Ashlan Smith is the customer service and allied health general manager at genU. She speaks with Independent journalist Jena Carr about what she loves about working for the disability and ageing support service and what makes Geelongs Armstrong Creek home.

What is your connection to Geelong?

I moved to Geelong from regional Victoria at 19 years old to study Psychology at Deakin University.

My husband and I decided to make Geelong our home, and we now live in Armstrong Creek with our two sons.

What do you like about where you live?

I love that Geelong has everything you need without being too big.

It has amazing beaches and great shopping, and you are close enough to Melbourne for any big sporting or music events not on offer here.

What, if anything, would you change about where you live?

Our families live in Regional Victoria and Werribee, so having our immediate family closer to us would be nice.

Thankfully we have created our close-knit group of friends and neighbours who are like an adopted family and provide us with support.

Where is your favourite place to spend time?

I am a bit of a homebody, and I love spending time with my family at home.

Whether swimming in our pool, playing cards or entertaining family and friends, there is no place like home.

I also love going to the beach with my husband and children, who love surfing and bodyboarding. Our favourite beaches are Point Roadknight and 13th Beach.

What is something people may not know about you?

I volunteer as the Disability Liaison Officer for the Geelong Little Athletics Centre. My boys are club members, and we love spending Saturday mornings over the summer at the Landy Field Athletics Track.

Given my experience in the industry, I was nominated to take on this role and ensure that Geelong Little Athletics Club is inclusive and can be accessed and enjoyed by all children, no matter their ability.

What do you like about your work?

I have worked for various Geelong-based disability support services for more than 20 years and have spent my last seven years at genU.

I love working for genU and particularly love that this organisation has been in the Geelong community for over 70 years.

The founders of the organisation were a group of parents who had children with a disability, and these families worked together to create a space that was inclusive and accepting of their loved ones.

The last seven years have seen significant growth for genU. However, the organisation remains committed to the people we support.

Our staff values are strong, and our operating models place the person at the centre of everything we do.

I work with so many committed and passionate people who are truly dedicated to people with a disability and those who are ageing.

It is great to come to work every day a...

Composer/pianist Kym Alexandra Dillon and baritone Stephen Marsh, both based in Geelong, join forces with trailblazing Melbourne performing arts company Forest Collective to bring an important original work to local audiences.

Dillons composition Diapsalmata: Portrait of a Self is a reflection on her journey from gender dysphoria to self-discovery, featuring text from Danish existential philosopher Sren Kierkegaard set to music and sung by Marsh.

Marsh, who attended Christian College with Dillon (though his class was two years below hers), said Diapsalmata was one of the most important works he had ever performed.

Having the opportunity to perform a piece like this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, he said.

To be part of this project, a part of Kyms vision, to tell the story of someone, and a very personal story at that, is incredibly humbling.

I cant put into words how important this piece has been to me and my growth, both as an artist and a person. Although its a very personal story for Kym, it can be recognised and taken on by many people.

It is relevant. It has the potential to change minds, change worlds, to encourage and help people. It speaks to everyone, to put it simply.

For both Marsh and Dillon, the performance will be a homecoming of sorts, as they return to the school where both their musical journeys started.

Its exciting that Ill be able to share this piece of music, this work and this journey, with everybody that encouraged me on the path to where I am now, Marsh said.

To be sharing that with Kym is very special, we talk about it often.

Diapsalmata: Portrait of a Self is at Christian Colleges RW Gibson Centre at 2pm on Saturday, July 15.

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It is special time on our calendar as the City of Greater Geelong celebrates NAIDOC Week.

NAIDOC Week commemorates the culture, history, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and is observed across Australia in multiple places of work, schools, and tiers of government.

It is an occasion that continues to grow in stature, and I am proud that council is partnering with our First Nation communities again this year.

NAIDOC Week allows residents to get to know our regions First Nations communities in a more meaningful manner and celebrate their significance.

The theme for NAIDOC Week is For Our Elders, which pays tribute to the vital role that Elders have played and continue to play within First Nations communities as trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, and cherished individuals. 

