.30 The Cage. (Ml, R) 10.20 ABC Late News. 10.35 The Business. (R) 10.55 Frankie Drake Mysteries. (Mv, R) 11.40 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 12.30 Parliament Question Time. 1.30 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 2.40 Gardening Australia. (R) 3.40 Love Your Garden. (R) 4.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Alone Australia Reunion. (Final) 8.40 9/11: One Day In America: Collapse. (Mal, R) The day of terror continues to unfold as Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon. 9.35 Say Nothing. (MA15+l) Dolours and Marian make new friends. 10.25 SBS World News Late. 10.55 Reyka. (Malv) 11.50 Prisoner. (MA15+alv, R) 2.10 Vikings: The Lost Kingdom. (R) 3.50 Hitler And The Reichstag Fire. (Mav, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) 8.30 Air Crash Investigations: Powerless Plunge. (PGa, R) Takes a look at the crash of a Loganair cargo flight from Edinburgh after it lost both engines. 9.30 Hear The Mighty Roar: Brisbane Lions: The Hunted. (PGl) The hunted become the benchmark team. 10.50 Kick Ons. 11.20 Australia’s Most Dangerous Prisoners. (MA15+av, R) 12.20 Mr Robot. (MA15+adlsv, R) 1.20 Harry’s Practice. (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 RBT. (Mdl, R) 8.30 Emergency. (Mav, R) Mark tries to help a car crash patient under police guard, but the man appears to be hiding something. 9.30 A+E After Dark. (Mlm, R) 10.30 Chicago Med. (MA15+am) 11.20 9News Late. 11.50 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 12.40 Pointless. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG, R) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney. 7.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Laura needs a dog to ease her loneliness but a staffy might be too much. The Woodcock family finally agrees to a puppy. 8.30 NCIS: Sydney. (Mav) The team races to an Antarctica research base to investigate why a climate scientist killed a colleague on Polar Night Eve. 9.30 10’s Late News. Comprehensive coverage of local, national and international news, as well as the latest sport and weather. 10.30 Two And A Half Men. (PGs, R) Alan wants to join Charlie’s club. 12.00 Home Shopping. (R)
ABC FAMILY (22)
SBS2 (31)
7TWO (62, 72)
9GEM (81, 92)
10 COMEDY (52, 11)
6am Children’s Programs. 3.25pm Wiggle. 4.05 Andy’s Global Adventures. 4.30 SuperKitties. 5.15 Octonauts. 5.50 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.05 Spidey And His Amazing Friends. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Young Sheldon. 8.25 Young Sheldon. 8.45 Secrets Of The Zoo. 9.30 Teenage Boss: Next Level. 9.55 72 Cutest Animals. 10.25 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. Noon DW The Day. 12.30 Patriot Brains. 2.25 Insight. 3.30 WorldWatch. 5.30 Alone Denmark. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Secrets Declassified. (Premiere) 9.20 Alone Australia. (Final) 10.30 The Artist’s View. 11.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. La Vuelta. 1.50am NHK World English News. 5.00 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 One Road: Great Australian Road Trips. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Australia’s Deadliest. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Father Brown. 8.30 Shetland. 11.10 Genius: Einstein. 12.10am Father Brown. 1.10 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 3pm Antiques Roadshow. 3.30 Antiques Downunder. 4.00 Find My Country House NZ. 4.30 Poirot. 5.30 The Travelling Auctioneers. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 Rugby League. NRL Women’s Premiership. Roosters v Canterbury Bulldogs. 9.45 The Brokenwood Mysteries. 11.45 Poirot. 12.45am Explore. 1.00 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. 11.30 Lingo. 12.30pm Becker. 1.00 Friends. 3.00 Frasier. 4.00 Everyday Gourmet. 4.30 Becker. 5.00 Frasier. 6.00 Friends. 8.00 Two And A Half Men. 9.30 Becker. 10.00 Cheap Seats. 11.00 Frasier. Midnight Ridiculousness. 12.30 Ent. Tonight. 1.00 Shopping. 2.30 Bold. 3.30 Shopping. 5.30 Late Programs.
NITV (34)
SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)
7MATE (64, 73)
9GO! (82, 93)
10 DRAMA (53, 12)
6am Morning Programs. 2pm Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 4.30 Dreaming Big. 5.00 Ocean Warriors: Mission Ready. 5.30 Te Ao With Moana. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Arctic Secrets. 7.30 Going Places. 8.30 The End Of The Valley. 9.00 MOVIE: Enter The Dragon. (1973, MA15+) 10.55 MOVIE: Backroads. (1977, MA15+) 11.55 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Iris And The Men. (2023, Mlns, French) 11.50 Black And White. (2002, Malv) 1.45pm On Golden Pond. (1981, PGalv) 3.45 Clockwatchers. (1997, PGl) 5.35 Enigma. (1982, PGasv) 7.30 The Man Who Wasn’t There. (2001, Mav) 9.40 Denial. (2016, Mal) 11.45 Hope Gap. (2019, Ml) 1.40am The Apprentice. (2024) 3.50 Jules. (2023, Ml) 5.30 The Movie Show.
6am Morning Programs. 11.35 NFL. Los Angeles Rams v San Francisco 49ers. Replay. 3pm Talking W. 3.30 Deadliest Roads. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 American Pickers. 8.30 MOVIE: Wrath Of Man. (2021, MA15+) 11.00 MOVIE: Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City. (2021, MA15+) 1.15am Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.50 Cards And Collectables Australia. 12.20pm Motor Racing. IndyCar Series. Grand Prix of Laguna Seca. H’lights. 1.30 Baywatch. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.30 Bewitched. 6.30 Baywatch. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 TBA. 10.55 Seinfeld. 11.55 Jane The Virgin. 12.45am Legacies. 1.35 Love Island UK: All Stars. 2.40 Late Programs.
6am Shopping. 8.00 Days Of Our Lives. 8.45 The Young And The Restless. 9.30 Living Room. 10.30 Building The Dream. 11.30 Bold. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.45 The Young And The Restless. 1.30 Bondi Rescue. 2.00 The Traitors Australia. 3.30 Bull. 4.30 JAG. 6.30 Bull. 7.30 Law & Order: SVU. (Mav, R) 10.20 Bull. 11.15 JAG. 1.15am Shopping.
18 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 4 September, 2026
GEELONGINDY.COM.AU
Euan Carroll and Denise Micallef. 574840
Mary and Greg Foster.
Nic and Antoinette Kuiper.
Jenny and Andrew Wood.
Barnaby Costello and Charlotte Hastings.
Travel expo hits town Geelong Travel World Expo returned to town on Sunday 30 August with almost 70 participants for a day of talks, exhibitions and loads of information for the next big trip. Independent photographer Ivan Kemp went along to GMHBA Stadium and took these pictures from the event.
NEWS
David and Anne Reddie.
Trent Harvey and Emma Cronin.
Wendy Cronin and Greg Murdoch.
Rosetta Pugh and Isabella Bifano.
Krishna Ramanuj, Vijay Gosai and Maitri Gajjar.
Colleen and Ashly Burville.
Rameez and Asmi Mohammad.
Friday, 4 September, 2026 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 19
COMMUNITY
GEELONGINDY.COM.AU
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. Due to the ever increasing entries coming in each week for our Community Calendar page, we have enough to fill almost three pages. This means your entry will not appear each week. We will do our best to rotate them fairly. If you have an existing entry that no longer operates, please let us know so we can remove it. Your patience and understanding is welcome for this FREE service. The calendar in its entirety with every entry is posted every Saturday at 9am at geelongindy.com.au
Songs of praise
second Sunday of the month at Lara RSL, 9am-1pm.
