Energy Safe Victoria is calling on households to test their electrical safety switches every year to prevent fire, electric shock and electrocution.

Victorian firefighters attend more than 300 electrical fires every year, many of which start from old wiring that has degraded or is unable to cope with the demands of modern electrical equipment.

Energy Safes Test Reset Protect campaign encourages Victorians to test their safety switches annually to ensure they are operating correctly, reducing risks to their loved ones and property.

Safety switches monitor the flow of electricity through a circuit and detect a problem that may pose a risk to personal safety, turning the power off before an incident occurs.

They are located on most household switchboards, identified by a small button marked by the word Test. Once pressed, power will be cut to lights and appliances connected to that particular safety switch.

If lights or appliances dont lose power then the safety switch may have failed. A licensed electrician should be employed to identify where faults are and make repairs.

Many older properties have not been fitted with safety switches. Victorians in homes without safety switches should engage a licensed electrician to install them.

Energy Safe CEO Leanne Hughson said a simple safety switch check could mean the difference between life and death.

Testing safety switches is easy to do. It doesnt matter whether you own your home or are renting, you need to ensure your safety switches are working, Ms Hughson said.

If you dont have a safety switch installed, contact a licensed electrician and get one fitted as soon as possible.

Further information, including an instructional video, is available on the Energy Safe website at esv.vic.gov.au/household-wiring.

The post Test safety switches annually appeared first on Ocean Grove Voice.

Anakie broke through for its first win in almost four years amid scenes of jubilation at AA Semi Trailers Oval on Saturday June 17.

Anakies last win came in round 17 of the 2019 season and has regularly been on the end of some fearful thumpings since.

However, the town was in party mode on Saturday as the Roos defeated North Geelong by seven points.

The Roos booted six goals in the opening term and three more for the rest of the match as they held on in a tense final term against a team that was also winless this season.

Brodie Gillett, Robbie Milne and Jordan Kavanagh were superb for Anakie while Anthony Harding booted three goals.

Mitchell Habib and Charlie Smith were best for the Magpies, who now must regroup with a home game against Winchelsea this week.

Top side Thomson came away from East Geelong with a 48-point win.

A dominant third term set up the win with Brent Jacques (five goals) and Daniel Freeman (four) on fire in front of the sticks.

East Geelong is in fourth spot on the ladder and was well served by Ben Crombie and Mitchell Helmore.

Bannockburn came from behind to defeat Winchelsea.

Winch led by seven points going into the final term, but Banno held on in the dying stages to win by eight points with Connor Jervies and Kieran Fulton leading the way.

Lachlan Kendall and Caleb Brown were best for Winchelsea and Leigh Ellis kicked four goals.

Winchelsea is two games outside the top five while Bannockburn is in third spot.

Corio won its fourth game of the season with a 36-point triumph against Belmont.

Joel Bennett was the star with four goals while Destyn Burns also booted four. Corio is two games and a hefty chunk of percentage outside the five while the loss probably sealed Belmonts fate as a nonfinals contender despite Ben Evans booting five majors.

Werribee Centrals is inside the top five after a 26-point win against Geelong West.

Matthew Miller and Harley Kilby were best for the Centurions while the loss sees the Giants two games outside the five.

Bell Post Hill cemented its spot in the top two, overcoming Inverleigh by 27 points with Dylan Witney and Boe Collins the stars.

Its not all doom and gloom for Inverleigh, however. With a good percentage, the Hawks are a game off fifth spot and can mount a challenge although they face a tough challenge in the coming fortnight with matches against East Geelong and Thomson.

The post Anakie breaks long drought appeared first on Ocean Grove Voice.

Surf Coast Shire Council has chosen Housing Choices Australia as the preferred provider for the Aireys Inlet Affordable Housing Project.

The national not-for-profit housing provider was endorsed by council during its May meeting to help develop social and affordable housing on 2 Fraser Drive.

Councillor Libby Stapleton said selecting a provider from the expressions of interest stage was a significant step in the process.

Housing Choices Australia had the best alignment to our values and the community vision for the site, to achieve a high-quality housing development, she said.

The co-design stage is exciting, as its shaping what the housing could look like and how many people it could house.

It highlights our commitment to play our role in the affordable accommodation crisis and a national issue that were feeling the impacts of locally, particularly in our coastal towns.