As a Council we are proud to be listening to, recognising and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We did this recently at our The Heart A Shared Journey event, which brought Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, First Nations community elders and representatives from Reconciliation Victoria together at Wurriki Nyal.

And we have delivered more events and activities across the region during NAIDOC Week this year.

This week I have had the pleasure of attending several events, including a family-friendly gathering at Narana, which connected newly-arrived culturally and linguistically diverse families to First Nations culture, as well as the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operatives Flag Raising and Community Day.

There are still a number of different ways you can get involved too, including visiting the stunning First Nations art projections on City Hall and checking out the National Wool Museum, where First Nations living cultures, histories and knowledge are at the core of various exhibitions and programs.

I encourage you to get along to one or more of the events that are on across the weekend, and hopefully learn a little about the oldest continuous living culture in the world.

For more information, visit geelongaustralia.com.au/naidocweek and check out what is on.

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In the process of researching this story I came across a review by one of my esteemed colleagues.

Not once did he mention the fact that Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander are one in the same car, sharing a platform and drivetrains. That makes Outlander, the X-Trails most direct competitor, or so I would have thought.

Of course, they dont look the same and there are plenty of other differences, but you wouldnt buy one without checking out the other first. Then again, the latest X-Trail is probably the pick of the mid-sized SUVs at the moment and thats a pretty big call.

STYLING

The styling is evolutionary rather than revolutionary and it is clearly recognisable as an X-Trail, but looks more sophisticated.

Inside, it is a very different story where the car has undergone a complete makeover and looks nothing like the previous model. Piano black has made way for a classy, dark, textured wood-grained effect, while all four doors get wide pockets that can accommodate 500ml drink bottles.

It feels bigger inside too, although slightly shorter than before (4680mm) with the same 2705mm wheelbase.

At the same time, it's 20mm wider and stands 15mm taller, and somehow, theyve managed to find more rear legroom, with rear doors that open wider for easier access.

Prices range from $36,750 for the five-seat, front wheel drive ST up to $52,990 for the top of the range Ti-L 4WD.

While they call it a 4WD, its really all-wheel drive, in the sense that it doesnt have a transfer case or low range gearing like a Patrol.

$3000 which adds all-wheel drive to the mix.

Special attention has been paid to ergonomics and tactile feel of the switchgear and buttons used in the cabin to lend them a high-quality feel.

Research has shown a preference for easy-to-use core functions, so X-Trail features simple, intuitive heating/air-conditioning controls, as well as buttons that govern the central screen functions, such as audio and navigation.

A two-tier centre console provides plenty of space to stash items, with a charge pad in more expensive models for mobile devices.

Standard equipment for the entry model includes cloth trim and air conditioning, with second row air vents.

The drivers seat has six-way manual adjustment with power lumbar operation. It rides on 17-inch alloys, with LED head and tail lights, along with auto high beam and dusk-sensing activation plus auto fold, heated exterior mirrors, push-button start, an electric parking brake and rear parking sensors.

By the time you reach the Ti-L (subject of our test), theres larger 19-inch wheels, tan or black quilted Nappa leather, three-zone climate air, a heated steering wheel, intelligent rear-view mirror, matrix 12-element adaptive headlights and a power tailgate with ha...

A Geelong health insurance organisation has celebrated NAIDOC Week with an in-house painting session with Wadawurrung Traditional Owner and visual artist Jenna Oldaker.

GMHBA People and Culture chief Kate Barlow said it was a real privilege to have Ms Oldaker at the organisations main Geelong building on Tuesday, July 4, to discuss her artwork with staff.

People have been coming from all three floors in the building to ask questions and to see the artwork, she said.

For people to be able to talk to her, understand what shes doing, understand what the painting means, and how it connects to local landmarks and history creates a great learning opportunity.

Ms Oldaker said the event was an exciting opportunity to celebrate the NAIDOC Week theme For Our Elders and a testament to the community on taking on the First Nations culture.

My mum and my grandmother are the most inspirational people for me, she said.

For us as First Nations people, its (NAIDOC Week) a celebration of our achievements and everything that makes our culture wonderful.

