The 22nd Annual Waurn Ponds Memorial Reserve Service will be held on Sunday, July 2, commemorating the 104th anniversary of the Waurn Ponds Avenue of Honour.

Commencing at 10.30am, the memorial service will include a march by servicemen and servicewomen into the reserve, a brass band and choir, hymns, prayers, a minute of silence and speeches.

The Senior Naval Officer of Victoria, Commodore Greg Yorke, CSC RAN, will be this years guest speaker and the service will be followed by light refreshments in the Waurn Ponds Hall.

Waurn Ponds Memorial Reserve Committee of Management president Jack Harriott said the event was always well attended by the community, veterans and local politicians alike.

For this, the 104th year, we expect about 300 people there, Mr Harriott said.

The RSL come out, the councillors all come out. Well lay out about 15, 20 wreaths on the day.

Well put on a good afternoon tea for everyone, and we have a very good speaker this year in Commodore Greg Yorke. Its a very good day.

The reserve, located on the corner of Cochranes Road and Waurn Ponds Drive, was established in July 1919 with the planting of trees to honour Waurn Ponds and district men and women who served in World War One.

However, the memorial was almost sold by the state government in 1998, a fate only averted after the local community and the Victorian RSL protested the sale.

A new committee was subsequently formed to manage the site with Mr Harriott, who played a large part in saving the memorial, elected president a role he has held for the better part of 23 years.

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Family violence remains a concern in Geelong, according to figures released by the Crime Statistics Agency.

Reported crime across the Greater Geelong region increased by close to 4.3 per cent to 20,795 over the 12 months to March, according to the data released on Thursday, June 15.

Geelong Local Area Commander Inspector Peter Nichols said overall crime across the region was at its third lowest levels since 2015 despite the slight increase in the 12 months to March 2013.

In the last two months alone, police have arrested 132 people in relation to motor vehicle crime and residential burglaries across Geelong, he said.

The issue of family violence will continue to be a major priority for Geelong police as no one should ever have to feel unsafe in their own home.

Geelong police, including detectives from the Family Violence Investigation Unit, are out every day knocking on offenders doors to ensure they know they are being monitored and reassuring victims that they are supported.

We want to reassure the Greater Geelong community that police will continue to be out in numbers both on foot and on the roads to keep people safe and prevent criminal activity before it happens.

Total crime in Lara has entered the thousands for the first time since 2019, with 1,057 total offences from last years 762. Concerning categories include family violence at 256 from 189 and theft from a motor vehicle at 122 from 86.

Crime in Norlane has lowered from 2213 to 2090, with many categories like a crime against the person and property and deception offences decreasing or remaining steady. However, like many suburbs, family violence rose by 40 offences to 283 over 12 months.

Total crime in Corio is at 2,535, with breach of family violence orders up by 84 counts to 436 and public health and safety falling from 28 to two offences in 12 months.

Total crime in Belmont is up by 42 offences over 12 months, with 1,052 recorded. Family violence offences totalled 172 from last years 116 offences.

Despite total crime numbers rising slightly to 311 from 298 and family violence offences reaching their highest at 104, most offences in Bell Post Hill have lowered or remained steady, most notably with drug offences recorded at six from 15 and property and deception offences at 111 from 153.

Crimes against the person were at an all-time high in Armstrong Creek, with 80 offences, the highest number recorded in 10 years. Drug offences remained steady, with eight offences recorded over two years. Total crime rose from 375 to 437.

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Perennial punk rockers the Hard-Ons, arguably Australias most successful indie band ever, may have been pumping out the tunes for over 40 years but theyre showing no signs of slowing down.

The band are currently touring their latest album Ripper 23 on the east coast before heading to Europe for the 20th time.

Guitarist Peter Black said while he was proud of every album the band has made, there was something special about Ripper 23.

Ive got to admit, with this record in particular I just really, really feel like weve made a super strong album where theres not one weak moment, Black said.

Weve always loved variety; we were brought up on albums like Let There Be Rock by AC/DC that, from start to finish, you memorised it, it was a journey.

And thats what we still try to do with our albums. We want someone to put that needle on, press play and just really feel good from beginning to end, feel that excitement that music does for us.

To me, music is something that I was enthralled with as a little kid and if anything, as I get older and discover more that enthrallment just gets bigger.

While current lead singer Tim Rogers recorded on the bands previous album Im Sorry Sir, That Riffs Been Taken, Ripper 23 is the first album written and recorded with Rogers involved from the get-go.

What really separates it from the last record is now Tims been in our band for a while and hes very much now a part of it, Black said.

So it was a lot easier to write, knowing what his vocal capacity and abilities are. And theyre f***ing huge, hes like a soul singer.

Whereas last time (the lyrics and melody) were mostly written before he arrived, when we got together this time we already knew what we were doing and where we were at, so it was a lot more collaborative and awesome.

The Hard-Ons will perform at Torquay Hotel on Friday, June 23.

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Three young owls are back in the wild after recuperating at Werribee Zoo for more than two months.

The trio were found in the hollow of a tree that had been cut down on the Bellarine Peninsula.

A wildlife carer took the birds to the zoo for a full health check under anaesthetic.

They weighed just 300 grams each and had a full examination, including blood tests and X-rays.

For the next nine weeks they lived in an enclosed space that simulated a tree-like hollow and were fed a wild diet so they could gain strength.

They were then taken to a specially-designed aviary near Torquay to help them adjust back to life in the wild.

Werribee Open Range Zoo Veterinary Nurse Layla Merritt said hand-raising the birds was critical to their survival because owlets needed at least 14 weeks of care before being strong enough to leave their nests.

I was incredibly proud to see what beautiful birds they have beco me, Ms Merritt said.

Its believed their parents took flight after losing their home.

Ms Merritt asked anyone considering removing old trees to check whether any animals were living inside the wood.

Anyone who sees an owl in distress is asked to keep their distance and contact Wildlife Victoria.

AAP

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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