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Issue 164 Summer 2025

Publication of the Anglesea Community House

An UNSEEN Happening Miriam Hercus

Image Credit: Emma Mitchell

Image Credit: Caroline Hawkins

Image Credit: Emma Mitchell

UNSEEN began with a musing by a local artist in response to the fish kill she witnessed on a walk around the Anglesea River one late Winter’s morning.

ecosystem and how we can respect their habitat. The aspiration was for an art happening grounded in care, respect, and love – not blame or politics.

Natalie Kyriacou’s book, entitled Nature’s Last Dance: Tales of Wonder in an Age of Extinction, encourages the reader to look up and around their environment, to recognise that if we have any chance of saving this world, we need to fall back in love with it. In her book, Natalie outlines how often, when an environment is under stress and appears to be failing, the initial question we humans tend to ask is what “should” we do to rectify things when, ultimately, we need to trust that nature will find a way and all we need to do is work out how best to support the environment as it continues to sustain itself under duress.

Anyone interested in participating was welcomed through word of mouth, invited to take ownership of creating a lantern and contribute in any way they chose. This was not a formal event with a set agenda, but rather an organic opportunity for like-minded individuals to connect at various times and places. The focus was on the inhabitants of the Anglesea River area, which can sometimes go UNSEEN.

The impetus for UNSEEN was a vision of a quiet walk along the river paths at sunset – a slow, reflective lantern walk featuring lanterns handmade from ephemeral, biodegradable materials and rice-flour paste. It was also conceived as a way to honour World Rivers Day, celebrated annually on the fourth Sunday of September, and as an opportunity to learn more about the inhabitants of the river

Participants were encouraged to create their lanterns by physically engaging with the materials – moving with them, weaving with them, and allowing the process to guide their forms. The results were a delightful array of lanterns capturing the spirit of local flora and fauna, ranging from turtles and fish of all shapes and sizes to enormous coral forms, sentient beings, sea creatures, and even a freshwater snail. Creatives contributed to the UNSEEN happening through en plein air drawings, photography, video, and Continued on page 4

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FROM THE COMMITTEE

Creativity, Connection and Community: Inside This Year’s Anglesea AGM Keith Perkin, Treasurer In late October, Anglesea Community House held its Annual General Meeting. While AGMs can often be dry and procedural, a full room of attendees heard about the many exciting activities that contribute to the vibrant operation of the House. Most people are familiar with the childcare service run at the Community House, but the House is also home to sewers, knitters, book clubs, jammers, Pilates groups, bingo players, mahjong enthusiasts, Talking Points sessions and many more regular gatherings. In addition, the Community House supports eight separate auspiced groups, allowing them to operate without the administrative burden of incorporation. The AGM provided an opportunity for all auspiced groups to showcase their activities, some in particularly creative ways! The Rubbish Rangers representative arrived in her Saturday morning uniform and, rubbish-picker in hand, demonstrated how the Rangers collect litter across the region from Torquay all the way to Eastern View. Together, the ongoing programs and auspiced groups deliver essential services and vitality to our community. Many of these activities simply wouldn’t exist without an active and engaged Community House. By the time you read this, the Anglesea Twilight Market season will be in full swing in and around the Community House. These markets, an initiative of the Community Editorial If you have feedback or comments about articles, or would like to make a suggestion for future articles please contact the editor at newsangle@anglesea.org.au or leave news items/notices for the editor at the Anglesea Community House. Distribution NewsAngle is offered free to the community. You can read a digital version online at anglesea.org.au/newsangle

House, were created to give our community opportunities to meet, connect, and enjoy food, drinks, crafts and live music, further enhancing local vibrancy. All of these activities support the strategic vision of Anglesea Community House: to be a sustainable organisation that fosters a connected, healthy and inclusive community. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a healthy, prosperous New Year.

In this NewsAngle An UNSEEN Happening Bendigo Bank Community Update Book Reviews Community Rallies to Protect the Hoodies Drought Broken! Anglesea Claims 2025 Senior Premiership Alex Marles: Setting up Winners for Everyone In The House Surf Coast Shire Council Update History Spot: The Passion for Sport Business Profile: If You Don’t “Blink” You’re Missing out! Local Profile: A Bright Future Ahead for Camila and Jhon Local Profile: Marvellous Melva Local Profile: Lesley Cadzow: A Fortunate Life The Check Up: National Lung Cancer Screening Program Community Corner Twitchers’ Corner Arts Scene Write Angles

Hard copies can be found at local cafes/shops in Anglesea and Aireys Inlet Deadlines for next Edition: Issue 165 Autumn 2026 Casual ad bookings 26 Feb 2026 Community Corner contributions 26 Feb 2026 Distribution 24 Mar 2026 If you would like to book an annual or casual advertisement, please email Julie at advertising@anglesea.org.au

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Anglesea Community House 5 McMillan Street, Anglesea PO Box 43, Anglesea, VIC, 3230 Ph: 5263 2116 Hours: 9am–2.30pm, Monday–Friday Email admin@anglesea.org.au Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Community House.

Anglesea Community House is located on the traditional lands of the Wadawurrung people. We acknowledge them as Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their elders, past, present and future. NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone

FEATURE Continued from page 1

Friday, 26th September arrived, bringing rain and wind for much of the day. As evening approached, the weather eased, and participants, armed with mosquito repellent, gathered at the information centre on the Great Ocean Road.

Image Credit: Paul Wright

participation in song, dance, and movement. One participant shared a time-lapse film captured underwater, revealing the fish that typically inhabit the river. Another carved a lino print depicting the boat sheds, shaping the scene within the outline of a dead fish he had noticed along the riverbank. Dialogue about the river ecosystem emerged naturally, simply through the act of walking together. Multiple walks took place across different days and times, focusing on the area’s local flora, and along the way participants asked questions and explored whether certain plant materials were indigenous. The lanterns, in turn, were shaped over time through these conversations with both the river and the community. As with anything that grows through organic exploration, the happening gathered its own momentum, carried by a shared sense of care and curiosity. Participants met regularly in the weeks leading up to the event to check in on their creations and take practice walks around the river for observation and reflection. One evening, they wandered the paths of Coogoorah Park to see how the lanterns held up to the elements. It was a beautiful experience, full of respect and quiet honour, as the lantern lights shimmered on the water while the birds settled for the night. None of the creations showed any issues, and the inherent strength of the lanterns – despite their seemingly delicate appearance – became evident, perhaps mirroring the resilience of the natural environment itself.

After a brief acknowledgment and reflection on the intent and purpose behind the UNSEEN happening, participants began carrying their lanterns down the path toward the river mouth as the sun started to set. The methods of carrying the lanterns were as varied as the lanterns themselves; some used sticks, others crafted elaborate welded hooks, and a few even attached theirs to bike helmets worn on the head. The idea of a quiet walk was quickly abandoned, replaced by excitement and lively chatter about the lanterns and their creation. At the river mouth, participants were guided through a movement exercise, a dance evoking schools of fish, where one person in each direction led the group’s movements. Continuing over the sand and back up the opposite side of the river, UNSEEN contributors wove their way along the path through the moonah trees – some lanterns proving trickier to navigate through the narrower sections than others. As the path approached the natural amphitheatre near the Anglesea Rowing Club, the gentle sounds of a few choristers singing Lanterns by Birds of Tokyo floated through the air. Participants then crossed back over the river and returned to the starting point. There was one minor casualty: a fish with sparkling blue eyes, whose snapped line sent it drifting down the river. Fortunately, an UNSEEN participant in a canoe rescued it, and rumour has it that it dried off over the following day, appearing no worse for wear. Did anyone see UNSEEN? At the end of the walk, participants were already asking when it would happen again. Will it? UNSEEN was a happening, shaped by the momentum that arises when people connect with their environment. It aligns with other artist-led happenings in

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FEATURE

Image Credit: Emma Mitchell

the area over the past five years: Mattering Moonahs in Anglesea, Dwell on the coast near Lorne, the spontaneous appearance of the Anglesea Phantoms at full moon, “Muddling” the Anglesea Art Space windows, the paint-bynumbers of the former mine site as part of the Colours exhibition, and the I LCS exhibition at the Anglesea Art Space. Like these other events, the UNSEEN happening celebrated the creativity of the community and underscored the importance of connections, both with the environment and

Image Credit: Patti Beerens

Image Credit: Emma Mitchell

with one another, that arise from simply learning more about the world around us. Those who witnessed or participated in any of these events are deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been part of them. To watch a video of the experience and see how the UNSEEN happening evolved, scan the QR code below. More information about any of the other aforementioned projects can be found at www.beerens.net.au

Image Credit: Emma Mitchell

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Celebrating 20 Years of Community Banking in Anglesea This year marks 20 years since the opening of the Anglesea Community Bank, a milestone that reflects the vision and determination of the residents who brought the model to life. In 2005, Allison Sedgewick, Angela Allardyce, the late Russell Hatwell, Noel Stephens and Mike Hancock led the establishment of a community-owned bank that would not only provide essential banking services but also reinvest profits back into the town. Last month, shareholders, customers, staff and community groups came together for a combined AGM and 20-year celebration. It was an opportunity to acknowledge the strong support that has sustained the branch and to reflect on the positive outcomes achieved over two decades of local banking. Since opening, the Anglesea, Winchelsea and Lorne Community Banks have returned $4.8 million to local groups, projects and programs. Funding has supported sporting clubs, schools, health and wellbeing initiatives, the arts, environmental programs and community infrastructure, contributing to a stronger, more connected town. The branch began with 72 local shareholders from Anglesea and Aireys Inlet. Today, we support 1,380 customers, with around four in ten locals choosing to bank with us. That’s a number we are very proud of. However, there remains significant opportunity for growth. Many residents, businesses and holiday homeowners still bank elsewhere, meaning their banking profits leave the community. When customers choose to bank locally, those funds remain in Anglesea and help increase the amount we can reinvest.

