October 9, 2026
Paddle success paddling team. “They wanted to put together a team to go into the nationals on the proviso that if we passed the qualifying time trials, we would agree to go on to the worlds in Singapore,” she said. “I didn’t really seriously think we would get the nationals, so I said okay...and we qualified.” The team is now setting their sights on the Vogalonga rowing festival in Venice next year. Turn to page 3 for the full story.
(Louisa Jones) 582828 08
Regina Parks is showing everyone that age is just a number, after returning to Geelong with silver and gold medals. The 80-year-old Geelong West woman was part of a six-person paddling canoe during two races at the International Va’a Federation World Sprint Championships in Singapore. Ms Parks met her teammates for the first time in November last year after she was asked to fill in a spot for Queensland’s Cairns Beaches club
Design space launch By Matt Hewson
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This week Geelong welcomed a brand new permanent space for design creativity, innovation and exploration in the heart of the city. Launched on Tuesday (6 October) as part of the council’s 2026 Geelong Design Week, Design Commons opened its doors to the public at 30 Gheringhap Street, part of the original South Wing of the historic Geelong Town Hall building. An adaptive reuse of the landmark Neoclassical structure, Design Commons will operate as a central hub for designers, creatives, businesses and the wider industry, offering year-round design activity, exhibitions, events and professional development.
Speaking at the event launch, Mayor Stretch Kontelj encouraged everyone in the design space to explore the opportunities Design Commons offered. “As from this evening, we’ll be opening up an expression of interest process where emerging designers, collaborators, innovators and makers will be able to apply for 12-month residency…(which includes) a stipend,” he said. “Also, we have the opportunity to invite creative folk from overseas to also potentially reside here, and I understand… we have a UNESCO City of Design collaborator that will be joining us next year from Detroit, which I think is a fantastic alignment given Geelong’s history as the home of Ford here in Australia. “As Australia’s only UNESCO City of
Design, I think it’s appropriate that we celebrate whenever we get the opportunity our design artists, creators, our makers, and tonight’s an opportunity to do just that.” The hub is also supported by the Victorian government through Creative Victoria’s Creative Neighbourhood Infrastructure Support program. Member for Geelong Christine Couzens said the launch marked the beginning of a new chapter for the region’s design community. “Design Commons is much more than a physical space; it is a place where ideas can flourish, where creative people can come together and where emerging and established designers can connect, experiment and inspire one another,” she
said. “Creativity is not just an important cultural asset, it is also an economic driver. Designers help shape the products we use, the spaces we inhabit, the experiences we enjoy and the communities we live in. “Their work influences how we solve problems, tell stories and imagine our future. Geelong has long been a city of makers, innovators and creators. “As our region continues to grow and diversify, spaces like Design Commons play a vital role in supporting local talent and ensuring creative professionals have the opportunity to develop their skills and build sustainable careers close to home.” Residency expressions of interest can be made at geelongcity.vic.gov.au before Wednesday 4 November.
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New vision for golf course Geelong council’s divestment of golf facility management took another step forward last week with the penning of an agreement that will see one of the community’s most cherished public courses receive a multi-million dollar investment program. The City of Greater Geelong and Clublinks have signed a 21-year lease and operating agreement, which will see the sports facilities management company take over management of Queens Park Golf Course. While the course will remain a publicly owned community asset, Clublinks will take control of day-to-day operations and deliver $2 million in private investment to upgrade
the entire facility. In addition to a long-term course renewal program that promises improved playing conditions, the facility will receive an expansion and technological upgrades to the driving range, a new fleet of GPS-equipped golf carts, redevelopment of the pavilion and clubhouse and upgraded retail, hospitality and social spaces. The agreement will also see Queens Park become Geelong’s home of padel, a fast-paced racquet sport described as a mix between tennis and squash, with four new courts to be installed at the facility. Clublinks chief executive Anthony Law-
rence said the long-term lease provided the certainty needed to deliver a new vision for the precinct. “We’re thrilled to continue our established partnership with the City of Greater Geelong to revitalise Queens Park Golf Course,” he said. “The 21-year lease gives us the certainty to invest in world-class facilities, improve course conditions and create an exceptional experience for golfers of all ages and abilities. “Our vision is simple: to create a vibrant, inclusive space where everyone can play, laugh and connect.
“These investments will not only benefit golfers but create a destination that offers broader recreation, hospitality and social experiences for the entire community.” Planning and design work will commence shortly, with upgrades planned for completion in 2028. Deputy Mayor and Sports and Recreation portfolio chair, Eddy Kontelj, said the agreement represented a strong outcome for the community and the long-term future of Queens Park Golf Course. “Queens Park is loved by golfers, clubs, families, visitors and residents of all ages, and this is an exciting new chapter,” he said.
The Bellarine Quilters Show is part of the Geelong Seniors Festival.
Busy schedule for seniors festival
Cabers will be tossed and hammers thrown at the inaugural Geelong Highland Games & Celtic Festival. (Supplied)
Time to get heavy again at Highland Games By Matt Hewson Seven years after the last official Geelong Highland Gathering, a new festival in the same tradition is rising from the ashes for its inaugural event this October. The Geelong Highland Games and Celtic Festival will be held at the Golden Plains Soccer Club in Bannockburn on Saturday 24 October. The spiritual successor to the hugely popular Geelong Highland Gathering – which ran for more than 165 years before its final official event in 2019 – the new festival brings 25 of the nation’s premier heavy athletes to compete in
the IHGF Australian National Heavy Games Championships. The day will also feature the open haggis hurling event, massed pipe and drum bands, folk music and dance performances, broadsword demonstrations, food and drink, market stalls, genealogy tents and a range of other family-friendly activities. Festival president Craig Monument, himself both an over-55 hammer throw world champion and a folk musician, said he was “very, very excited” for the event. “There’s still lots of work to do, but we’ve got a good committee and we know we’re go-
ing to put on a damn good games,” he said. “People are going to see two of the best male athletes in Australia, Terry Sparks and Brock Ridsdale, the number one and two from last year’s nationals. And then we’ve got an open women’s category with four or five really strong ladies who are going to be giving it their all. “It’s not just strength, it’s also skill, technique and endurance; there are eight events they’ve got to complete between 9am and presentations at 4pm.” Visit geelonghighlandgames.au for more information.
It’s time to nominate your favourite Golden Plains Shire heroes Golden Plains Shire Council is encouraging community members to help celebrate individuals and groups making a difference across the region. Nominations are now open for council’s Community Awards 2027 to recognise local heroes who support the region through volunteering, leadership, achievement and community service. Golden Plains Shire mayor Owen Sharkey said the awards were a great way to recognise the community’s dedication and generosity. “If you know someone who goes above
and beyond for their community, I encourage you to take the time to nominate them,” he said. “Across the shire, there are individuals and groups quietly making a difference every day...and these contributions deserve to be recognised and celebrated.” Nominations can be made across the categories of Community Hero of the Year, Senior Community Hero of the Year, Young Community Hero of the Year and Community Group Award. A selection panel of Golden Plains Shire councillors and community representatives
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will assess all submitted nominations. Nominees must be residents or have a strong connection to Golden Plains Shire and must demonstrate the impact of their contributions to the region, including their achievements and community involvement. An award ceremony will be held in early February next year to recognise nominees and announce the Community Award recipients. The community can nominate individuals and groups for the Community Awards at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations by 5pm on 27 November.
With more than 40 events the Geelong Seniors Festival features dozens of free or low-cost community-hosted workshops, dances, exercise classes and concerts. The annual festival across October celebrates positive ageing and offers people 55 and over the opportunity to have fun with friends, meet new people and try new activities. “Whether you’re in the mood for crafting, enjoying orchestral music, hitting the dancefloor or a spot of pickleball, Geelong Seniors Festival has you covered,” Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj said. “Secure your tickets now to a range of workshops, classes and performances as spaces are limited. “Council is proud to support this important annual celebration through our 2026-27 Positive Ageing Grants. “It’s part of our commitment to engaging with senior residents, promoting connection and improving mental health and wellbeing.” Some of the highlights include: the Great Geelong Hit Parade with Glenn Starr; coin and banknote workshop; wellbeing workout sessions; a bush dance, led by the Billy Tea Bush Band; tennis coaching; fused glass demonstrations and workshops; older adults and children connecting through planting, storytelling, music and creative activities; Orchestra Geelong Seniors Festival concert; a one-day Swiss Teams Bridge event for teams of four; and the Bellarine Quilters show. This year’s program was supported by $5682 from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and $24,000 in 2026-27 Positive Ageing Grants from the City of Greater Geelong. For the full program of local events, visit geelong.link/Positive-Ageing and tTo see what’s happening across the state, head to seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/festival
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Matildas to return International football returns to Geelong in December with Australia to host Colombia in the lead-up for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The Matildas attracted more than 30,000 fans to their most recent Geelong game in 2024 when they thrashed Chinese Taipei in a friendly at GMHBA Stadium. Australia was ranked 15th on the latest FIFA world rankings while Colombia was 20th. The match will be the second of a twogame friendly series between the two countries and will be played at GMHBA Stadium on Wednesday 2 December. The first match is in Canberra on 28 November.
“We’re delighted to bring the CommBank Matildas back to Victoria for what promises to be a special occasion for football fans, as our FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 preparations intensify,” Football Australia executive director of football and deputy chief executive Heather Garriock said. “The support the team receives whenever they play in Victoria is always outstanding, and we sincerely thank the Victorian government for its continued support of football and for bringing these special events to communities across the state.” Visit Victoria chief executive Brendan
McClements said the match would excite football fans and provided the local economy with a boost. “This blockbuster clash will drive visitation across the Geelong region, support local businesses and showcase Victoria’s unmatched ability to host worldclass sporting events,” he said. Both Australia and Colombia qualified for the World Cup, which will be held in Brazil from June 24 to July 25. Colombia is one of only three South American countries to qualify, along with the host nation and Argentina. Tickets go on sale on Monday 12 October from Ticketmaster.
Alistair and Juliet King with daughters Bella and Charlotte at Australia’s match against Chinese Taipei in Geelong in December 2024. (Ivan Kemp)
Claude Monet’s Meules, milieu du jour (Haystacks, midday) 1890. (Supplied)
See Haystacks at Geelong Gallery before it’s gone Regina Parks won silver and gold for Australia in six-person canoe races in Singapore. (Louisa Jones) 582828 02
Regina paddles towards gold and silver By Jena Carr An 80-year-old Geelong West woman helped win silver and gold for Australia during six-person canoe races in Singapore. Regina Parks competed in the International Va’a Federation (IVF) World Sprint Championships in late August as part of the Cairns Beaches club paddling team. The team won a gold medal for Women’s 80+ outrigger canoeing 250 metre straight race and a silver medal in the 500 metre sprint-with-turn race.
Ms Parks was the only paddler from Geelong in the team and said it felt great to represent Australia overseas. “I only did two races, and those are the ones we won the silver and gold medals in,” she said. “I could see that the other boats were close (during the straight race), but we did it, and we got the gold, so we just couldn’t come back with anything better than that.” Ms Parks’ paddling journey began 15 years ago with dragon boating, and she has competed in many regattas over the years.
“I just feel good when I get in that boat, and I’ve got the paddle in my hand and off we go, and it’s exciting in the sea,” she said. “There are safety drills; we have to be able to swim and get back in the boat, but we help each other, and I just love the feeling, even going over the waves, as it’s so exciting.” The IVF World Sprint Championships were held at Singapore’s Marina Bay and featured more than 3100 paddling athletes of all ages representing 30 countries and territories.
Council introduces more flexible swimming lessons for students Students at municipal swimming schools in Greater Geelong will be able to reschedule missed lessons easily as of this month. Following a recent customer satisfaction survey, the City of Greater Geelong has changed its regulations to allow unlimited make-up lessons for students enrolled in group swimming lessons at Webstar’s Swim School. Webstar’s operates at Bellarine Aquatic and Sports Centre, Leisurelink, Splashdown and Norlane ARC. Swimming students who cancel their
lesson at least 30 minutes before it begins will receive a make-up token that lasts for 60 days and can be used to book a makeup lesson up to six days in advance. Deputy Mayor and the council’s Sports and Recreation portfolio chair Eddy Kontelj said the introduction of makeup lessons would be a gamechanger for families. “Not only will parents be able to book make-up lessons, but they’ll also be able to schedule them at a different centre – because we know that plans change,” he
said. “The ultimate goal of these make-up lessons is to support community members to become safer around the water.” Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj said the council understood it could be “a real juggle” to manage swimming lessons and other commitments. “This initiative will prevent gaps in kids’ attendance and help to progress their water safety skills, even when they occasionally miss a lesson,” he said” Visit app.geelongcity.vic.gov.au/ssl/ swimschool for more information.
Time is running out for the Geelong community to see one of Claude Monet’s famous paintings before it leaves the region to travel overseas. Meules, milieu du jour (Haystacks, midday) 1890 will leave Geelong Gallery this month after close to a year on display as part of the National Gallery of Australia’s Sharing the National Collection initiative. Geelong Gallery director and chief executive Humphrey Clegg said it was great to offer audiences across the region a chance to experience one of the most influential works in Impressionism history. “It has been wonderful to see so many people from Geelong and beyond experience Monet’s Haystacks, midday during its time at Geelong Gallery,” he said. “More than 110,000 visitors have now enjoyed this extraordinary work, and we encourage anyone who hasn’t yet seen it to make the most of its final weeks in Geelong. “The painting’s departure also highlights the value of initiatives such as Sharing the National Collection, which enable major works from the national collection to be experienced by audiences across Australia and beyond.” Monet painted the haystacks in a field behind his house at least 25 times between late summer 1890 and winter 1891, capturing the changing effects of light in each season. Monet’s Haystacks, midday 1890 will be on display until 25 October before moving on as part of a major international exhibition, and entry into the gallery to view the piece is free.
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Calls for ID safeguard Local non-profit Barwon Community Legal Services (BCLS) has joined two other Victorian organisations in launching an advocacy campaign for photo ID safeguards. Alongside Council of the Ageing (COTA) Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV), BCLS has called on the Victorian Government to ensure older Victorians easily retain some form of photo identification when surrendering their driver’s licence for medical reasons. The three organisations wrote to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Paul Hamer and Minister for Seniors Nick Staikos requesting the introduction of a pre-surrender identity safeguard that would ensure older people had continued, easy access to photo ID be-
fore their licence was cancelled. The organisations also called for the addition of an expiry date to the Victorian Proof of Age card, bringing it in line with standard ID and resulting in greater acceptance of the card by banks, healthcare providers and government agencies. They also advocated for the reuse of existing verified government data to simplify the proof of identity process to improve access for those of non-English speaking backgrounds or with limited digital literacy. “Many people surrendering their licence for medical reasons are already managing health or cognitive challenges,” said BCLS chief executive Bryanna Connell. “Where government already holds veri-
fied identity information and a recent photograph, requiring a person to make a trip to obtain replacement ID creates an unnecessary burden. “Allowing existing verified data to be reused, with consent, would remove a barrier and simplify the process. “This low-cost, high-impact reform would be particularly valuable for people in regional and rural Victoria, aged care residents, and people with limited mobility or transport options.” Ms Connell said broad community support would help ensure the voices of older Victorians were heard and meaningful change achieved. “Giving up a driver’s licence should not
Barwon Community Legal Service CEO Bryanna Connell. (Supplied)
mean giving up your identity,” she said. “We encourage community organisations, seniors’ groups, service providers, and advocates across Victoria to join us in calling for this practical and achievable reform that protects people’s independence, dignity and access to essential services.”
Anglesea gets XTERRA
Kimba Johnson-Baxter requires medications made from plasma following her diagnosis of multiple myeloma. (Louisa Jones) 582862 04
Plasma shortage prompts donation drive By Jena Carr More plasma donations are needed across the country, including Geelong, to protect the supply of medicines and transfusions for patients. Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has launched a nationwide call for donors during International Plasma Awareness Week (5 to 9 October), with 15,000 donations needed this month. Geelong’s Kimba Johnson-Baxter, 60, is among patients who require medications made from plasma following her diagnosis of
multiple myeloma in February 2020. “People with myeloma have very low kidney function, and that sometimes means that you can’t qualify for drug trials,” she said. “So, I had that problem, and my kidneys dropped low enough where I nearly started dialysis, and I wasn’t qualifying for any drugs, and there were no drugs on the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) to treat me. “Now, I’m really careful about what I eat and just scrape by enough to get treated, so the drug I’m on now has got me stable, but I don’t have remission.”
Health & Safety Month October ‘26
Ms Johnson-Baxter now works at Geelong Lifeblood Donor Centre after volunteering for many years. “Plasma donations are critical because we have a shortage in Australia, so we don’t have enough plasma donors, and we need more,” she said. “When I started to get better, I decided that I’m going to stop living as if I’m sick and I’m going to die, but rather that I’m going to start living.” Visit the Lifeblood website or app, or call 13 14 95, for more information or to book a plasma donation.
Surf Coast Shire will be home to a new international off-road racing event as XTERRA Anglesea makes its debut early next year. The festival will feature off-road triathlons and trail running races from 13 to 14 February and is forecast to bring close to 3000 attendees to the region. Surf Coast Shire councillor Mike Bodsworth said events like XTERRA Anglesea helped support businesses and create jobs across the region. “I’m super excited that XTERRA is coming to Anglesea, strengthening the Surf Coast’s status as a go-to destination for major international events,” he said. “We love events that celebrate our unique natural environment and outdoor adventure opportunities, while also providing an economic boost to our local communities.” The XTERRA Full Distance, Sprint, and Super Sprint Triathlons, alongside an Aquathlon, XTERRA Trail Half-Marathon and 10km Trail Run races will occur across the weekend. Rapid Ascent will deliver the event in partnership with XTERRA Global and attract athletes, families and supporters from across the state. “XTERRA Anglesea is a major new opportunity to share the Surf Coast’s natural beauty and adventure credentials with athletes and visitors from around Australia and beyond.” Rapid Ascent Event Director Sam Maffett said. “We are excited to work with XTERRA Global, Visit Victoria, the Surf Coast Shire and local community to establish an event that is challenging, welcoming and delivers lasting benefits for the region.” Entries are now open for XTERRA Anglesea, and people can visit XTERRAAnglesea.com.au for more information.
37 in-person events across Victoria 12 online webinars by industry experts
Health and Safety Month is back. Register now, it’s free! 12907112-JO41-26
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Geelong bollard love Ask any visitor what they remembered about Geelong and among the answers will probably be ‘the bollards’. One of the most popular is Jan Mitchell’s bollard of an early Geelong footballer at Bellerine Street, and a fibreglass replica has been installed at the waterfront with plans to renew about 10 more of the beloved structures each year. City of Greater Geelong has committed $800,000 across four years to support the bollard renewal program. The City will renew about 10 bollards each year depending on their condition and deterioration. “It has been wonderful and humbling to
see the Geelong community embrace Jan’s bollard artwork as part of its identity over the past 35-plus years,” Ms Mitchell’s son Caolan said. “And more recently working with the City’s bollard refurbishment team, to continue the bollards’ ongoing artistic and cultural legacy, drawing on Geelong-based technology and creative talent to produce these exciting prototypes. “Jan would be proud of this commitment to her work and vision.” Created by Ms Mitchell between 1990 and 2001, the bollards were made from reclaimed wharf pylons from the former Yarra Street Pier from the 1870s.