Come along and sing, Aberdeen Street Baptist Church, 7 Aberdeen St, Newtown, Sunday 13 September, 2.30pm.
Geelong Amateur Radio Club Storrer Street Clubhouse, Geelong, Wednesdays 1.30-4pm, Fridays 6.30pm. Robert, 0438 409 979, vk3atl.org
Ballroom dance Leopold Hall, 805-809 Bellarine Highway, Saturday 5 September, 7.30-10.30pm, $10 includes supper. Music: Ben. Sunday 6 September, 2-4.30pm, $5. Music: Kevin. Bring a small plate to share for both. 0400 500 402
Choir St Paul’s Choir rehearses Thursday 7.30pm and Sunday 9.30am for 10.30am service. Choral scholarships available. Occasional choir for those unable to make commitment to main choir. Tom Healey, 0451 960 768, healeytf@gmail.com
Geelong Coin Collectors Meets fortnightly Thursdays, 7.15pm, Virginia Todd Hall, 9 Clarence Street, Geelong West. Adele, 0422 129 424
Bellydance classes Bellarine Quilters
Social badminton Players wanted. Mondays 9.45am, Barwon Valley Activities Centre. Lynne, 5243 1275
Fatigue Geelong ME/CFS Support Group (including fibromyalgia, long COVID and Lyme disease) meets first Tuesday of the month, 36 Saffron Street, Newtown, 1-3pm. geelonggroupcfsme@hotmail.com
40th anniversary quilt exhibition, Seniors Community Hub, 21-27 Eversley Street, Drysdale, Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November, 10am-4pm. Entry $5. Biennial quilt exhibition plus trading tables, raffles and light refreshments. 8am, Eastern Hub (behind East Geelong Cemetery), followed by breakfast. Dinner event third Thursday of each month in Geelong. ajd53m@yahoo.com
Carpet bowls, bingo, cards, taichi, line dancing, mahjong. Community Centre, 84 Barrabool Road, Highton. Elma, 0411 065 524
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, info@amcservices.org.au
Cards Wanted: card sharp partners to play the game of Bolivia on Thursday evenings. For venue email Ingrid. griddlepop@hotmail.com
Geelong Historical Society Inc. Guest speaker first Wednesday of the month, 7.30pm, Virginia Todd Hall, 9 Clarence Street, Geelong West. Harry, 0473 807 944, geelonghistoricalsociety.org.au
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 12.30pm third Monday of the month (excluding December) at Belmont Pavillion, 162 Barrabool Road, Belmont. Julie, 0438 270 549
South Barwon Community Centre, Mondays 9.30am-noon. Welcoming new members to refine their skills. geelongscribeswriters@gmail.com, 5243 8388 Belmont Park Pavilion, Thursdays 2-4pm. Val, 5251 3529
Kids’ church Group lessons for children aged 3-6, 7-10 and 10+, 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, 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
Combined Probus Club of Highton Meets third Thursday of each month, South Barwon Football & Netball clubrooms, McDonald Reserve, Reynolds Road, Belmont, 10am. Sandra, 0427 348 260
Zonta Club of Geelong Global human rights organisation working to build a better world for women and girls. Meets first Wednesday monthly for dinner, 6pm. zontaclubgeelong@yahoo.com.au, 0411 628 361
Geelong Prostate Cancer Support Group Meets last Friday of the month (except December), 10am-noon, Belmont Park Pavilion, 162 Barrabool Rpad, Belmont. Bill, 0414 524 155, info@geelongpsg.net
Sing Australia Geelong Choir Wednesdays 7.30-9.30pm at Senior Citizens Centre, 52 Thomson Street, Belmont. No auditions needed. Mary, 0419 278 456
Geelong ballroom dancing Saturdays 7.30-10.15pm, corner Bayview Parade and Carey Street, Hamlyn Heights. Entry: $10. BYO drinks and a plate. 5278 9740, geelongballroomdc.com.au
Mindfulness & meditation U3A 9.30am and 12.30pm Wednesdays, Cobbin Farm, Grove Road, Grovedale. Jean, 5264 7484
Lions Club of Geelong Breakfast Inc Meets first Tuesday of each month at
Geelong’s Soroptimist International
Meets first and third Thursday of each month 6.30pm. geelongcoriobay.vic@lions.org.au
Service club for women and girls, every second Tuesday of the month from 6pm at Belmont RSL. 0455 835 691, geelong@siswp.com
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. office@stjohnshighton.org.au, 0433 191 890
Ballroom dancing
Scrabble club Christ Church hall, corner Moorabool & McKillop Streets, 1pm Saturdays. Beginners to experts welcome. Sue, 0419 106 147, Pauline, 0429 829 773
Corio Bay Lions Club
Children’s play group Scribes Writers Group
Highton Seniors
Beginner level, new term commencing. New students welcome. Tuesdays 1.30pm, Life Activities Club, Belmont Park Pavillion, Belmont. Glenys, 0400 214 897
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
20 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 4 September, 2026
Belmont Seniors Players wanted to play 500 each Monday 12.30pm. Belmont Senior Centre, 52 Thomson Street, Belmont. 5241 1776
Ocean Grove Library Mondays 10.30-11.30am: preschool story time (during school term) Tuesdays 4-5pm: youth collective, ages 12-18 (during school term) Wednesdays 9.30-10am: toddler time (during school term) Thursdays 11.30-11.50am: baby time (all year) Thursdays 3.45-4.45pm: boardgame busters after school program (during school term) September school holiday program various times and days, catering to a range of ages
Community kitchen Do you enjoy cooking or want to learn cooking and budgeting skills with a small group of like-minded people in your community? Are you interested in volunteering to facilitate a Community Kitchen? healthycommunities@barwonhealth.org. au
Geelong Sports & Game Fishing Meets first and third Monday of the month at Belmont Park Pavilion, 7.30pm. John, 0409 234 307
Geelong Anglers Club Meets fourth Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm, 9 Yuille Street, Geelong West. Monthly fishing competitions. Brian, 0417 190 092, Ian, 0470 114 787
Drysdale CWA Every second Tuesday at 1pm and crafts every fourth Tuesday at 11.30am of each month at Drysdale RSL Club. Jenny, 0452 258 333
Scottish dancing GOG Scottish Country Dance classes 7.30pm Tuesdays at Leopold Hill Hall, $5. No partner needed. Vicki, 0412 762 983, Barbara, 0419 511 781
Geelong Showgrounds Museum Museum open to the public on first Sunday of the month 10am-2pm (January and October excepted). Adults $10, students 13-18 $5, under 13 free. 5221 1707
Geelong Scottish Dance Highland dance classes for all ages Wednesday from 4pm and Saturday from 10am at Western Heights Uniting Church Hall, St Herne Hill. Christine, 0468 311 788, facebook.com/GeelongScottishDance
Welcome mat Belmont Uniting Church every Friday from 10am-1pm. Games, lunch and friendship. Fay, 0409 361 414
OMNI Older Men New Ideas men’s friendly informal chat group, South Barwon Community Centre, 33 Mt Pleasant Road, Belmont, 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, 10.30am. Allan, 0409 665 608
Bike riding Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from Belmont. Rides to suit all levels of fitness; e-bikes welcome. Rob, 0412 308 166
Lara Community Market Run by Rotary Club of Lara District every
Bingo Tuesdays 1-3pm, great grocery prizes plus $50 jackpot books, $2.50. Belmont Seniors Centre, 52 Thomson Street, Belmont. Frank, 5241 1776
First steps in music Babies, toddlers and preschoolers welcome with parent/carer. Thursdays Northern Bay College, Tallis, and Fridays at Northern Bay College, Peacock. Free if living in 3214 postcode, bookings essential. info@bluebirdfoundationinc.org.au
Mainly Music Music and fun for preschoolers during term time at the Welcome Centre, St Mark’s, Vicarage Road, Leopold, Thursdays at 9.15-11am. $5 per family per week. Text: 0461 582 618 for bookings
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Out and about at finals time It was Bellarine Football Netball League finals time on Saturday 29 August and Independent photographer Ivan Kemp went to Portarlington Recreation Reserve to see who was out and about.