As the only bank in town, we provide trusted, competitive Bendigo Bank products and full digital capabilities. Customers can manage their banking from anywhere in Australia, while still directing their support to Anglesea. Many customers say they bank with us because of our service and because they see the impact firsthand. Their advocacy is one of our greatest strengths, and we encourage customers to continue sharing their experiences with friends, neighbours and local businesses. Personal recommendations remain one of the most effective ways to grow our customer base and to strengthen the impact we can deliver across the Shire. A Message to Visitors and Holiday Home Owners Anglesea is a town that people form lasting connections with. Whether visiting for weekends, summers or holidays, many feel a strong attachment to the community. Choosing to hold your banking relationship here is a simple and meaningful way to support the town you love. With national reach and full digital convenience, you can manage your accounts from anywhere while ensuring the benefit stays local. The past 20 years reflect the efforts of our shareholders, customers, volunteer board members, community partners and staff. As we celebrate this milestone, our message is clear: when you bank in Anglesea, you support Anglesea. We thank everyone who has contributed to our first 20 years and look forward to continuing our work together, strengthening our community now and into the future.

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BOOK REVIEWS

Wonderful Reads with Great Escape Books Legacy by Chris Hammer A stand-out in Australian crime writing, Chris Hammer takes us back to the world of Martin Scarsden for another captivating, complex and epic novel.

Last One Out by Jane Harper Renowned for her incredible debut novel The Dry and acclaimed follow up novels including The Lost Man and The Survivors, Jane Harper is a pioneer of the Australian crime genre.

While celebrating the launch of his new book, Martin’s world is thrown into chaos when the event is rocked by an explosion, a bomb, and the target was Martin. Now on the run Martin flees to the middle of nowhere to lay low. But it isn’t long before Martin finds himself caught up in another irresistible story and danger is hot on his tail. A ghost writer with a dark past, generational rival families and nineteenth century explorers all weave their way into this enthralling novel.

Five years after her son Sam walked out on his 21st birthday and never came home, Ro returns to their remote town to mark the anniversary of his disappearance. A town that barely resembles what once was a thriving community. The prosperity promised by a big mining company has disapeared and left only dust, guilt and regret. It’s been five years, but Ro hasn’t given up hope that someone in town knows something about Sam’s disappearance.

Action packed right from beginning to end with fantastic characters, layered mysteries and an epic conclusion, this might be Hammer’s best Scarsden novel yet, a must read! Review by Jess L @ Great Escape Books

Last One Out is a slower paced mystery but Harper’s incredible prose brings the landscape to life and makes you feel like you are right there, immersed in the setting. It is a powerful exploration of family, loss and community, and a confronting insight into the destruction of rural towns by mining corporations, the devastation they leave not only on the landscape, but also the people and communities. Review by Jess L @ Great Escape Books

Gravity Let Me Go by Trent Dalton A new book from Trent Dalton is always cause for excitement and Gravity Let Me Go does not disappoint. Noah Cork is a crime journalist who finds himself on the outer with the local cops and searching for a story. When a clue in his letterbox leads him to discover a murder victim, he not only has a scoop but a best-selling book. But his success has come at a cost – his family and perhaps his sanity. In many ways this is a different Trent Dalton book. Like Boy Swallows Universe and Lola in the Mirror the author brings the suburbs of Brisbane to life, showing a side that would not feature in a travel guide, but it’s less poetic and more down to earth than these earlier books. There’s an almost blokey tone that gives it a lightness despite the quite dark subject matter. This is a murder mystery, with Noah trying to figure out who the killer is, but more than that, this is a story about a marriage on the verge of breakdown and the things we sacrifice when we get caught up in chasing a story. Dalton has admitted that this is a book about him, an examination of his failings, ambitions and motivations. It is an examination of the lengths a journalist will go to for a story, but more broadly it’s a message for all of us to appreciate what’s really important in life. Review by Andi @ Great Escape Books

Life and Death, and Giants by Ron Rindo Life, and Death, and Giants is a rare, soul-stirring novel that tells the unforgettable story of Gabriel Fisher, a miraculous child born to a gentle Amish mother who dies in childbirth. Gifted with extraordinary strength and grace, Gabriel grows up under the care of his devout Amish grandparents, whose attempts to shield him from the outside world are thwarted by his enormous size. Told through four voices, his grieving grandmother Hannah, the compassionate veterinarian Thomas, the empathetic bar owner Billy, and the driven coach Trey, the story reveals Gabriel’s impact on everyone around him. Each perspective explores faith, loss, and the fragile boundary between the Amish and English worlds. The prose is tender and luminous, capturing the beauty of rural Wisconsin and the mystery of Gabriel’s presence. Deeply human and quietly powerful, this novel lingers long after the final page. Review by Nicole @ Great Escape Books

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FEATURE

Community Rallies to Protect the Hoodies Tina Lyndon

Friends of the Hooded Plover are a passionate team of volunteers, each rostered for an hour and a half daily during nesting season, from August to April. Janice explained that BirdLife Australia guides their activities under its project, with the primary goal of increasing the survival rate of eggs and fledglings. “Most people are gracious when asked to keep their dogs out of the exclusion zones,” Janice noted. “But one or two can be rude, and it’s no use arguing with them.” As we walked along Fairhaven Beach, she added, “Most locals are very supportive and environmentally conscious. They genuinely want to know how the birds are faring.” The mural at Aireys Inlet Community Centre

Hooded plovers are listed as vulnerable in Victoria and face an ongoing struggle for survival. Cherished and protected by the local community, the Airey’s Inlet Community Centre, affectionately known as Hoodie Hall, features a mural of this local icon, painted by Geoffrey Carran in 2021. Nearby, a plaque recounts how BirdLife Australia became involved in protecting hooded plovers. I spoke with Janice Carpenter, Regional Coordinator of Friends of the Hooded Plover Surf Coast, about the efforts to safeguard these birds. Janice explained that she and fellow volunteer Gretel Lamont “wear high-visibility vests provided by BirdLife Australia, so people can see them on the beach from a distance and because the vests give them some authority with visitors.” Janice’s journey to Aireys Inlet began after a career as a maths teacher and running an ethical investments business. She and her husband, John, had a holiday house in Aireys Inlet before retiring and making it their permanent home, a decision that proved fortuitous, occurring just before the COVID lockdowns. Six years ago, Janice became the area coordinator for Friends of the Hooded Plover Surf Coast and also serves as Vice President of the Aireys Inlet community garden. “It’s a very active community,” she said. “Once you get to know a few people, it gets even better.” This year has been promising for the hooded plovers. According to Janice, “SH, the male hooded plover, and his mate laid three eggs at Aireys Inlet, all of which successfully fledged. Along the Surf Coast, a total of ten chicks have fledged.”

During breeding season, exclusion zones are established by the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) whenever Friends of the Hooded Plover notify them of a nesting pair. Volunteers from the Aireys Inlet and District Association (AIDA), dedicated to protecting the local environment, provide A-frame signs asking people to avoid these zones. At Point Roadknight, where food is abundant year-round, permanent signage further encourages dog owners to respect the hooded plovers. Scott Hives, Conservation Coordinator at GORCAPA, has collaborated with Janice for several years. He described her as “my first point of contact and a pleasure to work with,” noting their ongoing efforts to improve hoodie management. Scott also works closely with Traditional Owner groups, Eastern Maar and Wadawurrung, highlighting how environmental obligations often intersect with Indigenous stewardship. Scott expressed optimism for the hooded plovers’ future: “I’ve seen community awareness and behavioral changes along the Surf Coast, which seem to correlate with higher fledgling rates. With continued education and better pest management, I hope to see multiple chicks fledge each year.” Information about exclusion zones, regulations, and fines is available at https://www. greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov. au/Environment/Conservation/ Fauna/Hooded-Plovers. Janice Carpenter (left) and fellow volunteer Gretel Lamont (Photo provided by Janice Carpenter)

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FEATURE

Adult Hooded Plovers

A precious and vulnerable Hooded Plover chick

Rangers also play a key role in conservation. As Scott explained, one of their responsibilities is implementing actions outlined in the Coastal Vegetation Strategy (CVS). “GORCAPA supports community groups and volunteers along the coast to align objectives with the CVS. During summer, we monitor hoodie sites, set up fences around nests, and establish exclusion zones when chicks are present. We’re very lucky to have so many active volunteers. Without them, we couldn’t achieve what we do.”

Janice emphasized the biggest threat hooded plovers face: “People and dogs can scare away the chicks, who must fend for themselves after hatching and feed on crustaceans in rock pools. If they can’t eat, they starve.” Her advice to visitors with dogs is simple: “Share the beach. You’re not the only ones here.”

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With over 40 years of connection to the Anglesea community and more than a decade of real estate experience, Paula Fowler is more than just a property expert — she’s a trusted local who truly understands the lifestyle, the people, and what makes this coastal town so special. Paula’s passion lies in helping people move into their next chapter with confidence. Her calm, empathetic approach, paired with expert knowledge and sharp attention to detail, ensures a smooth and rewarding real estate journey from start to finish. As a proud supporter of local clubs, schools, and events — from the Auskick program to the Anglesea Football & Netball Club — Paula is deeply woven into the fabric of our town. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just after a friendly chat about the market or the area, Paula’s always happy to help.

Known for her strong community involvement and invaluable local connections, Anna is well equipped to help clients achieve their investment property goals and to guide them every step of the way. With a diverse background spanning hospitality, tourism, immigration law, and Property Management, Anna brings a wealth of experience, local knowledge, and a passion for building lasting relationships to her role as Property Manager at Great Ocean Road Real Estate Anglesea.

