12496497-CG22-21
October 10, 2025
FREE DIGITAL EDITION
SCAN the
SCAN the
QRQR CODE CODE
SIG N U P N O W!
geelongindy.com.au/subscribe geelongindy.com.au/subscribe
Iconic ship docks in bay
(Ivan Kemp) 508779_04
The Young Endeavour docked at Corio Bay on Saturday 4 October and set sail again on Wednesday with plenty of eager visitors getting the chance to see the iconic vessel. The 33-metre Royal Australian Navy ship is used to train the next generation of leaders aged 16 to 23 and was in the final stages of completing a circumnavigation of Australia. Since 1988 the Navy has successfully delivered more than 600 youth development voyages, sailed nearly 400,000 nautical miles, welcomed aboard more than 12,000 day sail guests and given more than 14,000 young Australians a life-changing adventure at sea. Pictured are leading seaman Mitchell Pratt and Chelsea Rees onboard the Young Endeavour in Geelong on Wednesday. A voyage on the Young Endeavour lasts 11 days and is highly sought after with applicants going into a ballot, which happens only twice a year. For more information see youngendeavour.gov.au
Libs’ crime plan By Matt Hewson Liberal MPs have pointed to Geelong as an example of Labor’s “crime crisis”. Shadow minister for police David Southwick visited Geelong last Friday, joining member for Western Victoria Bev McArthur for a tour of the city, briefings with police and community organisations and a public forum. The visit comes after the latest release of crime statistics, which revealed a 12.5 per cent increase in crime in Geelong, driven by a 24 per cent increase in theft offences. Mr Southwick said a Liberal National government would deliver a “tougher and smarter approach to crime and justice than Labor”. “We will strengthen bail laws because if you break bail, you should face jail,” he said.
“We will introduce Jack’s Law, equipping police and PSOs (protective services officers) with the tools and technology to get knives off our streets before tragedy strikes. “When crimes are committed, sentences will be serious, and consequences will be real. Justice will be clear, firm, and fair. “But we also know we cannot arrest our way out of this problem. That’s why we will invest in programs that give young people pathways out of crime - towards education, towards work, and towards hope.” Mr Southwick said there were no “one-size-fits-all” solutions for communities. “We want to back the grassroots to make the change… but the very first thing we could do tomorrow is boots on the ground, visibility,” he said.
“If people see police walking the streets, more mobile police stations set up in crime hotspots, that would change things overnight.” Ms McArthur said hearing first-hand accounts from victims at the crime and community safety forum was “shocking”. “Staff locking doors to keep out troublemakers, workers forced to physically push people out of their shops, and vandals trashing thousands of dollars’ worth of stock for fun… how is anyone supposed to run a business like that?” she said. “Locals don’t feel safe, and they have every right to demand better. “The Allan Labor government has left Geelong under-resourced and overwhelmed. “Instead of wasting millions of taxpayer
dollars on politicised TV ads spruiking failed bail laws, Labor should be funding frontline police in Geelong. The people we spoke to today want more boots on the ground, not more political spin.” Member for Geelong Christine Couzens said community safety was “paramount” and Labor was “listening to victims of crime with Australia’s toughest bail laws, a ban on machetes and increased stop and search powers for Victoria Police”. “Crime prevention is complex and needs to be addressed across all of government, which is why this year’s budget invests $135 million to help support young people at risk and keep communities safe,” she said. “We’ll continue to back early intervention initiatives that prevent crime and support young people at risk to turn their lives around.”
Get Fire Ready Geelong Region Living near bush or grasslands in Victoria means fire risk is real. Understand your risk and take steps to prepare now. Take part in a Get Fire Ready event near you this October. For more information visit cfa.vic.gov.au/getfireready
12804492-JO40-25