Ocean Grove Voice - 16th October 2026

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Summer sport officially begins

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It seems like yesterday that we farewelled the footy boots and netball bibs of the local winter sports season. But after a false start last week, the local cricket season began on Saturday 10 October. Heavy rain forced the cancellation of the opening round of BPCA and GCA cricket on Saturday 3 October, but the weather gods were more cooperative the second time around. Ocean Grove got its Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association A2 Grade season off to a winning start with a nine-run victory against Inverleigh at Ray Menzies Oval. Pictured is Inverleigh’s Jasper George being caught behind by Ocean Grove’s Jacob Taylor off the bowling of Alex Mann. Geelong Bowls Region begins its new season this weekend and will signal the full arrival of summer sport in the area.  See page 27 to read about how Ocean Grove survived a scare from Inverleigh, with one bowler delivering a clutch over right at the death to snare victory.

Bus findings in Almost two-thirds of respondents to a bus network survey said they were willing to walk further to a bus stop if it meant a more direct service to their destination. Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant announced the findings of a comprehensive review of the local bus networks, which captured feedback on how people currently use their local services and on future bus connections. The survey received 1668 responses from the Bellarine Peninsula with 61 per cent saying they were willing to walk a bit further for a direct service. Among the key findings were that residents want more-frequent bus services

and better connections with V/Line trains, ferries and Avalon Airport. The survey revealed that there was a growing need for improved coverage for new and growing estates, more services in communities with limited coverage, and more direct journeys across the network. The most popular routes requested to be included in the bus network were Drysdale to Ocean Grove, Torquay to Ocean Grove, Leopold to Waurn Ponds, and Charlemont to Waurn Ponds. The 2026/27 Victorian Budget funded a new cross-Bellarine bus service that connects Drysdale and Ocean Grove, with planning now underway.

The new route was developed to provide a more direct and convenient connection to jobs, education, shops and essential services without requiring passengers to travel via Geelong or Leopold. “We know how important it is for Bellarine residents to have transport options that work for them, whether they’re commuting, heading to school or running everyday errands,” Ms Marchant said. “We’re focused on delivering practical improvements that make bus travel a more convenient and accessible choice for the local community.” Survey respondents were split on whether they preferred a direct service that takes longer or a faster journey that involved

changing buses. The City of Greater Geelong welcomed the release of the consultation summary for the Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula and Bannockburn Bus Network Review. “Our community has sent a very clear message that it cares deeply about the future of public transport in our region,” mayor Stretch Kontelj said. “This strong interest now needs to be met with a clear plan from the Department of Transport and Planning, including priority routes, an implementation timeline and clear next steps.” The full summary report is available at engage.vic.gov.au/geelong-bus

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Soccer funding a must The City of Greater Geelong is calling on Victorian election candidates to help fund the Devlins Road soccer precinct at Ocean Grove. The City committed $8 million to the project with the federal government chipping in $5 million, but a further $5 million is needed. Ocean Grove Soccer Club (OGSC) currently plays and trains at the Shell Road facility, but would move to the new precinct at Devlins Road, next to Oakdene Oval. It would allow for a second Australian Rules football and cricket oval in place of the soccer pitches, complementing the one already at Shell Road’s Ray Menzies Oval. Council said works on Devlins Road Active Open Space could begin in the coming months if the funding shortfall was achieved.

Ocean Grove Soccer Club president Peter Wilkinson and son Freddy at the Devlins Road soccer precinct site. (Supplied)

The City wants whoever wins November’s state election to make up the shortfall, and for candidates to pledge their support.

“Devlins Road is a transformational project for Ocean Grove and the broader Bellarine Peninsula community and it can’t wait,” Connewarre Ward councillor Elise Wilkinson said. “Completing the reserve in one coordinated build is the most efficient and cost-effective approach. It will save money, reduce disruption and deliver a far better outcome for the community.” “We’re really excited for the next chapter of the Ocean Grove Soccer Club at Devlins Road, with construction getting closer,” OGSC president Peter Wilkinson said. “Our club continues to experience strong participation growth, and our current facilities are operating beyond capacity. We know this new precinct will be a gamechanger for current players and generations to come.”

Annie Gardner, Trish Taylor, Joy Craig and Kath Kerr with west highland terriers Banshee, Scarper and Jinty during last year’s St George’s Flower Show. (Ivan Kemp) 510153_03

Flower show set to be blooming marvellous By Jena Carr Floral scents and colours will fill Queenscliff this weekend with the return of St George’s Flower Show. St George’s Old School Hall will host a dog show, a flower show competition, Devonshire tea, exhibits and stalls on Saturday 17 October. Show coordinator Trish Taylor said the event offered something for everyone and encouraged community connection in a relaxed and fun environment.

“Kids will be able to paint a flowerpot, and they will then get a packet of seeds to take home,” she said. “The other thing that we’re doing, which we only did for the first time last year, is selling fresh flowers out of the garden. “Last year’s event went really well, and we were lucky with the weather, and the forecast looks very good for this weekend, so the weather makes all the difference.” The event will also feature a sausage sizzle, artisan stalls, a market stall spinning wheel and children’s activities from 9am to 2pm.

“The other good thing is that the literary festival is on at the same time, so that will bring new people into the town to experience our event,” Ms Taylor said. “The local community and people seem to be really looking forward to the event from what I’ve heard, so...it’s good to know that people want to come along.” The St George’s Flower Show returned to Queenscliff in 2023 after being discontinued in the 1970s and has continued to grow and appeal to community members across the region.

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-

Support announced for Bellarine public schools Two Bellarine Peninsula schools will receive upgrades if Labor wins next month’s state election. A re-elected state government will invest $13.66 million in Bellarine Secondary College’s Ocean Grove campus and $13.37 million to deliver Stage 2 upgrades at Clifton Springs Primary School. Upgrades at Bellarine Secondary College include an updated technology building. “I know how important having a great state government school is to families across our community,” Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant said. “That is why I am proud to make this commitment to upgrade Bellarine Secondary College, including improvements to technology and science classrooms and wellbeing spaces. “This investment is a clear demonstration that Labor believes in our public schools and believes every student deserves access to great facilities, no matter where they live. “Bellarine Secondary College is a school our whole community can be proud of.” Clifton Springs Primary School would receive a new gymnasium, improved specialist facilities and a new canteen if Labor is returned to power. “Our schools are at the heart of our communities, and as Clifton Springs and Curlewis grow, we need to make sure our school facilities grow with them,” Ms Marchant said. “The gymnasium will be a place for assemblies, school events, physical education and bringing the school community together. “Every child deserves to go to a school with great facilities, and this commitment will help make sure Clifton Springs Primary School can continue to provide that for its students and families.” “We know preschool lays the foundation for lifelong learning, and we’re excited to create more inclusive and accessible opportunities for children to play, explore and learn,” Meli chief executive Robyn Hayles said. “The Clifton Springs Preschool playground upgrade will create a safe, hands-on outdoor learning environment where children can spend more time exploring and playing. “Improvements will include accessible paths, Indigenous gardens, water play areas, better shade, bike paths and upgraded play equipment.”

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After-hours pharmacy promised for the Bellarine Peninsula 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 at Ocean Grove’s Marketplace Shopping Centre offers bulk-

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Swim lessons more flexible 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 make-up 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.

Local swimming students can now access free make-up lessons. (Supplied)

Portarlington a heart safe community Portarlington and Indented Head are officially Heart Safe Communities, empowering community members to take life-saving action. The acknowledgment followed a 12-month program run by Ambulance Victoria (AV) and the Heart Foundation that teaches community members simple skills to save a life. AV Research and Evaluation director Dr Ziad Nehme said people were taught to recognise cardiac arrest, give CPR, and use an automated external defibrillator (AED). “The Heart Safe Communities program shows Victorians that anyone can help save a life by following three simple steps,” he said. “Call Triple Zero (000), push hard and fast on the centre of the chest to give CPR and shock using an AED to attempt to restart the heart.

“Bystander intervention has the biggest impact on cardiac arrest survival, so it’s encouraging to see more people equipped with the confidence and skills to take action while paramedics are on their way.” Two hundred and fifty-five Portarlington and Indented Head community members are trained in heart safe skills, with 23 AEDs registered across the region. Heart Foundation Victoria general manager Chris Enright said initiatives like the Heart Safe Communities program empowered people to take action. “This partnership helps ensure more Victorian communities have the life-saving tools and training they need to act fast in an emergency,” she said. Victoria has the second-highest cardiac arrest survival rate in the world, according to Ambulance Victoria, with more than 4300 community members trained to Call, Push, Shock statewide.