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FEATURE

Drought Broken! Anglesea Claims 2025 Senior Premiership Julie Martin

The proud premiership team!

Twenty-six years after their last senior football flag, Anglesea has finally climbed back to the top of the Bellarine Football League, defeating Geelong Amateur in a fairytale 2025 premiership campaign that will be remembered for generations. The Roos’ long-awaited triumph at Grinter Reserve wasn’t just a win, it was the culmination of resilience, belief, community spirit, and one of the most remarkable late-season surges in local football history. Anglesea’s road to the premiership began long before the first bounce of the Grand Final. After a difficult midseason stretch, the Roos found themselves in a do-or-die position: they needed to win their final five home-andaway games to scrape into finals. They did exactly that and delivered one of the most dramatic finishes imaginable. A tense, heart-stopping draw in the final round was enough to secure fifth place and keep the dream alive. That single point became the spark of something extraordinary. From there, Anglesea embraced the underdog tag, toppling heavily favoured opponents week after week. Each victory strengthened belief and by the time the Grand Final arrived, the team carried a calm confidence that had eluded them earlier in the year.

Jordan Keras has spent years reshaping Anglesea’s football program, building confidence, culture, and belief. After the heartbreak of losing the 2024 Grand Final to Torquay, Keras and his playing group came back hungrier than ever. Supporting him were the club’s two inspirational captains, James Carr and Jack Walters. Together, they guided the side with composure, connection, and a fierce commitment to team-first football. What made this premiership so special was not just the win, but the way the entire town wrapped itself around the club. Anglesea has long prided itself on community spirit, and in recent years the AFNC committee has worked tirelessly to strengthen the feeling that this is our club, our community. That work was reflected in every cheer, every flag waved, and every person who made the trek to Grinter Reserve. Club President Paul Nigro embodied that emotion. A passionate leader who has poured countless hours into the club’s growth and unity, Nigro was openly emotional throughout the day, shedding tears of pride as the final siren confirmed the history-making win. His joy mirrored that of the entire town. The scenes on the ground afterward spoke to a club that has become bigger than football. It has become the heart of the community. As noted in the club’s senior report, this premiership has the potential to reshape Anglesea’s football future. The confidence gained from beating long-time rivals who traditionally held the upper hand could shift the club’s mindset for years to come. With a young, united playing group and a committee committed to connection, culture, and community, the Roos now stand on the edge of an exciting new era. After 26 long years Anglesea is a premiership town again, and didn’t they earn it!

Facing the powerhouse Geelong Amateur team in front of a huge crowd, Anglesea delivered a performance built on heart, grit, and an unshakeable desire to rewrite history. And when the final siren sounded, the emotions overflowed. One of the commentators captured the moment perfectly, declaring that “The whole bloody town is on the ground.” Players embraced and supporters wept. Families, volunteers, life members, juniors, and past players flooded onto the field in a moment of pure, unfiltered joy. It was more than a victory, it was a release of 26 years of waiting, hoping, and believing. The premiership win was built on sustained hard work and strong leadership on and off the field. Player-coach NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone

FEATURE

Alex Marles Setting Up Winners for Everyone Helen Booth Alex says Cardio tennis is great for people starting out or returning to tennis. “It’s a good workout that boosts skills without the pressure of scoring. I feed players non-stop balls. It doesn’t matter if they miss them or hit them out because I’ll just feed them another ball. This alternates with drills, then a chance to play for points. It’s fast, fun and relaxing with music playing in the background and plenty of laughs.” Playing high-level tennis tournaments and coaching was a phase Alex left behind in his late teens. He’d coached at Wesley College, Clifton Hill Tennis Club and the Vida Tennis Academy, where he also trained. After completing VCE, he hit a crossroad. Should he aim for tennis stardom or a university degree? Hoping for a role in local Government, Alex completed degrees in Business, and in Sport and Recreation Administration. When he graduated in mid-2020, Melbourne’s COVID restrictions meant no openings in community sport.

Alex Marles

Anglesea Tennis Club (ATC) Head Coach Alex Marles loves teaching people of all ages and aspirations the finer points of tennis. But he’s not just focused on serving, moving, ball contact and scoring. He’s equally focused on promoting the game as a fulfilling activity that builds skills, confidence and social connection. “Regardless of their tennis goals, I want people to leave here feeling they belong and have had fun,” he says. “If players want to build confidence and enjoy social competition, I tune into that. If they want a challenging, competitive fast track, I tune into that, too.” Alex developed this philosophy as senior coach at Surfcoast Tennis Club and ATC from 2020 to 2023 and fully articulated it during a six-month Junior Development course he completed in 2024. It now powers his vision for a thriving club where he offers the following programs: •

Junior Hotshots (four to 12-year-olds)

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Anglesea Primary School Lunchtime Tennis (Tuesdays)

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group lessons

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private coaching

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semi-private coaching

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Cardio Play and

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Cardio Burn.

That’s when Alex and his partner Pheobe escaped for a month to the relaxing refuge of his grandmother’s holiday house at the top of Parker Street, and the pandemic inadvertently reignited two of his childhood passions: Anglesea, where he’d spent every summer holiday, and tennis. “We quickly settled into life here,” Alex says, “and I developed an itch to play tennis again. I called Surfcoast Tennis Club and ATC Head Coach Peter Hubacek to ask if he’d give me a hit.” “I’ve got half an hour at 3pm tomorrow,” was his answer. Peter gave Alex a generous and enjoyable half hour, with no fee charged. Fired up and ready to return to tennis, Alex asked about playing pennant and later that night texted Peter, offering to help with coaching. “I kept checking my phone but there was no reply,” Alex says. “The next morning, I found his message: Come down today at 2pm”. After coaching for ninety minutes, Alex felt surprised and grateful when Peter asked, “How about tomorrow, same time?” ‘Tomorrow’ became Monday to Friday for the rest of the month. “I couldn’t believe I was being paid to do something I enjoyed so much,” Alex says. “I was in love with tennis again, but in a new way. I wasn’t playing under that intense pressure to make it to the top; I was playing to build skills and confidence in others.”

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FEATURE After returning to Melbourne, Alex continued coaching, driving back and forth each day until 2022 when Pheobe’s job changed and they moved to Anglesea. By this time, after 30 years in the role, Peter Hubacek had retired and Alex worked one day at Anglesea and four days at Surfcoast Tennis Club, alongside fellow senior coach Jackson Varney. “Even though I was only here one day a week, I loved coaching in Anglesea and quickly became embedded in the community of parents, and the kids and adults I coached.” Jackson gave Alex many pointers and extended his work in Anglesea to two days a week. In 2023, after Jackson’s focus shifted exclusively to his role as Surfcoast’s Head Coach, the ATC Committee appointed Alex as Anglesea’s fulltime Head Coach. “I’m so grateful to Peter for giving me that job in 2020, to Jackson for all his support and the ATC Committee for the trust they’ve given me to lead new programs. Working here every day is bliss, especially on those back courts, surrounded by trees, listening to the Gang-gangs.” Alex glances at photos lining the walls of the clubhouse. “This club’s been an important part of Anglesea for a long time. Many locals are interested in tennis. My job is to invite them in and give them the gift of what tennis can do for confidence, skill, fun and becoming part of a great community.”

Alex and some of his happy players

For more information or to make a booking with Alex, call 0419 671 301 or email alex@iamtennis.net

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IN THE HOUSE

Power Saving Bonus 5 To submit an application, you’ll need to bring:

We are pleased to share that our Community House is continuing to assist locals with applications for the Power Saving Bonus – Round 5. Many community members have already benefited from this program, and we are delighted to keep offering this support. Applications will remain open until March 2026. Eligible households can receive a $100 payment to help with rising energy costs. To qualify, applicants must: •

Have a recent residential electricity bill

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Hold one of the following concession cards: Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card, or Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card

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Not have previously applied for the $100 Bonus in this round

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A recent residential electricity bill

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Your concession card

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Your driver’s licence or Medicare card

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Bank details for where you would like the payment deposited

Anglesea Twilight Market Our first twilight markets of the season have been an outstanding success, drawing strong crowds and a vibrant community atmosphere. Opening night was particularly special as we officially launched our new shipping-container stage, a feature that will enhance entertainment and showcase local talent throughout the season. We look forward to welcoming visitors back for the remainder of our twilight markets and continuing to build on this fantastic start.

V/Line Buses

V/Line will run additional bus services over the summer period. We encourage travellers to plan their journey and check live service updates at ptv.vic.gov.au, via the PTV app, or by calling 1800 800 007. Travellers can also download the V/Line app for upto-date timetables and service information. 16

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SURF COAST SHIRE COUNCIL

Council Update Cr Libby Stapleton, Otway Range Ward There’s been plenty going on at Surf Coast Shire Council in recent months, with the adoption of our new Council Plan 2025-29, welcoming newly elected Cr Phoebe Crockett following a countback to fill a vacant position, proposed reduction of speed limits for parts of Anglesea and Aireys Inlet, development of an inspiring community plan for Anglesea, adoption of a new Public Lighting policy to support aspirations for Aireys Inlet to become a ‘Dark Sky Destination’, and the election of our new Mayor and Deputy Mayor … plus more!

Local residents have taken the reins to create the plan, with input from people across the community. Consultation on the draft vision and principles has been underway in recent months, and a final plan is expected before the end of the year. Read more about the plan at yoursay.surfcoast.vic.gov. au/AngleseaCommunityPlan.

Surf Coast Shire Council Wins Waste Award

The proposed speed changes have been submitted to the Department of Transport and Planning for approval, with staged implementation earmarked for next year between February and June.

Council won the ‘Community Engagement Success of the Year’ award at this year’s national Waste Innovation and Recycling Awards, for a series of four short ‘behind-thescenes’ videos showing the journey of the four kerbside bins from collection through to sorting and processing into new products, or to Anglesea landfill.