“It’s great to finally share these prototype designs with the community,” Mayor Stretch Kontelj said. “They’re concepts designed and created right here in Geelong that show how we might protect the bollards for future generations while still honouring Jan Mitchell’s legacy.” City of Greater Geelong chief executive Ali Wastie said the bollards were part of Geelong’s global identity. “Conservatively, if just five per cent of the region’s six million annual visitors take a photo with a Baywalk Bollard, that’s 300,000 photos snapped each year,” she said. “These prototypes are a first step in ex-
Mayor Stretch Kontelj, endorsed bollard artist Vicki Clissold and Caolan Mitchell alongside the new fibreglass composite prototype at Geelong’s waterfront. (supplied)
ploring long-term options and we’re really keen to hear what the community thinks.” A 3D-printed version of the footballer bollard and test pieces can now be seen at Wurriki Nyal. See yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/ geelong-bollards-story-continues
Filipino Australian Friendship Association of Geelong will recieve state government funding for its Pasko sa Geelong Festival on 29 November.
Funding for a multicultural region
Dr Amber Smith is looking forward to Platform Arts celebrating three decades of supporting the arts. (Louisa Jones)
Three decades of supporting the arts By Matt Hewson One of Geelong’s most dedicated and dynamic contemporary arts institutions kicks off a seven-week celebration of 30 years of backing bold creativity in the region. Running from 22 October to 12 December, 30 Years of Platform Arts will bring together an alumni exhibition, workshops, artist stories, archival material and public programs to mark three decades of creative risk and community connection. Since its inception in 1996 as the Courthouse Project, and later as Courthouse Arts, Courthouse Youth Arts and now Plat-
form Arts, the organisation has served as an important pillar of the local Geelong arts community. Providing space for emerging and mid-career artists to test ideas and experiment in their practice, Platform Arts has embraced an inclusive multi-arts approach that invites the community to engage, collaborate, create and connect. However, artistic director and co-chief executive Dr Amber Smith said this celebratory season was as much about looking ahead as it was acknowledging the past. “We’ve had this 30-year milestone, yes, but what does the future look like?” she said.
“With the precarity of arts funding, we’re really reaching out to the community to… help fund some of those more exciting commissions and really giving to the Geelong arts community. “Commissioning artists is a big part of what we do, making sure we have a lot of space for local artists and really putting trust in them…giving them a chance to explore a project or artwork that maybe doesn’t fit in another space or organisation. “Championing that creative risk is something we take really seriously, paying artists and removing that financial risk to them.” Visit platformarts.org.au for more information on 30 Years of Platform Arts.
Telstra works at Jan Juc could cause mobile phone disruptions Telstra customers in Jan Juc could experience mobile service disruptions as work soon begins at a nearby mobile base station. Upgrades will commence from Monday 12 October at Menczer Lance mobile base station and take over 10 days to improve the site’s 4G/5G capacity. A Telstra spokesperson said the site would be switched off for periods of up to 120 hours to complete the upgrades. “We know how important mobile connectivity is for Australians, whether you’re
in the city or the country,” they said. “While disruption is required while the upgrade is underway, we’ll only be switching off the site when we need to and will have it back online and working better than ever as quickly as possible. “As data use over our mobile network continues to grow, adding extra 4G/5G capacity to our mobile site in the area will help deliver faster downloads, smoother streaming and less congestion for customers.”
The upgrades will not impact NBN, Satellite internet services, PSTN landline services, or mobile coverage from other providers. Customers can continue to make calls and send texts during the disruption by switching on Wi-Fi Calling, a free setting on most mobile phones. Telstra mobile customers will receive an SMS advising of the upcoming works, and people can visit telstra.com.au/outages for more information or updates on the outage.
Geelong residents can experience a range of multicultural festivals and events, thanks to state government support. Seven groups will share more than $84,000 in funding through the state government’s 2026-27 Multicultural Festivals and Events Program. Member for Lara Ella George said the funding would help communities celebrate their proud cultures through a range of events. “These events are the heart of our community, bringing people together to celebrate traditions, build connections, and share in the rich diversity of Geelong,” she said. “We are proud to support the organisations and volunteers who work tirelessly to make these celebrations possible, and I look forward to seeing these events light up Geelong over the coming months.” Ms George said the grants recognised the dedication of community volunteers and organisers and the important role that multicultural festivals play in fostering harmony and understanding. Successful applicants included Australian Slovenian Cultural and Sports Association ‘Ivan Cankar’ Geelong for the Spring Bonfire Celebration Sunday 11 October and Radhika Foundation International for Dashain 2026: Festival of Culture, Unity, and Blessings on Thursday 15 October. Haridham Sokhda Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha received funding for its 24 October Diwali Celebration, alongside Association of Bengalis in Geelong for Durga Puja from 16 to 18 October. Other successful applicants included Bhuminanda Prakash Light of Hope’s Geelong Multicultural Festival of Lights (7 November), and Bhuminanda Dhaulidevi Foundation’s Cultural Harmony Festival (15 November). Filipino Australian Friendship Association of Geelong also received funding for its Pasko sa Geelong Festival on 29 November.
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Transport on the agenda Golden Plains council has called on all Victorian election candidates to back transport investment in the shire. With the shire’s population forecast to grow from the current population of 25,000 to more than 42,000 by 2041, the council warned that transport infrastructure and services were already failing to meet community needs. The council has advocated for investment in roads and bridges, bus services, passenger rail and tracks and trails connections throughout the region. Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey said transport connectivity was one of the most significant challenges facing residents across the Shire.
“Golden Plains is growing rapidly, but our transport infrastructure and public transport options have not kept pace,” he said. “Too many residents are forced to rely on private vehicles to access work, education, healthcare and essential services simply because public transport isn’t available or doesn’t meet their needs.” The council wants increased bus services connecting the region with Geelong and Ballarat as well as the reinstatement of the passenger rail service between Geelong and Bannockburn to help connect residents to employment, education and services. Mayor Sharkey said public transport re-
mained a particular concern across the municipality. “Public transport should not be determined by your postcode,” he said. “While the Shire continues to grow, services remain extremely limited, and many smaller communities have little or no access to public transport. Residents should not have to own and operate multiple vehicles simply to participate in everyday life.” “Access to employment, healthcare, education and community life should be available to everyone, regardless of where they live.” Investment in regional roads and bridges would ensure both safe travel and reliable
freight movement, while tracks and trails would encourage healthy lifestyles and create tourism opportunities. “Connecting communities is about more than building roads or adding bus services,” Mayor Sharkey said. “It’s about ensuring people can get to where they need to be safely and reliably. It’s about connecting residents to opportunities, supporting local businesses, strengthening regional economies and improving quality of life.” “If Victoria is serious about supporting regional growth, transport investment must keep pace with the communities that are driving that growth.”
Lighting up Corio Bay After a successful debut together, Geelong’s iconic floating Christmas tree and the popular Carols by the Bay will reunite in late November. The Denis Walter OAM hosted Carols by the Bay enters its 30th year at Steampacket Gardens while extra bells and whistles have been promised for the floating Christmas tree on Corio Bay, which has been operating for the past 13 years. Water jets, barge projections and a fresh audiovisual display are among the new additions to the 25-metre tree while the carols event will again feature live performances, singalongs, Santa and special guests. A crowd of about 20,000 flocked to the event last year. “My ambition in the late 90s was to create a special celebration of Christmas at our beautiful waterfront,” Denis Walter said. “This year we again marry two iconic events to welcome the festive season and Carols by the Bay will have a few surprises to celebrate our 30th anniversary.” Carols by the Bay and the lighting of the tree will be held on Saturday 21 November with a full program to be announced in the coming weeks. The evening also marks the beginning of Christmas in Geelong, which will run until 7 January 2027. “Last year was a fantastic debut for Carols by the Bay and the Floating Christmas Tree coming together with thousands of people at the waterfront,” City of Greater Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said “We know how much these two events, and this time of year, mean to our community. At the same time, we know the festive season can be challenging for many people, particularly with the ongoing pressure of rising costs,” . “Council is proud to support community events that give everyone an opportuni-
People can drop off their end-of-life textiles like clothing at Anglesea Transfer Station during the recycling trial. (Supplied)
Breathe new life into old textiles at Anglesea
Fireworks at the Christmas tree (Ivan Kemp) 518152_22
ty to come together, share in the Christmas spirit and make memories.”
Visit geelongcity.vic.gov.au/christmas for more information.
Your chance to help guide tree management across Greater Geelong The Geelong community has the opportunity to guide the way the council manages its public trees. The City of Greater Geelong’s draft public tree management policy, the first update to the policy since 2022, is now online for people to view and provide feedback on. The policy guides how the City’s more than 190,000 urban trees are planned, planted, maintained, protected and removed on council-owned and -managed land. The draft policy has already incorporat-
ed community feedback, prohibiting permanent lighting, signing or infrastructure being attached to trees to protect them and avoid public safety risks. The policy also provides more pathways for tree removal, introduces a formal process for investigating tree root impacts and enables City officers to include site-specific considerations in their decision-making processes. Chair of the Environment & Circular Economy portfolio Cr Elise Wilkinson said the draft changes were intended to balance environmental outcomes, communi-
6 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 9 October, 2026
ty expectations and infrastructure needs. “Our trees deliver significant environmental, social and wellbeing benefits to the community and preserving a healthy tree population remains a priority,” she said. “At the same time, we want a public tree management policy that acknowledges community concerns and provides clear, practical pathways to address them. These proposed changes are about finding that balance.” Visit geelong.link/PTMP before 11.59pm on Monday 2 November to view the policy update and submit feedback.
Surf Coast community members can now recycle end-of-life textiles during a twomonth trial at Anglesea Transfer Station. During the trial, clean, dry clothing, towels, bed linen and shoes can be dropped off at the transfer station, then sent to and sorted by Victorian-based Textile Recyclers Group. Surf Coast Shire Councillor Liz Pattison said she encouraged the community to take part and help council understand how much interest there is in textile recycling across the shire. “If your clothes are still in good condition, the best option is to pass them on to someone else, on-sell them, or donate them to an op shop,” she said. “But if they’re too worn or damaged to be reused, as long as they’re clean and dry, the textile recycling trial at Anglesea gives them another option and helps keep them out of landfill. “We know locals are keen to find better ways to deal with unwanted clothing and textiles, so we’re really pleased to be able to test this option at Anglesea.” Items that can’t be reused will be shredded and turned into products like gloves, socks, cushions, rugs, blankets, insulation and furniture filler. The trial will run until 30 November and will give people the opportunity to recycle worn-out clothes and fabric items that are no longer wearable and might otherwise end up in landfill. Visit surfcoast.vic.gov.au/Textiles for more information about the trial and what textiles can be recycled.
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Friday, 9 October, 2026 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 7
FRIDAY FEATURE
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Healing past tragedies Marina de Vries has released her first book, a historical novel based on the story of her grandparents, father, aunt and uncle, all of whom were incarcerated in a Japanese concentration camp in Indonesia during World War II. This week she travelled to Geelong to hand over a copy of her book to her aunt. She spoke to Matt Hewson about her decades-long journey back in time. Raised in New Zealand, from a young age Marina de Vries was aware of the broad strokes of her Dutch father’s family history. Marina’s paternal grandfather Harke de Vries was a Dutch army architect and engineer living in Aceh, Indonesia with his wife Kommie and their three children Aly, Rein and baby Harke (Harry, Marina’s father) when the Japanese occupation of the country began in 1942. They spent the next three and a half years in various Japanese concentration camps in the Semarang region of Indonesia, with Harke separated from his wife and children. Kommie tragically died at age 36 before the war ended and the family was reunited. But as a child, Marina didn’t really know what that meant until she saw an Australian television show in the early 1980s called Tenko, which explored the lives of women in those very same camps. “It was based on a women’s camp, a Japanese women’s camp,” Marina said. “We grew up with it – I was a little girl – and when we watched it we knew that dad had been in a Japanese concentration camp. “So watching that show, that was the first realisation of what this meant. Then every time I met up with Aunty Aly I would ask her questions; I had a notebook and I wrote things down.” The trauma experienced by her forebears continued to resonate through her family as she grew up, leaving Marina with a nagging sense of needing to fully understand her family’s history. Leaving high school, Marina began to pursue a career in medicine, but finished her degree in psychology. “I studied psychology at university because I knew that there was trauma in our family and I wanted to figure out why,” she said. “I was 18, 19, 20; you’re immature at that age, and you only gain so much (from university), but I think over the years I’ve managed to unpack that.” She continued to ply her aunt Aly, who had played the role of mother for Rein and Harry after their mother died, for information on their story. “I had no intention of ever writing it as a story, as a book, I just wanted to know everything that she could tell me,” she said. “And if I just asked the right questions, she would give me more information. So I exhausted everything that she could possi-
Harke and Kommie de Vries on their wedding day. (Supplied)
Marina de Vries visiting the grave of her grandmother Kommie at Kalibanteng Dutch War Cemetery in Semarang, Indonesia. (Supplied)
Joop Slotegraaf, Harry De Vries, Aly Slotegraaf, Marina De Vries and Rinke Slotegraaf. (Louisa Jones) 582611 18
bly (tell me). “Dad doesn’t remember a thing, so there’s no story there. And their father, when he left Indonesia, he said, that’s it. We don’t talk about it anymore. “So they didn’t get to talk about it after it was all over. It was only because of Aunty Aly’s memories.” Marina’s process remained a personal one until in 2023 she was asked to speak at an event in Christchurch. “I said to the organisers, ‘What do you want me to talk about?’,” she said. “One of them knew my story and she said, ‘Why don’t you talk about your family’s history?’ “So I talked about it, and then afterwards, women came up to me saying, ‘you need to write that; that’s an incredible story, you need to write it.’ “So that was the seed. And I wrote it, I wrote a first draft, and then I read it. I thought, this is absolute rubbish. I’ve never seen Indonesia. I don’t know what it feels like, smells like. And so I rang Rinke.” In 2024 Marina and her cousin Rinke Slotegraaf – Aly’s son – took a trip to Indonesia, where they visited the Ambarawa camps their family had lived in during the war and the Dutch war cemetery where
their grandmother Kommie had been laid to rest. She followed that trip with another to the Netherlands in 2025 to visit the Indonesian War Museum in The Hague, part of which is dedicated to the Ambarawa camps. Armed with a much deeper understanding of her family members’ experiences, Marina returned to her manuscript The Golden Lotus Necklace, named after a delicate piece of jewellery given to her grandfather by a Chinese businessman that Aly still wears today. Released in New Zealand in June, the novel – the first in a still-developing trilogy – tells a partially fictionalised version of her family’s story. Marina’s decided to semi-fictionalise the tale for two reasons. The first was her awareness that much of what she was writing about was based only on the accounts of her aunt, who was but a girl at the time. The second reason was to introduce new characters who could connect the past to the present, one of which is Honor, a standin for Marina herself. “I created a character who is me but has a different name, different experiences on the same journey to find her family story,” she said.
“So there are dual timelines, two or three chapters in the past, then it switches to this character, Honor.” The Golden Lotus Necklace is not yet available in Australian bookstores, but this week Marina and her father Harry travelled to Leopold to visit Aly and her sons Joop and Rinke and present Aly with a copy of the book. For Marina, though she has “really enjoyed the process” of writing the story so far, it has been both a difficult and healing journey. “I never knew my grandparents, and it’s a weird thing, but I got to know them by writing about them,” she said. “I knew more about my grandfather than my grandmother because Dad grew up with him, Aunty Aly was able to talk about him, but we knew very little about our grandmother. “So I reconstructed her life and, in a really strange way, I got to know her. And realising what had happened to them in the camps…that became a big ‘aha’ moment for me, in terms of the consequences of that through decades and generations.” Visit marinadevries.com for more information or to order a copy of The Golden Lotus Necklace.
8 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 9 October, 2026
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Wet, wet weekend across the region A flash flood Watch and Act warning was issued for Geelong and surrounding areas on Saturday 3 October as the region received heavy rainfall from Thursday morning to Saturday evening. Geelong’s official Bureau of Meteorology site at the racecourse in Breakwater received 71.6mm from 9am Thursday 1 October to 8pm Saturday 3 October. Pollocksford received 44.6mm of rain in six hours, the BOM said. The alert was issued for potential flash flooding in Geelong and surrounding suburbs including Bell Park, Leopold, Belmont, Grovedale, Hamlyn Heights and Highton. It was downgraded at 3.37pm. A Watch and Act message was issued for Aireys Inlet, Fairhaven late on Saturday night as Painkalac Creek rose to 2.1 metres. A minor flood warning was issued for the Barwon River at Ricketts Marsh on Sunday morning. Minor flood warnings were still in place for the Barwon, Moorabool, Leigh and Werribee Rivers on Sunday. All Geelong Cricket Association and Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association opening-round matches were cancelled. The GCA cancelled all turf and hard-wicket games on Wednesday night while the BPCA was called off on Saturday morning. Both competitions will now open their
WorkSafe to visit for free event
A waterlogged Bellarine Highway at Wallington on Saturday 3 October. (Ivan Kemp)
seasons on Saturday 10 October, weather permitting. Despite the weather, several local events went ahead as best they could, including Geelong Botanic Gardens’ 175th birthday celebrations.
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Bellarine Railway’s popular Day Out With Thomas went ahead with eager train enthusiasts sheltering from the rain at the platform before boarding while the rain didn’t stop the weekly Geelong City Market at Little Malop Street.
A free event sharing expert advice on workplace health and safety will be open to the Geelong community at GMHBA Stadium next week. WorkSafe will host the event on Wednesday 14 October as part of its annual Health and Safety Month roadshow across the state. Chief health and safety officer Sam Jenkin said the event will include an in-depth discussion designed to build workplace confidence, capability and safety. “These sessions are designed to give local employers and workers the information and tools to make a real difference to health and safety in their workplaces,” he said. “This is a great opportunity for local businesses to network with each other and get expert advice from WorkSafe on reducing workplace harm and improving outcomes for injured workers.” The event will feature a complimentary breakfast, followed by a session with inspectors discussing current health and safety issues, available resources and support, and local data trends. There were 1272 injury claims accepted by WorkSafe and 2923 workplace inspection visits across the Greater Geelong, Surf Coast and Queenscliff local government areas during the 202526 financial year, as of July this year. Visit worksafe.vic.gov.au/events/ hs-month-2026-geelong for more information and to register to attend the free event.