Kimberley Bell with her daughter Willow. (Ivan Kemp) 459074_04

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Walking for HeartKids

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Greater Geelong community members can support kids living with a heart condition during an upcoming fundraising walk. HeartKids will host a Two Feet & A Heartbeat event at Connewarre Memorial Hall on Sunday 18 October to raise awareness of childhood-onset heart disease. Geelong mum Kimberley Bell’s daughter Willow was born at 33 weeks and six days after developing a dangerous abnormal heart rhythm. “My husband Micky and I learned of Willow’s congenital heart defect, Ebstein’s Anomaly, when I was 28 weeks pregnant.,” she said. “Willow was born at 33 weeks and six days after developing Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT), a dangerous abnormal heart rhythm. “She spent weeks in the Royal Children’s PICU and Koala Ward, then at the local hospital, before finally making it home. “While waiting for surgery to be planned, Willow went into cardiac arrest at home at five months old, and we resuscitated her while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

“After her open-heart surgery, she suffered a life-threatening complication called disseminated intravascular coagulation, but thanks to her fantastic medical team, Willow overcame this complication and recovered well.” Willow is now four years old, and Ms Bell said she was grateful for the HeartKids’ support. “Openly sharing our stories and the trauma of our journeys brings us all together and builds a bond that you cannot even explain,” she said. “HeartKids introduced themselves to us when we were on the ward with Willow after she was born, and they provided us with a friendly face, support and information.” HeartKids chief executive Samantha Glastonbury said that more than 6700 people across the country joined last year’s Two Feet & A Heartbeat initiative. “Every step honours a heart story, and every heartbeat reminds us why we walk,” she said. Visit heartkids.org.au/event/vic-geelong for more information or to sign up for Greater Geelong’s Two Feet & A Heartbeat walk.

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Register celebrates 20 years Bellarine Community Support Register (BCSR) recently celebrated 20 years of caring for and connecting local people. BCSR supports the safety and independence of vulnerable Bellarine residents. It holds contacts and information provided by residents and can be accessed only by police in a personal emergency. Since the register began in 2006, more than 3500 people have become registrants with the organisation now making more than 3000 calls each year to provide connec-

tion, reassurance and support. Behind those numbers is an extraordinary volunteer effort. More than 110 volunteers have contributed during the past 20 years and provide about 600 office hours each year. To celebrate, a gathering of more than 50 people recognised the many former and current volunteers, leaders and community supporters who have helped shape the organisation. Seven chairpersons attended the event

and current chair Gary Coombes was the officer in charge at Bellarine Police when the register was set up. “Each chairperson has played a part in guiding the organisation through changing times, ensuring that the register adapts to the needs of the community,” he said. “This is an important part of its sustainability into the future.” Inaugural chair Ann Nichol attended the celebration. “She was the driving force behind the

register in its early years, concerned that people were dying alone in their own homes with no family or neighbours to support them,” Mr Coombes said. Ms Nichol presented an award named in her honour to Glenys Francis and Leonie Saundry, recognising their work. “Twenty years on, we remain a strong example of what can be achieved when volunteers, community organisations, police and local supporters work together on a common goal,” Mr Coombes said.

Graham Mulroney (third from the right) with Lions Club’s Alan Daw, left, John Menzies, Warren Halnon, Mary Mulroney, Philip Scambler, President Lyn Jenkins, Neil Rankcom, Norm Buckley and John Claringbold. (Supplied)

Half a century of community support Graham Mulroney has been awarded a prestigious Lions award for over half a century of community service in Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove. The Lions Club of Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads member and former president received the Melvin Jones Diamond Lapel Pin for his 53 years of community support. Mr Mulroney said “it was a big surprise” to receive the award that honoured Lions founder Melvin Jones and that it was “very much appreciated”. “The way I look at this is that the achievements made in Lions are achieved by teams and groups working together,” he said. “So, it’s just nice to be recognised as being a member of a team that’s achieved some great things.” Mr Mulroney first joined Lions in 1974 and has participated in many community projects, including contributions to Bushfire Relief following the 2009 Victorian bushfires, which earned him an Australian Government Award. “When I first joined, I was very young and still in my 20s, so it was a wonderful training ground because every member of the Lions Club was given a job,” he said. “It’s a very rewarding thing to do; to be able to achieve things that you couldn’t achieve just by yourself, but as a team of people who are like-minded and interested in making a difference. “You get far more out of it than you put in, plus you make a big difference...and it’s an opportunity to work with others to make a difference.”

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By Jena Carr

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Emergency services cash Seven Bellarine Peninsula volunteer emergency services organisations will share in a $31 million program from the state government. The government will invest across 350 projects statewide in its Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program that will go CFA, VICSES, Life Saving Victoria and Volunteer Marine Search and Rescue organisations. Barwon Heads Fire Brigade will receive $26,700 to replace the flooring at the station

while Queenscliff Fire Brigade will receive $76,400 for a field command vehicle. Bellarine VICSES was allocated $3761 for defibrillators for two of its Bellarine vehicles and Barwon Heads 13th Beach Surf Lifesaving Club was given $69,766 for facility upgrade works. Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club will receive $84,959 for a CAN-AM ATV and required accessories while Ocean Grove Coast Watch Radio and Marine Rescue Squad gets $24,009 for a shed extension and

carport. Queenscliff Coast Guard will be better equipped to navigate rough seas with $80,000 for a 10-metre Naiad Hardtop heavy-duty rigid inflatable boat. “I’m proud to support our local emergency services volunteers and the vital work they do to keep our communities safe,” Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant said. “Thank you for your dedication, hard work and commitment to protecting our community.”

CFA urges fire readiness Barwon Heads Fire Brigade held a Get Fire Ready open day 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. Leopold and Wallington brigades held theirs on Saturday 10 October with Mannerim and Portarlington holding theirs on Sunday 11 October. Drysdale (25 October), St Leonards/ Indented Head (31 October), Ocean Grove (1 November) and Connewarre (1 November) have their open days in the coming weeks. 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 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.

Barwon Heads Fire Brigade held a Get Fire Ready open day. (Supplied)

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FRIDAY FEATURE

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Rob Freeman (Ivan Kemp) 583522 06

Robert Freeman has survived prostate cancer and a stroke. (Ivan Kemp)

Robert Freeman with his wife Louise. (Ivan Kemp) 583522

Cycling to support kids Geelong’s Robert Freeman is raising vital funds for kids with childhood brain conditions through the Ride for the Kids cycling challenge. He sat down with Jena Carr to speak about the month-long challenge, as well as his own experience of having a brain injury. After surviving cancer and a stroke, Robert Freeman is using his love of cycling to support kids living with brain disorders. The 71-year-old Geelong man spent most of his professional life supporting kids, including those with brain conditions, but never suspected that he would suffer a similar condition. It all started on 10 July when, during the night following a routine surgery in the morning, Robert began not feeling well, couldn’t communicate and was struggling to remember basic information like where he lived and his name. “I had surgery on my hip in the morning and felt okay, but hours after the surgery I had a stroke,” he said. “Since then, I have had some issues with one of my hands, which is ongoing, so I’ve got no sense of temperature, hot or cold, with that hand.

“My speech initially was really impacted, and I was really struggling to get words together, and it’s a work in progress, so I’ve come a long way. “I had to go through the process of having speech therapy, which is ongoing, and physio, not just for the hip but for the brain as well.” Doctors later determined that Robert’s stroke was the result of a blood clot in his brain and had not been caused by the surgery he had earlier in the day. “They (doctors) don’t know where the clot came from, but it broke into two and went to two different places in my brain,” he said. “I’m very lucky, because some people have strokes and they can lose their vision or they can’t walk properly, but...the coordination side of things and the speech seem to be the two major issues for me. “My speech is coming back, but I do have to pause with certain words, so the speech therapist has done a bit of work on helping me with that, and my coordination is a lot better. “My doctor has also told me to make sure that I have some rest time during the day, as one of the issues with brain injuries is that you need to switch off and let the brain have a rest.” Just seven years before suffering his stroke, Robert was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019 while living in England. “When I was in the United Kingdom, doctors decided on brachytherapy (a type of internal radiation therapy) because it had fewer side effects,” he said. “So, they actually put radioactive seeds into the prostate, which was supposed to kill the cancer, but it didn’t work. “Then COVID-19 hit, so we came back to Australia where a doctor monitored the

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cancer before we eventually decided to have the prostate removed in April 2021.” Robert is participating in Ride for the Kids this month and will ride his bike to help raise money and awareness for kids with childhood brain conditions. He has raised more than $350 as of 10am on 15 October through the cycling initiative for Brainwave Australia to continue supporting families experiencing childhood brain disorders across the country. “Cycling has always been one of my passions, so I’m trying to ride 600 kilometres for the month,” he said. “The charity does a lot of work to help families; they have camps for the kids, and they help them in hospital. “I saw the initiative and thought that it would be a really good thing for me to do for the kids, but also to help my own recuperation.” Robert said that his stroke experience further opened his eyes to some of the difficulties caused by childhood brain conditions and the impact it has on families. “That hit home to me about the challenges that young children go through and for their families,” he said. “I was a teacher for 35 years and worked at Newcomb Secondary College, so I have dealt with many young children, including some who had conditions that were impacting their brains. “Having a child is hard work at any time, but when you’ve got a child that’s going through those difficulties, it’s really hard for the families. “I can only imagine what some of these young children must be going through, and there’s such a range of brain traumas as well, so it’s not just one thing; it can be a whole range of things.”

