The G21 Geelong Region Alliance has expressed its support for the business, sporting and broader communities in the aftermath of the state governments cancellation of the Games.

In a statement this week G21 CEO Giulia Baggio acknowledged the immense effort already committed to the event, but said the citys infrastructure needs, highlighted by the Games, were not going away.

An enormous amount of time, effort and money has been invested in and around Geelong for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and this momentum must not be lost, Ms Baggio said.

We must refocus our energy on delivering the housing, transport and sporting infrastructure so desperately needed by our rapidly growing communities.

Ms Baggio welcomed the Victorian governments promise of a $2 billion regional infrastructure package, despite it being no substitute for the huge economic and social uplift the Games would have provided.

The repurposed investment in sporting facilities, tourism and affordable and social housing must be securely tied to the Geelong region and delivered without delay.

We want to see these projects listed in the budget forward estimates and construction timelines honoured. In particular, the G21-Geelong region urgently needs a large proportion of the promised $1 billion social and affordable housing fund.

The lack of housing has caused a chronic shortage of workers, and this is holding back our economic development at a time when Geelong should be booming.

The G21 statement also lamented the lost opportunity to showcase the Geelong regions cultural identity and promote the history and storytelling of the Wadawurrung traditional owners.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan echoed those sentiments, saying the chance to have international visitors engaging in cultural experiences, engaging with First Nations culture around Geelong had been lost.

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A community group that represents ratepayers in Greater Geelong has voiced its concern over how leftover funding will be used following the cancellation of the Victorian 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Premier Dan Andrews announced on Tuesday, July 18, that the Commonwealth Games would not be held in Victoria in 2026.

Ratepayers Geelong president Peter Mitchell said it was a pity to lose a good showcase for the region.

The influx of people to the region, the world attention, and recognition of our region which would lead to on-going tourism and income, will now not happen, he said.

Any large sporting event brings a large increase in the local economy, and the assets built for the Games would have been an ongoing benefit to the area for many years.

Mr Mitchell said he believed it could be a good thing to have the Commonwealth Games scrapped for Victoria given that the reasons and figures provided by Premier Andrews are correct.

The Games were a single large event that was drawing resources away from many smaller initiatives that can now happen, he said.

With the Games now cancelled there must be significant surplus, not only in money, but in freed resources of various sorts. How those are deployed will determine if the end result is good or bad.

Mr Mitchell said the cancelled games effect on local ratepayers depended on how the City of Greater Geelong and the state would react.

If the allocated funds from the state are distributed to the regions as planned, ideally in the same proportions and for similar purposes, the ratepayers will get at least some of the benefit, he said.

Given the troubles that the budget caused, I hope they will quickly review it and properly fund things such as the libraries, lifesaving and pools.

I also hope they re-consider the jobs lost in the recent re-structure, all of which will be good for the ratepayer.

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Greater Geelong welcomed 82 new Australian citizens this week.

Over two ceremonies at City Hall on July 17, mayor Trent Sullivan welcomed new citizens from 32 different countries, including Thailand, India, Peru, Brazil, China, Portugal, Afghanistan and Albania.

Mayor Sullivan said council was proud of its role in supporting a strong and diverse Geelong community.

Geelong is a place where people of all cultural backgrounds are welcome and included, he said.

Our cultural diversity is one of our communitys great strengths and something worthy of positivity and celebration.

Occasions such as tonights ceremonies are always joyous and really highlight the fact that Geelong is a place that people from across the world choose to make home.

New arrivals to our region contribute individually to our community in a variety of ways, and collectively, add to the rich cultural fabric of our city.

This is something we value so much and will continue to foster and support.

Taking this weeks ceremonies into account, the City has now conferred around 900 new Australian citizens on behalf of the federal government so far in 2023.

Approximately 18 percent of Greater Geelongs population, or close to 50,000 residents, were born overseas, and the city was formally declared a Refugee Welcome Zone in 2002.

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As the federal government prepares to hold the referendum on the establishment of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament sometime between September and December this year, Geelong council will host a series of events to stimulate community discussion on the issue.

Held between July and September, the council-run series of forums and community kiosks intend to offer locals the chance to share their perspectives and listen to those of others in an informal setting.

Community conversation forums will be held at the Citys Wurriki Nyal administration headquarters and, while free to attend, require registration via geelong.link/voiceforums.

Community kiosks at libraries and a planned series of informal pop-up kiosks around Geelong will not require registration.