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If everyone’s feeling the squeeze, where’s all this inflation coming from? Households have been dealing with years of higher prices. Consumer confidence is weak, house prices have fallen and the economy is slowing. Yet inflation remains stubbornly above the Reserve Bank of Australia’s 2% to 3% target range. RBA Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser acknowledged the frustration in a recent interview with the ABC’s 7.30 program. “People want inflation down. People are furious about inflation. I understand why. It’s unfair. It hits people on low incomes. It damages price signals. It makes the job of companies difficult. What they want us to do is our job and bring inflation down,” Hauser said. The latest ABS inflation figures show annual inflation rose to 4.0% in August from 3.5% in July. Trimmed mean inflation, which strips out some of the more volatile price movements to give a better sense of the underlying trend, remained at 3.6% for the third consecutive month. The first thing to understand is that inflation doesn’t measure how much we’re buying. It measures how much prices are changing. It also doesn’t tell you how high prices have already become. Imagine something that cost $100 rises to $110 one year and then $113 the next. The rate of inflation has slowed considerably, but you’re still paying $13 more than you were before. So where is the inflation actually coming from? The short answer is: from several places at once. Some of it is coming from prices Australians can’t easily avoid. Housing was the biggest contributor to inflation in August, rising 5.7% over the year. Some of the pressure is also coming from overseas. Higher oil, diesel, fertiliser and other costs
linked to the Middle East conflict don’t always reach consumers immediately. Businesses can absorb those costs for a while before eventually putting up their own prices and passing them through to customers. Then there’s a more structural problem: how much the Australian economy can produce. The RBA’s August Statement on Monetary Policy says the economy is still operating with capacity constraints. In other words, demand for some workers, goods and services remains stronger than the economy can comfortably supply without pushing up prices. So inflation can keep running even while parts of the economy are clearly slowing. CommBank Household Spending Insights data showed spending among Australians aged 65 and over was 10.1% higher in June than a year earlier. Spending growth among 25 to 34-year-olds was just 4.2%, while 35 to 44 and 45 to 54-year-olds recorded growth of 4.5%. “Household consumption patterns diverge by age. Shifts in interest rates, inflation and wealth affect age cohorts differently, which can lead to varying rates of spending growth,” CommBank Head of Australian Economics Belinda Allen said. One obvious reason is housing debt. “These groups are more likely to have a mortgage, making them more sensitive to higher interest rates,” Allen said of the younger and middle-aged groups. Higher rates can’t build more houses, lift productivity overnight or bring down the global oil price. What they can do is cool demand. Australians cutting back and inflation remaining too high aren’t contradictory. The squeeze is landing very differently across households, and many of the prices still rising are for things people can’t easily avoid. What matters most now is whether those pres-
sures fade as the economy slows, or whether inflation remains persistent enough for the RBA to decide that more rate rises are needed.
Find out more at CommBank Newsroom
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Many of us are feeling under cost-of-living pressure, so what’s causing the inflation the RBA acknowledges is making Australians “furious”?
Friday, 9 October, 2026 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 9
ENTERTAINMENT WITH MATT HEWSON
Play with a strong message A new, world-class production telling the story of the women whose passion drove the creation of the AFLW plays at Geelong Arts Centre this weekend. Strong is the New Pretty, from acclaimed playwright Suzie Miller, shines a light on the Australian women who fought for seven years to establish a national women’s football league, an idea previously dismissed by many within both the sports industry and the general public. The work is directed by award-winning theatre and opera director Sarah Giles, who described the play as “political, but really entertaining…a very playful show”. “It’s a really inspiring story in the sense of the bigger picture, because there are things that we think are impossible
Strong is the New Pretty celebrates the women who fought to make the AFLW a reality. (Morgan Roberts)
now…but those women worked within an existing structure and found ways to make it work,” she said. “When you look at what they created,
how impossible it seemed before they made it, it’s so utterly inspiring. It makes me feel really hopeful, and I think we need that at the moment.” Giles praised the female-led development team, which included Miller, composer Clemence Williams and a stellar cast of eight female actors including Tara Morice and Lucy Bell. “I can’t tell you how unbelievably wonderful it is to be in a room and surrounded by women,” she said. “When you’re creating a new work, you’re cutting scenes, changing scenes, thinking of how you’re going to stage something. And so it requires a group of people to come together in a pretty profound way in terms of saying yes, collaborating, just plugging on ahead.
“And this particular group of women are absolutely a delight, astonishing… (the process) was very collaborative; exhausting, hard-working but quite remarkable.” Miller said it felt “particularly special” to bring Strong is the New Pretty to Geelong, one of Victoria’s AFL heartlands. “Strong celebrates something distinctly Australian – that belief in a ‘fair go’, and the wonderful grit and humour of Australian women as they push through together – while also speaking to our nation’s continuing pursuit of equality,” she said. Strong Is The New Pretty is at Geelong Arts Centre from 8 to 11 October. Visit geelongartscentre.org.au for tickets and more information.
Sugar Bits are keeping feminism trashy What is feminism, how does one fight patriarchy and is it okay to put aside that activism when a flat tyre needs changing? Sugar Bits answer all these questions and more when they bring their Green Room-nominated show Feminist Trash to town as part of the Geelong Comedy Festival. The comedy trio – Stephanie Beza, Tessa Luminati and Nicola Pohl – bring together hilarious sketches, ridiculous characters, incisive wit and razor-sharp songs to deliver an hour of absurdity reviewers have described as “unhinged as it is brilliant”. “Essentially, it’s an hour of unbridled
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chaos,” Beza said. “It’s a ridiculous show that highlights the irony and also some of the hypocrisies of some feminists, while also poking fun at the people who oppose feminism. “We want everyone to have a good time, and we’re aware that the topic of feminism can be a bit divisive amongst some people. And it’s also a fact that no one really wants to be preached at for an hour, so we absolutely do not do that. “And we’ve really looked into our training as actors, clowns and comedians creating these zany characters, really working with the audience to create this fun and chaotic
vibe.” Having met while studying at Federation University Ballarat in 2016, the three performers bring a diverse range of training including singing, dance, acting, clowning and physical comedy. “We hope audiences enjoy watching it as much as we enjoy performing it,” Beza said. “We’ve tried to make it as self-aware as possible; we’re poking fun at ourselves as much as anything.” Feminist Trash is at Here & Now Lounge on 23 October. Visit FEMINIST-TRASH. eventbrite.com.au for tickets and more information.
Comedy trio Sugar Bits bring their hit show Feminist Trash to the 2026 Geelong Comedy Festival. (NickMickPics)
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After-hours health promise
Highton Fire Brigade held a Get Fire Ready open day. (Supplied)
Fire brigades want everyone to be fire ready Two Greater Geelong fire brigades held their Get Fire Ready open days on Sunday 4 October as the CFA calls on Victorians to be ready for what is predicted to be a high-risk fire season. More than 175 fire brigades in the South West region will open their doors across weekends in October and November to help with practical steps to help protect their homes, families and properties. Barwon Heads and Highton brigades held their open days on Sunday while Geelong West, Leopold and Wallington
brigades will hold theirs on Saturday 10 October with Mannerim, Portarlington, Lethbridge and Lara on Sunday 11 October. Other fire brigades around the region will hold their open days at various dates in October and November. Community members can speak directly with CFA volunteers about their local fire risks, creating or updating a fire plan, preparing their property before summer, and setting up the VicEmergency app and watch zones. “We want people to understand the fire
10 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 9 October, 2026
risk that exists in their area and what they can do now to be better prepared before the fire season,” CFA deputy chief officer South West Region Adrian Gutsche said. “The AFAC Spring Outlook indicated that we have an above average risk of fire in pockets of our region, particularly the far southwest corner, meaning we could get an earlier start to the season than normal due to the underlying dryness and various rainfall deficits.” See cfa.vic.gov.au/about-us/cfa-events/ get-fire-ready for more information.
Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant said a re-elected Labor government would invest $1.7 million in after-hours health care on the Bellarine Peninsula. While after-hours care is available at University Hospital Geelong’s emergency department and at the Urgent Care Clinic in Belmont, Ms Marchant said the Bellarine was lacking an after-hours pharmacy. Epichealth in Ocean Grove offers bulk-billed walk-in GP consultations until 9pm four days a week, and Direct Chemist Outlet Curlewis is open until 7pm Monday to Friday and 6pm on weekends. Direct Chemist Outlet Curlewis operated 24/7 until December 31, 2023, but the Labor government ceased funding for its own 24-hour Supercare Pharmacy program, ending round-the-clock opening hours across the state. Belmont Urgent Care Clinic is open until 9.30pm seven days a week for walk-in consultations that are provided free of charge. “An after-hours chemist will give local families greater peace of mind, knowing they can access essential medications and health advice when they need it most,” Ms Marchant said. “This is about delivering better, more accessible health care on the Bellarine, making sure families can get the care they need, when they need it, without having to travel further than necessary.”
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Backing Avalon’s growth Advocacy for state government investment in the Avalon precinct is growing as the November election approaches. With the Greater Avalon Employment Precinct now approved, estimated to provide about 8000 new jobs as part of its development and more than 26,000 jobs once it is completed, Committee for Geelong has called for commitments to critical funding from all Victorian political parties. Avalon has been one of Geelong council’s designated priority projects since September last year, seeking state and federal funding for enabling infrastructure for the airport and surrounds. It hosts the Avalon Australian Airshow every two years. With the precinct’s development now approved, Committee for Geelong has joined the chorus, calling for a $30 million investment in Beach Road and airport access infrastructure and a $7.5 million Aviation Attraction Fund to help lure more airlines to the airport. Committee for Geelong interim chief executive Kate Coghlan said while the green light for the precinct was “fantastic news for Geelong”, Avalon needed
A Hercules coming in to land at Avalon Airport’s International Air Show. (Ivan Kemp)
investment to accelerate the precinct’s growth. “Eight thousand new jobs is a huge opportunity for our region, and we need to
make sure we grab it,” she said. “The green light is on. Now we need the roads and infrastructure to match. “Avalon already has the airport, freight,
defence, advanced manufacturing and major employers. This is about backing an asset we already have and unlocking its next stage of growth.” The committee made its case directly to the government and opposition during its Spring Street delegation last month and has pledged to continue its advocacy through to the November state election. “Beach Road is the critical connection between the Princes Freeway, Avalon Airport and this growing employment precinct. As Avalon grows, that connection needs to grow with it,” Ms Coghlan said. “There is bipartisan support for major investment in Melbourne Airport’s connectivity. We now want to see that same bipartisan support for unlocking Avalon. “Avalon…already gives millions of Victorians another way to fly, supports major freight and industry and has enormous room to grow. Now planning is in place for thousands more jobs around it.” “Side by side with $12 billion for Melbourne Airport Rail, $37.5 million to scale Victoria’s second international airport is a relatively small investment. We can and should be doing both.”
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Don’t suffer this spring - get help at Geelong Eye Health By Dr Leigh Plowman, Geelong Eye Health Spring has arrived in Geelong, bringing warmer days, blossoming gardens and, for many, itchy, watery and irritated eyes. Geelong Eye Health sees many patients experiencing seasonal symptoms like red, uncomfortable eyes. If this sounds familiar, allergies could be playing a role, but there may be more happening than you realise. Allergic conjunctivitis occurs when the surface of the eye reacts to an allergen. Seasonal pollen, grasses, dust mites, mould and pets can all be common triggers. Along with itching, eye allergies can cause excessive watering, redness, puffy eyelids, burning, grittiness and tired-feeling eyes. Symptoms may become particularly noticeable after spending time outdoors or around dust, pollen and animals. One of the challenges is determining whether symptoms are being caused by allergies, dry eye – or a combination of both.
Dry eye can produce many of the same symptoms, including burning, grittiness, redness, fluctuating vision and even watery eyes. When the eye surface becomes dry and irritated, the body can respond by producing reflex tears, meaning watery eyes do not necessarily rule out dry eye. At Geelong Eye Health, care begins with a thorough assessment of the eye surface, eyelids and tear film, while also considering potential triggers and medications. Oral antihistamines can be another consideration. While they may be important for controlling allergy symptoms, some can reduce tear production and contribute to dry-feeling eyes. Patients should never stop prescribed medication without speaking to their prescriber, but bringing a medication list or photos of labels to an eye appointment can help provide a clearer overall picture. There are also simple measures that may help reduce irritation during allergy season. Avoid rubbing itchy eyes, use a cool compress over closed eyelids and rinse pollen from your face and hair after
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spending time outdoors. Before purchasing anti-allergy or redness-relief eye drops, seek professional advice to ensure they are suitable for your eyes. For stubborn cases, allergens and debris may become lodged beneath the eyelids where standard drops cannot easily reach. Geelong Eye Health offers an in-clinic saline rinse called Rinsada, designed to gently flush beneath the eyelids and complement allergy, blepharitis or dry-eye care. With the right contributors identified, lasting relief may be possible. If your eyes are calling out for attention this spring, consider having them properly assessed rather than simply putting up with the irritation. Geelong Eye Health provides independent, unhurried eye care in Geelong West, including allergy assessments, dry eye care, emergency eye care and general optometry. Visit geelongeyehealth.com.au to learn more.
Optometrist Dr Leigh Plowman from Geelong Eye Health.
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Friday, 9 October, 2026 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 11
NEWS
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FROM THE ARCHIVES The Geelong Independent looks back through the pages of our archives
16 years ago
11 years ago
6 years ago
1 year ago
8 October, 2010
9 October, 2015
9 October, 2020
10 October, 2025
Lara will host one of Australia’s largest music festivals next year, according to organisers. One Great Night On Earth publicity manager Laura Rega expected up to 100,000 patrons to attend, raising about $14 million for charity.
Heart attack and car accident victims face some of the state’s longest or shortest waits for ambulances depending on where they live in the Geelong region, according to new figures. Ambulance Victoria’s annual report said people suffering code-one emergencies in Golden Plains Shire endured the slowest response times.
Sudden hearing loss plunged Newtown scientist and mother-of-three Sinéad Williams into a “terrifying silent world” for five weeks earlier this year. But a cochlear implant has helped her resume her potentially life-saving research into drugs to fight COVID-19.
Liberal MPs have pointed to Geelong as an example of Labor’s “crime crisis”. Shadow minister for police David Southwick visited Geelong last Friday, joining member for Western Victoria Bev McArthur for a tour of the city, briefings with police and community organisations and a public forum.
Margaret Wilkins, Dianne Carrington and Carol Hetherington. (Pictures: Louisa Jones) 582651 31
Left: Kings Funerals’ Vianna McGlead and Sarah Russell. 582651 08 Centre: John and Lesley Robinson. 582651 29 Right: The Avenue Duo’s John Reader sings Sweet Caroline. 582651 09
Connection, music and community
Mip, Keith and Robyn McKinlay. 582651 28
Local seniors gathered this week for an afternoon of music, laughter and connection as part of the 2026 Geelong Seniors Festival. Hosted by Kings Funerals, the free celebratory event at Kings’ Newcomb Chapel featured The Avenue Duo from Shedding the Blues, a local community-based music and wellbeing initiative on the Bellarine Peninsula. In addition to the live music, familiar favourites and singalongs, attendees also enjoyed an afternoon tea and the chance
12 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 9 October, 2026
to connect and socialise with their peers. The celebration, part of Kings’ growing program of free community events aimed at bringing people together, was booked out days before the event, with a sizeable waiting list. Beth King, general manager of Kings Funerals, said the atmosphere these events created was something special. “We absolutely love hosting these events. The laughter and singing around the venue is incredibly uplifting,” she said. “The event is about so much more
than entertainment. It gives people an opportunity to get out, meet others and feel part of their community. “The response this year has been fantastic. To have the event completely booked and people waiting for a place shows just how valued these opportunities for connection are.” Part of the statewide Victorian Seniors Festival, the Geelong Seniors Festival runs for the whole month of October. Visit geelong.link/Positive-Ageing for more information.
The Guide PICK OF THE WEEK DUSTFALL ABC TV, Sunday, 8.20pm
GUY MONTGOMERY’S GUY MONT SPELLING BEE (NZ) ABC Entertains, Saturday, 8.30pm
Before comedian Sam Campbell brought pure chaos to his role as Guy Montgomery’s assistant on the Australian version of this comedic spelling bee, he filmed this thirdseason episode of the NZ edition. As a contestant, Campbell (pictured left with Montgomery) swiftly dismantles the format and keeps usually composed compère Montgomery on his toes. His competition – Lesa Macleod-Whiting, Tofiga Fepulea‘i and Ben Hurley – might be less familiar to local audiences, but this tribute to retro game shows is too much fun for that to matter. Plus, a fan-favourite segment causes everyone to put their thinking caps on this week: it’s the reappearance of “The Hat Hat” round.
When acting powerhouse Anna Torv and acclaimed director Emma Freeman get together, televisual magic is guaranteed. Both Queensland-born, the creative partners (who previously teamed up on The Newsreader and Secret City) reunite for this thoughtful “tropic noir” set in the Gold Coast hinterland. Torv portrays Tig Pollard, a Brisbane detective who returns to her hometown of North Gap in the wake of a high-profile sexual assault case that failed to secure a conviction. When a local teenage girl is found naked in a cane field with no memory of the night before, Tig finds herself in the thick of another harrowing investigation where half the population are potential suspects. When those people of interest begin dying, the police are left to wonder if its a criminal tying up loose ends or someone else seeking their own form of justice. Joining Torv in the outstanding cast are Juliet Stevenson (Professor T ), Kate Box (Deadloch), Bert LaBonté (The Newsreader), Ben Knight, Zoe Phillips and Alice Ansara.
Line of duty: Anna Torv as detective Tig Pollard in Dustfall.
THE STATE OF MAN ABC TV, Tuesday, 8pm
With the rise of social media, the word “algorithm” has been getting quite a workout. While the term itself dates back to the 16th century (when it described basic mathematical calculations), it has taken on new meaning in recent years as an invisible force shaping culture and language beneath our very noses. In this timely three-part investigation, journalist Marc Fennell (pictured) sets out to discover how young men and boys are being radicalised into the troubling world of the “manosphere”: an online network of communities attempting to shape modern masculinity with sexism, division and anger. Fennell, a dad of two, sets up his own “young Marc” social media profiles to witness it all for himself. You’ll be shocked by how swiftly the content he is being shown evolves from fitness and finance videos to extreme and regressive ideologies.
Friday, October 9 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. (Final, R) 10.30 Take 5. (Final, PGl, R) 11.00 Austin. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Portrait Artist Of The Year. (Final, PG, R) 1.50 The Cage. (Final, M, R) 2.35 Poh’s Kitchen. (R) 3.00 Murdoch Mysteries. (PGv, R) 3.45 Grand Designs Australia. (PG, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6am Morning Programs. 8.00 DD India News Hour. 9.10 For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 10.10 Prince’s Master Crafters Next Generation. (R) 11.05 Canal Boat Diaries. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 The Jury: Skeleton In The Garden. (Mal, R) 3.00 Nula. 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Julia Bradbury’s Irish Journey. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Sunrise. 10.00 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 11. Bathurst 1000. Day 1. Practice session. 12.00 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 11. Bathurst 1000. Day 1. Practice session, supports and qualifying. 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 Topknotz: Wild On Water. (Ma, 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.