Zarli Williams and Indie Joseph were supporting Geelong Amateur.
Eva Kiely and Holly Spong got behind Portarlington.
Michael Vaughan and his son Ramsey.
Kylie Collett and Izzy Hackett sell raffle tickets for Ocean Grove.
Queenscliff netballers Hayley Holmes, Millie O’Shea, Molly Tyrrell, Lucy Mawson and Shae Durren.
Queenscliff netballers Kaitlin Gladman, Alex Booker, Bella Anwyl and Keely Kinsey. Jessie Creece and Mel Downs. Max Jenkin, Bill McNeill and Jordan Vlahos were aboard the Port train.
Paul Benton, Paul Dunkley and Chris Mamalis wanted Modewarre to win.
Go Modda: Katie Morris and Zarly Smith.
Abbie Anderson and Piper were going for the Warriors.
Tracy and Paul McDowell.
Friday, 4 September, 2026 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 21
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0401 419 104 22 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 4 September, 2026
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Located at the iconic Geelong Lawn Tennis Club in Belmont, we are a full service tennis and squash shop ranging the best brands at the best prices. Our racquet range includes Yonex, Wilson, Head and Babolat whilst our tennis shoe range includes ASICS, Wilson, KSwiss and Head. We also offer a professional restringing service with experience stringing at the Australian Open and other major tennis and squash tournaments.
12-20 Sommers Street (Geelong Lawn Tennis Club) Belmont Vic 3216 | Ph: 5244 4112
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Friday, 4 September, 2026 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 23
PUZZLES
easy
8 9 2 5
5
7 1 9 3 9 4 7 5 8 1 6 7 4 9 4 5 8 8 1 9 4 7 3 6 8 3 medium
5
3 8 4
9 8 5
2
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6 1 7 6 2
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8
8
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E Y M R J 10
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1 7 8 9 3 6 4 2 5 3 2 9 4 8 5 6 1 7 4 5 6 7 1 2 9 8 3 9 1 2 8 4 3 7 5 6 5 8 3 1 6 7 2 4 9 7 6 4 2 5 9 1 3 8 8 3 1 6 9 4 5 7 2 2 9 5 3 7 1 8 6 4 6 4 7 5 2 8 3 9 1
4 5 6 1 3 8 2 7 9 9 2 7 5 6 4 8 3 1 3 1 8 7 9 2 4 5 6 5 4 9 8 2 6 3 1 7 7 3 2 9 4 1 5 6 8 8 6 1 3 5 7 9 4 2 6 8 3 2 1 5 7 9 4 2 9 4 6 7 3 1 8 5 1 7 5 4 8 9 6 2 3
W Q
N
Today’s Aim: 18 words: Good 27 words: Very good 36 words: Excellent
H
E
E
G I
5
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7
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R
11
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WORDFIT 3 LETTERS ADO APE ARK ASH ATE AWE BOA COT CUP ERA FEN GIG GOD MOW MRS NUN ORE OVA OWE WAG WIN YAK
No. 305
T E N E T S
BREWS CARAT CARGO COLDS CREPE DIGIT DOONA ENTRY ERASE ERRED ERROR FLIRT GATES GENRE GONER LARGE METRO RARER REMIT RESET RINSE RISER
4 LETTERS ACTS BINS DAIS FRAY MOSS SMOG SNOB STEM STEW WAGS 5 LETTERS ABORT ACORN ARENA ATONE AVAIL AWARE BRAID
SASSY SCOFF SCRAM SEATS SECTS SEEDY
6 LETTERS CACKLE CRINGE MEMORY SLEETS TAGGED TENETS
SENSE SLOGS SPADE STRAP SWARM TANGO TENOR
7 LETTERS AMASSES EMOTION NEURONS NUMERIC OVERRAN RANCHER
8 LETTERS CAREERED IGNORANT INSPIRES RETRACED 10 LETTERS PERFORMERS SUPERSEDES
TONNE TOTES TRITE TUNES TWINE WAVER
04-09-26
No. 412 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
E S
24 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 4 September, 2026
L A K E S A T O N E S T A T E T I L E D S C A R S
A
I
S
genii, gins, grin, grins, grip, gripe, gripes, grips, hinge, hinges, hiring, neigh, neighs, nigh, pegs, PERISHING, ping, pings, prig, prising, reign, reigns, resign, rigs, ring, rings, rising, sigh, sign, signer, sing, singe, singer, siring, sprig, spring
8 6 3 9 2 4 1 5 7 7 4 1 8 5 6 3 2 9 2 9 5 3 7 1 4 6 8 6 1 4 5 8 9 7 3 2 3 5 7 6 1 2 8 9 4 9 2 8 4 3 7 5 1 6 4 3 2 1 6 8 9 7 5 1 8 6 7 9 5 2 4 3 5 7 9 2 4 3 6 8 1
S N
A
3
S
16
K
I
W
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'.
P
Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com
S
25
9-LETTER WORD
hard
T
2
medium
L
1
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15
1
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12
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2 6
easy
5x5
13
F B H L U G A D N P X W Q
7
9 2 4
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O Z K S C T V I
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W
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No. 337 6
23
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hard
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Q
18
2 9
Intimate (4) Heavenly figure (9) Grave mental condition (9) Get to know (5) North American bison (7) Combination (5) On show (9) Former Indigenous people of Peru (4) Saint Petersburg, formerly (9) State of bliss (5,4) Idée fixe (9) South-East Asian country (7) Sight-related (5) Thinking organ (5) Lay bricks (4) Reticulation (4)
1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9
DECODER 9
1
DOWN
Greeting (Ital) (4) Entranced (10) Unnaturally strange (7) Business (7) Long footrace (8) Cancel (5) Book’s leaf (4) Science of the mind (10) 'Idiot box' (9) Second-hand (4) Gas layer in the stratosphere (5) Hungarian city (8) Domed building (7) Bill (7) Recorded (10) A unit of length in imperial measure (4)
1 3 10 11 12 13 14 15 18 20 21
3
7 6 4 8
ACROSS
No. 305
QUICK QUIZ
1
Who is the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Hera?
8
In which year was the first iPhone released?
2
How many main rings does Saturn have?
9
3
Who discovered the double helix structure of DNA?
Julia Stiles (pictured) stars in which film franchise as Nicky Parsons?
4
And in which year?
5
Clownfish are most commonly what colours?
6
What sport do the Los Angeles Kings play?
7
What colour are the 11 and 3 balls in a standard pool set?