Robert’s wife Louise said the pair were grateful to the regional medical professionals involved in Robert’s cancer and stroke journey. “When Rob gets out on his bike, he’s as free as a bird and having a wonderful time,” she said. “Rob had his prostate removed and didn’t need any further treatment, which is just remarkable, and the medical professionals have been really helpful in his stroke recovery.” Louise said it was important for families of loved ones living with brain conditions, or other medical issues, to be patient. “To see kids who go through medical trauma in their childhood, it’s just so hard,” she said. “It’s important for families to recognise that it takes time for their loved one to recover and learn how to live with a brain condition, so it is important to be patient, calm and understanding.” Brainwave Australia chief executive Paul Bird said that every kilometre ridden and dollar raised by people like Robert through Ride for the Kids helped more kids and families impacted by childhood brain conditions. “Many families are counting on us for support, and we hope you will all ride with us for the kids with brain injury,” he said. “We are thrilled to be holding this event and hope to bring together every Australian for an important cause such as ours.” Ten children in Australia are diagnosed with a neurological condition every day, leading to 3000 families each year whose lives are changed forever. Visit rideforthekids.org.au/fundraisers/ robertfreeman/ride-for-the-kids-2026 for more information and to support Robert’s fundraising efforts.

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By Cr Rowan Story A skate park built after a campaign by local schoolchildren; a former glass factory converted into apartments and restoration of a century-old clubhouse at a Bellarine golf club. These might seem like unlikely projects to have much in common, but all three featured at this year’s Geelong Heritage Awards for their contribution to preserving our region’s history. As chair of the Geelong Heritage Advisory Committee and the Heritage Awards Advisory Panel, I was pleased to see such a varied range of projects celebrated and the considerable work that has gone into them. Greater Geelong has an impressive range of heritage places. We are home to 5130 Registered Aboriginal Places, 7447 locally protected heritage places and precincts as well as 126 places recognised on the Victorian Heritage Register. With so much growth and development taking place across the region, including here on the Bellarine, there is an ongoing responsibility to protect buildings and places of historical and cultural significance. The awards, held at Geelong’s new Nyaal Banyul Event and Convention Centre as part of Geelong Design Week, acknowledge achievements in restoration, creative reuse and heritage interpretation. Corio Skateboard Club was among this year’s recipients, recognised for its role in establishing one of Australia’s earliest skate parks. A skate park might not be the first place that comes to mind when we think about

Murradoc ward councillor Rowan Story. (Supplied)

heritage, but the history of Corio Bowls Skate Park makes a compelling case for its significance. The Corio Skateboard Club was formed in 1977 by local school students and their parents, and they spent two years campaigning for a skate park before it opened in February 1980. Corio Bowls in Geelong is one of the earliest examples of a skatepark in Australia and it was conceived at a time when skateboarding interest boomed around the world, following the invention of urethane wheels. The club’s efforts to promote the park’s history were acknowledged at the awards, and earlier this year, council endorsed a planning scheme amendment to apply a Heritage Overlay. Another project recognised was The Bottleworks in Fitzroy Street, Geelong, where a former glass factory has been incorporated into a new residential development.

Built in 1920, the factory was later converted into woolstores before spending more than three decades as a furniture warehouse. Today, the development includes 78 apartments and 33 townhouses, with parts of the original factory reconstructed and incorporated into the new homes. It’s a good example of how a building can retain important features of its past while serving an entirely different purpose. Heritage protection should not mean freezing a building at one point in time. Buildings need to remain useful, safe and able to meet contemporary needs if they are going to survive for another 50 or 100 years. Here on the Bellarine, the heritage-listed Barwon Heads Golf Club clubhouse was also recognised for its recent restoration and upgrade. Opened in 1924, the interwar Californian-style clubhouse has undergone extensive refurbishment, including restoration of its front façade and removal of a glazed-in verandah added in the 1940s. As our towns and suburbs continue to change, it’s important that we consider which buildings and places should be retained and how they can remain part of community life. The work recognised at this year’s awards shows what can be achieved with careful planning, skilled tradespeople and a commitment to preserving our heritage. Congratulations to all the recipients and everyone involved in these projects and for more information on all the winners, geelongcity.vic.gov.au and search ‘Geelong Heritage Awards’.

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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.

10 OCEAN GROVE VOICE Friday, 16 October, 2026

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”?

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ENVIRONMENT

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Lorikeet’s lucky recovery

Kevin’s kookaburra near Daylesford, and far right, Marianne’s rainbow lorikeet in her Ocean Grove garden.

North America, Europe and Asia. In the northern winter these birds migrate up to 3000km to 10,000km from their breeding grounds to southern hemisphere coastal sites. Sanderlings look like the smaller and more common shorebird called the red-necked stint, but are whiter in appearance, and the sanderling lacks the hind toe found in red-necked stints. I’ve received a few lovely emails lately. Marianne sent me a good news story that played out in her Ocean Grove garden. She glimpsed a rainbow lorikeet huddled against her garden fence and initially she feared the worst, that the lorikeet might have avian flu. A few days later the same lorikeet

reappeared in Marianne’s garden, still unable to fly but looking quite feisty when confronted by her whippet. She realised from the partially orange beak that it was a juvenile, possibly with an injured wing that might mend with rest. Marianne kept the whippet inside for the next few days and then spotted the lorikeet in the lower branch of her silver princess gum. I was thrilled. Over the weekend I watched the parents and another juvenile fly in. The parents initially flew directly to the rainbow lorikeet and fed it. Then they flew to neighbouring branches trying to encourage the bird to fly. Late Sunday afternoon the bird was flapping its wings and 10 minutes later it

flew away. The key seemed to be keeping the dog well away, inside the house, then letting nature take its course. To say that Marianne was overjoyed is an understatement. Marianne is continuing to plant Australian natives especially indigenous plants in the hope of attracting more wildlife. Thanks, Marianne, for the lovely story and the lorikeet is certainly a lucky bird to have taken flight. I received an email from Kevin, who took a lovely photo of a laughing kookaburra at Suttons Springs, Daylesford. As Kevin said, it’s always a great day when you spot a kookaburra. I heard a kookaburra calling recently on the south track of the Ocean Grove Nature Reserve, which was lovely.

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There were some impressive spring downpours recently with one day during the past fortnight delivering more than 30mm of rain, which is wonderful for the dams and ponds around the Bellarine after a very dry September. My garden is certainly looking much healthier than it did a month ago. I was reading through eBird alerts and what caught my eye was an account of four stilt sandpipers seen in South Australia. I have never heard of this bird let alone seen one. I googled the species, and it resembles a curlew sandpiper as it has a long bill, a long neck, and a white rump. However, the stilt sandpiper can be immediately distinguished from the curlew sandpiper in that the stilt has a straighter bill, and in keeping with its name, has its longer legs that are greenish yellow in colour, not black like the curlew. Stilt sandpipers breed in North America and then migrate in the northern winter to South America. It can be rarely seen in western Europe, Japan and Australia. I think many twitchers will be planning trips to South Australia to see these birds in the next week or so. Migratory shorebirds will soon be arriving. I saw a report of two sanderlings seen at Blue Rocks at 13th Beach. Sanderlings breed in the Arctic areas of

12 OCEAN GROVE VOICE Friday, 16 October, 2026

CUS

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BUSINESS IN F Empowering women to lead across the Bellarine By Alison Marchant, Member for Bellarine Every day, I meet incredible women who give back to our community, volunteering their time and energy to make the Bellarine the best it can be. I also meet passionate businesswomen who have taken the leap to start their own ventures, building success from the ground up and strengthening our local economy. It has been fantastic to see the Small Business Bus travelling across our region and throughout Victoria, bringing free, expert advice directly to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. From business planning and cashflow management to marketing, compliance and staffing, this tailored support ensures local businesses can access practical guidance at no cost. I am immensely proud to be part of a government that champions women and is paving the way for a brighter, more equal future for everyone. As the first Victorian parliament to achieve gender parity, we are delivering policies and initiatives that reflect the diverse needs and interests of our community. With women making up over 50 per cent of our Cabinet, their leadership is shaping the changes we are driving, ensuring that women’s voices are at the forefront of decision-making. Supporting women also means ensuring they have access to the healthcare and services they need at every stage of

life. We have introduced a Virtual Women’s Clinic, providing free specialist reproductive and sexual health care to women and girls across Victoria. We are also distributing free pads and tampons in public places, including libraries on the Bellarine, delivering fertility assessment and treatment, including IVF, through the Public Fertility Clinic with Barwon Health and building the expanded Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Geelong to bring more healthcare closer to home for Bellarine families. I am proud to recognise the women who contribute so much to our local business community. When we shop locally, we help support women in business, create opportunities for local employment and strengthen the families and businesses that make our community thrive. Wherever possible, I encourage everyone to shop local and support the incredible small businesses that make the Bellarine such a special place to live, work and visit. To all the women who run businesses, employ local people, mentor others and contribute to our community, thank you. Your hard work and commitment make a real difference.