Speed Review Recommends Lower Limits A speed review across Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Fairhaven and Moggs Creek, recommends area-wide speed reductions to 40km/h and 30km/h in parts. Community input was central to the review, understanding how people use the local roads and what can be done to make them safer for everyone.

More information about locations and proposed speed changes can be found at yoursay.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/reviewspeed-limits-along-roads-anglesea-and-aireys-inlet

Watch the videos on Council’s website at surfcoast.vic.gov. au/KerbsideBinVideos. And please continue to support our ongoing success with waste diversion, with 70% of all residential waste currently being diverted from landfill thanks to the four-bin system.

Township Project Pages

Well done to everyone for doing their bit! But we need to do more, as our latest waste report card shows that over half (52%) of what’s in the red landfill bins could have gone into FOGO, recycling or glass bins. That leaves a lot of room for improvement!

The Festive Season is Here!

Our Anglesea

With so much going on across the Surf Coast Shire, Council has created dedicated web pages for each town. Head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au/AireysAngleseaProjects for up-to-date information on what’s happening locally.

The Surf Coast has come alive with sparkling new Christmas trees and decorations across our townships, including Anglesea and Aireys Inlet. Wishing all our residents and visitors a wonderful Christmas, and a safe and happy new year.

The Anglesea community has been working together on a vision for the future of the town, with support from Council to develop a community plan called ‘Our Anglesea’.

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HISTORY SPOT

The Passion for Sport Susan Clarke It is widely accepted that sport is embedded in Australian culture, that it’s part of the Australian identity to be passionate about sport and the teams we follow. So what is the history of sport in Anglesea and district? Here are some highlights. The Anglesea Regatta held on New Year’s Day is the longest running event. Over one hundred years ago the ‘boys’ of Anglesea challenged those from Aireys Inlet to a sporting competition which was held on 28 December 1910. After that the Anglesea Recreation and Sports Club was founded on 2 January 1911. The Regatta continues to be an important annual community event. The Regatta Boat Shed/Anglesea Recreation & Sports Clubhouse on the east bank of the Anglesea River is listed by the Surf Coast Shire for its local significance. The Regatta boats are of national significance and are registered on the National Maritime Registry. The 1930s saw the start of the tennis club, located then on the corner of Tonge Street and Parker Street. Joan Cameron and Stan McMillan won the opening tennis tournament in 1930. The courts and pavilion were sold for £1500 in 1945. The present club currently has eight modern grass courts, all playable under lights, situated in Cameron Road, next to the Bowling Club. The first attempt to create a golf course at Anglesea was in 1927 when an area on the clifftops at the end of Ramsay Street was ploughed in preparation. This did not proceed as there was no certainty of tenure. It wasn’t until 1950 when a meeting was held in the Recreation & Sports boatshed that a golf club was formed. A donation of land from Nicholas O’Donohue, plus 50 acres from Phil Harvey allowed the course to commence on 140 acres. In 1962 a further 82 acres on the northern and western boundaries was purchased from Nicholas O’Donohue enabling the creation of a second nine holes. Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club, whose members participate in surf sports to keep fit, was formed in January 1952. Many members have obtained gold medals in state, national and international titles in the various disciplines such as board paddling, ski paddling and beach running. Many club members have also been selected to represent the various state and national teams for competition, including overseas tours, and there have been numerous Olympians. The Anglesea Cricket Club began pre-competition on the Seaside Camping Ground oval in the 1950s. They commenced competition cricket in 1961. Development of grounds at Ellimatta Road took place from 1969 to 1973 with International Harvester staff from the Proving Ground working in a voluntary capacity. The shire developed a

Part of the ‘Local Sporting Teasures’ Display

cricket pitch in 1976, and the clubhouse was opened in 1978. Local builder Brian Butterworth started a bowling green at Anglecrest in the 1950s when he and his wife Betty ran a guesthouse there. The group of bowlers soon outgrew that bowling green and the Anglesea Bowling Club, established in 1960, opened at its current location in 1961 with a small shed donated by Len Newman as its clubhouse. A new building was opened in 1967, and the third iteration is the current clubhouse which opened in 2017. It now has upgraded greens with synthetic grass. The Anglesea Motor Yacht Club was established in 1961 at Point Roadknight where the Anglesea Fisherman’s Association’s weatherboard hut was previously located. The club has a proud and successful history of competitions, with several members having won numerous state, national and world titles. It is affiliated with Sailing Australia and participates with other yacht clubs along the coast. Also established at Ellimatta Reserve is the Anglesea Football Netball Club, which was formed in 1963. Anglesea started playing in the Geelong and District Football League, but crossed to the Bellarine Football League in 1973. They were premiers in 1983, 1991, 1999 and this year added another trophy to the record. These clubs all have their passionate members and supporters and have fostered a strong sense of community over time. To celebrate this, a display entitled ‘Local Sporting Treasures’ will be on show at History House in the Community Precinct from 21 November 2025.

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What’s happening at ACH January, February and March 2026

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT ACH

Health and Wellbeing NicFIT with personal trainer Nicky Friel

Cardio Blast Combo This class is a combo of Tabata, powerbar, body combat, muscle conditioning and abdominal exercises. When Saturdays @ 8.30am at Anglesea Hall

Powerbar Classes The ultimate fat burning workout, focusing on all the major muscle groups using barbells and dumbbells all set to motivational music that will leave you wanting to come back for more! When Mondays @ 9am Thursday @ 6.30pm at Anglesea Hall Cost

All classes are $20 or $170 for 10 sessions. First class free!

Sessions are suitable for any level of fitness. Bookings required for all classes. BYO mat. Daily morning classes running from December 27th throughout the month of January For further information about each class call Nicky on 0403 779 084. Personal training available at reasonable rates.

January, February and March 2026

Life in Balance Fitness Classes 2026 With a focus on improving strength and conditioning while ensuring correct technique, these exercise classes are fun, friendly and fitness building!

ANGLESEA Mat Pilates Classes When Wednesdays 9-10am, Anglesea Community House These dynamic classes focus on building core strength, developing lean muscle and improving balance, flexibility and posture. Classes cater for beginners through to those experienced with the Pilates method.

Over 55 Active Adults Circuit Training When Mondays 9-10am and 10-11am, Anglesea Football Netball club Build strength and endurance with circuit training combining low impact cardio, gym equipment, hand weights, and Pilates based core exercises for a full body workout.

Over 55 Active Adults Group Exercise Classes

Accredited training Blended CPR (HLTAID009) and Provide First Aid (HLTAID011)

When Fridays 9-10am, Anglesea Memorial Hall Stay active, mobile and energised with exercises designed for mature adults. Includes low impact cardio, strength, balance, flexibility and core exercises.

With Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), every minute counts. People who collapse with SCA only have a short 10minute window of survival. With every passing minute, the chance of survival reduces by 10%.

AIREYS INLET Active Adults Group Exercise Classes (Aireys Inlet Hall)

When Contact Kel for current dates or for group bookings 9–10 am (CPR only), 9 am–12 pm (First Aid) Where Online/face-to-face combination Cost CPR only : $70; First aid inc CPR : $175 (inc. GST)

When Wednesdays 9-10am, Aireys Inlet Hall Stay active, mobile and energised with exercises designed for mature adults. Includes low impact cardio, strength, balance, flexibility and core exercises.

FAIRHAVEN Circuit Training When Tuesdays 8.30am & 4.30pm and Thursdays 8.30am & 4.30pm (More sessions coming!) Build strength and endurance with high energy circuit workouts combining traditional weightlifting, Pilates based core and cardio exercises for a full body workout.

Contact Kel at: 0458 701 482.

Anglesea Community House Entrance 4, 5 McMillan Street, Anglesea (PO Box 43, Anglesea VIC 3230) Unless otherwise indicated, all courses can be booked via Anglesea Community House and are held at the Community House. Call us for more details on 5263 2116 or email info@anglesea.org.au

Bookings Required for all classes. Contact Lina for further details: M: 0403 797 973 E: libfit@outlook.com Fitness & Pilates Teacher Qualified & AUSACTIVE Registered

Keep up to date with upcoming events and courses via our website: www.anglesea.org.au Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @angleseacommunityhouse

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT ACH

BUSINESS PROFILE

If you Don’t “Blink” You’re Missing Out! Jenna Crawford Locals no longer need to travel to Torquay or Geelong to have their vision tested and get appropriate eyewear now that Anglesea has Madeleine Jones. Maddie is a therapeutically endorsed optometrist who has launched Blink Optometry in the Ocean Road Allied Health and Movement building at 97 Great Ocean Road (next to the Anglesea Post Office). She offers comprehensive eye examinations, glasses and prescription updates, soft contact lens fittings and referrals to an ophthalmologist if that is necessary. Exams specialised for children and diabetics are available as well. After she graduated with a Bachelor of Vision Science and a Master of Optometry degree from Deakin University, both taking three and half years, Maddie began as an optometrist for another company in Geelong. She continues to work there as well, but wanted to take on the challenge and responsibility of starting and running her own business. In addition to her formal qualifications, Maddie realises that the most important aspect of her job is to be able to communicate, whether that be with a three-year-old child or a ninety-three-year-old adult. Being able to talk to clients and get them to relax and be comfortable is the part of her job that she really loves. Given how welcoming she was during our first meeting and this interview it is obvious that she has all the skills necessary to relax clients and allow communication to occur. At the present time most people attending the Blink Clinic are fifty plus, which is reflective of the Anglesea community. However, this may change as her business grows. Maddie also volunteers some of her time, and services to Cambodian Vision where she helps locals who otherwise would not have access to optometry services. Research shows that Cambodia is one of the countries with the highest incidence of preventable blindness with approximately 70,000 new cataract cases each year.