Ms Oldaker said she received a lot of questions from GMHBA staff about her artwork and loved connecting with people through her art.

Painting is normally a solitary thing as I really just do it at home so its really lovely to be able to share it as I work and for people to see the process, she said.

For people to see it with their own eyes either passively as theyre walking past or to come and have a yarn with me has worked well.

Ms Oldakers mum Aunty Joy Oldaker said she was delighted to see her daughter incorporating their heritage in her artworks.

Im so proud of what shes achieved and where shes come from, its amazing, she said.

The post Painting for NAIDOC Week appeared first on Ocean Grove Voice.

A past Victorian Senior of the Year Awards category winner from Geelong encourages the community to acknowledge seniors making a difference in their area.

The 2023 award now accepts nominations until Friday, July 28, to people across the state aged 60 or above and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and above.

Ross Synot won the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria Senior Achiever Award last year for his work in the community. He said it was important to recognise the contributions of seniors.

It is exceptionally important for the person still contributing to the community and it also shows others that even when you reach a certain age, you dont stop, he said.

There are still opportunities to go out there and help others, and I think the more of us that can do that, the better society will be.

Mr Synot said last years award helped him continue making a difference and feel valued.

It does show that youre still needed, he said.

Even though sometimes you feel that well, youre getting on a bit and there are others, your experience does count.

I would encourage others to think of deserving people to be nominated. I think it is a very nice way for people to be recognised and it is an encouragement to keep helping in the community.

Awards are presented to seniors across the six categories; Premiers Victorian Senior of the Year, Promotion of Multiculturalism, Healthy and Active Living, Veteran Community, Ageing Well, and COTA.

Recipients of the 2023 Victorian Senior Awards will be honoured at a Victorian Seniors Festival ceremony in October, and nominations can be made online at seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/awards.

The post Senior awards nominations open appeared first on Ocean Grove Voice.

Geelong saw the highest employment growth of all large Australian regional cities in 2022, according to new data released this week.

An extra 12,100 jobs were created in Greater Geelong throughout 2022, taking the total number of jobs to 135,562 at a growth rate of 9.8 per cent more than double the state average (3.8 per cent) and triple the national figure (3.2 per cent).

And while regional Victoria is outstripping other states with a jobs growth rate of 5.3 per cent, without Geelong figures included that number falls to 4.4 per cent less than half that of Victorias second biggest city.

Geelongs three biggest industries added the most jobs, with healthcare and social assistance adding 3931 jobs, construction 1603 and professional, scientific and technical services adding 1423.

The highest employment growth rate areas were rental, hiring and real estate (+38.8&percnt), information media and telecommunications (+37&percnt) and agriculture, forestry and fishing (+35.9&percnt).

Geelongs gross regional product (GRP) also showed the impressive growth over the same period, increasing from $15.9 billion to $17.58 billion at a rate of 10.3 per cent the second fastest rate in the country only behind the mining area of Karratha, according to the City of Greater Geelong.

Mayor Trent Sullivan said the citys strong jobs market was continuing to draw more people to the region.

The diversification of our local economy, significant private and public investment, a growing number of major organisations calling Geelong home and population growth have increased the type and amount of employment opportunities available, he said.

More people are realising that not only does Greater Geelong have an enviable lifestyle and stunning natural environment, but there are competitive employment options in a range of fields.

Committee for Geelong chief executive Michael Johnston welcomed confirmation Geelong was booming but said growth came with its own challenges, particularly around housing and transport.

We are already seeing a shortage in housing and a desperate need for investment in transport infrastructure, he said.

Without action, Geelongs comparative advantage will disappear. We need to reimagine how we move around Geelong, and public and active transport must be at the centre of this.

The post Geelong job market booming appeared first on Ocean Grove Voice.

The garfish in the inner harbour have gone up a gear with reports becoming more consistent and some big ones are cruising about, too.

Most of Corio Bays land based structures are all fishing pretty well, but these often frustrating fish can be at one spot one day then somewhere completely different the next.