Cr Stapleton said a co-design session on June 3 brought together Housing Choices Australia representatives, councillors, council officers, and a community advisory group.

Community representatives were open-minded and curious as they considered options to achieve the best outcome for the site, she said.

This included the density, height, traffic, parking, and the neighbouring community garden.

Ultimately, we want the best outcome for all parties, and I look forward to seeing what that is.

The Aireys Inlet Affordable Housing Projects next phase is a final design concept and full proposal that council will consider later this year.

The post Affordable housing project update appeared first on Ocean Grove Voice.

St Josephs moved to the top of the Geelong Football League ladder, but not without almighty scare from a gallant Grovedale.

Grovedale put in one of its best performances of the season to go down by only three points on Saturday June 17.

The game was tight throughout and could have gone either way, but the win has the Joeys a game clear on top from St Marys, Newtown & Chilwell and Colac.

Hunter Lewis booted six goals for St Josephs while Will Ford and Ryan Abbott were Grovedales best and Mitch Chafer snagged four majors.

Newtown & Chilwell lost its second match on the trot as Colac took a nine-point win at home.

Scores were level at three-quarter time, but the Tigers were in front at the final siren and are now within reach of the top three.

Zach Zdybel and Jarryn McCormack were best and Charlie Byrne and Alex Pocock were the Eagles best.

St Marys sits second on the ladder after a percentage boosting win against North Shore.

Patrick Dowling kicked eight goals in the 129-point drubbing while Max Augerinos and Jarryd Garner also played well.

The Seagulls only booted one goal for the first three quarters, but managed two in the final term with Jacob Sammut-Miljevic and Sam Witherden the leading lights.

South Barwon also had a percentage booster and sits in fifth spot on the ladder after a 156-point win against St Albans.

Fraser Fort continued his stellar season with five goals in a scintillating display while Andrew Boseley and Lachlan Noble each contributed four. Ben Kellett and Jonty Broughton were other damaging players for the Swans.

Jacob Russell was his usual consistent self for the Supersaints and booted two of his sides four goals and Ben Miller and Seth Morell also had good games.

Geelong West scored a much-needed win against Lara.

Three goals each to Jacson Collins and Sean Barnes ensured the Giants left Lara with a 37-point win.

The win still sees the Giants two games outside the top five with a winnable game against North Shore this week.

Mitch Day kicked three for the Cats and Bayley Cockerill also stood out.

Leopold was challenged by Bell Park, but prevailed by 23 points with Marcus Thompson and Thomas Gordon best while Stephen Bensted and Jack McMahon never stopped trying for the Dragons.

The post Huge scare for Joeys appeared first on Ocean Grove Voice.

Anglesea Medical has joined the Victorian Sexual Health Network to help manage sexually transmissible infections (STI) in the Surf Coast region.

The centre partnered with the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) on June 13 to provide important sexual services to residents.

General practitioner Doctor Lucy Dobson said providing STI management was necessary, and it was often treatable and preventable.

Detection and treatment of STIs is not just helping the individual but multiple people, she said.

Anglesea Medical aims to provide an inclusive and confidential environment where we can test, detect and treat STIs for people of the Surf Coast and surrounding shires.

We are aiming to provide asymptomatic testing, support people requiring treatment and aid contact tracing.

Belmonts Kardinia Health also delivers sexual health services in Western Victoria Kardinia, and chief executive Michelle Heagney said the centre was able to help more people by partnering with MSHC.

By partnering with MSHC we have been able to provide additional detailed training to our GP and nursing team, she said.

Through aligning with their communications, we have seen an increase in patient numbers.

Western Victoria Primary Health Network (WVPHN) chief executive Rowena Clift said it supported the recruitment of GP clinics in the region.

WVPHN is delighted with the outcome and congratulate Anglesea Medical on securing this important partnership to deliver sexual health services in the region, she said.

More information on STI management and prevention is available at staystifree.org.au

The post More STI services in Surf Coast appeared first on Ocean Grove Voice.

Anglesea had to work extra hard to brush off a tenacious Newcomb in round 11 of Bellarine Football League on Saturday June 17.

Anglesea had the aid of a strong breeze in the opening term and led by 26 points at the break, but the Power hit back when it was their turn to trail by 18 at half time.

A five goal to one third term had Anglesea up by 44 points at the last change, but Newcomb rallied to boot five of their own although it wasnt enough to prevent a 32-point victory to the fourth-placed Roos.