Alison Marchant MP, Member for Bellarine

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BUSINESS IN F Are you over 55? Why wait? Take a look at our beautiful displays for sale including this beautiful home at 3 Albatross Close at Bellarine Lakes Country Club. This impressive home combines lifestyle and flexibility with stunning sunset views. It also provides two deluxe spacious bedrooms, the master bedroom providing a large walk-in robe and both bedrooms adjoining their own beautifully finished private ensuites. The kitchen is an entertainers delight offering premium 40mm stone top bench space, must-have kitchen draws offering ample storage, and quality appliances. You will also enjoy the convenient secure internal access to the spacious and functional laundry through the oversized single car garage that has ample inbuilt cupboards perfect for all your storage solutions. All in easy walking distance to the Community Club House, heated indoor and outdoor pools, gymnasium, tennis court and our private golf club. Priced to sell at $908,000 and no stamp duty, a saving of approximately $52,000. The enviable resort style living facility includes; a private golf course, a fourrink bowling green, tennis court, hobby workshop, gymnasium, indoor heated swimming pool and outdoor lap pool, alfresco dining and a beautifully appointed community clubhouse which houses a cinema, billiard room, craft

Bellarine Lakes Country Club offers a lifestyle choice that residents and the thriving community simply love. (Pictures: Supplied)

room, medical room, library, fully equipped catering kitchen, club bar and even indoor carpet bowls. In addition to scheduled monthly events there are around 30 activity groups offering a diverse range of activities including; cycling, fishing, aqua aerobics, walking groups, wine appreciation, craft and card groups. These are simply a few of the wonderful social activities the residents

enjoy. If you are seeking a sea change and a low maintenance, quality living environment which offers security, social companionship, freedom and lifestyle choices, Bellarine Lakes Country Club may offer the lifestyle you have been looking for. Located close to the beach and only 7km from Geelong CBD, this country club, with its own private golf course, is a lifestyle choice that our residents and the thriving community simply love.

Our friendly lifestyle consultant Lisa Duke welcomes any queries you may have. Inspections are always welcome. Contact Lisa direct to arrange a private tour on 0447-495 400 or FreeCall 1800 255 578.

Kay Drew, Barwon Heads

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Bellarine Arts Trail is back

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The Bellarine Arts Trail is back and features more than 90 artists and 33 venues that will showcase their work in Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff. The event consists of larger exhibitions such as at the Barwon Heads Arts Hub, and other venues while the intimate open studios in each town are a crowd highlight. Each venue provides an opportunity for visitors to interact with artists, find out more about their influences, view and purchase art from the creators. Arts Trail coordinator Lou Kennedy said the Bellarine’s unique coastal environment, nature, ocean, light and landscapes are key themes reflected in many of the artists’ work in this year’s trail. “Visitors to the trail will discover a huge diversity of art with artists working across

a range of mediums including painting, sculpture, jewellery, weaving, photography, printmaking, mosaics and ceramics,” she said. “We are thrilled to showcase the region’s creative talent and provide an event which directly supports artists.” Visitors are encouraged to explore the trail with a digital map at bellarineartstrail. com.au or pick up a print copy at visitor information centres in Geelong and Queenscliff, The Hive Gallery and Framed Gallery in Ocean Grove or Barwon Heads Community Bank, The Wine Store, Bellarine Property or The Arts Hub. The Bellarine Arts Trail is a free event taking place on Saturday 31 October to Sunday 1 November from 10am to 4pm. For more information, go to bellarineartstrail.com.au

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Tour, Lunch & Explore

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Friday, 16 October, 2026 OCEAN GROVE VOICE 15

NEWS

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Jo and Michael Hannan with their son Charlie.

Rain can’t dampen spirits

Joanna Last with her children Eli and Arlo.

Rain may have dampened

Even Top Hat (Douglas Scott-Montgomery) needed an umbrella to perform his duties.

Bellarine Railways’ Day Out with Thomas on Saturday 3 Thomas the Tank arrives at Queenscliff station.

October, but it failed to prevent it from going ahead. Voice photographer Ivan Kemp put on his raincoat and took these pictures at Queenscliff station. Once onboard, at least Thomas

Thomas the Tank Engine driver Jake Gonzalez Prudden.

The rain didn’t stop people from enjoying the train ride with Thomas.

provided much needed shelter.

Rusty (Sarah Friend) reports for duty.

ENTERTAINMENT WITH MATT HEWSON

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 Roomnominated 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 chaos,” Beza said. “It’s a ridiculous show that highlights the

irony and also some of the hypocrisies of including singing, dance, acting, clowning some feminists, while also poking fun at the and physical comedy. “We hope audiences enjoy watching it as people who oppose feminism. “We want everyone to have a good time, much as we enjoy performing it,” Beza said. “We’ve tried to make it as self-aware as and we’re aware that the topic of feminism can be a bit divisive amongst some people. possible; we’re poking fun at ourselves as And it’s also a fact that no one really wants to much as anything.” Feminist Trash is at Here & Now Lounge be preached at for an hour, so we absolutely on 23 October. Visit FEMINIST-TRASH. do not do that. “And we’ve really looked into our training eventbrite.com.au for tickets and more as actors, clowns and comedians creating information. these zany characters, really working with the audience to create this fun and chaotic vibe.” Having met while studying at Federation Comedy trio Sugar Bits bring their hit show University Ballarat in 2016, the three Feminist Trash to the 2026 Geelong Comedy performers bring a diverse range of training Festival. (NickMickPics)

One trio, two experiences with Trio Anima Mundi One of Geelong’s favourite chamber ensembles returns to the city for two concerts this October and November. Trio Anima Mundi will perform alongside Geelong Symphony Orchestra at Costa Hall on Saturday 24 October to present Beethoven Revealed, a powerful program exploring the works of one of the greatest composers in the history of Western music, including the master’s extraordinary Triple Concerto. The Melbourne-based trio – pianist Kenji Fujimura, violinist Robhelle Ughetti and cellist Noella Yan – will return for The Gypsy, their third 2026 series concert at Keith Humble Centre on Sunday 15 November, which will showcase energetic piano trios from Haydn, Martinu and Babajanian. While both feature the internationally acclaimed ensemble, the two concerts will

Trio Anima Mundi: Kenji Fujimura, Noella Yan and Rochelle Ughetti. (Supplied)

provide concertgoers with very different musical experiences, Yan said. “They will be very different performances…the repertoire in itself is so

16 OCEAN GROVE VOICE Friday, 16 October, 2026

different, the setting is so different,” she said. “There are not many triple concertos with orchestra, so to see that is actually quite an experience. An orchestral concert

always has a very exciting feel to it. “And then, the magic of chamber music is always about people really being able to connect on a much more intimate level…it’s very much a relational thing with the other musicians.” Since its inception in 2008, Trio Anima Mundi has had a special relationship with Geelong; for nearly two decades the ensemble has held annual three-concert series here. “It’s one of my highlights, I have to say… we really do love our Geelong audience,” Yan said. “We’ve had audience members who have been with us since the day the trio started performing here. It’s a really lovely community.” Visit trioanimamundi.com/calendar for tickets and more information.

KEEP IT LOCAL

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COMMUNITY

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED? Community Calendar is made available free of charge to not-for-profit organisations to keep the public informed of special events and activities. Send item details to Voice Community Calendar, 1/47 Pakington Street, Geelong West, 3218, or email to newsdesk@voicegroup.com.au. Deadline for copy and announcements is 5pm Tuesday.

Repair Cafe Bellarine Volunteer repairers fix items such as clothes, toys, furniture, electrical goods and electronic items, Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House, 1 John Dory Drive, Ocean Grove, Sunday 18 October, 12.30-3.30pm.  repaircafebellarine.org.au

Bellarine Quilters 40th anniversary quilt exhibition, Seniors Community Hub, 21-27 Eversley Street, Drysdale, Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November, 10am-4pm. Entry $5. Biennial quilt exhibition plus trading tables, raffles and light refreshments.

Bellarine Historical Society Open to the public. Discover the area’s past. Sundays 10.30am-12.30pm. Courthouse Museum, 11 High Street, Drysdale.  bellarinehistory.org

Ocean Grove Day VIEW Meets second Wednesday of the month at 360Q, Queenscliff, 10.30am for 11am.  oceangroveday.viewclub@gmail.com

Ballroom dance Leopold Hall, 805-809 Bellarine Highway, Saturday 3 October, 7.30-10.30pm, $10. Music: Ben. Sunday 4 October, $5, 2-4.30pm. Music: Puff. Bring a small plate to share for both.  0400 500 402

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

Leopold Library Tuesdays 2pm: Digital drop in for basic tech needs Free school holiday programs. All ages, all interests.  4201 0675, grlc.vic.gov.au

Combined Probus Club of Clifton Springs/Drysdale Meets second Monday of the month, Drysdale Bowling Club, 10am. Everyone is welcomed.  Bev, 0493 011 986, bev97008@gmail.com

The Big Read Meets every other Wednesday from February 5, 10.30am-noon, Ocean Grove Senior Citizens’ Club, 101 The Terrace.  Paul, 0425 110 792

Barefoot bowls Point Lonsdale Bowls Club every Friday and Sunday evening during the holidays. Live music every second Sunday.  5258 1150

Live music Ocean Grove Snooker Club Avenue Avengers are a snooker team who play for Ocean Grove Snooker Club. The club, which has 12 teams, has been playing for 49 years. Matches are highly competitive but played in great spirit, with refreshments and supper at the end. This year’s 50th season is highly anticipated and celebrations are being planned. Avenue Avengers are looking to bolster numbers.  0448 391 366

Bellarine Country Music Group meets Friday nights at Belmont Park Pavilion, music 7-10pm, $10 entry all welcome.

Ocean Grove Soft Tennis Friendly group of active women retirees who have played soft tennis for many years. The game is similar to Pickleball. Ocean Grove Memorial Hall, 123 The Avenue, Mondays 1.30-3.30pm. No experience necessary. Just a desire to keep fit and have fun.  Megan, 0439 317 344

Portarlington playgroup Experience play in an unstructured, relaxed environment. Large indoor space with toilets and baby change facilities. Suits 0-4years. Free to attend. Wednesdays 10-11.30am, Parks Hall Portarlington.