10 Which popular song by KISS is also a girl’s name?
ANSWERS: 1. Juno 2. Seven 3. James Watson and Francis Crick 4. 1953 5. Orange with white and black markings 6. Ice hockey 7. Red 8. 2007 9. Bourne 10. Beth
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
S T R A P B R E W S T O T E S R E M I T A W A R E C R E P E R I S E R A T O N E G E N R E A T E F L I R T W A G G O D D A I S M E M O R Y M E T R O A R K C O T A D O S W A R M T E N E T S W A G S C A R E E R E D M O S S B O A O V E R R A N N E U R O N S S N O B I N S P I R E S F E N F R A Y C R I N G E E N T R Y A S H N U N M R S C A C K L E S M O G S E A T S E R A E R A S E C U P O V A L A R G E C A R A T D O O N A T W I N E E R R E D D I G I T S E C T S S E N S E S L O G S
No. 305
C I A O S P E L L B O U N D H R I S E U N I A F F A I R S U N C A N N Y H C C R F O P M M A R A T H O N A N N U L N O L A P S Y C H O L O G Y P A G E E E I L B E U S E D T E L E V I S I O N R I U E O Z O N E B U D A P E S T G P T R N A S M I N V O I C E R O T U N D A A I A I N E O S I N C H D O C U M E N T E D
SUDOKU
MOTOR
Kluger keeps on keeping on By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring Toyota Kluger is a semi-luxury seven-seat family SUV that has been on sale in Australia since 2003. Like most other model updates Kluger has grown in size progressively through its life and the latest (fourth) generation, launched here in mid-2021, and is no exception coming in at just under five metres in length. Note that the Kluger name is only used in Japan and Australia. It’s the Highlander in all other markets but that name had already been taken by Hyundai for some of its top-spec variants. Kluger was given an upgrade in early 2023 that saw the previous, thirsty, V6 petrol engine replaced by a more fuel efficient 2.4-litre turbocharged four but quickly changed to a hybrid only powertrain. The upgrade also added remote access through Toyota Connected Services and an enhanced multimedia system. The MY2025 Kluger comes with three trim levels: GX, GXL and Grande, all with all-wheel drive. At the same there have been a couple of price increases with the GX now selling for $62,140, GXL for $71,930 and Grande for $85,135. All before on-road costs. Standard equipment across the range includes smart entry and start, manual front and rear dual-zone air conditioning, rain sensing wipers and automatic lights, and seven USB ports. GXL and Grande models gain power heated front seats, tri-zone climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, power tailgate and satellite navigation with the latest generation multimedia system. The Grande Hybrid that we tested adds a panoramic moonroof, hands-free operating power tailgate, front seat ventilation, head-up display, a 360-degree all-round view monitor, leather-accented seats and an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system.
Styling Aimed clearly at family buyers, styling is neat and attractive without anything that’s likely to turn heads. The large stacked trapezoidal grille has the Toyota badge at the top centre with a blue trim to identify the hybrid’s electric component. The grille is complemented by slimline LED light clusters with integrated daytime running lights and LED fog lights. In profile, there’s a tapered roofline with integrated rear spoiler, rising beltline and windows with blacked-out B-pillars. Side mirrors have been moved lower on the door panel to improve forward visibility and reduce blind spots. The rear follows through with a wide stance, slim LED taillights and large lower skid plate. The GX and GXL ride on 18-inch alloys, the Grande gets 20-inch Chromtec wheels. There’s a choice of five body colours: Eclipse Black, Frosted White, Liquid Mercury (grey), Atomic Rush (red) and Saturn Blue.
Interior The interior of Kluger features quality materials and soft touch surfaces. The dashboard houses the instrument cluster, central touchscreen display and separate air-conditioning and audio controls. GX comes with fabric seats, GXL gets synthetic leather and Grande premium leather. The lower centre console incorporates the transmission lever, drive and AWD mode select switchgear if needed, electronic park brake and two large cupholders.
With nearly a quarter of a century behind it Kluger has established itself as one of the best seven-seat family SUV on the Australian market. (Pictures: Supplied)
RATINGS Looks: 8/10 Performance: 7/10 Safety: 8/10 Thirst: 8/10 Practicality: 7/10 Comfort: 9/10 Tech: 8/10 Value: 6/10
Storage throughout the cabin includes a 15-litre centre console box, overhead glasses holder, front door bins with 700ml bottle holders, rear door bins with two 700ml bottle holders and eight cupholders. Two large shelves, one in front of the passenger the other in the centre of the dashboard, are perfect for storing phones, wallets, keys etc. Access into the second and third row two-seat bench is made easy with the fold down levers for both rows located on the outer shoulder of the seats, which, for the third-row seats, also automatically folds the head rests in one action. There’s excellent head and leg room in the second-row seats which can slide forward to increase third-row legroom. Middle row passengers also get ceiling-mounted air vents, air-conditioning, controls and two USB-C ports. Boot space with all seats in place is a reasonable 241 litres. With the third-row seats folded flat, this increases to 552 litres, while folding the second row 60/40-split seat back as well reaches 1150 litres. The rear hatch is powered for GXL and with a ‘kick sensor’ for the Grande. A removable luggage cover, standard on all models, can be stored under the luggage space deck when not in use.
Infotainment Kluger GX comes with an 8-inch colour touchscreen. GXL and Grande step up to a 12.3-inch screen. Inbuilt navigation is standard in the GXL and Grande. GX and GXL have a basic six-speaker sound system, Grande gets an 11-speaker JBL premium system. All variants come with wireless Apple CarPlay but wired Android Auto, seven USB ports (five in the front, two in the rear).
Engines/transmissions Kluger Hybrid combines a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine with three electric motors that generate a combined output of 184kW including 142kW from the engine. Peak torque is 242 Nm with fuel usage listed at 5.6 litres per 100km. Electronic (e-CVT) continuously variable transmission sends power to all four wheels. There are three drive modes: Sport, Normal and Eco, selectable via a lever on the centre console.
Safety Kluger was last tested by ANCAP back in June 2021 and received the maximum five-star rating. Standard features include seven airbags including a driver knee bag but not one in the front between occupants. There is autonomous emergency braking that can detect oncoming vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, a reversing camera that includes a camera cleaning system activated via the rear screen washer switch. In GXL versions, the camera display offers normal and wide-angle images and incorporates active guidelines. There is a 360-degree panoramic view camera but only in the Grande. Other safety features across the range include adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and Isofix child anchors in the outer rear seats.
Driving Built on the same Toyota New Global Architecture platform as the RAV4 and Camry, Kluger delivers a balance of ride and handling, resulting in a premium feel on the road.
Although it does come with all-wheel drive, the Kluger isn’t a serious off-road vehicle – the similarly-sized Prado fills that gap in the Toyota range. Rather it’s aimed at those looking for a medium to large station wagon to carry the family. Compared with the previous generation Kluger, the current model offers a substantial improvement in driving stability, roadholding and comfort on all surfaces thanks to newly developed front and rear suspension set-ups that provide responsive, smooth handling. Ride comfort is also enhanced by a new Body Control system that controls drive torque to minimise vehicle pitching due to road surface irregularities. Steering is responsive with nice feedback. Combined fuel consumption is listed as 5.6 litres per 100km. We averaged 6.8 during our week of testing. Kluger is covered by the Toyota Warranty Advantage, which provides five-year unlimited kilometre coverage, extending to seven-years on engine and driveline provided that logbook servicing has been maintained on time at any authorised mechanic.
Summary With nearly a quarter of a century behind it Kluger has established itself as one of the best seven-seat family SUVs on the Australian market. It’s spacious without being cumbersome with quality materials and fittings. Any lack of performance in the powertrain is made up for in smooth running and hybrid-based fuel efficiency. Any lack of performance in the powertrain is made up for in smooth running and fuel economy. Comfort and low road noise makes Kluger a perfect long-distance cruiser.