Council also has a number of other education and information events in the works, with plans to announce them soon.

Acting Mayor Anthony Aitken, deputy chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships portfolio, said the events were intended to help to inform the community ahead of the referendum.

It goes without saying that everyone is entitled to make up their minds on the Voice and vote as they see fit at the referendum, Cr Aitken said.

We want to help that process by opening up opportunities for the Geelong community to have respectful conversations about the proposed Voice To Parliament Constitutional Referendum, focused on education and dialogue so that everyone can feel fully informed before they vote.

We encourage the community to attend these forums and kiosks, ask questions, put forward their viewpoint, and be open to the viewpoints of others.

While the council has not officially announced its position on the referendum, it has been vocal in its support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which called for a constitutionally-enshrined First Nations body to advise federal parliament and the government.

The next Voice to Parliament Community Conversation Forum will be held on Thursday, July 27 from 1-3pm, while the next Community Kiosk is at Boronggook Drysdale Library on Sunday, July 30 from 2-4pm. For a full list of forum and kiosk dates and times visit www.geelongaustralia.com.au.

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As finals approach rapidly, Independent photographer Ivan Kemp went to Winter Reserve in Belmont for the Belmont vs Bannockburn senior footy and C Grade netball and St Albans Reserve for the St Albans vs Bell Park senior footy.

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Regional Victoria will not host the 2026 Commonwealth Games with premier Daniel Andrews this morning announcing the cost associating with the event was too high.

An initial budget of $2.6 billion was pledged, but Premier Andrews said the cost had blown out to more than $6 billion.

Thats well and truly too much for a 12-day sporting event, he said.

I think all Victorians would agree that more than $6 billion is just too much. Ive made a lot of difficult decisions in this job. This is not one of them. Were simply not going to invest that money.

The state government will push ahead with legacy projects such as the construction of gymnastics and aquatics centres in Waurn Ponds and Armstrong Creek.

The Games were expected to bring 100,000 people to the region according to Minister for Commonwealth Games delivery Jacinta Allan.

In April Minister for Commonwealth Games legacy Harriet Shing said the 2026 Games would host nine sports in Geelong and is estimated to contribute more than $3 billion to Victorias economy.

The post Games scrapped appeared first on Ocean Grove Voice.

Bellarine cyclists are encouraged to jump on their bikes to raise money for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) through the Red Nose support service.

The Ride the Month of August for SIDS encourages cyclists of all ages and abilities to ride their bikes on the road, gym, or in their homes to raise money for grieving families and SIDS research.

The event coincides with August 5s Ride the Bellarine for SIDS, where 30 cyclists travel 110km of the Bellarine Peninsula, and director Peter Herrick said it was the first time riders could join online.

Were thrilled to roll out the Ride the Month of August for SIDS online in 2023, he said.

Were excited to welcome not only Victorians but riders from across the country to join us for this important cause.

You can clock up your kilometres in the comfort of your own home, at the gym or your favourite riding spot, its all up to you. The best part is that every cent raised goes directly to Red Nose.

Mr Herrick said the 2023 event had already raised more than $12,000 and that cyclists that joined the fundraiser event online could ride as many kilometres as they like throughout August.

We are blown away by the communitys continued support and generous donations, he said.

However, theres still plenty of time to sign up, jump on the bike and raise funds to be part of this wonderful cause.

You can also donate directly to the ride, so please dig deep this winter for Red Nose.

The 2023 Ride the Month of August for SIDS follows last years Ride the Bellarine for SIDS event success that raised $26,500 for Red Nose.

More information on how to participate and donate is available at www.rideforsids.com.

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Barwon Heads regained top form in a thumping 56-point win against Drysdale in round 14 of Bellarine Football League on Saturday July 15.

In a high-standard game in trying conditions, the Seagulls had too many avenues in attack with co-coach Mitch Herbison, young star Ollie Wiltshire and livewire small forward Luca Vella all booting four goals.

It was Vellas best game for the club while Michael Philp was a standout.

The Hawks didnt play badly, but just ran into a side that was hell bent on ironing out some creases in its game.

Ben Fennell booted five goals while Ben Henderson played one of his best games of the season.

Undefeated Torquay eventually shrugged off a determined Ocean Grove by 12 points.

Ocean Groves past two weeks have been losses, but by a combined 26 points to the leagues two best teams.

Ben McNamara and Nathan Mifsud were the Tigers best while ruckman Ed Dayman stood tall for the Grubbers.