CWA Nightlights Ocean Grove

Ocean Grove Library

Bellarine Women’s Workshop

Tuesday 27 October, 2-3pm: Upcycling in the garden Mondays 10.30-11.30am: Preschool Story Time (during school term) Tuesdays 4-5pm: Youth Collective - ages 12-18 (during school term) Wednesdays 9.30-10am: Toddler Time (during school term) Thursdays 11.30-11.50am: Baby Time (all year) Thursdays 3.45-4.45pm: after school program (during school term)

Portarlington Girl Guides Hall. Meets every second Thursday, and second Saturday of the month.  Facebook: Bellarine Women’s Workshop for further details

Meets the first and third Monday of the month, 2.30pm, Seniors Club, 102 The Terrace, Ocean Grove. All welcome.  Kareen, 0419 246 346, Janis 5255 4585

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)

Meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6.30pm. Supporting disadvantaged children through education.  oceangroveevening.viewclub@gmail.com

Leopold Hall 805-809 Bellarine Highway, Leopold, Wednesday and Friday, 1-3.15pm. Admission: $4 includes afternoon tea.  0400 500 402

Leopold VIEW

Ocean Grove Senior Citizens

Drysdale Ladies Probus Club

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

Meets at 10.30am on the fourth Monday of each month at the Clifton Springs Golf Club.  Raelene, 4244 0376

Springs TOWN Club (Take Off Weight Naturally) meets Mondays, 9-10.30am at the Community Hub, 23 Eversley Street, Drysdale. Weigh-in, group therapy and regular relaxation sessions. $5 per session, $54 annual fee.  Bev, 0421 636 830

Second Tuesday of each month, Leopold Sportsmans’ Club, 10.30am.  leopold.viewclub@gmail com

Afternoon tea dance Life Activities Club [Geelong Inc] hosts an afternoon tea dance on Thursdays, 2-4pm, at Belmont Park Pavilion. Entry: $5.  5251 3529

CWA Drysdale Meets Drysdale RSL, Princess Street, Drysdale on the second Tuesday of the month. Meetings start at 1pm followed by afternoon tea. Friendly group looking to recruit new members.  Jenni, 0452 258 333

Writers’ group The Hub writers’ group meets at Arts Hub, Clifford Parade, Barwon Heads, on the first Sunday of the month 2-4pm. New members welcome.  dorothy.johnston@hugonet.com.au

Book club Leopold CAE book club meets second Tuesday each month from 6.30pm. Very friendly group. New members welcome.  Shirley, 0488 055 969

Chess clubs Services Sunday 10am, Ocean Grove Senior Citizens’ Clubrooms, 101 The Terrace, Ocean Grove.  Rev Brett Cummins, 0438 218 864, secretary Neil Mansfield, 0405 064 976

Ocean Grove Evening VIEW

Carpet bowls

Springs TOWN

Bellarine Presbyterian Church

Club for lunch on the fourth Friday of each month.  Margaret, 0431 636 090

For chess fun simply come along and see yourself, play some chess, meet some members, with no obligation to join. We welcome players of all abilities. Ocean Grove, Tuesdays at 1.30pm at 101 The Terrace, Ocean Grove; Portarlington,

18 OCEAN GROVE VOICE Friday, 16 October, 2026

Bellarine TOWN

Mainly Music

Bellarine TOWN Club meets Wednesdays, noon-2pm at Ocean Grove Community Centre, 1 John Dory Drive. Affordable, supportive group for those trying to lose weight.  0478 615 683

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.  0461 582 618 for bookings

Mahjong Drysdale Day VIEW Supporting The Smith Family for fun and friendship while supporting disadvantaged students. Meetings at Portarlington Golf

Tuesdays 1-4pm, Neighbourhood Centre, 1 John Dory Drive, Ocean Grove. Come try it, new players welcome.  Sandra, 0423 047 862

OCEANGROVEVOICE.COM.AU

NEWS

Tuesday fun at the beach Voice photographer Ivan Kemp went to Ocean Grove main beach on Tuesday 13 October to see who was out and about. Kim Baker.

Peter Butcher.

Amanda Rawlins and Shaun Kempton.

Jess Morrison and Carolin Neave.

Shannon Hopwood.

Emily Yates, Philippa Taylor and Phil King.

Renjo and Vanessa Morillo from the Philippines.

Peter Kennedy with Bonty and Jongy. 583881

Lucy, Dylan and Max from Newcomb Secondary College.

Aylah and Sophie from Newcomb Secondary College.

Hannah, Olivia and Rick.

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9-LETTER WORD 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'.

N

Today’s Aim: 12 words: Good 18 words: Very good 24 words: Excellent

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

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

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No. 418 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

S T Y L E

20 OCEAN GROVE VOICE Friday, 16 October, 2026

I

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P A S T A W A I R A L L T R O L S E N S

E

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I

4 LETTERS ARCS DEFY EATS ERGO IMPS LYRE RELY REST SACS SARI SEEP SLAB SLIM YELP

emir, lien, lime, limner, line, liner, lire, lyre, merlin, mien, mile, miler, miller, milliner, MILLINERY, mine, miner, mire, myelin, rein, rely, rile, rime, yell

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

Y L

N

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11

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25

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3 LETTERS ACE ALE ARM ASH ATE EEL ERA EYE HOP HUB ODE OFF PAN POP RAM RIM RYE SEA TEA TEE TEN TIN TNT WOE

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6

F G L Z U Q A D R N X H Y

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WORDFIT

25

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B M P C I S V W O E K T J

W

8

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No. 343

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Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

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22

9

hard

5x5

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20 15

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14 14

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easy

8 5

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

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DECODER

7

8

7 8 12 13 16 18 21 23 24

Volume (4) Helper (9) Conical tent (5) Revenge (11) Backside (3) Falls on the US-Canadian border (7) Sound (5) Obstinate (10) Great playwright (11) In peril (10) Tradesperson (9) Pariah (7) Citified (5) Combine (5) Frozen flakes (4) Deity (3)

QUICK QUIZ

No. 311

R I M

5 LETTERS ABATE ALONE ALTAR ALTER APRIL AROMA ATONE AWARE BACON BASTE BROOM CHEEP CLING CLOCK COLIC COVET CURES EATER EERIE ERASE GENII

ICIER IDEAL INCUR LARVA LOOSE MELTS OATHS PANDA PETAL PLEAS PORTS PRICE REALS RENTS RHINO RURAL SEARS SEEDS SLITS SNOWY SPARS SPATS

SPECK TAINT TELLS TEMPO TILDE TOKEN WRENS

7 LETTERS BLATANT FERTILE FORELEG PANCAKE STIMULI TOTALLY

6 LETTERS CRAFTY OTTERS PIGEON ROASTS

8 LETTERS ALLOCATE HONOURED HYGIENIC LOADABLE

16-10-26

1 What colour is amethyst? 2 How many cards are in a standard deck of cards, excluding jokers? 3 True or false: in Greek mythology, Cupid is the god of love? 4 Which arm on the Statue of Liberty is raised to hold up a torch?

7 Which Marvel superhero does Tom Holland (pictured) play? 8 Name the author of To Kill a Mockingbird. 9 In the solar system, which is the fifth planet from the sun? 10 Which country is the movie Slumdog Millionaire set in?

5 What kind of animal is Stuart Little? 6 How many wings does a ladybug have?

ANSWERS: 1. Purple 2. 52 3. False, Eros is 4. Right 5. Mouse 6. Four 7. Spider-Man 8. Harper Lee 9. Jupiter 10. India

3 7 9

20

6

6

5

19

8 6

1 2 3 4 5 6

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

medium

28 29

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5 6 8 7 2

17 19 20 22 25 26

18

4 6 8 7 1 3 5 2 4 8 3

4

2 1 6 4 8

17

5 1 9 7

11 12 14 15

3

7 1 1 9 4

16

8 2

10

No. 311

DOWN

Agricultural aid (7) Under (7) Ancient Middle East (11) Biological blueprint (1,1,1) Too (2,4) Times of the year (7) Close (4) Island nation east of Mozambique (10) Permitted (10) Stern (4) Chowhound (7) Very poor person (6) Chest bone (3) Mountainous Islamic country (11) Gave away (7) Hair above the eye (7)

2

easy

ACROSS 1 5 9

15

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

1

No. 311

14

SUDOKU

SPORTS QUIZ 1. Which former NRL player is head coach of Australia's men’s national rugby league team?

3. Which Sydney Roosters player of the match was awarded the Karyn Murphy Medal at the 2026 NRLW grand final?

2. Which soccer position did Peter Crouch play?

10. Which former AFL player is head coach of the North Melbourne men's team? 11. Former Essendon captain Zach Merrett is set to play for which AFL club in 2027?

4. Which Premier League club was found guilty of most of the 115 charges it faced for breaching financial regulations?

12. What is the name of the Azerbaijan Formula 1 Circuit?

5. Which Sydney Roosters player of the match was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal at the 2026 NRL grand final?

13. And who won the 2026 race there? 14. Which Australian team is often referred to as the Baggy Greens?

6. What sport features in the 2002 film Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch (also known as Air Bud 4)?