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Action around the grounds All the results from the
Under 18 Division 1: Ocean Grove vs Torquay, 9.30am Elimination finals Sunday 6 September August at West Oval, Geelong West Seniors: St Joseph’s vs Bell Park, 2.10pm Reserves: St Joseph’s vs St Albans, 11.45am Under 18 Division 1: St Mary’s vs Geelong West Giants, 9.30am
weekend’s Geelong, Bellarine, and Geelong & District Football League matches and schedules for this weekend’s finals. GEELONG FOOTBALL LEAGUE Grovedale 3.4(22), 6.8(44), 10.8(68), 17.10(112) Geelong West Giants 2.2(14), 5.4(34), 6.7(43), 8.7(55) Goals: Grovedale - T. Gillett 5, R. Abbott 3, B. Spicer 3, J. McCarthy 3, L. Ellis 2, P. Roberts Potter. Geelong West Giants - M. Kelly 2, T. Handley 2, A. Stelma, J. Kaltenbach, D. Jock, L. Wittman. Best: Grovedale - L. Ellis, T. Gillett, B. Spicer, R. Abbott, J. DeGoldi, B. Ferguson. Geelong West Giants - T. Lewis, M. Kelly, T. Handley, A. Stelma, B. Harvey, L. Wittman. South Barwon 3.1(19), 7.5(47), 8.7(55), 12.9(81) Leopold 0.3(3), 2.5(17), 7.8(50), 10.11(71) Goals: South Barwon - M. Caldow 3, T. White 2, L. Noble 2, T. Mulraney, A. Boseley, D. Starkie, L. Page, L. Elzinga. Leopold - D. Henderson 3, S. Harvey, H. Morphet, D. Brislane, C. Gardiner, J. Henderson, M. Williams, M. Burgess. Best: South Barwon - L. Elzinga, D. Madigan, T. White, M. Mawson, M. Caldow, E. Borys. Leopold - M. Burgess, D. Pitcher, D. Henderson, W. Sheahan, C. Alexander, C. Gardiner. Newtown & Chilwell 7.6(48), 10.9(69), 19.14(128), 23.15(153) St Albans 0.1(1), 4.2(26), 7.3(45), 13.3(81) Goals: Newtown & Chilwell - N. Jephson 6, C. Fopiani 3, J. Colville 3, T. McMillan 3, A. Wojcinski 2, M. Dodos 2, B. Bruce 2, A. Harkness, N. Harris. St Albans - T. Higgins 7, J. Hobbs 2, L. Foster 2, K. Harris, B.
Around the courts Venues, times and matchups for all this weekend’s local netball finals. BELLARINE NETBALL LEAGUE 2nd semi-finals Saturday 5 September at Portarlington A Grade: Geelong Amateur vs Ocean Grove, 2.30pm B Grade: Torquay vs Geelong Amateur, 1pm C Grade: Ocean Grove vs Barwon Heads, 11.50am D Grade: Torquay vs Barwon Heads, 10.40am E Grade: Geelong Amateur vs Torquay, 2pm 19 & Under: Drysdale vs Torquay, 10.40am 17 & Under Division 1: Geelong Amateur vs Torquay, 9.35am 17 & Under Division 2: Geelong Amateur vs Torquay, 1pm 15 & Under Division 1: Torquay vs Geelong Amateur, 11.50am 15 & Under Division 2: Torquay vs Ocean Grove, 8.30am 13 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove vs Geelong Amateur, 9.35am 13 & Under Division 2: Ocean Grove vs Geelong Amateur, 8.30am
Torquay’s James Darke is tackled by Geelong Amateur’s Jesse Tardio. (Ivan Kemp) 574846_01
McDonald. Best: Newtown & Chilwell - N. Jephson, T. McMillan, N. Harris, C. Byrne, C. Wilkinson, J. Colville. St Albans - T. Higgins, B. Coutts, B. Thomas, B. McDonald, M. Keck, B. Brogden. St Mary’s 4.3(27), 8.7(55), 9.11(65), 13.15(93) Colac 1.3(9), 2.5(17), 7.6(48), 8.6(54) Goals: St Mary’s - J. Willson 5, J. Travaglini 2, B. Ham, L. Peck, P. Dowling, H. McMahon, J. Garner, O. Flynn. Colac - D. Lang 2, L. Hillman 2, J. McDonald, J. Walters, C. Murray. Best: St Mary’s - H. Bourke, J. Travaglini, J. Willson, H. McMahon, C. Lang, L. Bartolo. Colac - D. Lang, J. Skinner, W. Parkhouse, J. Walters, J. Simpkin, L. Simpkin. Qualifying finals Saturday 5 September August at West Oval, Geelong West Seniors: South Barwon vs Newtown & Chilwell, 2.10pm Reserves: Newtown & Chilwell vs St Mary’s, 11.45am
1st semi-finals Sunday 6 September at Portarlington A Grade: Torquay vs Portarlington, 2.30pm B Grade: Modewarre vs Queenscliff, 1pm C Grade: Portarlington vs Torquay, 11.50am D Grade: Queenscliff vs Drysdale, 10.40am E Grade: Queenscliff vs Barwon Heads, 2pm 19 & Under: Portarlington vs Geelong Amateur, 10.40am 17 & Under Division 1: Portarlington vs Queenscliff, 9.35am 17 & Under Division 2: Drysdale vs Queenscliff, 1pm 15 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove vs Portarlington, 11.50am 15 & Under Division 2: Geelong Amateur vs Surf Coast, 8.30am 13 & Under Division 1: Portarlington vs Drysdale, 9.35am 13 & Under Division 2: Torquay vs Drysdale, 8.30am GEELONG & DISTRICT NETBALL LEAGUE Preliminary finals Saturday 5 September at St Albans Reserve A Grade: Inverleigh vs Winchelsea, 1.30pm. Winner to play East Geelong in grand final. B Grade: East Geelong vs Werribee Centrals, noon. Winner to play Inverleigh. C Grade: East Geelong vs Belmont Lions, 11am. Winner to play North Geelong. D Grade: East Geelong vs Thomson, noon. Winner to play Inverleigh. E Grade: Inverleigh vs North Geelong, 10am
26 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 4 September, 2026
BELLARINE FOOTBALL LEAGUE Qualifying final Saturday 29 August at Portarlington Torquay 3.7(25), 4.9(33), 8.17(65), 11.21(87) Geelong Amateur 2.0(22), 5.2(32), 5.4(34), 8.7(55) Goals: Torquay - H. Trigg 4, M. Hurley 3, L. Anderson, T. Smith, B. Dyer, N. Turner. Geelong Amateur - C. Green 2, S. Lloyd, T. Gribble, J. Tardio, F. Seignior, N. Beekmans, R. Mattner. Best: Torquay - J. Thompson, M. Boag, H. Trigg, L. Anderson, T. Smith, H. Mcgowan. Geelong Amateur - T. Gribble, H. Orr, J. Toll, N. Beekmans. Elimination final Sunday 30 August at Portarlington Newcomb 6.2(38), 9.9(63), 11.11(77), 15.13(103) Barwon Heads 3.2(20), 4.2(26), 6.7(43), 7.12(54) Goals: Newcomb - D. Johnstone 4, J. Duke 4, T. Webster 2, J. Watson 2, J. Saltalamacchia 2, T. Robertson. Barwon Heads - C. Ward 3, J. Henderson, M. Jensen, J. Syddall, J. Whybrow. Best: Newcomb - L. Wagener, L. Justin, B. Clark, D. Johnstone, P. McGinley, F. Anscombe. Barwon Heads - A. Ford, N. Young, M. Philp, K. Hinchcliffe, K. Polley, J. Bartley. 2nd semi-finals Saturday 5 September, Portarlington Seniors: Queenscliff vs Torquay, 2.10pm Reserves: Queenscliff vs Modewarre, noon Under 18 Division 2: Torquay vs Leopold, 9.45am
Ocean Grove’s Amanda O’Malley and Torquay’s Daisy O’Kane move to a loose ball during the qualifying final. (Ivan Kemp)
19 & Under: Werribee Centrals vs Bannockburn, 9am. Winner to play East Geelong. 17 & Under: East Geelong vs North Geelong, 8am. Winner to play Bannockburn. 15 & Under: Bannockburn vs Werribee Centrals, 9am. Winner to play Inverleigh. 13 & Under: Belmont Lions vs Werribee Centrals, 8am. Winner to play Bannockburn. GEELONG NETBALL LEAGUE Qualifying finals Saturday 5 September at West Oval, Geelong West A Grade: St Joseph’s vs South Barwon
