October 6, 2023
12640185-JB40-23
SENIORS FESTIVAL 2023 9 page feature INSIDE Graduation delight for students
(Ivan Kemp) 364803_06
Deakin University held its graduation ceremonies this week, marking the end of four years of university study for almost 2000 students. The ceremonies all took place at Costa Hall and the general feeling was that of elation and relief. Following the ceremonies, everyone spilled out onto the Waterfront campus central courtyard to mix with fellow students, family and friends. Exercise & Nutrition Science and Health & Social Development graduates Georgia Dimitroulis, Erin Mason, Claudio Manno and Jaimee Howlett (pictured) graduated on Tuesday much to their delight. ■ For more pictures, see our spread on
pages 8 and 9.
$50k later and no home By Matt Hewson Geelong Miniature Railway (GMR) president Brian Gray has called on the council to not “shut the door” on the charitable initiative. GMR is seeking a “peppercorn rental”, a site of 10 to 15 acres from the City of Greater Geelong with a favourable rental agreement. After granting GMR $50,000 last year to conduct a feasibility study, Mr Gray says the City of Greater Geelong has shut down communication with him. “We submitting everything to council in February, had a meeting with them in March and they told us ‘we’ll get back to you’,” Mr
Gray said. “After several months… I sent (the City) an email. (The response was) there’s a miniature railway in Portarlington, council doesn’t think they need another one in the Geelong region. “We’re a registered charity of ex-servicemen and the general public who are planning to build a workshop to teach local youth, corrections kids and anyone else we can support with regards to engineering and fabricating all the components of the railway.” “We’ve had nothing. It’s $50,000 of taxpayers’ money.” GMR received considerable flak last March when Geelong council granted the not-for-profit
organisation funds for the feasibility study, which Mr Gray said had affected his health significantly. “All the hoo-ha that happened in the paper when they gave us the money, it put me in hospital,” he said. “I was getting death threats, stuff like that. And now nothing? “We’re busting our arse to build a tourist hub in the Geelong region to raise money for the local community and to pass on our skills to local youth and anyone else who’s interested. “In Melbourne there are seven miniature railways. The one that makes the least (raises) $65,000 a year, running one day a month through the summer period. They gave, from
memory, $22,000 to the fire brigade, that sort of stuff. That’s what we want to do. “Council’s got that much land but they can’t give us 15 acres. It’s just disgusting, really.” Geelong City’s acting executive director of customer, community and economy Tennille Bradley said council’s next move on the miniature railway was subject to the findings of the feasibility study. “The feasibility study has been completed by the independent consultant and provided to the City for viewing,” she said. “The next step is for the City to provide its feedback to the Geelong Miniature Railway group.”
YOU ARE INVITED TO THE LEXUS
MELBOURNE CUP TOUR
FREE OVER 55'S EVENT
MONDAY, OCTOBER 23 See back page for details 12639221-KG40-23