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 Taskmaster Australia. (PGls, 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. Advice for the home gardener. 8.20 Death Valley. (Ma) A murdermystery party guest is found dead. 9.05 Portrait Artist Of The Year. (Final, PG, R) Three artists paint Kirk Pengilly. 9.55 Class Clowns. (PGs, R) The comedians must deliver a sex ed talk. 10.25 Crime Night! (PG, R) 10.55 ABC Late News. 11.15 Murdoch Mysteries. (PGv, R) 12.00 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv) 5.00 Rage. (PG)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Hotel Portofino. 8.35 Tom Hanks: The Ordinary Hero. 9.35 Queens That Changed The World: The Last Queen Of America – Charlotte. (Return) 10.30 SBS World News Late. 11.00 Spy/Master. (MA15+v) 11.55 Darkness: Those Who Kill. (Mav, R) 1.45 Wisting. (Mal, R) 3.25 The World’s Most Remote Hotels. (R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 WorldWatch.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Hosted by Johanna Griggs. 8.30 MOVIE: The Dressmaker. (2015, Malsv, R) After a woman returns to her home town in the Australian outback, old rivalries are reignited. Kate Winslet, Judy Davis, Liam Hemsworth. 10.50 GetOn Extra. A look at the weekend’s best racing. 11.20 To Be Advised. 12.55 Jamestown. (MA15+av, R) The first women arrive in Jamestown. 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 Chateau DIY: Australia. 8.30 MOVIE: The Intern. (2015, Mal, R) A 70-year-old retired widower is hired as a senior intern for an online fashion startup. Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo. 11.00 See No Evil: Not A Social Person. (Mav, R) 11.50 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 12.40 Pointless. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Postcards. (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) An intervention is necessary for a couple. 8.30 Have You Been Paying Attention? (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. 8.20 Fizzy And Suds. 8.45 Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures. 9.00 Play School. 10.25 BeddyByes. 11.05 Fizzy And Suds. 11.40 Iron Man And His Awesome Friends. 12.55pm Talking Tom Heroes. 1.20 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 2.30 Monster Makes. 3.00 Play School. 4.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 4.30 SuperKitties. 5.25 Octonauts. 5.50 Super Monsters. 6.05 Spidey And His Amazing Friends. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.35 TBA. 9.50 BattleBots. 10.35 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Icons Unearthed: Marvel. 11.55 DW The Day. 12.25pm Hudson & Rex. 2.15 Gymnastics. FIG Rhythmic World Cup. H’lights. 3.50 WorldWatch. 5.50 The Mega-Brands That Built The World. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 Celebrity Jeopardy. 8.30 The Godfather Of St Petersburg. (Premiere) 9.30 The Naked World. 10.25 Sex Club 101. 11.20 The Americans. 12.15am Brassic. 2.05 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera News Hour.
6am Our Town. 6.30 Better Homes. 7.30 Million Dollar Minute. 8.30 Gatecrashers. 9.30 NBC Today. Noon House Of Wellness. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 Sydney Weekender. 2.30 Cricket. Women’s ODI Series. Aust v Bangladesh. 10.00 Escape To The Country. (R) 11.00 Bargain Hunt. (R) Midnight Making Of The Americas. 1.00 Fresh TV. 1.30 Our Town. 2.00 Harry’s Practice. 2.30 Medical Emergency. 3.00 Better Homes. 5.00 Fresh TV. 5.30 Our Town.
6am Morning Programs. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. Noon Yorkshire Auction House. 1.00 MOVIE: Victoria The Great. (1937) 3.15 Antiques Roadshow. 3.45 MOVIE: The Scarlet Blade. (1963, PG) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo. 8.30 MOVIE: Rob Roy. (1995, M) 11.20 Forensics: Catching The Killer. 12.20am Antiques Roadshow. 12.50 Creflo. 1.20 MOVIE: Victoria The Great. (1937) 3.30 My Favorite Martian. 4.00 Seaway. 5.00 Late Programs.
6am Shopping. 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 Shaun Micallef’s Parents’ Evening. 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. (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. Noon MOVIE: Talk To Me. (2022) 1.45 Stompem Ground 2022: TSI Dancers. 2.00 Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Ocean Warriors. 5.30 Nula. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Guardians Of The Wild. 7.30 MOVIE: The Witches. (1990, PG) 9.15 MOVIE: Friday. (1995, MA15+) 10.50 Nula. 11.20 Stompem Ground 2022: Blekbala Mujik. 12.05am The Boy, The Queen And Everything In Between. 12.35 Free The People. 1.45 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 8.50 Brief Encounter. (1974, PGa) 10.45 All The Pretty Horses. (2000, Mv) 12.55pm Oskars Kleid. (2022, Mal, German, Spanish) 2.50 Le Samourai. (1967, PGav, French) 4.55 The Lunchbox. (2013, PGa, Hindi, English) 6.55 Ride In The Whirlwind. (1965, PGv) 8.30 3:10 To Yuma. (2007) 10.45 A Midnight Clear. (1992, MA15+v) 12.45am Bad Eggs. (2003, Malv) 2.35 The Book Of Delights. (2020, MA15+s, Portuguese) 4.30 The Final Countdown. (1980, PGalv)
6am Morning Programs. 10.00 NFL Tailgate. 11.00 NFL. Dallas Cowboys v Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 2.30pm Unfiltered. 3.00 Timbersports. 3.30 Air Crash Inv. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers: Best Of. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.00 Football. AFL Women’s. Western Bulldogs v Essendon. 9.15 MOVIE: Rush. (2013, MA15+) 11.55 Outback Pilots. 12.55am American Pickers: Best Of. 2.00 Storage Wars. 2.30 Sound FX: Best Of. 3.00 NFL. NFL. Replay.
6am Morning Programs. 11.30 Rugby Heaven. 12.30pm MOVIE: The Mask. (1994, PG) 2.30 Baywatch. 3.30 Big Bang. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.30 Seinfeld. 6.30 Baywatch. 7.30 MOVIE: Night At The Museum. (2006, PG) 9.45 MOVIE: Clash Of The Titans. (2010, M) 11.45 Top 20 Funniest. 12.35am Babies Behind Bars. 1.25 Love Island UK: All Stars. 2.20 Legacies. 3.10 Baywatch. 4.00 Barbie: Dreamhouse Adventures. 4.30 I Love VIP Pets. 4.50 Lego City: No Limits. 5.10 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. (PG, R) 6.30 Bull. (PGlv, R) 7.30 NCIS. (M, R) 10.20 Bull. (PGlv, R) 11.15 JAG. (PGl, 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, 9 October, 2026 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 13
Saturday, October 10 ABC TV (2)
SBS (3)
SEVEN (6, 7)
NINE (8, 9)
TEN (5, 10)
6am Morning Programs. 9.00 Rage. (PG) 10.30 Rage Vault Guest Programmer. (PG) 12.00 News. 12.30 Beyond Paradise. (PGa, R) 1.30 Father Brown. (Final, PGv, R) 2.15 Death Valley. (Ma, R) 3.00 Bee Cause. (R) 3.15 Griff’s Great Australian Rail Trip. (R) 4.05 The Tony Blair Story. (Final, PGa, R) 4.55 Aust Story. (R) 5.30 Landline. (R)
6.00 DW English News. 6.30 Al Jazeera. 7.00 BBC News At Six. 7.30 France 24 English News. 8.00 DD India News Hour. 9.05 Puppy Secrets: The First Six Months. (R) 10.05 Icons Of Auto. (PGa) 11.00 BBC News At Ten. 11.30 France 24 International News. 12.00 WorldWatch. 1.00 Cycling. UCI Gravel World C’ships. Elite Women.
6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 Motor Racing. Supercars C’ship. Bathurst 1000. Practice session. 1.00 Motor Racing. Supercars C’ship. Bathurst 1000. Practice session and support races. 4.30 Motor Racing. Supercars C’ship. Bathurst 1000. Top 10 shootout. From Mount Panorama Circuit, NSW.
6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday. (PG) 12.00 Destination WA. (R) 12.30 Drive Review. 1.00 Let’s Eat With George. 1.30 Gen Well. (Premiere, PG) 2.30 My Way: Winton Special. 3.00 Inside KOOZA By Cirque Du Soleil. (PG, R) 3.30 Scar Tissue. (PGadv, R) 4.30 Garden Gurus. 5.00 News. 5.30 Getaway. (PG)
6am Morning Programs. 9.30 The Finish Line. (R) 10.30 What’s Up Down Under. (PG) 11.30 Deal Or No Deal. (PG, R) 12.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG, R) 12.30 Shaun Micallef’s Parents’ Evening. (R) 1.30 Sydney Harbour Cops. (PGad, R) 2.30 Love It Or List It: Brilliant Builds. (PG, R) 3.30 Food Trail: South Africa. 4.00 Lingo. (R) 5.00 News.
6.00 Kath & Kim. (PGals, R) Kim gives up smoking. 6.25 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) Presented by Tom Gleeson. 7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day. 7.30 Beyond Paradise. (PGa) When Kelby’s friend becomes the target of threatening texts, the team must act fast to uncover who’s responsible. 8.30 Lynley. (Premiere, Mav) Mismatched duo DI Lynley and DS Havers investigate a suspicious death on Salcott Island. 10.00 Darby And Joan. (PGa, R) A former cop and a nurse join forces. 10.45 Farewell Doc Martin. (Ma, R) A behind-the-scenes look at the final instalment. 11.30 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) Continuous music programming.
6.00 Guillaume’s Paris. (R) 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Holyroodhouse: A Royal Residence: Holyrood House. (PGa) 8.25 The Langham: Britain’s First Grand Hotel. Tension arises as the CEO arrives from Hong Kong. 9.20 The Jury: Skeleton In The Garden: The Vanishing. (Mal, R) Twelve strangers preside over a case as jurors. 10.20 Cumbria: The Lakes & The Coast. (R) 11.15 The Silence. (MA15+a, R) 1.20 Kennedy: Jack (1917-1940) (PG, R) 4.40 Bamay: Arrernte Country – Mparntwe Alice Springs. (R) 5.15 Euronews. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Ports To Paradise. (Premiere, PG) Hosted by Mark Beretta. 8.00 MOVIE: Gran Turismo: Based On A True Story. (2023, Ml) Based on a true story. A team of underdogs risk it all to take on the professional racing circuit. David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Archie Madekwe. 10.50 MOVIE: Ford v Holden. (2023, PGal) Looks at the competition between Ford and Holden. Shane Jacobsen. 1.00 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 11. Bathurst 1000. Day 2. Top 10 shootout. From Mount Panorama Circuit, New South Wales. Replay. 2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 It’s Academic. (R) 5.00 House Of Wellness. (PG, R)
6.00 9News Saturday. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Basketball. NBL. Round 4. South East Melbourne Phoenix v Melbourne United. From John Cain Arena, Melbourne. 9.30 Basketball. NBL. Round 4. Perth Wildcats v New Zealand Breakers. From RAC Arena, Perth. 11.30 Wild Cards. (Mv, R) A bride is targeted on her wedding day. 12.30 Scar Tissue. (PGadm, R) Presented by Reuben Styles. 1.30 My Way: Winton Special. (R) Looks at Winton, Queensland. 2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PGa) 2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R) Home shopping. 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Helping Hands. (PGa, R)
6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (PG, R) Contestants compete in a highstakes game where they must beat The Banker to win a cash prize. 7.00 Australia Cup Final Pre-Game. Pre-game coverage of the Australia Cup Final. 7.50 Soccer. Australia Cup. Final. South Melbourne v Melbourne Victory. From AAMI Park, Melbourne. 10.30 Love It Or List It: Brilliant Builds. (PG) Kirstie and Phil look back at two homes in need of smart storage solutions in Stoke and Newcastle. 11.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Ml, R) Graham Norton chats with Tom Cruise. 12.30 FBI. (Mav, R) The team investigates an online conspiracy. 1.30 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. 1.20pm PJ Masks Power Heroes. 2.30 The Makery. 2.45 Fizzy And Suds. 3.00 Play School. 3.30 Peter Rabbit. 4.15 Stan & Gran. 5.20 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 5.45 Iron Man And His Awesome Friends. 6.25 Zog. 7.05 Do Not Watch This Show. 7.30 Hard Quiz Kids. 8.00 Kids Baking C’ship. 8.40 Gladiators UK. 9.45 Merlin. 10.25 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 10.00 France 24 English News. 10.30 Unleash. 12.05pm Pussy Riot: Rage Against Putin. 1.20 Great Australian Concerts: Grinspoon. 2.20 If You Are The One. 3.30 WorldWatch. 5.35 Mastermind Aust. 6.05 Shenzong Tunnel Bridge. 7.05 Travel Man. 7.35 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Il Lombardia. Full race. 2.20am NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.
6am Morning Programs. 11.30 GetOn Extra. Noon Horse Racing. Caulfield Guineas and Hill Stakes Day. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 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 House Calls To The Rescue. 1.30 Our Town. 2.00 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. Noon MOVIE: Pool Of London. (1951, PG) 1.50 MOVIE: Piccadilly Incident. (1946) 4.00 Rugby Union. Bledisloe Cup. NZ v Aust. 7.00 Bledisloe Cup Post-Match. 7.30 MOVIE: Father Of The Bride. (1991) 9.40 MOVIE: When Harry Met Sally. (1989, M) 11.40 Memory Lane. 1am MOVIE: Piccadilly Incident. (1946) 3.10 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. (PG, R) 1.30 Frasier. (PGa, R) 2.30 Friends. (PG, R) 7.30 Two And A Half Men. (Ms, R) 11.00 Becker. (PG, R) 11.30 Frasier. 12.30am Home Shopping.
NITV (34)
SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)
7MATE (64, 73)
9GO! (82, 93)
10 DRAMA (53, 12)
6am Morning Programs. 1.40pm Guardians Of The Wild. 2.30 Lakota Nation Vs United States. 4.30 Stompem Ground 2022: Yatangal. 5.00 Murder In Big Horn. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 The Other Side. 7.30 Pro Bull Riding USA: World Team Series. 8.30 MOVIE: The Cabin In The Woods. (2012) 10.20 Karen Dalton: In My Own Time. 11.50 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 12.15pm Bad Eggs. (2003, Malv) 2.05 Mr. Holmes. (2015, PGa) 4.00 Buffalo Bill And The Indians. (1976, PGal, Engish) 6.15 Spirited Away. (2001, PGh) 8.30 The Mask Of Zorro. (1998, Mv) 11.05 Getaway Of Love. (2015, MA15+sv, Italian) 12.45am Usogui. (2022, MA15+v, Japanese) 3.00 King Of My Castle. (2024, Malv, French) 5.00 Mr. Holmes. (2015, PGa)
6am Morning Programs. 1pm Blokesworld. 1.30 Dipper’s Rigs. 2.00 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 3.00 Motor Racing. Night Thunder. USA Boxing Day. Replay. 4.00 Frozen Gold. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Storage Wars. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.00 Football. AFL Women’s. Richmond v Adelaide. 9.15 MOVIE: The Last Of The Mohicans. (1992, M) 11.40 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 1.40pm NBL: Overtime. 3.00 MOVIE: A Royal Proposal: A Royal In Paradise II. (2024) 4.45 The Dog House UK. 5.45 MOVIE: Scooby-Doo. (2002, PG) 7.30 TBA. 11.30 Top 20 Funniest. 12.25am Evil. 2.05 MOVIE: Within The Pines. (2024, M) 3.30 Parental Guidance. 4.30 Barney’s World. 4.50 Hop. 5.10 Late Programs.
6am Shopping. 9.00 Reel Action. 9.30 Building The Dream. 12.30pm The Living Room. 2.30 JAG. 4.30 Reel Action. 5.00 Bondi Rescue. (PGal, R) 5.30 JAG. (PG, R) 7.30 NCIS. (M, R) 8.30 FBI: Most Wanted. (Mv, R) 10.20 JAG. (PGv, R) 12.15am Home Shopping.
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Sunday, October 11 ABC TV (2)
SBS (3)
SEVEN (6, 7)
NINE (8, 9)
TEN (5, 10)
6am Morning Programs. 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.15 Portrait Artist Of The Year. (Final, PG, R) 3.05 Grand Designs: House Of The Year. (Final, R) 4.00 Creative Types. (PG, R) 4.30 Amanda & Alan’s Italian Job. (Final, R) 5.00 Take 5. (Final, PGl, R) 5.30 Back Roads. (Final, PG, R)
6.00 DW English News. 6.30 Al Jazeera News. 7.00 PBS News Horizons. 7.30 France 24 English News. 8.00 DD India News Hour. 9.05 Puppy Secrets: The First Six Months. (R) 10.05 Ageless Gardens. (R) 11.05 Icons Of Auto. (PGav) 12.00 WorldWatch. 1.00 Cycling. UCI Gravel World Championships. Elite Men.
6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 11. Bathurst 1000. Day 3. Supports and warm-up. 10.00 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 11. Bathurst 1000. Day 3. Build up and race.
6.00 Hello SA. (PG, R) 6.30 ACA. (R) 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Wide World Of Sports. (PG) 11.00 Cross Court. 11.30 One Tank Holiday. (R) 12.00 GolfBarons. (R) 12.30 Drive TV. 1.00 Tasman Trails. (R) 2.00 Conquering Breast Cancer. (PGal) 4.00 Journey To The Southern Great Barrier Reef. (PG) 5.00 News. 5.30 Postcards. (PG)
6am Morning Programs. 9.30 GCBC. (R) 10.00 Farm To Fork. (R) 10.30 Well Traveller. (PG, R) 11.00 Intrepid Adventures. (R) 11.30 Building The Dream. (R) 12.30 Deal Or No Deal. (PG, R) 1.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG, R) 1.30 Exploring Off The Grid. (PGa) 2.00 Gogglebox Aust. (ls, R) 3.00 The Finish Line. (R) 4.00 Lingo. (R) 5.00 News.