1st semi-finals Sunday 6 September, Portarlington Seniors: Geelong Amateur vs Newcomb, 2.10pm Reserves: Torquay vs Anglesea, noon Under 18 Division 2: North Shore vs Surf Coast, 9.45am GEELONG & DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE 2nd semi-final Saturday 29 August, St Albans Reserve East Geelong 1.2(8), 2.5(17), 7.7(49), 11.9(75) Winchelsea 3.1(19), 7.3(45), 8.5(53), 9.5(59) Goals: East Geelong - A. Steele 3, C. Ezard 2, Z. Smith 2, B. Crombie, W. Hough, A. Mulvahil. Winchelsea - I. Parish 3, C. Primmer 2, A. Cooke, C. Parish, S. Adams. Best: East Geelong - A. Mulvahil, W. Hough, M. Kasparian, B. Mulvahil, A. Steele, B. Payne. Winchelsea - C. Parish, A. Cooke, R. Williams, A. Walsh, I. Parish, L. Gemmill. 1st semi-final Sunday 30 August, St Albans Reserve Werribee Centrals 1.2(8), 10.6(66), 10.8(68), 17.12(114) Belmont Lions 3.2(20), 5.2(32), 7.5(47), 7.5(47) Goals: Werribee Centrals - C. Saliba 3, J. MacDonald 3, K. Kur 2, B. Houlihan 2, T. Crennan 2, D. Chesterman, L. Robinson, D. Phillips, J. Sutton. Belmont Lions - N. Houtsma 2, A. Wylie 2, B. Mahoney, J. Wilson. Best: Werribee Centrals - T. Camilleri, T. Crennan, B. Carlton, L. Robinson, K. Adorno, P. Daley. Belmont Lions - L. Slorach, D. Johnston, N. Sherriff, A. Wylie, N. Houtsma. Preliminary finals Saturday 5 September at St Albans Reserve Seniors: Winchelsea vs Werribee Centrals, 2pm Reserves: Bell Post Hill vs East Geelong, noon Under 18 Division 3: Ocean Grove vs St Albans, 9.45am
B Grade: Newtown & Chilwell vs South Barwon C Grade: St Mary’s vs South Barwon D Grade: Newtown & Chilwell vs St Mary’s E Grade: Newtown & Chilwell vs South Barwon 19 & Under: Newtown & Chilwell vs Bell Park 17 & Under Division 1: Bell Park vs St Mary’s 17 & Under Division 2: Bell Park vs St Joseph’s 15 & Under Division 1: Newtown & Chilwell vs South Barwon 15 & Under Division 2: South Barwon vs Bell Park 13 & Under Division 1: St Mary’s vs St Joseph’s 13 & Under Division 2: St Mary’s vs St Joseph’s Elimination finals Sunday 6 September at West Oval, Geelong West A Grade: St Mary’s vs Bell Park B Grade: Leopold vs Bell Park C Grade: Bell Park vs Geelong West Giants D Grade: South Barwon vs Bell Park E Grade: Grovedale vs St Mary’s 19 & Under: Lara vs Geelong West Giants 17 & Under Division 1: Geelong West Giants vs Newtown & Chilwell 17 & Under Division 2: St Mary’s vs Colac 15 & Under Division 1: St Joseph’s vs Colac 15 & Under Division 2: Colac vs St Mary’s 13 & Under Division 1: Colac vs Leopold 13 & Under Division 2: Newtown & Chilwell vs Bell Park
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Grand finals loom By Donna Schoenmaekers It was a mix of semi and prelim finals across all grades of Saturday Junior Pennant with all winners progressing to next week’s grand finals. All results in Green Ball sections went the way of the ladder, with most being decisive. Lara got up 5-1 over Wandana Heights White (GB1), while Wandana’s GB5 team took the win over Geelong Lawn 4-2. Grovedale got up 6-0 on GB2 over Surfcoast Torquay, while their GB4 team went down 6-0 to Ocean Grove. St Mary’s and Western Heights Uniting had 6-0 and 5-1 wins over Barwon Heads and Highton, while Leopold managed to clinch the win in the second semi of GB2, with just one game difference to Lara. In the Girls sections, Hamlyn Park and Waurn Ponds posted 5-1 wins over Geelong Lawn and Western Heights Uniting in S4, but Uniting’s S3 team took a clean sweep over Bannockburn. They will face Grovedale next week, who won the first of four match ups against minor premiers Geelong Lawn, only dropping one set for the morning. Geelong Lawn didn’t fare any better in S3, going down to Ocean Grove 5-1. The Grove will face the unbeaten Western Heights Uniting in next week’s final. Ocean Grove were waiting to see who they would be playing in S1, which came down to the last set between Grovedale Black and
Grovedale: Nahla Sach, Amelia Pearson, Zoe Edwards, Isabella Gandolfo.
Surfcoast Torquay, with Black getting over the line 7-5 to finish with a 4-2 win. It was also Grovedale Black vs Surfcoast in 6Boys, but this time Jan Juc, and after splitting the singles, Grovedale won the day with the doubles 4-2. It will be a Wandana Heights showdown in 3Boys after their White team scored an upset win over minor premiers Western Heights Uniting 5-1, and second placed Blue took a 4-2 win over Geelong Lawn, with the doubles again proving the deciding sets. Western Heights tried hard in 5Boys to emulate their round 12 win over Waurn Ponds, but with two tie-breaks going their way, the Ponds got through by five games. Lara had a tough day in their two finals, being ahead by only two games after the singles, but with strong doubles wins, took their match 4-2 against Highton White. Lara had won both home and away matches
against Ocean Grove in 7Boys, but the Grove held a 3-1 lead after the singles before Lara fought back to win both doubles, but were left one game short. Ocean Grove advancing to face Barwon Heads. In Premier, Hamlyn Park started well against Barwon Heads, winning the doubles, but the Heads came through in the singles to advance. 4Boys was not kind to Highton this week with their White team liking their chances against Clifton Springs with three close matches through the season, but the Springs seemed to be on a mission taking a clean sweep, to put them through to face Geelong Lawn, who were Highton Blue’s bogey team for the season. Lawn posted their third win over minor premiers Highton Blue 5-1. The final match of the day was the closest in 1Boys between Geelong Lawn Green and Ocean Grove. Nobody would have guessed at the start of the morning that the result would be closer than their round 10 clash where the Grove won by just one game. Ocean Grove started strongly, winning the first three singles 6-0, 6-4, 7-6, but with a win to Shia Tarac in the fourth singles 6-2, followed by Kevin Perera and Elijah Jewell in the first doubles 6-3 then a nail biting 7-5 win to Tarac with Hugo Wilson, the match was tied and sent to a seventh set. Perera and Jewell backed up their first doubles win, taking the decider 6-3 to seal the epic comeback and keeping their premiership hopes alive.