15. Which sport is Armand Duplantis famous for? 16. Wallabies player Max Jorgensen is the son of which 90s Wallabies player?

7. Which former AFL player is head coach of the North Melbourne women's team? 8. The emblems for the 2032 Summer Olympics and Paralympics are inspired by species of what type of parrot?

21. What is a billy cart known as outside of Australia? 22. Which Women’s Super League club does Ellie Carpenter play for? 23. Jesse Hogan joined which AFL team during the 2026 Trade Period?

17. Who scored two tries in the 2026 NRL grand final?

24. Which former cricketer was the host of Channel Seven’s Who Dares Wins?

18. Who eliminated Alexander Zverev at the 2026 China Open?

25. The Major League Baseball team the Athletics are moving to which US city in 2028?

19. Complete the title of this 2001 Hong Kong sports comedy film: Shaolin –

9. Jamaica has won 93 Summer Olympic medals in athletics and a single medal in what other event?

Peter Crouch

Armand Duplantis

20. What was the margin of victory in the 2026 NRL grand final?

26. The Melbourne Aces baseball team withdrew from the ABL in 2025 to align themselves with an international league from which country?

27. The Sydney sports arena previously known as Qudos Bank Arena is now known by what name? 28. Which Russian-born Kazakhstani tennis professional became the No.1 ranked women's singles player in September 2026? 29. Philip Noel-Baker is the only person to have won an Olympic medal and what other prestigious award? 30. Which popular Australian female singer featured in the 2026 NRL grand final pre-game entertainment?

1610

1. Kevin Walters 2. Striker 3. Tarryn Aiken 4. Manchester City 5. James Tedesco 6. Baseball 7. Darren Crocker 8. Cockatoo 9. Cycling 10. Jaymie Graham 11. Hawthorn 12. Baku City Circuit 13. George Russell 14. Australian men’s national cricket team 15. Pole vault 16. Peter Jorgensen 17. Mark Nawaqanitawase 18. Novak Djokovic 19. Soccer 20. One point 21. Soapbox car 22. Chelsea 23. Collingwood 24. Mike Whitney 25. Las Vegas 26. South Korea 27. Afterpay Arena 28. Elena Rybakina 29. Nobel Peace Prize 30. Amy Shark

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Friday, 16 October, 2026 OCEAN GROVE VOICE 21

MOTOR

Crosstrek a worthy option By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring RATINGS

Crosstrek is the smallest model in the Subaru SUV range. Previously branded as the XV it sits below the mid-sized Forester and larger Outback. In between are the Solterra and Trailseeker, both of which are EV only, as is the sportier Uncharted hatchback. Crosstrek competes against vehicles such as MG ZS, Mitsubishi ASX, Kia Seltos and Mazda CX-30. Five Crosstrek variants are offered: 2.0L, 2.0R, 2.0S (petrol), plus Hybrid L and Hybrid S, with prices ranging from $34,990 to $45,090 plus on-road costs. Our test was in the top-spec Hybrid S. As with all Australian Subaru models, except for the Toyota re-badged BRZ coupe, Crosstrek comes with all-wheel drive. LED headlights, plus cornering lights, improve visibility at night and add to power savings, while LED rear combination lamps feature a sharp 3-D C-shape. Rear-view mirrors are smaller, improving aerodynamics and present a less obstructive view. All Crosstrek variants come with dusk-sensing LED headlights, roof rails and power-folding door mirrors. Crosstrek 2.0R, 2.0S and Hybrid S also get LED daytime running lights with the top-spec 2.0L and Hybrid L featuring bulb type DRLs.

Looks: 8/10 Performance: 7/10 Safety: 9/10 Thirst: 7/10 Practicality: 8/10 Comfort: 8/10 Tech: 8/10 Value: 7/10

Styling While the general appearance of the Crosstrek is a carry-over from the XV, the bonnet and radiator grille have been updated. Use of lightweight aluminium for the bonnet contributes to improved pedestrian protection with a softer head impact zone, while aluminium front fenders save 2kg and optimises weight distribution all round. While the grille retains the signature hexagonal shape, it’s now larger with an aggressively styled honeycomb design.

Interior The cabin of the Crosstrek Hybrid S has a real premium feel, which it should, given that it will cost close to $50,000 on the road. It’s light and spacious with a friendly soft-touch material on the dashboard and steering wheel. The front seats are comfortable and supportive with eight-way power adjustment and lumbar support for the driver in the R and S models. There’s good leg, head and shoulder room, although the centre-rear seat position is best suited to young children as expected in a relatively small vehicle. Boot space in the Crosstrek hybrid is a reasonable 315 litres although it doesn’t come with a spare wheel of any sort. Instead, it relies on a puncture repair kit, a feature likely to deter those who may be considering using the car’s AWD and 220mm ground clearance to take it off-road. Petrol-only models do get a space-saver spare which reduces the boot capacity to 290 litres.

Engines/transmissions Petrol-only Crosstrek variants are powered by the latest version of Subaru’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder horizontally-opposed (Boxer) engine, delivering maximum power of 115kW at 6000 rpm and top torque of 196Nm at 4000 revs. The same engine in the hybrid models get slightly less power (110 kW at 5800 rpm) but the same torque figure. The mild hybrid electric motor adds 12.3kW of power and 66Nm of torque and is self-charging, capturing kinetic energy through regenerative braking and coasting. The electric motor is placed near the

Subaru Crosstrek is a relatively conservative vehicle designed for couples or small families with all the latest in safety features. (Pictures: Supplied)

vehicle’s centre of gravity, while the battery and other components are positioned above the rear axle, providing balanced front/rear vehicle weight distribution. Drive from the e-Boxer engine is sent to the all-wheel drive system through a CVT automatic with seven-steps for manual override.

Safety Although it’s yet to undergo ANCAP testing the outgoing XV scored a maximum five stars and with a comprehensive range of safety features the same rating is likely for Crosstrek. Standard features in all variants include nine airbags, blind spot monitoring, front side radar, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert, rear parking sensors, reversing camera, reverse automatic braking, driver inattention warning, tyre pressure monitoring and Isofix child seat anchor points. R and S variants add front and side view monitors, high beam assist and a 360-degree camera. Standard across the range is Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist system which includes adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, numerous lane control and pre-collision alerts and braking assist features, speed sign recognition and speed limiter. The two hybrid models also come with a pedestrian alert system.

Infotainment Crosstrek combines an 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard with a 4.2-inch Multi-Information Display (MID) in front of the driver.

22 OCEAN GROVE VOICE Friday, 16 October, 2026

The central screen is in portrait mode. It has large buttons and fonts and is within easy reach of the driver. There are physical knobs for the audio system and, although the climate controls are on the touchscreen they can be adjusted with a minimum of distraction. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity are standard across the range. The nine-speaker Harman Kardon audio system provided excellent sound reproduction. It’s standard in the two S variants with the lower-spec models getting a more basic six-speaker system. Likewise, embedded satellite navigation is only available with the top-spec S petrol and hybrids. All models get USB-A and USB-C ports in the front console and there are also USB charge ports in the R and S. A wireless Qi smartphone charger is standard.

Driving Unlike most other hybrids which start silently and smoothly under battery power, the Crosstrek Hybrid’s engine kicks in immediately, taking away much of the appeal of the EV component. That means missing out on the instant torque that’s such an appealing feature of electric vehicles. On the plus side the engine will shut down when the vehicle is coasting or in slow-moving traffic and run solely on battery power. The e-Boxer logic adjusts the power split between petrol and electric to match driving conditions. It automatically changes between three modes: Motor Assist EV driving; Motor Assist electric (EV) + petrol engine driving and engine-only

driving. The lower centre of gravity and greater rigidity provides excellent driving dynamics, both on and off the bitumen. When cornering, there is little evidence of body roll and it doesn’t get fazed by rapid changes in direction. The electric power steering is well-weighted and provides plenty of feel on both bitumen and loose surfaces. The steering wheel is both reach and tilt adjustable. Crosstrek’s 220mm ground clearance is regarded by many as being the minimum for a genuine off-road vehicle. You wouldn’t call it a genuine 4WD in appearance, but under its station wagon body it’s close to being one.

Summing up XV was a consistent seller for Subaru throughout its decade on the market. There’s no reason why the more-sensibly named Crosstrek won’t continue that trend. It’s a relatively conservative vehicle designed for couples or small families with all the latest in safety features. While its ground clearance and all-wheel drive means that it can cope with moderate off-road conditions. Subaru is at pains to describe Crosstrek Hybrid as a ‘mild’ hybrid and it falls a fair bit short of the sub-5.0L/100km fuel consumption figures that we’re used to from Toyota hybrids such as the similar-sized Corolla Cross. On the combined urban/highway cycle, Crosstrek hybrid uses a claimed 6.5L/100km compared to 7.2L/100km for the petrol model, making it hard to justify the $3600 surcharge. At the same time performance is hampered by the hybrid’s extra weight.