Anglesea scooted a game and a half clear in fourth spot with an important win against fellow finals contender Geelong Amateur.

Ammos led by 17 points at the first break, but Anglesea was in front by three at half time.

But with Jarod Bacon (three goals) in fine form, the Roos prevailed by seven points despite the best efforts of Riley Ferguson, who booted three for Ammos.

Ammos are in fifth spot, equal on points with sixth-placed Modewarre.

Modda pretty much ended Queenscliffs finals hopes with a 25-point win.

Modda should win against Portarlington this week while Ammos face a tough one against Drysdale. If results go their way, the Warriors will be in the five by the end of round 15.

Morgan Fenton and Troy Anderson were Modewarres best while Jordy McIvor-Clarke continued his stellar season for the Coutas.

Newcomb won its second game of the season and it seems Portarlington will have to wait until 2024 to taste victory again.

The 52-point margin was much more than many were predicting with the Demons restricted to just one goal and 11 behinds.

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St Marys defeated St Josephs in a Geelong Football League Sunday blockbuster on July 16.

St Marys and Colac head the league ladder on 10 wins each with three sides a game behind.

The 49-point win was made possible by a dominant display by Jesse Travaglini while Dion Johnstone and Charlie Sprague each booted four goals.

St Josephs is now in fifth spot on the ladder and faces South Barwon this weekend in what could be the Swans last chance for a finals spot.

South Barwons hard-fought 36-point win against a gallant Lara means it is still in the finals race, although at two games outside the five, there is no margin for error.

Jonty Broughton was South Barwons best with four goals while Fraser Duryea again played well.

Lara was in the contest for the majority of the match with Daniel Weigl and Bailey Ettridge (four goals) the reasons why.

Colac is looking ominous with an 84-point win against North Shore keeping second spot on the ladder.

An eight goal to one third term broke the shackles with Jonathon Simpkin booting five goals and Luke Hillman four while onballer Ben McCarthy was again prolific.

Dashing defender Cameron Anderson was North Shores best while Sam Witherden again got plenty of the footy.

Geelong West caused an upset and kept its slim finals hopes flickering with a 30-point win against Newtown & Chilwell.

Nick Hoare was thrown forward in the second half and booted three goals as the Giants ran away with the game after an even three quarters.

The Eagles should get back onto the winners list this week against St Albans while the Giants face St Marys and will need to cause an even bigger upset to remain in the finals race.

Leopold did what it needed to with a 64-point win against Grovedale.

Marcus Thompson was again among the action for Leopold with another stunning midfield display and Connor Giddings was potent up forward with four goals.

Bell Park overcame St Albans by 54 points with Jack McMahon leading the way for the young Dragons and Harry Lear booted three goals.

Bailey Coutts and Tom Caudullo were fine contributors for the Supersaints.

The post St Marys wins Sunday blockbuster appeared first on Ocean Grove Voice.

Geelongs premiership defence is finally gathering steam after crushing Essendon by 77 points in an ominous performance at GMHBA Stadium.

As they often do at Kardinia Park, the Cats ended the contest early after slamming through the opening seven goals of the match to lead by 46 points at quarter-time on Saturday.

Shell-shocked Essendon was able to steady during the second term but it was already too late as the Cats inflicted further pain during the 18.14 (122) to 7.3 (45) triumph.

The result lifts Geelong up to fifth the highest position it has sat in all season after dropping the opening three matches of its flag defence.

The sight of a rampaging Cats unit will strike fear into the rest of the AFL, after coach Chris Scott during the week declared they are the danger.

Scott said it was probably Geelongs best performance of the season.

I think, were in general, getting closer to our best footy, and even from a personal perspe ctive, we were confident going into this week, he said.

It feels like were getting close to our best footy which were pretty confident thats going to be hard to beat.

Geelong could still pinch a top-four spot and a double finals chance as they sit just a game-and-a-half behind Melbourne.

It is no coincidence one of the Cats most powerful performances came in a match when star forward Jeremy Cameron, Norm Smith medallist Isaac Smith and premiership defender Jake Kolodjashni returned from injury.

Cameron, who missed the previous two games through concussion, spent periods off the ground after being involved in multiple collisions.

The 30-year-old played out the match and waited until the dying stages to kick his first and only goal of the match.

But fellow star Cats forward Tom Hawkins picked up the slack with five goals, four of them in the second-half.

Speedy midfielder Max Holmes had one of the best games of his young career, gathering a career-high 33 disposals 21 in the first half.

