1 Heywood honours
New racing champ
OBSERVER SPORT
P. 8 www.spec.com.au
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2024
$3.00 inc GST
popped into Narrawong Lavender farm this week to take in the vibrant colours and smell the beautiful perfume of the blooming flowers. While there he bumped into co-owner Kate Aley who was busy creating some last-minute gifts. Read more Page 9. Blooming beautiful SANTA Picture: LEESA COOK 241212lc14
Plan for new-look A new chapter for Portland Observer foreshore buildings
GABRIEL GARCIA
THE ageing Portland Yacht Club and Portland Angling Club facilities are set for extensive refurbishments.
That was the outcome at Tuesday’s Glenelg Shire Council meeting regarding the multi-storey Portland Foreshore Community Pavilion project. The news has delighted members of the Portland Sports Fishing Club, who have been using the Angling Club facilities for the past five years. “I think it’s a positive decision,” club treasurer and life member Darren Dyson said. “I think the buildings need a bit of a facial upgrade and a bit of internal work, but as far as I know, they’re still structurally sound, so I think it can be a benefit to the community. Mr Dyson said refurbishments could include upgrading the kitchen, toilets, inside flooring, heating, cooling and the ceiling. “Basically, a full upgrade,” he said. The decision to refurbish the existing buildings comes after Regional Development Victoria (RDV) withdrew their support for a new multi-storey Community Pavilion, which frustrated Councillor Michael Carr. “To be advised we can’t build new buildings on the foreshore
due to an inability to obtain approvals, but to then spend millions of dollars doing them up internally is interesting,” he said. “The 23rd of July 2024, the amended motion put forward was defeated and that was to get the new building built. Five months later the new building is off the table. Frustrating.” In 2021 Glenelg Shire was funded $4 million (a further $1 million more was held by the government for later release) by RDV, of which $422,000 has been spent, to develop the new facility. However, after delays and plan rewrites the RDV gave council an ultimatum this year to axe the plans for the new building and to decide on one of two options; refurbish the Portland Yacht Club and Portland Angling Club buildings located on the Portland Foreshore or terminate the project entirely and hand back the remaining $3.578 million. The motion to move the recommendation to refurbish the existing buildings was moved by Cr Mike Noske and seconded by Cr Carr before being voted on unanimously. Cr Noske, in moving the recommendation said that “done properly I think we will finish up with two buildings that both look and have the capability of running forward for 50 years.” Continued PAGE 2
WHILE the future of the Portland Observer is in good hands, with experienced newspaper publishers SA Today Pty Ltd, taking the reins, it is a sad day for one particular Portland family.
The Davis family’s strong links with the newspaper go back generations, with current publisher Michael Davis yesterday reflecting on the family’s love of newspapers. “The Davis family are proud and honoured to have contributed to the community through the Portland Observer for more than a century,” he said. “Since my great grandfather Edwin co-founded the Observer in 1890 we have been involved, “We’re disappointed that we no longer have an association with the
newspaper that has been a part of the lives of all of my family.” Current editor, Marlene Punton, yesterday signed on to take the lead at the new-look Portland Observer that will become a weekly Friday edition newspaper with the first publishing date set for Friday January 31. Most of the Portland Observer crew will be joining her in a new premises with the newspaper expected to be printed in Melbourne. “I was really saddened that so much history could be lost but the future looks bright, especially being bought by an expanding group that has deep roots in country and community newspapers,” Ms Punton said. Contineud PAGE 2