Plenty of burley in the water certainly helps when trying to catch these critters. Anglers are also finding pinky snapper, salmon and trevally.

The outer harbour has, unfortunately, slowed up a bit for the whiting fishing with boats still getting out chasing them and only a few managing to hit the nail on the head. Apart from that the calamari are slowly starting to improve with numbers with boats finding it easier to locate the packs of them and get onto a few in relatively quick time.

Bright coloured jigs this past week or so have seemed to be most popular for the resident squid at the moment.

The biggest fishing news this week would easily be the barrel tuna that have arrived out the front of the heads.

Barrels have rocked up and are holding in large numbers straight south of Barwon Heads in 70m of water. There is certainly plenty of life out there making it a bit easier to find the fish (whales, birds, dolphins, seals and bait fish showering) and once you find this life it could be MENTAL.

Reports of fish to over 140kg with lots of fish falling victim to a skirted lure behind a spreader bar.

The freshwater fishing remains to be quite the reliable option this week with Lake Purrumbete remaining a reliable location to find a variety of species. Chinook salmon have been the most caught fish with anglers finding lots of fish out deep whilst bait fishing.

As we have said many times before, burley hard with pilchard fillets five winds off the bottom and you should be into the action. Browns, rainbows, tigers and reddies have all been cruising the weed edges and those casting shallow jerkbaits or bent minnows have been doing very well.

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Commuters should prepare for rail disruptions while travelling between Warrnambool, Geelong, Wyndham Vale, Tarneit and Melbourne due to work progressing on Victorias Big Build.

Dynon Road over the regional rail lines in West Melbourne is closed as part of the West Gate Tunnel Project to strengthen and widen the bridge, meaning trains must be kept off the tracks below.

The works will help connect the twin tunnels to the city to make it easier and quicker to get into the city from the west will cause disruptions to the Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat lines in July.

West Gate Tunnel Project executive director Peter Lellyett said the works would help slash travel times from Geelong to Melbourne once complete in 2025.

With projects like the West Gate Tunnel and Metro Tunnel really taking shape to transform the way Victorians travel, he said.

Were working hard to ensure commuters are informed and prepared for these disruptions, we thank commuters for their patience.

All Warrnambool line services will terminate at the Geelong station from July 8 to 23 and from July 29 to August 13, with passengers changing to a Geelong Line train to and from Southern Cross Station on weekdays.

Coaches will also replace trains on some nights between Southern Cross and Waurn Ponds in July and August.

Weekday trains to the city and afternoon trains from the city will not stop at Wyndham Vale or Tarneit from July 10 to 21 and July 31 to August 11, with alternative services provided during these times.

Trains will run normally on the weekends and outside these hours, and a temporary timetable will be available for passengers to plan their journey.

More information on train line closures and delays can be found at www.bigbuild.vic.gov.au/westgate.

The post Geelong train line disruptions appeared first on Ocean Grove Voice.

Belmont has bid farewell to one of its long-serving firefighters, who enjoyed working his last shift with his daughter.

Graham Lane started his firefighting career in July 1988 and celebrated close to 35 years of service at the Belmont Fire Station during his last working shift on Wednesday, July 5.

Mr Lane said he took up firefighting as a lifetime career and loved working with a great group of people who could rely on each other.

One of the guys at the footy club was a firefighter, and he started talking about it, and I thought, wow, that sounds like a good career, and it has been.

My favourite part of the job is the camaraderie of knowing each persons looking after everyone and the interesting type of work that we do.

Mr Lane said it was the right time for him to retire from firefighting, and he looked forward to having more time on his hands to play golf, go camping, fish, and look after the grandkids.

Its pretty demanding shift work for 35 years, he said.

You get to a point in your career where youre putting a breathing apparatus on during every call, which isnt so bad when youre 25, but gets harder as you get older.

Daughter Becky Finke followed in her dads firefighting footsteps and said she was honoured to work with him during his last shift.

The more people you speak to that do the job, theyll say its the best job in the world, so it didnt take too much convincing, she said.

You dont know what youre going to get each day which keeps it interesting, and the bond with our teammates is like having another family away from home.