6.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) Hosted by Fiona Bruce. 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 Recipe Of The Year. (Premiere) Hosted by Adam Liaw and Pia Miranda. 8.20 Dustfall. (Premiere, Madls) A detective is called in to investigate a case when a teen is discovered naked in a cane field. 9.15 The Forsytes. (Return) Soames dreams of fatherhood. 10.05 Lynley. (Mv, R) A mismatched duo investigate a death. 11.30 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 2.45 Dr Ann’s Secret Lives. (R) 3.15 Darby And Joan. (PGa, R) 4.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)
6.00 Guillaume’s Paris. (R) 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Roman Empire By Train With Alice Roberts. (PG) 8.25 Ancient Superstructures: Sagrada Familia. 9.25 Cleopatra: Cracking The Enigma. (PG, R) Cleopatra ascends the throne despite many obstacles. 10.30 Royal Autopsy: Queen Mary I – Bloody Mary. (Man, R) 11.20 MOVIE: Whitney: Can I Be Me? (2017, Madls, R) 1.15 Kennedy. (PG, R) 4.30 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 Euronews. 5.30 PBS News Horizons.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Glenn And Mick’s Celebrity Intervention. (Return, PGls) Hosted by Glenn Robbins and Mick Molloy. 8.00 70 Years Of 7. 10.00 The Girl Who Caught A Killer. (MA15+av, R) Looks at the tale of Rachel Watts. 11.15 24 Hours In Police Custody: Frequent Flyers. (MA15+adl, R) Authorities search for a criminal couple. 12.15 Pure Genius. (Ma, R) 1.15 Harry’s Practice. (R) 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) 8.40 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issues affecting all Australians. 9.40 Scrublands: Silver. (Return, MA15+v) Martin’s childhood friend is killed. 10.40 9News Late. 11.10 The First 48: Old Habits. (Malv) 12.00 Australia’s Top Ten Of Everything. (PGads, R) 1.00 One Tank Holiday. (R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 Destination WA. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
6.30 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 7.00 Gogglebox Australia. TV fanatics open up their living rooms to reveal their reactions to popular and topical TV shows. 8.00 The Graham Norton Show. Graham Norton chats with Sylvester Stallone, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Andrew Garfield and 50 Cent. 9.00 Shaun Micallef’s Parents’ Evening. (R) Comedy quiz show in which three well-known Australians team up with their lesser-known parent or child. 10.00 FBI: International. (Mv, R) An explosion rocks headquarters. 12.00 10 News+. (R) 12.30 Home Shopping. (R)
ABC FAMILY (22)
SBS2 (31)
7TWO (62, 72)
9GEM (81, 92)
10 COMEDY (52, 11)
6am Children’s Programs. 3.25pm Tiddler. 3.50 Children’s Programs. 5.50 Iron Man And His Awesome Friends. 6.25 Zog. 7.05 Do Not Watch This Show. 7.30 Little Lunch. 7.45 Crookhaven. (Premiere) 8.25 Are You Afraid Of The Dark? (Premiere) 9.10 Dolphins Up Close With Bertie Gregory. 9.55 MythBusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 10.20 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.30 MOVIE: After The Sunset. (2004, M) 1.15pm MOVIE: Groundhog Day. (1993, PG) 3.05 Jeopardy! 4.20 WorldWatch. 5.45 Icons Unearthed: The Lord Of The Rings. 6.40 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 The Dropout. 10.30 The UnXplained. 11.20 Obsessed With My Muscles. Midnight Cycling. UCI ProSeries. Paris-Tours. 2.20 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. Noon House Calls To The Rescue. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 Cricket. Women’s ODI Series. Aust v Bangladesh. 10.00 MOVIE: Mrs. Harris Goes To Paris. (2022, PG) 12.25am Genius: Picasso. 1.30 A Moveable Feast. 2.00 Auction Squad. 3.00 House Calls To The Rescue. 4.00 Million Dollar Minute. 5.00 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.30 MOVIE: The Heart Of The Matter. (1953, PG) 1.40pm MOVIE: Derby Day. (1952) 3.25 MOVIE: The Getting Of Wisdom. (1977, PG) 5.30 Midsomer Murders. 7.30 Clarkson’s Farm. 8.40 Fawlty Towers. 10.00 Blackadder Goes Forth. 11.20 Cold Case. 12.15am The Baron. 1.10 Creflo. 1.40 Midsomer Murders. 3.40 Late Programs.
6am Shopping. 7.30 Deal Or No Deal. 9.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. 11.30 Becker. Noon Frasier. 1.00 Becker. 1.30 Frasier. (PGa, R) 2.30 Friends. (PG, R) 7.30 Two And A Half Men. (PG, R) 10.30 Becker. (PG, R) 11.00 Frasier. (PGa, R) Midnight Home Shopping.
NITV (34)
SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)
7MATE (64, 73)
9GO! (82, 93)
10 DRAMA (53, 12)
6am Morning Programs. 1pm Rugby League. Koori Knockout. Men’s. Grand final. 3.00 Netball. First Nations Tournament. Gold medal match. 3.45 Stompem Ground 2022: Blekbala Mujik. 4.40 Boxing For Palm Island. 5.50 Bamay. 6.30 Guardians Of The Wild. 7.20 Our Medicine. 8.30 MOVIE: Gurrumul. (2017, MA15+) 10.20 MOVIE: Empire Of The Sun. (1987, PG) 1am Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 1pm King Of My Castle. (2024, Malv, French) 3.00 Ride In The Whirlwind. (1965, PGv) 4.35 Monsieur Verdoux. (1947, PGa) 6.50 3:10 To Yuma. (1957, PGv) 8.30 Killing Faith. (2025, MA15+v) 10.30 The Sweeney. (2012, MA15+lv) 12.35am Getaway Of Love. (2015, MA15+sv, Italian) 2.15 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.30 Hook, Line And Sinker. Noon The Fishing Show By AFN. 1.00 Football. AFL Women’s. Hawthorn v Brisbane. 3.00 Football. AFL Women’s. Sydney v Carlton. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Border Security: Int. 7.00 Border Security. 8.30 MOVIE: Fast X. (2023, M) 11.30 Border Security. 1am Border Security: Int. 1.30 Blokesworld. 2.00 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.15 Tsunami: 20 Years On. 1.15pm Seinfeld. 1.45 MOVIE: The Black Stallion Returns. (1983) 3.45 MOVIE: Mr Mom. (1983, PG) 5.35 MOVIE: Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. (2004, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: The Matrix. (1999, M) 10.15 TBA. 12.30am Bel-Air. 1.20 MOVIE: Your Love Is Mine. (2022, MA15+) 2.50 Late Programs.
6am Shopping. 7.30 Leading The Way. 8.00 All 4 Adventure. 9.00 Roads Less Travelled. 9.30 Navigating The World. 10.30 Building The Dream. 12.30pm What’s Up Down Under. 1.30 Buy To Build. 2.00 The Living Room. 3.00 JAG. 5.00 IFISH. 5.30 JAG. 7.30 NCIS. (M, R) 10.20 Fire Country. (Mv, R) 11.15 JAG. 1.15am Home Shopping.
14 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 9 October, 2026
Monday, October 12 SBS (3)
SEVEN (6, 7)
NINE (8, 9)
TEN (5, 10)
6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Lynley. (Mav, R) 11.30 Stuff The British Stole. (PG, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Landline. (R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 3.00 Murdoch Mysteries. (PGa, R) 3.45 Grand Designs Australia. (R) 4.40 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.25 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6am Morning Programs. 10.05 Nansie. (Mal) 11.40 Language Of Light. (Madn, R) 12.10 WorldWatch. 2.00 Secret Lives Of The Roman Emperors. (PGals, R) 3.10 Language Of Light. (PGan, R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 The Welsh Valley That Won The Lottery. (PG, 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 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 Inside KOOZA By Cirque Du Soleil. (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. (ls, 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.
6.25 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 7.30. 8.00 Australian Story. 8.30 Four Corners. Looks at the struggles of Australian veterans. 9.20 Media Watch. (PG) Presented by Linton Besser. 9.35 Planet America. 10.05 Foreign Correspondent. (Final, R) 10.35 ABC Late News. 10.50 The Business. (R) 11.10 Murdoch Mysteries. (Ma, R) 11.55 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 12.40 Parliament Question Time. 1.40 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. (PG, R) 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 The Jury: Skeleton In The Garden: Secrets And Lies. (Mal) 8.35 24 Hours In Emergency: Unbroken Ties. (Ma) A 10-monthold is rushed to A&E after choking at home. A 52-year-old has a flesh-eating infection. 9.30 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (Mls, R) Hosted by Jimmy Carr. 10.25 SBS World News Late. 10.55 Black Sands. (MA15+av) 12.45 Something Undone. (Mal, R) 3.05 Wales: Land Of The Wild: The Heat Is On. (PGa, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG) Sonny gets a surprise visitor. 7.30 My Kitchen Rules. (PGl) After talking a big game, couple Jane and Shane try to impress with their divisive menu and avoid elimination. 9.10 The Rookie. (Mav) Nolan is put to the test when he’s forced to protect a man he doesn’t trust. 10.10 The Agenda Setters. (R) An expert panel tackles the biggest AFL topics. 11.10 The Agenda Setters: Rugby League. An expert panel tackles the biggest rugby league topics. 12.10 Transplant. (MA15+a, 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) Unexpected visitors at the share house cause friction. 8.45 Australian Crime Stories: The Investigators: Unmasking A Monster. (Masv, R) Revisits a 1970 double murder. 9.55 Footy Furnace Trade Show. (Ml) 10.55 9News Late. 11.25 Outback Opal Hunters. (PGl) 12.20 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.10 Hello SA. (PG) 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) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney. 7.30 Shaun Micallef’s Parents’ Evening. (PGdls) Comedy quiz show. 8.40 Have You Been Paying Attention? (Final) 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 Australian True Crime With Meshel Laurie: Sarah Lavis – Should Victims Be The Focus In Court? (Return, Ma) Sarah Lavis reflects on surviving an attack. 11.40 Two And A Half Men. (PGs, R) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)
ABC FAMILY (22)
SBS2 (31)
7TWO (62, 72)
9GEM (81, 92)
10 COMEDY (52, 11)
6am Children’s Programs. 1.50pm Kangaroo Beach. 2.30 Monster Makes. 3.00 Play School. 4.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 4.30 SuperKitties. 5.25 Octonauts. 5.50 Super Monsters. 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 Hudson & Rex. 2.10 The Grudge. 2.40 Going Places. 3.10 Over The Black Dot. 3.40 WorldWatch. 5.40 Living Next Door To Putin. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Scrabble. 9.20 Icons Unearthed: Quentin Tarantino. (Premiere) 10.15 The Americans. 12.20am Brassic. 2.10 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.30 My Kitchen Rules. 1pm My Greek Odyssey. 2.00 Weekender. 2.30 Auction Squad. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Doc Martin. 8.30 A Touch Of Frost. 10.45 Escape To The Country. 11.45 Bargain Hunt. 12.45am Doc Martin. 2.00 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. Noon Yorkshire Auction House. 1.00 Fawlty Towers. 2.20 Blackadder Goes Forth. 3.40 MOVIE: The Constant Husband. (1955) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 Death In Paradise. 8.40 The Brokenwood Mysteries. 10.40 Rizzoli & Isles. 11.40 Death In Paradise. 12.40am Antiques Roadshow. 1.10 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 9.30 Farm To Fork. 10.00 Bold. 10.30 Deal Or No Deal. 11.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. 11.30 Ridiculousness. 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. 12.10pm MOVIE: Gurrumul. (2017, PG) 2.00 Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Ocean Warriors. 5.30 The 77 Percent. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Ocean Parks. 7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? 8.30 Living Black. 9.00 The Grey Line. 9.40 MOVIE: The Flood. (2020, MA15+) 11.40 Stompem Ground 2022: Footprince. 12.10am Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 10.30 The Mask Of Zorro. (1998, Mv) 1pm Samia. (2024, Mlv) 3.00 The Movie Show. 3.30 Spirited Away. (2001, PGh) 5.45 Metropolis. (1927, PGav, German) 8.30 El Topo. (1971, Spanish) 10.50 Master Gardener. (2022, Malsv) 12.55am Romper Stomper. (1992, MA15+lsvw) 2.35 My Father Is A Hero. (1995, MA15+v) 4.35 Born To Dance. (2015, PGa)
6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 2.30 Motor Racing. Night Thunder. USA Boxing Day. Replay. 3.30 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 Aussie Gold Hunters. 9.30 Gem Hunters Down Under. 10.30 Outback Opal Hunters. 11.30 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.30 Explore. 11.45 MOVIE: Scooby-Doo. (2002, PG) 1.35pm MOVIE: Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. (2004, PG) 3.30 Baywatch. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.30 Seinfeld. 6.30 NBL: Overtime. 7.30 Big Bang. 8.30 Seinfeld. 9.30 TBA. 11.30 NBL: Overtime. 12.30am 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 JAG. 3.30 Bull. 4.30 JAG. 6.30 Bull. 7.30 NCIS. (M, R) 9.25 NCIS: Los Angeles. (Mav, R) 10.20 Bull. 11.15 JAG. 1.15am Shopping.
12904397-RV40-26
ABC TV (2)
Tuesday, October 13 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 The Tony Blair Story. (Final, PGa, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Beyond Paradise. (PGa, R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 3.00 Murdoch Mysteries. (PGv, R) 3.45 Grand Designs Australia. (R) 4.40 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.25 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6am Morning Programs. 10.10 China On Stage. (R) 11.10 Canal Boat Diaries. 12.00 WorldWatch. 1.55 The Jury: Skeleton In The Garden. (Mal, R) 3.00 Language Of Light. (PGaln, R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 The Scottish Island That Won The Lottery. (PG, 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) 1.15 Getaway. (PG, R) 1.45 My Way. (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 Shaun Micallef’s Parents’ Evening. (PGdls, R) 12.00 Everyday Gourmet. 12.30 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG, R) 1.00 News. 2.00 Deal Or No Deal. (PGa, R) 2.30 The Finish Line. (R) 3.30 Lingo. (R) 4.30 Bold. (PG) 5.00 News.
6.25 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 7.30. 8.00 The State Of Man. (Premiere, Mal) 8.50 Believe In Magic: The Mother Of All Cons. (Premiere, Ml) 9.50 Take 5 With Zan Rowe. (Final, PGl, R) 10.20 You Can’t Ask That. (Mls, R) 10.40 ABC Late News. 10.55 The Business. (R) 11.10 Four Corners. (R) 11.55 Media Watch. (PG, R) 12.15 Murdoch Mysteries. (Mav, R) 1.00 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 1.45 Parliament Question Time. 2.45 Gardening Australia. (R) 3.45 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 The Jury: Skeleton In The Garden: The Verdict. (Final, Mal) 8.35 Titanic: The Digital Resurrection. (PGa) 9.55 SBS World News Late. 10.25 The Point. (R) 11.25 Mussolini: Son Of The Century. (MA15+sv) 12.25 The Vanishing Triangle. (Malsv, R) 3.00 Prince’s Master Crafters Next Generation. (R) 3.50 The World’s Most Remote Hotels. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 WorldWatch.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. Amelia comes to Levi’s aid. 7.30 My Kitchen Rules. (PG) Western Australian gatecrasher team Sheridan and Ted take on an ambitious menu. 9.10 Off The Grid With Colin And Manu. (Ml) Colin Fassnidge and Manu Feildel join forces with Richard from Emerson’s. 10.10 The Amazing Race. (PG) Hosted by Phil Keoghan. 11.40 Happy’s Place. (PG) Gabby’s mother, Val, shows up unannounced. 12.10 The Path. (MA15+adlv) 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) 8.40 1 Euro House. (PG) Shaynna and Darren tackle the kitchen. 9.40 Topknotz: Wild On Water. (PGa) 10.40 9News Late. 11.10 The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. (MA15+alvv) 12.10 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.05 Cross Court. (R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 The Garden Gurus. (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, R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG, R) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney. 7.30 Sydney Harbour Cops. A fleet of warships visits Sydney Harbour. 8.30 The Cheap Seats. (Mal) From major news stories to entertainment and viral videos, presenters Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald take a look at the week that was. 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) Charlie spends an evening with his mother. 12.00 Home Shopping. (R)
ABC FAMILY (22)
SBS2 (31)
7TWO (62, 72)
9GEM (81, 92)
10 COMEDY (52, 11)
6am Children’s Programs. 1.50pm Kangaroo Beach. 2.30 Monster Makes. 3.00 Play School. 4.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 4.30 SuperKitties. 5.25 Octonauts. 5.50 Super Monsters. 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 Kids Baking C’ship. 10.10 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. Noon DW The Day. 12.30 Hudson & Rex. 2.15 The Grudge. 2.45 Going Places. 3.50 WorldWatch. 5.50 The Mega-Brands That Built The World. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 MOVIE: The Hateful Eight. (2015, MA15+) 11.35 The Americans. 12.30am Brassic. 2.20 NHK World English News. 5.00 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. Noon My Kitchen Rules. 2.00 Creek To Coast. 2.30 House Of Wellness. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Call The Midwife. 8.30 Inspector Morse. 10.50 Escape To The Country. 11.50 Bargain Hunt. 12.50am Call The Midwife. 2.00 Harry’s Practice. 2.30 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. Noon Yorkshire Auction House. 1.00 MOVIE: The Man Upstairs. (1958, PG) 3.00 Antiques Roadshow. 3.30 MOVIE: Saraband For Dead Lovers. (1948) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 New Tricks. 8.40 Grantchester. 9.50 Wong & Winchester. 10.50 Rizzoli & Isles. 11.50 New Tricks. 1am Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 9.30 Farm To Fork. 10.00 Bold. 10.30 Deal Or No Deal. 11.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. 11.30 Ridiculousness. 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. 12.05pm Mabo: Life Of An Island Man. 1.40 Stompem Ground 2022: Karajarri Dancers. 2.00 Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Ocean Warriors. 5.20 Indian Country Today News. 5.50 Bamay. 6.35 Ocean Parks. 7.30 Cold Justice. 8.50 MOVIE: The Pelican Brief. (1993, M) 11.20 Everyone, Everywhere, Everywhen. Midnight Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 12.40pm A Private Function. (1984, Ms) 2.20 Monsieur Verdoux. (1947, PGa) 4.40 Summerland. (2020, PGa) 6.30 Angel And The Badman. (1947, PGv) 8.30 The Tracker. (2002, Mav) 10.20 The Fox. (2022, MA15+a, German, French) 12.35am The Immortal. (2019, MA15+adv, Italian, Latvian, Russian, Neapolitan) 2.45 El Topo. (1971, Spanish) 5.00 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 12.30pm Mt Hutt Rescue. 1.30 Gem Hunters Down Under. 2.30 Aussie Gold Hunters. 3.30 Air Crash Inv. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Outback Truckers. 8.30 Marlin Kings: Chasing Giants. 9.30 Outback Truckers. 10.30 Heavy Tow Truckers Down Under. 11.30 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.30 World’s Greatest Man Made Wonders. 12.30pm TBA. 2.25 NBL: Overtime. 3.30 Big Bang. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.30 Seinfeld. 6.30 Baywatch. 7.30 Big Bang. 8.30 Seinfeld. 9.30 TBA. Midnight Jane The Virgin. 12.50 Love Island UK: All Stars. 1.45 Legacies. 2.35 World’s Greatest Man Made Wonders. 3.30 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. (Mv, R) 10.20 Bull. (PGa, R) 11.15 JAG. 1.15am Shopping.
Friday, 9 October, 2026 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 15
Wednesday, October 14 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 Dr Karl’s How Things Work. (R) 11.15 Back Roads. (Final, PG, R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Press Club. 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 2.00 Parliament. 3.00 Murdoch Mysteries. (PGv, R) 3.45 Grand Designs Australia. (PG, R) 4.40 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (PG, R)
6am Morning Programs. 10.10 China On Stage. (R) 11.05 Canal Boat Diaries. 12.00 WorldWatch. 1.55 The Jury: Skeleton In The Garden. (Mal, R) 3.00 Language Of Light. (PGn, R) 3.30 The Cook Up. (R) 4.00 Secrets Of Britain’s Historic Houses & Gardens. (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. (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 Topknotz: Wild On Water. (PGa, 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 Sydney Harbour Cops. (R) 12.00 Everyday Gourmet. 12.30 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG, R) 1.00 News. 2.00 Deal Or No Deal. (PGa, R) 2.30 The Finish Line. (R) 3.30 Lingo. (R) 4.30 Bold. (PG) 5.00 News.