As well as screening for cataract patients, the Optometry team provide services for people who need prescription glasses and general tests to check the health of the eye. Cambodian Vision have provided free glasses to over 4,000 people who would not be able to get them otherwise. If you need a friendly, helpful and compassionate optometrist I suggest making an appointment with Blink Optometry when it is convenient for you. Maddie is available every second Monday and appointments may be booked by calling 5263 1001.

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LOCAL PROFILE

A Bright Future Ahead for Camila and Jhon Celia Meehan before coming to Australia. Now in Grade Six, she serves as the Red House Captain and recently planned and ran Footy Colours Day. Next year, she will begin at Sacred Heart Secondary College in Geelong. While she’ll miss her friends at Aireys Inlet, she looks forward to studying new subjects, learning another language, trying dance, and perhaps even picking up the guitar. She’s happy that one of her Aireys friends will also be attending Sacred Heart, though she admits to feeling a little nervous about making new friends. •

If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Camila, Jhon, and their mother Yaritza in person, you may remember them from a previous NewsAngle article that introduced their inspiring story. The family arrived in Australia two years ago from Trinidad, as refugees from Venezuela, and have since made a wonderful impact on both Aireys Inlet Primary School and the wider community. The Uniting Church in Aireys Inlet sponsored and supported their resettlement, helping them begin a new life here. Although the family didn’t speak English when they arrived, they have embraced the challenge of learning the language and understanding Australian culture. Camila is proud to speak two languages and grateful to attend school every day, something she couldn’t always do

Jhon, Camila’s twin brother and older by four minutes, has also been a strong leader at Aireys Inlet Primary. As ViceCaptain, he has helped run school assemblies and proudly represented the school’s values of Personal Best, Respect, and Cooperation. He has enjoyed organising events like the upcoming Ice Cream Day and performing as the Goblin King in the school production. Jhon, who loves acting, music, and drawing, will be attending St Joseph’s College in Geelong next year. He looks forward to learning new skills, exploring new subjects, and continuing his leadership journey. Above all, he hopes people remember that he is kind. Camila and Jhon have made a remarkable start to life in Australia and will be greatly missed in Aireys Inlet. They plan to keep in touch and return often, especially since they’ll miss the ocean and the many people who have helped them feel at home.

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LOCAL PROFILE

Marvellous Melva Liz Clark Since the second edition of NewsAngle in 1989 Melva Stott has been writing stories, poems, musing over what goes on in the town, inviting us into her garden, and sharing her travels and life experiences in the ‘Write Angles’ column. She did take a break at one stage while writing for other publications, but returned in 2008 to highlight more of her perspective on life, history and Australiana, and the wide range of fascinating topics that entered her mind. M arvellous E ntertaining L egendary V ivacious A musing

She has now made the challenging decision to step back from this commitment after a few months of poor health and a re-assessment of the things she is still able to do and the things she needs to leave behind. “I don’t get out much anymore, I don’t see many people anymore,” Melva said. “All I’ll be doing is writing about myself. I’ve always written for other people and I am sure they won’t be interested in hearing more and more about me. I need to let someone else in to share their thoughts and ideas.” What a wise and brave decision. Thank you, Melva, for your good sense, your honesty, your acceptance of what life is throwing at you. As a teacher, you are giving us all a good lesson, as a woman you are finally looking after yourself. Well done. So many locals have appreciated your interesting sense of humour, the broad range of things that have attracted your attention, the history lessons you have brought us. Many open NewsAngle to read your words of wisdom before they move on to the more serious things that are featured in each edition. You will be missed but remembered with great affection and delight. M agical E nergetic L auded V ibrant A uthentic Melva grew up in what she called ‘the country’ and in those days it probably was. The location was Heatherton near the Moorabbin airport! At 14 Melva’s family moved to Geelong, for her a place of golden opportunities. She studied teaching and began what must have been a very lively career teaching children important things about Australia and English, 28

Melva at her 80th Birthday

history, grammar and nature. She probably found time to teach the curriculum as well! For many years Melva has written down her thoughts and observations both for herself and to share with others in various publications. For a time she was a regular columnist for the Surfcoast Times. As a child she had been an avid reader of Keith Dunstan’s columns in the Herald Sun (Sun News Pictorial) and frequently wrote to Keith about his writings. He always replied to her letters giving her encouragement to keep on writing. Melva has also been a devoted student of current and local events and frequently took time to send letters to the papers, both local and further afield, putting forth her point of view on the widest range of subjects, always with good common sense and just a tinge of humour. She was never shy in correcting grammar mistakes or pointing out a more sensible approach to various problems of life. Many people will remember the collections of reflections called Rambler, which Melva made available to readers through the Medical Centre. The idea was that you could read a short article while you were waiting to see the doctor, but many copies of the magazine were taken home and then returned a few weeks later for others to read. They included a wide range of anecdotes, short stories, insights, verses, jokes, history, travel, remembrances and snippets of information.

NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone

LOCAL PROFILE Melva’s larrikin sense of humour introduced readers to old phrases that took on new meanings and offered waggish insights into Australia’s history. Her perspective on the subjects she wrote about was always amusing, often provocative, sometimes simply very cheeky. For many years Melva and her husband Stan participated as Town Criers in many local events and represented Australia in town crying competitions overseas. Town Criers uniforms should represent their area, and Stan’s was a replica of Matthew Flinders’ uniform – the man who mapped our coastline. They frequently returned from those foreign shores proudly announcing that they had won awards for both cries and costumes. Melva once wrote about her experiences: “We encountered some school boy yobbos wearing daggy board shorts, coloured zinc cream on their noses, and towels wrapped around their heads. They said to us ‘Don’t ya know ya look stupid?’ I thought ‘And what do you think you look like?’ but couldn’t say it because I’m supposed to be a lady.” So typical of Melva’s sense of humour. M emorable E ducating L aughing V ersatile A dventurous

Well known for her participation in late night chats with Trevor Chappell on ABC radio, Melva is always keen to spread good news rather than bad. As an entertainer she is

great at ad lib conversations and quick clever replies to awkward questions. She has long enjoyed public speaking, but says she had no formal training for this, she just enjoys talking. Over the years Melva has received many awards for her amazing volunteer and community work. She is particularly proud of her local Australia Day Citizen of the Year award and the Victorian Tourism Award. Melva, Stan and their family are fondly remembered in the community for their re-enactment of the Christmas story each year on the Anglesea river bank. In the week before Christmas, they would set up the stable and fill it with various animals. Then Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus would arrive and wave to passersby, sending the message of hope and good cheer to all. They received many responses, some that were great fun, and some not very complimentary ones, but they loved keeping the story of Christmas alive in the town. Our community has been so fortunate to have Melva Stott’s imagination and expertise for so long. We have learned to laugh harder, to understand our origins more clearly, to look around us and see what is really going on in our world through her writings. She has left a wonderful trail of memories for this community to continue to enjoy. We wish her well as she moves on in her life, determined to make the most of each day, whatever it might offer. Thank you Melva.

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LOCAL PROFILE

Lesley Cadzow: A Fortunate Life Helen Thomas Some people in life are true go-getters in the best possible sense. They’re naturally optimistic, enthusiastic, energetic, and driven – people who simply like to get things done. The old adage says, “If you need something done, ask a busy person,” and Lesley Cadzow is exactly that kind of person. Scottish by birth, and with the accent to prove it, Lesley has called Australia home for the past 36 years. She hails from the Clyde Valley, where the local steel mills once stood in striking contrast to the surrounding agricultural landscape. Her father worked as a local bank manager, while her mother was a secretary in a department store. From a young age, Lesley was always fascinated by medicine, and she and her twin sister would be enthralled by the classic Scottish TV medical drama Dr Findlay’s Casebook. Their uncle, a ships’ doctor, had a large collection of medical texts for the sisters to trawl through. The photos of interesting, if somewhat gross, ailments stirred the curiosity and imagination of their young minds. Lesley studied Zoology and Molecular Biology at Glasgow University until, realising her real calling, she switched to Medicine. She trained as a GP in Scotland until a particularly grey day in Aberdeen prompted her to shift her gaze overseas. She settled on New Zealand, the country of her pen pals and volcanoes. There, in the land of the long white cloud, she travelled the north island by helicopter as a paediatric registrar, retrieving sick and premature babies.

Lesley Cadzow

Australia offered a new set of adventures as a general practitioner (GP) in Melbourne with the opportunity to be a GP Obstetrician, musculoskeletal doctor/acupuncturist and a Research Fellow and Clinical Tutor in Community Medicine. Lesley’s experience working in the medical field is extensive. She has worked as a hospital registrar, a roving rural and remote locum doctor, (with a particular interest in indigenous medicine), and as a medical acupuncturist. After 15 years in the city, a fabulous new opportunity to become a rural and remote locum doctor allowed her to visit many Australian Islands such as the Tiwi Islands, Thursday, Elcho and Norfolk Island. As a doctor with the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Broken Hill and Alice Springs, Lesley travelled to many of the amazing indigenous desert communities of central Australia. These diverse roles extended her skills, knowledge and experience as well as fostering a great love for outback Australia. She has also found she doesn’t mind flying to work! Lesley continued to seize new opportunities and became a cruise ship doctor, travelling to places as far flung as Antarctica, South Georgia, the Norwegian Arctic, Kamchatka, Papua New Guinea and the Falklands Islands. Storms at sea came with challenges and Lesley almost stitched a passenger’s ear to a pillowcase on a dramatic roll. Looking after crew,

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LOCAL PROFILE staff and passengers on a ship has its challenging moments especially when the locations are so remote.

active member of the Aireys Inlet Community Garden ... all evidence of her love of local community participation.

