INSIDE THIS EDITION… MOKE MADNESS, PAGE 4
21 MARCH - 3 APRIL, 2025
BELLARINE’S NUMBER ONE NEWSPAPER
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Grovers clinch bowls double Ocean Grove cemented its position as the best bowls club in the region with wins in the Midweek Division 1 and Saturday Premier Division grand finals. The Grovers defeated Torquay in the Midweek title and on Sunday defeated Highton in the Premier decider. Ocean Grove also won the Midweek Division 2 title and the Saturday Division 6 and 9 premierships. The Saturday Premier team atoned for last year’s heartbreaking one-shot loss to Highton in the decider to win 81 to 64 at Belmont. The Grovers lost just once all season - to Highton in round 11 and finished 30 points clear as minor premiers. See our double-page spread in Sport
on pages 24 and 25. Ocean Grove celebrates the Saturday Premier Division premiership. (Ivan Kemp) 464678_34
Beach wheelchair boost By Matt Hewson Enjoying Ocean Grove Beach has never been easier for people with mobility challenges now Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club (OGSLSC) has an accessible beach wheelchair for public use. Provided by the City of Greater Geelong to OGSLSC, the new MobiChair is free to use by community members and visitors to the beach. The chair allows users of all ages to move easily from the car park to the beach and into the water, with large armrests that also serve as flotation devices. It is the third MobiChair provided to local beaches by the City, with existing chairs at Eastern Beach public pool and the Indented Head Boat Club, but the first to be made available in the region at an ocean beach. The MobiChair is part of a bigger push to
increase accessibility at Ocean Grove Beach. A sealed ramp provides easier access to the beach, while construction on a Changing Places facility with a tracking hoist and accessible bathroom, delivered in partnership by the Victorian government and Barwon Coast Committee of Management, began in late February. OGSLSC vice president of Operations Bruce Honey said the club was pleased to be able to give people the chance to experience the beach and the water who would otherwise find it difficult. “Everyone that lives locally and all the members of the surf club love the beach, the atmosphere and getting into the water,” Mr Honey said. “So the MobiChair helps those who historically haven’t been able to get down to the beach or access the sand and the water. It gives them the opportunity to do what we take
for granted every day. “It’s a good way for us to share our love for the water and beach and sand with those who historically haven’t been able to. “The thanks (from the public) for supplying the chair and enabling it has been overwhelming. Everyone who has used the chair has absolutely loved it.” Connewarre Ward councillor Elise Wilkinson said it was wonderful the City’s partnership with OGSLSC could provide the MobiChair to the community. “The partnership and this initiative is a small but meaningful step that enables our beaches to be more accessible and inclusive for all residents and visitors,” Cr Wilkinson said. “It’s been such a great collaboration, including life jackets donated by the Ocean Grove Disabled Surfers Association, and accessible toilets managed by Barwon Coast Committee of Management Inc.”
Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club VP Bruce Honey and president Lyndie Freestone with Cr Elise Wilkinson.
L O C A L LY OW N E D A N D O P E R AT E D S I N C E 1 9 8 8
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