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TRANQUILITY FAIR PICS, PAGE 19
10 - 23 JANUARY, 2025
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BELLARINE’S NUMBER ONE NEWSPAPER
Ripping time at classic beach run
(Ivan Kemp) 451842_01
More than 1000 runners and walkers participated in the Rip to River Classic on Saturday January 4. It was a warm day that greeted participants who tackled the 10km course from Point Lonsdale to Ocean Grove as well as the shorter 5km course and Nippers course. The 10km races were won by former Ocean Grove Surf Lifesaving Club member Seb Asher and Amy Fawcett. It was both athletes’ second consecutive title. Glenn McMillan won the men’s 5km run and Anna Kasapis won the women’s. Natalie Sabbadini was first in the 10km walk while Maria Kasapis, 12, was the first Nipper to cross the line with 147 Nippers participating. Pictured are sisters Zoe (4) and Margot (3) and cousin Georgia (6) who all ran in the Nippers race and enjoyed an ice treat afterwards. See page 16 for more pictures and page 22 for the race results
Beach facilities for all Specialist toilet and changing facilities have opened at Portarlington foreshore in time for the busy summer season. Changing Places toilets are larger and equipped with a ceiling track hoist, an adult change table, and a toilet and shower that have enough room for two people to assist. Changing Places are locked using the Master Locksmith Access Key (MLAK) key system which are available for purchase by people with disabilities and their carers or support workers. Alongside the Changing Places, the public amenities have been upgraded to include new
accessible, ambulant and standard cubicles. The cubicles have been designed to be deeper than standard cubicles and provide benches and hooks to allow for a quick change of clothes, complemented by new outdoor showers to rinse sand and salt off. “I am so proud that Bellarine Bayside has been able to deliver the first ever Changing Places facility on the Bellarine Peninsula, providing users and their carers greater freedom to enjoy community life, including the simple joy of a day out at the beach,” Bellarine Bayside chief executive Scott Crabtree said.
“We want to make sure everyone can experience what our coast has to offer, and we are striving to make the beautiful Portarlington foreshore a destination known for its accessibility.” The $650,000 upgrade was supported by the Victorian government with $180,000 through its Changing Places Funding Grant. “The Changing Places facility in Portarlington is an important asset for the Bellarine Peninsula and will support the disability community to experience our coastal region,” Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant said.
Bellarine Bayside will also deliver a $157,000 project, partially funded through the Victorian government Coastal Public Access and Risk (CPAR) Grant 2023-24, to undertake complementary works to safely link the new Changing Places to the beach across the foreshore road. The initiative will include installation of accessible paths, a wombat crossing, disabled parking, all-abilities beach matting and associated accessible furniture. Works will commence sometime in 2025.
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