SPORT

Sam Giles stuns with 8/18 S. Kelly 2/38) def Geelong West 134 (J. Alsop 50, J. Lewis 2/13, N. Burke 2/19, H. Finch 2/21)

After a washout last Saturday, local cricket finally began on Saturday 10 October. In GCA1 matches, Grovedale gun Jack Wrigglesworth (107) and Highton leg-spinner Fionn Neeson (5/45) began the season with a bang. Lethbridge’s Sam Giles took an astonishing 8/18 in GCA3 and that will take some beating for the best figures in all grades this season. GEELONG CRICKET ASSOCIATION Division 1 St Joseph’s 4/248 (J. Casey 69no, A. Casey 64, J. Bye 51) def Grovedale 8/246 (J. Wrigglesworth 107, J. Petty 39no) St Peters 187 (W. Ford 77, S. Coutts 3/50) def South Barwon 151 (K. Bienefelt 48, J. Sorgiovanni 2/21, J. Trewin 2/22) Highton 4/207 (B. Somers 93no, J. Gillard 46) def Lara 9/203 (J. Ash 39, R. Sodomaco 36, F. Neeson 5/45) East Belmont 9/190 (J. Lidgett 89no, S. O’Neill 30, A. Cranny 3/22, T. Hay 2/32) def North Geelong 137 (J. Garner 4/41, L. Molyneux 3/13) Division 2 Torquay 3/153 (D. Donaldson 43no, T.

Billy Ford made a polished 77 for St Peters against South Barwon in the season opener. (Ivan Kemp)

Kassis 39no, J. Macpherson 34) def Waurn Ponds Deakin 8/149 (J. Davies 34no, G. Singh 3/17, A. Russell 2/13, D. Donaldson 2/19) Bell Post Hill 4/90 (R. Burke 27, H. O’Leary 2/13) def Geelong City 86 (J. Grozdanovski 3/11, K. Talati 3/18, J. Warrington 2/12) Bell Park 9/211 (T. Jackson 64, H. Cox 41, K. Duncan 31, B. Horne 4/37) def Leopold 206 (Z. Mevissen 40, J. Vallelonga 37, R. Plumridge 33, T. Kelly 4/33) Newtown & Chilwell 4/135 (H. Finch 77no,

Jason Borg has a few warm-up balls to Matt High.

Division 3 Little River 165 (J. Walker 67, A. Spengler 50, X. Dew 5/28, J. Walsh 4/21) def Thomson 122 (H. Coulson 50, M. Richmond 3/22) Marshall 3/166 (P. Lang 59, L. Cameron 35no) def Corio 9/162 (T. Laurie 50, W. Skene 3/29, J. Dubbeldam 2/14, L. Vaughan 2/20) Lethbridge 8/225 (R. Perkins 55, S. Giles 50, S. Dillon 35, E. Skene 5/47) def Alexander Thomson 31 (S. Giles 8/18) Bannockburn 7/228 (T. Weber 80, D. Grozdanovski 3/35) def Murgheboluc 99 (J. Jervies 3/20, L. Osborne 3/28) Division 4 Surf Coast 5/250 (M. Cook 92no, R. Dawes 38, G. Singh 34, A. Singh 31) def Manifold Heights 200 (M. Pratt 92, N. Pratt 32, B. Lieschke 3/40, B. Robinson 3/47) Newcomb & District 0/102 (A. Quarrell 57no, H. Nield 37no) def Teesdale 98 (D. Harrison 4/12, B. Miles 3/10, C. Egan 2/11) Modewarre 105 (R. Mallon 3/32) def St Albans/Breakwater 70 J. O’Hanlon 3/14)

BELLARINE PENINSULA CRICKET ASSOCIATION A1 Grade Queenscliff 3/179 (H. Illingworth 91no, M. Farrell 47no) def Winchelsea 3/178 (J. Groves 72no, T. Bandara 51, L. Philp 2/14) Barrabool 4/130 (L. Clift 59no, K. Eskrigge 2/25) def Anglesea 9/127 (S. Umbers 34, J. Fisher 3/24) Jan Juc 5/148 (T. Kearney 81no, N. Hyden 30, J. Kelly 3/34) def Drysdale 9/147 (D. Ford 35, H. Harris 6/43) Armstrong Creek 4/158 (C. Mulgrew 82, B. Norgrove 51, J. Ponsford 2/22) def Barwon Heads 8/157 (A. Santilli 56, D. Maclean 2/11) A2 Grade Ocean Grove 7/206 (S. Fankhauser 45, E. Baran 45, P. McKenna 37, C. Snookes 30, J. George 3/37) def Inverleigh 8/197 (D. Peel 56, W. Collins 49, D. Midolo 37, P. McKenna 2/14) Collendina 9/168 (B. Ricardo 96no, K. Burns 3/39) def St Leonards 8/167 (N. Hallam 82no, C. Day 42, Z. Muir 3/9, J. de Jong 3/39) Newcomb 1/163 (S. Chahal 98no) def Wallington 9/161 (J. Brady 36, S. Burluraux 36, B. Conboy 2/23)

Ben Norgrove made a valuable 51 for Armstrong Creek.

Titans impress in round 1 Armstrong Creek was impressive in a six-wicket win against reigning premier Barwon Heads in the BPCA season opener on Saturday 10 October. Justin Flynn went to Armstrong Creek Sports Precinct to take these pictures.

Clay Mulgrew watches Jason Borg field in gully.

Sam O’Brien and Murphy Moulton celebrate Barwon Heads’ first wicket.

Clay Mulgrew lofts the ball over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Clay Mulgrew asserted his authority on the run chase.

James Ponsford in action.

Ben Norgrove made a valuable 51 for Armstrong Creek.

Friday, 16 October, 2026 OCEAN GROVE VOICE 23

SPORT

Cat opens up on exit By Anna Harrington, AAP Geelong recruit Rowan Marshall didn’t feel comfortable attending St Kilda’s best and fairest and hasn’t spoken to former coach Ross Lyon since sealing his trade away from the Saints. Marshall unsuccessfully sought a trade to the Cats last year when St Kilda recruited Tom De Koning as its No 1 ruck. But a deal could not be struck and the “shattered” ruckman had to return to the Saints, before putting in a fresh trade request this year. After plenty of posturing from both sides, Geelong paid up this year’s firstround selection, currently pick 14, for Marshall and St Kilda’s 2028 third-round selection. It followed Marshall choosing not to

attend the Trevor Barker Award. “I had no idea it would blow up like it did, to be honest,” Marshall said. “And reality is I just didn’t feel comfortable at the time.” Pressed on why, Marshall said: “Oh, just a few different reasons, but just didn’t feel comfortable, probably having a lot of interactions with a lot of people.” Asked whether he’d spoken to Lyon or football boss Lenny Hayes, Marshall, who was adamant he’d left St Kilda on good terms, said: “Not yet. “I spoke to Lenny a little bit yesterday, but yeah, I’ll speak to Ross in the next couple of days.” The ruckman was playing golf when the trade went through. “(My game) was all over the shop the first five holes, and then got the message

from Dave Trotter, my manager, and he said, ‘Congratulations mate, you’re a Cat’,” Marshall said. “And then (that) freed up the swing a little bit and went on a pretty good patch from there.” Marshall is joining Geelong with fellow boom recruits Toby Greene and Jordan Ridley. He is adamant his best football is ahead of him and he can play with talented young ruckman Mitchell Edwards, 21. “I think it’s going to work really well. I think we hopefully complement each other really well,” Marshall said. The 30-year-old crosses to the perennial flag-contending Cats after their season ended with a gallant 14-point semi-final loss to Fremantle at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

Summer Pennant tennis underway By Donna Schoenmaekers The return of Summer Pennant tennis on Saturday 10 October saw many teams introduce new players with some at a different club. Reigning 1 Open premiers Geelong Lawn will not defend their title. With the team disbanded, most players have found new clubs within the section, so at the end of a season a new club will be declared premiers. Surfcoast opened the season with a derby with teams from Torquay hosting Bellbrae. Sam Rogers, Ryan Costello and Michael Hili, part of last season’s 2 Open premiership team have been joined by Wandana expats Lewis Walker and Lachie Hanson to create a great mix of youth and experience, which will stand them in good stead for the season. Their opposition, Bellbrae, have a mix of the fifth-placed team from 2025/26, with Hazel Kadera, Manaia Kara-Couzens and Jackson Varney being joined by Gianfranco Natale, and a number of new faces on standby. This week, Torquay flexed some muscle taking a 3-1 win with Hanson and Rogers winning both their rubbers while Kara-Couzens took the one rubber for Bellbrae in the first singles in a super. Clifton Springs are making their first appearance in 1 Open since its inception, with new coach Rhys McNabb moving over from Barwon Heads with former Geelong Lawn teammate Anthony Williams, Brodie Spong from Highton, and local Olivia Symons returning from the USA, and Megan Markov returning to local competition. The Springs hosted Waurn Ponds this week, with their base team of Nicole Mullen, Ryan Lee and Olivia Ryan all returning, and the addition of Steve Tomkins moving from Geelong Lawn. McNabb kicked off the match with a win in the first singles, but with Tomkins finding himself at home, winning his two rubbers. Mullen featured in wins in both doubles with Tomkins and Ryan, the Ponds enjoyed a 3-1 win to start the season. Ocean Grove has become a new home for Liam Polizzi and Nick Williams, formerly from Geelong Lawn, and Laurenz Watters from Lara, who have joined Harry Robertson and Sean McKenzie. Round 1 opponents Newcomb, last year’s runner-up, remain relatively unchanged with Taj Cayser, Lachie Hewitt, David and Zac Kos, Kai Crosby and Jake Dunn back for another season. The newly formed Ocean Grove dis-