6.25 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 7.30. 8.00 Hard Quiz. (PGa) 8.30 Class Clowns. (PGs) Comedians must name a series of landmarks. 9.00 Crime Night! (Ml) Hosted by Julia Zemiro. 9.35 Small Prophets. (Ml, R) Michael witnesses a crime and is questioned. 10.05 Planet America. (R) 10.40 ABC Late News. 10.55 The Business. (R) 11.10 Dustfall. (Madls, R) 12.05 Murdoch Mysteries. (Mav, R) 12.50 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 1.40 Parliament Question Time. 2.40 Gardening Australia. (R) 3.40 Love Your Garden. (R) 4.30 Antiques Roadshow. (PG, R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG, R) 6.30 SBS World News. 7.35 Bill Bailey’s Korea. (Premiere) Bill Bailey starts his Korean journey on the Han River. 8.30 70 Up. (Final, PGa) The participants are brought together for one last reckoning with their extraordinary lives. 9.55 Apollo Has Fallen. (MA15+av) 10.45 SBS World News Late. 11.15 The Old Man. (Mlv) 12.05 Classified. (MA15+v, R) 2.35 Prince’s Master Crafters Next Generation. (PG, R) 4.20 The World’s Most Remote Hotels: The Torridon. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG) 7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PG, R) Hosted by Lee Mack. 8.30 A Taste For Murder. (Mav) DCI Joe Mottram investigates when a murder mystery weekend turns deadly when a guest is found dead. 9.30 House Of Wellness. (PG) A team of industry experts, media personalities and wellness advocates shares insights and experiences to highlight living well. 10.30 The Agenda Setters. (R) An expert panel tackles the biggest AFL topics. 12.00 Riviera. (MA15+adlsv, R) 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) The teams participate in two challenges. 8.45 Chefs Ahoy. Mark LaBrooy faces fan-favourite Khanh Ong aboard Sun Princess to serve up bold Spanish flavours. 9.45 Footy Furnace Trade Show. (Ml) A look at the latest on the AFL trade period. 11.15 Sight Unseen. (Mav) 12.05 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.00 Drive Review. (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) Contestants compete in a high-stakes game where they must beat The Banker to win a cash prize. 7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG) Six contestants answer multiple-choice questions that escalate in cash-prize value. 7.30 The Celebrity Traitors UK. 8.55 Boston Blue. (Ma) When a captured serial killer hints at the whereabouts of a missing child, Danny races to save the victim. 9.55 10’s Late News. Comprehensive coverage of local, national and international news, as well as the latest sport and weather. 10.55 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. 1.50pm Kangaroo Beach. 2.30 Monster Makes. 3.00 Play School. 4.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 4.30 SuperKitties. 5.25 Octonauts. 5.50 Super Monsters. 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. 10.20 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. Noon DW The Day. 12.30 Hudson & Rex. 2.15 The Grudge. 2.45 Going Places. 3.50 WorldWatch. 5.50 The Mega-Brands That Built The World. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 9.30 Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable. 10.25 Ramy. 11.00 The Americans. (Final) 12.15am Brassic. 2.05 NHK World English News. 5.00 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 A Moveable Feast. 2.30 House Calls To The Rescue. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Cricket. Women’s ODI Series. Aust v Bangladesh. 10.00 Heartbeat. 11.15 Escape To The Country. 12.15am Bargain Hunt. 1.30 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. Noon Yorkshire Auction House. 1.00 New Tricks. 2.00 Grantchester. 3.10 Antiques Roadshow. 3.40 MOVIE: Don’t Bother To Knock. (1961, PG) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 As Time Goes By. 8.40 Midsomer Murders. 10.40 Rizzoli & Isles. 11.40 As Time Goes By. 12.40am Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 9.30 Farm To Fork. 10.00 Bold. 10.30 Deal Or No Deal. 11.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. 11.30 Ridiculousness. 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. 1pm Exile And The Kingdom. 2.00 Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Amplify. 5.30 News. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Ocean Parks. 7.30 Friday Night Thunder. 8.30 Pro Bull Riding Australia. 9.30 Ocean Warriors: Mission Ready. 10.00 MOVIE: Ka Po. (2022, M) 11.30 Stompem Ground 2022: Yatangal. Midnight Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.35 Master Gardener. (2022, Malsv) 1.40pm Metropolis. (1927, PGav, German) 4.30 Porco Rosso. (1992, PGav) 6.15 Capricorn One. (1977, PGalv) 8.30 Butcher’s Crossing. (2022, Malsv) 10.30 The Holy Mountain. (1973) 12.40am The Tracker. (2002, Mav) 2.30 The Fox. (2022, MA15+a, German, French) 4.45 Porco Rosso. (1992, PGav)
6am Morning Programs. 11.30 American Pickers. 12.30pm Mt Hutt Rescue. 1.30 Outback Truckers. 2.30 Cricket. Women’s ODI Series. Aust v Bangladesh. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.00 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 American Pickers. 2.00 Pawn Stars. 3.00 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.30 World’s Greatest Man Made Wonders. 12.30pm Parental Guidance. 2.30 Baywatch. 3.30 Big Bang. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.30 Seinfeld. 6.30 Baywatch. 7.30 Big Bang. 8.30 Seinfeld. 9.30 TBA. Midnight Jane The Virgin. 12.50 Love Island UK: All Stars. 1.45 Legacies. (Final) 2.35 Baywatch. 3.25 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. (Ma, R) 10.20 Bull. (PGa, R) 11.15 JAG. 1.15am Shopping.
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Thursday, October 15 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 Class Clowns. (PGs, R) 11.00 Crime Night! (Ml, R) 11.30 Small Prophets. (Ml, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 The Forsytes. (R) 2.00 Parliament. 3.00 Frankie Drake. (PG, R) 3.45 Grand Designs Australia. (PG, R) 4.40 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6am Morning Programs. 10.10 China On Stage. (R) 11.10 Canal Boat Diaries. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 JFK: The Making Of A President. (Mav, R) 2.55 Language Of Light. (PGan, R) 3.25 The Cook Up. (R) 3.55 Secrets Of Britain’s Historic Houses & Gardens. (PGas, 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 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) 1.15 Find My Beach House Australia. (R) 1.45 My Way. (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) 10.50 Taskmaster Australia. (PGls, 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.
6.25 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 7.30. 8.00 Grand Designs New Zealand. (Return) 8.45 Joanna Lumley’s Danube. (PG, R) 9.35 Dustfall. (Madls, R) 10.35 ABC Late News. 10.50 The Business. (R) 11.05 Death Valley. (Ma, R) 11.55 Frankie Drake Mysteries. (PGv, R) 12.40 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 1.25 Parliament Question Time. 2.25 Classic Countdown Extras. (PG, R) 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. 7.35 Tucci In Italy. 8.25 Inside Sydney Fish Market. The new market gets a mixed reception. 9.25 Blue Lights. (Return) Constables Ellis, Foster and Conlon face a new threat. 10.30 SBS World News Late. 11.00 Cry Wolf. (MA15+v) 11.55 Babylon Berlin. (MA15+ansv, R) 2.40 Prince’s Master Crafters Next Generation. (PG, R) 4.20 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Rugby League World Cup Pre-Game. 7.30 Rugby League. World Cup. Group Stage. Pool A. Australia v New Zealand. From Allianz Stadium, Sydney. 10.00 Rugby League World Cup Post-Game. A look back at the opening world cup match. 10.30 Unfiltered. (PGa, R) 11.00 Gatecrashers. 12.00 Vampire Academy. (Premiere, MA15+hv) 1.00 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. (PGd) 8.30 Paramedics. (Mm) A young rugby player may have life-changing injuries after a brutal tackle. 9.30 RPA. (PGam, R) A woman undergoes marathon surgery. 10.30 9News Late. 11.00 Chicago Med. (Mam) 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) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney. 7.30 The Celebrity Traitors UK. 8.55 NCIS: Sydney. (Mv) A tarot card is found near a drowned US Naval officer depicting the exact manner of his death. 9.50 10’s Late News. Comprehensive coverage of local, national and international news, as well as the latest sport and weather. 10.50 Sports Tonight: The Weekly Kick-Off. A panel discusses Australian soccer news. 11.20 Two And A Half Men. (PGas, R) Charlie becomes popular with kids. 12.00 Home Shopping. (R)
ABC FAMILY (22)
SBS2 (31)
7TWO (62, 72)
9GEM (81, 92)
10 COMEDY (52, 11)
6am Children’s Programs. 1.50pm Kangaroo Beach. 2.30 Monster Makes. 3.00 Play School. 4.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 4.30 SuperKitties. 5.25 Octonauts. 5.50 Super Monsters. 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 72 Cutest Animals. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.55 DW The Day. 12.25pm Hudson & Rex. 2.05 The Grudge. 2.35 Insight. 3.40 WorldWatch. 5.40 The Mega-Brands That Built The World. 6.30 Jeopardy! 7.30 Soccer. Aust C’ship. Preston Lions FC v Wollongong Wolves FC. 9.30 Alone. 11.20 MOVIE: Body Of Lies. (2008, MA15+) 1.45am 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 The Aussie Property Flippers. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Better Homes. 5.00 Escape To The Country. 6.00 Bargain Hunt. 7.00 Home And Away. 8.30 Shetland. 11.00 Father Brown. Midnight Escape To The Country. 1.00 Bargain Hunt. 2.00 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. Noon Yorkshire Auction House. 1.00 Midsomer Murders. 3.05 Antiques Roadshow. 3.35 MOVIE: Mandy. (1952, PG) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 Shakespeare And Hathaway. 8.30 The Chelsea Detective. 10.30 Rizzoli & Isles. 11.30 Shakespeare And Hathaway. 12.30am Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. 11.30 Ridiculousness. 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. Noon Pro Bull Riding Australia. 1.00 Ocean Warriors: Mission Ready. 1.30 Stompem Ground 2022: Yatangal. 2.00 Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Amplify. 5.30 Te Ao With Moana. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Ocean Parks. 7.30 Going Places. 8.30 Rabbit Fall. 9.00 MOVIE: Midsommar. (2019, MA15+) 11.35 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 12.35pm The Tunnel (Part 1) (2001, Malv) 2.15 Angel And The Badman. (1947, PGv) 4.15 Forever Enthralled. (2008, PG, Mandarin) 6.55 The Shooting. (1966, PGalv) 8.30 The Dead Don’t Hurt. (2023, Danish, English, French, Spanish) 10.55 Rendition. (2007, MA15+av) 1.10am The Tunnel (Part 1) (2001, Malv) 2.55 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 12.30pm Mt Hutt Rescue. 1.30 Caught On Dashcam. 2.30 The Force: BTL. 3.00 Talking W. 3.30 Mighty Planes. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 American Pickers. 8.30 MOVIE: You, Me And Dupree. (2006, M) 10.45 MOVIE: Blade Runner 2049. (2017, MA15+) 2am Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 11.30 World’s Greatest Man Made Wonders. 12.30pm Cards And Collectables Australia. 1.00 Snackmasters. 2.30 Baywatch. 3.30 Big Bang. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.30 Seinfeld. 6.30 Baywatch. 7.30 Big Bang. 8.30 Seinfeld. 9.30 TBA. 11.30 Rugby Heaven. 12.30am Love Island UK: All Stars. 1.25 Baywatch. 2.15 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. (M, R) 8.30 Law & Order: SVU. (Mav, R) 10.20 Bull. 11.15 JAG. 1.15am Shopping.
16 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 9 October, 2026
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By Cr Stretch Kontelj One of Geelong’s most cherished community spaces, Chilwell Library, has begun an exciting new chapter. Last month, I was thrilled to officially open the redeveloped library, welcoming the community into a modern, light-filled facility that continues the legacy of a place generations have known and loved. Council was proud to contribute $2.35 million towards the redevelopment, alongside a $150,000 grant from the Victorian government. This is part of more than $100 million that council has invested in our libraries over the past five years, including annual operating costs and more than $25 million toward delivering the new Boronggook Drysdale and Biyal-a Armstrong Creek libraries. Our investment reflects our commitment to ensuring these much-loved community assets continue to be vibrant places of learning, connection and belonging. For many residents, the redevelopment of Chilwell Library is about much more than a building. It’s about ensuring this deeply valued local institution can continue to serve the community for generations to come. About a decade ago, the future of Chilwell Library was uncertain after the facility had been earmarked for closure. But community members rallied behind the library, recognising its importance and advocating passionately for its future.
City of Greater Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj. (Supplied)
Their commitment helped ensure that this much-loved neighbourhood asset remained part of Newtown’s story. Libraries hold a special place in our communities because they welcome everyone. Whether you’re a student studying for exams, a parent attending story time, a retiree exploring a new interest or someone seeking a peaceful place to read, the doors are open. For our youngest residents, libraries can be life changing.
Libraries introduce children to the beauty of words and the beauty of books. They spark curiosity, creativity and imagination. They open doors to new worlds, new ideas and new possibilities. Many of us can remember the library books that inspired us as children. The redeveloped Chilwell Library will help create those same experiences for a new generation of readers and learners. The project has transformed the library into a larger and more accessible community hub, connecting seamlessly with the surrounding parkland while retaining the welcoming neighbourhood character that locals treasure. New gathering spaces, meeting rooms, improved accessibility features and dedicated areas for children ensure the facility can support a wide range of community activities well into the future. This redevelopment was made possible through genuine collaboration. I thank the Victorian government for its contribution to the project, the Geelong Regional Library Corporation, the project team and the Chilwell Library Group, whose advocacy helped shape this outcome. Their efforts demonstrate what can be achieved when a community comes together around a common goal. Libraries have always been places where stories are shared. At Chilwell Library, the story is still being written. The library first opened its doors in 1958. Today, nearly seven decades later, it stands renewed and ready for the next chapter. I encourage everyone to visit, explore the new space and discover for themselves why libraries are some of the most important and treasured places in our community.
12906544-AF41-26
Published by Geelong Independent Pty Ltd ACN 006 653 336. Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas. All material is copyright to Geelong Independent Pty Ltd. Responsibility for election comment is accepted by Paul Thomas. All significant errors will be corrected as quickly as possible. Distribution numbers, areas and coverage are estimates only. For our terms and conditions please visit geelongindy.com.au
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Friday, 9 October, 2026 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 17
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED? Community Calendar is made available free of charge to not-for-profit organisations to keep the public informed of special events and activities. Send item details to Geelong Independent Community Calendar, 1/47 Pakington Street, Geelong West, 3218, or email to editorial@geelongindependent.com.au. Deadline for copy and announcements is 5pm Tuesday. 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
Ballroom dance
Table tennis
Leopold Hall, 805-809 Bellarine Highway, Saturday 10 October, 7.30-10.30pm, $10. Music: Puff. Bring a small plate. 0400 500 402
All seniors welcome for a social game. Vines Road Community Centre, Hamlyn Heights, Wednesdays 12.30-2.30pm. Allen, 0433 883 116
Athletics
Leopold VIEW
Chilwell Athletics season begins Saturday 10 October, Landy Field. Contact Mary (athletics.chilwell@gmail. com) for senior athletes aged U14 to veterans and Emma (chilwelllittleaths@ yahoo.com) for Little Aths.
Second Tuesday of each month, Leopold Sportsmans Club, 10.30am. leopold.viewclub@gmail com
Writers’ group The Hub writers’ group meets at Arts Hub, Clifford Pde, Barwon Heads, first Sunday of the month, 2-4pm. New members welcome. orothy.johnston@hugonet.com.au
Vines Road Seniors Wednesdays: fully catered 2-course lunch, bingo, pool/snooker, table tennis. Friday mornings: line dancing. Gwynne, 0418 363 911
First steps in music
Book clearance
Geelong Evening VIEW
St Bernard’s fiction book clearance with more than 4000 novels, Clairvaux School Hall, Reynolds Road, Belmont, Sunday 18 October, 8am-noon. 0409 969 648
Third Monday of the month, 6pm, Waurn Ponds Hotel. geelongeveningview@gmail.com
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
Lions Club of Geelong
Mainly Music
Geelong Harmony Chorus
Music and fun for preschoolers during term time at the Welcome Centre, St Mark’s, Vicarage Road, Leopold, Thursdays 9.15-11am. $5 per family per week. Text: 0461 582 618 for bookings
Women’s four-part harmony singing. All ages encouraged. Rehearsals Mondays 6.45pm at Herne Hill. contact@geelongharmony.com.au, 0406 666 737
Geelong Patchwork & Quilter’s Guild
Geelong Welsh Ladies Choir
Meets third Saturday of each month 10.30am-3.30pm, Newcomb Hall, Wilsons Road. Visitors welcome. $6 includes time to sit and sew, morning tea and guest speaker. info@geelongpatch.org.au
Small ladies choir who require no knowledge of the Welsh language. Meet Wednesdays 7pm at St Luke’s, Highton to help each other sing in Welsh and English. 0413 406 433, welshladieschoir.com.au
Laughter Club Geelong Meets 1st & 3rd Monday of each month. Contact below for venues and times. geelong.vic@lions.org.au, 0408 599 962
lectures by art historian Matthew Martin, formerly curator of the National Gallery of Victoria.
