Friday, February 10, 2012
Phone: 5249 6700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
A Star News Group publication
Ready, set, go: Independent’s Superkidz on their marks THE REGION’S super kids are preparing to compete alongside some of Australia’s best triathletes as part of a three-day Geelong Multi Sport Festival beginning this Friday. The Geelong Independent Superkidz Triathlon will send children aged seven to 13 over safe swim, run and cycle legs with distances tailored to their ages. The Superkidz event begins 9am Saturday, with each competitor to receive an event singlet, a finisher’s medallion, a bag of other goodies and chances to win random draw prizes. Entries are still available at geelongmultisport.com.au or at Eastern Beach from 7.30am to 8.30am Saturday. Torquay Surf Life Saving Club members Olivia, Jaron and Matilda Hobbs, of Highton, will be among the Superkidz competitors. Mum Angela said they were looking forward to competing. “They’re all excited,” she said. “They really want to go out there and have a bit of fun. They like trying anything.” The festival includes a range of other events over achievable distances for competitors of various standards. Competition becomes serious on Sunday, with Australia’s top triathletes competing for prize money of $12,500 in an URBAN 2.80.20 long-course race. Spectators can enjoy a range of on-shore activity and entertainment throughout the event. The Independent’s managing editor, Tony Galpin, said the multi sport festival was a hallmark event for Geelong. “Come on down to Eastern Beach to support this exciting community event.”
COAST COPS ON THE ROAD PAGE 2
Good sports: Hobbs siblings Olivia, 10, Jaron, 8, and Matilda, 7, prepare for the Superkidz triathlon. Picture: John Conway
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Ward calls fall on deaf ears at VEC supported dividing the municipality into four wards with councillors for each. Eight of the 14 submissions said Lorne residents felt abandoned, with council “heavily focused” on Torquay to the “detriment of others”. Others said councillors lacked understanding of issues facing rural residents, with all the incumbents living in towns on the coast. “Several submissions mentioned the distinct geographic communities of interest (coastal, rural and urban) that make up the
shire and stated they would benefit from dedicated representation,” the report said. Councillor Ron Humphrey slammed the commission for favouring an unchanged structure. “I’m bitterly disappointed the VEC wouldn’t listen to the majority of submitters,” he said. “Our residents in rural areas are in a dire situation. They feel like outcasts.” Local Government Act 1989 requires the commission to conduct electoral reviews at least every 12 years. The act specifies
the purpose is to advise on “fair and equitable representation” for voters. Mayor Dean Webster said in his submission that councillors should be reduced to five or seven on higher pay to “compensate them for the amount of time that’s required to be an effective councillor”. He said higher pay would also attract younger candidates. The existing structure had produced councillors aged “nearly 60” who failed to represent the shire’s demographic, he said. “The current situation suits
older retired or semi-retired candidates...why would a young professional or student give up three or four days a week for $20,000.” Both of the commission’s B and C ward options recommended nine councillors divided between Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne and Winchelsea wards. Both gave Lorne one councillor and Anglesea two. Option B gave Torquay five councillors and Winchelsea two, while C alloted four to Torquay and one to Winchelsea. Submissions on the preliminary report close March 8.
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AND FINALLY IT’S FRIDAY PAGE 31
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