Moolap wins again By Tyler Krumholz The Winter 2026 Tennis Geelong Triples wrapped up a season that saw 48 teams across eight sections, the most in the competition’s eight-year history. The Section 1 final was the third season in a row that saw Highton Net Results taking on Moolap Two Phones Chol. This time Highton finished on top of the regular season ladder, with a win and a washout over their rivals. The teams split the first four sets, with Moolap’s Callum Davey scoring a minor upset over Julius Busch. Moolap was up by three games and Highton needed a strong result in the final two sets. It was Moolap that finished strong, winning the last two sets for a 4-2 31-22 result and capturing their 11th triples premiership. The same clubs featured in the Section 2 grand final with Highton Baseline Apologetic hosting Moolap Zing Kings. The first three sets were all close, but Moolap came out on top. Highton team captain Nick Williams won his singles 6-1 to keep his team competitive going into the last two sets, but Moolap saved their best for last, winning the last two sets to win 5-1 31-21 and sweep the top two section premierships. A Geelong Lawn grudge match featured in Section 3. Winks Wizards finished on top of the regular season, but the final was competitive against Geelong Lawn Blue. The first four sets were split and Blue was only up by one game going into the last two. Blue finished strongly with 6-2 singles and 6-4 doubles wins to take home the premiership. Drysdale was heavy favourites against Lara in the Section 4 decider, finishing well on top of the ladder. The match went straight to form with Drysdale only losing five games in the first five sets. Lara saved some face, winning the final singles 6-3 over Drysdale’s 11-year-old superstar George
Section 1 premiers Moolap Two Phones Chol: Connor Chivell, Sophie De Wit, Lachlan Edgar, Callum Davey.
Section 4 premiers Drysdale: Dean Montgomery, George Montgomery, Thomas Palmateer.
Section 5 premiers Hamlyn Park Warriors: Peter Varzeghy, Seb Varzeghy, Tim Westwood, Zeke Malibiran.
Montgomery, but Drysdale wrapped up their first premiership with a 5-1 33-11 win. Leopold Hit for Brains were looking for their third straight Section 5 title, but would face a big challenge against minor premiers Hamlyn Park Warriors. Hamlyn Park proved too strong though, winning 5-1 34-22. St Leonards Lemons finished on top of the Section 6 ladder in their first triples season. Highton Van Awesome had previous premiership experience in a lower section, however. St Leonards came out motivated with two 6-1 sets and a 6-2 set in the first four matchups, and were up three sets to one with an almost unsurmountable 11-game lead.
Highton won the last two sets, but in close fashion, and St Leonards finished with their first flag with a 3-3 30-22 win. Highton Flyers also hosted neighbours Wandana Serves You Right in the Section 7 grand final. Wandana won the first two sets 6-1. Highton won the following two sets to tighten up the match, but Wandana turned it around to win the last two, finishing with a 4-2 31-19 win. Section 8’s Leopold Bent on Victory, featuring family members Ronan, Marcus, and Laura Bent, hosted Wandana Serv-ivors. The first four sets were split, but Leopold had solid wins in the last two to grab their first premiership in their first triples season.
East Geelong star Claudia Cook won her second Margaret Webb Medal. (Ivan Kemp)
Second Webb Medal for Claudia By Justin Flynn East Geelong midcourter Claudia Cook has won her second Margaret Webb Medal for best player in the Geelong & District Netball League’s A Grade competition. Cook first won the award in 2019 and made it two on Wednesday 3 September, winning with 31 votes from Winchelsea playing coach Maddison McKiernan on 29. Rounding out the placegetters was Corio goaler Sarah Kasparian on 24 votes while Molly Gribble, who won the Webb Medal for Corio in 2024 and for Belmont Lions in 2025, was fourth with 20. East Geelong young gun Frankie Willson was named Rookie of the Year. Willson, who has divided her playing time with the Eagles A Grade and Under 19 sides, was also equal runnerup in the Under 19s best and fairest. Bannockburn’s Kath Bourke was the recipient of the President’s Award while clubmate Lila Morris was the A Grade Hot Shots winner with 633 goals. Anakie goal shooter Mackenzie Hourigan and Inverleigh wing defence Gabrielle Field tied for the B Grade medal on 23 votes with Thomson A Grade coach Shannyn Leach next on 22. Leach won the Margaret Webb Medal in 2017. Thomson’s Charlotte Vines added this year’s C Grade medal to her 2022 B Grade with 28 votes with North Geelong’s Taylah Mahar runnerup on 26. Mahar won the Under 15 award in 2014 with Corio. Third was Winchelsea’s Emma Maclean on 22. Inverleigh midcourter Tiegan Lagalle claimed the D Grade award with 33 votes with East Geelong’s Sophie Nicholson runner-up on 25. Webb Medallist in 2007 and 2009 Silvia Luczo (North Geelong) was third on 23. Inverleigh midcourter Zoe Hales won the E Grade award with 21 votes from Inverleigh’s Gemma Carroll on 17. Four players tied for third on 15 votes. Werribee Centrals’ defender Evie Christopher won the Under 19s award to add to her 2024 Under 17s medal. Christopher was a runaway winner on 37 votes from Anakie’s Kyra Ballantyne and Willson on 23. Rounding out the placegetters were Mia Edwards (Anakie) and Mia Cowlishaw (Werribee Centrals) on 21. A GRADE TEAM OF THE YEAR Goal shooter - Lila Morris (Bannockburn); goal attack - Bree Caldwell (Thomson); wing attack Molly Gribble (Belmont Lions); centre Amelia Jarvis (Thomson, captain); wing defence - Claudia Cook (East Geelong); goal defence - Maddison McKiernan (Winchelsea); goal keeper - Stephanie Boyce (East Geelong); reserve goaler - Ella Wasik (Belmont Lions); reserve midcourter - Meg Royal (Winchelsea); reserve defender - Mikayla Minns (Bannockburn); coach - Lisa Milne (Inverleigh).
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Toquay goal attack Ariana Luamanu and Ocean Grove defender Amanda O’Malley battle for possession. 574842
Kate Schippers fires off the ball to a teammate.
Perfect start for Grubbers Ocean Grove won a tense Bellarine Netball League A Grade qualifying final on Saturday 29 August, defeating Torquay by two goals. Independent photographer Ivan Kemp was at Portarlington Recreation Reserve to take these pictures.
Evie Hughes gets airborne.
Ariana Luamanu looks to pass.
Kiralee Collings sizes up her options.
Bridgette Vos with the ball.
Bridget Witham leaps high but can’t stop this Bridgette Vos goal.
Julia Mitchell waits to take the ball.
Gemma Bell passes from the wing.
Evie Hughes gets busy in midcourt.
28 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 4 September, 2026
Torquay’s Evie Hughes and Ocean Grove’s Amy Kennedy compete for possession.
Georgia Ryan is about to gain possession.
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Ned Turner kicks on the run.
Jack Thompson wins the knockout against Andrew Browne.
Ben McNamara takes the ball out of defence. 574846
Banjo Dyer kicks a goal. 574846_16
Tigers’ stunning finals win Torquay marched into the Bellarine Football League second semi-final against Queenscliff next Saturday with a superb win against Geelong Amateur at Portarlington Recreation Reserve on Saturday 29 August. Independent photographer Ivan Kemp was there to snap these photos.
Michael Croxford marks in front of Andrew Browne.
Jai Sheahan wins this ruck contest against Jack Thompson.
Andrew Browne marks under pressure.
Jacob Sharp is well tackled.
Sam Lloyd marks at half-forward.
Archer Hanegraaf is about to be tackled by Nathan Mifsud.
Max Hurley kicks one of his three goals for Torquay.
William Montebello kicks before being tackled.
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Geelong Amateur celebrates with the premiership cup. 574841
Bella Hill looks downfield.
Kate Knight marks in front of goal.