Lesley took on a role as Polar Tourist Guide, driving passengers through ice and surf to share her love of the natural world. Armed with a rifle in Svalbard, she was responsible for protecting passengers from polar bears!

Recently, I had the pleasure of sharing a shift at the Resale Shed in Anglesea with Lesley. We had a great time swapping stories and anecdotes about travel, work, and life on the Surf Coast. We even drove a few hard bargains, raising a handy sum for charity and sharing plenty of laughs along the way.

Her firsthand accounts of climate change, seeing the glacial melting occurring in the Arctic and Antarctic are somewhat sobering. She expressed concerns about over-tourism occurring in these remote areas and the impact on marine life as well as on the land sheltering polar bears, elephant seals and penguins. In 2023 Lesley swapped cruise ships for ships of the desert and became an expedition doctor with Australian Desert Expeditions. While working with them she trained as a cameleer in the Simpson Desert and Lesley has interesting tales about this unusual occupation. Camels spit an unappetising pesto (chewed up vegetation) when upset and will refuse to walk if their pack loads are unbalanced. There was a lot to learn to manage these creatures, both the tourists and camels!

Lesley’s environmental interests are practical too and extend to weeding work for Angair and the Friends of the Eastern Otways. In August 2024 she walked 1000 kilometres of the Bibbulum Track to raise money for cancer research, while enjoying the wildflowers and forests between Perth and

These days, along with her work as a rural locum GP on the Great Ocean Road and in Tasmania, Lesley continues to explore a long-time passion for the arts. Photography, basket weaving, jewellery and print making ... she is always trying something different. If you have been to an exhibition at the

Lesley on the Bibbulum Track

Albany. This is a cause close to her heart after the diagnosis of her young niece in 2024.

Lesley with some of her exhibited art pieces

Anglesea Art Space then you may have seen her work in a variety of mediums. In keeping with her philosophy of health and wellness and her interest in community medicine, Lesley is an active member of the Surf Coast community. She loves to sing and perform with the Anglesea Community Rock Choir, volunteers as a darning darling for the Repair Cafe and is an

Lesley states, quoting the words of A.B. Facey, she too has had a fortunate life, and listening to her recounting tales of her many adventures on the high seas, in remote, rural and regional Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Scotland she has indeed had a most interesting and fulfilling life to date and she’s not finished yet! Her continued service in her medical career and her current volunteering within the Surf Coast community shows a life filled with optimism and good intent, embracing people, challenges and new experiences. We are lucky to have such a talented and multi-skilled local in our midst. So, if you see Lesley around the traps in your day to day travels don’t forget to say “Hiya!”

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THE CHECK UP

National Lung Cancer Screening Program Dr Stuart Jones A new National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) has been started in Australia. The screening program uses low-dose CT scans to look for lung cancer in high-risk people without any symptoms. It aims to find lung cancer early and save lives. Early diagnosis can improve survival rates and quality of life, reduces the number of people who need treatment for advanced stage lung cancer and helps to save hundreds of lives each year from lung cancer.

provider can help you estimate your pack-year smoking history and will use their clinical judgement.

Eligibility

•

a new or changed cough

People are eligible for the program if they are aged between 50 and 70 years and:

•

coughing up blood

•

being short of breath for no reason

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show no signs or symptoms suggesting of lung cancer (asymptomatic)

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getting very tired

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unexplained weight loss

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currently smoke or have quit smoking in the past ten years

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chest or shoulder pain that does not go away.

•

have a history of tobacco cigarette smoking of at least 30 pack-years.

A ‘pack-year’ is a way of measuring the number of cigarettes a person has smoked in their lifetime. Pack-years are calculated by multiplying the number of cigarette packs smoked per day by the number of years the person has smoked. Example One pack-year is equal to smoking 20 cigarettes (one pack) per day for one year, or 40 cigarettes per day for half a year. One a pack a day for 1 year = one pack-year. One pack a day for 30 years = 30 pack years. Two packs a day for six months = one pack-year. Two packs a day for 15 years = 30 pack-years. Calculating pack-years can be challenging as you may have smoked different amounts over many years. A healthcare

Lung cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in Australia. It is a disease where abnormal cells in the lungs grow and multiply out of control. The main symptoms of lung cancer include:

If you have symptoms of lung cancer, you should not hesitate and seek advice from your GP. You may not be eligible for this program as you are not asymptomatic, but you will still require investigation of your symptoms. If you think you are eligible for the program and would like to sign up please see your GP to get registered. There is no out of pocket cost for the CT scan. Participants with a very low risk of cancer (no concerning findings on the CT scan) will stay in the program and receive a reminder for a screening scan in two years. Patients with concerning findings may need more frequent scans or referral to a respiratory physician which will be arranged by your GP. If you have further questions, please book in to discuss with your GP. As always, if you need help quitting smoking, please talk to your GP or visit www.quit.org.au.

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COMMUNITY CORNER

What is Your Bushfire Plan Upcoming Trinity this Fire Season? Uniting Church Tony Revell - Anglesea CFA Community Safety Anglesea Events If you live near areas that have significant bush, forest, long grass, or coastal scrub, then you need to plan ahead for the fire season. Not everyone thinks clearly in an emergency. Taking steps to get prepared before the fire season means you know what to do when you’re at risk of fire. A plan will help you remember what needs to be done during a crisis. Why should I leave early? Leaving early is the safest option to protect yourself and your family. Leaving early means leaving the area before there are any signs of a fire – not when you can see flames or smell smoke. Leaving early means avoiding panic and the risk of being trapped, making the wrong choices and putting you or your family at risk. How to plan Taking steps to get prepared before the fire season means you know what to do when you’re at risk of fire. Just as every family or household is unique, every fire plan will be different.

The Trinity Uniting Church is gearing up to bring colour, fun and community spirit to the start of the new year with its much-loved annual Fete and Book Sale! This vibrant event will take place on Saturday 10 January at the turnaround at the end of Murch Crescent. The Book Sale and Fete will be raising money to support initiatives such as Bushikori, Starfish Nippers, Frontier Services, Uniting and more. Book Sale 10am-1pm Daily starting January 5 2026. Church Fete Saturday January 10 2026, starting 8.30am. Includes food stalls, coffee cart, face painting and books! Coffee Cart: 8.30am-12pm BBQ: 8.30am-12pm Egg & bacon rolls, sausages & onion, vegetarian rolls with egg and onion. Face Painting: 9.30am-11.30am Cake Stall: 9am until sold out Devonshire Tea: 9am-12pm (or sold out).

Refer to information available at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/planprepare to assist. Planning should include such things as: •

What are your triggers to leave in the event of fire?

•

What will you take?

•

Where will you go?

•

How will you manage your pets?

Maintain Awareness and Stay Informed. The Vic Emergency app is the official Victorian Government app for access to community information and warnings for all types of emergencies in Victoria, including bushfire. The ABC is the emergency broadcaster. In the event of fire in our region, stay tuned to ABC Radio 774.

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COMMUNITY CORNER

Lions Club of Anglesea Update Betsy Newman The busy first half of a new Lions year has started with our wonderful Pink Ribbon Lunch raising funds for breast cancer charities. This is always an event that the community looks forward to as a day to dress up and support very worthy charities. This year we were registered with the McGrath Foundation and were fortunate to have a McGrath supported nurse from the University Hospital Geelong join us and be our guest speaker. The array of raffle prizes donated by local businesses was amazing. The Anglesea Bowling Club is very generous in allowing us to use their excellent facilities at no cost. The room was decorated with pink flowers and table settings and all the attendees wore pink. Our lunch of vegetarian frittata followed by pink jelly cakes and various sweet treats was enjoyed by everyone. Money raised is expected to be in the vicinity of $5,000 and will be distributed early in November. We sincerely thank the Corangamite Financial Services through the Bendigo Bank for their generous grant towards the cost of hosting the lunch. The next activities are a Bunnings BBQ at the Torquay store then Morning Melodies at the Anglesea Hotel with performer Issi Dye. This is always a happy day of songs followed by a pub lunch. We look forward to fun and entertainment as well as fundraising. Early in December we host Camp Quality at the annual Family Camp at the Anglesea Caravan Park. The Lions/ Lionettes cater for their meals during the weekend and always look forward to seeing the families relax and enjoy time together. As always we hope for good weather so that

they can enjoy all the wonderful outdoor activities Anglesea has to offer. Money raised from the sale of tickets in the Christmas stocking raffle is used to support six bursaries for grade six students, three from Aireys Inlet and three from Anglesea. The recipients are selected by the school and the criteria are Citizenship, Endeavour, Commendable Work Habits and Interest in Community. Each bursary is valued at $500 and paid to the school where they register for their secondary schooling. The Lionettes provide a bursary, in co-donation with her family, in the memory of Beth Quail. This bursary is presented to a Year 11 girl at Grovedale Secondary College where Beth was a teacher. We are proud to encourage our young people in their further education and thank the Quail family for their continued support. The pub raffles held every Friday evening at the Anglesea Hotel are very well supported. Many local and further afield organisations benefit from the funds raised. We welcome enquiries about our activities and organisation at: anglesealions@gmail.com or anglesealionessclub@gmail.com

Anglesea RSL Sub-Branch (Inc) Update The Anglesea RSL Sub-Branch held a heartfelt Remembrance Day Service at Cordelia Grove Aged Care, bringing the community together to honour all Australians who have served and sacrificed in times of conflict.

courage, commitment, and legacy of Australia’s service men and women Veteran Jack Tucker, a proud former serviceman, celebrated an extraordinary milestone on 2 November, turning 100 years old. His century of life, marked by resilience, service, and quiet strength, was warmly recognised at Cordelia Grove Aged Care, where Jack now resides.