Highton’s Jamie Heaton won in straight sets in his singles clash. (supplied)

played great fight and determination and showed they will be a threat this season with great depth on their list. Cayser showed his class winning his singles 6-4, 6-0 and backing up in the doubles with Crosby 6-2, 7-6. Williams, however, did his best to take the tie and won the first doubles with Finn Corby 6-4, 7-6 and then the second singles 6-4, 6-1 with the team falling just short. The final result was a 2-437 to 2-4-40 win to Newcomb. Lara are back again this season with Jackson Dann, Matthew Chard and Tyler Vestal back for another run joined by Dion Boyle. Their opponents this week were last season’s minor premiers Highton, with a minor change. Jamie Heaton and Campbell Spong

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return, but with Deagan Tomkins not playing, Lachie Rae has come up from 2 Open and Zane Ryan has joined the ranks. Rae enjoyed his promotion teaming with Ryan in the first doubles for a comeback 4-6, 6-3, 11-9 win, followed up with a 6-4, 6-2 win in the second singles while Heaton helped the team with a 6-3, 6-1 win in the first singles. The second doubles went the way of Lara’s Vestal and Josh Bennier 7-5, 6-3 to clinch a 3-1 win for Highton. All teams have scored points this round which is an encouraging sign for a strong and competitive season and bodes well as an entertaining spectacle for the upcoming Gather Round on 31 January where all teams will be playing at the same venue.

Wave of the day went to Point Lonsdale’s Bohdie Williams. (pictures Noah Clifford/ Surfing Victoria)

Local clubs into final 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 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.”

Torquay’s Willis Droomer.

SPORT

Grubbers B&F winners Ocean Grove Football Netball Club held its senior presentation night at One Day Estate on Friday 2 October. Best and fairest winners, runners-up, coaches awards and player MVPs were awarded.

Above: Seniors winner Luke Jarrad and best waterboy Harrison Jarrad, and above centre, runnerup Hugo Walsh. (Pictures: OGFNC)

Right: A Grade winner Birdgette Vos and runnerup Zanna Punshon.

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SPORT

Kieran McNally plays to cover.

Kieran McNally is bowled by Paddy McKenna.

Paddy McKenna at the top of his bowling mark.

Grove off to winning start Ocean Grove got off to a winning start with a nine-run victory against Inverleigh at Ray Menzies Oval on Saturday 10 October. Voice photographer Ivan Kemp caught the late stages of a very close game.

Inverleigh’s Will Collins lofts down the ground. Ryan Simmons fields at mid-on.

Daniel Midolo made 37 runs for Inverleigh. 582754 33

Kai Spiby in action. Jasper George attempts a sweep shot and is hit on the pad.

Campbell Snookes flights this delivery for Ocean Grove. 582754

Alex Mann took the vital wicket of Jasper George.

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Corey Buxton takes the ball on his way back to his mark.

David Peel drives straight.

SPORT

Kent delivers when needed By Justin Flynn Tom Kent’s penultimate over of Ocean Grove’s opening round win against Inverleigh probably won’t get the recognition it deserves. When the right-arm spinner commenced the 39th over, Inverleigh needed 23 runs for victory off 12 deliveries with David Peel looking ominous on 55 from just 45 balls. Peel hit a single to long-off from the first ball of the over and Locke Perrett tried to heave the second over the mid-wicket fence, but failed to make contact. Perrett also missed the third ball, but Peel scampered through for a bye, bringing the dangerman back on strike. Peel smacked a full toss to deep-midwicket, but Kai Spiby was there and took the catch and the Grubbers held on. Kent’s figures of 2/22 from five overs might not seem match-winning, but that over went for three runs and it was the difference. “His whole spell was fantastic,” captain Fletcher Long said. “Really challenging conditions as well for a spinner. It was quite blowy and he just does what TK does. He just throws it up in a block hole and he’s really, really hard to score off. “So we just pushed the field back and said, do your thing, Tommy, if they’re good enough to get it over the fence, which they weren’t. “Peely had taken I think maybe 20 or 25 off the over before. So to get him in a position where they could be in the game was a massive breakthrough for us. “He bowled beautifully the whole day and bowled the five hardest overs of the game, no doubt.” Ocean Grove made 7/206 batting first at Ray Menzies Oval with contributions from all of the top six. Youngster Elijah Baran made 45 from 58 balls before being run out, new coach Paddy McKenna scored 37, Shaun Fankhauser hit 45, Campbell Snooks contributed 30, Long made 23 and Ryan Simmonds made a 16-ball 17. Baran made more than 700 runs last season in B Grade and Under 17s and made his A Grade debut in the final home and away round. “He (Baran) played the last round of the regular season last year and he looked fantastic,” Long said. “He’s the hardest working kid you’ll ever see. He looked fantastic until Red (Fankhauser) torched him.

Will Collins cuts through point during his innings of 49 for Inverleigh.

Campbell Snookes fields off his own bowling. (pictures Ivan Kemp) 582754

“He showed maturity way beyond his years and it was good to see. He’s the nicest kid. He puts in all the effort, so it was great for him to get a few runs.”

Long said it was a solid team performance against a side that was unlucky to be relegated from A1 Grade. “It was just a pretty solid all-round effort from everyone without anyone having to get a big score or dig us out of the hole,” he said. “Everyone just did their job throughout the day and that got us the six points. “You look at their (Inverleigh’s) results last year, I don’t think they were that bad in A1. I think they won three or four games, so they were probably pretty unlucky to come down. “We knew that was going to be a tough matchup, and I think they’ll be up there. They were very impressive.” BEN Ricardo reminded of his batting prowess with a superb 96 not out from 89 deliveries to steer Collendina to a win against St Leonards.

Nick Hallam (82 not out) and Craig Day (42) came together when St Leonards was 4/25 and added 80 to rescue the side to a respectable 8/167. Fast bowler Zach Muir did the damage at the top and bowled superbly to take 3/11 from seven overs and Jackson de Jong chipped in with three wickets. When Collendina was 4/44, it was time for Ricardo to step and he did, unlucky to fall short of a deserved century when he brought up the winning runs to take him to 96. NEWCOMB was impressive in a nine-wicket mauling of Wallington. Wallington made 9/161 with Jayden Brady and Sven Burluraux each making 36, but the Bulls lost just one wicket in reply with Surf Coast recruit Sukhbir Chakal ending on 98 not out when Newcomb secured victory.

Returning opener has an immediate impact for the Titans By Justin Flynn Clay Mulgrew wasted no time in settling back into hard-wicket cricket after a season on turf at South Barwon in the BPCA A1 Grade season opener on Saturday 10 October. The star Armstrong Creek opener guided his side to a comfortable six-wicket win against Barwon Heads with a typically commanding 82 from 95 deliveries. The Titans took the run chase of 158 deep into the innings, getting there with 10 balls to spare. The Heads made 8/157 at Armstrong Creek Sports Precinct and could have made more had Ande Santilli not exited the game. Santilli was on 56 when he had to retire while 15-year-old Elliott Gill was resolute in his A Grade debut, making 12 from 50 balls, showing a willingness to dig in with his more senior partner. Jacko Mallett contributed a quick 24, but the total always looked 20 or so short. Titans

skipper Daniel Maclean was at his miserly best with 2/11 from eight overs. In reply, Armstrong Creek never looked properly threatened as Mulgrew and Ben Norgove (51 from 86 balls) shared a 116-run second-wicket partnership to get their team off to a winning start. QUEENSCLIFF captain Hayden Illingworth sounded an ominous warning to the competition’s bowlers with a delightful 91 not out from 104 deliveries against Winchelsea. Winch won the toss and batted first with new skipper Jarrod Groves making an unbeaten 73 and Tharindu Bandara 51 in a total of 3/178. Lochie Philp sent down eight overs for Queenscliff and took 2/14 with pace off the ball proving difficult to get away. Illingworth then got things going in the run chase and with returning former premiership captain Michael Farrell (47 not out) batting well, the Coutas reached their target in the 39th over with seven wickets

Clay Mulgrew asserted his authority on the run chase as Armstrong Creek defeated Barwon Heads. (Justin Flynn)

intact. BARRABOOL was expected to be a major player this season and things started well in round 1 with a six-wicket triumph against Anglesea. New captain Simon Umbers made 34 for the Seas, but 9/127 was always going to be tough to defend.

James Fisher started the season with a bang with his seamers yielding 3/24 from eight overs while new-ball partner Finn Peel (2/25) was tidy. At 3/58, the Bulls were not in strife by any means, but needed an innings of some sort, and Luke Clift delivered with an unbeaten 58 from 59 balls. Barrabool got the win with six wickets and more than five overs remaining. JAN JUC turned in a consistent first-up performance, defeating Drysdale by five wickets with 40 balls in hand. Earlier in the day Drysdale made 9/147 with David Ford (35) and George Mills (29) getting starts, but it was Henry Harris (6/43) who came into the attack at the halfway mark with his spinners and turned the game around. In reply, Tom Kearney (81 not out) and Nick Hyden (30) saw the Sharks to safety despite three wickets from slow bowler Jack Kelly.

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