The post Firefighter Graham bids farewell appeared first on Ocean Grove Voice.

Independent photographer Ivan Kemp ventured to the Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway this week for some school holiday fun.

The post Out & about appeared first on Ocean Grove Voice.

Newly-elected Windermere Ward representative Councillor Sarah Hathway will replace former councillor Kylie Grzybek. She spoke to Matt Hewson about what she hopes to achieve over the next 18 months.

Geelongs newest councillor Sarah Hathway will represent the residents of Windermere Ward following a countback by the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) on Wednesday, June 28.

Cr Hathway was widely considered the favourite having received the third highest number of primary votes in the 2020 council election behind former councillor Grzybek and current deputy mayor Anthony Aitken.

An active Socialist Alliance member, Cr Hathway said she was genuinely excited when the countback confirmed she had been elected to the role.

I had the third highest primary vote from the 2020 election, so I thought I was maybe 80 per cent of the way there, but because that election was held during COVID we didnt have scrutineers in the room to see how the preferences were flowing, she said.

So even the night before (the countback) Id started talking myself out of it; if the preferences didnt go to me it would be someone else.

A resident of Geelong since early childhood, Cr Hathway has lived in Corio and Norlane for the better part of five years and currently works four days a week in Corio-based community mental health service as a social work graduate.

She has been an active participant in community groups involved in climate change awareness and other social issues, including the recent library and pool closure protests.

Cr Hathway said her professional, personal and municipal lives were all centred on the Corio and Norlane community.

Im not going to be ignoring any parts of Windermere Ward, but my heart really lies with Norlane and Corio, thats the area Im familiar with, she said.

Obviously there are a lot of barriers and areas of disadvantage in that community, but I think there are a lot of really amazing strengths as well.

So this is a really good opportunity to have this platform to go back to residents and say how do we use this platform as a community for the next less than 18 months until the next election.

It gives an opportunity to be a voice that otherwise Norlane and Corio perhaps wouldnt have.

Cr Hathway said her focus would be on supporting and re-enfranchise those experiencing disadvantage and working to increase civic education in her ward.

There are a lot of people out there who have issues or grievances who dont know where to go, or how to get any of that addressed, she said.

As much as possible (Ill) do what I can to link them with the right support, knock some of those barriers down, and where people dont have the confidence or capacity to be their own voice (I need to) go, right, Ive got this position, Ill make sure I use it.

The recent protests over library and pool funding had shown that people had power,...

Zach Tuohy just wanted to play one game of AFL football when he arrived from Ireland in 2009.

Initially picked up by Carlton in the 2010 rookie draft, Tuohy went on to play 120 games with the Blues before requesting a trade to Geelong.

On Sunday, Tuohy will rack up his 145th game with the Cats and his 265th overall, overtaking the great Jim Stynes for the record for most VFL/AFL games played by an Irish-born footballer.

Stynes played for Melbourne from 1987 to 1998, became club president and co-founded the youth charity The Reach Foundation, and was given a Victorian state funeral after dying of cancer in 2012, aged just 45.

Tuohy said he almost felt guilty at breaking Stynes record.

I dont think I appreciated the significant impact he had on the game or his legacy post-career, he said.

I only got to appreciate that when I came out (to Australia). The good thing is, with more and more Irish guys and girls coming out, his legacy is getting much more publicity back home.

I must admit, I was blown away to see how significant a character he was.

I think its probably mostly because I dont really feel like I belong in Jims category as a player and obviously not in terms of legacy so its a strange one to feel that Im now kind of on par with him in games.

The Cats face North Melbourne on Sunday at GMHBA Stadium and while they are currently ninth on the ladder, Tuohy said they could still do some damage in September.

Weve had some challenges with personnel, weve got some new guys into the side and weve just underperformed at different stages, he said.

Fortunately for us it feels a little bit like weve been here before where we havent played our best footy for the first half or first two-thirds of the season and come home pretty strong.

I think if you look across the competition right now, theres obviously a few strong teams but it does feel like if you just get there this year you could really cause a big shake up.

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