Jarrod Bacon kicked four for Anglesea while the ever reliable Andrew Steele slotted through three for Newcomb.

Modewarre continued its midseason resurgence with a 54-point win against Geelong Amateur.

The Warriors have now won three of their past four and are outside the top five only by percentage.

It was an even contest for the first half and even at three-quarter time, the game was still anyones, but six goals to one in the final term sealed the win for Modda.

Nat Matthews was best for Modda while Tom Hornsey booted six goals to take his seasons tally to 35.

Brydon Barnett was Ammos best with four goals.

Barwon Heads debuted 15-year-old Angus Ford in its huge win against Portarlington.

The occasion didnt overwhelm the youngster either with Ford picking up 16 disposals, three goal assists and booting one himself to be among the best players.

The Heads won by 140 points and rested co-coach Mitch Herbison and key forward Brock Close, but Ollie Wiltshire booted five goals and Harrison King four.

Ocean Grove took it right up to Drysdale for two and a half quarters, but the Hawks class prevailed to win by 44 points.

James Breust and Tom Ruggles booted four goals each while Josh Wooding did the same for Ocean Grove.

Torquay eventually defeated Queenscliff by 40 points, but not without a heck of a fight from the young Coutas.

Queenscliff led by eight points at half time and an upset was brewing, but the undefeated Tigers clicked into gear with eight second half goals to one.

Daniel De Gois kicked four for the Coutas while Jack Heathcote and Michael Croxford were Torquays best.

The post Roos defeat improved Newcomb appeared first on Ocean Grove Voice.

A former estate agent who mishandled his clients trust account funds for personal use was sentenced to 12 months in prison and a two-year Community Corrections Order in the County Court on Friday June 16.

Richard Michael Hayden, 56, of Torquay, pleaded guilty on June 5 to three offences under the Estate Agents Act 1980. These included two charges for causing almost $1.6 million in trust account deficiencies and one charge for fraudulently transferring around $776,000 in trust funds for his own use.

The court heard how Mr Hayden used these funds to pay for international holidays, entertainment, clothing, and medical costs.

Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria Nicole Rich said the outcome serves as a strong reminder that estate agents found doing the wrong thing will face serious

consequences.

Consumer Affairs Victoria will continue to hold real estate agents who misuse money to account, to protect buyers, vendors, and the integrity of the wider real estate industry, she said.

Victorians deserve to know their money can be trusted with real estate agents and this outcome serves as a serious warning to agents doing the wrong thing.

Consumer Affairs Victoria launched court proceedings against Mr Hayden following complaints from consumers between November and December 2018 who reported deposits not being paid after settlement or cancellation of a contract of sale.

Mr Hayden was the Director of Skyline Developments Pty Ltd, which traded as Ballarat agency Hayden Real Estate, when he committed the offences.

Estate agents and agents representatives must keep any consumer moneys held

temporarily, such as property sales deposits and rental payments, in a trust account to ensure the funds are protected. They must not use those funds for general business expenses or personal use.

Consumer Affairs Victoria takes a zero-tolerance approach to real estate agents

found to be breaking the law, and monitors compliance through random and annual auditing of trust accounts.

The post Real estate agent jailed appeared first on Ocean Grove Voice.

Geelong residents are being warned to double-check their parking fines after discovering fake tickets in the region.

The City of Greater Geelong first discovered the fraudulent tickets Friday morning, June 16, which are realistic in appearance but have several distinguishing features.

City of Greater Geelong parking tickets bear an eight-digit infringement number, are entirely white, feature the offending vehicles registration plate and details, have legislative references at the top of the ticket, and include an officer ID of three numbers.

A fake ticket can be identified by having a blue band across the top of the ticket and a QR code, which are not featured on an authentic ticket.

Community Service Delivery director Robyn Stevens said residents need to remain vigilant and wary of the scam.

Were not yet fully aware of how the fraudulent tickets are being used by scammers, she said.

We strongly advise anyone receiving a suspicious-looking parking ticket not to click on any link or to use the QR code.

I encourage anyone receiving a parking ticket within Greater Geelong to take a few moments to check that it bears the features of an official City of Greater Geelong parking ticket.

The post Fake parking tickets circulating Geelong appeared first on Ocean Grove Voice.