The Remembrance Day gathering stood as a moving tribute to the 34

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COMMUNITY CORNER

Dog Tales and Tails: So You’ve Bought a Puppy? Doug Elsum How exciting, and how much fun lies ahead! For some of you, this will be your first puppy, and for others, it might have been quite a while since the last one. Either way, life’s probably a little different now, and so are the challenges (and joys!) that come with raising a pup. Most people bring their puppy home between eight and twelve weeks of age. During this time, please hold off on socialising your pup with unfamiliar dogs until after their second vaccination at 12 weeks. It’s fine to let them mix with dogs you know are fully vaccinated, but avoid unnecessary risks, a little patience now keeps your puppy healthy later. Dogs learn by association, not repetition. They link good behaviour with praise and unwanted behaviour with calm, non-physical correction. Because dogs live in the moment, timing is crucial. If your puppy play-bites, create the situation and correct it immediately, a firm, guttural growl and a quick spray of water can stop the biting. The moment they stop, give enthusiastic verbal and physical praise. I used to joke that if both my dog and my young son were trained to the word “NO,” my son would stop, and the dog would wonder what it had done wrong! Simplicity is key. The Bermuda Triangle for Dogs This is a serious one, the connection between a dog’s mouth, a human hand, and food. Treats are fantastic for training, but never feed them directly from your hand. Drop the treat on the ground instead and always reward after your pup completes a task, not before. Here’s why it matters: if your dog learns it’s okay to take food from a hand, one day at a barbecue, it might take a sausage straight from a child’s fingers, with potentially

disastrous results. Most dog bites happen in their own backyard, and they’re almost always avoidable. The Snip! Unless you plan to breed from your dog, desexing is one of the best things you can do for both your pet and yourself. Most vets now recommend doing this at around 12 months of age, to allow full ligament development. A desexed dog generally has better recall, fewer hormonal distractions, and won’t feel the need to mark every tree, post, and fence in sight. It makes for a calmer, easier companion and a much happier household! Toilet Training Dogs are pack animals, they need to feel included in family life, and that means they will likely be spending at least some time in the house with you, especially while they are very young. This makes toilet training essential! When it comes to toilet training, timing and routine are everything. Puppies usually need to go right after waking up. It’s easy to control the timing of this by waking them up and carrying them outside immediately. Don’t forget to praise them for the act. They’ll also go after eating or drinking so again, take them out immediately after. Dogs rarely toilet where they eat, drink, or sleep so use that to your advantage. I’ve often been asked by clients how to stop their dog using a particular spot, like under the clothesline. Simply place their water or food bowls there and they’ll soon choose somewhere else! This article only scratches the surface of puppy behaviour, but hopefully it helps you start off on the right paw.

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COMMUNITY CORNER

Anglesea Primary School Grade Six Reflections Ross Dullard The Grade Six graduates of Anglesea Primary School look back on their years with a mix of pride, nostalgia, and excitement for what comes next. They remember the friendships built on the playground, the teachers who encouraged them to grow, and the challenges that helped them discover their strengths. As they prepare to begin their next chapter they reflected on their experiences at Anglesea Primary School. Pearl: I’ve loved so much about my time at Anglesea Primary School, and I’ve been very proud to serve as a Values Leader. Some of my highlights have been school camps, the Mini Fete, Beach Safety and Awareness, GPAC and the Village Fair. I’ve really appreciated all the amazing people who made me laugh and made school such a fun experience. Milly C: I’ve really enjoyed everything about my time at APS, just being here has been a privilege. My overall favourite experiences were all the SSA sports days! Having the beach right at our doorstep has been amazing — from Beach Safety and Awareness to Grade Six surfing, it’s been the best! I’m excited for all the new sporting opportunities ahead and for whatever the future holds for me. Hugo S: Honestly, I’ve loved everything about my time at APS! I like how we make the most of our local environment, especially through Beach Safety and Awareness and surfing every Friday down at Main Beach, during Outdoor Ed. I can’t wait to meet new teachers, make new friends, and see what the next chapter brings. Albie: My favourite thing at APS was being part of the Outdoor Education program, especially surfing at Main Beach in Grade Six. I also loved running Bluearth sessions in my role as House Captain, as it was great to see everyone getting involved and having fun. Aibhlinn: I came to APS in Grade Four, and it’s been such a great place for my wellbeing. I love how it lets me get out into nature and stay active. I’ll be sad to leave, but I’m really looking forward to High School. Jai: I have really enjoyed my time at APS, and Grade Five and Six have been amazing. One of my favourite experiences was Melbourne Camp. Staying at CYC City was awesome, and we had so much fun enjoying the great food and activities like MSAC, Eureka Skydeck and Scienceworks. It was really cool getting around on trains and trams too. I am so excited to be joining the Sports Academy. I am really going to miss Anglesea, but I can’t wait to make new friends and see what the future holds. 36

Olivia: I started at APS in Grade Two, and the first thing that struck me was how small the school was and how everyone knew each other. I quickly felt part of the community, started playing basketball and made some great friends. My Grade Six highlight was definitely SSA Cricket. It was so special getting to play with all my friends and the fact that it was right here in Anglesea. We were the first ever cricket team, we won the day, and even made it through to division! Sam: APS has been such a brilliant place to spend the last seven years, but among all the memories one stands out, Melbourne Camp. It’s a memory I’ll never forget, staying up till midnight just chatting and playing, then waking up the next morning ready for a new adventure. Millie: I’m going to miss the green mounds, the smell of the beach, the kangaroos hopping around in the morning and spotting the joeys in spring. I can’t forget about our beautiful garden too. I also enjoy all our programs like CFA and ReWild. I love APS because of the tight knit community, always cheering so loudly at footy games, basketball games and supporting me at cross country. Jude: I have loved being with my friends and experiencing all the twists and turns of primary school. Such as surviving the covid years, being crowned runners up in the footy and cricket SSA and the Grade Six surfing program. Surfing on my birthday with all my school friends is a highlight and something I’ll always remember. Oliver: The memory that sticks in my mind is the Grade Six surfing program. The quick safety briefing, the pulling into the dumpers, the sloshing through thick seaweed. It is a memory that will stick with me forever. Next year I am looking forward to meeting new friends but still staying in touch with the 2025 crew. I’m excited for the extended work and homework as it’s really going to enhance my learning. Archer: Being at this school has been one of the highlights of my life. Making new friends and learning new things every day. I’ve loved the environment especially the yard that I’ve been lucky enough to use day in day out. I’m really going to miss this place.

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COMMUNITY CORNER Addison: My favourite thing about APS is how we get to use our local beaches for different programs like Grade Six Surfing and Beach Safety and Awareness. I think we are very lucky to be able to enjoy our oceans it’s a lot of fun splashing around with my friends. I’ve also enjoyed the SSA sport competitions, playing cricket for the first time this year was so special, and it’s now my new favourite sport. Hugo M-W: My favourite thing about APS is the wide range of SSA sports that we are exposed to. My favourite of which is SSA soccer. I don’t know. Maybe it’s the atmosphere. Maybe it’s the players. Maybe its just because soccer is my favourite sport, but it’s definitely been my favourite memory in my time at Anglesea Primary. There’s no feeling that even compares to the feeling of scoring a last-minute winner in front of the warm crowd of the Surf Coast Secondary year 7-9s. There really is nothing like it! Thank you, Anglesea Primary School for all the opportunities you’ve given me. Sadie: The most exhilarating part of Anglesea Primary has been the privilege to go to our local beaches to participate in our Beach Safety and Awareness program every Friday for six weeks. It’s an honour to be apart of this community and I’ve loved every minute of it. Watching my friends and I grow into the people we are today is something that will stay with me forever. I’m looking forward to continuing this journey with some of my really close friends. Mia: 2025 was a blur but my favourite activity that I’ll never forget was SSA Cricket. We advanced through to the second round after winning the final, but then our luck ended, with some tough conditions and not winning a game in the next round. Another thing I love about APS is the Beach Safety and Awareness Program. Going to the beach nearly everyday during school was such a fantasy when I lived in Melbourne, but now that fantasy is a reality. Veshanti: My favourite parts of Anglesea Primary School were the camps. I loved all of them. The best one for me was Grade Six City CYC, where we took the train to Melbourne CBD. I loved being amazed by the whale bones at the Museum. I also really liked catching the tram to MSAC and jumping off the diving boards and playing murder in the dark. Lucas: The thing I liked doing the most at APS is Cross Country, I remember running my first ever Cross Country in work boots and somehow still finishing 11th. I then ran my last Cross Country this year with a broken foot and finished 8th, making it all the way to regionals and purchasing some merch that I didn’t want to take off for a very long time. Anglesea Primary School has provided me with so many good times that I’ll never forget and forever miss.

Twitchers’ Corner Written and illustrated by Kaye Traynor

Eastern Rosella Platycercus eximius Other Names: Common Rosella, White-cheeked Rosella, Red-headed Rosella Wing: 145-163mm Bill:15-17mm Weight: 90-125g The Eastern Rosella is very well known and instantly identifiable with its brilliant contrasting colours of red, white, yellow, blue, green and black. It is smaller and more finely built than the Crimson Rosella, which is the other Rosella occurring in this region of Victoria. Description: Head and upper breast are brilliant scarlet with a pure white cheek patch, and the lower breast is yellow, changing to a clear pale green as on the rump. The vent and undertail coverts are red. The nape, mantle, back and tertiary wings are a rich, deep blue and the broad pair of central tail feathers are dark green. The upper, outer tail feathers are dark blue at the base fading to paler blue and then to broad, almost whitish tip. They are pale blue below. Females: Have less red on the head and are duller. Juveniles: Similar to the females, greener. They prefer lightly timbered country, open forests, plains, timbered watercourses, orchards, farmlands and parks and gardens. Compared with Crimson Rosellas which usually prefer more heavily forested country, but both species do overlap occasionally. Eastern Rosellas feed on seeds, blossoms, nectar, fruit, insects and larvae. They are often seen foraging by the side of the road as they search for grass seeds. They are sociable birds and can be found in pairs or groups with other parrots feeding on the ground or in the trees. Nesting begins about August and goes through to January. They nest in a tree hollow a few metres above the ground. Nests have also been found in rotting logs lying on the ground or even in a hole in a fence post. Sometimes they will use a nesting box. Four to seven, usually five, rounded white eggs are laid in the nest. Ref. GardenBirds - Clifford B. Frith. The Australian Bird Guide – P. Menkhorst, D. Rogers, R Clarke, J. Davies, P. Marsack, K. Franklin.