Saturdays, 9am, Eastern Beach in front of the swimming enclosure. 30-minutes free laughter yoga done standing or seated. 0418 521 265
Sports
Hot Shots Dragons Abreast Geelong Dragon boating for breast cancer survivors, Saturdays 12.30pm, Geelong Canoe Club, Marnock Road, Highton. Free come and try. Traci, 0417 301 226, Facebook Dragons Abreast Geelong - Juggernauts
Western Heights Uniting Tennis Club coaching for ages 5 to 12. Equipment provided. Three sessions from 4-5.30pm at WHUTC and at Bell Post Hill tennis courts. Evie, 0409-433 772, evieryan296@ gmail.com
Lara Lions Club
Chess clubs
Meets second and fourth Monday of the month for club meeting and dinner. Michael, 0430 022 446, membershiplaralions@gmail.com Builds confident public speakers, each Monday evening. Andrew, 0408 369 446, Jan, 0407 296 958
Ocean Grove, Tuesdays at 1.30pm at 101 The Terrace, Ocean Grove; Portarlington, Mondays at 9.30am, Parks Hall, 87 Newcombe Street, Portarlington; and St Leonards, Thursdays at 9.30am, unit 2 1375-1377 Murradoc Road (on Blanche Street), St Leonards. Ralph, 0431 458 100 (Ocean Grove), Rob, 5259 2290 (Portarlington), Lyn, 5292 2162 (St Leonards)
Geelong Scout Heritage Centre
Dancer’s Club Geelong
Scouting memorabilia, open third Sunday of the month (not September or January), 56 Russell Street, Newtown, 10am-3pm, entry by donation. Groups by appointment. 0419 591 432, geelong.heritage@ scoutsvictoria.com.au
Ballroom dance weekly, Leopold Hall 7.30-10.30pm. Admission $8 includes supper. Old time, New Vogue and Latin. CDs by Kevin and Tre. Russ, 5250 1937
Rostrum
Life Activities Club [Geelong Inc] PlayLinks Music and art playgroup where babies, toddlers and preschoolers learn together with their parent/carer. Wednesdays St Thomas Aquinas Primary School, Norlane. Free if living in 3214 postcode, bookings essential. info@bluebirdfoundationinc.org.au
Grovedale East Ladies Probus Fourth Monday of each month, 9.30am, Belmont RSL. Sally Nelson, 0402 450 610
Waurn Ponds Combined Probus Fourth Wednesday of the month, 10am. Maximum 100 members. probussouthpacific.org/microsites/ waurn
Arvo tea dance every Thursday, Belmont Pavilion, 2-4pm, $5 entry. Val, 5251 3529
Belmont Combined Probus First Monday of the month, 10am, Belmont Bowls Club, 36 Reynolds Road, Belmont. New members and visitors welcome. Sue, 0409 945 011, probusclubofbelmont@outlook.com
Barwon Valley Belmont Probus First Thursday of month, 10.30am, Waurn Ponds Hotel. Membership officer, 0407 333 263, bobstafford@ozemail.com.au
Lectures Join Adfas Geelong Inc. for illustrated
18 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 9 October, 2026
Badminton: Corio Leisuretime Centre, Mondays 12.30-2.30pm. Beginners welcome. Netball: YMCA Riversdale Road, Monday & Wednesday mornings, Thursday nights. Walking-netball also played. Umpire training available. Maureen, 0429 397 015
Live music Country Heartbeat Allstars every Friday 7-10pm, White Eagle House Polish Club, Fellmongers Road Breakwater. Walkups welcome. Proceeds to Sunny Days Rescue & Rehab. Dawn, 0417 148 493
Bellarine Historical Society Entry by donation. Open to the public. Discover the area’s past. Open Sundays, 10.30am-12.30pm. Courthouse Museum, 11 High Street, Drysdale. bellarinehistory.org
Arts National-Geelong One hour arts lectures and presentation, Newcomb Hall, Wednesdays monthly, 10.15am. Sharron, 0439 328199, geelong@adfas.org.au
Geelong Vietnam Veterans Coffee and chat, 31 Mt Pleasant Road, Belmont, Monday, Wednesday & Friday 10am-3pm. Fortnightly lunch at various locations. Meetings second Monday of each month. Gary, 0400 862 727
GROW Australia Community organisation offering practical steps and peer support to help recover and maintain mental health through free face to face and online groups. Mondays 7pm, 195 Ormond Road, East Geelong; Fridays 12.45pm, Vines Road Community Centre, Hamlyn Heights. grow.org.au, 1800 558 268
Lions Club International Enjoy meeting great people and help out your community at the same time. Clubs all over greater Geelong - see which one is right for you. Les, 0428 466 446
Combined Probus Belmont Central The Combined Probus Club of Belmont Central meets 10.30am on the second Wednesday of each month at Waurn Ponds Hotel. Visitors welcome. Publicity officer, 0417 555 547
Grovedale Marshall Probus Second Thursday of the month,10am, The Grovedale Hub, 45 Heyers Road, Grovedale. Anne, 0425 356 973
Chess Group Chess lessons at Geelong West. Suitable for beginners who have a reasonably firm understanding of the game rules. Kids and adults welcome. Isaac, isaacsmith5603@gmail.com, 0406 199 457
Geelong Day VIEW First Monday monthly from 11am at Shell Club, 76 Purnell Road, Corio. geelongdayview@gmail.com
Ocean Grove Senior Citizens 101 The Terrace, Ocean Grove Weekly Tuesday: 1pm snooker, chess, indoor bowls Wednesday: bingo 1.15pm, ukulele class 1.30pm, Chord Club jam session 4pm Thursday: social afternoon, cards 500 1pm Friday: art classes 9am, social art group 1pm. Fortnightly 1st & 3rd Monday: CWA, 2pm Paschal, 0426 889 456 Wednesday: Book club, 10.30am Paul, 0425 110 792 5255 2996, groveseniors101@gmail. com
Grovedale Seniors Indoor bowls Monday 1-3pm; gentle exercise Tuesday 9-9.45am; cards (Euchre) Tuesday 1-3pm; bingo Thursday 1-3pm. Grovedale Community Hub, 45 Heyers Road. Julie, 0419 549 521
Leopold Book Club Meets second Tuesday of the month at 6.30pm in Leopold. Very friendly group, new members welcome. Shirley, 0488 055 969
Church Drysdale Day VIEW Fourth Friday of each month at Portarlington Golf Club for lunch. Margaret, 0431 636 090
Aberdeen Street Baptist Church, each Sunday 10am to worship, sing and enjoy traditional hymns followed by morning tea. All welcome.
GEELONGINDY.COM.AU
NEWS
Jill Neilson braved the rain to purchase some plants.
Geelong for Wildlife members Jacinta Walters, Heather Smith, Thao Tran and Sally Browne.
Tom keeps the dinosaur and his father Byron Phillips (aka Jurassic Jack) dry.
Rain can’t dampen spirits Rain may have dampened the 175th birthday celebrations of Geelong Botanic Gardens and Bellarine Railways’ Thomas the Tank on Saturday 3 October, but it failed to prevent both from going ahead as best they could. Independent photographer Ivan Kemp put on his raincoat and took these pictures of both events. Once onboard, at least Thomas provided much needed shelter.
Lance Breguet and Helen Schofield with Pippa. Thomas the Tank driver Jake Gonzalez Prudden.
Matt and Oscar get a close look at a dinosaur with Tom and Byron Phillips.
Sarah Friend as Rusty at A Day Out with Thomas. Thomas the Tank arrives at the station.
Leo gets a snake painted on his arm.
Top Hat (aka Douglas Scott-Montgomery) needed an umbrella to perform his duties at Queenscliff.
Jo and Michael Hannan and son Charlie.
Joanna Last with her children Eli and Arlo.
Friday, 9 October, 2026 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 19
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20 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 9 October, 2026
SPORTS QUIZ 1. Who is the current coach of the Wallabies?
3. Collingwood player Nick Daicos was awarded the 2026 Brownlow Medal with a record number of how many votes?
2. Including this year, how many times have the Dockers reached the AFL grand final?
11. Mark Nawaqanitawase is leaving the Sydney Roosters to join which club? 12. And aside from a lucrative contract, why else is he leaving the NRL?
4. What are the surnames of the Australian and English Ians involved in a bitter, decades-long cricket feud?
13. Which Wallabies player scored two tries in two minutes against South Africa in September?
5. How old is Arsenal’s Max Dowman, the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history?
14. What two teams compete in tennis’ Laver Cup?
6. Aussie musician G Flip played which three instruments during their pre-game performance at the AFL Grand Final?
15. And which team won the Laver Cup this year?
22. And who won the 2026 Norm Smith Medal in that match?
17. And up until 2019, how many grand finals had Penrith played since the NRL was formed?
8. What name is Fremantle’s viral post-goal celebration known by?
18. Who recently became the second batter, after Sachin Tendulkar, to reach 15,000 ODI runs?
9. Sydney’s AFL and NRL teams are both named after what?
19. The Wallabies managed to defeat South Africa despite only having as little as how many players?
10. And until 2020 when the AFL team logo was changed, both teams’ branding contained imagery of what structure?
23. What ladder position did NRL grand finalist Newcastle Knights finish at the conclusion of the 2026 Premiership season? 24. Which NRL captain switched his international rugby league allegiance from Australia to New Zealand this year? 25. Mike Baird recently quit as the chair of which Australian sporting body?
20. Which Penrith Panthers player suffered a serious leg injury in a 2026 preliminary inal?
27. A Minnesota college football coach recently rubbed what substance on his face during a game? 28. Ireland’s players refused to shake the hands of players from which country during a 2026 UEFA Nations League match? 29. Which English Premier League club was recently charged with financial breaches? 30. NBA star Jalen Brunson recently hosted an episode of which longrunning sketch comedy show?
26. Talia Gibson is the current top ranked Australian woman in what sport?
1. Les Kiss 2. Two 3. 47 4. Chappell and Botham 5. 16 6. Drums, guitar and saxophone 7. Diego Maradona and Pelé 8. Wharfie Time 9. Birds (Swans, Roosters) 10. Sydney Opera House 11. Saitama Wild Knights (Japan) 12. For Rugby World Cup 2027 selection eligibility 13. Len Ikitau 14. Team Europe vs Team World 15. Team Europe 16. Five 17. One 18. Virat Kohli 19. 11 20. Nathan Cleary 21. Seven 22. Shai Bolton 23. Seventh 24. Kalyn Ponga 25. Cricket Australia 26. Tennis 27. Blood 28. Israel 29. Manchester City 30. Saturday Night Live
0910
21. How many points did the Brisbane Lions win the 2026 AFL grand final by?
16. Since 2020, how many NRL grand finals have the Penrith Panthers played in?
7. Which two soccer players were joint recipients of the one-off FIFA Player of the Century award in 2000?
G Flip
Max Dowman
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Friday, 9 October, 2026 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 21
PUZZLES ACROSS
easy
6 2 5 7 1 4 1 5 5 8 1 2 6 5 4 1 7 6 4 9 1 9 3 2 5 6 4 7 6 3 9 1 medium
4
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Pontiff (4) Disputed Spanish region (9) Ancient Roman aristocrat (9) Bygone (5) Feudal Japanese warrior (7) Boredom (5) Preceding day (9) Individual from Belgrade, say (4) Written declaration under oath (9) Father, as head of family (9) Travelling (2,7) Latter part of the day (7) Rundown (5) Musical drama (5) Data (coll) (4) Shortened form of boulevard (4)
1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 14 16 17 19 22 23 24 25
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No. 342 4
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Today’s Aim: 14 words: Good 21 words: Very good 28 words: Excellent
3 6 2 5 7 1 8 4 9 9 7 1 8 2 4 3 5 6 5 8 4 3 9 6 1 2 7 1 2 7 6 5 8 4 9 3 4 9 5 1 3 7 2 6 8 8 3 6 2 4 9 5 7 1 6 1 9 4 8 5 7 3 2 7 5 3 9 1 2 6 8 4 2 4 8 7 6 3 9 1 5
8 7 2 3 4 9 5 1 6 1 5 9 8 6 2 3 4 7 3 4 6 5 7 1 9 8 2 4 6 1 2 5 3 7 9 8 9 8 3 7 1 4 6 2 5 5 2 7 9 8 6 4 3 1 6 9 8 4 2 7 1 5 3 7 3 5 1 9 8 2 6 4 2 1 4 6 3 5 8 7 9
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22 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 9 October, 2026
No. 417 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
T E S T S R E C A P A R O M A S I R E N H E E D S
O
G
I
F
elfin, feign, fern, filing, fine, finer, finger, firing, fling, fringe, genii, glen, grin, infer, lien, line, liner, linger, PILFERING, piling, pine, ping, reign, rein, rifling, riling, ring, ripen
2 7 5 9 4 8 3 1 6 3 6 9 2 7 1 5 4 8 8 1 4 3 6 5 2 7 9 5 9 7 4 1 3 6 8 2 4 8 3 6 2 7 9 5 1 6 2 1 5 8 9 4 3 7 7 4 2 1 3 6 8 9 5 9 3 8 7 5 2 1 6 4 1 5 6 8 9 4 7 2 3
S A
E
5
S
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4
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'.
L
Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com
H
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9-LETTER WORD
hard
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WORDFIT 3 LETTERS ACT AGE AIL ALL ASK ASS EAR EAT EBB EEL FLU IFS INS ION KEG LAD LEE LET NEE OHS ONE PEA TAG TEE
ANNEX ARENA CAROL CHIPS EDGES ELDER ELUDE ERASE FIRST GLEAM HARSH HERDS IDLER IMAGE INLET LOATH MATTE NEEDS NESTS NOISE PALED PAPAS PEACE
4 LETTERS ADDS ARMS ASKS FLUX GENE GIGS MASS NOTE ODDS SCAB SETS SIPS SKIS THEE 5 LETTERS ABLER AIRED AMBER AMUSE
QUICK QUIZ
No. 310
T H E E
1
6
easy
5x5
14
4 1 3 8 5
2 9
DECODER
10
9
2 6 7
7 2
13 14
1
DOWN
Strike with the beak (4) Furniture covering (10) Long-suffering (7) Requirements (7) Ancient Roman lower classman (8) Elevate (5) Adolescent skin problem (4) Made easy (10) Brotherhood (10) Abide (4) Mournful song (5) Fresh (8) Inocculation (7) Turndown (7) Study of surface features (10) Ladies’ man (4)
1 3 10 11 12
No. 310
PIANO RAILS RATIO REIGN RENEW ROMPS SAUNA SECTS SHIES SLANT SLEWS SLING SOARS STAMP STARS STATE STEAK STEMS STINT TENET THESE TRITE UNTIE
6 LETTERS HIKERS MISSES ORDEAL SERIAL
8 LETTERS ESTIMATE RECOURSE STRADDLE TONNAGES
7 LETTERS ALARMED BLUNDER CREATES HAPPIER HASSLES RANSOMS
09-10-26
1
Which historic building was originally known as the Cappella Magna?
2
Heath Ledger (pictured) starred in Brokeback Mountain with which other lead actor?
3
How many stars are on the flag of the Solomon Islands?
4
Which song from the movie Barbie won the Academy Award for Best Original Song?
5
The Red Wings are an NHL team from which city?
6
Who led the First Fleet?
7
In which year did the Chernobyl disaster happen?
8
What is written on the poster that Mulder has up in his office in The X-Files?
9
And what object is also depicted on it?
10 Which instrument closely resembles a fiddle? ANSWERS: 1. The Sistine Chapel 2. Jake Gyllenhaal 3. Five 4. What Was I Made For? 5. Detroit 6. Captain Arthur Phillip 7. 1986 8. I Want To Believe 9. A UFO 10. Violin
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
P A P A S S O A R S M A T T E I M A G E I N L E T A I R E D A B L E R P E A C E S L I N G I F S R O M P S T E E N E E O R D E A L A M U S E S E T S B L U N D E R A C T S C A B O D D S H A R S H E A R S K I S E S T I M A T E H A P P I E R C R E A T E S T O N N A G E S G I G S L A D S L A N T T H E E A S K S E E L R A N S O M S F L U X E R A S E H I K E R S I O N N E E D S A S S L E T I D L E R S A U N A R A T I O S T I N T G L E A M E L D E R N E S T S S L E W S T H E S E
No. 310
P E C K U P H O L S T E R Y O A S A L A N E P A T I E N T D E M A N D S A R R E U U T E P L E B E I A N R A I S E O C A R S I M P L I F I E D A C N E F I A A N A S T A Y F R A T E R N I T Y V R R I D I R G E O R I G I N A L A E N P A N N B R E F U S A L V A C C I N E I A N R C O I V T O P O G R A P H Y S T U D
SUDOKU
MOTOR
RATINGS Looks: 7/10 Performance: 8/10 Safety: 7/10 Thirst: 9/10 Practicality: 7/10 Comfort: 7/10 Tech: 8/10 Value: 9/10
BYD’s Atto fills SUV gap By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring The spectacular growth of Chinese vehicles in the Australian market continues. In the first seven months of 2026 vehicles sourced from China total sales totalled 208,785, well ahead of the 170,722 coming from Japan. Leading the way is BYD (aka Build Your Dreams) which has moved into second place behind Toyota in July 2026 YTD sales. Our review is on the Atto 2, a fully electric compact SUV. Atto 2 joins the slightly larger Atto 3 which pioneered the BYD brand back in 2022 and the smaller Atto 1 and comes in two variants, Dynamic and Premium, priced at $31,990 and $35,990 plus onroad costs respectively. Both variants are powered by a 130kW electric motor delivering 290Nm of torque, paired with a 51.3kWh Blade Battery that offers up to 345km of WLTP range. Fast DC charging from 10 to 80 percent takes approximately 39 minutes, with a peak charging rate of up to 82kW. The extra four grand for the Premium provides extra equipment including LED lighting, larger wheels (17-inch over 16-inch), panoramic glass roof, roof rack, 360-degree camera, front parking sensors and powered side mirrors. Inside, there is a larger touchscreen, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, wireless smartphone charging, and an immersive eight-speaker audio system. BYD’s six-year 150,000km vehicle and eight-year 160,000km battery warranties apply to the Atto 2.
Styling First time EV buyers not looking to stand out from the crowd will be perfectly happy with the conservative styling of the Atto 2. Design is more old-school SUV, tall and square, without the sloping roofline of its Atto 1 and Atto 3 siblings. There are full LED projector headlights above slim daytime running lights and turn indicators, also LED. At the rear there’s a full-width LED lightbar with a twirly bit on either end. The Premium spec adds roof rails, panoramic glass roof with a sunshade and powered side mirrors.
Driving
There’s a choice of four exterior colours, again likely to suit conservative buyers: Ski White is standard; Grey Mist, Harbour Grey and Cosmos Black are all cost options.
Interior No colour choice inside, just darkish grey. The front seats are manual in the Dynamic, powered in the Premium. The glass roof on the Premium variant is fixed but does come with a powered sunshade. Premium adds powered front seats with heating and ventilation. Rear occupants are well catered for with a flat floor, dual map pockets, adjustable air con controls, USB-A and USB-C inputs, a wide folding armrest with twin cupholders and a parcel shelf behind the seatbacks. Boot space is 380 litres to 1320 litres. There’s no power tailgate, not that a car of this size really needs one. There’s no front storage area (aka Frunk or Froot) although the boot floor does lift off for a lower level to keep charging cables and the like.
Powertrain Power is sent to the front wheels via a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) BYD Blade Battery. The name comes from its long, thin and flat blade-shaped cells that are built into the structure of the vehicle and lower its centre of gravity. Outputs are 130kW and 290 Nm with a zero to 100km/h speed of 7.9 seconds. Battery capacity is 51.13kWh and can charge using a 7kW Type 2 AC port from zero to 100 percent in just over eight hours. Using a CCS2 DC charging port that drops to 38.6 minutes from 10 to 80 percent or from zero to 100 percent in 68 minutes. For campers or picknickers, vehicle to load (V2L) is standard and both a V2L discharge adapter and Mode 2 charging cable are provided. The charge port is at the front on the driver’s side which will probably suit most owners but not for those charging from the roadside.
Safety Atto 2 has yet to be tested by ANCAP but all other BYD vehicles, including the Atto 1 and Atto 3, have received the maximum five-star rating.
The neat little Atto 2 is likely to be a big seller for the booming Chinese carmaker. (Pictures: Supplied)
Atto 2 comes with BYD’s Cell-to-Body technology which integrates the vehicle’s battery with its body for increased structural safety. Standard are six airbags, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and correction, automatic emergency braking, forward and collision warning, intelligent cruise control, intelligent speed limit warning and control, blind spot detection, rear parking sensors, rear-view camera, tyre pressure monitoring and ISOFIX child seat anchor points. Premium adds front parking sensors and a 360-degree camera.
Infotainment Atto 2 Dynamic has a 10.1-inch touchscreen and Premium 12.8-inch. Both are landscape, the portrait rotation gimmick no longer in fashion. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both wireless with a wireless phone charger in the Premium. The sound system in the Dynamic is basic with four speakers, six in the Premium.