Geelong forward Gryan Miers, in his 100th game, booted the first goal of the match and delivered a memorable celebration after being at the centre of a meme comparing him to soccer legend Lionel Messi this week.

While the Cats pulled out party tricks, Essendon was on the end of their heaviest defeat since losing to Port Adelaide by 84 points in round 22 last season the match that ended Ben Ruttens stint as coach.

The Bombers entered the match on a high after smashing Adelaide last week in a performance captain Zach Merrett labelled as the Bombers best in his 10 years at the club.

Clearly we were really disappointed after a good performance last week but its just more evidence to me that its a really tough competition, Essendon coach Brad Scott said.

Pedestrians are being urged to Stop. Look. Live. as part of a new Crime Stoppers Victoria campaign delivered in partnership with Victoria Police.

The campaign will focus on reducing the number of pedestrians seriously injured or killed while crossing the road in built up areas, where there is a speed limit of 60km/h.

Crime Stoppers Victoria chief executive Stella Smith said the campaign would use a variety of techniques to educate vulnerable pedestrians on how they can stay safe using Victorian roads.

Every Victorian deserves to get home safely and the easiest way to achieve this is to identify risks and follow the road rules, Ms Smith said.

No matter whether you are a pedestrian, driver or cyclist on the road, we challenge everyone to stop and think, is this safe?

According to Victoria Police and TAC data, 70 percent of all pedestrian deaths in Victoria occur in metropolitan Melbourne.

The most vulnerable people are primary school children aged 4-12, intoxicated pedestrians aged 30-39 and elderly pedestrians aged over 70.

Ms Smith said 36 pedestrians had been killed on Victorian roads over the past 12 months a figure she hoped would decrease with more education.

We all play a role in keeping our roads safe and Crime Stoppers Victoria is offering vulnerable pedestrians the tools they need to use our roads safely, she said

We have seen 175 pedestrians killed on our roads over the last five years, and a significant number of those have been in 60 km/h zones.

We hope with more education and awareness we can reduce the number of injuries and most importantly, deaths on our roads.

As part of the campaign, Crime Stoppers Victoria will hit the streets to actively engage with high-risk pedestrians to educate them on how they can help keep our roads incident free.

Crime Stoppers will also visit locations across Melbourne which have the highest number of pedestrian fatalities, focusing particularly on community hubs and primary schools.

Victoria Police Road Policing Command Acting Assistant Commissioner Martin OBrien said police were focused on protecting the most vulnerable road users.

Too many vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, are being killed or seriously injured and its all too preventable.

We are grateful to have Crime Stoppers Victoria launching this campaign, along with the many councils, schools and businesses that will support this initiative to improve road safety, he said.

Everyone has a role to play in keeping our roads safe, and we urge everyone to think not only about their own safety but how their behaviour can impact the safety of others.

Learn how you can keep our roads safe at crimestoppersvic.com.au

The post...

Victorias next generation of recreational fishers are getting the opportunity to get hooked on fishing, with free Little Angler Kits for kids across Victoria.

Outdoor Recreation Minister Sonya Kilkenny announced 60,000 kits will be made available to grade five primary students in more than 1900 Victorian schools later this year.

The kits will set families up with everything they need to wet a line including a fishing rod and reel, line, tackle box, some tackle and a Kids Guide to Fishing that includes information and links to educational resources to learn the basics such as fishing safety, knots and rigs.

The kits will help youngsters get active, learn about the aquatic environment and have fun in the great outdoors whether they be down the coast, on Port Phillip Bay or by a river in regional Victoria.

The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) is leading the roll out and has released a tender today for the supply of kits, with schools encouraged to register early interest.

The Little Angler Kits complements several other initiatives led by the VFA to encourage youngsters to connect with nature and enjoy Victorias spectacular waterways. This includes the stocking of almost 10 million fish last season, more than any other state in the country.

For the September school holidays, 80 family fishing lakes across the state share in more than 60,000 catchable-size rainbow trout to provide children the chance to catch their first fish.

Every year, free VicFishKids events provide kids with the opportunity to try fishing with help from experts and Fishcare volunteers. All fishing gear is supplied and every child heads home with a free rod to continue their fishing journey on their next holiday with family and friends.

We want more young people getting into fishing because we know it brings people together in the great outdoors, boosts local businesses and encourages Victorians to discover new parts of this great state, Ms Kilkenny said.

Offering free Little Angler Kits through schools helps the next generation of fishers reel in a hobby they can enjoy for a lifetime.

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