Police have arrested and charged a man in relation to a string of burglaries, and motor vehicle thefts across Western Victoria.

Detectives from the Western Region Crime Squad believe the crime spree occurred over the last three weeks in locations including Ballarat, Bacchus Marsh, Geelong, and Werribee.

The investigation came to a head on Thursday last week, after police located an alleged stolen Nissan Navara travelling between Geelong and Werribee.

Police Air Wing tracked the man travelling in the alleged stolen vehicle, before it came to a stop at a Werribee south address. The man was arrested, and the stolen vehicle was recovered by police.

Police also allege that the man stole a Toyota Hilux from Mount Wallace and a Nissan Patrol from Bacchus Marsh.

The Toyota Hilux was recovered by police while the Nissan Patrol remains outstanding.

Detectives later conducted a search warrant at an address in Tarneit, recovering three stolen vehicles and two stolen box trailers.

A 27-year-old Bowenvale man is facing 25 charges including: aggravated burglary, burglaries, theft of motor vehicles, theft and conduct endangering persons. He was remanded to appear at Geelong Magistrates Court on 7 August 2023.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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Geelong is back in the AFL top eight and coach Chris Scott is bullish about the chaos the reigning premiers can cause.

The Cats belted North Melbourne by 62 points on Sunday at GMHBA Stadium to honour Zach Tuohys 265th game.

Tuohy took the record from Jim Stynes for the most matches by an Irishman with the 19.11(125) to 9.9(63) win.

Geelong now has a tough end to the season, starting with next Saturday nights home game against a resurgent Essendon.

Other than Fremantle, which made the finals last year, all the Cats opponents are above them on the ladder.

But Scott is relishing the challenge, saying his teams best form will test the best in the league.

We still have the capacity to find our best footy and be very, very dangerous, Scott said.

We thought today was a step in the right direction there. We are very confident that if we play our best footy, were the danger.

Were OK with (our fixture) at least you can co me away from those games, if you play well, thinking thats a bit more validation, that our best is going to be good enough. But I think we know that already.

Adding to the optimism, key forward Jeremy Cameron should return from injury to face the Bombers.

North kicked two of the first three goals, but Geelong claimed the next 11 to kill off the match.

The Kangaroos third goal did not come until nine minutes into the third term.

Adding to a dirty day, Griffin Logue has a knee injury that is feared serious and co-captain Jy Simpkin was also forced out of the game because of concussion.

North coach Brett Ratten said his side was smashed in centre bounce clearances and that put it on the back foot throughout the game.

We just know when you play Geelong down here .. they get run-ons, lock you away and set the game up and to lose centre bounce you give them exactly what they want, Ratten said.

They kicked a goal, we went back to the middle and we start the game in their forward 50 nearly,

The Kangaroos were 68 points down in the third quarter, but they stopped the game becoming a total rout.

Ratten spoke of them trying to have little wins and one came in the last quarter when Cooper Harvey, the son of AFL games record holder Brent, kicked his first goal on debut.

North players ran from everywhere to congratulate Harvey and Ratten said that showed their spirit remained strong, despite 14 consecutive losses.

Tyson Stengle kicked five goals and Ollie Henry four for the Cats as Mitch Duncan impressed with 30 possessions, while Luke Davies-Uniacke was best for North and kicked two goals.

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Geelong Amateur enhanced its Bellarine Football League finals hopes and at the same time made it extremely difficult for Queenscliff to make it with a 28-point win on Saturday July 8.

Ammos sit in fifth spot on the ladder, a game clear of Modewarre, while Queenscliff is two games in arrears with five games remaining.

Queenscliff meets Modda this week in a mini elimination final.

Queenscliff was the better side during the first half, but Ammos scored eight goals to two after the break to run away with the win.

Jai Sheahan and Josh Grabowski each booted three goals for Ammos while star youngster Joseph Cincotta was the Coutas best.

Barwon Heads had to dig deep to brush aside a gallant Ocean Grove.

The Seagulls looked like they would run away with the game at half time after a late flurry of first-half goals saw them lead by 22 points.

But Ocean Grove had other ideas and slammed on six third-term goals in what was probably its best quarter of footy for the season so far.

The Grubbers led by a goal at the last change and were in front halfway through the final term, but some Ollie Wiltshire magic wrestled the lead back for Barwon Heads with the final three goals of the game to run out 14-point winners.

Forward Jye Walker was a constant threat for Ocean Grove with three goals while Kallum Hinchcliffe and Wiltshire were the reigning premiers best.

Drysdale has all but wrapped up the double chance come finals time with a 30-point win against Modewarre.

James Breust and Lauchlan Dalgleish were fine players for the Hawks while Cohuna recruit Oscar Cooke was superb for Modda.

Torquay thumped Newcomb by 128 points with Lucas Anderson (six) and Jesse Dawson (four) combining for 10 goals.

Dylan Pettingill (five) and Jarod Bacon (four) combined for nine of Angleseas 23 goals against Portarlington.

The 138-point win kept Anglesea in fourth spot while Port is still searching for its first win.

Barwon Heads recruit Noah McGregor-Dawson played his best game for his new club while Nathan Pigott was Ports best.

The post Ammos enhance finals hopes appeared first on Ocean Grove Voice.

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.

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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