For a relatively small car, access is easy with large doors, tall roof and slide-over into the seats with a minimum of stooping and bending. While many of the controls, as is the norm nowadays, are operated through the touchscreens, most come with an array of shortcut tabs. Even better, there are sensibly positioned physical controls on the driver’s door and steering wheel, with an audio volume control roller and brake regeneration toggle button on the central console. The digital instrument cluster is easy to read and can be customised to suit. Atto 2 is easy to manoeuvre around town with light steering and the smooth and linear acceleration expected from an EV. There are the usual intrusive features that annoy keen drivers such as lane interference, speed sign alerts and driver attention warnings. No doubt many will be quite content with them, otherwise they can be turned off – temporarily. There are three driving modes, Normal, Eco and Sport. As we expect most buyers to do, we spent most of their time in Normal. Driving range under the WLTP standard is listed at an acceptable 345km with many of its competitors, albeit more expensive, covering more than 400km.
Summary While it’s not likely to be a vehicle on which owners will build their dreams, the neat little Atto 2 is likely to be a big seller for the booming Chinese carmaker. And, fortunately, BYD no longer sees the need to plaster that phrase across the rear windows of their vehicles as they did when the Atto 3 pioneered the brand back in 2022. Savvy urban buyers in particular will be drawn to Atto 2’s functional body style, clean energy credentials and sharp pricing. With BYD snapping at the heels of Toyota the Atto 2 is looming as a potential alternative to Corolla especially with the imminent arrival of a Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) version called the Atto 2 DM-i, for Dual-Mode Intelligent. Pricing and specs are yet to be released but it is likely to be in the low to mid $30,000s.
Friday, 9 October, 2026 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 23
SPORT
Locals in boardriders final Torquay and Point Lonsdale Boardriders both made the final of the Australian Boardriders Battle Victorian Qualifier at Smiths Beach, Phillip Island on Sunday 4 October. Surfing Victoria’s Noah Clifford took these photos.
13th Beach Boardriders watch on.
Jack Perry, Torquay
Jack Bassett (13th Beach)
Lucy Naylor, Point Lonsdale (pictures Noah Clifford/Surfing Victoria)
24 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 9 October, 2026
Kai Nudd, Jan Juc
Bohdie Williams, Point Lonsdale
Frankie Gardener, Point Lonsdale
Bella Wilson, Torquay
Jarvis Barrow, Torquay
The Jan Juc team is happy.
Tully Wylie, Torquay
Taane Mitchell, Point Lonsdale
SPORT
Lonny, Torquay advance Point Lonsdale and Torquay Boardriders Clubs have qualified for the Australian Boardriders Battle grand final at Burleigh Heads next March. After making the final, won by Peninsula Surfriders, of the Australian Boardriders Battle Victorian qualifier at Smiths Beach, Phillip Island on Sunday 4 October, the clubs earned the right to compete in the national event. Point Lonsdale was impressive in the semi-final with Taane Mitchell starting off strong with a huge forehand snap on a heavy section. The momentum carried on with Bohdie Williams launching into the air and Lucy Naylor laying into some backhand hooks to secure their spot in the final. The final, between Point Lonsdale, Torquay, Peninsula and Phillip Island, started with a bang with Point Lonsdale continuing its momentum in the opening exchanges. Mitchell and Williams led the charge, with Williams going to the air again to score a 7.67-point ride. Peninsula kept pace and coming into the last five minutes of the heat, sat at the top, with Torquay in second on the back of a constant run of high five-point rides, and Willis Droomer locking in a 6.67-point ride for a floater to snap that fanned spray into the air. Peninsula then shut the final down, with Willem Watson going all out on an excellent sliding backhand snap, putting
Torquay’s Willis Droomer.
the other clubs out of reach and securing the win, 6.14 points clear of Torquay. Point Lonsdale was third while defending champions Phillip Island finished fourth and missed out on a place in the grand final. Williams was awarded the Boost Mobile Wave of the Day for his aerial approach. “It’s so sick to be part of a club that hasn’t really done much or been to the national final before,” he said. “It’s pretty sick to be able to help them get there and go as a team, and it’ll be nice to be able to go up all together. “The conditions kind of deteriorated a lot, so I thought why not just go to the air and change it up a bit.”
Wave of the day went to Point Lonsdale’s Bohdie Williams. (pictures Noah Clifford/Surfing Victoria)
South Barwon expected to improve after key signings By Justin Flynn South Barwon is expected to rise up the Geelong Cricket Association Division 1 ladder with several key signings arriving at Reynolds Oval. The biggest recruit is gun all-rounder Nikhil Deep Pottabathini, who has dominated GCA2 for the past two seasons with Bell Park. The batting machine made 891 runs at 74.25 last season and made them from just 817 deliveries faced. He also took 25 wickets with his crafty spinners and won consecutive McMahon Medals for the best player in GCA2 over the past two seasons. Pottabathini was also Geelong’s MVP during Melbourne Country Week as the only GCA2 player to represent the association. South Barwon also welcomes fast bowler Sam Coutts from Grovedale where he is coming off a 34-wicket season. Top-order bat Jesse Thornton has crossed from Alexander-Thomson and scored 100 not out and 59 for Barwon Rockets last season in the VCCL Under 21 comp. All-rounder Kyle Beinefelt returns to the Swans after a stint at Geelong where he played 2nd and 3rds. Opening bats Clay Mulgrew and Bryson Nicholls have departed for Armstrong Creek and Highton respectively and all-rounder Gurpreet Singh has gone back to Torquay after one season. East Belmont will welcome Geelong quick Josh Garner, who took 26 wickets in the Premier competition last season and has been a consistent performer for a number of years. Alex Inglis will join brother Luke to bolster the top order after sharing the Johnston Medal in the Colac & District comp in 2025/26. A trio of English imports arrives at St Peters - opening bowler Tom Spencer and top-order bats Will Crees and Rohan Jocelyn. There have been no major departures. It’s been a fairly quiet off-season for St Joseph’s with star spinner Ryan Simmonds
Nikhil Deep Pottabathini is the major signing in the GCA after crossing from Bell Park to South Barwon. (Ivan Kemp)
departing for Ocean Grove while Kaelan Bradtke has committed for a full season after playing socially in the 5ths last season. Bannockburn all-rounder Tanner Hay has landed at North Geelong after making more than 400 runs and snaring 21 wickets last season. Opening bat Jack Sykes joins after a huge season for Townville in the UK. Olegas Rodgers has moved to Tasmania after making five appearances for the Magpies’ 1st XI in 25/26. Grovedale has lost opening bowler Coutts and batter Daniel Brew (Highton), who made more than 500 runs in the 2nds and 1sts, as well as gun bat Michael McNeel. However, Colac gun Will Ruddell and Lethbridge star Hayden Spiller arrive at Burdoo Reserve. Spiller made 210 from just
156 balls for Lethbridge in one innings last season while keeper Bailey Forssman has crossed from Alexander Thomson. South African Andrew Sobiech headlines Lara’s recruits with the young batter representing Free State Under 19s and looks more than capable of making plenty of runs. Andy Hughes will coach while young gun Kaden Marum will skipper after coming off a 451-run and 26-wicket summer. After a one-year stint in GCA2, Highton has lost star Kiwi Isaac Bird although Geelong 2nd XI seamer Kieren Helwig lands at McDonald Reserve with spinner Toby Cunningham, who played a mixture of 2nds and 3rds for Geelong last season and has experience in England. Brew and Nicholls are welcome additions to the squad.
Bryson Nicholls has crossed from South Barwon to Highton.
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Ridley traded to Cats Race to The injury-plagued Jordan Ridley has found his way to Geelong after the Cats and Essendon agreed on a trade on Wednesday. The defender has played just 26 games for Essendon across the past three seasons, but the Cats see him as a welcome addition to their squad. The trade involved Geelong sending Jack Bowes to the Dons and its 2027 firstround draft pick and its 2028 secondround pick. Coming the Cats way is pick 60 in this year’s draft along with a 2027 second rounder. Bowes was drafted with pick 10 in 2016 and played 83 games with Gold Coast before moving to Geelong in 2023 where he played 69 games. Geelong executive general manager of football Andrew Mackie said Ridley would be a valuable addition to the club’s playing squad. “We’re excited to welcome Jordan to the Geelong Football Club,” he said. “Jordan is a quality player who boasts experience and will be a great addition
Gryan Miers will not be playing for West Coast next year according to his manager Liam Pickering. (Ivan Kemp)
to our backline group. We’re looking forward to seeing what Jordan can bring to the club in the future.” Meanwhile Gryan Miers’ manager Liam Pickering shut down any potential trade with West Coast. Miers played the majority of his footy with a partially torn ACL this season and the Eagles were keen to lure the midsized
forward west. “Gryan is not going to West Coast, I can tell you that,” Pickering told Trade Radio. “It’s not happening. He’s not going to be an Eagle, let’s put it that way. “He won’t be at West Coast and it is unlikely he will play for anyone but Geelong next year.” Miers, 27, arrived at Geelong with pick 57 in the 2017 draft and played 172 games and kicked 120 goals. Geelong is looking to be active this trade period with GWS captain Toby Greene already making his way to GMHBA Stadium via free agency. The Cats will attempt to get St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall for the second year in a row, although the Saints will play hard-ball. They also have an interest in Sydney defender Nick Blakey although it is unclear how they could satisfy a trade and the star Swan hasn’t officially asked for a move. Blakey is signed at Sydney until the end of 2031.
Jan Juc’s Lily White claimed Under 14 girls trophy at the Rip Curl Gromsearch at Phillip Island. (Pictures: Jacques Kelly/ Surfing Victoria)
Lily White in action, and bottom right, Lily with runner-up Everly Morgan.
Lily crowned Gromsearch champion By Justin Flynn Up and coming Jan Juc surfer Lily White clinched victory in the last 30 seconds of her final at the Rip Curl Gromsearch at Phillip Island on 2 October. White scored a 7.5 on her last wave against Everly Morgan (Mollymook, NSW) in the Under 14 girls final and was crowned champion. White grew up familiar with the conditions near Gunnamatta Beach and her family recently moved to the Surf Coast. White was runner-up to Sydney’s Alanni Morris in the first round, but progressed and turned the tables in round two and dominated.
In the quarter-final White scored 16.03, edging past Coolangatta/Tweed Heads youngster Sage Fleming on 15.84. It was the first time White had progressed past the first round at the Gromsearch event and something was building. “I think I’ve been to Phillip Island about six or seven times, and every year I’ve usually been knocked out in the first round of this event, so I’m super stoked to finally make it through to the semis,” she told Surfing Victoria after her quarter-final first heat where she scored a 9.33. “The waves are pumping, and even though it was pretty nerve-wracking surfing against girls who are absolutely ripping, I love coming
26 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 9 October, 2026
here, and I’m just super happy.” White met Torquay’s Cobie O’Day in an allSurf Coast semi-final. O’Day needed a 6.33 on her last wave and had two-and-a-half minutes, but couldn’t find that vital ride and ran out of time, with White going through to the final. White found herself behind Morgan in the final and needed something special to snatch victory. She hitched a ride on a left wave that netted her a 7.5 and into the lead with 30 seconds remaining. Morgan couldn’t find a last wave and time was called with White winning the title 11.90 to 10.50.
finals tightens By Donna Schoenmaekers It is a race to the finals for all teams in Tuesday Women’s Section 5 coming into round 11 of 15 with all six teams well in contention of making the four. Clifton Springs, sitting behind ladder leaders Wandana Heights on percentage, were hoping for a solid win over Western Heights Uniting, who were looking to leap frog out of last, with a good performance at home, to back up their away win in their last meeting. The visitors got off to a good start in the first with Marita Thurman and Jan Whitmore winning 6-2, while Michelle Visser Hodson and Carol Spivey held out Debra Brackley and Karen Bartlett 7-5. Wendy Bell and Jean Payne put Uniting on the board in the third winning 6-2, but that was as good as it got, with the Springs getting up 6-3, 6-4 and 7-6 in the remaining three sets for a 5-1 win. Wandana Heights travelled to Moolap, hoping to emulate their emphatic win in round 6, to give them an edge over the rest of the teams, while Moolap in third ahead of Grovedale only on percentage, were eager to put some space between them and close some of the seven-point gap to the two top teams. The home side posted a win in the first set with Kirsty Matthews and Sheree Holdworth getting up 6-3, while Wandana’s Anita Dobney and Simone Francis kept them ahead with their 6-2 win. Wandana pulled ahead through the middle sets with Francis partnered by Catherine Thomson getting up 6-2 and Lisa Miller teaming with Dobney for a tough 7-5 victory. Moolap fought hard in the remaining sets, with Matthews the victor with Marilyn Wyllie in the fifth 6-4, but Thomson helped Dobney to her third win for the day 6-4 to Wandana home four sets to two. It was fourth vs fifth when Grovedale hosted Surfcoast Bellbrae, with only five points between them and Surfcoast. Therese Wilson and Vicki Castven opened Grovedale’s account winning the first set 6-4, while Maika Climpson and Kenwyn Seiffert were pushed to a 7-5 victory for Bellbrae. Climpson with Leanne Heath had an easier time in the third set winning 6-1, but Castven and Kerrie Carlin kept Grovedale in it winning 6-3. Surfcoast were ahead by just two games going into the final two sets, and with a potential move into third, play was fierce. Castven won her third set for the day with Kerrie Grinter in a toughed out tie-break, but Heath and Seiffert managed a 6-4 win for Bellbrae, levelling the sets and keeping them ahead by three games to take the win and closer to a spot in the four. At the end of the round, the top four remained the same but with all teams in different positions - Clifton Springs 54, Wandana Heights 53, Grovedale 43, Moolap 42, Surfcoast 40 and Western Heights Uniting 32. Teams will need to show some consistency in the final four rounds to make the most of their season, and give them the best chance at finals.
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Jaxon Mallett will skipper Barwon Heads this season.
Clay Mulgrew returns to Armstrong Creek after a season with South Barwon.
Chesney Milne has crossed from Meredith to Armstrong Creek.
Jacko Mallett takes over as coach of Barwon Heads.
Seagulls’ new-look squad By Justin Flynn Barwon Heads will field a vastly different side this season to the one that dominated the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association A1 Grade campaign. Although round 1 was washed out, only one player from last season’s premiership side was named to line up for the Seagulls, signalling a major shift. Jacko Mallett was the sole premiership player listed to play in the season opener and has taken over as coach from Daniel Donaldson, who has crossed to Torquay in the GCA Division 2 competition. The Seagulls have also lost young star Angus Mackie to Geelong while opening bowler Darcy Hewitt will play at Brighton. However, hard-hitting opener Lewy Hyland and young all-rounder Taj Don will play this season as will all-rounder Harry Hyland and star spinner Sam Schaller at various stages. Mallett sees his youthful squad as a chance to refresh while still contending. “There were a few unavailabilities this week and obviously a few have moved on, but that has definitely created some opportunities for others,” he said. “We’re a bit younger this year. While we get to develop some players as well, we’ll develop some leaders at the same time. “We still definitely think we’re going to be, I won’t say competitive, we’re definitely still trying to finish as high as we can. There’s still a pretty good core of experience in there and we dropped one game in three grades last year. “There’s guys in B and C Grade that definitely thought they could have been playing
higher and probably would have at other clubs, but just due to our depth, didn’t get that opportunity. “So now the opportunity is there for them. They just have to work hard and earn it and maintain their spot.” Jaxon Mallett will captain the side this season and will relish the chance to open the batting with Lewy Hyland. “They complement each other and I think Jaxon getting the opportunity to bat with Lewy a bit more will bring more of Jaxon’s natural game out of him as well,” Mallett said. “He (Hyland) is just a quality bloke to have around the club, too. He fits in as well with the older guys as he does with the kids. He’s just a great person to have around.” Don returned towards the back end of last season after a trip to the UK and played in the premiership, although wasn’t required to do much, such was the strength of the side. His pace bowling and potentially devastating batting could be a wildcard for the Heads this season. “Particularly the back half of last year, the way he was hitting the ball at training, some of the shots he was playing were just outrageous,” Mallett said. “I wish I had that ability at that age to do that. Obviously his opportunity didn’t come (in the grand final). “We lost three wickets and not so many in the semi, so he didn’t get the chance to showcase that in the back end of the year, but no doubt that he could bat anywhere and be really damaging. “I think he could definitely take a game away from anyone in five or ten overs.”
Elliott Gill was named to make his A Grade in the round 1 washout and Mallett expected the 15-year-old to get opportunities. The talented youngster made almost 700 runs across B and C Grades and underage cricket in 2025/26. Fellow teenager Mack Howard has impressed at training and Mallett also expects opportunities to arise for him. “They’ve been super impressive in preseason doing a lot of rep stuff and they are both hitting the ball so much harder and cleaner and their techniques have tightened up a lot more,” he said. “Both shot up a little bit over the preseason and they’re just those kind of kids that won’t be worried about what’s going on other than seeing the ball and backing themselves.” Mallett expects Barrabool to be stronger with the inclusion of Tom Scott while he said Armstrong Creek, Anglesea and Queenscliff will be thereabouts again. Armstrong Creek has strengthened its squad with prolific runmaker Clay Mulgrew returning after a season with South Barwon. Chesney Milne has moved from GCA4 club Meredith where he took 82 wickets over the past three seasons while Eugene Stanciu will be hoping to replicate his 2024/25 form with Corio when he made 570 runs in GCA3. Ben Toyne took 20 wickets for Gellibrand’s 1st XI last season and will offset the loss of paceman Lachlan Mulgrew to West Warrion in the Colac & District competition. There hasn’t been much movement at Anglesea, but Ben Harcombe and Simon Umbers will share the captaincy. Tom Scott headlines Barrabool’s push for
a flag with the former Geelong and Camberwell Magpies gun batter returning to his junior club to coach. Also returning to the Bulls is all-rounder Finn Peel after a few seasons with Bannockburn while keeper-bat Angus Evans is another addition and has played Premier Cricket with Geelong. Drysdale will welcome Brodie Bennett via Deniliquin and Cohuna and his nagging accuracy with the ball is highly valued. David Ford joins the Hawks’ nest from Leopold’s 2nd and 3rd XIs where he made 333 runs at 37 in 2025/26. Young leg-spinning all-rounder George Mills arrives from Enfield in the UK. Jan Juc has picked up batter and useful off-spinner Ben Smith from Hertfordshire in the UK. The 23-year-old can also keep wicket if required. Fast bowler Sam Bourke joins last season’s runners-up Queenscliff from St Peters where he took 17 wickets in the 2nds in 2025/26, but it was his economy rate of less than 2.5 runs an over from 10 games that impressed most. Alex Simpson will call the Couta Bowl home after he played two C Grade games for Queenscliff last season and four for Somerville 2nds. Teenage up and comer William Boyd has left to play turf cricket at Geelong City. Keeper-bat Joe Edwards and opening bowler Max Wladon have landed at Winchelsea from the Sussex League in the UK while gun bat Adam Korth returns after a couple of seasons away from the game. The Blues will be led by co-coaches Ricci Sauni and Jarrod Groves after winning the A2 Grade flag and earning promotion.
Friday, 9 October, 2026 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 27
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