Ella McDonald tries to run around opponents.
Emily Ramsay sends Ammos into attack.
Melanie McNamara celebrates with her son.
Co-coaches Haami Williams and Sachi Degiacomi celebrate with the cup.
Sophie Dinneen leaps high to take a great mark.
Olivia Leonard kicks under pressure.
Ammos go back to back Geelong Amateur claimed consecutive Division 1 premierships with an 11-point victory against Grovedale in the grand final at Lara on Sunday 30 August. In an enthralling contest, Ammos won 6.7(43) to 4.8(32) with Lucy Were judged best afield. Lara won the Division 2 decider, giving the club a major boost. Independent photographer Ivan Kemp took these pics of the Div 1 game.
Emily Worpel is tackled by Melanie McNamara.
Brook Ward picks up the ball on the run.
30 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 4 September, 2026
Janessa FitzGerald and Daisy Wilson compete in the ruck.
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Power leaves the light on By Justin Flynn The Newcomb fairytale continued into the second week of Bellarine Football League finals after an opening term barrage that left Barwon Heads shellshocked in the elimination final. Newcomb broke a finals drought that had lasted almost two decades in style, convincing winners by 49 points at Portarlington Recreation Reserve on Sunday 30 August. The Power booted the first six goals of the game in a brutal statement and the Heads were forever playing catch-up football. “The majority of the group, probably 75 percent of them, hadn’t played in a senior final before,” Newcomb coach Tony Mirabella said. “We did a lot of work around the headspace and the mindset that you need coming into a senior final. And we’ve got a coaching group that is pretty highly experienced in that space. “We were able to set them up for what to expect and what to feel and I think that it probably showed that the boys were ready.” Although the Seagulls kicked the last three majors of the opening term to reduce the margin to 18 points at the break, Newcomb never looked like surrendering the lead. With a good spread of goal kickers in Jack Duke (four), Dion Johnstone (four), Josh Saltalamacchia (two), Jacob Watson (two) and Tom Webster (two), Newcomb’s midfield and forward line stretched the Heads to breaking point. Newcomb has a list that looks like it will stand up come finals time long past this year. The bigger bodies outmuscled a young Barwon Heads side that had limped into the finals with two wins from its final seven home and away games. “They’re certainly not a complete package yet, but there’s a really natural balance at the moment,” Mirabella said. “There’s been some guys that have been highlighted pretty consistently all year, the likes of Luke Justin and Logan Wagener and Tom Webster. “But a couple of other guys we recruited into the team are just doing phenomenal things and probably just play their role and that’s why we rate them so highly. They are
Hugh Trigg’s kick is smothered by Harrison Orr, but Trigg was instrumental in leading Torquay to a win with four goals. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 574846_15
Torquay’s Ben McNamara kicks out of defence.
able to just do what they need to do. “The likes of Jarrad Duncan out on a wing and Thewin Robertson, who floats on a wing and floats forward and even a Tom Courtney type, who we picked up late after his cricket this season. “And then when you go down into our
backline, the likes of Richie Hollins, who just plays a pretty quiet, unassuming role and Corey Ogle, again, had been there for a long time. “And then probably the biggest one that gives the team the most confidence is Andrew Pepper. He’s the one that I think just levels our team from a mindset perspective and just generates so much for us. “I’d go as far as saying that he’s probably in our top couple of most important players.” Things get tougher from here for the Power and Mirabella knows it. A first-semi final against a Geelong Amateur side that was humbled by an ominous Torquay. The previous two meetings have been close to say the least. Newcomb won by a point in round 5 and Ammos prevailed by the same margin in round 14. “It would be easier to talk about what Torquay did really well rather than what
Ammos did wrong,” Mirabella said of the qualifying final clash on Saturday. “I don’t think Ammos did anything wrong. I thought Torquay were just formidable. Ammos are an unbelievable team and really well coached and have a really great system. “Dom (Torquay coach Dom Gleeson) just has an ability to have them ready for finals footy as if it’s nothing special whereas for a club like us it’s an incredibly special period. “I probably think we have to focus more on us than on Ammos. I think you can get caught up in how many amazing players that they’ve got across their list…I think we can get caught up in overthinking the opposition. “I’ve got to focus on us and make sure that all the things we did well yesterday, we replicate and we run it again and hope that things can go our way and we can get some momentum.”
Demons through in nailbiting one goal win over Coutas By Justin Flynn Portarlington’s return to the Bellarine Netball League A Grade finals after a decade-long absence proved fruitful in the elimination final against Queenscliff. It was the Demons’ second straight onegoal victory over the Coutas in as many weeks. Port beat Queenscliff 48 to 47 in round 20 and then won on Sunday 30 August, 49 to 48 to send the Coutas out of the finals. “I think we match up really well against each other,” Portarlington coach Guy McCleish said. “Our goals are good, their goals are good. I didn’t want to go to overtime. “I think it’s seven minutes each way. That would have been ruthless to everybody watching and stuff like that. The last 15 seconds were frantic.” It nearly went to overtime. Queenscliff goal shooter Bec O’Neill levelled the scorers with 45 seconds remaining, but Tylah McCleish converted with 15 seconds left. Queenscliff had the restart, but a long range pass to O’Neill went out of play and the Demons retained possession under immense pressure until the buzzer sounded.
For long-time players Morgan van Leerdam and Jamison Camilleri, it was their first final let alone their first finals victory. Portarlington now turns its attention to Sunday’s first semi-final against Torquay. “If we can keep composure I think we can win,” McCleish said. “The pressure’s not on us. I think the pressure was on us yesterday (being) 2-0 against Queenscliff, finished fourth. And we had to hold that pressure. “Now we can just go in and say, girls, just go be you. Anything can happen, but it’s going to be tough. “It’s going to be a challenge and I think our group’s ready for it.” OCEAN GROVE set up a massive semifinal clash against Geelong Amateur with a qualifying final win against Torquay. Torquay had gotten the better of Grove in both home and away meetings this season, but a powerful first half set up the victory. Grove led by 10 goals at the break and coach Mel Holmes said her side had learned a lot from the two losses. She braced for the inevitable Torquay comeback in the second half. The Tigers reduced the deficit to four at the last change and when Kate Schippers goaled with seven minutes remaining, the
Ocean Grove’s Julia Mitchell just beats Torquay’s Ariana Luamanu to the ball in this contest. (Ivan Kemp) 574842
margin was one goal. Grove steadied to run out winners 50 to 48 and will again meet Ammos in the second semi-final with the winner to go straight through to the grand final. “We weathered the storm,” Holmes said. “We knew that they were going to come at us. They’re a quality team and Madi (Browne) is a quality coach. “We learned a lot from those two losses and prepared and revised our game plan. “Thankfully we had a good start, so they
were chasing, but we felt like we could feel it coming. We didn’t panic because we knew what we needed to do.” Zanna Punshon shot at 95 percent goal accuracy with 35 from 37 finding the bottom of the net. She stayed at goal attack for the entire match with Bridgette Vos at goal shooter. “They are interchangeable – Bridgette and Zanna,” Holmes said. “It just kind of works differently at different points. So that was what we went with, thinking we could match it to Torquay that way.” Ammos and Grove have played off in the past four grand finals and there is every indication that it could be five. There is barely any formguide to go on for Saturday’s second semi. It will be just the second time the sides have played each other this season. Ammos prevailed 56 to 52 in round 6. Ammos are unbeaten this season and will go in as heavy favourites. “We’re not the same team from that round and neither are they,” Holmes said. “When you’ve played each other once for whole season, it makes it tough. We’re certainly going at it with nothing to lose. That’s where our focus turns now.”
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