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Repair Cafe Surf Coast Keeps Hundreds of Items out of Landfill 690 community repairs and counting – and most were saved! It’s been another busy year at Repair Café Surf Coast, where locals have rolled up their sleeves, grabbed a cuppa, and brought in just about everything with a plug, a stitch, or squeak. With two meetings still to go this year a total of 690 items found their way to the Aireys Inlet Community Hall this year, and the results are something to celebrate. Textiles were the champions, with an incredible 90% repair success rate. From torn jeans and broken zips to well-loved jumpers and bags, nearly every item that hit the sewing table walked out wearable again. Tools and garden gear weren’t far behind, with 83% repaired, proof that a little sharpening and oil can keep secateurs, loppers, and chainsaws humming along for years. Small electricals like kettles, lamps, and toasters saw a solid 54% success rate, while audio-visual gear (think radios and stereos) came in at around 40%. Not bad when you consider the age of some of the vintage equipment that comes through the door! Jewellery and accessories enjoyed a

healthy 67% fix rate, with plenty of clasps, chains, and sentimental treasures given a second life. Across all categories, a whopping 369 items were successfully repaired, with another 93 people receiving advice on how to fix things safely at home. Just 57 items were deemed recyclable or e-waste, showing how much potential lies in what most people might throw away. In short? That’s hundreds of kilograms of stuff saved from landfill -and even more smiles shared over cups of tea. Repair Café Surf Coast meets monthly at the Aireys Inlet Community Hall, under the auspices of Anglesea Community House. Everyone’s welcome -whether you’ve got something to fix or just want to see how it’s done.

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ARTS SCENE Compiled by Deborah Elliot Art abounds in Anglesea and surrounds. Below you will find a summary of the Art Scene in Anglesea for the next couple of months. Please go to each organisation’s website to confirm the details of the events listed below.

THE SOUND DOCTOR LAUNCHES 2026 WITH HANNAH COHEN AND SAM EVIAN in New York’s mountainous countryside has shaped their lush, meditative sound worlds.

After a huge year of sold-out shows, international acts and local favourites, The Sound Doctor returns in 2026 with something truly special: New York’s Hannah Cohen and Sam Evian performing together for the first time in Australia and they’re making a stop in Anglesea! The Sound Doctor has cemented its reputation as one of regional Victoria’s most beloved and discerning live music presenters. Each year, the volunteer-run organisation transforms the Anglesea Memorial Hall into an intimate, world-class listening space, connecting audiences and artists together in a way that feels both intimate and expansive at the same time. Kicking off 2026 in that same spirit of connection are Hannah Cohen and Sam Evian, two extraordinary artists whose shared home just 25 minutes away from Woodstock,

Hannah Cohen’s stunning 2025 album Earthstar Mountain, produced by Sam, is a shimmering reflection on love, loss, and interconnection, woven from years spent in the quiet rhythms of the Catskills in countryside New York. Her music glows with tenderness and introspection, balancing melancholy and grace. Her first album in five years, it’s already been added to Rolling Stone’s list of The Best Albums of 2025 and draws on their shared love of artists such as Dusty Springfield, Sly and The Family Stone, and Neil Young. Sam Evian, the project of producer and multiinstrumentalist Sam Griffin Owens, is known for his warm, analog-infused songwriting and collaborations with the likes of Big Thief, Cass McCombs, and Cassandra Jenkins. His soulful, 60s and 70s-tinged sound feels timeless and radiates with care. Together, Cohen and Evian create a dreamlike blend of soft light and sound, where melody and memory gently entwine. Their performance at Anglesea Memorial Hall promises to be an intimate and transcendent start to the new Sound Doctor season. Friday 27 February | Anglesea Memorial Hall Will sell out soon: https://thesounddoctor.info/

ANGLESEA SNAPPERS The Anglesea Snappers Photography Club is a group of Surf Coast locals who are passionate about photography and the natural environment. They organise regular excursions, share their photographs for viewing at the first meeting of the month and aim to have a dedicated speaker for the second meeting of the month. When: 7.30pm, 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month at Anglesea Community House, 5 McMillan Street, Anglesea. Contact: Deb Elliott – 0439 686 585.

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ARTS SCENE ANGLESEA SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL!

ANGLESEA ART SPACE

Anglesea Movie Club is proud to present the 2026 Anglesea Shorts Film Festival. Budding young filmmakers are invited to take part in the 2026 Anglesea Shorts Film Festival, a creative showcase for storytellers aged under 18. This year’s theme challenges entrants to include a key (either literal or symbolic) somewhere in their film. What that key unlocks is entirely up to the filmmaker’s imagination.

Shop 2, 103 Great Ocean Road, Anglesea @angleseaartspace www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/angleseaartspace

Films may be up to three minutes long, and entries close 11 January 2026. The festival features two age categories: Juniors (up to 13 years) and Seniors (14 -18 years). To enter, participants must have a connection to the Surf Coast. Prizes include $500 for the Junior winner and $1,500 for the Senior winner. All finalists will receive $100, and their films will be screened at the festival event on 15 February 2026, where the winners will be announced. Whether your key opens a mystery, a memory, a door, or a whole new world, this is your chance to bring your story to the big screen. For more information email: movieclub@anglsea.org.au

EAGLES NEST ART GALLERY

The light filled space is available to emerging and established artists of all disciplines (including visual art, performance, installation) to exhibit, work and experiment at a minimal cost

ANGLESEA ART HOUSE 23 Cameron Road, Anglesea www.angleseaarthouse.com.au Reignite your creative spark and extend your artistic skills with tutored classes and friendly art groups. Kids Art Bash! The Art House puts on the Kids Art Bash every day for three weeks in January each year. A range of fun art activities engages local and visiting children and their families and the event is the Art House’s biggest fundraiser. A range of workshops are held throughout the year for members and non-members of the Anglesea Art House. Multiple short workshops in painting, glass, ceramics, printmaking and textiles are often planned during the year. These workshops will be ideal for creative people wanting to try out new art mediums. For further information ring the Art House on 0466 160 824 or please see their website.

48 Great Ocean Road, Aireys Inlet www.eaglesnestgallery.com.au Housed in a stunning purpose-built building, the gallery exhibits an ongoing display of local and regional artist’s artwork, plus bi-monthly exhibitions. Curated Currents: Keeping in the spirit of the festive season, Curated Currents is a rotating showcase of the family of artists who shape our place and time. Each piuece has been hand-picked by the Gallery Director to reflect the rhythm and pulse of contemporary local art. 6 December 2025 - 8 February 2026 Robert Ashton - Light Sensitive Experience the world through the lens of acclaimed photographer Robert Ashton in this compelling exhibition. 14 February - 29 March 2026 Gallery open 10am-5pm Friday to Sunday, 11am-2pm Mondays.

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WRITE ANGLES The Grand Finale! Welcome to the 100th edition of Write Angles and the last. Fare Thee Well: I know from experience that you can’t just stop writing a column because it keeps on writing itself in your head. But I’ll be 85 in January, so I think I’ve reached retiring age at last. Goodbye everyone and thank you to those who’ve said they’ve been “turning to the last page first” - I’ve appreciated your encouragement. A Good Citizen: Someone who’s been helping me is Craig Leeman who has built me a ramp as I can’t handle steps up or down at the moment. My daughter said my ramp is the second-largest man-made object that can be seen from outer space! Craig has also been doing lots of extras for me - he looks after us Senior Cits. Many people know him as Jacko, and we all thank God he’s here! A Leveller: I’ve been put in my place by a container of toilet cleaner - it has a childproof cap ... and I can’t open it! Boot on the Other Foot: Elsewhere in this edition is a profile on me from Liz Clark - it was interesting to read someone else’s view of me and my writing. Thank you, Liz, but now I really have something to live up to.

Remember When: •

We had the Wood Chop on the riverbank?

•

Pammy used to walk the streets with her sheep on a lead?

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We used to have Clean Up the River Day near Australia Day?

•

Anglesea Entertainers wrote all their own scripts, and included their children in them?

Gone To Heaven: One man died and three of my favourite people were gone forever. Barry Humphries took Dame Edna Everage and Sandy Stone with him as well as others. Barry was full of life right to the end. I really enjoyed impersonating Dame Edna, and when I was doing that I was being a woman-dressed-up-as-a-man-dressed-up-as-awoman. In Conclusion: •

I’ve discovered why the French eat snails - they don’t like fast food.

•

If you’re going through hell - keep going.

•

Why is ‘exaggerated’ such a long word?

•

And from Groucho Marx: Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana. (Think about it.)

Keep Smiling! Melva Stott

A Bit of Bragging: I was once the Editor of Tatler. Well, not THE Tatler - it was the student publication of Geelong Teachers’ College, and I was the first person to be editor for two years. Then Jan Morris took over, and she was editor for two years as well - so my record didn’t last very long! A Handy Gadget: There’s a little book you can buy from the newsagency, and you can write all your appointments, meetings and birthdays into it with a pen for the whole year. It doesn’t need recharging, it never drops out and it doesn’t damage your eyes. It’s called a diary.

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